For a contrary view I usually turn first to the Foreign Newsdesk - all the contributors do a great job and I'd happily see them given more space.
I agree with you that it's rare to find a rider interview that is genuinely illuminating and that given the circumstances the Star does well to keep going.
Not the case. As this report shows the casino operators were tired of CO prevarication and simply found another site.
https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news/13396818.speedway-plans-collapse/
Norwegian born riders
Most Seasons in the UK
Reidar Eide 15
Lars Gunnestad 10
Edgar Stangeland 10
Sverre Harrfeldt 8
Oyvind Berg 7
Odd Fossengen 7
Dag Lovaas 7
Certainly a factor, although that may be more of the reason bookies were not rushing to get involved. I think historically it is more to do with the 'gentleman's club' environment of speedway's administrators [The ACU was set up by the Royal Automobile Club to administer motorcycle sports].
There were a series of unlicensed meetings at Lea Bridge in 1932 where betting was allowed but it didn't catch on. See:
https://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/leabridge.html
We've had on course betting at Oxford Speedway (at the Championship Pairs). Don't think it wax a great sucess as they don't seem to have returned.
I think the betting industry's problem with Speedway is they don't like events that can be easily fixed.
Looked brilliant as an under 19 rider [6th in world under 21 aged 18 in 2021], but hasn't progressed as fast as some of his contemporaries (Pollestad, Parnitsky).
Not Oxfords first Latvian - anyone remember Kjasts Puodzouks?
Not unless 10.2.2 is rewritten. Otherwise is absolutely certain he will be 8.00
"Any rider who has been a GP rider for two consecutive seasons within the last five" => 8.00.
Also people tend to judge riders on their home average [it is where people see them most] and MPT's away average was a point higher than his home average last season.