False dawn

According to the article in the Star they have had specialist help with the more difficult areas of damage, as well as the regular track staff and an army of volunteers. The general gist of the article was that everyone is working very hard to make the circuit ready in time for league racing. I'm sure if they could have run the youth training this weekend they would have. I have to say that there have many comments about the extent of the damage caused. There wasn't just "a few bent poles". The starting gate was destroyed and there was mention today of damage to the transponder wiring.

Generally I agree. But the authorities, for whatever reason, decided to give Tai a WC. Would you turn it down if you were him? The fact that he is not going to be fit enough came later and from what we hear, it wasn't for the want of trying.

A more generous interpretation of what little we know is that Tai was badly injured. Then against the odds he's offered a WC for this year's GP series. He accepts in the hope that working very hard he can be fit in time. Unfortunately his body didn't quite co-operate enough to make the fairy tale come about. Just saying.

Having watched a lot of BSN meetings last year, I realised (again) what a good job they are doing. I'm sorry BVTV, your presentation was amateurish, the lead commentator didn't seem to know who was who and the camera work seemed designed to miss any overtaking. If I can't get to this meeting next year I will not be buying the stream again.

I hope the weather forecast improves.

Good job we don't have the Leicester Hunters anymore, eh?

BSN confirmed by email that they are not covering this meeting. Belle Vue told me a week ago by email that it wasn't scheduled but to watch the website for details.

Not by choice if my reading between the lines is accurate.

Now there's two name to conjure with. I met Kevin with his now more famous son at a NSSC meeting not so long along. A humble and kindly fellow who I had a lot of time for back in the day. But Andy Hackett. I remember him riding at Brandon after the second halves, right through to his senior team days. Whatever happened to him?

Good luck Northampton. We all wish you well. Period

Joking aside. This is a great chance to keep the Bees name alive, and to revive some of those memories of classic ties between these two great sides. The Bees always came to Cowley and gave a good account of themselves. It will be a pleasure to go back in time for one night at least. I don't live local anymore but I'll bee there. I hope to see many old friends there as well.

Well done to the pair of them. I'm suitably impressed.

Oxford manager Peter Schroeck said: “We will give the Coventry fans a side that they get right behind, and we also may have a surprise or two up our sleeves." I'm telling you, at least one of the H&H pairing are making an appearance 😂

And Northampton fans. Are there any?

I remember listening to Chris Morton at a Nuneaton Supporters club meeting a couple of years ago talking at length how he designed the NSS track. He couldn't find any plans of the Hyde Road circuit. But he visited the site of the original track and found that the inside kerb still existed on the ground. So he measured that all out and started from there. So in a real sense the Hyde Road circuit lives on. Pity they haven't got a roller coaster that overlooks the track though, eh?

I don't hold out much hope for a Cheetahs win with the Bees fielding Bomber as their third heat leader behind Greg and Billy. We might even squeeze Freddy Hodder into the team and still manage the win. 🤣

Given that the two leg semi final will be a lucrative pair of fixtures, will we see teams "manipulating" their final league position to finish 2nd or 3rd rather going for the top slot? It's not like you get anything for winning the pre playoff league is it?

I remember, quite vividly, watching Philip around the NSS in 2021. This was in the 2 day SON final when because of two early injuries and Covid travel restrictions he was left as Sweden's only rider there. As a clear underdog the crowd took him to their hearts and he played to it. He actually rode very well, scoring 26 from 11 rides with every ride being a win or 2nd. He rounded off the end of the second day with a visit to the track on foot to thank the crowd for their support. A real showman. From what I know of the team spirit at Ipswich, he'll fit right in. [edit] I was forgetting the 4320 scoring system. Philip's every ride were 2nds or 3rds

Yes

It is a bit curious though, isn't it? The last time i went to Cardiff I paid £18 (early bird price). And the place was more than half empty which lead to no more GPs there. I have to say though that I went to the Friday meeting at BV last year and as we left I did say that the meeting we'd just seen was a real candidate for the best GP ever. Perhaps real fans want to see real racing eh? [edit] P.S. I've just bought two day tickets for this year.

A few "interesting" names in this list....

I think I asked BV to include such a roll of honour on their website last year. But I can't find it if they have. The only reference I can find is on the Peter Craven page on Wikipedia... "Since 1967, there has been a Peter Craven Memorial meeting held intermittently at the Belle Vue Stadium in honour of his memory. Winners of the Memorial have included World Champions Ivan Mauger (the inaugural winner), Ole Olsen, Peter Collins, Greg Hancock, Jason Crump and Chris Morton" Jason Doyle has won it [edit] twice four times and Brady Kurtz won it last year. I'm sure other fans can fill the blanks on recent winners at least.

We generally book parking at the school next door for the big meetings. You can book this on the ticketing website. The access looks tight but we've never had problems getting away quite quickly after the meeting.

Danyon Hume Racing (31st Dec 2025 on FaceBook) I would like to take a moment to sincerely thank all of my supporters. The back end year has been an incredibly tough one following my broken back injury, and I am still currently waiting for the metalwork to be removed. Throughout this challenging period, the support, encouragement, and patience shown to me has meant more than I can put into words. I’m extremely grateful to everyone who has stood by me, and I’m hopeful that 2026 will be a far more positive year and I will back on the bike with no doubt. Thank you all for your continued support — it truly doesn’t go unnoticed. Happy New Year

Thank you. But my question remains; if stock cars are/were possible, why is speedway impossible?