False dawn

Jason was signed by Ipswich on 8.21 to be precise.

He finished on 5.47 with Peterborough in 2019. So if my maths are correct that woud make him 8.21 at Championship level.

I think that's right. Poole 2016.

When the chips are down?

Of course they will. You're right, if we're going to (forced to?) grow our own, we need to make the most of all and every story. I think I understand the Polish restrictions on riders even if I don't like them. But have they said anything about one off appearances? What about a late season appearance by Woffy in an individual or pairs event? That would make a column inch or two, especially if he'd just won the World Championship. I can dream.

Try this one 2019 National League Teams Declaration (final)

Amen to that. In fact, we should all be happy if the sport can see a way forward and not disappear altogether.

And you know what it makes you and me when you assume anything?

They're already electric. What do you think provides the ignition spark? I'll get my coat.

When I made my choice to not take a refund, I did have it in mind that the demand for tickets could be significantly higher next year after this year's drought. And maybe the psychological effect of already having my tickets i.e. whenever this meeting is held, I know I'll be there, has a positive effect on me.

Who, in this country, wouldn't give his right arm to be watching his weekly fix in a NSS type stadium?

Quite right. The original email said we will get another 30 days to apply for a refund following the announcement of a new date. However, reading the Belle Vue announcement for next year's dates, they are described as provisional so I assume (?) we won't be given an opportunity to get a refund until the date is confirmed. Whenever that might be.

Wembley tickets England v Scotland 18th June 2021 A close mate of mine has two tickets in a corporate box for this match. He paid £300 each, but he didn't know when he bought them that it was going to be the same day as his Covid-19 postponed wedding. If you are interested, he is looking for someone to take his place. It's at Hamilton Registry Office, at 2.30pm. The bride's name is Moira, she's 5'4", about 8 stone, quite pretty, has her own income and is a really good cook.

I agree with your basic premise but I would encourage a positive spirit. Rather than (metaphorically) sticking two fingers up to Polish speedway (or any other country) let us, as you say, go back to basics. The objective should be to build something that has a solid business footing and from a sporting point of view is attractive to participants and fans alike. There are aspects of the current British set up that are key to success e.g. team racing. So let us not throw out the baby with the bath water. But it is clear that the sport has been declining over many years and the pandemic has just made that much worse in a short period of time. The authorities have to recognise that we are at a cross roads and unless a fundamental review is undertaken soon there won't be anything left worth worrying about. Surely an emergency group (I won't say committee) drawn from promoters, riders and fans could reform the sport and secure it's future. Put everything on the table, including sustanability, the costs, the technology, rider income expectation and what will be attractive to fans both live and via TV. The patient isn't dead (yet). We can rebuild him. But you can only solve a problem if you recognise there is one.

Well I went to 4 youth meetings this year and the behaviour of fans was good. The crowds were big enough that poor social distancing could easily have been a problem but it wasn't. In fact the conduct of fans was significantly better than many people I've encountered in the local supermarket.

i've been an advocate of one league. But, ironically, don't you need more riders to fill all the teams in one league as opposed to riders doubling up in two?

I am, like many I'm sure, very disappointed by this news. Elllis not only made history last year, but made a lot of fans by his never give up attitude. From a short conversation I had with him, he also struck me as a decent bloke. I am a little dismayed by Stewart Dickson saying he is unhappy about comments made by Ellis (?). I really hope that Ellis might return to the sport in the future and my sincere desire is that no bridges have been burnt with Leicester.

That's a clear and detailed analysis of Arnie's final years in the sport. Thank you. Are you able to give us a similar summary of his years at the top?

You have to have some sympathy. We've been doing that for years.

I know the scale is not the same, but this reminds me of Workington closing after winning three trophies.

Yes I remember that. Whatever next? Double points?

The "stadium" was full. The whole of the speedway world was watching on T.V.

So there are a set of rules and procedures covering possible postponements. These include the provision for a one day event and a reserve day on the Sunday. So why oh why did they start this meeting on the Saturday when it was clear that they only "hoped" they could get to heat 14? If that heat 15 accident had happened in say, heat 6, what then? Well, I suggest, the riders would have said it was too dangerous, the meeting would have been called off and a full 23 heat final would have taken place on the Sunday when the weather forecast had already suggested better conditions. Instead of that, in a year of precious little speedway, we all feel cheated.

Wouldn't it be ironic if we got an early fixture list for 2021. We've been shouting at the promoters to do this for years. Oh well, it only took a global pandemic.

Olly Allen came to a meeting of the Nuneaton Supportes Club in February. He has been very active in getting the Poultec apprenticeship going. It provides for recognised engineering qualifications as well as specialist speedway knowledge. This includes bike and engine training, track craft (regular track days under the guidance of senior riders) and other aspects of being a professional rider such as diet, keeping in good shape and dealing with the fourth estate. Olly brought several youngsters from the course with him to the meeting and their appearance, ability to speak, and thier overall demeanour was very impressive. Olly explained that he has been jointly recruited to the GB Team Management with Simon Stead because of his expertese with young riders. What he is bulding is a speedway academy and I, for one, wish him well in this endeavour.