TonyE

It is not really a question of Scott to Lakeside but more an issue of officialdom preventing him (and, perhaps others) from dropping down a tier. A shabby way to treat someone who has his length of participation in UK speedway.

Hopefully, common sense will prevail but we are talking speedway promoters here and their track record (pun intended) is not that good. After all, Jason Doyle started the season just gone on a 13.47 average!

Farcical - a real 'chicken and egg'/'there's a hole in my bucket' scenario. Scott wants to ride in the Championship but cannot because he doesn't have a Championship average - to get one he needs to ride in the Championship. Isn't that what conversion rates were designed for?

And the rationale is?

I'm not sure the rule would survive a legal challenge.

Weird decisions like this one, if true, are just what gives speedway a bad name. It should be transparent and any rationale involved made public. How does it square with 'restraint of trade' issues?

Why is he different to others?

You could well be.........wrong.

Good to see you are back Judy. Remember that last heat well - all Kelvin had to do was score a point and he was off the inside gate as well. Agree. We had absolutely no luck that day.

He is far from unique in that respect but 'the thread' doesn't pick the team!

For 2017. there were only seven riders finishing on 8 or above. Four teams, Kings Lynn, Leicester, Rye House and Somerset had none. Belle Vue, Swindon and Wolves need to 'release' one as they each had two. It would be interesting to learn it the promotors of those three were outvoted on the proposal.

Took them a long while to listen to what the fans want! Waits with baited breath for the detail.

Richard Lawson will be most welcome at Lakeside (what happened at Glasgow though)?

I don't think Kim Nilsson will figure in an 'all British' team.

True to form, we didn't have to wait long for your 'contribution'.

Adam Ellis could also figure as he is an asset too.

I believe it was a factor coupled with likely 'fixed' race nights in the Premier. There has been a lot of discussion in the past about Friday meetings but the cold hard facts are that any other weekday produces poorer crowds. Trying Sundays this season was a disaster. There was an acknowledgement that dropping down to NL had been a mistake (but one forced on the promotion as an alternative to no speedway at all) and a desire to have regular racing.results in the Championship application.

Following last evening's social event, it looks as if the Hammers will be aiming for regular racing in 2018 by applying to join the Championship with a likely all British team.

Yes - I will be there.

Not to difficult at this stage to identify key team members - the remaining places can be filled once the 'team limit' is known. We will find out a little more perhaps on Friday evening.

There is always an alternate viewpoint and the end of season event is virtually fully subscribed (only 3 spaces left at the time of posting)..

It would be pertinent to remind folks that Kim Nilsson is a Lakeside asset and the latter are likely to be back in the top league next year.

It is pretty evident that there is no easy answer (speedway in general) and, for Lakeside in particular, geographical location is a major issue. I agree, everyone has the option to 'vote with their feet' and, if enough do, the problem will be solved - no more speedway. Owning their own stadium, having bottomless pockets is a big plus for some (but not many) and virtually all the initiatives both past and future will, generally involve a financial risk of some kind. The latter is particularly relevant given that running/owning a speedway club more often than not has a negative impact on one's profit and loss account. All that said, hopefully the authorities that be will come up with a refreshing new approach over the closed season - past experience however dictates that expectations are low.

Far from unique amongst speedway clubs!

On the basis that his absence strengthens the Hammers no less! The Hammers' website just says 'unavailable' re Nick - read into that what you will.