R87

Been away from the forum for a bit, but have enjoyed reading this thread. On the Sam v Shawn debate. Obviously as a Wolves fans I'm a tad biased, but Sam was a better rider. Shawn was obviously a very talented rider and he had some great battles with Sam at Monmore, but Sam reached a better level both domestically and at International level. Sadly for Sam, his racing style was always going to leave him prone to injuries which would limit his time at the very top (I'd say the same with Billy Hamill too). Sam was never the same after he broke his leg against Bradford in 93 - that was one injury too many I think. Hancock is a steady rider than both Sam and Billy were, but that's why he's stayed at the top for so long. I would have to say Tony Rickardsson is the best I've seen. His longevity over a period of time and his professionalism in appearance and his racing stood him apart. OK Hans had a brilliant record in the 80s, but I think that early 90's period ( I started watching speedway in 1990) saw him kind of lost his way a little bit - though he was still good enough to win in 95 and have four other appearances on the rostrum. Jan O Pedersen and Per Jonsson would have continued to be a danger had injuries not ended their careers. Per I think would have won in 1994 given his form at the time he got injured.

Regardless of whether the stadium is built or not, the whole thing is a Pr disaster which has done neither the council officers or Swindon Speedway much good at all.

Steady on. British Speedway doesn't do common sense........ But seriously there is an obvious need for proper planning of fixtures. I don't pay my money to watch guests and rr. Anything that helps to reduce this nonsense is a positive step.

I hope that this will all turn out the way we all hope. However, events at Reading and now Swindon mean I will believe it when I see it.

They reality is that PK has by and large started recent seasons very well, but once the Swedish league begins, his form begins to fade. Out of their three, Thorssell, Wells and Karlsson, I'd have preferred Wells to be honest.

Pretty sure it was Porky who commented on dropping crowds.

I got the impression neither will be considered as things stand. To be honest, if PK is not that keen to come back to Britain next year then I don't see them pushing to change his mind. They got stung with Woffinden in 2014 and I doubt they'll leave themselves open again. It was Porky who made the point about dwindling crowds, at which point CVS shot him down.

Summary of CVS/PA night at the Cleveland Arms tonight: CVS confirmed that Lindgren, Kylmakorpi and Bech will be the three heat leaders. A question was asked about Adam Skornicki's future. PA says he hasn't spoken to Adam for nearly a year. However, he believes he may have one more crack at racing before he retires completely. However, its more likely he will ride for a Premier League side. CVS said that the 2016 season has 31 dates from Easter onwards. He is confident that they will be able to get all of the meetings for both clubs in without any issues. He expects that Wolves will run on the first and third Monday in each month, which leaves the fifth Monday available to slot any other re-arranged fixtures in. However, he wants to review the overseas fixtures first before committing. He stated that the club needs to be able to provide a regular race night to appeal to sponsors and fans. PA said the move to fortnightly, but regular racing will put Wolves in a good position should some of the top riders come back to Britain, but not in time for 2016. CVS said Peter Karlsson may feature in 2016, but is not in the first choice line up. PA stressed that PK doesn't seem that keen to race here next year, as he found the busy schedule hard last season, particularly when the Swedish League started. CVS said that after a disasterous 2015 season, he is trying to let his head rule his heart, and that means some difficult decisions. Ricky Wells is also not in the first choice line up for 2016, but could come into the equation if moves elsewhere fall through. CVS hinted that a year away from Wolves would do Ricky no harm, as his away form is concern. CVS said the fast-track scheme is working and again criticised the Premier League for not adopting it. He feels however it is a mistake these riders not attaining an average, as it has given the likes of Poole and Coventry an advantage in the last two seasons. He said Jason Garrity was offered a spot on the fast-track, but he turned it down as he feels he is ready to be in the main team. CVS doesn't expect Wolves to stage the British Final in 2016, as he thinks Belle Vue will get it. NEW SIGNINGS Kylmakorpi has had good meetings at Monmore, and CVS feels his strong record at bigger tracks will benefit Wolves, as Belle Vue's move means fewer small Elite League tracks. He is concentrating on Speedway no, and not doing ay long-track. Surprised that Beck was made available. CVS said talks with him were very positive and that he likes the track. CVS said it was a positive signing by the club. Jumped at the chance to bring in Kyle Howarth once it was clear he would be on the fast-track list. CVS feels Max Clegg is young and keen, with a bit of cockiness about him. He fees he will get better as the season goes on. PA said it as important for the club to have an experienced man in the side with some younger riders in the pits, and that Lindgren fits the bill. He accepts the "clamour from fans to move on from the old guard". Thorssell is being considered for a team place. CVS said Josh bates not considered due to racing in the Premier League on the same nights as Kyle Howarth. When asked about an independent body governing speedway, CVS said he doesn't consider it workable, as there are too many people in speedway with some interest in particular team. He said one of the referee's has a Belle Vue tattoo and he has been given meetings with Belle Vue in the past! PA said he would like to see teams have riders sharing a spot, where there are two riders in the side who share one spot in the team and share out the fixtures equally. Some of the promoters he spoke to like the idea. PA said he spoke to a number of the GP riders in Torun and Melbourne, and all say that they would be interested in coming back to the EL should this be introduced (expect for one unnamed rider). PA said he would like to see this brought in, but too soon for next year. On safety, CVS said he feels its likely there will be restrictions on what is behind the air fence at some point. There is a new regulation in place whereby a rider who has concussion must miss nine days (regardless of the country they are racing in). CVS said that Peter Karlsson told him recently that he still regards Britain as the most stable of all the European Leagues. CVS criticised "huff and puff" promoters who threaten not to run when fan don't come through the gates. CVS feels the club d a lot to try and encourage young fans to come through the gates. In response to a comment made by Porky about Birmingham struggling in this area, CVS pointed out that Birmingham are hindered by losing a generation of fans when they were closed for twenty years. To celebrate the promotions 30th season in 2016, CVS said there will some events to mark this. PA said they are keen to make Joel Andersson a club asset, but he is not in their plans for 2016. PA said it is too complex to set specific cut off points for riders on heat leader grades, as some are clearly false averages. He said Wolves moved quickly due to the low number of genuine heat leaders on the list. CVS said he doesn't believe the fans would support National League racing. It was tried in 2003 and there were big losses and the stadium is too expensive to hire on Monday's to make National League viable alongside Elite League. CVS said he doesn't accept that the crowds are dwindling, as the books state otherwise. He did say the club are working hard to increase their corporate portfolio. CVS again blasted the Premier League for treating young English riders badly by dropping them to bring in foreign riders. He said the Premier League promoters don't know what they are doing and that it is a broken product. On the 2015 season, CVS said the buck stops with the promotion, as they misjudged the team building. The low point was losing to Leicester at the end of the season and that the performance against Belle Vue the same evening was "pitiful" and "the worst he'd ever seen from a Wolves team under his promotion". He said it would have been hypocritical to have the presentation night, and that the money would have been better spent elsewhere. CVS would like to do MDL matches in 2016, but may be issues with rider availability. PA said Tai Woffinden is perfect package and cannot see him being challenged seriously for the world title in next few years. Both he and CVS would like to see Tai return to Wolves, but the ball is in his court, as the club were wrong to pressurize him into riding her in 2014. Finally. March 22nd is the Practice night and the first meeting will be Easter weekend (not sure if Wolves or Cradley yet).

Welcome back Freddie, but I want to see an improvement on some of his insipid displays last season.

At least there won't be two meetings a week, meaning the track won't be overused. However, with Belle Vue moving to Fridays, it leaves us sticking out like a sore thumb on Mondays.

Have to say congratulations to everyone involved in putting together a superb event in Melbourne. Considering the track wad only put in on Tuesday, no rutting up and a good smooth track which allowed the riders to give us some good close and competitive racing.

I think it's a double-edged sword. No doubt that Pedersen has stepped over the line in the past and to a point it's understandable that other riders are wary of the reputation he's cultivated over the years and, even when he's the innocent party, riders will jump to the conclusion that he's a dirty rider who just wants to knock everyone out the way to win. That said, Hancock should have been more severely dealt with for what happened earlier in the season. Seems as the elder statesman and Mr clean cut, people will side with him. At the end of the day, Nicki has 3 world titles and a host of other honours. I doubt he gives a monkey's what other people think of him.

Why Pedersen? He looked like he was trying to keep the peace to be honest. Crump hit nail on the head though. Far too many people in the pits.

Great to see Leigh Adams, though tinged with sadness at the same time.

Certainly looks and impressive impressive place to close the series. Just hope the riders optimism about the track is not misplaced though

Not a good crowd here at all tonight. Pretty much get the feeling that most people with gold and black blood can't wait for this sorry shambolic season to end.

I didn't go to the British final, mainly due to the fact that it always drags on for too long. However, I was certainly supporting Tai from home watching the meeting and would have no problem with him coming back. Dont see it happening in the next 2 or 3 seasons at least though.

That little bit of experience in the grand final paid off for Poole. Belle Vue put up a really good fight, but the opening few heats on Monday ultimately came back and bit them. But they can look to what is hopefully a good future at their new stadium. Well done to Poole. They had to guard against complacency and got over the line. Interesting to read about the booing from Belle Vue fans. Dont think there's anything wrong with a bit of pantomime booing as it aids the atmosphere. I've been at Wolves Cradley matches where there's been bloody fighting, never mind booing.

Just out of interest, I've seen plenty of Wajtknecht at Birmingham this season and is clearly a real talent. However, I don't even think he's ready for the Premier League yet. He's guested a few times for Sheffield and his scores haven't been good. I think he needs at least another year at NL level. I agree it would have been nice to see him at the Olympique though, and I think he had a good chance of getting a call were it not for injury.

Credit to Belle Vue for the way they fought back. Truly the end of an era for speedway in Manchester.

Quality ride from Zagar.

Surreal to think it's the last ever meeting at this track. What a way it could be for Belle Vue to bow out

I said last week that Rossiter had put his team under more pressure with his remarks about Zagar, even if he did retract it later. Belle Vue have simply wanted it more.

No doubt to romantics will want to see Belle Vue go to their new home as champions (be good additional publicity for them). Think Poole should have too much for them over 2 legs though.

Be interesting to see if they have a talk in during the winter. They know they have a lot to answer for, but the cynic in me suggests that's not the real reason for cancelling.