mikebv

Watched pretty much every match in Poland too, Les... And to be honest one of the things that I have (or maybe just thought? I have seen is the lack of acknowledgement, and no "bonhomie" either in the pits with riders of opposite teams standing together, "having a laugh" which you often see over here... Maybe more do it than I have given them credit for, so I will look out for it a bit more..

The problem nowadays of course is that it simply isnt worthwhile taking any undue risks as a rider as they will lose out on lots or rides for their two teams over here and, for some, the team they ride for in their own country and possibly Poland.. One injury equates to up to four teams impacted... One bad race over here in either division where three or four heat leaders riders get injured and both leagues would struggle to fill their positions..

To be fair, Redcar's track shape is one that can deliver first class racing.. Maybe those teams with tracks that dont lend themselves to great racing (no matter how well prepared), would be better off riding at a lower level? Meaning a few more 'thrills and spills' as less talented riders take to the track... And of course much cheaper too..

To be fair to him, in Poland not many acknowledge each other... It's mainly the GP riders from opposite teams who will offer a handshake/fist pump to each other, and that is by no means across the board.. It's the same with team riding. Some have criticised Dan Bewley when racing over here, however, in Poland given the way teams are set up, you are usually up against a similar level of rider, so beating your opposite number is the plan. If you get in front then you go, as this means you cant lose points to the opposition in that race.. With the team managers expectation then being your team mate will do his job and you can get a 4-2.. Woffy is one of the few that seems to team ride, but even he will clear off if he feels the rider in third could beat him and his team mate if he hung back to support his colleague.. Jack Holder sounds like he could be a bad loser, however, for me, that is not a bad thing.. Especially in what is in essence, an adreneline fuelled individual sport, where performance means £'s.... As long as "bad losers" are safe to others on track then, as fans, you can appreciate how much it means to them..

What was the crowd level like? Did a 'decent' prize fund with a meeting that then 'meant something' generate a good number of attendees? Or was it the same (or worse), than a team match?

Are they allowed to swap sides at "half time" again?

Maybe they should sit everyone together then Rob and not make certain sections available until certain parts have been sold.. Like football clubs do when they only use the lower tiers rather than open up the whole stadium when they dont expect a large crowd (who just said that's every week at City?) Dont doubt your figures but the crowd didnt look like one that would make too many sit up and think "isnt Speedway popular".. Great racing though so maybe that will get a few more through the doors.. And to be fair1200 or so isnt too shabby for a Speedway match on a live programme, with both teams having pretty much qualified for the play offs already..

The fans have been saying it's been too grippy this season... The two matches I have been to were not as good tonight as the tracks were heavier.. The best meetings this year I have seen were two Colts meetings ran on much slicker drier tracks .. Tonight was more like the NSS racing that it's become well known for..

It was on the telly.... Looking at the pictures, if the grandstand holds just under 1800 I bet there wasnt 400 sat in there.... And many of those who were would have been season ticket holders.. Maybe 250 to 300 max on the back straight...? That's the play off trade off for you though... They have qualified so no point going until the play offs start as any match is now a dead rubber.. I presume the hope is that the "bumper play off crowd" off sets any losses in the meetings leading up to it..? Not sure it does to he honest, but I am sure they know what they are doing.. Although given they knew it was on TV and that the school hols had finished, maybe some promoting of the event at the last couple of home meetings may have helped? And even possibly they could have sold you a half price ticket for tonight if you paid in full to watch the Colts last Friday? Certainly no FOMO for anyone watching....

Almost as good as that Kings Lynn fans' chant from a few years ago that.... What tune is it sang to?

Tracks shaped like the NSS with wide sweeping bends deliver very ptocessional high speed racing when too grippy... With each rider flying around the inside like they were on rails... Even when prepared 'slick' the NSS makes it's own "dirt" on the outside as the meeting wears on hence the outside line comes into play, whilst by the kerb there is still a bit of material to use.. And the slick track from the outset means all the track can be used given the width of the bends...

Great from Howarth...

Presume no "specials" were done? Even letting those who stand on the back straight have a seat (if they wanted one), for no extra, would help give a better impression to the viewer... The camera that will be possibly used most tonight (the one showing the start from the infield ), is showing rows and rows of empty seats... Don't promote very well do they....?

The crowd looks shockingly bad. ...

Hopefully a nice dry, slick track which hasn't been over watered..

The main reasons the top guys no longer ride over here are several fold I would say... The Sky money, which went a long way in paying the No1 dried up... And Poland started paying multi hundred thousand euro contracts which meant riders could put their feet up for most of every week and not be required to spend hours at airports and in hotels flying back and too to the UK.. And then the GP's extended in number, and the SEC became worth taking part in, meaning that riders could have most of the week to prepare for them (after they had rode in Sweden on the Tuesday).. And, given there isn't a huge amount of prize money in the GP or SEC, you can only presume that the worldwide coverage provides their sponsors with enough of a profile to keep pumping in money to the riders... I am not sure Promoters are 'cowboys' to be honest, but more likely just not capable of running the sport.. eg When they should have cut adrift the GP riders and made their own destiny, they instead changed race nights, moved around fixtures ad nauseum to accomodate them, and ran Guestfest after Guestfest without them when eventtally they simply had to run to fit meetings in.. Crowds were dwindling whilst the top stars were here so to keep paying out massive money to them was pure folly....

I think the reality lies somewhere in the middle... When riders can only ride in their own country, (due to the rules imposed to get a licence), Poland, and one other, it will make it difficult... As all the riders that this will apply to are the "second and third level" riders rather than the top ones who can only ride in one league outside Poland, (with only Dan Bewley and Jack Holder the only ones choosing the UK), it means exactly the calibre of rider needed (and equally the ones who are affordable), are the ones that the UK are missing out on.... Many Swedes will choose Denmark as their third league, and vice versa, with many of the Northern European riders of France and Germany also doing the same... There is no doubt though that even with the issues that exist out of their control, much of the current malaise is very much self inflicted....

I believe a black and white carpet has been stolen out of their trophy room.. Only thing in there worth nicking seemingly. ..

Stock cars at Odsal came back in no small part to a good many "volumteers" who gave their time and their technical skills (and materials), to assist the promoter in setting up the track... A great many of whom were stox enthusiasts who wanted to play a part in getting an iconic stox venue back up and running... I am sure amongst the followers of Newcastle Speedway there will also be several "skilled" technicians who may be able to give up some time and resources to help build and power any "grass roots" venture which would at least keep the Diamonds in existence at some level.. Buxton was a good example whereby a "very basic" Speedway delivered something for many years that was far greater than the sum of its parts, and I would be very surprised if it "cost the earth"... An "entry level" stadium with basic facilities, but with a (very important), decent shaped track, might be doable maybe?

Every meeting will have to be at Plymouth... Edit. Just thought the BSPL will no doubt have a cunning plan to ensure the large tracks can also host electric Speedway... They will attach a huge extension lead to each bike and plug them in.... (Only using official extension leads endorsed by a former World Champion obviously)....

And no fixed gate positions either, meaning a No1 could choose the best of the two available to his team if he wanted to... And (usually), only 4 races a night, unless getting put in an "easy" race as a Tac Sub against a second string and a reserve..

Brilliant Woffinden.....

Great Race....

Sad news... R.I.P. Bob....

It appears strong because it's full of Div One heat leaders.. However, a lot of these Div One heat leaders would have been at second string level 20 or so years ago in the top division as to be a heat leader then meant either you were a GP rider or an International riding in the World Team Cup or in Test Matches..