Hawk127

A spectacular failure for viewers and KL supporters.

It seems that KL are simply not up to it. This is boring and it makes it worse that it is a Poole team that are running away with it, anyone else and it might not be such a downer in terms of entertainment. Make it one leg and give Poole the title tonight, let them gloat and rerun the GP on Wednesday or a any repeat GP/SON.

Does it really matter what formula was is right be it that of the 60’s 70’s or 80’s. Riders and machines cannot be compared across the decades and should we all not be grateful that we have a UK or English world champion and the fact that he has won three titles puts him as the best this country has had. The Poles for once are not number one. Tai is young enough to chase those six titles and he has ambition. The sport has a bit more coverage on TV news and in the papers thanks to him winning the title. The other problems in the sport and attracting a new audience is down to the powers that be who run the sport. The guys on the track generally do their job and the rest is out of their control. You do not get much to cheer about in British speedway but this is one bright spot when the domestic scene has been a disaster and without some serious changes by the BSPA, not even Tai can save the sport and they should not ride on his coat tails. They did nothing to actively promote a British rider but they are happy to try and reap the benefit of his success. Well done Tai, you have come a long way in a short space of time.

Unfortunately the luck is not with Tai at the moment but he has one more race to put things right. We know the Poles have good riders but with their refs being involved in questionable decisions and the ‘home’ track advantage it makes you wonder whether it is a level playing field and in this meeting a ref who wants to get out of the stadium in one piece. Maybe next year. Would it not be good to have a final round of the GP in the UK but it will never happen yet these should be shared around Europe.

Possibly Zmarzlik to lose. Cannot see anyone catching him and unfortunately Tai has it all to do. Fingers crossed for him though and how good it would be to see him crowned.

Agree and interestingly he appears on the side of the supporters when it comes to so few fixtures. One point that I think he is spot on about and that is the bikes need to be more rider friendly. For someone who was a very good experienced and skilful rider to almost say the the bikes today would not be for him I think sums up why you have gate and go. The bikes are simply too unpredictable for general close racing. I really believe that he may be a loan voice at the top table which is a shame.

Subscription is the way to go. I use to buy mine at various news agents over the years and on the odd occasion at the track but with subscription it falls through the letter box on a Thursday with very few hick ups. Possibly on a Friday but that is down to the post not the Star and what is more you save money. Agree I would be lost without it and I am an anorak who use to buy all the speedway news papers/magazines, Speedway Express, Speedway Mail etc.

If Ipswich join the upper echelons would Jason Doyle be an ideal candidate to lead the witches? Could Jarek also feature in the line up. These riders plus a local derby against KL, something to look forward to.

But he rode NL and you stated the class of rider in that division.

Ok so it settles at a certain level you decide I cannot possibly comment on where the top league sits but I am sure Rosco has an answer but next year who knows. Could yet be Swindon versus Ipswich in 2019 but not as good as the days when Leigh Adams graced this sport✌️

Unfortunately for you I have. Stick to Swindon. It is your level.

It was his attitude towards NL riders. You have to start somewhere and quoting Barry Norman is irrelevant. This is about speedway not some crap movie or presenter.

Agree. Was Robert Lambert not a product of the NL? It is a shame that those who criticise have probably never ridden a speedway bike and frankly are talking out of their backside. I would like to see the scumbag in a race against any NL rider. Any rider at whatever level deserves some respect. Everyone has to start somewhere.

I agree but also think that of late CL has been worn downand all but given up. The 16 Lapper cancelled for spurious reasons when other clubs manage to run individual meetings and Ipswich show little respect for the speedway supporter and the loyal local following. Here we are at the end of September and most clubs have shut up shop, what has gone wrong with the sport? Years gone by, the end of season closing meetings were something to behold now it is a damp squib. As a sport the farce continues with events at Peterborough versus Lakeside which while it might be beyond the control of Peterborough it sums up the shambles UK speedway finds itself in. Poor stadia, indifferent rider loyalty, riders who cannot be bothered to turn out for anything other than an league meeting yet they whinge about the lack of track time, promoters who have buried their heads up their own backsides and ignore the current loyal supporters and with no hope of attracting new support because of a p poor product.. the only saving grace at this time is Tai, Workington, Mildenhall and Kings Lynn all whom deserve success and on the rider front, Robert Lambert has so much more to offer but is not quite ready for the GP. Dan, Drew and a good few more give English speedway a bright future and in summing up, league racing has fallen well short but on an individual front the sport has some real contenders who without the pressure will go all the way. RL to be GP champ by 2022.

Got confused with the FIM shadow logo but now read your e mail, wholeheartedly agree and e mail sent.

Good racing in the end with a few different lines. Well done to all riders for making it an interesting meeting and hopefully the FIM will show even more live events on line next year.

So could that be a North/South divide. Both divisions racing Wednesday to Sunday and double up/down only allowed between North and South but not within each division. Top four from each division contest an end of season play off for a national title. All teams (North and South) to have a NL team and the NL is run on. 4TT basis so that the likes of Buxton etc. can compete. The NL has a Championship play off with the top four teams racing one round at their home track and a final championship meeting in Manchester. Most tracks would have weekly meetings. Something different but that is all that is left for the BSPA to try, as all that has gone before has failed. For rain offs a share of the points, no trying to re-arrange meetings. Then bring in U.K. riders championship with every track hosting a meeting. I guess none of this is in the thought process but tinkering is only going to finish off the sport. No turning back without a radical change the few fans left will walk.

It is a shame as fair few rave about the biggest individual meetings the GP yet cannot be bother turnout for this type of meeting and I really do not understand the obsession with league racing as it is today. I would rather see individual riders going for it and looking after number one with a pot of money for the winner then the drawn out league meetings that are so often what is offered up as entertainment. The other point is that riders need to be on track regularly and competively to improve and the punters are denying the riders the opportunity to show what they can do with regular riding by effectively boycotting meetings other than league racing. Any wonder the British riders struggle.

Perhaps if they run league meetings on a 4TT basis would that make a difference? Surely the powers that be really don’t want to shoot themselves in the foot with grass roots speedway (no disrespect to any club) being lost. Entertainment wise it is great and the IOW and Plymouth and all the others in that league are great ambassadors for the sport. BSPA get real.

Sorry about that only quoting what the commentator said. Must have misunderstood. Probably get a bollocking for starting the topic on another thread. Still bit like U.K. promoters and rides, who gives a t...

For anyone interested the meeting is live now on Freesport TV and the return is also live tomorrow

Disappointing but with the general apathy it is not surprising. However they could have filled the gaps in the calendar with NL riders for individual meetings or a local 3TT using NL riders representing KL, IP and Mildenhall or perhaps have a final meeting that was a mixed race night with speedway, short track and sidecars. I guess that the promotion simply cannot be bothered to make the effort and similarly, riders cannot be bothered to turn out. I still wonder why did they not enter a team in the NL trophy as did Cradley Heath given that they would have known at the back end of last year how few home meetings they would be running. Perhaps even CL has given up on it now. Whatever the real reason it demonstrates scant regard for the supporters. How many will bother buying season tickets next year?

Cat amongst the pidgeons. Loathe him or admire him Matt Ford has run one of the most successful clubs and given that he appears to be reaching that point on where he goes next, perhaps he could relinquish the reigns at Poole and do what John Berry tried to achieve. Matt knows speedway inside out, is one of the few people who could probably command some respect from those outside the sport given his business acumen and at this juncture speedway has nothing to lose. Carry on with the current crew and no changes (either Matt or someone with a good PR and presence) then it is a lost cause and the chances of recovery are slim. It needs something radical to happen not just the regular tinkering and tweaking which simply alienates all and sundry.

Thought it was a good meeting and how refreshing to go through the card and been done and dusted in about 90 minutes. Hopefully another good encounter at Poole. Well done to both sets of riders.

Apparently 16000 at the meet. Dream on U.K. speedway it has some work to do to tempt those sort of numbers to a play off meeting.