SCB

To prove you point, my mother has been to about 15 speedway meetings in about 12 years. 12 of them at Cardiff (shes also been to Coventry and Somerset once each and possibly another I can't think of). Why? well 40,000+ people can't be wrong can they? She actually looks forward to the day in Cardiff and the GP. Newport never did that for her. I also have another mate who I took to Newport 3 or 4 times many years ago, he was never that captivated - one thing he did love was when Stoke (I think) turned up and Moggo was unbeated but Stoke were struggling, in heat 8 they put Moggo off 15 metres, my mate through this was an amazing idea - the BSPA have sine scrapped the GDTS!! Anyway, he has been to over half the GPs in Cardiff and quite enjoys them but he doesn't like sitting and watching the speedway on the tele but does taking a passing interest.

Because on track Barker is a joy to watch. An all out racer and who battles from the time the tapes ride until he is over the line however futile that fight may be. He doesn't know how to lose and hates it when he does. But off track he does have this amazing habit of finding himself in situations, saying things and doing things that piss people off. Personally, off track I've always found him OK myself, always up for a chat and very honest (probably too honest at times). Would I invite him to a party I was hosting? Probably not. Would I invite him to an open meeting I was hosting or to sign for my team if I was a promoter? Too right!

He moaned about the number of meetings. HE is now taking on more meetings. So does eh want less meetings. Or more meetings to earn more? It's one or the other.

It's not an ideal situation but look at it another way, with Darcy look would score 45, take Darcy out and put in their squad rider who would be a 3 point, who goes no and score 2 instead of Darcys 12, suddenly Poole only score 35 and the meeting is a bit pants. The fans want to see big names, not 3 point quad members. and who would the squad riders be? Because surely it would be a joke to use PL teams riders? It's a necessary evil IMO An even bigger frustration of mine on this one is that in November poor old Puk was threatening to quit British speedway as we had too many meetings yet here he is taking on an extra meeting. Sounds like an ideal guest for Poole, he has 0 integrity.

Back BV to win at Coventry tonight. And Zorro +1 vs Nicholls, Zorro rides Brandon well and Scott tends to get a few bonus points. Also Got Sundstrom -1 to outscore Shields.

Totally agree. I first got into the sport in a big way with the return of Newport in 1997, a few years ago I order some old DVDs of Newport meeting was that I remembered from the late 90s. Turned out there was a much crap then as now but I thought it was all great! Totally agree.

Totally agree. Was discussing this with my 50-something life long speedway supporting dad the other day and he said the same, the racing is no better or worse now than ever before. What we did say thought is that it's different, it's faster, dirtier/harder (as in moving riders over is more common place) but actual passing and more important the chance of passing and a build up to a pass is the same now as ever before.

If I read the British Speedway pork Butcher Forum or the British Sunday School Forum then I wouldn't be surprised to see such news. It's in the newspapers so why the outrage?

Are we just naming obscure ex-Workington riders? If so try Peter Scully, Grant MacDonald or Brett Woodifield. Mills is what he is, a high 4 to low 5 point reserve. Gives 100% all the time. Could do a lot worse for an after the season starts signing.

I had them mid-bottom. Which is where they were until they made their changes, so I'll take that Already regretting some of my predictions!

Hallelujah. Finally a duff foreigner told to do one. No doubt he'll just be replaced by Lubos Tomicek now though.

I would be, I'm expecting him to throw himself into the EL.

Maybe promoters could print riders points money in the programme aswell as averages so people can work out what they're earning for the meeting too. We pay their wages after all!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Same as before.

Top 3 averaged riders and top 3 scorers including bonus points from the riders 4 programmed rides.

As long as it fits in under the points limit it's fine.

I've heard it said a number of riders are riding like women though, so maybe those riders could make up the numbers? The other way of thinking is, if a woman is good enough, she'll be given a chance. For instance,Sabrina Bøgh won the Danish Under 21 title in 2001 beating the likes of Iversen, Bjerre, Korneliussen and Ostergaard. I also once saw Jessica Lamb ride in a PL standard meeting at Newport. I believe she failed to score and in once race, Chris Schramm (Newports reserve) fell off, got back on and still beat her.

And the rider making the final gets 2 or 3 from the semi so a gain of 1,2 or 3 over the riders not making the final. The reward is a chance to go for more points.

But it's stupid. If last you 10% of your points were bonus points all you'll do is ask for a 10% pay rise to make up for it. The riders are not stupid.

You're kidding right? Poland has Sundays and Easter Monday. Sweden had Tuesdays. Denmark had I think it's Wednesdays. British Speedway takes place 7 days a week at some level. From March 15th to October 31st there's probably only a handful of days without a meeting somewhere.

At EL level it's because the Poles have Easter Monday and the EL gets Good Friday. No idea about the PL.

So if someone gets there early, sits at the top of the banking, you're saying that nobody can stand in front? Where do you propose people stand then? Sitting on terracing is asking for trouble, if you want to sit then do it at the front.

Surely it's up to each promoter how he pays his riders. Per point, per bonus point, per pass, for turning up, per big mac.... Ipswich want to pay riders a bonus for scoring a bonus point. An employer and employee can put any term (that doesn't break statutory law) into a contract.

Fair play to Rye House. 44 points away from home at a highly fancied (by most) Ipswich isn't a bad start. Might have to change my opinion on them.

i always remember Pete Toogood always mingled with the fans, especially at away meeting. Would always have a chat with him about recent goings on and the meeting taking place. Made him more of a person than a guy in a jacket on the centre green like some promoters.