SJA

Last night was my 58th meeting of the season. I have been to all Premiership and Championship tracks at least once. Fifth time at Leicester this season (4 prem, 1 NDL) and I have to say its a very enjoyable experience, decent racing, which the track very rarely gets the credit for, decent views all around the stadium and nice staff. Well done Leicester in making the final and well done to the track curator for another good nights racing.

Has it - I thought they were separate, and distinct legal entities.

I would imagine it has nothing to do with being in a panic and everything to do with giving the broadcaster 24 hours notice as per their broadcast agreement.

So less than 10% of the population of the West Midlands (3,039,203) that cannot support a team. Even though Cricket and Football both have a footprint in Northampton it is basically a rugby town. I hope I'm proved wrong but I am fearful for the success at this venue. It will be one I attend as its an Uber away from a late night train back to London.

In the hundreds from each? As that is what I imagine Northampton would need from each of Coventry, Peterborough and Birmingham as their natural catchment area is not that highly populated.

1981 is a lifetime ago when we had limited entertainment options. That is not the case anymore. Speedway fans don't travel. I think I am one of the few exceptions, but I don't fit the average speedway fan demographic. When I have attended Birmingham, Oxford or Leicester during the last two seasons I have seen very few Wolves or Coventry fans. Looking around maybe Leicester does the best out of the three venues I mentioned with maybe 20ish a meeting. If speedway fans travelled then their would be greater support at away tracks rather than a hardcore 5-30 away fans at league meetings.

Which demonstrates that price is a red herring when people talk about what to do to attract more people to watch the sport live.

I like the concept of Northampton becoming a speedway track but looking at a map its hard to see where a "local" crowd will come from. I think its pie in the sky to expect Peterborough and Coventry fans to make an 80 mile round trip for home meetings. Depending on where a Peterborough fan lives Kings Lynn or Leicester could be closer. I hope Northampton does become an active speedway venue I just hope they have been realistic with a business plan.

I've also heard from a reliable source (Farmer Giles) that Doyle has got lost in Norfolk walking his dog this morning and may not be able to get to Belle Vue this evening even if he takes his RS6.

I think you can although based on previous years in the Prem and the Champ if its cold and wet you can discount Leicester. And if the play offs were at the start of August in all the sunshine they would have been unstoppable.

Looking at learning from the past mistakes I always find Lee Coleman's column in the Speedway Star thought provoking. He has lots of ideas, some of them would require a sustained long period of investment, which UK speedway is not in a position to deliver at the moment but other are almost cost free. If you implemented the cheaper ones then if crowds increased which attracted greater sponsorship then maybe the sport would be in a better position to commit to a long term investment strategy. We need someone with vision to help promote the sport and he would appear to make more sense that many of the so called experts.

Its interesting that with all the changes over the last three season with regards to who is which clubs rising star, some things do not change. Leicester still have the poorest rising star.

Oh come on most people accept that Olly Allen is the brains of the Team GB Management, with Stead providing the face and ego.

I have been told by a Premiership Clerk of Course that he often appears out of control during the meeting and is a nightmare to deal with.

I note you didn't say informed.