Tinker

One of the riders who could be considered to be the bedrock of British Speedway. Not a good sign when a rider like Kyle decides he's had enough. Oh dear.

I have been a massive speedway fan for more years than I care to remember and would always defend the sport to the hilt but even I am now starting to have serious doubts. I subscribe to BSN and watched last night's BV versus Northampton fixture. Ended up watching to heat 10 and then found something else to do as I was literally bored to tears. Yes, the opposition were poor and BV are so good on their own track but as far as entertainment goes I'd give it no more than two out of ten. I also watched the GP at the weekend and found myself running on through each race after a couple of laps and this is something I would definitely not have done a couple of years ago. Anyway, back to our leagues. When I check the BSN schedule I have to confess that I am usually disappointed when the next fixture is a Premiership one. I just find most of them pretty tedious, same teams, same riders and run of the mill affairs. The Championship however, is a different kettle of fish. More teams etc and I just find the whole league more refreshing. Give me Plymouth versus Berwick or Oxford versus Edinburgh any day of the week compared to Sheffield versus Leicester or Kings Lynn versus Northampton. In summing up I genuinely hope that the BSPL find a way to make one league work next year with a much more varied fixture list. Belle Vue riding at Glasgow, Ipswich riding at Plymouth etc really does whet the appetite. Much better promotion of the sport is required and costs must be kept under control. If this means no more GP riders etc then so be it.

How about Batchelor out and Pedersen in. Thought he looked very much on the pace last night and can only get better. Never ridden the track before either but easily won his first race.

Come on Berwick. Would love to see them in the final. Need to make a good start and put Poole under pressure from the off.

Absolutely agree. Looked totally uninterested most races and if I was a Lynn fan I would not be happy. Zero commitment, let him earn his corn in Poland and get a replacement in. Must be costing Lynn a bomb.

I don't think this has been discussed anywhere else on this forum but in terms of Dan Bewley's injuries, does anyone think there's a chance of him competing for GB at the end of August? If there's any outside chance that would be fab news and would certainly boost our chances immeasurably.

My sources tell me it was called off five weeks ago.

Are you there Iain? If so, what's the crowd like?

Ridiculous decision to exclude Rowe there. He was in front of the two Poole riders and didn't seem to deviate off his line. Can't believe he's been thrown out. Specsavers ref?

I said as much earlier on. If there are mechanical issues/injuries etc then no offence to Cairns but would you rather call on him as opposed to Lawson/Howarth/Edwards etc? GB may qualify easily and I obviously hope they do (tickets for the final purchased last week) but if Cairns is needed at some point and doesn't perform and as a result GB miss out, then surely heads will roll? I found Olly Allen's comment in the Star rather worrying that he picked Cairns because he seemed the most enthusiastic. Well of course he's going to be enthusiastic but that should not be a reason for picking him. After all, this is a major national event with the ultimate prize of being made World Cup Champions come August so the very best five riders should have been picked for GB - not someone who was simply enthusiastic about being there.

Now you're going too far ....... 😂

As others have said, I don't understand the choice of reserve at all. If things don't go to plan (bike issues, injuries etc) and we have to use our reserve the whole thing may end up being a disaster. Surely having someone like Harris, Lawson, Thompson or Edwards on standby would be a far better proposition. If we don't qualify for the final in August (and I've just bought tickets by the way), then heads will surely roll.

The sport is in a mess and there's no denying that but my point was that every time Mikebv posts, it's always Mickey Mouse this and Mickey Mouse that. Oh and operating model this, operating model that etc. 😉 No hard feelings MikeBV because you do come across as a genuine and likeable guy and you obviously know your stuff. Just a touch more positivity would be welcome from you though.

Cor Cor MikeBV, you do chunter on somewhat. You're on the forum constantly and talk a good game but there's never any positivity. If I had a quid for every time you either mention "operating model" or "mickey mouse sport" I'd probably be able to resurrect speedway at West Ham, Wimbledon or Harringay Actually any where you want because I'd be a rich fella. Admittedly, British speedway is in a tad of a mess at the moment but your constant negativity and bringing up the same old rhetoric time and time again is getting pretty tedious. Apologies in advance for my post because I can see you obviously care about the sport but in future can we have something more engaging from you and not the same old old etc.

Good to see Danny King riding well. Showing all his experience. Also rode well at BV on Monday.

Mmm, pretty much. Just fancied watching some speedway but obviously chose the wrong match. Feel sorry for the Scunthorpe fans with this team.

Scunthorpe are woeful, simply not up to the task. Can't understand why anyone would want to sign MPT. If he doesn't gate (which happens a lot), he just looks totally disinterested. He'll never come good so I'd be inclined to get rid now.

Could be bad news all round but sincerely hope not. It's early day and still time for some sort of resolution so isn't this when the BSPL should spring into action with some sort of contingency plan. Don't leave it until the eleventh hour, start discussing/making plans now starting with the worse case scenario.

Well said MM. Seems a lot of people come on here just trying to pick holes in everything. Probably goes against the grain for them when there is some good news for once. Get a glass half full is what I say and yes, although I'm an optimist, I'm also a realist.

Scumbags, scratters, morons - the list goes on. Anyone know how they might have got in, climbed over a fence? Hope they find the culprits, sorry scumbags!

Great news re. Northampton. Hopefully, it's the shot in the arm that British Speedway needs and fingers crossed re. the return of Coventry, Peterborough, Swindon etc. Plus the fact it seems to be quite feasible that Northampton could host bigger meetings in the future considering the facilities there, Midlands location etc. Various other sports have been on the decline in the past but they pick themselves up through a variety of different reasons (new innovations, sponsorship deals, TV deals, change of public perception etc.) and get back on track. Quite possibly and with fingers tightly crossed, just maybe it is now Speedway's turn.

The relay speed skating was great to watch, especially when the next leg of the race gets a big push off from their team mate. Imagine this in speedway with either Batch or Drew Kemp piddling round at the back and then getting an almighty shove from Cookie or Kyle Howarth. Now that would be quite a spectacle and sure to bring the fans in!

A lot of doom and gloom on here. At least they're trying to give it a go with Northampton. Come on, it's a new track for heaven's sake so at least give it a chance before all the wading in with negative comments. Some posters have said the BSPL should be attempting to get a track up and running where there's already a fan base but places like Coventry, Swindon, Wolves etc ain't going to be happening anytime soon. Northampton has been put forward, the owners/promoters seem to be keen to have speedway there so good luck to them. You just never know, it may turn out to be a resounding success. Fingers crossed.

Well done Plymouth. Always enjoy watching the racing there on BSN. Always close and no one has the chance to race off into the distance. All the best for the new season!

Not sure if you're being serious or not but Sudden Sam would be a great signing as TM. 👍