PersonalResponsibility

I don't think I've ever seen a ref "accidentally" press the red button. Thankfully, Edinburgh didn't come out of it any worse off, but that's a very serious mistake...

I'm well aware of your stance on playoffs, and while I disagree, you're entitled to that. I don't quite see how teams had "no choice" whether to sign up, it's quite a straightforward choice in my mind: do or don't. Using that same logic, you can argue it's immoral that teams have to enter PL football knowing that there are no playoffs. Let's also remember, if the clubs didn't want playoffs so badly, they can all vote against them at the AGM. Thankfully they don't, playoffs are brilliant. One of the best things to happen to speedway in years and years.

https://ekstraliga.pl/en/se/world-cup-in-warsaw It's been on here since 16/01/25.

Sheffield lost the league championship the moment they didn't score enough points at Leicester on Monday. End of story. integrity /ɪnˈtɛɡrɪti/ noun - 1.the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. Seven Premiership teams signed up to ride this season, each of them knowing that a play-off would decide the league winner. It wouldn't seem very "honest" or "moral" to me that Sheffield be crowned champions despite losing in the play-offs. In fact, I'd say that's...the opposite.

Poland already seeded leaves the other final spot between GB/Australia/Denmark, realistically. I wonder what odds you'd get on the 'draw' for the SWC semis splitting up whichever two sides get there? Hard to see anything else than a GB/Australia/Denmark/Poland final already. I'm sure it makes sense from a financial perspective, less so from a sporting one.

It shouldn't be pitched at having to choose between 1 team or 2, it should be pitched as sign the contract at what we're willing to pay or don't. I know the world has moved on since the 80s/90s, and there aren't many jobs now who'll bend over backwards to accomodate speedway riders, but their bluff has to be called at some point. If clubs want one league, and clubs can only afford X amount, that is what the riders will have to do. Of course, I'm sure some will say "stuff it", but how many realistically will? They'll still be reasonably paid for what is, let's be honest, a better 'job' than most.

Which would be great news, but why did they mention the "growing speculation" about the leagues merging in their statement? Strange thing for an official statement to mention IMO.

OMG, I bet they're bringing green helmets back.

Piotr Pawlicki should be in with that logic, he's a better rider than Przyjemski. If WP is good enough he'll get there. Cierniak was essentially in the same position when he won the U21s and hasn't kicked on, the GPs are so tough for young riders IMO.

Hopefully the tension and pressure make it a good final, but as a neutral it makes no difference. The racing at Ipswich and Sheffield is equally boring. It'll be the case every year unless BV continually get to the final. At least Ipswich have more entertaining riders than Sheffield.

That's probably one of the first times this season that the TV meeting has truly produced. Sensational stuff. Tension, drama, good racing. Long live the playoffs.

https://sportowefakty.wp.pl/zuzel/1210250/zuzel-nadchodza-lepsze-czasy-dla-grand-prix-przyszlosc-rysuje-sie-w-jasnych-barw "The Grand Prix has faced some challenges in recent years, but I think the future looks bright. Of course, there will still be challenges, but I believe the future will be beneficial for the sport and the fans," Parsons tells us. What does Parsons say to this? "Sit back, fasten your seatbelts, and pay attention. Things are about to get interesting," the American company's director replies.

Blimey, we'll be on to Septemberfield by time the new season rolls around.

You're right, my bad. I've just found it deep in an Ekstraliga article about it - August 29th 2026. Bank Holiday weekend too, sounds ideal. The wording also suggests maybe it's just the final in Warsaw: "I consider this our success, and in the meantime, I invite everyone to Warsaw on May 17 this year for the Grand Prix and on August 29, 2026, to the PGE Narodowy." If WBD went back to a SWC across 2/3 countries again I think I'd forgive them for everything.

No surprises so far. Kacper Mania running wild on Bydgoszcz.

They did say they were having the SWC in May at Warsaw, which sounds like the biggest 'I'll believe it when I see it' yet.

It's interesting this year (or should be) because you'd expect Fricke, Vaculik, Doyle, or Thomsen/Michelsen to get them, but I'm not sure they will. Fricke is nailed on obviously, but will Doyle be when there are 3 other Aussies. Same as Thomsen/Michelsen when you already have Madsen/MJJ. I think Vaculik just about deserves one more season. That then leaves a nice Emil/Artem shaped gap...alas...

I sometimes wonder how Ole Olsen ever used to manage? You'd get the odd glimpse of him in his tractor or talking to the ref and that was that. If you don't get Morris prancing about or unnecessarily sprinting somewhere, you've not seen a GP.

BZ - 10 sprint points / BK - 9 sprint points. If you took away all of the points they'd be level. What about the 23 points BZ gained on BK by finishing above him 4 times? Both have been incredible this season, all season. The sprint races are neither here nor there and they both knew the rules of the game.

Incredible. 5 GP wins in succession and he still couldn't quite manage it. What a warrior Kurtz has been this year. Bartosz now officially amongst the best to ever do it. What a privilege it has been watching these two going at it this year. Amazing. Speedway is the real winner of that battle.

Brady nearly as quick to that gate one as he is on a bike! 😁

Come on Robert!! Bust a gut to get that 7th place so they can then just give Fricke a WC anyway 🥳

What are the countback rules? Kurtz and Lebedevs tied for score & race positions but Lebedevs beat him?

Pickering has the 2nd leg of the 2. Ekstraliga final this Sunday.

Football is more expensive, but there are a lot more football fans and subsequently more demand in the first place. Even then, I'd argue £30 is on the high side for L1 and I've seen others saying the same. The Stock Car World Championship is an annual event, I don't think you can realistically compare that with a run of the mill league meeting. I personally think the £20-25 range you've listed for standard stock car meetings would be a fair price for Premiership speedway. Closer to £20 for normal league meetings and then bump it up a little when the POs come around. As has been said above though, the price is what people are willing to pay for it. Look at the GP section of this forum, it's full of people decrying the price of tickets for the GP at Belle Vue and yet there was 5,500 people there. Yes, it's only an annual event the same as the Stock Car World Final, but the cheapest ticket was £69 for one meeting and people still paid it.