1 valve

Coventry only scored 2 points from Robson's programmed rides. Good tactics by Havelock in switching the reserves around to make use of Garrity's form had a major impact on the final score.

I agree that things look tough for the Lions, but maybe the three Polish lads will take a liking to the track and provide backup to Jason D which will keep things interesting. Can anyone comment on how well the two guest reserves have done on recent visits?

Leicester will have recieved a fee for being the host of the televised meeting and so in all reality will have made more money than normal meeting. However, the point is a good number of people turned up who would not have normally attended which means the Lions have prospects of gaining more fans. This is a perfect example of using TV money to promote the sport. The other consideration is the amount to be charged and I think there is an argument that Elite speedway is too expensive and the possibility is that a reduced entrance fee could attract more fans. But will a 25% reduction attract 30% or more fans? I dont know but it might be worth a try/

On Monday Leicester lowered their prices and had their largest crowd of the season. Also consider, a) the match was on sky & b, Monday was not the Lions regular race night and without doubt some regulars did not go because of the next day being a school. so yes lower prices do mean higher crowds, if the event is promoted which the Lions did.

Intersting stat. Guest riders made up 29% of Lions and scored 27% of points. on a comparative note. Walasek's average for home meetings is 9+ and Lambert only scored 6. I am pretty sure Auty would have scored close to the same as Wilko (who rode very well) given the opposition. so whilst agreeing the guests had a part to play Swindon on this occasion were indeed just fodder. Howver, I think some folk on here would have prefered the Lions to have let the Robins pass them to make the meeting more interesting!! 7 Newbies to speedaway stood next to our group last night and age range looked around 20 - 25. All said they loved the night, couldn't believe the riders rode without brakes and thought it great money for 15 quid. i.e. for admission and cost of food and drink & a shared programme which we helped them to complete. said they would come again but not every week if it was £17 ...a lesson worth considering?

Is this a fact or something you think happens?. If it's fact, do you know the reason behind it?

No lets stay and support the efforts being made to ensure top flight speedway remains in Leicester and recognise that to make progress takes time to build a strong and reliable team. I remember at the start of the season the Lions looked strong enough to be more than capable of being well away from the footof the table. but as we all now know some of those riders were not in it for the season and we need to recognise it is just not that easy to rebuild once the season has started. throw in the injuries we have had plus the Bridger situation is there no wonder the Lions have struggled. but those matters are in the past and I applaude the efforts of the riders & promoters to come through all of the challenges and move on to more positive outcomes which dropping to the PL is not one of them.

I guess you are a Coventry fan then. As somebody who isn't one (and have no dislike of the Bees) I think the statement a reflection from somebody who just does not want to accept what happened because he came out on the wrong side of what was a difficult situation. Poole (no I am not a Poole supporter) on the other hand got on with the task in hand, namely getting past heat ten and by doing so ensured they obtained a victory rather than lose the benefit of the lead they had built up both when the track was capable of being raced on and when conditions became less so. Contrary to Coventry promotions view that "Allowing Poole to retain the four league points gained in such unsatisfactory circumstances" should not be allowed, I would point out that the group of individuals who had the best chance of doing that were in fact the Coventry Bees...but they chose not to race...ah but they were behind anyway so now they need a plan B and I for one hope it does not pay off, they have had their chance and lost!

No they didnt because the meeting officials agreed that the meeting could not continue - and of course weather played no part because it was indoors

The officials are the only people who can call a match off. AKA pro football, the referee is the only person who can call off the match. Sky do not have the authority to call off a match although in the interest of the sport it would be good if televised fixtures could go ahead but as we have seen over the years sometimes meetings are called off before the scheduled start and also during teh meting itself. We speedway loving folk should treat Sky as our friends and not some dark murky bogeyman hellbent on ruining our sport.

Of the seven originaly declared riders 2 (both Danes) have "jacked it in" 2 are injured. In addition 1 (Bridger) did one meeting and retired (again) so I guess its more poor selection although I dont see that the promotion can be blamed for not having a chrystal ball.

Interesting although I see Harris had only 8 metings. Meanwhile from the stats it looks like Leicester have landed the best prospect in Wozniak who managed 8 points on Saturday in the ELRC as a late replacement not bad for a No. 4 rider. Could be heat leader material by end of year once he has seen all of the tracks?

No rain due...or do you live in hope that it does?

Brilliant...especially Digging the hole....I would love some promoter to ensure this gets played when the gardening starts...tension build up is one thing and should be encouraged but this kind of p#~s take would add some fun...no doubt BSPA would fine the club for bringing the game into disute and being dangerously close to adding entertainment. oh well we can dream.

Brilliant...bring it back....last heat decider and tape pushing, and give up on punishing flying starts with a restart, more often than not the riders reactions are just so much better than the refs eysight and being a tad older than the rider they cant believe he can be so quick getting out of the gate.

How about going back in time and allowing riders to nudge the tapes - even push them to breaking point....only for another rider to apply the final straw and be excluded for being "the cause"...it was great to watch though caused loads of arguments between riders and supporters, and Olsen & Mauger were the very best at it.....It wont happen...just saying it might be better/entertaining than the current methodology/rules of today and almost certainly would remove the vast majority of the so called false starts.

If true, Then he wil have served the ban by the time March comes around...In fact he wil be able to ride in australia as they will take into account "time served" since first being suspended.

He is indeed already serving a ban for somthing he has admitted to. Any subsequent ban (suspended or otherwise) would be in addition to that already served.

why couldn't the riders accept the contribution from BSI for the appropriate expenses and travel accomodation etc and then if the riders do stay on they do so at their own expense. after all some Aussie riders may decide to stay down there anyway and thsi means they get their return fare paid - even though in some circumstances as part of their work permit being approved they would have to have had the return porton in the first place.

It is more probable that the ban would be for two years suspended for one. meaning he gets to ride next year but any other offense being committed would immediately trip the two year ban plus any additional punishment for the new offense. Remember he has allready been punished / serving the current ban so this may be taken into consideration also. Frankly I think a one year ban suspended for two years is more suitable.

Doesn't matter about cost of living and average wages...promoters work on income from ticket sales and resultant outgoings 20,000 x £5 = £100,000 generated to pay costs including wages 2000 x £17 = £34,000 - -if we lucky to see 2000 at a Uk meeting = not so much cash coming in £100,000 / £17 = 5800 people - and if we cant attract 2000 not much chance of getting 5800 but if the right riders could be atracted would this bring in the crowds? Problem is...We do not have speedway stadiums in uk to attract the right level of crowds required (which circuits could comfortably accomodate 6000?) to compete with Poland or even Sweden. hence wages paid are lower. Chicken or egg anyone?

Agree that there should only be one FT - Also the points limit should be raised to accomodate a better quality of rider otherwise we will still have sub standard 6 & 7 in comparison to the top 5 main body riders.

Yes agreed, but as this is a "rules" thing is it down to the promoters or the referees to instigate...and do they (the refs) have such meetings to address isues liek this?

Ok, so it appaears Tai didn't break any rules and thus was not cheating although I am surprised no such rule covering excesive gardening exists. So like it or not the other riders could have done the same, but chose not too. However, If they had been on track, then the ref would have put them on two minutes which would have restricted the possibility of them and Tai continuing to garden. All Tai did was take advantage of the time delay between restarts to improve his chances. Not sure if now the world champ has shown the way, it will lead to riders rushing out with their bucket and spades betwen heats, but hopefully following an unsatisfactory start some will head straight to the start line instead of the pits which hopefully will speed things up. Well done Tai on keeping your head and knowing the rules - and no I am not a Wolves fan, but I do love Britain having a World Champion!