old bob at herne bay

Oh and TM Cook

Morris Ellis Lawson Brennan Wood Edwards Powell Bowtell

Well I do not get the private mails from Len Silver, but do get letters from Swale Council advising me of planning applications from the Speedway, having previously written to the council supporting Kent Speedway planning application. There has been a further planning application to allow speedway on Fridays. At present they they can only race on Mondays , with a curfew I believe at 8.30pm. Without the ability to race on a Friday Kent cannot run in the Championship. With the planning application still to be heard, surely Roger Cearns would not pre empt the councils decision by declaring to race in the Championship?

Got to agree with Cliv Clav. I can see the now unemployed Jon Cook doing a deal with his good friends at Eastbourne as Team Manager and bringing the nucleus of the now defunct Lakeside team to bring the Eagles up to Championship standard. All of Eastbourne’s assets were signed over to Lakeside for “safe keeping” after the NL banned clubs holing rider assets so Eastbourne would appear to have a competitive side at least at Arlington. As a TM Cook used to be OK, but IMO out of his depth as a “ co promoter” at Lakeside. Maybe a return to the Sussex coast away from the traffic jams of the Dartford Crosing will do him good.

Great news that Blunsdon will be available for speedway racing in 2019.

Can they build a track BY next March ( so much for spellcheck)

Speedway 28 ...there has been no evidence of any sign of constructive behaviour from any of the promoters in British Speedway throughout the 2018 season, so I don’t see any hope that an away day in Uttoxeter over a few drinks will bring about any changes. Much like our politicians .... I have no respect for any of them.

Can they build a track ivy next March ?

So with KL running on a Wednesday, you Premiership Panthers must be looking at Monday nights ......

What’s your preference for race night in the “premiership” at Foxhall ..... Monday’s or Wednesdays?

So much surely depends on which race night is available in 2019. Midweek racing at Rye early this season was a disaster from what I am told by fellow supporters. TBH Friday evenings at Rye ( Lakesides traditional race night) are a challenge with traffic for fans from Essex and Kent . Saturdays seem the best comprimise if Rye is to be resurrected - but it certainly needs BMR racing to regain their enthusiasm after their shafting by th BSpA

Whisperer , He can sniff about all he likes, until he gets his wallet out loaded with cash nothing will happen.

Argos , Yes I agree it would all seem to fit EXCEPT for the recent statemnt in the Speedway Star from Martin and Connor Dugard raising doubts over the financial viability of Eastbourne moving to the Championship, and their enthusiasm to continue operating a sppedway track. . It would seem that although a succesful team , crowd levels in the NL arent great. Where would any extra support come for a Championship side - I cannot see a huge number of fans venturing down to EB every Saturday evening/Sunday afternoon ?? from the Essex area. Unlike Stuart Douglas,, who has clearly brought financial backing to the Lakeside Hammers, I am uncertain what Jon Cook brings to the party for Eastbourne, other that being a friend of the family ?

There must now be several speedway licences "on ice" Hope the BSPA have a big freezer and dont suffer a power cut in the winter. Seems to a be a stampede of "promoters" wishing to leave or have left the sinking ship that is British Speedway. Ford, Jolly, May, Douglas, Martin Dugard, BMR racing at Rye , the Plymouth promotion. Probably time for the resurrection of the Black and White helmet colour at the AGM ??? As for the departure of Stuart Douglas, would just like to say thank you for hte memories Stuart you certainly cannot be faulted for having a go at promoting in the "Premiership" Lets just remember that the "promoters" are not to blame for this mess it's all caused by "the Fans" who have let the club down by not turning up . (No comment for reasons of public decency)

So with the "promoters" AGM in mid November (2 weeks away) how the devil is Jon Cook and/or Stuart Douglas (whoever are the "promoters" of Lakeside Speedway Inc.) going to be able to declare that they are running a team in whatever league the AGM are proposing in 2019 ? Rye House - been there in Len Silvers days - I would rank it similar to Lakeside OVERALL . Both must rank amongst the poorest speedway track facilities in the UK. RYE - Terrible car parking. Terrrible access. Track no better or worse than Lakeside (slick ) . Viewing poorer overall but does have seating albeit in odd places. Good Fish n Chips. Seems that it now sports a mud heap in the centre of the track adding to the ambience :-( Biggest problem for me is its a bridge too far (pun intended) being a round trip of around 170 miles from my home. LAKESIDE - Cold at any time of year being exposed on the Thames Estuary. Food - well after food poisoning from a dodgy burger - I only drink their tea. Toilets dark and often unlit. Standing only on a grassy muddy bank or in a shed on the home straight. Only bar and covered facilities are strangely located miles away from the action on the first bend with useless viewing. Round trip of 100 miles from my home is now a pain with useless tunnel to negotiate.

I wonder ......... what win bonus the Lakeside riders were offered if they won the p.off and shield ? what win bonus the Workington riders collected ? what members of the Lakeside promotion were present at Workington's Derwent Park?

Surprisingly lengthy thread on a subject that is IMO a non subject. I have had some fun over the years at Lakeside and thanks for the memories. IMO Lakeside 2017 was a gamble that backfired, lost the fan base which never recovered in 2018.

Well there is a growing number of clubs announced as "up for sale" so it looks like a surplus of supply may drive prices down. We have Poole , Somerset (looking to leave Premiership) Rye House (have track for rental) Swindon (no track in 2019) Lakeside (team no track), Peterborough, Redcar, Workington (team no track) Midenhall, and possibly Eastbourne (?)

Seems this one tonight is a 7,30pm start according to the preview on the official website ... so expect the first heat to be about 7.50 ish as per usual Lakeside timekeeping ......

Lakeside have been truly been unlucky with the weather in their short stay at Rye House ... but why oh why are they always running on off nights ? Sunday’s, Saturdays are not traditionally Lakeside speedway nights. Friday is Lakesides night and as luck would have it Fridays have been dry ! Fingers crossed tonight for all the supporters who are travelling from near and far .......

Will Somerset want to be racing on a Friday night ..... if so they need to send a note to Mr Rob Godfrey who is in charge of allocation of race nights

Yes I fully agree ..... all I ever see stated by the " promoters management committee" is the old tripe " in the best interests of the sport" They are driving spectators away from the sport and from their continuing petty squabbling don't appear to give a tuppenny damn.

Jeez..... Can ANY of the "promoters" in speedway 2018 behave like grown ups ? They remind me of a bunch of schoolboys arguing over a game of conkers . Quite honestly given the schoolboy behaviour I would like to see P' Boro drop Ostergard and be allowed special dispensation to ride Chris Harris at number 1 forthe Panthers ... after all Bomber has already won the KO Cup and P.Offs in the premiership for Poole and Somerset

I would have fancied a trip to Arlington ....... nice little stadium.....plenty of parking space, good resonably priced cafe at the back of the pits area and a good track souvenir shop with a wide selection of speedway books Probably far too much grip on the track for both PBoro and LSide riders

Interesting that "promoter" Mr Rathbone somehow believes he can prevent his riders taking guest bookings from other clubs ....... I would like to see him try .