Fortythirtyeight

I said these teams dropped a division , not necessarily to the NL, to save closing altogether, which is what we were discussing. Theres is a difference between Premiership and Championship. The Championship is much better.

Why? You're a Berwick fan so it shouldn't affect you. Sounds like more space is available than normal so that's a good thing isn't it? Doubt the current promotion will want to return to Thursday's with a reported increase in yougsters attending on Fridays meaning takings are up , especially in the bar! But it's all speculation till the Mafia decide their next cunning move to save speedway.

You don't have to agree,thats fine. But owners make the decisions not the fans. If the owners want to reduce their losses and still run , then they'll drop down . Ipswich, Eastbourne, Somerset, Plymouth , Birmingham, all have done it and Lakeside dropped two divisions. If they don't want any more losses, they'll close altogether. So the examples are there.

Redcar look considerably weaker without Wright and possibly MPT so this match is in the balance. Eastbourne doing themselves no favours by having Phillips guest at Redcar, obviously a financial decision which shows the state of the sport. I think Redcar will need at least a fifteen point advantage from the home leg and I don't see that happening without those two but I do hope it's an all north east final. Then I'll get to see it.

Supporters don't own the clubs and therefore don't pay the bills. If a club can't afford a league but still wants to run then they will consider dropping down a standard. You seem to forget Eastbourne have already done it and Somerset. Better NL standard than no speedway at all.

At this stage that's as good a guess on the 2020 outcome as I can see. Whilst I can't guarantee you have all the right teams in the right divisions I don't think your far off.

I take it you haven't understood anything I've written? No Premiership. Just two divisions.. Division one would be the equivalent of the current championship.( The One Big Division) Division two would be equivilant to the current NL therefore those that don't want to play in the ' one league ' go into division 2 ( i.e. Berwick, Birmingham etc)

Yes...but with two divisions not three!

So things staying as they are.....with changes!

Having seen around six NL matches and eight Premiership, I'd much rather watch NL. The Championship has by far the better standard of ' racing ' not gate and follow, but the NL can produce good racing even if it tends to be two battling at the front and two a way back battling for a point.

Look at the lack of crowds at certain clubs and do the maths yourself. At least one Premiership club is on its knees right now. Having travelled extensively this season to see speedway a number of tracks are struggling and there's a few unhappy northern promoters wondering how long they can last with crowds of less than 400 at most meetings. Buster Chapman can't buy every club and I think he bit off more than he could chew this year. Id be pleasantly surprised if there are still 20 clubs still open in 2020.

The ' One League' option has been discussed at length and will keep raising its head until it actually gets confirmed. Previous discussions at the top table had neither Edinburgh, Newcastle ,Scunthorpe or Redcar wishing to go into that scenario but how many of those clubs would want to drop to a NL standard league? Sheffields future is still uncertain so maybe looking at two divisions of ten teams with a championship standard division and a NL standard division.

You have more chance of winning the lottery than the diamonds winning anything this season, but you can dream.

Think it was time that we all accepted it. As painful as it is, Workington is no longer a speedway venue and I doubt it ever will be again. Speedway is no longer the attraction it once was and whilst it can still survive at several other venues around the country the sport will never be as popular as it was in the 70's / 80's and a few other tracks , unfortunetley , will go the same way as the beloved Comets very soon. lets just hope the whole sport doesn't disappear down the big hole the B.S.P.A. seem to be digging for it.

The day after transfer deadline day for the championship, putting him out of a job altogether, like Drew Kemp. isnt speedway wonderful.

Wrong. An employer has to be the' sponsor ' for his visa. Club only has to provide a 'reasonable salary' for the individual . Whilst there has to be a ' suitable address' to satisfy the immigration authority that can be provided by the rider, a sponsor or the club. The only true expense to the club is the ' visa ' which is less than a week's wage to a decent championship rider.

I'll have to look this new sport up ' rode raced' ? not sure I know anyone who ' sand raced ' either although I know many who raced on sand or who took part in sand racing .

First time I've said this about Redcar but disapointing meeting in terms of the quality of racing. Score line kept the match interesting but some of the home riders didn't look comfortable on an overwatered track and the Bandits made the best of their opportunities. Not many races to shout about although Summers had his moments , Riss started well and Wright was a class above with Anderson and Flint impressing. Too much tractor work ( trying to fix the track ) made the meeting drag a little and no second half racing due to an amateur meeting tomorrow with no ' Smoggy ' to keep us entertained.. Not the worst meeting ever but not as good as I'd hoped. Bandits deserved their point and the Bears will be happy with the win considering the low scores from three riders. Think they are safe for a play off place but may struggle against the more solid top 3 sides and with Wright having a GP appearance on his mind. Great to see Workington fans in the ' hospitality suite ' by the start line . Not often I'm home before midnight for an away match but that's something to be thankful for I suppose.

Yes, you do need to keep up with some of the twaddle on here. Wright had Lazer treatment on his troublesome shoulder injury and needs some rest apparently.

Ostergaard wins his first three races?!?! shows the difference of standards between the two leagues as he can't manage that at his home track of Newcastle.

As Team GB is now a private company and Rossiter was forced on the company by the BSPA surely they may want a say on who THEY want fronting THEIR team?

BBC North East news presenter Jeff Brown not only follows local teams ( being a former Sunderland Stars fan ) he is actually team managing a Sunderland junior team at a 4TT event at Redcar next week.

That's what happens when you are unfairly dismissed. The BSPA is a worse place without her knowledge and expertise but the mafia knew best, and it cost them!

And only a chosen few know how that ended, the Mafia struck!

I will be travelling to this one. I have noticed fellow Workington fans at Redcar with a sprinkling of around a dozen Sheffield and Newcastle fans along with some from Scunthorpe and Belle Vue. I suppose if you have one of the best race tracks in the country along with a winning team you will attract the fans. Always felt entertained at the MPA , good presentation, decent food at decent prices and that Bear is always worth watching between races. Berwick usually push the Bears so I'm going 50-40.