HGould

Ablitt looks like he's been tapped up with a brown envelope

Nailed on that if Mark Phillips gave his version of events and actual thoughts on Club website he'd get a hefty fine from BSPL thought police. The fact is that the BSPL own all Vlub website domains and monitor any official content on Web and formal social media. Many a Promoter has been fined a hefty some for speaking out on their Club media. Most likely whoever does Plymouth media has forgotten to put RR.

As I posted on the match thread the Gate looked better on Wednesday. I'd always estimated 450 to 500 each week and the article writer said 600 on Wednesday which would seem about right visually. Nigel said he needed 1000 to break even which we've had a handful of times since the Masons came and through to now. Average over CL era at PB probably 500 ish He must be forking out 50 to 70k a year to support the Club. I know he has an established business but bloody hell that's a lot of badges. He's done all he can, as did David and Peter Mason. With doubts about Stadium it must be like continually filling up your petrol tank and driving round with the sump plug missing. For his own health and welfare I doubt anyone could complain if he walked away. It's sad but even with Coventry and Cradley closed we've probably only gained 50 regulars judging on their old colours and doubt we'd attract many from Wolves of they closed. Sums up the current state of the sport. Only realistic hope I believe is for BV, Ipswich Sheffield, Poole, Oxford, Glasgow who seem solvent or fundable to form a new league and any remaining including some threatened with closure to lok at a hybrid lower CL / upper NDL model eg Berwick, Edinburgh, Redcar, Scunny, Leicester, KL, Workington, and hope Wolves and Plymouth Brummies, Mildenhall, Kent can hang on somehow (sorry if missed anyone out)

The Ford's were fortunate to inherit one of the stronger fan bases in Speedway. It must be the envy of the likes of Scunny, Berwick. Edinburgh who have survived and thrived on occasions on probably 20 to 25% of the Crowds that Poole attract. So rather than moan and complain maybe doff your caps at Clubs like that who deliver enjoyment year after year on a shoestring budget in comparison. May also be time for those knocking the likes of Mark Phillips to recognise the incredible progress that Club made between 2017 and now, especially off the Track singlehandedly gown to Mark and a small loyal team of volunteers. Those locals who whinge and moan all the time on here and Updates need reflect on having to drive to Poole or Oxford were it not for him.

Diplomatic silence like Mark Phillips would be wise move

Great entertainment tonight even though we lost Some excellent rides from Josh Pickering and great potential from Sam Hagon Jason Edwards man of the match though from reserve for Redcar. Very cool under pressure. Decent crowd and plenty of passing.

Whatever the rights and wrongs of last night one thing is clear. Back in the 2 valve and upright era that Track would not be considered unsafe. Those days had no air fences and rain offs were far less prevelant. They'd put sawdust down and get on with it. Those were men not petaldicks, and they'd ride the bike and gear it according to the conditions. If they had a 2 wheel in and slide out for a few races they would. I've seen Mauger, Briggo, Collins, Olsen all do it, pictures of riders looking like they have just come from down the pit with only eyes visible were commonplace. Too many of this era can't ride bikes that rev too high and lack throttle control. Maybe the real reason they didn't want Barker to ride it was he'd have leg trailed round the fence and broken the track record. Time to consider the reason and not the cause. ..

Tidal River there right behind where they keep tractors on 3rd bend. So water not only coming from sky but very high water table under the track High tides killing the venue it seems.

Has somebody been stamped in the guts

Apparently Devon had more than double average July rainfall in July and lots since. Your worst nightmare to see Schlein turn up. He's happy to ride and win a British Final so wet you could aquaplane but regularly throws his dummy out in Leagues. Ban him for 4 weeks if he refuses to ride. Parasite

Any idea who is on BSN comms and presenting...

Indeed. There in lies the root cause. Doubling up or factually down to create income post the Sky money glut of 20 years ago. That money dwindled so double down created a false fake paradise as a generation matured. If you create a system then you can't blame those who exploit it. Speedway has to go 2 tier being as close as it can to professional full time and semi professional part time. Accepting that it's an 8 month season in Europe to deliver for the full time or a 6 month season in UK to deliver for the part time. No doubling up must be enforced other than age limited to say 23 or 24. Strict pay rules.

It's undoubtedly a good line up. It's also a truly shocking indictment and proof positive of the terminal decline in UK speedway that the average age must be around 35. This is the second tier Where are the breakthrough British riders. Clearly they are either not good enough or opportunities are stunted by PL riders, factually both reasons.

Have you anyone in mind?

Worrell given special dispensation to spend the meetings racing from the van. Not sure who's van though...

Would love to have been a fly on the wall in one of the remaining 5 Lions houses when Dicko called to say that Richie Worrall and Craig Cook were joining. Oohherr missus

Playing devil's advocate. The straights at Glasgow are probably the widest of any in the UK. Could it be that with so many racing lines that if you go into turn 3 too shallow you end up riding it inside to out despite the banking If you go in wider you can ride the banking or cut back and ride it outside to in. Possibly just round off the inside line with no longer a requirement for a soccer corner flag. Overall I can't see how Glasgow or Redcar could be improved as medium to big track lengths but brilliant racing shape and banking. I much prefer to NSS which can just be a drag race who gets wheels in line first and longest.

Awful. Thoughts with cameraman and his family . All at BSN and EMTV and Craig. Reminded me of when he and his bike cleared fence at Cardiff in 2018 I think. One point though. Incident nothing to do with size or shape of the track. Could happen anywhere. Seen 2 valves and uprights do same too. So no need for any silly anti small track point scoring puerile Fingers crossed for all.

The sad reality, despite glimmers and slithers of positivity is best summed up by Wembley and Cardiff. Back in the 70's and 80's around 35-40 UK Tracks operated and if you didn't have a Wembley World Final One Off (3 year cycle) Ticket by May - you would not get one as they were guaranteed 90,000 plus sell outs. Now with around 20 Tracks operating the annual trip to Cardiff struggles to generate 40,000 fans and that figure seem to be declining. The regularly attending "speedway audience" is at historically low level, the demograph is rivalled only by the Membership of the Conservative Party for the over 60 age percentage. Many Clubs have tried to attract kids, some better than others and some of the best at it are no longer running! The sooner the reality (as some have suggested) that it adopts the MX SuperMX model the better. The thoughts though of filling indoor Stadia with a Speedway product are pie in the sky.

Very wise call for all concerned and hopefully save various set costs by advising early. Well done and appreciated.

Guess they all know the same thing. Sticking together in support of the victim.

Lawson v Brennan debate is irrelevant. Far more to Team GB than just the Racing. Independently run, independently funded and very professional set up. Thats reason for success. GB Youth has bought lads like Brennan through from 14,got them European experience. Many young GB riders who are in set up often have to pay for Individual Championship Round travel etc. BSPL and Clubs do very little to support Team GB. Only a few do. Massive Team ethos into Fitness, Nutrition, Sports science etc. No disrespect to Lawson but he's never been that bothered. He's notorious for avoiding press days as an example e.g he doesn't get paid so why waste time and engines. He is a better rider currently than Brennan but he's not the future which Team GB are focusing on.

I think Nigel has lost the plot or been on the loopy juice or waccy baccy in deepest Kinver Cliff Houses. He's already claimed to be 200k down. He's possibly been alerted to someone who could come in on a 12 point average once Poland closes or once a veteran retired type can fit it in and facies blowing another bucket load. As others have said 15 or 18 points a meeting isn't going to cover deficiencies elsewhere and he'd need to be paying 4 or 5 grand a meeting to get anyone of that calibre. Simple maths says to cover home and away that said rider would have to put 500 on the gate every meeting at PB. One offaybe for a Hancock or Nikki type but even that's stretching it.

I'm not referring to his recent test or Charlie More a trial exhibit wink wink

He's allegedly mortified that he's misplaced his favourite trinket. Very attached to an empty Coca Cola bottle allegedly.