Teromaafan

The fact that Cookie has been given yet another opportunity to ride is a reflection on the short fall of riders willing to race in this country. Whilst I hope he can ‘find himself’ next season for the benefit of Worky and UK speedway, the Comet’s promotion should already be looking at eligible replacements on his average in readiness for the inevitable.

Speedway is dangerous as we all know. The ageing spectator demograph however might feel even more vulnerable knowing that only a mesh fence a few feet high separates them from Garrity. So long as they do not have anything valuable in their possession though, things should be fine. In defence of Garrity, he’s probably looking at Craig Cook and thinking he’s repeatedly let so many people down and continues to get offers to ride.

They won’t be at Ipswich, but don’t rule them out lining up for ‘the 6th team’🫤

Not if there was only 5.32 to play with he wouldn’t.

Don't know what figures you're working to, but my maths indicate that Holder, Pickering & Etheridge (or another 3 pointer) will just fit in under the 37 points limit.

The problem with long term planning is the continuing closure of tracks. It is getting to the stage where the shrinking number of tracks could lead to team speedway being unsustainable. Whilst we all like watching the GPs, almost everyone on this forum will have initially been drawn to the sport by watching the 7 v 7 team format. Supporting your team is a tribal thing, like football. Can’t speak for others, but this is why I love speedway and have zero interest in any other motor sport.

The problem with long term planning is the continuing closure of tracks. It is getting to the stage where the shrinking number of tracks could lead to team speedway being unsustainable. Whilst we all like watching the GPs, almost everyone on this forum will have initially been drawn to the sport by watching the 7 v 7 team format. Supporting your team is a tribal thing, like football. Can’t speak for others, but this is why I love speedway and have zero interest in any other motor sport.

Everyone seems to think that Howarth will be back with the Lions, so that leaves 4.84 for the final rider. The likelihood is it will be Kemp (sorry IainB!), but Sedgmen would also fit. I know Sheffield dumped him but he rode Leicester well when he was here previously, provided that he trapped (and frequently did).

The 2027 season? Don’t worry it might not happen (as the saying goes). It baffles me that some people think/hope that 2026 will be a blip and things will be put in place for a promised land in 2027 and beyond. The BSPL, as I understand it, represent the teams competing in British Speedway, but there is a divide because of the PL/CL split and own agendas of completing clubs. This insistence of clinging on to a top tier is becoming ridiculous, as has been proved for 2026. The sport has never been in a position to introduce promotion/relegation (yes it was tried a few years ago, move on), simply because it cannot generate a wide enough interest. Forget league structures, just start with getting teams to confirm that they will compete for a future season on preferred race nights. Build from there. See what league structure options are available on this basis. Only at this point should available riders be looked at. GP level riders will no doubt be unaffordable/uninterested, but you have to cut your cloth as they say. Nothing will change of course because UK speedway cannot accept/understand that the financial demands of top riders continually eat in to unsustainable resources.

Pleased to see that we will have Gilkes as our rising star. He was impressive in his short stint last year before getting injured. The Lions have been carrying their No.7 for the last couple of seasons, so fingers crossed we will now have someone who can chip in with a few points.

Pretty sure that averages in that era included bonus points, but even so, he was very impressive. Tall riders tend to look clumsy on a bike but he was an exception.

Sounds a right miserable sod. Did he leave when it got to happy hour?

You can only speak as you find I suppose. My old next door neighbour was okay. He used to race greyhounds but soon gave up because they used to beat him every time!

Let’s be honest, ‘Speedway Star’ is probably the most credible thing associated with the sport in the UK. A superb publication doing its best to make the sport appear to be more professional than it actually is!

Let’s be honest, ‘Speedway Star’ is probably the most credible thing associated with the sport in the UK. A superb publication doing its best to make the sport appear to be more professional than it actually is!