Teromaafan

Yes the draft pick system when the RS idea was introduced a few years ago was based on where a team finished the previous season (as I recall/understand). This made perfect sense and is in line with the way American sport operates. Unfortunately, this idea was not enforced and soon evaporated. This is what disappoints me with the sport in this country. On the rare occasions that sensible ideas (as scarce as rocking horse rubbish) are introduced, they are seemingly dropped without reason.

Yes the draft pick system when the RS idea was introduced a few years ago was based on where a team finished the previous season (as I recall/understand). This made perfect sense and is in line with the way American sport operates. Unfortunately, this idea was not enforced and soon evaporated. This is what disappoints me with the sport in this country. On the rare occasions that sensible ideas (as scarce as rocking horse rubbish) are introduced, they are seemingly dropped without reason.

Hopefully Mr Dickson has realised the importance of contributions from a team's RS after the last two seasons. Ideally I'd like to see Dan Gilkes back or even Luke KIlleen. Frustratingly, we carried our No.7 throughout last season and still got within a whisker of doing the double.

Where have you heard/read that Fricke will not be at Leicester? Not saying you’re wrong, but where has this come from?

So you are basing that on a points limit of 36 then? Do know that for certain?

So you are basing that on a points limit of 36 then? Do know that for certain?

Northampton Hamptons?

Scunny will be in the Championship, so he will almost be untouchable at that level.

The last two sentences of my post are not a contradiction, but you've tried to link them. The reference to outsiders not knowing who the elite are was to emphasise that if they were not riding in the UK, any newcomers drawn to the sport following the departure of these stars wouldn't care less so long as entertainment is provided on track. The borrowing of riders from each other relates to the guest system. Newcomers coming on board to the sport will soon realise that riders are representing more than one team during a season (which is the where sport lacks credibility outside those that follow it). The fewer the teams, the greater the likelihood of guest appearances from the same rider. This has nothing to do with elite level riders, so where's the contradiction?

No rider should be bigger than the sport or an individual club. Clinging on to the top riders by satisfying their financial demands is not the way to evolve British Speedway. The current crop of GP riders in this country will move on/retire before you know it and the sport in this country still needs to be standing when they do so. Powers that be need to be brave and if necessary have a total reset instead of applying fresh sticking plasters to see the sport through following season. Competitive racing with riders of a similar ability distributed across teams has to be the focus. How else do you attract fresh interest which the sport desperately needs? The people whose interest and money we need have probably never heard of the sport’s current elite. A league of five teams that can borrow riders from each other now and again isn’t the way to attract outsiders.

As with life in general, everything comes down to money. The money that people running the sport should be chasing is that from people currently having no interest in the sport. This will come from sponsorship and the paying public. Whilst this is an obvious market, tapping into it continues to be the problem, as those of us following the sport all know. Like everyone else on this forum, I don't have the answers, but seeking revenue from these sources has to be ultimate priority for the sustainability of the sport. Decisions relating to one league or two, hanging on to GP level riders or not etc, should not really British Speedway's priority. The reality is if new people and their money can be drawn to the sport, they will not have a clue (or care) who the current top riders are and will judge speedway racing by what they see on the track. The closer and more competitive the racing therefore the better. The future and structure (what ever form it needs to take) of the sport therefore needs to take this into consideration.

Factor in guest appearances and you could well see Bomber every other week. Might as well give him his own bay with name plate in the pits at every track.

Agreed. He’s been great for British speedway, but in view of his recent massive injury and his age, he is unfortunately only going in one direction.

When was the last time he completed four laps and finished last? This can be costly if another rider then pulls up when the score is tight. As I have said before, I’m surprised Dickson tolerates this. Out of respect for the paying public, riders should be completing four laps unless there is a genuine mechanical failure.

When was the last time he completed four laps and finished last? This can be costly if another rider then pulls up when the score is tight. As I have said before, I’m surprised Dickson tolerates this. Out of respect for the paying public, riders should be completing four laps unless there is a genuine mechanical failure.

A decent RS is my wish, as this is the position we've struggled with in the last couple of seasons. I really liked what I saw in Dan Gilkes in his brief stint before he got injured and would love to see him back as our No.7. I'd trust Dickson in his judgement with the other six riders.

Good post MBV! Some well thought through comments which not will unlikely resonate with people in charge of the sport in this country. Looking at this forum over all,

You shouldn’t dismiss riders who are still teenagers (how do you encourage youth?) but there has to come a point when you say a rider has had enough racing experience to conclude that further improvement is unlikely.

Would have been a good marketing opportunity for any local undertakers who could have been bothered to attend tonight.

Game over. Congratulations to Ipswich. Their big guns deliver when it matters. I predicted that they would win over two legs but didn’t expect the Lions to go to Foxhall without a lead. You do not win a two legged tie when losing at home. The reserve imbalance says it all. Three points for the home pair! Kemp’s equipment let him down tonight, but yet again we’re carrying someone who simply cannot beat an opponent if they complete four laps. I’ve defended Joe T for some time but my patience has finally ran out with him and it is clear that he cannot cut it at this level, as even when he traps, he’s passed within a lap.

Looking forward to this and hoping the tie will still be alive after the first leg. As a Lions fan I have a feeling that Dan T could haunt us now that he is back in a reserve berth. With no TS options available, he could still have seven rides if he’s on form. Couple this with the fact that his brother Joe, based on current form, may not beat an opponent home or away, which may give the Witches the edge. Hope I’m wrong but it looks like we will be carrying Joe again which makes Ipswich slight favourites in my opinion.

Good post. Your first sentence nails the sports biggest problem in my opinion. Doubling up has got out of control. One league is not the answer as there would be a number of riders who would consider quitting the sport if their earnings were impacted, unless they sought other jobs to supplement their income. On top of this there is the likely situation of GP level riders giving the UK a miss if fixed race nights are to be relaxed. Admittedly I’ve said nothing new and don’t have the answers, but then again I’m not Harry Redknapp!

If there’s one thing I would agree with you on, yes, speedway is not that deep. There are far more important things in life. For example……. we’re having chicken for dinner tomorrow, what are you having? 😂😂

The Ouch post is very complimentary with regard to John Louis. But you then you go off on a rant which is largely irrelevant to his/her post. You might want to read your reply before posting such bitter, confrontational (juvenile?) responses. A Witches fan with a chip on their shoulder, now there’s a thing!

Regardless of what supporters of some other clubs might think of Sheffield, this sport needs this club. Hopefully they will have a buyer, but let’s face it, owning a speedway club will never be anything other than an extremely expensive hobby. Say what you like about the top hatted badge seller, but he will plough money into the sport and does not appear to be deterred by failure. As a speedway fan I see this as yet another kick in the b4lls for British speedway. Going on previous posts by PhilTheAce, he does seem to have reliable inside information, so hopefully there is a willing buyer prepared to take over. The talk on this forum is of possibly one big league next season. At the moment, one ‘who ever is left’ league would seem more appropriate.