oldtimer

Absences are the reason I don't go anymore. too many injuries. Bikes are faster, more powerful but tracks are the same size, either bigger tracks which cant happen or make the bikes slower.

Don't think it was crud from Somerset, difference was Plymouth reserves 15+5 Somerset reserves 7+1.

Belle Vue at Lakeside end of May they had four guests and won boosted by 27 points from their guests. Last Friday Belle Vue returned again to Lakeside and had three guests and R/R. Just two of the many examples why the teams advertised are just select sides made up from riders from other clubs.

Well done to Brady 5th in U21, but will he be missing a vital Play Off match on 18th September?

Used to attend Premier League every week even had season ticket for few years. Don't go now because of missing riders, foreign commitments R/R, guests and the number of absences caused by injuries because the bikes have got more powerful but the size of the tracks is still the same. Also to much standing around with nothing happening due to poor presentation. Plenty of speedway on TV.

It always was a farce with the joker and outclassed teams in the qualifiers.

I doubt the 10 people queuing for chips made much difference, and if you were desperate for chips or a beer there are plenty of gaps between races. It's only a small thing, but I have overheard many others voice the same opinion to one another. Used to go to Oak Tree every week and water truck made regular appearance. A great race track and great racing and I won't mention the music or I will be accused of complaining.

First visit to Oak Tree this season, unfortunately they still have unnecessary 10 minute interval, not welcome on a chilly evening. In Heat 11 the Steward on 3rd bend not aware that when a rider is on the ground and the red lights come on, he has to raise his red flag. What has happened to the water truck, dust storm in second half of meeting, and no effort to dampen it down, is it ok for customers to be covered in dust? On the plus side racing good and heat 13 the best race I have ever seen anywhere. Brady looks an outstanding prospect, but the young have no fear, and he needs to take fewer chances or he will end up injured again.

Should be a good match at the Oak Tree in Somerset. It's also Rebels v Rockets

Could not get hold of Coventry Management, don't all promoters have each others mobile numbers? If not why not?

True guests and R/R it may not affect the quality of the racing, but to go every week you need to support and feel some connection to a team of your own riders, a lot of matches now are no better than challenge matches and would you go each week for a challenge match?

What you suggest would require something called common sense and planning, alas qualities lacking in the majority of those who run speedway.

I'm an oldie, 69 years next month, but I am also fed up with the old music that is played at my home track. Decent music can create an atmosphere, that's why they have background music in films. Tracks can't create the atmosphere of the Cardiff GP because there is not enough people, but they can create the excitement and the music and presentation, why they can't be bothered beats me, perhaps you have to have a Performing Rights licence and pay a fee to play music that is less than 30 years old. Also agree the presenters and the presentation needs to be updated.

Well done to John Cook in this weeks Speedway Star, at last a promoter who has taken his head out of the sand and spoken some sense. A cut down version of his article is as follows. "Speedways hard core fans are losing heart with the sport and he feels their voices need to be heard, even if promoter's don't feel comfortable hearing what is being said. This sport is slowly losing it's hardcore and it's taking the mickey out of it's hardcore if it doesn't believe these problems aren't being felt by fans turning away from the sport. Anyone who thinks their club and the business as a whole is worth it's salt should take time to at least twice a year, meet their fans and talk openly to them. They should take the criticism because a lot of it is justified. There needs to be direct input from the fans at the highest level. Those in power have to listen to the fans. The fans are disillusioned and their patience is being tested." At last a promotor who has taken his head out of the sand and said what many fans feel and why like myself after over 50 years of and on, following speedway, I don't go anymore and only watch it on TV.

A mistake to leave Cook out, Aussies will go straight to final.

Just checked next weeks programmes in TV guide and no Swedish speedway next week listed, seems French Open tennis has got in the way. Hopefully back the following week.

It's on Eurosport every Tuesday night. Orion - you are obviously a horse racing fan?

This is one of the reasons, although not the most important, why I have stopped attending. Unfortunately my local track think that with the tension and excitement mounting with just 3 heats to go, they will let things go flat by having an interval after heat 12. The worst case was the end of last season when it was a cold night, their was a couple of R/R's, which resulted in many extra 2 minutes for riders doing two on the trot. The meeting had dragged on a bit, but it was still announced an interval after heat 12. Everybody around me said the same, why can't they just get on with the match. You have to stand around watching tractors after heat 12 and then another delay two heats later while they work out who is in heat 15.

Your forgetting they are without Stead and Bellego

Not had a match at Oak Tree yet this season without home/away guests.

What a complete farce, once again speedway has shown what an amateur run sport it is and will never be taken seriously by the media. Did they not test the gate before the meeting started, did they not have spare starting equipment and magnets, it beggars belief. Nobody seemed to be in charge or willing to make a decision it just dragged on and on, good job it was not a football crowd. Phil Morris should stick to his catering business.

Should have seen that joke coming. In my youth was a bronze standard fencer at foil, but reactions too slow nowdays.