Big Al

When we had Wilson, Boulger and Jessup at Leicester, plus a cast of regulars filling the other places, the crowds were good and interest high. All three moved on at various times although I think that DJ was first to go. There were conflicting stories around at the time as to whether he moved due to Rider Control, excessive money demands, or tightwad promoters. Whatever, we were then treated to a succession of riders coming in via the Rider Control system who were substandard and in many cases didn't want to be there and showed it by their performances. The club's decline was rapid and steep from then on until Rogers revived it a few years later.

I think the fixed race nights plan isn't primarily to entice GP riders etc to ride in the UK now. It's more about trying to tempt the more middle-range riders, who have been content with Swedish team places plus a Polish squad place. Polish clubs may now be happier to allow their mid-rangers here, the Museilaks of this world.

Contrast the attitudes of Holder and Zagar as described above (and I think they're true) with Martin Vaculik who has stated he wants to tackle a difficult track as part of his quest to become a better rider. These 3 are in pretty close proximity in the current GP pecking order. Let's see which one comes out on top in 2018. Maybe he's realised how much his 2 years at Leicester helped to move Mr Jason "British tracks are crap" Doyle on in his career.

This reminds me of Rider Control of the 70's in a different guise. It's back to the future in more ways than one! Who knows what the new starting rules will bring.

If Hancock would mean no Nilsson, Wozniak and Bjerre that's not good. Those 3 are riders with a connection and can be looked on as core team members for the future. To trade that for what would likely be one season from a 59 year old seems daft.

Must be Rohan Tungate then. 100% GP record

No Prima Donnas at Leicester, please.

Mick Horton and Boris Johnson. Not related are they by any chance??

The only way it could work! There just wouldn't be any logic to Sheffield Ipswich and Redcar carrying on running Thursdays if they remain in BCL. Not just from the point of view of clashes with Leicester but with the Premiership as a whole. I wonder if they've agreed willingly, though.

IF the Premiership fixed nights are Mondays and Thursdays, and IF any or all of Sheffield, Ipswich and Redcar stay in the Championship, there will still be doubling-up problems, won't there? So either those three would have to move up to the Premiership, or change their race nights. Wouldn't they??

I distinctly recall Mr Lynch stating on TV there will be no double uppers at Leicester next season

If the league is to attract a good enough sponsor, the logic is to run matches when there is the best chance of more well-known riders taking part and when televised coverage is more likely to happen. Those 3 would seem to tie in together. But I also think that a poor performing team would have more drastic consequences than has been the case so far in terms of attendance level. I remember the 1970's only too well!

I think a rumour which appeared on here during last winter claimed that landlord Mr Hemsley would not enter into a lease for speedway unless the main race night was Saturdays, and it was in the highest level league. Of course even if there was any truth in the rumour, the actual terms of the lease agreement struck with the new owners of Leicester Speedway will be in confidence. Sometimes the more "senior" level Swedish riders sign with a second tier club, but only ride for them very occasionally.

Will the landlord be happy with that?

Getting E.Riss commitment would be a good start, maybe on a transfer if they can afford it. No.1? Somebody who is currently a good No.2 and is ready to take a step forward, and it would be even better if he has a good record at BP.

It's a shame Leicester Comedy festival isn't on until February. This farce would have won the Perrier Award

Pretty surreal to have a trophy for finishing bottom of the league and avoiding relegation! Would have been more appropriate if somebody had bought a Mickey Mouse toy and presented that instead. So a future strategy for clubs is to aim low, because it's a good shot at getting a Pot. Any suggestions as to a name for this trophy??

I just don't buy that one ( the first part anyway)!

Have just made a post on the Promotion & Relegation thread suggesting this could happen! He is naturally being very sensitive to anything which could hinder negotiations. There was a scenario in the pits on Monday night, when he came over to King and Nilsson and had a brief word. Nilsson's reaction afterwards seemed to be "did he really say that!?" or something similar. King kind of shrugged and nodded.

It wouldn't surprise me, if D.Bates gives up his ownership of Leicester either by a close associate (eg family member) taking over ownership, or by selling outright. He's made the tough yards by sorting out the mess he took over, and so who could blame him if he now wants to focus on getting Sheffield established successfully in the Premiership and let someone else build on his work at Leicester.

Speedway's equivalent of Noel Gallagher. But without the talent Agree with you there. But Leicester would have to be sure to build a top notch Championship side otherwise they risk attendances plummeting to unsustainable levels. Another scenario I can imagine is Leicester winning this playoff thing, but the two clubs changing places anyway!!

In that case it has to be Garrity in for Bjerre

Harris scored 13 (+3?) over the two matches. Not sure Woffinden would have done better. And if he is a true "asset" for Wolves, why wasn't he in the pits helping out?

It will hopefully rain a lot next week and the whole mess can be consigned to the bin

Nicholls Nilsson Wozniak Bjerre Riss