Deano

I am hearing this second hand but they used to let the land out for track days anyway, for people to belt around in sports/rally cars, so I wouldn't have thought noise would be a problem. The land is own by GM Manufacturing Europe and may welcome some additional income. Big companies are into this working with the community type stuff, how better way of looking after your community by supplying land for them to use for speedway. Just a thought. Someone local write a letter and find out?

I have just been told that the GM car factory there, has lots of land which it uses for track days etc. Could this not be used for speedway too? They have just won the new generation Astra from 2010 so its future is secured for a few years yet. <edit> spelling

There are probably a lot more than we take for granted. I don't think the riders choose themselves neither, they more than likely go for the reliable options. I'm sure other than the current crop of GP riders from GB, there are several of similar ability that could fit into the team.

I agree with SCB, get him in the pits, let middlo be the tactician, Mark could help and give valuable advice to the youngsters while the seniors concentrate on trying to win.

eeerrrr you maybe!

Apparently 32,000 went to see the Sydney GP, that's just a little short of Cardiffs lowest attendances......... How come it was a financial failure? Re Cardiff, If I was a hotelier and fillinging it every year for the speedway GP. I'd charge more each year. That weekend would need to subsidise the ones when my hotel is cheap and empty. It's general commerce.

Yes exactly what I meant, they haven't got a track but if an expat were to open one then they could apply to join the BL.

I think Denmark or Sweden do the same don't they with Finish teams? Good idea I say, being an Island can't see it happening here, unless an expat in France or Ireland has an idea?

What about the complete opposite. Longest serving at the SAME venue, is this held by Coventry?

Horton was sugesting he wanted to move away from Mildenhall recently, could Milton keynes be it? I haven't heard anything by the way, just a thought I have.

Rogh, so where are the dogs and rugby club going? This sounds similar to the Exeter debacle, did the vikings explore joining them?

In recent years new tracks have pulled in new supporters, ie Plymouth, Trelawny (no doubt these are now lost to the sport), Somerset and Isle of wight. These are places that we would never thought speedway would re-appear/appear. Seems a shame that Newcastle and Redcar couldn't pool resources and have a feeder from Sunderland. I believe, (even though the council would never allow it, they don't like the idea of one let alone two), Birmingham could sustain two teams of the same level, one in the North (Brummies), one in the south (Bulldogs). This is because every Brummie fan comes from or was from the Great Barr/ Perry Barr/ Perry Beeches area, the southern team could tap new supporters from Hall Green\ Acocks Green\ Kings Heath etc areas that haven't had a team since the 1930's. There is potentially 1.1 million people to entertain, not everyone likes regular boozy nights up Broad Street.

Yes you are right.... Why didn't I notice that! Still a shame, quite a good catchment out there.

Love these topics on old clubs. Rayleigh isn't within a 30 mile boundary of another club I don't think. If there is enough nostalgic interest how come no land has ever been found. It doesn't look too built up over that way? City tracks are very hard to start, but look at Somerset!

Terrible news! Thinking of Antonin's family and friends during this tragic time.

Shazzybird, 90% of speedway fans agree with you...me included, its just that the remaining 10% are know alls and very vocal about it too! They are just making themselves look a tad silly. The best of the Brits were out there last night and I am sure they are beating themselves up this morning, but we still love 'em

Yes congratulations to Denmark, quality shone through in the end when the pressure was on. Last night SWC final answered my question as to why I love speedway, everyone gave it their all. The BSPA need to learn from the Danes adopt a similar system and incorporate it with the conference league. give it ten years and Team GB would be in the same position.

I'll ditto that thought, to be honest at the time my heart fell to my boots as I thought Pedersen was going to hit the fence. I think these guys know how to ride bikes better than we give them credit for at times.

Come on people I thought it made for great TV viewing. Maybe if it happened in football we might not view our players as over paid nancies, but ones that play with passion. I thought it was a very well presented match with plenty of heated on track and off track action. My dad who hasn't been to a match out of choice for donkeys years wants to go to Coventry soon on the back of last nights coverage. Every team wanted to win last night, and every team could have up until the last five heats, sky covered that emotion well. Either that or would you be happy with "spiffing attempt at an overtaking manoevre young man, shame you nearly fenced me what!"

A lesson for us there maybe? Glad to see they are looking after their own.

Like previously said, the seven man team would work if teams were more closely matched. Some matches could potentially be 5:1 all the way through, we would love it but the general public would poo poo it I think. The final at Cardif though, if GB were there would be fantastic.

So what...it's hardly a crime!

This is great news. Thanks again for the update.

I missed it can anyone put the result up?

Peter I think the gentleman involved revived Wimbledon instead. Think he is the Isle of Wight team manager now. Not sure if he is still interested or will ever pick it up again. edit.....Beaten to it by 25yearfan.....