Cross Roads

Truth is Hemsley shaped a speedway track like his beloved cycle speedway, long straights tight bends followed speedway all my life across Europe many tracks now days limited passing. still go take the family but passing is limited at Leicester. Only real solution is to widen the bends as most riders coming off the 4th bed about hit the fence. To do this you either move the temp stands back or re locate back straight never going to happen only the day I win the lottery and buy for the fans and secure long term with other uses ie football stock cars dogs to get some business revenue in we can but dream. Up the lions..

Give it a couple more meetings and believe we will start to become the force we are on paper. Have to say impressed with both the Thompson lads really developing fast breath of fresh air. Bates is a worry down to confidence as on his day can beat 80% of this league but time is running out to keep his place. Did any one notice after the incident the heats went very quickly 2 mins on pretty much after the previous race had finished why can’t this be the norm... only negative that frustrates me all we see is clubs in trouble crowds down but Leicester continues to be strong. Why is the no longer a proper rider intro, riders at the start line with bikes interview both captains and managers before meeting. Riding round intro is poor. Also riders should be told win heat lap of honour get the atmosphere going. Any way onwards and updates. Roll on Redcar.

Any track alterations planned pre season

On a separate any track changes planned pre the new season....

I tend to agree, strange decision to hold on the same weekend and at Leicester. Peterborough in my opinion is it’s spiritual home go every year. Leicester will cope with the rider numbers but the racing could be a little to be desired ie hit and miss for an event of this nature and that’s coming from a lions fan.. that said if the weather holds and traffic clear we shall drop by after Cardiff.

Credit were credit is due. I’ve taken my daughters to Leicester pretty much from when re opened and believe last night although not the result we wanted was one if not the best meetings for entertainment on the track we have seen. I like many over years have commented on the poor track shape/prep last night was so different standard of entertainment passing and close racing...All the best eagles, keep driving hard lions our time is coming.

Weather not looking great for tomorrow’s early evening start, what’s the chances of starting the meeting a little later so miss the worst of weather forecasted..?

Have to agree ref the lighting feel for the riders in those conditions. I know there is limited budgets but surely safety is paramount and will be sorted hope so. Ref the racing as many have said over many years the fundermental issue is the shape of the track long straights tight bends unless widen will never really change its ok the odd guy being able to ride but as an entertainment sport you need the majority to...Hemsley and his team got it so wrong from a clean field unless amend (very unlikely it will always be at best average racing)

Yes fell on 4th bend and hit wire fence looked in some pain hope has quick recovery.

So who is looking forward to Sunday I certainly am been a long winter. What about the lions fans predictions for the coming season lets hope for a successful safe season for all....

Agree. Really got to pick up there game next season with promotional incentives also. So many options.

Extremely disappointed to see a city of our size choose to drop down to a lower league. Very unlucky at the start of last year with injuries when many thought that they had a solid side. Others would comment that is the nature of the sport... Agree with commentary need a good start always said if start winning and see close racing then the crowds will start to return sad thing is unless there is ever major surgery to the track this shall always be limited. The comments of Saturdays to get crowds in and young kids always makes me smile I'm fortunate to have a season ticket at the city in the family stand never seems to be an issue with kids on night games. Start racing 7.30 be completed by 9pm should really not be a big issue once a fortnight surely. Be interested in the admission charges next year anyone got any inside info....hears hoping to a successful season FOR ONCE..;).

Just back from a weekend in Poland for the sgp and torun league meeting. Very professional presentation especially torun. 7pm start 9pm finish excellent racing great crowd interaction why do we get it so wrong answer to some degree is massive sponsorship everywhere bringing money into the sport. Just watched the meeting from Monday night awful as many state. Truth is unless they pull the temp stands back towards the stadium walls move the straights out making the bends wider nothing will change. It's ok for the odd rider to ride the track well but you need the majority to. What also surprised me in Poland was the amount of banking to bends. If anyone ever is fortunate enough to get the opportunity to go to Poland you will not be disappointed. Such great people very friendly.

Crazy sue. Put in your search engine speedway updates follow the link for Somerset rebels v leicester lions there will be updates live there...

Truth of the matter is the damage is done at leicester very poor track shape little funds to address. Agree with other posters either improve the surface or let it die of a painful death which has started. As a stadium it's not a bad little set up close to the action etc. how about a campaign for tradesman and plant to support mass changes in the winter more than happy to support if clear from the start of the end goal.

Sadly I have to agree with many posts the racing is going backwards which in turn adds to poor entertainment. Attendance was not great last night either. For me needs wider bends, you see time again riders are tight to the fence on bend 2 and 4 which in turn kills the speed. Been going since re launched after many years going to other tracks around the country and appetite diminishing. Problem is if Hemsley still owns the stadium why would a promotor renting spend a huge sum to alter...sad really because with investment could be great little set up. Better racing win or lose would bring in crowds in my opinion. Will give it another couple of meetings if no change will be spending hard earns cash else where....here's dreaming....up the lions....

Just days away for the first meeting not only the team news but where is all the pr and press should be everywhere promoting I'm telling all friends and family but why is there not advertising everywhere. Best team on paper for many a season weather forecast looking good promote the a..e off it and get a great new atmosphere in the stadium. Lions to win on Monday by a close margin... Play offs hear we come ??.

So just over a week to go till we get our fix of live local speedway any predictions for the first meeting.

I accept we are in the silly season of speculation however, if there is any truth in the rumours that leicester approached our old promotor with a view to signing Wozniak for 2018 and advised of price resulting in speculation he is Poole bound due to budgets then I say shame on you He....y. Least you owe is supporting this city with the opportunity to give the public a competitive site since your development of the sport back to this city. Business man or not if again rumours are true not paying riders towards the end of your reign could at least show a little support to those many fans who supported you....

Anybody got info if the mentioned track changes are to be taking place this close season on bend 3/4 as some report.....

Whilst we must accept that not all family's will be able to attend a mid week meeting due to school timings I take my kids to leicester and the family stand is full of 1000s of kids. Games normally finish 9.30 then you have to exit the stadium car ride home which normally means 10.20ish home. We need to absolutely look at the future for bringing in younger supporters but let's remember its a so called summer sport so for x% of season it will be the holidays. Set race nights mean structure hopefully settled teams. What I'm saying is if we don't try we will never know in my opinion. Let's see what the AGM brings....

Being a fan since the early 80s in the midlands taking many newbys who have unfortunately drifted away with the promotion of other recreational sports far out stripping speedway and digesting these posts the general opinion is it needs bringing into present day with all other entertainment industries championing our hard earned cash. Could anybody confirm if there is an external marketing company working with the bspa with a realistic commercial budget for promoting this sport. For me a winning team will draw crowds to most sporting events however the public need to be made aware of success if better promoted within the geographical area of stadiums. without a great deal of fixed costs speedway promotors really could increase the professionalism of staging these events. I'm a regular visitor to leicester and extremely grateful to the new promotion for saving the sport in the city from the previous clown that said, it continues to frustrate me that it seems acceptable intro to the main event of a 20second 1lap ride of each rider straight back into the pits... Observations: Bikes to the start line manager rider interviews 10mins Few practise laps by both teams. 5 mins Match race both number 1s to who chooses gate positions for meeting start. Roaming terrace mike with club announcer (some weeks works at leicester let's have more interaction) Insist every race winner must complete a victory lap. Totally agree with false start straight back to start line 1 min time allowance. Loyalty cards with x meetings stamped=discount on merchandise and refreshments. Season ticket holders can bring a friend new to the sport 3 times per season similar to gym promotions Free merchandise ie t shirt-air horns on x meetings per season for all children creates atmosphere as most meetings flat (on other track visits also) Post meeting interviews are welcomed as at leicester but also request the opposition manager top scoring rider for there analysis. Set race nights so becomes familiar to all supporters and regular no long gaps between weeks so family lives can be diarised. Really do hope that next season is just not another re work of the past years and bspa are really listening to the general public because without us all there will be no professional sport for this country in the coming years....here's hoping.

Some decent heats last night. We'll done guys for the win. Alarmingly poor crowd go as far to say worst in a long time for a league meeting. Need to sort the tapes out as well for belle vue clearly disadvantaged on the inside gates last night for some heats.with the temp repair on the grass. Also very flat with the presentation again don't like to be critical but really needs some fresh ideas with presentation not taking away robs interaction just everything else around night.

Going to pop along tonight with a couple of friends new to speedway. Hopefully get some good racing. Hoping they also finally have a proper old school intro get the teams to the start line introduce them all couple of practise laps interview the team managers costs nothing gets the crowd engaged from the start......hears hoping.

Belle vue 48- lions 42 great away point