GeneralMelchett

I don't really disagree with any of that - however the GP even in Poland and other countries is restricted to smaller stadia now which suggests that at 10 rounds they are maxed, perhaps less is more and build back up from there! I can remember the Danish GP being at Parken (capacity 35k) now its at Vojens 15k? Every promoter down under that's tried has made huge losses if i recall things correctly. I reckon a 20k stadia would be about right - that way it could create that atmosphere and buzz - there is nothing worse than sitting in a half or even majority empty stadium at a sporting event regardless of what it is! I even remember the 1989 world final at the Olympic Stadium in Munich and that wasn't sold out either despite it being a healthy crowd. This might bring back some happy memories - World Final at Odsal 1985 - 37,000 apparently! https://www.yfanefa.com/record/2011

and of course Wembley wasn't a patch in High Beech was it! 😉

In my view no point trying to get speedway in a big stadium unless you can fill it, towards the end of my time going to Cardiff the crowd levels were dropping and whilst the Atmosphere was still good playing out in a half empty stadium doesn't seem right to me! I've watched Athletics at the LS and can confirm its excellent for that! Never been for football.

I forgot why I came on here! saying that I am one of the under 60s!

They were fab weren’t they - the jeopardy of the one of final did have something! It meant every race was keenly contested and the racing could be frantic at times as riders either went for the title or a qualification place! Happy days!

NO worries - given the comments were the next meeting after the BV postponement he was in a way having a bite at his own sides situation as everyone was there and ready to go!

I don’t miss it as I last went in 2018 when Tai came 2nd - I did used to love the whole event every year and went from 2001 to about 2008/9 - I was there to see the Trick wall of death ride the Emil / Scott handbags and of course Bombers win in 2007. my old man, sadly departed in 2022, and I used to go every year we started at Coventry in 2000 that was a fab event too as were the old British finals we used to attend in the late 80s it was more than just about the SGP tho it was a whole weekend event if you wanted it to be just like the old British finals etc were a big day out - there was a meeting on the Friday night at Somerset and then one at Newport before they closed on the Sunday or was that the other way round?. There was also the meeting of friends from this forum in the Prince of Wales for a few hrs before and after the event! Like most things I suppose it had it’s day - I don’t miss the scramble for the hotels and like a few others stayed well outside Cardiff in Bristol Newport etc on a few occasions as the hotels started ramping up prices! Glad I got to do it and really enjoyed it for a while!

Well lets see what it like on thursday shall we - I refrained form putting the boot into Buster (tempting tho it was) and it just about proved to be the right call!

Interested to know why you feel his statement was stupid - having read his comments in full he was addressing the entire issue of meeting postponements / rain offs and the habit of postponing things perhaps on a whim. I was at the aborted BV match and I personally felt the track would and could be ridden - the bikes never warmed up and not one rider either offered or was asked to test the track, or at least not one bike even rode a lap to test things. - came away feeling not enough had been done on that one! The annoucement said they were going to scrape off the surface and then after some token efforst the annoucement was its off!! He was really alluding to was a lack of professionalism and consistency - he cited that in almost 200 SGP etc events they had only 2 rain offs. If the sport is to be taken seriously and thrive which is, i think what we all want, then somehow things like this needs addressing. Yes there is perhaps a element of the (naive) newbie having a say and perhaps ruffling a few feathers etc but, in part his comments were perhaps aimed at both promoters and riders. If things don't get more professional / improve etc etc blah blah waffle piffle and Mayfield decided to say exit speedway in 2031 etc everyone will be back about missed opportunities and why won't the big money men touch our little sport! The change (largely in attitude) has to start somewhere!

No problem - I have only seen him ride in the v Kings Lynn match in Witchestv let’s hope he comes back and scores a hatful - he might have been under stress etc and that’s why we maybe haven’t seen the best of him.

agree completely - needs a bit of time - people seemed very enthused by his signing but because he hasn't scored massively they are now wanting him replaced after just a few meetings. The proposed solution seemed nonsensical to me and at least that has been reversed now.

He continued that today a full 15 in Poland!

The cost of the weekend as a whole became very expensive in fact people were just profiteering and I stopped - my old man and I used to go every year from about 2000-2006-7ish after a long gap we went one final time the year Woffy came 2nd can’t recall the year possibly 2016/17? the atmosphere was always great racing was so so!

I thought Scott had a decent match to be fair - a good win and some vital points!

Indeed but there was a previously linked Witches service that predated even that!! 😉 There is a should be a place for both - but i just still found it amazing that no-one at the BSPA cottoned onto this until now!

Don't recall him falling - he completed heat 15 finishing 3rd in a 3-3! It was a fairly competitive heat too! From memory the only faller was Thomson and he cleared the track quickly which got praise from the ref as he could have stayed down!

Absolutely - the comments I reference came directly after a paragraph on that postponement. I sensed a slight element of frustration that that match was called off - maybe i read it wrong but that was my takeaway! I know remember when pre-emptive postponements became a thing (maybe 2023 season) - I recall that in most cases these were justified in that rain on the day meant that the matches would in all likelikehood be called off. However not sure for this season or last.

Yes and as someone who used to contribute to that (albeit years ago) i was always surprised that the governing body of the sport never seeemed interested or able to do something themselves. The Extraliga league has a great app!

One day we may get the full low down on why CL took the actions he did - I seem to recall some people accused him of throwing his toys out of the pram and pouting cos he wasn't getting his own way - given Mayfield have, since taking over, raised two real areas of concern where the league needs to sharpen itself up - if they walked away would they be accused of the same!

Good to know this, in my view it was Tobi and then either Lawson or King - Lawson for the potential and King given hed been very consistent all night. We often get why wasn't X picked for heat 15 - there is always a reason and sometimes just good to know it! Also Scott had a great first / second bend in his 2nd heat to take a deserved and also needed victory as Thomson was shaping up so well. Also finally 20 years after this kind of thing was first done - nice to be the BSPA site carry live updates!

Compared to Kennett he is 😉

It simply shows how speedway has now followed other sports (and perhaps society in general) with attentions spans of a goldfish. The season is in late May - it started in earnest in early to mid April - yet we have constant demands for 'oh this isnt good enough and we demand change' - Change for changes sake often backfires as some football cliubs are finding out! I still find it (insane) that a current up and coming rider won't get a spot - given to an ageing has been - no disrespect to Kennet here but thats what he is!

Very interesting programme notes from the Witches promotion effectively calling out promoters being 'too willing' in calling off fixtures particuarly if their is just the slighest risk of rain! Its a habit that needs breaking! He also cited the last rain off in the FIM/SGP was in 2021 - just 2 rain offs in 200 meetings!

Enjoyed this, Chris Adams managed his side well given the hand he was dealt with injuries etc, got the most of of a 4 (maybe5) man Foxes side! A bit gate and go however but a few good races and one or two good moves from the home riders. Agree that Kye Thomson is a cracking rider and he mixed it really well. Witches needed more from some riders - both Lawson and TomB didn't do enough tonight for me. It was nice to see Jordan back and I do wonder why he hasn't been given a spot ahead of Kennett - nothing against Kennett but Jenkins did enough for me to think why isn't he in?

Baaa! Sadly too hot for that!