TheWellBehavedWorrall

Heat thirteen, wow. Bewley is a joy to watch.

Great interview with Ipswich’s new owner. You can tell he’s of the mentality to make the necessary changes to save British speedway. Let him and the Facenna’s run the BSPL. We’ll be prime time next season.

Decent meeting, this. Some decent racing, including Bewley versus Brennan and King which was a great race.

I think there’s a misconception on this subject. It’s not about personal taste; it’s about a fit-for-purpose experience. I don’t mind a bit of Dancing Queen, but the playlist at Ashfield isn’t appropriate for that of a live motorsport event. They get so much right at Glasgow, they really do, but the presentation is where it falls short; music, announcer and presenter included. I introduced around eight people - friends and work colleagues - to speedway last season, including several hospitality boxes at Ashfield and the music was the butt of the jokes on several occasions from people who are new to the sport.

On a side note, I’d love to know what Nick Morris changed after his second ride on Saturday because he went from woeful to flying.

I think that was the busiest I’ve saw Shielfield. I arrived just before tapes up and I’ve never saw the car park so busy. The first bend was mobbed, as was the back straight.

What are the concerns with Hodder, out of interest? I ask out of genuine interest because so far, my biggest concerns are our British U21 and SON2 champions. Hodder hasn’t been spectacular, but am I correct thinking he’s delivered his average in every meeting so far at the very least? Surely anything more is a bonus, no? I imagine his 9 paid 13 across the two legs of the play-off final secured his spot this season.

You said he won’t be around for long after three races; I said we must be patient and I hope he comes good, but alarm bells are ringing after three meetings. A slight difference.😂

Was there something wrong with the speakers on the back straight? The old boy next to us couldn’t hear a thing. I struggled, but had to give him the times after most heats. I think Shielfield’s one of the only tracks where even without a great deal of passing, the racings exciting. Seeing riders navigate those top two bends is superb.

I feel like this perspective is shared by those running British speedway and in my opinion, it’s the biggest reason British speedway will die (as a competitive sport) in the not too distant future. Far too many people tolerate mediocrity and outright amateurish standards, accusing those (myself included) who demand standards and improvement as ”moaners” and ”negative”. We all want the same thing; British speedway to thrive, but I believe some of use are already anticipating what is coming while others bury their heads in the sand.

Agreed, but I always feel six is due more leniency than seven as they’re in more difficult races. I think that’s why Hodder was retained over Perry. Quite worrying how poor our reigning British U21 champion looked in addition to our former Bandit who appeared to be shutting off entering bends. I really like Hodder, but slowing down to hit the corner raises big concerns.

On a similar note, should Hagon have replaced Hodder in heat fourteen? Neither rode well, but Hagon had just relegated Battye to last in heat twelve, so in my opinion, the obvious strategy was to do a reserve replacement. Forgive me if I’ve missed a rule.

I’m not disputing any of this - you’ve quoted me saying ”patience is key” and ”I hope he comes good” - but the fact of the matter is, we’re talking about someone whose arrived a gold medalist at the SON2 and victor of the Gold Ribbon, ahead of several big names. It cannot be argued that the pre-season excitement has been extinguished somewhat. It’s difficult not to compare him to our most immediate similarity; Villads Nagel who was younger and arrived mid-season, but who hit the ground running. As I said, I hope he comes good.

Slovenian riders give me PTSD since Matic Ivacic, but this boy can’t be any worse.

Said this a few weeks ago and unfortunately, we found ourselves on the end of it tonight. What a talent.

You win some, you lose some. Well done to the Bandits who were deserved winners. I’m a bit lost for words for Battye. That’s the best debut I’ve ever seen. That assertiveness to shut the door on Howarth in heat four was of established heat leader calibre; not a young man making his debut. Bitterly disappointing from Hagon and Hausl. Hodder’s 3+1 exceeds what’s expected of him, IMO, and holding off Morris in heat four was a point we had no right accounting for. Harris has more than earned ann off day, but the other three desperately need to contribute. Patience is key, but after three meetings, alarm bells are ringing for Hausl. Of course, I hope he comes good, but he’s so far off it; spectacularly poor, heat one aside. My heart says he’ll come good, but my head says he’ll be gone by mid-May.

Forecast is a bit of rain and sun until around 4PM/5PM, then glorious speedway from there.

Shielfield Park, tomorrow night. 7PM (England time)/7PM (Scotland time). Love Shielfield. Those third and fourth bends can make or break a rider and even unchallenged, seeing a rider go around Berwick, full throttle, is a thing of beauty. I’m going to for another draw on the road. I think it’ll be close; I think the Bandits have put together a side with a lot of potential, but we’re strong too. As will be the case often in the early stages of the season, a lot will depend on if or how Hausl and Juhl Pedersen adapt to the track. Being left alone with their own thoughts for the duration of that back-straight could be dangerous.

I get my copy from Tesco every week, largely out of nostalgia and loyalty. Magazines are outdated in the current world, but British speedway’s lack of coverage dictates the vast majority of it is actually new information. I do feel like the content needs improving. Give us more insight, less reporting. Alun Rossiter’s interview a couple of weeks ago was interesting, as are the manager interviews because they give fans a perspective they’re unfamiliar with.

@StevePark explain yourself.

I might sit in the main stand tonight, if that’s the case. I’d also be closer to the announcer, so could maybe help correct his many errors. Who was the old presenter? Michael Max, I think? He was very good. I remember he was brought down to do the Pairs at Workington and the PLRC at Belle Vue, he was that highly regarded. At a time when there were 25+ active clubs in British speedway, all of whom had their own presenter. Edinburgh have quite a professional set up with no Laurel & Hardy like attempts at humour, but their previous one was also outstanding. I think his name was Scott Wilson. I still have nightmares about ”Peter ‘The Motor’ Carr”” because nine times out of ten, he was winning.

Darts has definitely become a spectacle; a blur between sports and live entertainment, but they kick started the rejuvenation by leaning on the characters and the rivalries, big time. Taylor and Van Gerwen, for example. I feel like speedway has so much potential, but we’re falling terribly short on the absolute basics, like a complete failure to modernise presentation. Anyway, I’m looking forward to tomorrow night, ”Lively Leon Flint” and ”a win for the rider in orange, Ainsley Harriett, in a winning time of two hours” aside.

FWIW, I’m not against 80s gay disco in the right environment (a 60th birthday party or an Elton John tribute act, for example), but that environment isn’t at a sporting event. We do a lot very well at Ashfield, but in terms of audible presentation, it’s dreadful. Utterly woeful. Glasgow - and British speedway as a whole, to be fair - has to rebrand itself, similar to what darts went through. Instead, we’re forced to endure incorrect announcements relating to riders, scores and times while we’re made to tolerate forced, dated, amateurish broadcasting like ”Lively Leon Flint”.

Senior Vice President of Airhorns.

He sounds mature.