bluebee

I hope you are not implying that because I have doubts about the merits of jumping on to the Pride promotion that I am therefore homophobic. It's a cause that has become increasingly crtiticised even in Gay circles for its commercialisation and there are also issues concerning how other groups such as trans groups have co-opted themselves into the demonstrations. There are many both inside and outside the gay communities who have doubts about what it has now become. As for it representing a discriminated minority there are doubts about that too. We have gay people in top political positions for example and it is certainly not seen as a bar to advancement in the commercial sector. I think we should be pleased about that as we widen the talent pool to include people of colour, women, the disabled and many others. It is a fact in this country that your life chances are more likely to be determined by class than any other factor. We don't have months for all people of the so called lower class There may be some racists and homphobes on here. But calling people names to shut down a debate is clear signal of your own limitations. I agree straightwhitemale pride is crass but calling other people homophobes isn't any better.

Just a thought and am willing to be shot down on this: as home advantage is so predominant in the sport - as the point allocations for away wins testifies - would it not be an good idea to encourage close racing by giving gates 1 and 3 exclusively to the away team? If that's not a good idea what about allowing the losing team to have gate choices when they fall behind by a certain number of points. To many outsiders speedway is just gate and go and this might liven things up. Just thinking!

Definitely a genuine and pertinent question. I think Ray Stadia's response is a very accurate summary of the situation. There are limited funds for promotion and it's up to the promoters to use them wisely. Local and social media are obviously important and they can engage with the current fans. They are not all old despite current views on that subject - my 25 year old daughter enjoys going to speedway and her older sister would attend if she was in the country! As for local charities certainly care needs to be taken in that direction. The first question must be : would the time be well spent for speedway to get involved? Organized charity is not always considered as such a virtuous institution. Look at the National Trust. In fact the whole charity sector is increasingly seen as bloated and self-serving with many of the directors paid extravagant sums. I could imagine the response of older supporters who see the endless emotive adverts on daytime TV saying 'Not again!' when faced with a charity fund raiser at a speedway meeting. The Ben Fund is, of course, an honourable exception as it directly relates to speedway. I personally think there needs to be a significant shift in thinking at the BSPA. It is a promoter's forum and considers the sport with these people in mind. It would do speedway some good to have some independent supervisory body which takes into consideration the fan's experience. Unfortunately this idea was shot down some time ago. And I won't venture into that controversy. Anyway, good night! I'm still looking forward to my first meeting this season after a Leicester rain off after traveling for over an hour to the stadium.

I hope that did not sound in any way sarcastic, it certainly wasn't meant that way. I really think that this area of spot highlighting issues is becoming a problem. A good example is football and the knee. There was general acceptance of the Kick It out campaign but the knee has a connection with a political movement that has had well documented Marxist leaders. As for LGBTQI+ causes that has problems as well for many people and they are not all conservatives or reactionaries. Trans rights promoters such as Stonewall have drawn the ire of many including feminists who seek to safeguard women's rights. I think speedway has enough issues at the moment. Although the Speedway Matters posters may sound risible there is an important truth in it for all on the forum. The focus must be on promoting the sport in the most effective way.

That is quite an assumption. This forum has many different voices and just because there does not seem to be wholesale support for your chosen minority does not mean that there is no empathy for at least some of the LBGTQI+ cause. As a successful promotional initiative in basketball I have looked at your link and it is a rather subjective report. It doesn't really prove that it was a success beyond the fact that some who took part enjoyed it. There can also be a negative reaction to what may be seen as jumping on a social bandwagon - look at the kneeling at football matches, it has become increasingly controversial and divisive I think. I think speedway needs to focus on its real problem which is promtion of the sport not social issues.

Agree. Well run meeting but there will be some who always complain. Some about the shape of the handlebars and the position of the engines. The joshing wasn't too bad - well, at least not at the wrinkly antique show level. If the rest of the Eorosport meetings are anywhere near as good we'll be lucky.

Wind it on! Great to see speedway back! And the Chuckle Brothers commenting.

Cut Pearson and Taum some slack. They haven't been commentating in Poland. Must be nervous. You know you can't just pick up a mic and speak sense at your first meeting after a long lay off. You need time to get your cliches up to the tapes. Anyway, it was a good match and I've heard a lot worse. Glad to see the reserves s and Rising stars competitive.

Done

If this isn't a warning to the BSPA then I don't know what is. I do feel much sympathy for the employees and for many decent Poole supporters but I can't say that I feel much for those who regarded the interests of Poole as the be all and all as far as speedway was concerned. Still, hope they do keep going as I fear that if Poole go then the avalanche will follow! It's getting to seem like ancient history when I went to a Bees v Pirate match.

Agree racing was not great but a good atmosphere and it had the feel of a special event. Took a newbie (duaghter's partner from Amsterdam) and he commented on the first our of the gate nature of the racing. Unfortuantely, Cardiff reinforces the stereotypical view of speedway and that can't help the sport. I've been to 5 Cardiff GPs and seen this one wasn't the best but OK. My major gripe was the traffic. We travelled down from the Midlands and the traffic around Newport and Cardiff was horrendous. With a major event on why was there no good Park and Ride set up from East Cardiff? Seems to me that the GP organisers should consider possible alternatives and remind Cardiff of the value of 40000 hungry and thirsty speeday supporters. There are good stadia now in other UK cities that might offer a more comfortable experience. Sad to say glad Zmarzlik didn't win. Poles around me were pains. If English supporters had behaved like them there would have been complaints galore.

George Orwell's book 'Homage to Catalonia' is well worth reading on the Spanish Civil War. It's worth noting that the Communists backed by Stalinist Russia didn't only fight the fascists but also those who were ostensibly fighting on the same side. The revolution like Saturn devours its own children.

I heard rumours this was coming and decided to make a return to forum after confirmation came elsewhere. As an ex-Coventry fan I would like to offer my commiserations to some of the Poole supporters on here. If Ford goes it will be a big loss to Poole but you Poole fans will know that he will have the left the sport in a much better position than when he became involved in it! His service to the well being of the sport and its fair and honest running is second to none (and none is pretty bad). Oh, and if the stadium is unfortunately converted to student flats or a Wetherspoons I suggest a certain Mr Shovlar could come up with a good name for the new facility. Must go and get a tissue to wipe my tears away!

I would like to make clear that I make no moral judgements about the women who choose to be gate girls. However, they are representative of a glamour tradition that is long out of date. I find it ironic Gresham that you compare women to machinery - that is what some women are complaining about. I imagine most fans go to speedway to see the racing and not ogle young women pouting and twirling around in mock "come ons". It's a seedy performance that does not enhance the sport. The position of women has changed dramatically in recent years: more female graduates than male, many more women managers and professionals. I would think that a good number - especially the more educated - would find "start tarts" demeaning not enhancing of their sex. I wonder how men would feel if their most visible role in the sport was to prance about in a skimpy clothes simulating sexual excitement before the start of a motorcycle race between 4 women. To rest your argument that the objectors are just snowflakes obsessed with political correctness is no better than suggesting that the supporters of the "glamour" roles are all sex starved dirty old pervs. I just suggest that speedway changes with the times and tries to more modern image.

You were quick off the mark with that. I really wanted to point out that attitudes change. What might have seemed glamorous in the past could seem seedy today. I am almost 65 and in my lifetime some things that have changed dramatically for the better and that includes the position of many women (also minorities and gay people). This might be seen as political correctness gone mad by some on here but I think that it is a matter of respect and manners for others. If the general perception is that it is a demeaning and old-fashioned then there is no point in speedway going against the trend. As for affecting sponsors then surely they will find other ways of advertising their products

Of course, no objectivisation of women as sex objects or sexism has ever been intended in the use of young women at race starts. That's why they have often been referred to as "start tarts" on this forum and elsewhere. Also no discussions of the "fittest" start tart at the GPs has ever appeared in the GP section of this forum. From the avatars of some posters seen here, we can also assume that all our posters favour of the fair portrayal of women associated with the sport. This is not a major issue for me but I would defer to the opinion of women and in particular those who follow the sport as to how they see gate girls. And certainly if F1 and Darts and other sports start to drop them I would hope that speedway would not continue with its old fashioned Hi-de-Hi form of presentation. And as a father of two young women I would not like to see my daughters twirling and pouting in mock "come on's" at the beginning of a speedway race. I know they would consider it demeaning. Perhaps, we need understand that times and attitudes do change and we have to adapt and see the benefits.

Agree with Piotr. Left soon after the interminably long track grading. Perhaps too many races. If you want the paying public to attend then it has to be a reasonable show. Live 30 miles away and will think carefully before attending again. Also will not travel further for a grasstrack meeting. Sorry to be so critical. Was really looking forward to this. Hope the organisers can reflect hard on what they want the public to attend.

Remember Ivan Mauger saying he rode long track to get used to the speed. Perhaps our riders need to look at getting a wider experience if they want to make it at the top level. Individually they need to plot a path to improve themselves and experience full throttle racing more often. Also thought there were a few instances when they just read the race wrongly, either by over extending themselves or not being aware of a challenge from behind. This racing is not like the British league. It's not always one against one with heat leaders battling it out and support in their own race. It can be three or four tussling and making moves and you can go from first to last very easily. I don't doubt they can do better. This experience should help. And they should be kicking themselves for not getting the bronze. They were near enough. They must use their heads as well as their hearts. Hard luck to them but come back better!

Looking for a link please. Don't care if GB are last but it would be great to see them put in a good performance. Anything to raise the profile of the sport in this country.

This will probably be the last straw for me. I supported the Bees as a kid, then Reading with my kids, and the Bees again with my kids when I moved back to the Midlands. There's no point just blaming Sandhu or Horton or mysterious men casting spells behind the scenes. Sandhu didn't close Reading. He didn't close Oxford. He wasn't behind Eastbourne going doen the leagues, or Ipswich. This is a sport in decline and there is no collective management trying to stve off the pressures from developers or noise complainants. There is only one question to be asked on this forum: WHO WILL BE NEXT? I am afraid it's goodbye from me and unfortunately, I fear, many others.

woz01 I don't think it was meant as a serious suggestion just the typical comment from a very sad individual who likes to take the mickey out of other people's misfortunes. Like the kind of bloke who makes jokes about people less fortunate than themselves, I suspect.

Yawn. Constructive as usual. Surprised you didn't suggest a motorbike and sidecar. Should have expected the sarcasm from the Poole direction. After all, the preferred vision for British speedway on the South Coast is a season full of only weekly meetings between Poole A and Poole B teams with multi coach visits for their old age fans to the Brandon, Blunsdon, and Belle Vue housing estates, amongst all the other urban developments over old shale raceways, for a trip down memory way. Apologies to all the fans on here who have a real sense of what is happening to speedway at the moment but why down your just P Off!

Spot on! It's this kind of bickering that squashes a good initiative flat. I wish sometimes people would realise that for a greater good it's sometimes better to keep their opinions to themselves. Or, as an old friend used to say: if you can say anything positive then say nowt! Also, although this thread is abouit lifts perhaps nearer the time it would be a good idea to have a thread just for fans to broadcast that they are travelling up the M1. It could encourage those who are having doubts to make the trips. Only been to Leicester once to see the Bees win there. A fair bit of passing in view particualrly from Harris.

I cannot be certain which meetings I can attend and come from Northampton. Hoiping to make more this season. However, i will post when I can offer a lift from this area. At least would like to show appreciation for your great iniative

This, at least, buys some time for a more complete solution to the problem. OK the Bees will not be racing at Brandon and Leicester will be further from me but I will make a point of driving up the motorway to support the team. This is important, as if it is clear that there is a fan base then it is more likely that a better solution will come into place. I hope many more will do the same and do not stay at home grumbling into their Horlicks about how its not the same as when Nigel Boocock was riding at Brandon to a packed house. As for the thanks given to Horton and Sandhu who cares if it's due. As long as it soothes a few bruised egos and keeps Coventry speedway alive it will be worth it. After what has gone on I wouldn't be surprised if there's a lot more twists and turns in the future. I just hope these will be positive. Thankyou to all fans from other teams who have in any way expressed support and signed petetitions etc. And I hope that this does not detract from the Leicester support - it might possibly raise the sport's profile in the area if both teams do well.