Bagpuss

Indeed, I know it’s not BSF protocol but probably best to establish all of the facts before passing judgements left, right and centre. Mr Chapman is many things good and bad and one of those is a businessman, he’s not going to deliberately reduce his gate receipts without good reason I’m sure.

Pretty much it. Unfortunately but not surprisingly people are too obtuse to give it a chance and see how it works but if they don’t like it then just ignore it and treat it as two nominated heats which isn’t a new concept.

Fair enough, I was just confirming with jenga which year Nermark rode for Worky.

Precisely, we need to see it in action to decide whether it’s a good idea or not. Don’t see how it can be slagged off until then.

Yep was 2008, remember coming up to watch Lynn get a draw at Worky.

Might work, might not but I applaud them for trying something different and incorporating modern technology into the process.

I have nothing against Rob Godfrey at all but I am a strong advocate of team suits and clubs (any club) in our top two divisions using them as part of giving our sport a much more professional image. I’d be singing from exactly the same hymn sheet if it was my team not using them.

Exactly, and a professional appearance ie racesuits and / or bike covers can only help to that end.

Forgot to mention guests and R/R, which probably do people’s heads in more than anything else. Not saying it’s a simple situation to solve because it’s not but over recent years there have seemed to be more injuries and fixture clashes than ever.

You are right, there isn’t a great deal wrong with the action but unfortunately lots of other stuff around it is poor, some out of the sports control but many things completely within. I’m thinking poor stadia and facilities, poor customer service when the weather is bad, poor promotional communication, expensive admission, failure to appeal to a younger audience, bad presentation, poor track prep and meetings dragging on. Obviously not every track or every week but these things occur far too often and people unfortunately vote with their feet.

Spot on.

So Polish rider has a clash of challenges matches and has to be at the one in his own country ie the federation that issues him with his racing licence. Seems pretty straightforward and understandable to me. Not really getting the whinging.

Oh dear.

Any pictures of the racesuits?

The problem is that even if they are genuine results and not dodgy ones people have already made up their minds and the conflict of interest is already established. Thick skins and ducks backs may be required come the latter stages of the season. Would never advocate any kind of skullduggery of course, unless it screws Poole over

No animosity apparently. Would be nice to think that people can move on and forward in a positive manner, good results and action on track will help to that end. Despite the local rivalry I’d like to see Peterborough (and Ipswich) do well this year, apart from the occasions they race against Lynn of course.

They would probably pay twice that for sponge coloured bricks

Pretty straightforward I’d say, he had a budget for each track and a need to get punters through the door so each team needs to be competitive. Ipswich look stronger with Harris in for Tungate without the other stuff rumoured to be in play.

As well as Somerset and the Championship clubs who didnt bother.

Indeed, Mr Wagstaff started it at Lynn in 2000 when the riders all have silver bike covers to go with the black race suits.

Good piece on Look East, kevlars and bike covers look awesome. Refreshing to see speedway as the local sports news, makes a change from boring people with yet another Norwich win

Didn’t think for a moment I’d get a sensible answer but for what it’s worth that’s a very negative way of looking at it. How about trying to look as professional as possible to gain more sponsorship? Speculating a bit to accumulate? Even some National League teams have them. Why would a team want their collective photo in the paper on online with everyone in different gear? Looks so amateurish. Unfortunately too many people in speedway are like you and have a can’t do attitude rather than trying to drive the sport forward.

Exactly, there are a million and one things for people to do with their leisure time and money nowadays, and unfortunately speedway hasn’t moved with the times to make people want to come. Add to that the way the sport is run and the often dreadful customer experience and it’s little wonder crowds are so poor.

The crowd levels have a lot to do with it too....if you watch an average meeting as one of a few hundred spectators you wouldn’t enjoy it anywhere near as much as being among five thousand fans watching it for example. Speedway back in the day seemed so much better due to the bigger crowds, better atmosphere and sense of occasion even though the racing itself was very similar.

Not really the point is it.....for a sport struggling to attract sponsors and punters and drag itself into the twenty first century team suits are a no brainier and should be compulsory in our top two leagues.