g13webb

If only!! The rules for the EDR are so ambiguous The one thing that stands out about all the rules, is that they are never crystal clear.

I never thought I would ever say this, but my desire to go to watch speedway has completely gone. For 50 yrs I have followed the up and downs of the Kings Lynn Stars always feeling that illusive title was just a season away. But nowadays I feel so distant from the club that always put principals before success. Over the past few months the club has all but forgotten about the fans, and everything revolves around cost cutting. The fans now are treated like mushrooms and are expected to come just because there's a match on.. Not Me. Yes I could go elsewhere to watch, but in all honesty I've had a gut full of the BSPA and their Pathetic rules. Their favouritism towards certain promoters has destroyed everything that was good about league racing. And them stupid FTR Reserves idea is just there to be manipulated. Anybody with any sense, can see what is happening to this once loved sport, yet nobody is man enough to do anything about it. I wonder how many more feels Like I do....

If, by chance, there was an interesting party, willing to plough some much needed funds into this sport, and thought about looking into the subject: Good Idea!!, Search Google, then See British. Speedway Forum, that should be the place to get some idea of how the sport is doing. God help them.. and we wonder why the sport don't attract the right backers.... Going through the previous 15 pages you actually realise the state this sport is in. Its all but dead.. There's nothing left worth arguing about... and as for spending £17 to go and watch.. forget it.......

What a wonderful person you really are. Your post says far more about you than it does me. I was taught to respect others, treat them the way you want them to treat you. But you are different breed. Never have I felt attacked and insulted by what you posted. It is quite obvious your assessment of me is so far from the truth its unreal. Nobody was more outspoken of the Draft system than I , Even one of your 'Likes' labelled me as a scare manger and said I was making a mountain out of a mole hill. And you labelling me as a LIER is as bad as it will get. I would like to call you thick, but I have too much integrity to do that...... You don't get the fact, that just because Lynn started well and I spoke about Kerr and Rose with a comment of 'grow your own' has nothing to do with how I felt about the drift idea in principal.... I remember being annoyed at the time of people moaning because Lynn were well clear at the top, yet they all agreed with the drift in the beginning. It seemed that only I could see the problems that lay ahead, and those facts were overlooked just because are draft riders were scoring well. So please, interpretate this post any way you like..... I'm too long in the tooth to be insulted by the likes of you. I have never called someone a liar, I have never been called one. I speak as I find and that sometimes hits a nerve. I have no wish to partake in this forum anymore ....... To people I have communicated with, I like to wish you well, I can't be arsed to justify my being to the likes of the above, So I will take my leave from the forum and bid you all farewell.

My labelling some as kids was in response of them liking something that was untrue, that reminds me of school day when you side with something without knowing the true story .. This is not about opinion it is fact. I have never agreed, said or posted that I thought the Draft was a good idea. Whatever way ORION wants to interpretate it is up to him but it does not make it correct. And for those who think that deserved a 'like' then so be it... Scaremongering, Rumour spreader, Timer waster, was just a few of the names I was called in my outspokenness of the Draft ideas. So no doubt those 6 people have selective memory..... What disappointed me most, is that I posted a comment outlining at least 5 points why the teams are having problems assembling a fair side. all of them relevant points. The only response I received was a personal jibe from ORION which bared no relevant to the post at all. .. That to me speaks volumes........

You and your 'Liked' disciples, are a like bunch of kids....... Please, go back and find a post that said I thought the Draft was a good idea. You'll have a long look !!! . I have always been outspoken about the ridiculous idea and the problems it creates. The problems far out weighs the advantages...... Because of my objections to the draft scheme I have been called many things, but it seems ironic now that all the problems I highlighted has come to fruition. Going back to my comment about 'grow your own', I posted that, in response to a petulant post , when at the time I thought was rather petty . A general discussion was taking place about the good and bad of the FTR idea, when some poster pointed out we (Lynn) were alright as we had both Kerr and Rose. and I responded with the comment of grow your own..... That wasn't an admission that I liked the scheme it was purely a response to someone who was jealous of our riders....... I hope we can put his to bed once and for all............

I except, some of the blame is down to the Lynn promotions, but having problems assembling a fair side needs to be proportioned to the organisation of the BSPA as well.. These past years the sport has lost all direction . At this point, we have riders all on false averages, we have far too many team points available for the riders that want to race here, on those fictitious figures, We even had to make up a heat leader list, of riders who don't want to ride, and...... come the first month that list will be thrown away, We have a draft system that is so unfair it's unreal. The idea was created to distribute the young English rider equally and also to save promoters money. Ride against the same they said, It that why some teams have 2 tier A draft riders and others having none. sure sounds fair to me...... At a time when the sport needs to be correct and impartial, I cant think of much more they can do wrong.... We need to promote this sport to all and sundry. but promoters, acting like dictators doesn't create anything positive at all. . We have too many rules, Too many conditions, Too many reasons why nobody comes anymore. How can it get any worse..........

I was of the same impression, although I wasn't sure if the same applied for the PL matches... My point being that rules should apply to all the divisions. In the case of Sky tele matches, the rule should be to supplement all home team for lost of attendance monies. Obviously that payments would representative of the overheads attributed as per division that they complete in,

I aggree. Any sponsor money should be directed to the sport and not individual clubs. Where the Sky fixtures are concerned, a payment could be made to offsett the low attendance, but that should apply to all matches , whether it be EL or PL. Please don't think I'm painting a picture aimed at the EL I think the sport should be run as one body, One set of rules.......

And here lies the reason why our sport is in the depression it is. I appreciate the EL promoters are fools unto themselves but for someone to post suggestions that the PL should run separately highlights the massive problem this sport has. Sod you jack attitude gets you nowhere. The sport is like a big boat, and everyone must pull their weight, unless they all pull together then the boat will sink. Whether you like it or not the EL is the show piece, and the PL is equal to a 2nd division. NL is the 3rd. The sport should be run as one and every team wanting to progress to that top tier. any other way is deemed to failure......... that' be to the Sport, The Divisions and the Fans......

Around 1973 / 74 I was in the pits. Lynn had just scrapped a win against Newport, Michael Lee had finished is half time exhibition, and a really colourful conversation was going on between Neil Street and Andy Lee. Both, engine whiz kids, were exploying the capabilities of Street's first 4 valve engine. Andy's eyes gleamed as he examined the make shift creation that was taped together. It wasn't a surprise that Phil Crump had score a maximum, but Neil himself had scored double figures was a real eye opener. He was getting on in years then........ While Andy was in dreamland, Terry Betts sat in the corner talking to Big Al ( Alan Littlechild) . Bettsy said the speed from bike was ridiculous. If it not banned straight away, it could kill the sport. Big Al replied, every rider would have to have one, meaning they would want more money, and Bettsy said There is not enough money in the sport to start messing about like that....... If only they had listened to him..........

In my life many things have changed. In years gone by it was so easy to get involved at a cost one could afford. Taking Motocross as an example, in 1965 there were 245 registered riders in East Anglia alone, another 280 in the East Midland, participants only needed a cheap bike, helmet and boots and they were able to compete. A small outlay to have an enjoyable time. This is a far cry to what it is like today. Tracks were plentiful and available dates were a bigger issue where scrambling was a weekly event. There were 38 registered tracks in East Anglia alone, over 350 nationwide. In 2014 there were 3 in EA and only 42 in the country. All the little clubs have ceased to exist leaving the bigger ones struggling to survive. Where once every Tom, Dick or Harry could choice to part-take because the cost was within their reach, now this is limited to the wealthy and the highly talented to keep the influx going.... Speedway is very similar, where once the sport was unindated with a endless supply of new riders hoping to get on the ladder. Now the cost of equipment frightened many prospective newcomers away. The support that follows local talent is a mere token to what it once was.... yet another reason why the numbers are diminishing...

There are many reasons, but primarily, the sport has lost its appeal because of the affordability to the masses that use to support it. All this new technology comes at a price, a cost that prices it out of a lot of peoples pockets. Like other sports speedway benefitted from low admission price and crowd levels were much higher than today. Top riders use to by a new bike each year knowing it would last the season. Howard Cole once said to me, New chain, Hose it down and fill it up and we're away. Today it is much different. Not only are the cost of the bikes ridiculously high, but the cost of tuning them goes through the roof. It is my belief the technology has priced itself out of the sport.. The same can be said of Scrambling ( Motocross). I remember years ago the venues were packed now the only people there are organiser, friends and riders. Such a shame the these sports have descended in this way. Give me the good ole days......everytime.......

Having read all these comments, I believe most are missing the point. The Main problem that exist with our sport is that we do not cultivate new supporters. The majority of the present fan base are those who have followed the sport for years. The No1 priority for Barry Hearn, or anybody else for that matter, is to reach out to those people who have never heard or even thought about the sport.. Directing your sources to draw in the accomplished fans is one thing but the sport needs so much more........ There are people living in our village, only 10 miles away from Lynn, that don't know what a speedway track looks like......... But everyone knows what a football pitch is like, and where the nearest hospital is ??????

I don't blame Mr Gent. hes only doing what he's been told. The problem rest with the promotions, I had hoped this grand announcement of a top rider would have been done by now, It was to be an all conquering A stream that other clubs feared. coupled with announcement, that the BSPA was going to rethink this wretched draft system . But in all honesty I was living in a dream world. The reality of it means that, more-likely as not, Lynn will have KB as their other rider, with Simon Lambert as our reserve. Some clubs will laugh and appraise at our poor team building. But looking at from the sports prospective, this cannot be good for anyone.,,,,,,,,,.

Who will be dropped to accommodate Iversen. To fit in Niels average, we will have to lose either Rory, Mads, Batch or Lambert. Which one do you suggest ???

Every rider is different, and ones perception of riders doesn't necessarily prove they're not trying. Nobody frustrates me more than Mads has done. That's not to say he doesn't try, usually his bike were slow and he was beating a dead horse. But Mads is raved about because of his forceful riding style. I saw many races last year when KB was lack lustred , Also many times I saw him lead from the gate and win races. and I agree its very frustrating....... With KB you will never get an in your face racer shouting from the rooftops, You'll get a quite, shy, knowable person who can perform very well. To me that's enough. If you want any more, then I suggest we keep looking......... Don't hold your breath though.......

Like you say who was it that cocked up. Of cause Bomber would know , he was given the Black and White, but what was going through KB head.. Was he told of the tactic? was he involved in discussions. Was he proving a point? , all these are variables, that we only assume the answers, but don't know what goes on..... Look at the cock-up Rob Lyon made with the TR against Leicester. That was monumental and cost us the win and the Play-off place. But the fans seem to forget when they want to.... Of cause it shouldn't have happened. Usually there's no smoke without a fire, so I like to hear all angles before proportioning blame. I am in no doubt, KB could be riding against us and do a lot of harm.......... So why not include him and show your support, instead of persecuting all the time... ..

We post opinions about choices, but the fact is we have no choice. Top riders wanting to race on these shores are few and far between. When someone like Nels deserts the sinking ship we don't have a lot going for us...... Kenneth Bjerre had a bad season last year, but people seem to forget the service he has given KL over the years. He had a lot of injuries, a lot of comebacks, and his confidence is shot to bits. It would be wrong to forget those times. One bad season is not the be all of one's career. Instead of jumping on his back at the mention of his name, how about giving him the benefit of our support. When he fought to keep Bomber behind him, we only saw the wrong result, Fans didn't think of why it happened!! he was persecuted by all and sundry . Did he know it was Bomber behind him??. I wanted to see more races like that when he fought to the end. If I was the team Manager, I would want to know why the KB at Lynn is not the KB from abroad. There are obviously reasons why his performances have dropped, and the answers need to be focused on. His form abroad indicates he has what it takes to succeed here....... Like I say, we are not spoilt for choice of top riders, so turning ones back on someone who has graced these shores , more than most is ridiculous .. I for one will go and watch KB ride, knowing his improvement will be better than some of the others mentioned.........

Of cause Niels feels responsible to the Stars, Had he made his mind up sooner, probably the No 1 jacket would now be sorted . Doyle dropped enough hints to say he wanted a new club, one that was convenient to home and airports and not a weekend track.... Lynn ticked all them boxes......

Following on from Rory's accident and his desire to carry on, there must be a big question mark against him riding at the standard he achieved before. Rory has admitted that Buster had tried to talk him out of it, So its just PROBABLE, that Buster has retained KB as cover in case Rory don't recapture his form. Weeks are running out, but as yet Rory hasn't been out on a bike yet...... Nobody knows how he will react after such a bad crash. He might be instance success, on the other hand he might be a shadow of his former self..........If this be the case then, I will suggest that Buster has done good.....

A catch 22 scenario, who come first, the chicken or the egg? I appreciate posters views about top riders, but we need so much more before we can hope to draw the cream over here.... First priority is we need bums on seats, then in turn we want excitement, that will generate atmosphere. So VFM is of paramount importance if we can entice the fans to join in.. To do this we need cheaper tickets (To start with any way) we need a Publicity firm to take charge of advertising all matches. We want reports in the National / Local press. We want to push the sport back to where it once was. We want a Marketing firm to take charge of Sponsorships, to enable clubs to put on sport at an affordable cost. We want to be able to receive match results on the National 10pm news. We want local TV to report on all matches. We want Speedway pushed into everyone face,....... Just like it use to be..... All the above are achievable, but the biggest issue is the governing body who have shown over the years they are incapable of running the sport in a fair and transparent way. The EL, PL and NL are all run as separate entities. We have EL and PL promoters arguing on the most ridiculous points possible, each thinking only of themselves and not for the sport. We have decisions/ rules doctored to suit whoever, and you wonder why the sport has no credibility. How can anybody market a product like that.???..... We, (Britain), are at the bottom of most riders lists of priorities, our sport has all but faded away. For it to survive it needs major overhaul. I have a lot of faith in Buster, who will do his best to make a difference, but whether that be enough will depend on the amount of objections from the dated committee, that has seen the sport fade in the depths it now finds itself in.....

It has been hinted that Lynn can now slot Kenneth Bjerre into draft Tier 1 . After all his CMA is well less than Newman Kerr, and such....

The thought that Hearn will be allowed to be involved is just wishful thinking, Ever since year DOT the promoters have ruled the roost. It is their baby and regardless of public opinion it will always stay that way. WE can always point fingers and blame others for every problem with our sport, but I think we British fans are very upper crust and reluctant to show our support, like other nations and sports...... Last year when Lynn played the Polish side, as soon as you went through the gate you sensed the excitement and the noise. Although there were probably a 100 or so they easily out voiced the Stars fans. Probably we should take a leaf out of their book. and be more vocal. I know we lost the match that night but it was one of the better meeting we attended last year....... Its hard to generate a good atmosphere without the noise...

Went to Anfield last weekend to see one of the Premier League cherished match. The place was heaving, full to the rafters. I would like to say the quality of the football was good, but I'd be lying. In fact it was probably the worse match I seen for some time. The point I'm trying to make is that I paid £52.00 to watch that drabble, but because of the atmosphere and the occasion, I would do it all over again....... Getting back to speedway, Of cause we want to see top riders, but to me to draw of big crowds, they will only go regular if they are treated to a good night of entertainment , with excitement and atmosphere, and that is down to the promotions..... ........