Speedball

Very very impressed by all things at Glasgow last night. Not been to the NSS yet but that's the best experience I've had at British speedway for years. Just a shame Edinburgh didn't make more of a contest out of it. I love speedway but often come away feeling disenchanted. Poor facilities, racing, presentation etc but keep going because my team and the sport is in my blood. The biggest compliment I could pay Glasgow is that I would happily comeback every week if I lived closer. Off the track, so much attention to detail. I know it's perhaps easier when you have multi-millionaires in charge but some of the touches are simple yet effective. Getting kids involved with the mascot, flags around the stadium, a speedway bike for kids (and adults if inclined) to sit on for photos, webcam in the bar showing action in the pits, spot prizes of for checking in on Facebook, staff in smart uniforms. That combined with fans who are up for it and a great view of the racing led to a great night out. Bloody loved it. On the track, Glasgow looked very powerful. The top three all did their job and when Bewley chips in like that, they will take some stopping. Dan was excellent and looks such a great prospect for British speedway. Other than Mark Riss, the Monarchs looked very ordinary. Sad to say it but surely Max Clegg is on borrowed time. Looks very short on confidence. Finally just want to say a massive thank you to Gazc and Paulco for their hospitality. Gaz especially for going out of his way to help me out. Very much appreciated. All the best for the season.

Don't think I can shoulder the blame for that one. Won't go into much detail as this is a speedway forum but shame the players ability doesn't match the Rangers support. Other than the result, had a great time.

No Kai Huckenbeck for the Stars, riding in Germany. Daniel Halsey guests!!

Weather looking good so hopefully will see my first ever meeting at Armadale. Can't see beyond a Monarchs win but hoping Sheffield make a good fight out of it. Disappointing about Lasse as was looking forward to seeing him in action.

Really looking forward to this. My first visit to Ashfield and can't think of a better meeting to see. A last heat decider would suit me just fine. Can you move freely around the stadium? I like to watching racing at different points until I find somewhere I like best. Also, where's the bar with the shortest queue?

Very sad news. Always very helpful via PM to help with streams etc. RIP Alan

I love them both, hence the username Really looking forward to making the trip up and thanks again to everyone who has offered help and advice. Just hoping the weather stays kind. Just sorted out a ticket for St Mirren v Raith so will make the dash to that game after Ibrox and then head back into Glasgow for the speedway. Two football games and a speedway match is my kind of day

I thought the crowd was pretty poor actually. Good job there was a few from Birmingham! Think I've been to 80 to 90% of the Young Stars meeting since 2009 and that was the most abject performance I've seen. Probably harsh but that's how I felt watching the meeting and still feel this morning. It's not the result, but the level of performance. At times we were miles off the pace. I know the track was tricky but Birmingham were miles ahead and truth is the score could have been worse. Josh and Danny battled hard and Scott was his normal steady self and had two good races with Cupitt. More worryingly was how far Ryan and Taylor were off the pace. Taylor's score looks ok on paper but he was basically gifted points in most of his rides and hardly turning the bike at times. Connor put plenty of effort in but is still pretty raw. Looks like Ryan has a Stars team suit made up so could be sharing the No 7 position with Josh. I know it's good to give your own assets a chance but he just isn't ready for that level yet. On the positive side, JPB was simply superb. Made light of the tricky conditions early on and rode like someone with years more experience than he has. I said last night in my updates, that was the most impressive NL level performance I've seen since Robert Lambert rode for the Young Stars. He really does have a bright future in the sport.

Can see anything other than a Birmingham win. Far too much top end power with Bacon, Hume, Ritchings and JPB. That said, the result is the least important aspect for me when it comes to the Young Stars. Just want to see progression in Kinsley and Hampshire and some confidence boosting wins for Bailey.

Poole I think

Don't think the first batch of pictures from P&P did the race suits much justice. They look much better in the flesh.

Thanks Gazc. Definitely looking for the Rangers end

Thanks again especially Scotchopper. Great advice. Trip all booked up now. Plumped for the Premier Inn and will just taxi it to the stadium and back. My wife doesn't like football or speedway but hopefully a mate will be making the trip with me. He's not especially a speedway fan but he's trying to source an Old Firm ticket. If he can, he'll come with me (if anyone can help with that, please message me). Just hoping the weather gods are kind!!!

Trouble is, miss one meeting and any saving goes. Considering holidays, illness, fixture changes etc it's just not worth it in my eyes. If you miss two matches you are out of pocket. Think I said this last year but if they chucked in a free programme and maybe a couple of quid off Young Stars meetings I'd be tempted because there is extra value. That all said, can't wait for the season to start. A decent side with a mix of experience and youth, local connections and two of the most exciting riders in the world with Holder & Lambert.

It's not that bad now I've done my research. Return train fare, flights and two nights hotel comes in at around £180. Obviously will have admissions, food etc on top but will never get a better chance to visit both tracks. Saturday will really be a derby day!!!

Glasgow seems easily doable by train from Queen Street station to Ashfield so pretty much got the pick of anywhere in the city centre. Just wasn't sure about Armadale as it seemed a bit out of the way. The Premier Inn that has been mentioned looks perfect though. Thanks again everyone for their help. Just hope it all comes off now.

Thank you, that's great. Will check them out. Cheers, hoping it all comes together but that would be three things off the bucket list in one weekend.

Hopefully this is the best place to put this. Looking at making my first trips to Edinburgh and Glasgow at the end of April. The plan at the moment is to fly to Edinburgh then get to Armadale (probably by train then taxi) for the Edinburgh v Sheffield meeting, then travel over to Glasgow on train on the Saturday. Got a ticket for the Old Firm game on Saturday and then planning to take in the Scottish derby at Glasgow on the Saturday night. Accommodation and travel seems easy for Glasgow but is there anywhere close to Edinburgh's stadium (maybe in Armadale itself) to stay or would I be better off getting the train back to Edinburgh after the meeting? Any advice greatly appreciated

I'd be surprised if it's Jenkins. If it's anyone from Mildenhall I'd have thought it would be Connor Mountain.

Good job Buster was prompt and decisive hey FF/Ouch 4.10 Since taking occupation of the National Speedway Stadium in March 2016, BV Arena Ltd failed to meet important requirements of their agreements, including paying any rent on the property to the City Council. As a result the Council were therefore also unable to renew BV Arena Ltd’s licence to occupy the stadium nor the entering inform of any further commercial arrangements with the Belle Vue Group of Companies. 4.11 In October 2016, it had come to light that the Belle Vue Group of Companies had significant debt not only with the Council but with other parties. The Council was contacted by the Chairman of the British Speedway Promoters Association (BSPA) in respect of the financial position of both BV Arena Ltd and Belle Vue Speedway Ltd. They had been made aware that several BVA speedway riders had not been paid salaries and had heard rumours that contractors had not been paid by the Belle Vue Group of Companies. They had also been aware of rumours suggesting that the City Council was going to terminate the agreement with the Belle Vue Group of Companies, which was a major concern to the BSPA as the National Speedway Stadium.

Clive Featherby was also born in Lynn (06/04/33). Retired in 1972 after breaking his leg riding for the Stars.

Yes he is. Comes from Norwich I believe. Don't think so but sure we'll find out soon enough.

Pretty certain it won't be Hughes for reasons that will soon become clear.

The one with a higher average will be declared in the 1 to 7 and guessing the other will be named as No 8

I was told the announcement would be at the end of the month so should be soon. Two riders sharing the spot last I heard.