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Don't agree with that. We are not reinventing the wheel here. The sport of speedway has to sell itself in its most basic format first and foremost. If 4 motorcyclists going round an oval track 4 times doesn't do enough in the first phase, then we have a huge issue.

I actually felt that one or two of the changes that were touted in the last off season would help the sport move a step forward. What happened is we were sold a pup. Particularly around fixed race nights and the method behind that decision. They implemented the idea but the changed certain parts around it, which is classic BSPA. Some promoters have had the audacity to blame that call on the fans! You couldn't make it up!

Just another quick point, how much is it going to cost dean to keep gb competitive? Keep in mind that if we standardise equipment in the UK these lads are still going to have to foot the upkeep of the bikes when they travel. I'm not saying cost cutting the equipment is a bad thing, but it needs to be implemented everywhere. Your going to have to get both Sweden and Poland to agree and given the sport works well in those countries, its going to be a major major headache.

The powers that be are certain promotions with a louder voice. Some have much more sway than others which doesn't aid the fair running of the sport. Forget all the track development, changing of equipment and any other ideas people may have, the biggest change is attitude and how the sport works on a daily basis. The jobs for the boys mentality needs to stop, working for your own end needs to stop. It's short sighted. Working as one is now more critical than its ever been. I can't belive that given the current climate there are certain clubs in the championship not racing on their most suited race night because they can't get other clubs to 'agree' to fullfilling the fixture. That is outrageous. I have no words to describe how short sighted and selfish that is.

The alternative imo is to address the tracks. I'd argue it would be cheaper than redeveloping the equipment. Tidy up the stadiums, relay the tracks that are problematic and then choose a race night that suits the clubs supporter base. That is the foundation to build from, we then have a better product to sell. Glasgow are a great example of how changing a track can get results. They have a great promotion. I'd imagine that track now is an absolute dream to ride. Nice wide entrance to the corners with some good banking. The sport needs investment from somewhere. Most clubs are on the brink of bankruptcy so if someone with a dollar can step and chair the association to help fix these stadia/tracks, we can start to move forwards again.

The going out on a limb bit really bothers me. I'll never agree to that. If something can be implemented by the FIM or BSI that would be applied across the sport then I'd be all for it.

It does need a new chairman. The BSPA is pretty self explanatory in its wording. It's a promoters association so basically the clubs run the sport, that is what creates so much in fighting because nobody can ever agree. They all have their own investment and some have louder voices than others. That will make it incredibly difficult for an independent chairman to oversee an association of people who's own money is propping the sport up. They'll never be heard. If I had the money myself I'd pay the lot of them off and be done with it.

Slicker tracks are better imo. There is no easy way to address the problem. I agree with your end game, we share that, but I can't agree with the how. The sport works on the continent. By messing around with the equipment your creating a variation of speedway that would be exclusive to the UK. That would alienate half the foreign riders and kill our nations development internationally. I've seen enough cost cutting in this sport over the last 2 decades to understand it doesn't work. It just drives more fans away. Every rider and club has a minimum operating cost. The answer to it isn't slicing things in half again and diluting something that works well in other places, its about increasing revenue.

Absolutely right. It's not an easy fix and whilst it's disappointing, the answer is going to be difficult to find. Imo, I don't think the sport has a future at a professional level here in the UK. Its been on life support for a long time, we are just counting down the days.

As I said earlier, it's not the track size that I have an issue with, so I'm not entirely sure why you've raised that point. Speedway should be about entertaining people. So if I could just address one or two of your points. Firstly I don't want speedway to work in the wet. It's boring. It's dangerous. It's never worked. Secondly, I've seen numerous top quality meetings on 'billiard' tracks. Conversely I've seen just as many on tracks with dirt on, just have a look at the NSS. I'm also fully aware of just how close the sport is to closing. I'm close enough to people involved in it. That is due to many many reasons and poor decision making in years gone by. As far as being out of pocket. I don't see that issue in Poland or Sweden. The top boys are making an absolute mint out of this sport. If riders can't afford it, then don't race it. It's not a cheap hobby.

Across the BSPA some people are heard more than others. That is bullrubbish. It needs to stop. It's this individual, selfish mentality that has created such instability throughout the committee. Theses people don't think of the sport. They think about where there own investment is and that is where it ends. I actually get it to a degree, but we are at the stage now where everyone needs to come together or they will have no assets to protect.

Its the width/entrance to the corners that causes the issue. It's not the size. Scunthorpe is one of the best tracks in the UK and one of the smallest. The lay down has caused an issue but that is purely evolution of the bikes. It works everywhere else. You can't change the bikes to suit the tracks in one country alone. It would have to be done across the board. Given the product is absolutely fine on the continent where the sport is at its strongest, I find it delusional that some people want to start pissing around with the bikes themselves. The implications of that if we did it in the UK would kill the sport here. It would be curtains.

The sport has developed. The sport has moved forward. The equipment is better than its ever been. The bikes are not the issue. The tracks are. If it works on the continent then it's the tracks that must change. The sport of speedway can't be different in one country alone. Its has to be uniform and unfortunately GB doesn't fit the in the jigsaw with the current state of the circuits.

Which is completely out of order. I'm sure the whole forum knows who we are talking about and he has a BIG voice on the committee. Its exactly this type of scenario that needs to stop. Quite literally, 3 clubs could potentially fold just to protect his own business

We could come with a million and one suggestions, non of them will really impact the sport enough to rescue it. The biggest change is mentality. The promoters need to see the greater good and start working as one. There is so much division between each club, there will never be progress whilst that is the case. Old habits die hard and too many promoters are still operating for their own good when it should be all about the fans and the sport as a whole. Sort that out, sort the stupid rules and make the sort simple again. Invest to make the tracks better and we have a foundation to start again with. That is the biggest requirement, but it won't happen imo, it's too far gone and too many people with too much to hide.

He's back next meeting. Not having a full team has hampered our season. We need away wins now and a strong finish.

Belle Vue need away wins now. If all teams win their remaining home meetings and pick nothing up on the road, we will finish 6th. Its ifs and buts, although does highlight the importance of what I've said above. We also can't afford to lose at home again or it's curtains.

Track was over watered at the start and Swindon were not getting out of the tapes. Heat 7 onwards was usual NSS standard with some brilliant racing, heat 13 a corker. Swindon were poor, expected more. Bachelor really does love the place. Will be hard for BV to get in play offs now, which could prove a financial disaster. We need those meetings.

Somebody just remove cook from the series. Please. If its demoralising me I can't imagine how his own head must be. Even for riders the past in their first year, they may not have been ready but they could score points and show some form of competitiveness. He is absolutely miles away from the standard.

But the racing imo, is better than its ever been. I believe too much empashsis is put into the quality of racing when, really, it wasn't much cop back then either.

What would say are the fundamental differences between how the sport was operated then, versus now?

The BSPA needs disbanding. That is the immediate requirement. What happens after depends on whether or not an investor can be found to independently move the sport forwards. Whatever happens, a huge cash injection is going to be needed in the short term to stabilise the current situation. We then rebuild from there. It's a huge undertaking. Imo unlikely. What is certain is that whilst the BSPA remain as a govering body with all the self interest, the sport will die in less than 2 years here. A crying shame, but you reap what you sew

Your missing the point entirely. The sport can't operate on the implicated costs your theory would assume. It's struggling as it is with a much lower calibre of rider. It would be financial suicide for pretty much every UK club

Nobody. The sport is done here. Its finished imo. The cretins have ran it head first into the ground. I think 5 years, max, and it'll be done and dusted.

No it isn't. Grow a backbone. What it is, is entirety accurate. Why people choose to 'make it personal' because the word illness was used is beyond me.