I keep reading on this forum - mainly the premiership section - that speedway has loads of problems, for example, track preparation, no atmosphere, no kids, no young adults just 'old folk', riders not interacting with fans and missing riders.
Track preparation - Despite the heat, it was still 25C when I got home at 10.30pm, there was no dust whatsoever and there wasn't an over watered track just a superb smooth one that provided fantastic racing.
No atmosphere - the main stand which was virtually full, roared when the 2 youngsters got their first 5-1 in Heat 2 and thereafter when Barker and Howarth, etc, etc had great battles yet again people got to their feet cheering, clapping and clearly enjoying the evening's entertainment. Nicolai Klindt seemed amazed at the applause he got on his laps of honour and came around again after his last race. The back straight terracing and other stands also were busy.
No kids - there were a lot kids some of whom participated in two races one for under 10s and one for over 10s - an idea I believe pinched from Plymouth!
No young adults - again good numbers some of whom had brought along their kids.
Old folk - yes quite a few but all happy to let some of the new fans know what was going on.
No interaction with fans - laps of honour saluting the fans and lots of autographs later.
Missing riders - both teams a full strength.
Yes speedway has problems but last night was just pure entertainment. There were a couple of fans from Leicester in the stand and they seemed a bit surprised by the whole package. Proved you don't need to doctor tracks to win meetings at home, Mr Dixon 😉