Lord Antebellum

In the north these were good attractions, but southern circuits were too spread out, and nowhere was there the "one great weekend" opportunities. So the southern and midland promoters simply out-vote any attempt to reintroduce such qualifiers. There is the further problem, even for northern clubs, that the formula requires the pay travel and points top-up for their highest earners to three away meetings and have to fund this from just one home "gate". These days, maybe not just the bonanza of yore? By all means recall the great times of the past, but like vinyl records, they ain't coming back!

The best times I remember in following speedway were the 1980s, when the old National League (more or less the same as today's PL) restricted their teams to signing only British or Commonwealth riders. I would be delighted if these standards could return. Might the BSPA be able to restrict such a competition to holders of ACU and MA licences (plus any odds and sods from NZ, Canada or wherever)?

I do like following the Australian season, both to "support" riders I like from afar in the big meetings and to spot the rising talent in lesser events. Presuming Chris Holder will not be fit to ride, should I presume the Australian Championship will be a struggle between Messrs Ward, Batchelor and maybe Schlein? Maybe a surprise or two from Jason Doyle or Cameron Woodward? Ned Kelly says the riders have to be "nominated", can we presume all the main players will be involved? Finally, is it still the case the highest-ranked four riders (outside Ward and Holder) will be the Aussie entrants in next year's GP Challenge rounds? In short, if a rider doesn't enter, or finish high enough in this Title Series, he cannot get into the Challenge?

Always a bit of a gating tart, I thought. Used to see him at Peterborough and Wolverhampton. Not sure why Berwick would prefer him to Olly Allen, if they find a need for an over-30 loanee to head their squad.

There's one post that'll fall on stoney ground. Sheffield's promotion/ownership will tell the BSPA their intentions, not a forum 'fan'.......

Reading between the lines of Gordon's post, are we to understand it was the young British riders who actually called off their trip, rather than those who had invested in it, and were trying to reorganise it?

When Hull dropped out of the league in mid-season, 1949 (yes, it happened then, even in the glory times) their licence was taken over by Swindon Robins. Mick Mitchell went to Blunsdon as part of the deal.

This discussion in running in parallel to the questions over the kid who popped up at Manchester United! As borders dissolve, the question of 'nationality' becomes more-muddied. However, I agree that, if a hypothetical Australian-born rider who qualifies for dual nationality and uses that advantage to claim a lower CMA in British racing, then yes, he should be required to declare himself as "British" and commit to an ACU licence.

Probably Saturday (although I have no inside knowledge) as Edinburgh have run Saturdays before, and it will save a great deal of money.

There appears to be considerable confusion, here in the UK and in Australia, over this issue. As I understand it, several young riders have bought and paid for airfares, but have now been told their tour is cancelled. While it is truly unfortunate that one of the organisers has been involved in a traffic accident, surely others could step in and sort out matters to allow the riders to continue with their speedway education. Isn't this what the D&SB scholarship is all about? And what about people I know who have contributed to the scholarship on the understanding their funding was to help young English riders gain experience by riding overseas?

This is a fair point. Doubling-up was introduced at one scale, then suddenly ramped up when the 60% rule was brought in (as a direct result of the Coventry/Peterborough fiasco) and is wrecking the league infrastructure. Ramp back on doubling-up, bring back credibility.

Bloomin' 'eck, did you type that all in one breath? Paragraphs, Sean. Maybe a less-bold font, too.......

Of course Rebels can have the second leg at the OTA. I hope they do, and I hope they win -- I'll be there to cheer for them. But it won't be on Friday 25th. That's the date Edinburgh (once again, the senior club) have chosen.

Amazing that Rebel-fans still can't get it. They don't have seniority. Edinburgh stage their leg next Friday. Rebels get to choose out of the other 13 days in October.

Have to smile, with Newcastle fans bursting their guts shouting on the Bears tonight -- but as soon as they get 20 points ahead, about-turning and shouting for the Rebels!

Fully agree. But is it going to happen? What happens to the funds raised to support the Darren & Sharon Boocock Scholarship?

Is it known as yet if any of the English lads who were set up to travel out to Australia will still be going? There was a lot of publicity about the BSPA and others getting behind the Boocock scholarship, surely it doesn't all collapse just because one guy has an accident?

Sad that only the unfortunate Thursday weather in the north-east has wrecked quite-sensible plans to have these groups finished three weks ago, and the finalists could have set up well-publicised home-and-away-legs in good time. Thankfully, forecast for tonight is dry (but probably chilly). Go on, you Rebels!

Yes, I do expect Somerset to forfeit their race-night, because Edinburgh have seniority. It is absolutely set in stone since the dawn of time (OK, 1965) that the senior club gets the race-night. As I will be at the Rebels' leg, and as I will be supporting them in the tie (if they make it through tomorrow) you needn't go off at me for being right, you know.

These will be the Sour Grapes Championships?

Seems there are no problems with Somerset (if they qualify) having the second leg. With nothing in place to say otherwise, Edinburgh obviously have the right to hold their Friday race-night, which they will do, racing either Rebels or Newcastle on October 25th. If they are to race Newcastle, that will be on Sunday 27th -- if the Rebels, we would presume Wednesday 30th. It isn't rocket science.

Well said lady, and well laid out. We here in Exeter lost our speedway not far off ten years ago, and it isn't coming back. Don't lose yours, Glasgow!

According to the results section in today's Speedway Star, Morten Risager beat Craig Cook around Armadale last week.

.....but will entertain, have some good meetings -- and survive to race again in 2015.

Why must it be PL? The former Glasgow promotion admitted to losing an average of £10,000 a year, your new promotion have apparantly lost a great deal more than that in 2013. Surely if your promotion decided PL was unsustainable, and relegated themselves to NL, having speedway would be preferable to having no speedway? My club closed nearly ten years ago, and there seems no prospect of our ever having speedway in the city again. Let me assure you, if I were offered a club here at any level, I'd bite your hand off!