salty

They were comps, but my eldest boy (who has no interest in going to any other sporting event) loved it so much we bought tickets for last night's match against Sheffield. 15 quid for adult, 8 for the kids. Was another great night - crowd was 5 1/2 thousand, which isn't too shabby. My point of cost cutting was directed more to the costs of machinery and the kit. Because they have spiralled over the years then the sport (in the UK) has had to cut costs elsewhere.

I agree a lot with what Falcace says a couple of posts above. The decline begain in the early 80's long before the innovations TWK talks about were introduced. Quite simply the product provided in the UK is not attractive enough to persuade enough people to part with their money to attend it. Last time I attended a British meeting the racing was average at best, the length of time it took to run the meeting was ridiculous, the presentation was poor, the facilities were squalid and the food and drink was awful and over priced. Two weeks ago I watched an elite league Ice Hockey match. The action was good with a great climax to the match, the facilities were first class with a good choice of food and drink (albeit pricey), the presentation was superb with loads of extra activities to keep the crowd entertained and generated a superb atmosphere. A brilliant night and we will definitely be back. In short, Speedway lost out on every level. If Speedway is to have a long term future I firmly believe it needs drastic surgery and must cut its costs to make it viable.

28th September 1968, Cradley v Newport

Snap. Still got all my programmes, except a few from the 1976 season. Got loads of Speedway Stars, but have a cull every now and then. Usually only keep the close season ones.

Great to see a Perks back in a Heathens race-jacket. I can remember his Uncle Dave making his debut.

But you are wrong. Phillpsr posts number 2112, Sidney responds in post 2113 by asking him a question. He didn't ask Blazeaway a question - as you allege. Wrong again Starry.

Just to clarify these were consecutive posts, so very clear that Sidney was asking the question of Phillipsr. Starry gets wrong end of stick as usual.

This week's issue and the Larry Ross one a couple of weeks ago have both been excellent reads. Jimmy Mac was one of my favourite "other" riders when I grew up following the Heathens and we didn't miss "our Bernie" quite so much if Jimmy was guesting. Can remember feeling quite upset when he committed the ultimate sin of signing for the dreaded Wolves.

Didn't Chris Manchester have a bad injury and lose his nerve a wee bit? Maube someone else can confirm. As for Mike Bast, we 'll never know how good he would have been in Europe. Guess he was lucky that he rode in the States when there was enough money to make a comfortable living.

Sorry I got these in the wrong order, I'm replying to quote 3 and using 1,2 and 4 to show that you are accusing people of "hanging him out to dry" and "pulling the lad to pieces" and that it is a "Poole thing". So I am right.

I have read your posts. The issue I have is that you are banging on about people wanting to "hang Darcy out to dry" (ironic turn of phrase) and there being an anti-poole agenda. As usual you're wrong.

So as usual when challenged you fold. All anyone has asked for is the case to be dealt with fairly and a ban in line with the disciplinary process. It really isn't a Poole thing, it may well be a Darcy Ward thing, but that is something quite different.

Would love you to point us in the direction of all those posters asking for him to be "hanged". All I've read is people expecting an appropriate punishment. Two years is the maximum, haven't seen many asking for that let alone anything more. Only person making it a Poole thing is you.

Given his historic links to both clubs, what about starting the season with a Brummies v Heathens clash for the Dan McCormick Trophy?

Brilliant news for both sets of supporters. Lets hope 2015 is a big success for both teams.

Can't argue with that.

Sad to hear this news. RIP Dan

If the magazine reflected the way the sport was run you would be purchasing an old copy of the Star with a photocopied insert. The mag would be damp from being left out in the rain and have plenty of "guest" columnists. It would cost fifteen quid for about fifteen minutes reading.

No chance of a "Sandhu" in my opinion. The ownership of their dog tracks at Monmore and Crayford over the years is simply about having control over two of the tracks that are mainstays of the BAGS service. Can't see that changing in the future as they still need that product for the betting shops. The two tracks are only a very small part of their business and their current issues are more to do with the increasing pressures on the viability of many of their shops as they struggle with the change in betting patterns and the increased tax on the FOBT's which was levied this year.

Sad to see him retire. Glad that he can make the decision himself. As Arson says he won a fair few medals.

DaveAllen81. Thank you for putting statistical analysis on top of the bones of what we all knew. Just shows what a shocking state the sport is in.

I'm afraid I don't know the definitive answer, trawling through the various wiki pages for each year of the GP would give you the answer I guess.I suspect the vast majority of 9th placed riders get a pick for the next season. It always irked me that a rider like Rune Holta had to get into the top 8 because he was always unlikely to get a nomination.

I thought that was just a reaction to the number of riders missing through injury, suspensions etc? Didn't realise at that point it was a permanent change. Why did Pawlicki, Covatti, THJ draw lots after Lonigo? No need for a finishing order - unless Harris and Doyle were to turn down their places.

Is it cynical to suggest that the rule change recently announced regarding replacement riders has been done with Ward in mind? Any rider who pulls out or is injured throughout the season can now be replaced by anyone of BSI's choosing (possibly Ward dependent on FIM ruling)rather than the next rider off the GP challenge rank (Shamek).

Once Lindgren put himself out of the running THJ was always going to get the slot as the second Swede. Slightly surprised MJJ got the nod instead of Kildemand, I thought the latters performances in reaching 2 Finals out of 2, winning the World Team Cup and in the European meetings would have been enough.