Ray Stadia

OK, but Iwade have training days. Are the training days recognised by the BSPA/ACU/SCB or are they run in a similar way to Lydd? It appears that training days and actual meetings are perhaps treated in a different way? I accept that proper insurances should be in place for training days, with medical assistance and proper guidance, not just a free for all. I have a friend who does track days at places like Snetterton and Brands Hatch on his Triumph. As far as I know, the day is the responsibility of whoever is organising the track day, which may not be the track owner.

Licensed by who? And is the track recognised and endorsed by the BSPA or/and the ACU or/and SCB?

Surely, if there is an issue with being affiliated to a recognised body, the answer is for a non-BSPA track session to be classed as a grass track event, which can then be under ACU rules. The fact the surface is shale rather earth can't be a problem, can it? So long as the word 'speedway' isn't used, I would have thought it would be ok. I think the Iwade training set-up is run on a similar basis.

I wonder if the reason they are being brought in, is not necessarily to reduce the cost to riders, although a rev limiter may help with wear costs, but the main reason could be to try and level the 'playing field'.

I don't think it's been mentioned anywhere else, but on the Beeb this morning, they were going through those who have passed away in 2018 and when they got to the sports section, I was waiting for Ivan Mauger, but unless I blinked at that moment, no mention of the great rider.

The point was a topical point Sh, I mean Ch. The Severn Bridge is now toll free, so, my question was, as it is a forum, if there had been no toll during the days of Newport Speedway, could the track have survived, attracting more people from the other side of the river, without the additional cost to the fan of the toll charge.

I agree, one heck of a shame and one hell of an amazing achievement by Tim. You could probably make a short play/drama about one man's dream and what he achieved, when you consider the challenges and adversity. Remember the film 'Field of Dreams'?

I take your point, but I have just put in several variations on AA Auto-route and there is quite a bit of difference in some cases, i.e. Newport being nearer. Add to that, fans are used to going to Wales once a year for the Grand Prix. It certainly would have helped their cause, in my opinion.

On the news, they said it was £5.60, which I think was a one way payment only.

With the announcement that the Severn Bridge toll is being abolished, would this have saved Newport Speedway had it been in place before they folded? I personally think it would have helped Newport as it would have been more attractive for fans living in Bristol and starved for many years of their own team. The toll must have been a barrier (no pun intended), I am sure.

Does that mean that it is more of a myth that riders are owed money or that riders have a big enough 'war chest' to fund themselves going forward, when not being paid?

We are all 'internet warriors' mate, that's what a forum is. Exchanging views, opinions, counter opinions, suggestions, personal anecdotes, testimonies etc etc!

Probably for the London area of Essex, but maybe if a promoter is prepared to look more at the rural area of Essex, it may have a chance. After all, Essex used to be a real hot bed for grass track, not so many years ago. All around Maldon, Chelmsford, Braintree, Colchester. The Marks Tey showground regularly hosts pre 1965 moto cross and right next to the A12, around there could be possible?

Perhaps Lakeside did. The point I was saying, is if you are looking for locals to support, say a new stadium application, due to the general public not really knowing what speedway is, the chances are they will just think it is noisy smelly motorbikes, that is about to appear on their doorstep. One of the problems for that, I feel, is speedway has such a low profile and most people haven't a clue what it is.

Some of that fault is speedway's and the people who run it. Speedway is such low profile, the average man in the street just thinks oily motorbikes making a noise. The sport i.e. the 'promoters' don't bother to try and raise it's profile to the locals or try and raise speedway's general profile.

There is a lot of land around the A13 area, around Rainham and towards London. I think some of that land is not good to build on as it is marsh, but could be ok for a track? Maybe? As for Basildon, I doubt it, all land around there is grabbed for housing. Mind you, there is Watt Tyler Park? Lot of land there!

That's a bit odd. If VAT is due, Mildenhall would have had to pay the VAT, it's not an option. And Deane would then pay the VAT to HMRC, less the VAT the stock car business has paid within the business. And Mildenhall would then reduce their VAT bill to HMRC, less the VAT they have paid within the business. All VAT is, is a mechanism to collect tax for HMRC.

Maybe that's the answer to ensuring you have a full stadium, week in week out. You announce at each meeting, the next one will be the last!

Well a 28 day ban would have saved him equipment and travelling costs. Maybe there is more to it. Maybe the riders are paid part of what they are owed each meeting, to at least cover some of their costs. Someone mentioned cash flow, but stadiums receive cash at the turnstiles, so it should be money in from the fans, out to the riders virtually immediately. Now, if we are saying the money taken at the gate is not enough to pay the riders their money, where does the money come from? From the owners/promoters pocket, sponsorship?

So what is going on? All very odd.

I wonder why he allowed what he was owed to run as long as 9 meetings? I think I would have smelt a rat!

I am a bit confused what the bond is for? Is it to protect the riders? The stadium owners? Tuners who haven't been paid? Or does it protect the remaining promoters?

I don't know what the bond is, but presume you either place a certain amount of money into a speedway trust or you pledge/guarantee a certain amount of money?

No, it was in Essex CR. Actually, it was described as 'Speedway on Grass'.

Surely, the ACU could be approached for them to consider another sub-regulator, with all the usual safety aspects and insurance in place, but call the sport by another name and perhaps alter the traditional speedway set-up. E.G. race over 6 laps, 350 cc engines or 600 cc engines. Handicap races. Just a thought! As for a name, how about MotoRaceway?