a4poster

In my opinion the presentation at some tracks now leave a lot to be desired. The actual presenter/announcer at a meeting is just as important as the riders as they have to carry and hold the crowds attention between the races. How often do you now have long silences between the races - especially if there is a hold up for track work, accidents, etc... where you look around and see people chatting amongst themselves instead of being engaged by the announcer. In the past the meeting announcer/presenter was often involved in broadcasting and had the traits required but now sadly I suppose as another cost cutting measure it is more likely the role of an enthusiastic supporter.

Brilliant, many thanks for that.

In British Speedway, Elite, Premier & National when are number eights utilised and how many minimum rides must they have if any? Thanks,

How or where can you find the draw for the Grand Prix's prior to the meeting and if so how far in advance are they made?

Ok, I have just seen it is not on due to the French Open Tennis.

Flickering now with the interview with Hancock.

Is anyone having problems with the quality of the pictures that are being supplied? On certain camera locations my picture keeps flickering.

Interestingly I am going Horse Racing next week when I would expect the crowd to be of a similar level to that of a average Elite League meeting and they afford a Disabled person to bring a Carer/Enabler for nothing as long as adequate proof is provided.

Ok, thanks - so to clarify then it is only the double point ride when teams go x number of points behind. Does the same apply for the other two leagues?

For Elite, Premier & National league meetings.

Can you still have Tactical Substitutes in a meeting or is it now just limited to Tactical Rides for double points?

Hi, has any subscribers had any problems with the Speedway Star this week, is it late being sent out? delays caused by the weather or is it more likely that mine has gone astray? Thanks,

How can Clubs offer deals to Riders if they do not know about a TV deal? You cannot offer a Rider terms on a possible deal as it could seriously jeopardise your business should it not be forthcoming and on the other hand a Rider could be seriously undervaluing himself if he signs and then a TV deal is struck.

Hi, not sure if people are aware but Speedway is on Eurosport tonight (Christmas Eve) at 9:30pm (21:30) for a couple of hours. Highlights of the Czech & British Grand Prix.

As Colin Hill's legacy helped to save Speedway and was left for the 'betterment' of the Sport why not resurrect the 'Devon Demons' a side launched by Hill at the old County Ground.

Two National League Riders at reserve in the "Top League". Why not adjust the programme so that these Riders only have programmed riders against other NL riders or opposition second strings? Throwing them in against the Heat Leaders will destroy there confidence, deny the Public of competitive racing and provide the Top riders easy pickings - only let them take these rides to cover Exclusions etc.

Lets spin this on its head and allow Sky within the basic parameters of Speedway rules, i.e, 4 riders, 3pts, 2pts, 1pt, etc come up with a format that they want for TV. I am afraid that Speedway needs TV more than TV needs Speedway so it could be a case of "he who pays the piper'. Looking back at this season it is no wonder that the has been a disparity in Teams, the points limit was reduced last season (to cut costs) but meant effectively each team riding with a heat leader less. Over the course of the Season one of the previous seasons middle order rider becomes a heat leader on an inflated average. Fast forward it to this winter when the points limit will again come under question and the product will get further diluted. Speedway bosses would do well to remember the old adage, "you can fool some of the people some of the time, but not all of the people all of the time!'.

I used to be a regular reader of the Speedway Mail and often if you read both the Star and the Mail you could build a more balanced view on many of the Sports topics. I just wondered in todays climate of e-publishing would it not be feasible to have an online only version of the magazine that could be available from various app stores etc. Just a thought.

Hi, is it on the Tuesday? On Motors TV (Channel 447) If so can you tell me what the programme is call and what time it is on as I can't see it on the listings. Thanks in advance. Ignore that I have found it, lol.

Can anyone point me in the direction where I can purchase some of the minature speedway bikes and riders - the ones that are similar to the old Brittains metal ones but are made from plastic and are now laydowns now - see image. http://thumbs2.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/mB0A8cYfXc4ZjPRSmg1QMJg.jpg Can pay via paypal - thanks in advance (PS, not worried about particular teams).

Thanks was quick, thanks very much.

Hi, regarding the League rules can anyone tell me the following: If a Team trailing by 10pts after Heat 4 use a Tactical Ride in Heat 5 and then subsequently end up being 12pts down. Can they then use there remaining Tactical Ride in the next heat if they wish? Thanks in advance.

Hi, do any of you know where I can buy a copy of Speedway Champions board game, and if so how? http://www.stragoo.cz/game-detail.aspx?id=5&lang=en Thanks. PS, I am in the UK.

Hi couldn't make it last night. Regardless of the winners etc, what was the standard of the racing like? Usually this meeting is quite cut-throat.

As our Sky bill seems to go up each month we all sat down and analysed what we actually watched on an average week. It was surprising that most of the things we viewed would be available on Freeview. The only things we do watch tend to be the Football (mostly the Monday night game and midweek games). If you break this down a lot of European games that Sky show are also on terrestrial TV so although we would miss it I don't think it would be too bad as if anything you are bombarded with Football on Sky and if anything you watch some of it purely because it is on. During the Summer the only Sport that Sky show that interests me is Speedway. If that were to go we would almost certainly cancel. Not only that we also have our Telephone and Broadband with them so we would most probably also shop around for that as I am sure/know that we can certainly get a better deal elsewhere. Or we will certainly cancel between the months of May,June,July & August.