tyler42

Thank you. I'm surprised riders turned it down. They are always saying they are skint !!

Why did Edinburgh go with R/R last night, was there no one available or was it to save money?

I know it's the system and all the riders know it's on the final, and it's 2026, not 1976, but I wonder what the list of speedway world champions would have looked like under this system? For those older enough to remember, would you agree that Dave Jessup, for one, would have been a world champion? Billy Sanders maybe. Of course, the cream rises to the top, and the likes of Mauger, Olsen, Fundin, Penhall, etc. would have still gone on to be world champions, but off the top of my head, Kenny Carter is another who, imo, would have won it at least once. As proven last night, score eight points, and you're in with a shout of winning. Yes, it's over ten rounds, not one, but you get my drift.

So, from yesterday's meeting till today, did we have a lot of overnight rain? If not, why is it like a waterlogged ploughed field tonight?

Bewley has had three fantastic races. Means diddly squat under this pathetic scoring system. Someone could make the final on a lot less than what Dan has already. Still, it's important for the sport to show itself for what it is 🤣🤣

Tatum, goodness gracious me, By Golly........... I suggest he tries his hand at " its knock out," much better suited for his style of commentary.

How can it be out of sync like that? It beggars belief.

I think you mean in the 2000s. We were the World Champions, plus silver and bronze medallists from the 70's right the way through to the late 80s. That was when it was 5-man teams. We have under the speedway of nations, two golds and two silvers. Fantastic achievements, but all in name, a pair's event. When it comes to the 5 man team event, we've not yet won. As for England's record in the pairs in the past. It's a fantastic record. 70s through to the late 80s, 7 Golds, 5 Silver and 2 Bronze. 👍

I don't think I used the word Bribed. As for Hagon, you don't have to have a logo on a team suit to sponsor the team. Look at the end of the day when it comes to the final, as long as we stay clear of injuries. The team picks itself. Unless the riders who rode last night had to pay for their own expenses, then I can't fathom why so many were overlooked? Unless as you say, all the riders who are imo better than Cairns and Flint, turned it down. Lawson's article in the star suggests otherwise.

It use to be, promoters would build a team, so at least they could win at home. It seems Godfrey is not too bother one way or the other on that score. Maybe when he has no supporters left he might take action. I doubt it it!!

So, Lawson's quote in the star. " I must have pissed someone off. didn't even get a phone call," Is what lies? 15 point max on Wednesday, 10+3 at Northampton the following night, but in Allan's words. "I would rather pick someone with enthusiasm." Last time I looked, Enthusiasm over talent doesn't win you trophies. Yes, Lawson is not into riding British finals and open meetings, etc., but he obviously would like to have been picked to ride for Team GB. Being a good rider, it seems is only part of the equation if you want to be part of Team GB Limited. You say, and I quote, "(insert your own chosen name here) whose first question is “how much will I get paid? I could turn that on its head and say the first question Team GB ltd ask is, "How much are you willing to pay to become part of the team?" It's already been mooted that Cairns dad paid through sponsorship for his boy to be picked. Hagon's dad sponsored them the other year. Next thing you know, he became part of the Team GB setup!! Sad state of Affairs when Speedway starts going down the same road as F1, where you have to pay to get your place on the team.

Yes, I agree. Meeting won, so why not give him a run out? I think Allan's thinking was: "By not giving him a ride. "To be fair, the lad most likely would have been a bit off the pace!" So Allan chose not to use him and, in the process, it stops him getting any stick!!

That was his 1st season, so not too bad. He went on to have a good career at Glasgow.

btw, can you show me where I quoted he would only last three races? I've looked in Hansard, but can't seem to find it😉

When I said the same thing about Hausl, you replied to my post, as shown below. I thought after I posted my comments that maybe I was a bit harsh on him, considering how tight the Edinburgh track is. I half expected I would have to eat my words after the Berwick meeting. Knowing a big track would have suited him better. The updates said he had a great 1st ride. What happened in his other two? Things won't get easier for him. Up next, Plymouth. Another very small track. You're correct in your assessment of the two reserves. Hagon should really be kicking on now. Third full season in Division Two. Berwick was his home track last year. I thought he would have been your match winner. As for Hodder. imo he will have some half-decent meetings, but he doesn't look like he has improved that much from last season. Early days, though.

Yes indeed, pirates dodged a bullet there. Riss would have scored at least eight against a very lack lustered Pirates imo.

Considering Cluff has ridden in Poland for a season, then Plymouth last year. Tonight, he certainly looked like he had never ridden a bike before. As for Glasgow. I would hazard a guess and say Hausl won't be around too long. Unless, of course, he shows a liking to Glasgows track.

Could Klima not have had seven rides?. Unless he's in heat 15. May has only given him six rides? the same amount as Spencer. Who, to be fair, has only scored when there were three riders in a race. Surely Klima should have got the full quota of rides, or have I got the rules wrong?

Being on the front cover and a two page spread inside without turning a wheel in the 2nd division doesn't help. Todays young riders love the social media and why not? but if they talk the talk, then they have to do the walk or just like on here they will get criticised. In fairness to Will Cairns, I saw him do an interview on a local TV broadcast on press day and he seemed to have his feet firmly on the ground. Good luck to all the young riders. I think Jody Scott and Luck Harris go about it the right way. Both have improved without the big hype. The parents of some of these young riders can stop the hype by cutting back on the articles and big interviews, but they seem to enjoy the publicity as much as their boys.

Good old Dr Samuel Johnson 🤙

So what did the promotors in the late 90s through till last season do with the tv money?

If that's the case, Why were Ipswich allowed to race with last season?

I agree, but it's as much the top league promoters as the 2nd division promoters. Remember it's the top league that have taken all the TV money and what have they got to show for it? They don't give a monkeys about the 2nd division, so why should the 2nd division give a monkeys about the plight they are in now. If they think they can have a league with 4/5 teams then let them. It will look daft to those's outside the sport as well as many inside, but if they are not willing to come together with the 2nd division and make it one league, just let them crack on and when another club pulls out next year just have 3/4 teams in the top league.

I don't agree. The promoters are the employers. It's come the time where they have to say to the riders. ( This is what we can afford) Then the riders can decide to reject or accept. If the don't like the terms then they can leave the sport and go and get a job. If the sport has to go semi pro then so be it.

Or just make the the 2nd division Semi Pro? how many riders in the lower league make a living? Unless the likes of Hodder are on £300 a point!!! Then I would say hardly any. Yes, the No1's especially with their doubling up, most likely make a living. There might be other sports where their top league only consists of 4/5 clubs, but you can't really have a play off system with that amount of teams, can you? The sport is already laughed at by most news outlets. I don't even think you get the results in the National press anymore. The doubling up put a stop to the sport being taken serious by most. Riders can't keep living in this fantasy world. How many people attend Redcar/Scunthorpe/ Edinburgh/Plymouth etc? The promoters have got themselves into this situation. They have bowed down to the riders wants and needs and this is the end result. They have to tell the riders the bubble has burst. They should offer them a fair deal for what the club can afford. If they can't except the deal. Then unfortunately they will have to go and get a job! No one can justify calling speedway at 2nd division level professional anymore. If some riders reject the offers, then you promote the young lads from the 3rd division. Lets face it the sport at 2nd division level has been watered down so much over the last few years, a couple of more riders won't make that much difference. The majority of riders in the 2nd division worked back in the 70s/80s. The sport was also in a lot better health. The leagues and crowds were a lot bigger. Every year the sport dies a little bit more. It's been on life support for a while now. How much longer before the plug is pulled?