Bagpuss

I’d say quite surprisingly people seem to be slightly on the club’s side which is I just didn’t expect. The vast majority of those on Cook’s side are Belle Vue and Glasgow fans and/or people with an agenda when it comes to Buster. Really surprised how many neutrals seem to have backed P’boro over this.

Revised prediction due to Thorsell and Cook not starting the season Pirates Wolves Robins Stars Aces Panthers Witches

Quite surprised how divided opinion is on this, would have put money on the vast majority of people being on Cook’s side when I first heard the news. Perhaps that says something. A real shame however for the people who really matter ie the P’boro fans that it couldn’t be sorted out though. Both the rider and the club are worse off as it stands.

Absolutely. One of the bad things he is is a poor communicator.

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