stevebrum

Either way is debatable. You only have to look at the excitement and crowds when Emil signed for Coventry albeit for a short spell. Crowds went up big time when he was in town. No doubt Vaculik would have created a similar buzz. Crowds will be up that’s for sure. It’s the cost of speedway that seems to be the issue.

There is no evidence to suggest that at all, in fact the opposite. The more bigger names drop out of racing in the UK the more the crowds have dropped. A coincidence or not? People say we can’t afford the big names anymore. We can’t afford to cut them any further back as it is! The problem for me is the wee taking of its loyal supporters. Quality of the top flight has dropped alarmingly in the 4-5 years but sadly not the cost. The middle tier charges in some places a pound or 2 less than the top flight. That cannot be right. It’s the middle tier that’s causing a lot of the issues for the top flight. More and more top flight riders are doubling down and demanding a fair wage packet for it I’ll guess. dumb the product if you wish (I’d prefer not as its zapping my enthusiasm for top flight speedway) but at least get the price top right. £10 for NL, £12 for 2nd tier and £14 or £15 for top flight. That’s the way forward next season. Not one big league tho please, the final death toll for our league racing.

Absolutely agree. Absolutely agree.

Imho Wells for King is a downgrade. Wright for Newman is a better upgrade however.

It’s always been the middle tier that is the most selfish of the leagues. All leagues want only what’s best for themselves, that’s why the sport is in such a precarious state, and been heading that way for many a year now. How they arrest the issue is anyone’s guess but no one league is to blame. Whatever IS done should ensure it’s suits all parties.

It’s really not a one league problem tho. You only have to see the pleading reports from Championship and NL promoters to know that no one league is in a better shape. the problem is the standard is dropping in the top flight but generally stronger in the lower league than years gone by yet prices are ridiculous for both tiers. Championship is overpriced imho.

Poor Shovlar. It’s the 2nd time this season he has been made to look silly. keep the quotes coming.

My point is it’s not official anywhere, so at this stage it’s speculation. Tine will tell if a ‘source’ proves right.

So is it confirmed or pure speculation??

Such a sad loss. The track is everything and we have been spoilt with such a brilliantly prepared track over the years.

Im surprised Poole lost after being ahead early on, seems like they are becoming the new Wolves. Still an away point is job done all the same.

I’m not sure what has been said officially but I’m lead to understand he won’t be back due to ill health.

So you are saying that sometimes 2 minutes should be 2 minutes and a bit?? Absolutely not. Sarj was rightfully excluded and his actions alone caused the extra 2 minutes. Heat 2 was a farce because of him not the ref.

From the start of the year, not just a recent thing. Glyn Taylor has been stepping in along with Doc’s reliable track staff.

A Stoke fan talking about a dire track, you just couldn’t make it up. In your opinion , not mine. I’m aware that some have been vocal about the racing over the past couple of years. It’s set it’s own standards over the years.

Only the new Pole struggled to turn. Something we have seen time and time again at a small track where throttle control is king and not full speed. Nobody is saying the top flight is anywhere near as strong as it should be, it’s still well more stronger than the 2nd tier. Evidenced by the big victories in the relegation battles.

As expected both teams missing riders who would have made a huge difference. Adams is right, we aren’t in great form right now. Heeps should have been in double figures in reserve. Decent enough meeting but not its usual high standard of close racing. Doc Bridgetts is the main missing ingredient however at Monmore.

Both teams weakened with injuries , could go either way. Certainly not a home banker.

Wolves aren’t in form at the moment so could go either way.

Total pie in the sky talk, completely unproven. Take out a further 8-12 top class riders that have ridden here in the past 2 seasons and yet again that mythical list of riders that will fill all team spots is further far from reality. why would you want to exclude ANY rider(s) that want to ride here and have been loyal to British speedway?? Just to weaken the sport here to save it??? That will really work, NOT. By doing that you are ensuring there is not a level somewhere between the Premiership and the Championship because you have totally wiped out the top tier by excluding the bigger names so another flaw pointed out in that idea previously mentioned. No doubt some won’t be happy until we have wiped out the top tier and the lower class is king. Sadly it isn’t. And you will as good as kill it dead by dumbing down the standard. so many reasons as to why a one big league won’t work or isn’t viable. Not enough quality riders, no stars, no crowds. I just hope it isn’t even under consideration unless it’s moving to something like the Danish league of 6 man teams.

Your proof has been exposed. There are not plenty of riders wanting to ride here, and only a handful of NL riders that can handle a level above. my point remains, there aren’t enough of sufficient quality to fill all teams.

Sorry it’s not Kings Lynn related but I was lost to the sport when I left school but returned out of curiousity 18 years later and it’s fair to say I’m a regular attender again. Most certainly do get out of the habit so I realise my case isn’t the usual at all.

Waiting for Pete Adams to call first.

The usual trotted out line that there are ‘plentiful riders from overseas’ who want a team spot here and there are plenty of riders in the NL who could make up team spots. firstly where are these plentiful riders then? Matt Ford has been turned down by many over the past 2 seasons and had to turn to journeymen to make do. Of those plentiful riders from overseas who apparently want to flock here quite a few of them are barely championship level. Most become and stay reserves for several seasons thus keeping the promising Brits out of a team place, but let’s skip over that for now. There aren’t plentiful overseas riders wanting to come over anymore, getting less as the seasons go on. The truth about the NL standard riders only a handful are really able to deal with a level above. If you watch NL racing (I do every week) you simply cannot say that just because a rider of NL has an average of 6 or over they can handle the next level. ill use 2 examples to demonstrate. Mitchell Davey has been a star at this level for a while now but always struggles at levels above. (I use his name with caution due to the serious injuries he received and as someone who was on the track and had to witness his struggle for life it is most definitely not meant in any way as a negative and I couldn’t be any more delighted to see he is now on the mend). Another is Kyle Hughes. A big name in the NL but has struggled at any other level. Then you have heat leaders like Jon Armstrong and Tony Atkin who are both riding for fun and in their late 40’s. So already this exhaustive list of 6 pointers is already growing thin. its fanciful at best to say there are enough riders of adequate quality to fill all team spots. And then when take out teams who have assets to call on to build a stronger team you are leaving some teams with having to pick up the dregs, great for the fans NOT! The facts you quote as I’ve demonstrated are clearly flawed.

You still haven’t said where I’ve been insensitive in a previous post. Which most definitely was not. sorry to hear you have been unwell however your reply was out of order and character.