Hawk127

The answer is if those on here still believe the sport has a future in the UK try and get to Belle Vue and if they could simply give tickets away free to attend like Arena Essex did a few years back then who knows how it will look. Pack out the stadium, create the atmosphere and make sure the riders are told to chase every point available and find a sponsor to put up a winners pot that is worth while then you have the making of a show case. At this late stage those outside the sport have not got a clue so it is the best opportunity to go for sh.t or bust. It does not matter at this stage who or what organisation rallies around to make this work, those watching for the first time will not have a clue when it was decided what the winner gets so try and push the boat out and make it happen. All on here know that if speedway is to succeed we owe it to get behind this opportunity . I hate the phrase unprecedented but this is and a chance that may never come the sports way ever again.

Take the announcement on board and let’s hope it turns out to be a success. If you can generate interest then it might just lead to a new opportunity for the sport in the UK and further afield. Just imagine televising a top Polish league match live with English commentary. Just one meeting at that professional level may make viewers want to seek out UK team racing. It has got to start somewhere so for all the doubters, you don’t have to watch, go and sit in the stands or just ignore the meeting and stop complaining when someone somewhere has pushed the boat out to get the sport live on TV on Saturday night.

Another decent afternoons racing and considering it is free to watch, no one should really complain. Thanks to the guys who make the viewing happen and the riders who never give up as well as the supporters in the stadiums who really make it a spectacle. Look forward to the next round. Thanks

Yesterdays racing had just about everything with some very tough hard riding with no one was letting up and you could see the frustration on the faces of some of the riders in the pits. Interesting comments from the English speaking riders when being interviewed and well done to Tom who obviously came into what was going to be a tough meeting for his opener. Onwards and upwards to the next group of matches from Poland.

One possible downside with just eight home meetings could be that the stadium owners think it is no longer worthwhile renting the stadium to a speedway club or would the owners impose rent increases to match the income they had before the reduction in meetings. One way might be for all top sides to run NDL teams fortnightly but I do not know the costs etc so it may not be viable. For sure, if stadium owners do not get a decent income then they might just think it is time to sell up and take the capital gain and invest in something else. I know it is unclear why Arlington has closed but when you think of the way that was filled on a regular basis and yet Spedeworth had the rug pulled says it all about the state of oval stadia in this country. Few are really 100% safe and because of that speedway is not in a good position. With the decline in the number of stadia owners willing to allow oval sports that makes it hard to attract decent investment and you could see a time where just a few tracks remain and either compete in a European league(if rules permit) or those that remain stage individual meetings and international meetings. Difficult one for all involved to resolve going forward.

Eastbourne Speedway Ltd shareholders include R L Dugard Will Trust and perhaps if this is a trust then the trustees have decided to sell to realise cash for the beneficiaries of the trust or for some other reason. The latest accounts filed are a micro version and for the year ending December 2024 a provision of £350k is shown on the creditors side but given they are micro accounts it is impossible to find out what is behind this. Net worth feel from £574k to £170k but some of the reduction will be the provision. They did have what appeared to be a healthy current assets position. The suddenness of the decision is a mystery unless they are close to a deal to sell and the new owners want vacant possession and not be tied into leases etc. with a third party. In time we might find out but yes it is a shame to see another track go. Had many memories of travelling to Arlington to watch Rayleigh and more latterly Ipswich ride.

He has his priorities spot on anyone else would do exactly the same. Speedway is not the best all and end all particularly if you have family.

A great days racing from Poland that had everything from nip and tuck racing to enthusiastic crowds. You could not ask for more as the riders never back off and chase every point. Thanks to all riders/teams for today’s entertainment and special thanks to those providing the links that enable us to watch great racing.

That was entertaining and a perfect example of how good the racing can be and it was good to hear the national anthem at long last. Just a pity that the media are not interested in the UK. Now it is a three horse race let’s keep fingers crossed for Robert next week. I hope he does not sit back and just accept his qualification for 2027 when he is so close to upsetting the odds. Thanks to all the riders tonight who made it such a good meeting.

Could they be looking at joining the Polish league if the diehard farts running the show stubbornly refuse change. You would get regular fortnightly fixtures and good t v coverage, everything that does not happen now. You can but dream but what a coupe if it did happen. Just imagine the fallout from those on the top table and not a thing could do about it. Those currently mismanaging the sport, wake up and smell the coffee or be part of what would become the infamous morons who finally killed off U K speedway. Oh for someone to stick two fingers up to those that run the sport and go out to get on with making one club a success when all around is failing.

Agree. The lad has talent but this season he is under too much pressure and psychologically carrying forward the injury in the US must have an impact. He needs time because we know he can ride much better and those who might want to criticise need to back off. Those who set up the team need to rethink the riding order to give him some confidence

Unfortunately to be expected but hey let the riders entertain each can only race what is in front of theM. Safe meeting to both sets of riders.

He has said that he has not enjoyed his racing for a while and is stepping away with immediate effect to spend more time with his family. A sad loss to the sport in this country and I am sure many on this forum wish him well in whatever he decides to do.

That was a good meeting. Enjoyed it and it proves a point that the Poles can be vulnerable. Thanks to both teams to providing a competitive nights racing. If only these international meetings could take place in the u k like it use to happen back in the day. Dream on.

Double up on previous post. Still a good nights racing that puts some other riders to shame

Some.good racing here and these lads are doing themselves proud.and if only we saw the similar commitment and support in the UK. This is why we are second rate and the Poles are streets ahead. Big thanks to tonight’s riders.

Yep and you reap what you sow. Don’t start bemoaning that punters have walked when you failed to listen to feedback. All on here and probably some lapsed supporters would not want the sport to disappear altogether but those in charge are testing the loyalty and patience of supporters across the spectrum. They do not appeal to the younger generation and are ostracising the hard core fan base who have been so loyal over the years by failing to be proactive to arrest the situation and put the sport on a firmer footing. None so blind as those who do not want to see sums up the BSPL and club owners/promoters who believe everything in the garden is rosey. Dream on the bunch of custodians who supposedly have the best interest of sport at heart, they don’t and they are failing every supporter and worse still every aspiring rider who wants to succeed but is not given the breaks they need or deserve.

Those in charge ought to take a look at the comments on here and get some understanding of why they have failed the punter.

Is it a reality that the sport in this country can no longer afford to run at the top level because the lack of major broadcaster airing the sport to a wider audience, the falling level of income from punters, owners and sponsors meaning financially it is simply not enough to cover the outgoings. A new business model needs to be adopted that allows clubs, after financial scrutiny, to run at a level which is affordable. I am sure most people would rather see tracks remaining open and providing a level of team racing given that the alternative could be that the venue closes with little chance that the relevant club will ever make a comeback. At this stage we have journeymen using the top league to top up incomes whilst plying a far more lucrative trade in the likes of Poland. Good luck to those riders who can afford to do that as no doubt the investment required in terms of machinery etc is far higher giving the demands imposed by the Polish clubs. The UK scene does not currently have the right finances in place to compete or even offer like for like terms and the sport needs a measured adjustment in order that it has a future and one day can offer/attract the calibre of riders that compete solely in mainland Europe.

I don’t dispute that and it is a fine balance between pushing on with the next generation or supporting the decline with no one interested in the talent that may be another Bewley. Like everything today supporters have no patience and want instant heat leader status riders and seemingly refuse to back today’s newbies. It didn’t happen in years gone by because you had second halves to meetings and the 6 and 7 team riders got to compete in real races not contrived protectionist heats and supporters appreciated this pipeline of talent. The sport is in the situation it finds itself in because of fickle supporters who dismiss these youngsters as wobblers which is an insult added to which you have promoters who cannot or will not back the trainees and then you have failing of a sport governing body who have consistently not bothered to adapt to the changing situation that the sport finds itself in with no idea of how to create a pipeline of future talent. Its rules inhibit the progression of young riders and why they ostracise Nora teams and riders is the self fulfilling prophecy. The governing body as it stands is not fit for purpose. So much needs to change across the spectrum from club owners to governing body to supporters but alas in today’s climate nothing will happen apart from the continual decline in the UK of this once great sport

From the little I can find, seems like it will be a very good afternoons racing. Do you know if anyone is recording for download on YouTube? I really do wish more is done to promote this type of meet and the future of the sport. Sadly some supporters are indifferent but where is the next Dan Bewley going to come from if you do not get behind the youngsters. It’s a pity that the nearest club Ipswich, do so little at this level. Enjoy the afternoon.

Seems like it is falling apart for the Witches. Oh well they always have Thursday.

He claims not to know what a red card is, how the hell will he know what speedway is or does he think it is a drug you can get high on very quickly😄 We will find out when he hit the hotline to Phil. Until then let’s just see how this national league match turns out.