RobMcCaffery

GI need the cash to pay for someone to keep fouling up the planning applications until the council finally give in and let them finish the housing estate instead of building the fictional stadium.

Disgusting behaviour - who do they think they are, Falubaz fans?

You must by now be thoroughly regretting your decision to return to the sport now Gresham. It's the old "It's worse elsewhere" excuse, the lowest of the low.

Your definition of abusive and mine are obviously at variance. I think you should be more concerned at the offensive behaviour of the Pole. 'Might have'? Surely you know or you don't? Delighted to return to the topic, and hopefully some honesty. And if you consider that worthy of a ban, I will wear it with pride.

With the exception of Monster these are Polish and German businesses. many of which were already involved. One Sport's propaganda seems to be working well. Apologies, I hadn't realised they weren't all Polish. It does show how these businesses' dedication to the sport is skin deep though. Ultimately it is up to individuals whether they believe that 'corporate speedway' is the way to go. It might bring some money in .... for some.... but I simply do not trust what is going on here. A lot of people seem mesmerised by One Sport's spin but then you can fool some of the people all of the time.

This is really beginning to get very worrying - uncertainty over the promotion, the sheer impossibility of running on Saturday nights in the EL, even before you look at a weakening team. I've only been once and it was a delight to be watching speedway in Leicester again after all those years, and in an impressive stadium for a speedway new build. It's now showing very concerning parallels with Newport, a track that should never have been lost. This one certainly shouldn't. I do hope the situation can be sorted out but changes have to be made, even if I'm just looking on from the sidelines - but very concerned.

No doubt we'll have the first instance of rider-replacement at reserve. Given the idiocy of this season it wouldn't surprise me....

Just to offer a little background, Wroclaw are struggling in their league and are having to race their home meetings in Poznan while their own track is rebuilt. It doesn't excuse their appalling behaviour but might help to explain. Back in the 70s the PZM's antics in releasing riders like Zenon Plech and Edward Jancarz to race over here was written-off as being down to communist bureaucracy. Seeing how the Polish clubs behave now I think we have to re-think that bit of history. Awful for Leicester. midweek or PL is the straight choice, but either way it must survive.

Yes, but the precedent was set by allowing Adam Ellis (in terms of ability if not experience) to sign for Eastbourne and there are plenty of riders more experienced than Hall riding in the NL. If it had been a weaker team applying I wonder if the decision would have been the same? Hauling out a 2004 average is pretty desperate as a blocking tactic. I hardly think Birmingham need to justify the age profile of the rest of their team.

It was claimed that the cost of giving star riders an extra tactical substitute ride was getting far too high in the Elite League so the double points option where the team benefits but the rider gets paid the same saved money. Poland and Sweden kept well clear of the idea, presumably because they could afford to carry on. Even in its original 'Golden Double' form with a handicap start I think few fell for the idea that it was some kind of step forward rather than a money-saving measure.

It's because it's a team sport, or at least an individual sport adapted into one. It attracts people who want to support a team and the bikes are just a means to an end like a ball in football or a puck in ice hockey. The scoring and general statistical side also attracts a different kind of supporter to general motor sport. Rather than try to fix labels or lament a wider interest in motor sport let's celebrate what we love and acknowledge that it is a sport 'apart'. We still have that 'club' feel at many tracks but it is greatly diminished since too many riders are far too busy getting to another country to stay after the meeting and get to know the fans. We're on the level of non-league football, the amateur level of rugby and what are minority spectator sports in the UK, ice hockey and basketball Just look at the crowd figures (estimated in speedway of course) to see. The difference is that while the last two do have limited numbers of foreign players they are based here and not constantly flying round Europe. How we think we can have riders flying thousands of miles to perform in front of hundreds of people does beat me. Too often those vital social links are now broken - they made people feel part of the 'club' and perhaps a little more tolerant and understanding of the odd defeat. It may have been a defeat, but it weas OUR team giving its all. If only we could find more to understand and share our love. Leave the 'labelling', whether kind or hostile to others.

Apparently it's no different to when the sport attracted decent crowds and had plenty of fixtures. So they tell us.

That's fine from the competitor's point of view but effectively they have used those 'lesser' championships for their own ends then cast them aside without consideration for the fact that they owe those competitions some respect and gratitude for their help. Okay, nobody's expecting the likes of Woffinden to go back to NL and PL level which helped nurture him but to put yourself above the sport in your home country and effectively walk away from the inconvenience of 'paying your dues' isn't likely to earn much respect, except from those with a similar selfish outlook on life. Could you imagine the Swedes and Poles putting up with a World Champion refusing to ride in their leagues and national championships? People have duties as well as rights. I think he's been badly advised by those seeing that the Aussies let their riders get away with avoiding their national championships. The British Championship involves just two meetings, one if a wild card is sensibly given, just as many as riding in a bogus pairs championship for a Polish business.

You could have plenty of new concepts for the sport, but the sport needs ones that benefit it, not outfits like One Sport that feed off it, pretending to be offering benefits to the sport. With the exception of Monster those brands are currently largely irrelevant outside Poland. Yes, it may grow, if they can find people dumb enough to become fans of corporations not their local teams or their nations. As for whether it could be of any benefit to the sport rather than One Sport and their corporate clients I really can't see it!

Oh they managed it prior that happening, occasionally. Bear in mind during the 90s Spedeworth were running stock car racing on the circuit and they take up far more space. It's surprising what you can fit onto the smaller tracks, especially if the competitors use their heads and don't go blasting full-throttle as if they were at Peterborough.

I remember when in the early 90s we were supposed to be getting sidecar teams together, Tragically one of the intended Rye House passengers was killed at Matchams Park and that was the last we heard of it.

robert72 is just a sad obsessive fixated not only on Tai Woffinden but also in closing Leicester Speedway. Lovely character, best ignored.

BBC WM often cover speedway in the West Midlands when they can but they didn't tonight. You can always check coverage here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/speedway/17839601

I expect it would work in Dubai with plenty of hype - at a similar budget to F1 and WSL for starters. As for in established speedway countries you need to impress more than the sponsors and supporters starved of star name riders like Croatia, Germany.......or Britain....

I read an article where One Sport were claiming that they could build this tournament into something resembling Moto GP or F1. Well, you can't fault them for aiming high. Apparently the sponsors are delighted with it. That makes it all right then......

It does work on Virgin's Tivo so must be a Sky problem.

Given the lengthy delay last night their delayed coverage policy worked this time, but as we know it isn't always going to be this way. Just one 7 am showing is still shocking, albeit better than nothing.

Always the glib, overconfident answer. It's clear that track is becoming dangerous. When you see riders of international standard losing control on their own you know there's already a serious a problem which abject neglect will not improve. Oh, I forget, this is Poole and your arrogance will always see you through. Your own star rider is repeatedly complaining about the situation, or is he just covering up his abject current form? (Leader in the GP, double-figures in Poland and Sweden).

I am sure that will be a comfort to the family(ies) of the rider(s) who stand to be seriously hurt on that rapidly-deteriorating track.

I was concentrating more on Karger and the stadium than noticing the dust. Bear in mind I've only seen one meeting at the old place since the Rockets folded in 1994. I've seen enough comments from here over the years and from friends who still go to know that the track's been an embarrassment for a long time which is why I was pleased to see it looking pretty reasonable in the clip. I put a heck of a lot of effort and commitment into that place in my time, despite having to walk away in 2000 for what were deeply personal reasons. I still care though, although now from a long distance.