g13webb

Years back when Carl Fogerty was World Superbike Champion, a sport that was covered on the BBC, He was invited to the awards, He went, thinking he was going to win, but never even got a mention. Probably, Instead of calling the award the SPOTY, they should call it : IYFFA, ' If your Face Fits Award', then everyone will know who has a chance or not. Sorry Woffy, you were never in the frame. Even if you had won every SGP race, broken every bone in your body, Raised £ 5 million for charity, you still wouldn't have been considered. Trouble is: is that because of the sorry state of our sport, or rather the sorry state of the BBC.... Who knows....

I live in a neighbouring town from Kings Lynn, about 10 mile away. and you see nothing in regards to advertising speedway or reports of meetings. There could be loads of people interested and not even know there is a meeting on.... Plain Crazy.......

I'm all for that. I think the BSPA should lay down the guidelines of the reserves and then leave it to the Promoters and Riders to sort out. Having people to delegate who and where they ride just complicates the whole scenario. I am of the same feelings as you. I believe the British League cannot afford these top riders. Hancock getting £5K a meeting is plain ridiculous. That money, could have been spent far more useful then that. In a way that benefited the sport and the youngsters.

Not at all. The sport in this country is in dire straits. The only financial source available is what come through the turnstiles. In a ideal world it would be wonderful to throw money at these youngster in the hope they will make it, but that's not the case. So nobody is taking any liberties, nor living in cloud cuckoo land, its called the real world and we all have to live in it.

Comparing British speedway with that of Poland, is like comparing chalk with cheese. The two scenarios are worlds apart. Over here clubs are private enterprise and are the responsibility of the Owner/Promoter. Over there they are a corporate entity and governed by Council and Towns. Sponsorship is included into the cost of the facilities that Corporate companies provide like Electric, Gas, Power, Dust carts etc. British sports are a world apart from them and it is wrong to use them as a yard stick. As for the costs for the reserves, this is a difficult one. I believe the club should help the rider, but the rider shouldn't be in a situation where every cost is covered without having to perform well. On the face of it, a guarantee of £120 /meeting seems adequate. On a good night a reserve could earn £3-400 a night, multiply that by 4 and he's on a good earner. If the rider don't perform as he should, he's no good for the club or himself.

I must say what ' Pandorum' has said is pretty much an accurate picture of this sport. 'Vince' in his attempt to defend the acquisations has even highlighted it more so. But nobody can argue the shambles and the terrible decisions made, have taken this sport to the brink of extinction. .

When Poland were involved in the WTC at Lynn a couple of years back, the place was heaving. probably to the point of more Poles then British. The place was covered in red and white flags. So there are plenty of supporters out there, once they become interested.

Reading the article in the EDP, Rob Lyons added another description of the riders, able to facilitate the reserve berths in the team, as those riders being able to ride in the National League. This could eliminate some names, already mentioned.

I think the allocation idea just complicates the issue. Fair enough, make the rule to include young British riders at reserve for a year, but let the Clubs and Riders do the sorting out of who rides for where. That way everyone has a chance to ride where they want.

Now you're being extreme. I am of the impression that the BSPA have hit upon a new idea, to reduce costs, fast track the British youngsters. Sure, they could have said nothing until all the details were finalised, but they decided to announce the idea before they'd had time to finish. All I said was give them a chance . There's bound to be a few issues to iron out but so what.........

True, but a lot of what you say is your assumption. All I said was give the BPSA time to detail their plans when a lot of the negatives should be answered. I personally don't think they went far enough.

I belief the outrage that has been posted on here, about new ideas, is way over the top. Personally, I think the promoters have done well in the idea of bringing in young British riders. Ok , the exact details have still to be finalised, the wording in the announcement, could have been be a bit different. But Christ give them chance, they only had 3 days. I'm sure the minute details can be iron out in due course. The League doesn't start till March 2014 Its appears so easy, to be negative all the time, but what miserable lives you must lead.

I think the majority of decisions made at the recent AGM have a positive feel to them. Obviously there are areas that need to be addressed in more detail but generally I feel the promoters have tried to change things for the better. We need more structure for new British riders and fast tracking them, instead of foreigners, has to be good. There have been many questions on how it will be achieved but unlike others, I will wait for the details before offering an opinion. Without doubt the worse announcement to come from the meeting was the closure of Peterborough Speedway. Even when there was a millionaire at the helm, prepared to plough in money, it just shows how precarious some clubs are. Sponsorship is ok, but nothing can replace the interest from supporters and the ability to run the club in a viable way. Just a shame with this announcement goes one of the best race track in the country and the club that created fierce local rivalry Sincerely hope a buyer is found soon.

If that's true, then Brilliant. The sport needs a new start.

I understand what you say, but he will rule for years to come. If it hadn't been for stupid rules and an inefficient pit crew in Phillip Island, he would have won the World championship there..... .

Not wanting to run Jorge down, and admit to his obvious class, but this year, Marquez has surpassed everyone with his unbelievable feat of winning the World championship in his rookie year. Even Lorenzo couldn't do that. so Marquez will get my vote. 1st Marc Márquez (ESP); 2nd Woffy; 3rd Sykes

Generally all speedway leagues. Positives: enjoying a night out with the excitement of close racing, the smell and mixing with people of the same interest. Negatives: the BSPA always thinking of their own personnel interest first, instead of the whole sport in general.

Although we lost to a strong Heathens side, I thoroughly enjoyed an exciting meeting, as like most of the NL matches I've been to. It was good to see a decent crowd supporting these matches. especially the boisterous away fans in the stands There is a lot of talk about the problems with speedway as a whole, but probably the answer is staring at us in the face all time. Last night we had good close racing, competitive racing, going one way then the other, the excitement was always there. But we had it all for only £10 a head. Do we really need to pay double that just to see a FEW top riders doing the same as we saw last night.?

If you haven't been since at Lynn since the 80's you'll see lots of changes. Most of them for the better. If this goes down to the last heat I shall be well pleased thinking we have a chance of winning with Mallet and Kerr. But, I think the double points will be your saviour. Hope you enjoy your visit to Saddlebow Road,

I thought it was a real good meeting, Not the best I've seen, but a lot better then some that's been shown. The track was ok, good really in the sense that the winner could come from any gate position. Good in the sense you could come from the back, But on the downside, it developed ruts, and showed patchy grip and therefore we got some strange results, But hey we can't have all ways. I think what made the meeting special, was the program of unforeseen incidents that added to the occasion. Never expected, Gollob and Woffy to get injured, never expected Pedersen and Hampel to score low points at the start. all these things added tension to the proceedings. No, not the best SGP I've seen, but one I thoroughly enjoyed.

I don't often agree with you, but in this case I think your spot on. What Woffy did last night was immense, the pain he was going through, was there for all to see. But it was imperative he got some points on the board and to keep the preying pack at bay. I think he showed what a true Champion he is.. Well done Woffy ........ Also special mention to Neils. Probably the best I EVER seen him ride... Sheer Brilliance

Its not the fact that of the supporters knowing all the rules, that can be understood, But the biggest problem is that the Promoters and Referees are missing the understanding of the rules and that the biggest problem. If they have difficulty with the so-called rules what chance do we supporter stand. Shovlar has been brought it to anyone's attention that Lynn apparently fielded Kozza in the match against the Panthers wrongly. BUT, If the rules are that complex that neither Lynn, Peterborough nor the Ref was aware of the wrong doing, then surely this is a indication of how pathetic these rules really are.

Some of the crap you write is beyond belief. The track at Lynn was brilliant. it had everything you want from a race track the close racing was thoroughly enjoyed by those who went..and having watched the meeting again on the tele again, I still cant believe you think that way. As for the choice of track to exploit out strength, we need to face up to the fact that we aren't good enough whichever track we choose. How you can question the race track at NA , when you usually watch your speedway at one of the worst tracks in the league is laughable.

Bearing in mind, We were 6 point down after only 2 heats, we didn't do to bad in the other 18.. :rofl:

Tonight we have the chance to win a place in the World Team Cup Final. Although the opposition is relatively weak it's going to be a big struggle. Only Darcy and Herbie have the speed to trouble Tai and Bomber. although Batch can be a spoiler, but the ace in our pack, HAS to be Middlo. If he can get his tactical decisions right and implement them for the biggest advantage we have a wonderful chance. I shall be glues to the box with plenty of refreshments........... Wish em the best of luck...