singy13

That would work.......and have enough heats to allow all riders 5 rides each (instead of 4 as now)to make extra cash.

Are you a piece of string.......(answer above).

Did this in March 2000......Both teams lost home legs...BV 42-48....Comets 40-50.

Talking of a bumper crowd is there any regular 'stars' fan able to guesstimate last nights attendance - I notice the start was delayed to allow the big queue in.

Thank you.....that's how us regular back straight fans saw it - gaps aplenty right opposite us. And let's be honest in this weather(hot, hot, hot) whatever time speedway starts lots of folk have other plans.

Well on the home straight, hit by the strong sun, there were plenty of *gaps*...granted the thankfully nicely shaded back straight was quite busy for sure. *sight* is courtesy of specsavers!

I was in my usual position ,on the back straight, and looking over at the home straight opposite my mate and I both were of the opinion it was the least populated for many a match - was very sparsely attended. But there seemed more around us than normal. Talking to fans next to us they said because the back straight was in the shade, very very warm day, they, and many others, had left the 'hot spot' down the home straight for comforts sake. So all things considered probably disappointing for Andrew and co. ???

Yes there will be enough riders for the 13 teams in one league. Out of the current teams we'll lose Birmingham, Workington - and Oxford will run with just one team. Spare riders galore then. Obviously some juniors will be in many line-ups. a good learning curve. But each race has just one winner whatever - and the more variety will be attractive for fans.

And as well as the rent the rugby club took all the food and bar takings.

Yeah Berwick are a top speedway fraternity.

Yeah she did. But nothing different to those who ran the club before her. Or indeed just like so many failed speedway promoters throughout the country!

Well considering the population of Workington is approx 25,000 and neighbours Whitehaven similar I think the speedway lady promoter did well during her reign. Comets first appeared for the west Cumbrian sporting public in 1970,,,a reported crowd of 6,000 came to watch, This spell of male promoters lasted 12 seasons. Glasgow came to use the track in mid eighties ( can't be bothered to check proper date), Then Messrs Thomas and Mole brought Stoney and co. to Derwent Park in 1999 - this time the opening event only saw 4,000 attend, cough, cough. With the final chapter of this era being in 2018 (history and all that ). So yes Laura took over running Comets for the final handful of seasons at the previous venue, and she did very well compared to other promoters without squaring circles at all. To say that team speedway is not viable in Workington is an unfair comment given that a great many clubs have folded and re-appeared on several occasions down the years - some from cities way bigger than little 'Worky'..e.g.Newcastle (where are they now ?)..Oxford, Sheffield. Barrow....oh I give up!!!!......

Your tone suggests he's possibly into 'Frosties'...although you probably want him to favour 'Cheerios'......

I make no secret of the fact that I know, or knew in some sad cases, the rugby officials at Derwent Park. And after the history season in 2018 Andrew began making noises about opening Comets at Northside. His first job became the removal of Derwent Park shale, off to the new track. And apparently (?) Andrew dug too deep into the shale and ruined the machinery blade he had hired - costing him approx. £50.000 (I'm only going by what I was told then). By the way to this day you can still see the deep gouges, into the concrete base, on both bends at DP. The work though carried on successfully -thank goodness. I don't know Andrew's line of work but the aforementioned drama must have tested his resolve and I say well done marra for sticking with it. Hopefully the bikes will also be shifting shale again soon at Northside.

True Geoff both clubs aided each other financially. As I've said I'm a follower of the Town RL and the Comets, mostly involved behind the scenes with Town. I invariably fought verbally on behalf of the Comets - not easy as there was bad feelings to deal with. I know several of the Town board personally, more past than present members of the board to be honest. And these gents/ladies do "pump money into the RL club". At least both clubs do assist each other via fixtures i.e. Comets are Saturday events and Town play on Sundays. I'm fairly sure the speedway will be racing again soon.

But for many reasons the '2 clubs' are not friendly enough with each other to organise 'tickets both ways'. I know some Town RL directors think (ok.thought)that speedway makes an untidy stadium. The rugby pitch was small, at a minimum level, to accomodate the track. And late payment of rent was another hot topic amongst the RL fraternity.......I was told not so long ago that the Comets still owed rent (maybe sorted now?)...

Yeah the Town fans I stand with at DP most didn't know Northside was now Comets home......ignorance is bliss?

And therein we have the the major factor when you talk to non speedway devotees. I try, or certainly used to, to persuade folk who stand with me at Derwent Park rugby matches to have a dabble at watching speedway. Hard bloody work I'll tell ya. They respond with, for example, the main one currently in fact "so how many teams does Chris Harris ride for"?.....It's often followed with - "doesn't the first rider to lead at the first bend always win the race"?. ..My answers are -Well Chris is a popular guest rider..doh. And second point - yes if the rider is good enough to stay in front he'll win..doh. So sadly two major drawbacks to stop a fan liking speedway. The rugby lot won't shift opinion on those views. But us regular fans know of plenty more for sure. How often down the years have we stood around for 40/50 minutes between heats without a tannoy update to keep us happy? Usually awaiting first aid cover ? There are lots to deliberate as speedway's downside. BUT seriously it's a smashing sport which I've enjoyed since 1970. When 6000 plus welcomed the Comets versus Berwick. And Friday nights were just brilliant. I don't know how to recover those who have lost faith, wish I could find a cure. Hopefully the current Workington problem is sorted asap and I can watch another 50 years. UTC, marras.

And hopefully any info supplied will stop the 'crooks' accusations? The sponsors money will have probably helped to build new toilets, refs box, the 3rd and 4th bend spectator viewing, fan club shop and other spectator facilities - all costly projects and certainly good honest care for the fans at Northside.

Ian Thomas used to tell the local media(Workington) that crowds were holding on at 1200 - and that "the honeymoon isn't over yet". Top promoter was Ian.

Yes.....as the great man Winston used to say KBO !!!

Give over marra.

Private re the riders earnings - yes.........BUT it would be very interesting, and not so personal, to have evidence of speedway clubs attendances. It's something never divulged unless it's a pitifully small crowd (e.g.250) or as they call it 'a bumper crowd'...4000 maybe? I do think most clubs attain hundreds at meetings rather than thousands. It's not enough to keep the danger flags from flying for most outfits. How on earth does the enjoyable Speedway Star keep going given the lack of supporters nationwide?

Since opening at Northside(2023) there's no OAP concession given.

Speedway has been a circus for far too long, especially via the guest system. I have supported Comets since 1970. Big crowds happy days. I also follow the Workington Town RL team resident at Derwent Park. (did a couple of voluntary jobs too). And despite the Rugby getting rental and bar takings the RL Directors never really like their speedway lodgers. The main issue with speedway was the 'guest system'....for example "how on earth can Stoney be riding for Newcastle who are one of the main Comets challengers for the division title"?..."Surely he wont try"?.. well yes he will for the money. The Worky Town RL Chairman would then conclude "It's not a serious sport then"!!. Hard work trying to quantify speedway's quirks to the RL Directors for sure. Don't think I ever managed to. And so many non speedway fans say/give similar verdicts....'it's a circus'.