oldtimer

Unfortunately I may be proved right (not for the first time) ,however first time I can remember Doyle having an off night.

We need all 3 points from Fridays match and possibly a point away on Saturday to get through to next round, however on the form book this is not guaranteed. Rebels lost at Plymouth in the challenge match, and although that performance looked ok at the time, it doesn't look so good now after both Ipswich and Rye House were successful down there. Therefore as this is such a vital away match Old Timer will be at Plymouth to give Gary his advice.

Yes it is too expensive for the entertainment given, an adult at my Premier League track has to pay £18-50. £15 admission £1 car park and £2-50 programme. It could easily be a more entertaining evening but most promoters think just put on 15 heats and that's it, no other entertainment going on apart from track grading.

I spoke to Debbie last season about fanfare, jingles, 2 minute announcement, but she said I was the only one who wanted them.

Najjer, I never thought I would ever say this but, thanks for your support! I was watching the Elite match on SKY last week at Wolves, music sounded up beat and great, announcer named the riders like a boxing announcer, played a howling wolf noise on victory parade, a firework after heat 15, all very cheesy perhaps, but it creates an atmosphere and surely better than standing in silence. Come on Somerset put on a show, some razamataz. The problem is of course you need to find someone to do it, but there must be a DJ out there somewhere who would be interested, need not cost a fortune and if it encouraged a few newcomers to come again, then money well invested.

SPOT ON!!! Barker remarked when interviewed in the club house, that "track was slick, if they had put some shale on the track he could have done passing", he continued, "never mind if they want to keep it slick that's fine, I will come with different engine next time." Ex Rebel andEexeter rider Graham Gordon also had a chat, Josh won rider of the night. Poor perfomance by the Ref who pressed the wrong button and let tapes go resulting in false start, and must have been looking the other way when given second place to tactical ride Tungate when actually (for some inexplicable reason) Heaps passed him into second place just before the line. A good meeting plenty of passing, Morris entertaining by missing the gate and impressed by Nielsen whoi looks a useful reserve, but oh dear the presentation is still lacking, can we please get someone to do the music and just a few jingles and turn the volume up just a bit, please!.

Rebels look a class above the Witches, apart from Barker the rest are second strings, even Lanham will struggle. A double figure win for the Rebels.

That's strange, I started this topic with the heading "Well Done Brian Gray", it's now changed to "Meet And Greet". As already mentioned Pete Toogood did this to a certain extent but Mike golding even more so. I suppose it depends if they have the time with other race night commitments. However a suggestions box is easy enough to set up.

According to The Star, Edinburgh have a new meet and greet policy and Director Brian Gray will welcome supporters as they arrive. He will be mingling with the crowd to see what comments fans have. They have also formed an "Ideas Group," group members will help Mr Gray in trying to pick up the public mood and feedback suggestions. I thought, what a refreshing attitude this is, unlike the BSPA, here is someone who is actually taking the trouble to find out what his customers want. "More power to your elbow Mr Gray."

Don't like the new layout at all. You have to search through it for your teams news instead of being able to go straight to it. No logo beside the team news and two or three items about the same club in two or three different places instead of all together. Please go back to old format.

At least he didn't get the names of the riders mixed up, or say someone who was last on first turn had made a great start.

Thought riders looked very smart on BSPA web site picture, team looks very strong, and with luck, hopefully will do as good or better than last season. Personaly I thought last season was disapointing in terms of results. There are six trophy's/cups on offer, League Cup, League Trophy, KOC, Pairs. 4TT, and Premier Leagu Riders Trophy, and last season we won one of them. Hopefully we can at least add the Pairs Trophy this year with Doyle/Morris, and depending on injury's and who benefits from the Tactical Double Points farce the League as well.

That's good did not miss anything then, although not good for riders.

Thought Johno and Wade were great. Made what was average racing sound exciting, and 100% better than the amatuerish, repetitive and mistake ridden efforts of Pearson and Tatum.

Checked the Rebels web site and it said practice unlikely and could meet riders in club house at 5pm, could not make it at that time so did not go. Frustrated that when I now look at web site on Saturday, it says it actually went ahead at 7pm as planned.

No replies to my question, so I rang up, and yes food is available. Looking at the weather forecast can we have early notice if evening practice is cancelled please and will I need someone to push my car out of the field?

Friday nights practice, is the usual food available?

exactly what is the problem, is it a secret?

It takes so long because it's a deliberate ploy to make you think you have had an evening out. If you got there for the first race at 7-30,and the meeting was over by 8-00 you would think that was an expensive half an hour and would not go again.

To answer your question, it's because it's governed by people who havn't a clue, could not organise a piss up in a brewery and can't be bothered to listen to what their customers want.

I cancelled my SKY sports end of last season, but I still get all Eurosport channels so they are free and must be part of the general SKY package.

Speedway must be one of the few businesses where the people who run it take no notice of what their customers want. You have a winning team and it's dismantled the following season to get below the team average, we hate the tactical double points, guest riders etc etc etc I could go on and on.

Well said Billybikesspeedway! We are not moaning here, although some will always think we are, it's about improving the evenings entertainment at no, or little extra cost, so even if racing not that good, new people will think they had a good time. I don't think Somerset can have "really loud volume" because of neighbours, but with speakers better placed more people could hear it, and with some upbeat and rousing tunes you can create an atmosphere. Can never match Millenium Stadium but that's no reason not to try.

Sounds good. I agree the music is dire, stood by judges box one meeting and 30 minutes of 50's country and obscure rock was enough. Normally stand on home straight banking where you can't hear the music just a tick tick like you are standing next to someone with earphones. Better music and the loudspeaker on judges box turned to the right would be great, so home straight banking customers don't stand in silence.

No suggestions yet on improving entertainment. I was watching Rugby yesterday and a rousing fanfare played whenever anyone scored. How about this for a 5-1, or even better music during the evening? Also well done Claus Vissing second in Ben Fund ahead of Hans, a tragedy we couldn't keep him!