Vic Meldrew

The solution is simple - do away with the starting gate altogether and go back to the 1930's style rolling starts - a pre lap and all riders coming up to the start line together - no time for gardening then !!

Seems like you are the Pratt - alleged voice of reason.

The Red Devil, Frank Varey

If the past several years Celebrations are anything to go by then this is a must attend meeting for all speedway fans - vintage and modern bikes, collectors stands, exhibits in the excellent museum and of course the wildlife and play areas for the kids.

Sounds like a good day out but the few solo riders seem to be somewhat overwhelmed by the number of sidecars. Apart from the demonstration and practice laps will there be any actual racing ?

NKI's views have already been reported in Speedway Star and are OTT !! If he wants to ride in the British League then he will have to comply with the SCB Regulations. The two minute time allowance is a long stop - e.g. if a rider has a machine problem - riders should be at the tapes ready to race well before the two minute warning is sounded. A two minute clock visible to all riders and spectators is long overdue at British tracks.

On the National Speedway Museum website John Chaplin, the renowned Speedway historian, has this to say about Gardening at the Gate : " ...the irritating and time-consuming habit of riders digging grooves in the track surface at the starting line with the object of creating a launch pad to project themselves into the first turn ahead of their rivals. Getting groovy at the gate may bring a feel-good factor to the competitive agenda of many big-time throttle jockeys, who also use it as a psychological tactic to unsettle opponents alongside. But it infuriates fans, frustrates starting marshals and television directors and also fearfully annoys referees."

1. If the riders came up to the start line well within the two minutes ready to race then they would not be wasting time. 2. Gardening is not part of the speedway set up. There were clearly issues to be resolved hence the proposed action by the SCB (probably in consultation with the BSPA). We have not seen the revised wording yet - let's wait and see how the new rules operate in practice. 3. Suggest you refer this one to the Health & Safety Executive for a Risk assessment.

In the NL matches that I have seen over the past two years I have noticed that the referees are more lenient with the NL riders especially in respect of the two minute rule and with some riders moving at the start after the green light has come on. To be fair to the referees I have noticed that where riders are clearly moving and get a flyer the referee has immediately stopped the race and warned that rider. Where a rider is moving but by his own actions gains no advantage and is usually last out of the gate the referee has let the race proceed and has not stopped it.

Let's face it - no Government is going to pass the legislation that is required to protect existing motor sport venues. Even if the petition passed the 100,000 mark I very much doubt that Parliament will come up with any solutions. The tort of nuisance is very well established in common law and it is down to the courts to rule on each individual case based on those particular circumstances presented to them.

The riders who waste time at the start of the race digging up the track like chickens are the real muppets. These antics do not exhibit a professional presentation to the general public at the start of the race. If a rider dismounts to concentrate on digging up the track surface or filling in ruts then can it be said that he is fully in control of his machine ?

A great day out for all the family - interviews with riders, vintage bikes, collectors stalls and of course the wildlife.