TigerIain

Works well at Glasgow. The kids race after heat 10/11 is hugely popular, and is now 2 different races. All the kids get a sweetie at the end. Most kids beat the mascot, and Ben Basso was a regular participant when he was a Tiger. The promotion have spent a lot of money doing up the stadium, and making an entertaining race track, and employing an entertaining team as well, but for the kids it seems that their races (under/over 10) are a big part of their night at the speedway as nearly all kids in the stadium take part in it (and most adults seem to be watching it)

I think that he is more likely to sign for the Courtney's other team after his scoring there last year. The pen in Rushen's photo keeps us all guessing but I heard 6+ months ago he had agreed to go to Poole (although so had Rowe!), but with a strong top 3, and likely top 5, then 2 reasonable reserves (such as Ritchings and Jack Smith) should make them strong contenders

Drip feeding works in place where each announcement gets a back page story in the local press. It doesn't work in cities where the news is dominated by football. Drip feeding announcements of reserves and second strings would get at most a single sentence in the news in Glasgow. Even Bomber would be no more than a paragraph. Different teams do it differently based on local knowledge on what works for them publicity wise

Very strong top 3. I would assume that Kileen and McDiarmid would be back as the second strings, leaving 5.08 (I think) for the 2 reserves. If Daryl Ritchings was signed (2.29) that would leave 2.79 meaning Jack Smith would fit...and would probably be at reserve all year

Don't think so. 8.20 with a 2.5% reduction is 7.995, which would normally round up to 8.00. It might depend though on if there is a more specific calculation. I'm also not sure if there is a specific rule on rounding. To be honest though, I'd be surprised if anyone actually asked the question. Top rider on his day but too many issues

The announcement on his own Facebook page indicates that he hasn't signed elsewhere: "At this stage I'm unsure what's next". Either the Comets didn't want him back or he didn't fit into their team building jigsaw

Dan Thompson had been beaten from the back by Lewis Kerr in Heat 12, and whilst he gated, he had looked slow. Could have went with Flint but he lost out to Cook in heat 14 and isn't the best gater. Howarth was slow in heat 13, but better earlier in the meeting. And had been a last heat decider hero all season. Had Howarth been able to force his easy under Cook in the first bends and Bomber followed him through then Cami would have been a genius for picking him

Too early to say who is favourites, add we only know one 1-7. I'm happy to see Freddy back, there was signs of improvement and having a stronger partner take some pressure off him. I hope that he kicks on this season. Max is a little unlucky not to be back, not that much between them and he was a match winner on occasion. Mainly away from Ashfield, but certainly in the home playoff semi. I hope that he gets a team place somewhere like Berwick where he scores lots of points (although preferably not when we visit 🤣)

Can't put it better than that. Shawfield was mainly gate and go. Tigers were mainly winning but I didn't go, due to a lack of entertainment.

"I was a traitor but now a Glasgow faithful" was that a tongue in cheek reference to Sam Hagon being a former Poole rider? Could be a great signing at reserve. Looks a very strong team, although depends how well Hausl and Pedersen take to British speedway. Great video and looking forward to the new season

I was assuming the Stewart Dickson's statement meant that there was a going to be a Premiership. And I was only considering recent Championship riders. Looking at the Premiership averages though, only 5 riders from there couldn't drop down (6 if you count Woffinden. Emil isn't coming back so I've not counted him). Plenty of other options for Scunthorpe to explore there. Even Jason Doyle could drop down

I kinda hope that Scunthorpe ditch him first and don't let him back into the Championship. Not much chance though given the lack of options

Nah they showed the BSN Ride of the Year by the guy winning the award. Aside from any bias, the Super Heat was one team gating, the other both going for a gap that wasn't there on the first bend and getting left behind asthe opposition rode off onto the distance. In terms of showing off the sport and the spectacle of it, there must have been over 100 better heats at Ashfield last season.

All the Ipswich fans on here will be having wet dreams at the possibility of that scenario.

Leicester have just put out a statement on their website where Stewart Dickson says Leicester are fully committed to the Premiership, and talks are ongoing. Gold star to Stewart for telling fans something! (Although I fear a black mark from fellow promoters!!)

At the time that was announced, there was still 1 NDL match to be raced, but the Tigers season was finished. I think that Steelers match is why it refers to last top flight meeting had been run, rather than hinting at Tigers going CL. In my interpretation of the 'for sale' announcement it is assumed that a buyer would be found and no mention of what happens if not. Although (at the risk of annoying Ipswich fans again) it would devalue the club if the current promotion publicly stated that they would not run in 2026 if not sold. Anyway, let's hope that whilst there is nothing public, that something good is coming together both for Sheffield and the Premiership

Not an awards ceremony I'd heard of to be honest. Looking at the winners, none were Rangers or Celtic related and the only football winner was for walking football, so it gets almost no mention in the press up here. I first seen it on Bomber's Facebook page. Congratulations to Chris Harris on winning though

Presumably to cover the possible loss of income if the Premiership does not run. Danes run a squad system, and Poole previously said they would make it work so that Ben Basso could still ride all their fixtures (he left anyway). Presumably Poole were aware before he signed. I expect Lawson to be riding all the scheduled Poole meetings (rearranged fixtures in either league might cause clashes though).

I meant strengthen Oxfords top end, where they were lacking this year, and strengthen themcompared to other. Yes they have to lose points from where they finished last year but I think a proper number 5 will help Cheetahs do better this year. (contrast their 2024 Masters & Nicholls team v 2025's Masters and second strings). As for weakening Poole, it takes away their number 5, and if Zach Cook is not back it leaves a problem for Poole to replace him. Per the Pirates page Matt Ford was having an issue with the 7th rider in their line up which was rumoured to be the now departed Rowe, which could mean that Kerr has to take on the number 5 role. Even allowing for stronger second strings I think that would weaken Poole relative to the league. In my opinion, a strong number 5 is needed for success in 2026 (could be a King & Nicholls or a Harris & Howarth or a Lewi Kerr or Jake Allen really stepping up)

Only if they actually pay it! Although without their Premiership team they should hopefully be on a more stable financial footing

Don't think anyone seen that coming. Good move though, strengthens the Cheetahs and potentially weakens one of their rivals (unless Poole tempt Zach Cook back, in which case it also strengthens Poole)

I was meaning for speedway, rugby and ice hockey. Partly because it avoids clashes with football which seems to be on every other night of the week and all day Saturday and Sunday (although normally lunch time on a Sunday for Scottish teams). It also allows a lot more parents to attend, and to bring kids (no school tomorrow and no clashes with weekends kids sports fixtures). Plus for people like me, you finish your working week, relax whilst watching live sport on the Friday night and still have the full weekend. I find that Saturday night or Sunday afternoon/ evening and to take up a lot more time as you can waste the day waiting for start time to come around. Monday and Thursday nights would just not be anywhere near as well supported in Glasgow.

I sincerely hope that you're source is the wrongest source that there has been! Tigers fought hard to get Friday night racing. Which is the preferred sports watching night in Glasgow. The promotion has done a lot of good, and hard, work to get lots of kids along which would be affected by going midweek. Plus they'd lose the fixtures that you look for in the calendar...Edinburgh, Berwick and Poole, and replace them with a lot of teams that aren't anything special (no offence intended) I know that the Facennas have plans for top level speedway in Glasgow but I don't think that the time is right. IF Glasgow were going to go Premiership, only Redcar and Oxford haven't announced their 8+ rider and Harris, Wright & Masters haven't been announced. Almost certain that Redcar have signed Wright & Masters is at Oxford. So would Bomber really be the rider to miss out at Championship level? And, where would Glasgow get a number 1 to rival Bewley, Fricke, Doyle, Kurtz & Holder? It's not like GP starts are queuing up to ride in the failing Premiership

He'd love Ashfield

Unlikely to bring masses of entertainment on a gate and go track like you have at Poole. In last seasons playoff final Bomber got nowhere near passing anyone, and he is currently the best rider in Britain at overtaking. If Bailey is as good as the hype (I've never seen him race) then his talents would be better displayed elsewhere. Hopefully he does get a Championship spot somewhere next year though as I'd like a chance to watch him round Ashfield.