R87

I'd be all in favour of a cup competition being added as long as it didn't start until mid -season. Then teams who have little chance in the league have something to go for. It would reduce the number of meaningless matches. Even the British League Cup of 2003. A good idea and I enjoyed those meetings, but too many clubs didn't take it seriously and, it was given the boot.

Agreed. My point however is that riders get too cosy on the small tracks and don't want to move onto something bigger even though it will aid their development. It has to be a two way system here though. The promoters and advisors need to make it clear to the rider he needs to race on big tracks, and there also has to be a desire by the rider himself to do it.

There has to be a balance between big and small tracks. Not enough of the major events are staged on bigger circuits. Plus the under 15 championship rounds are being held on pokey little places like Eastbourne and Rye House. While these clubs have a good track record of developing riders, it can hinder their development if they get to dialled into small tracks I think Hans Nielsen expressed concern when he was at Wolves that it was hindering his ability to race on bigger tracks where - let's face it - most of the big international events are held anyway.

I posted this on another thread, but will put it her as well, as its relevant I'll quote a couple of lines from the late Simon Wigg's book: "We need stepping stones for British youngsters. Unfortunately, promoters tend to think its important how many races they have on a night, or how the regulations are structured, or whether the team aggregate points limit is set correctly. These are all negative aspects of speedway". And: "If every member of the BSPA were making a million quid a week running speedway, I would listen to them. But they're not. Most of them are busting their a**** to survive - and then tell each other how to run their show. I find that incredible".

We can talk about 5 year plans until we're blue in the face. British Speedway is run in such a way that it can barely see whats happening at the end of its own nose, let alone 5-10 years down the line. Until an idependent and full time body is governing all aspects of the sport, then it will continue to resemble a boat in the middle of a lake; with some rowing one way; others rowing another; and the bosses at the tiller scratching their heads, wondering why the boats going round in circles. I will quote a couple of lines from the late Simon Wigg's book: "We need stepping stones for British youngsters. Unfortunately, promoters tend to think its important how many races they have on a night, or how the regulations are structured, or whether the team aggregate points limit is set correctly. These are all negative aspects of speedway". And: "If every member of the BSPA were making a million quid a week running speedway, I would listen to them. But they're not. Most of them are busting their a**** to survive - and then tell each other how to run their show. I find that incredible".

Absolutely. Craig Cook riding abroad only once in his career is staggering. These riders need to be advised much better by people who've been there and done it already. We are the only country who do nothing to help its own riders. In fact, we do more to HINDER them. Massive changes need making and have done for at least ten years, but while people treat it as "just a social event", then we'll continue banging our heads against a brick wall. As I posted earlier, there are people out there who have vision and the nouse to improve the product, but the old guard continue to close ranks and hound them out through small-mindedness. We have had sky coverage since 1999, yet STILL none of the leagues are sponsored. I started watching speedway in 1990 and there was a rickety trackshop with a couple of tables. Its now 2014, and its still a rickety trackshop with a couple of tables. Sadly, speedway seems to not want help.

Agree entirely. The probem we have is that rules like doubling up have allowed too many of our riders to get in comfort zone. How exactly are people like Danny King going to learn and improve by bullying riders in the Premier League? The BSPA is facing a simple choice, adapt or die. Sadly, when you have people like Len Silver saying that he's "quite content with British Speedway at the moment", then what chance do you have?

I believe there are people involved in British Speedway who have good ideas and have a desire to do whats right for the sport. The problem is convincing the promoters who remain so set in their ways and prefer the sport to be amateurish and low-key

Pretty obvious decision there....even Lawrence couldn't get that wrong

Thinly veiled attack on the BSPA from Tai there?

But at least they will be picking up some experience. Its what the Americans are doing. We will not win this competition any time soon, so it would be as well to pick the likes of Lambert and garrity. Stead and King have had enough chances and wont improve, but the younger ones might

Stead and King just don't have enough experience on the European tracks. Our riders need to do more to get meeting abroad, instead of mucking about in the Premier League.

Stead and King just don't have enough experience on the European tracks. Our riders need to do more to get meeting abroad, instead of mucking about in the Premier League.

Aussies probably deserve to go through overall, but Swedes were deflated after that moment of idiocy from Lawrence

Two poor decisions in as many heats from Lawrence. Didn't agree with Nilsson exclusion and then pulling that heat back when the rider who moves punishes himself. Don't why he gets so many big meetings.......awful referee

I think this meeting has has had more incident. Fair play to Sweden, they did well to get back in after such a dismal start.

The issue for me will be the lack of experience (save for Tai and Bomber) the rest of the squad has on the continental tracks. Again, it shows these riders need to do more to pick up bookings in Europe. You need to have the knowledge to set your bikes up and also to know how to ride them. Just winding the throttle on and hoping for th best isn't enough. Appreciate that the Aussie were not at full strength and the US not the force they were, but as people say, you can only beat whats in front of you.

Not condoning Ward, but the last thing you want when you've had a rotten night is someone sticking a camera under your nose. Very good professional display from GB. Well deserved

Thanks for explaining that Nigel....we never noticed the cone was still on the track

Its British Speedway......it doesn't do professional :-(

I'd have picked Lambert tbh. He and Garrity for me should at least be in the squad to soak up experience....these are the future now, not the like of Stead.

Much as I would be in favour of 1 night a week speedway, I just don't think its feasible. Possibly they could look at limiting clubs to 1 home match and 1 away each week, but thats probably the best they can do

Its ok screamer. I was generalizing that some people may have felt Cardiff was too expensive, but while not exactly cheap, it is compared to what a GP would be at Wembley. Plus, the people I know who've been to Wembley say you are too far from the action...not an issue at Cardiff, which is almost tailor made for speedway.

Wembley may be better in the sense of the nationals being more interested, but if you think Cardiff is expensive, then Wembley would be ridiculous