TB1

Quality post

Yes but if they don't like the situation they could pump up busters rent!!

Presumbably if Buster holds the cards then he can hire and fire at both clubs if he wishes. Also it would be interesting to know spedeworths point of view on the Ipswich sale as surely it could potentially effect their levels of revenue such as stadium rent.

Question is would Mildenhall be a viable option at the higher level?

Perhaps the BSPA and Theresa May should go into partnership, trying to sell dead ducks!

We have often been led to believe that the Witches are in safe hands, perhaps things have been a struggle behind the scenes along with countless other clubs that from the outside appear to be in serious financial trouble. Maybe this is why Chapman is hoovering up clubs. It maybe that several promotions were threatening to throw in the towel.

Totally agree and just when you think the sport cannot get any more farcical it continues to be the gift that keeps on giving! and still we will only have say 12 to 14 meetings!

I would have 1 league and Chuck in loads of rookies. It's a bit before my time but isn't that what happened in the 70s with rider control? Surely many young riders quit the sport because they only ride at development or NL level and never get a chance at a higher level. Surely each team could have say 2 or 3 British rookies who get say 30 meetings a season in 1 big league. Some will fail but surely some will succeed.

Some on here may remember the Honda experiment at Sheffield a few years back. But isn't one of the reasons for the continuing decline down to riders simply can no longer afford to race and that the engine tuners are holding the sport down at gunpoint. Has anyone ever done a survey of ex riders and why they quit the sport because surely a high percentage would be purely down to costs. How many highly talented riders have quit cos all they can afford is a lawnmower engine!

Thanks for that interesting insight. I guess the owners wallets had been on life support for some time. One other point surely the last laps should belong to the likes of Martin Goodwin or Rob Tilbury

Not being fully up to speed with the Lakeside situation but are they planning to create the Thames gateway any time soon? Or is it just the promotion grabbing an opportunity which is Ryes loss. Surely the Thames gateway has been on the cards for years so presumably the local councils have not been interested in helping finding a suitable venue elsewhere.

Isn't this lack of completing fixtures also down to an ever decreasing pool of available riders. Surely if this carries on in years to come then teams will struggle to field 5 or 6 riders let alone 7

Yes, I guess you could end up with the have's and have nots in terms of finance to build even stronger teams. But yes there is only 90 points available.

Spot on! I've always said that then at least if someone wants to keep the same team they can. On the hand I'm sure someone will shoot me down as to why it can't be done.

The promoters have put together what looks a decent side. Whilst I think schlein is a great signing my only concern is that he has had more bumps than a dodgem car! Anyway the side has been put together and its now over to the 7 riders.

Too much speculation for my liking. Presumably whatever the line up is tomorrow this thread may well melt! As I said previously I just want last season's form and atmosphere to continue.

Seems a reasonable agm to me in terms of structure. At least we get more meetings and the two leagues are closer together. Did I miss the bit about doubling up, is it still allowed?

Nothing changes the status quo remains.

Whilst I don't have the confidence that anything will change, The lakeside withdrawal from the EL will surely provide change in the top division. Presumably nothing else changes then, as I thought all teams had to declare intention to run before the agm.

Hear hear! Spot on

With Arena jumping out of the frying pan, which club or clubs are brave enough to jump into the fire? Perhaps this is the straw that breaks the camels back.

Regardless of who's in what league, the punters want to see more fixtures.

Presumably the increased attendances since July will have improved the coffers. However I think most are aware of the shockingly high cost of running a speedway team. I think we are lucky at Ipswich, I like most don't have any faith in the sport itself or rather the way it is run.

Are we all assuming we are in the premier league next year?

I didn't have a problem with the Rasmussen argument but like doubling up it got out of hand. I didn't have a problem with the Rasmussen argument but like doubling up it got out of hand.