Halifaxtiger

'I stopped going regularly for a variety of reasons, now don't live in the UK, and don't have a convenient local track to attend even if I did'. ​Isn't that enough to suggest you're unlikely to go again ? I very much disagree that you don't put the views and opinions of those attending speedway first and believe that smacks of the complacent, take them for granted attitude that I find so prevalent within speedway. It means that there is an acceptance - at least to a degree - that everyone still going is perfectly happy and will keep going no matter what. As its clear that hundreds if not thousands have deserted the sport for varying reasons, that's simply not true. Take me, for example. I spend a lot of money watching speedway and travel an equal amount of miles to do so. But in 2015 I boycotted a track because of their attitude, I did it to a different track in 2016 and will do the same in 2017. Even for someone as committed as myself, there are limits. I also find - mostly on here - that those who have stopped going simply have no interest in going back. They just complain and slag the sport off all the time and some have even said they wouldn't return even if it was free. I really don't understand why you would put the needs and wishes of such people above a current paying customer. One third of British tracks are on Sky Sports, so comment can be made on the racing. To illustrate the point about going and not going, Belle Vue have a new stadium. So (apparently) will Swindon. Scunthorpe has been re-developed year on year and will have new facilities in place in 2017. Glasgow has been subject to major improvement, and you wouldn't recognise Rye House. The back straight terracing at Ipswich has been completely changed, Redcar have a new stand and there have been minor (but important) changes for the good at the likes of Mildenhall, Plymouth, and Workington. I believe King's Lynn has an ongoing programme of works. That's over a third of current stadiums, and that's only the ones I can think of. How do I know this ? Because I have been to them all in the last few years. . Having been critical, what you say about ridiculous delays holds a great deal of water. Intervals, in particular, really stick in my craw. They had an unbelievable 20 minute one at Birmingham last March. Who on earth wants to stand about in the freezing cold for that long ?

One of Isle of Wight's sponsors is.................the Isle of Wight County Press. Barry Bishop simply doesn't miss a trick.

Absolute no brainer signing him. I am not sure I saw him ride last season but from report I know he is pretty good. I was impressed with Walker last season, too. Andrews and Smart - Ok I suppose. If Boxall is up for it, he'll be a very good number 1. There is always that doubt about his reliability, though.

No 1 signed but not named. Henry Atkins, Callum Walker, Richard Andrews, Lee Smart. Saul Bully no 8

Are you ? Whose opinion counts more - someone who goes every week or might go every week or someone who hasn't been for 2 or 3 years and is unlikely to go again ? That doesn't mean your view is worthless - definitely not in your case, your post above is an excellent one - but I'd say the views of those who attend regularly or might attend regularly are far more valuable. Four things that are constantly raised are the quality of racing, the facilities, delays and presentation. Unless you go, you can't comment on the last three at all and can only comment on the first based upon about one third of British tracks Is there a sport that has done away with programmes entirely ?

No-one intentionally. The guards are there for when they do so unintentionally. Slip and fall here and you hit the guard. Slip and fall in Sweden and you lose an arm.

First paragraph : completely agree Second : When's the last time you actually attended a speedway meeting (not being insulting but we know only too well that about half the posters on here don't actually go at all or only go occasionally) ? Thing is I can't recall hearing a war cry last season at all and even if my memory has failed me a bit they are certainly very rare indeed. As to tunes they march out to, there are a few cheesy ones but most are OK. Programme boards are a bit naff but try filling a programme in without one.

Perhaps he should speak to Rob Godfrey.

Yes, I think that's perfectly reasonable. After all, why not ? In truth, I see no reason why we couldn't see the voting either. The only thing I would say is if there was someone from Belle Vue I would say they have the right to remain anonymous because of the potential takeover. In truth, I don't know that for certain by any means but I would have been surprised if they were losing money. I actually think that given the gates they had it is possible that the Aces made money, too. The problem was not the ongoing 2016, but the vast burden of debt carried forward from Kirky Lane and the disastrous outcome of the Peter Craven meeting, which I suspect was the straw that broke the camel's back. Yes, it does, although we have had public confirmation that the Aces and the Colts will run in 2017 and that the talks are positive. I just don't happen to believe that if there is a potential buyer we have any right to know any more than that. I accept it will be a case of wait and see, however frustrating that might be.

I think it might just be. Of course, because its football that's different and its absolutely fine . My point is not to be critical of any other sports rules, but simply to show that any comparison of one sports rules against anothers is ridiculous.

No, not quite the same. But its still one goal counting as two. How stupid is that, score one goal but it counts as two I hear they are introducing a new rule in speedway next season whereby the riders of one team are only allowed on certain parts of the track depending on where the opposition are. Bloody hilarious Ever heard of offside ?

Word I got was that it wasn't down to Boocock but the riders. Typical case of putting paid employees wants before those of paying customers with the result that paying customers are thinking of not paying any more. Its not bloody difficult : Customers needs come first every single time. (to be fair, Sheffield are anything but alone).

Precisely. All we ever hear are excuses about wind, sun and stock cars. Scunny v Edinburgh last season. A hot, windy day with a stock car meeting the previous night. Best meeting I saw all year and one of the best I have seen in years. I wouldn't mind so much but Sheffield have the same trackman !!

Never heard of away goals counting double ?

I certainly don't think Belle Vue's future is shaky by any means............which is one reason why I am surprised the Colts haven't been entered as a standalone team, I would have thought the attendances for Colts matches last season would have paid their way. Where a takeover is in progress I would accept that there is a need to keep things confidential until it is actually agreed, although some degree of disclosure such as 'talks are ongoing' is appropriate. I really don't think the BSPA have done anything wrong regarding the situations at Belle Vue or Leicester in terms of public announcement. Yes, it was. Scunthorpe riders but rode a couple of home matches at Owlerton.

Definitely worth a visit. Much of the racing there last season was just brilliant. If someone asked me to name a track to tempt someone to return, it would Scunny. That's a little different, Humph. If there weren't issues over the ownership and development of the stadium, I doubt if speedway at Coventry would be under threat.

I hope very much that you are right.

The answer to the question is 'Yes'. People were talking about it dying 30 years ago and more but its still here. I hate to bang on about Isle of Wight (and apologise for doing so) but to me they set a standard that others should at least consider. I have been to every British track in the last two seasons and did 80 meetings at 23 last year, so I think I have some qualification to make a fair comparison. First of all, its about making sure people know about the existence of a speedway track. Their efforts have been amazing - posters, leaflets, flyers, adverts, shows, stands - you name it, they do it. Anyone seen an advert at Eastbourne ? Thought not. The cost for two adults and two children is £22, comparable with any other evening entertainment and about 30% cheaper than a visit to the cinema. Poole can set you back nearer £50. They have two of the best presenters in the game - Bryn Williams & Tim Allan. Compare that with star of the show Peter York at Coventry, that annoying bloke in the middle at Plymouth, the unbelievably dreary chap in the box at Glasgow (I was told - as a joke - that he worked for an undertaker and for a moment believed it) or the centre green man at Birmingham, who has the charisma of a moose. Then there's the racing. Pretty good, in fact. The tracks that could learn a lesson from this are numerous but lets name Sheffield, Kent & Leicester for a start. There's also what they put on over and above that, particularly for the youngsters (who, of course, bring their parents). Face painting, bike racing, meetings with riders, centre green visits. When I was there last season, a group of away fans were taken into the middle. That's unheard of. Finally there's the attitude of the promotion. Pretty incredible by speedway standards, I'd say. For a start, they are highly visible on race nights. Fair criticism is not met by abuse, aggression and hostility, but by someone actually listening, taking on board what you say and giving you feedback even if that is to say that they disagree. Then there's the story of young Callum Gouldbourne, who I don't think it is an exaggeration to say has literally had his life changed by the promotion and riders at the club. Buxton or Redcar could learn a few lessons from this, and we won't even go near Stoke. What is amazing (and indeed infuriating) is that none of the above is difficult, time consuming, expensive (aside from the initial outlay,the advertising is met by sponsors) or even inobvious. Its all just about a bit more care and effort for the needs of customers, both individually and collectively. As such, any promotion could do exactly the same. The pay off ? When I went to Isle of Wight in 2012 the gate at bank holiday time was about 300. This year, it had probably doubled.

I think you're right. If Bewley got injured in the first week of the season, pretty much the best rider they can replace him with is................Danny Ayres. Put Ayres in the 7 instead of Bewley and suddenly that team looks nowhere near as good. I think there is a case for some improvement from all the bottom four, Smith in particular. Without a doubt, though, by far and away the most important rider is Bewley.

I must admit I will be very surprised if the new promotion will be liable for the previous one's debts. Can't see Laurence Rogers and Mark Phillips taking on the £300k apparently owed by the previous Plymouth owners, for example. It won't be a case of writing off what was owed but pursuing it from Messrs Morton & Gordon.

Brilliant news One of my favourite tracks and the most under rated and over criticised in British Speedway.

I can say I never saw anything like that from Kurtz last season and while my visits to SBA were limited I saw a fair few away meetings. His performance at Peterborough was, indeed, one of the best away ones I saw anywhere in 2016. I also don't recall any of the boys I know from Plymouth - who travel everywhere - complaining about him on track (although there might have been the odd one about him off track).

I certainly think they are better than some might suggest. Cook can beat anyone, anywhere, Proctor can put a couple of points on his average and Williamson is one of the stronger reserves. Sheffield for me.

Won't argue with that. The amount of track grading when I was there was ridiculous.