False dawn

Oh come on Norbold. We all know you were there.

Seems sensible. Does that mean it won't happen?

Ah but, the smell isn't nearly as good!

And the whole of Coventry, speedway fans or not, had heard of Nigel Boocock. 18 years in the same team will do that for you.

I think we'll have to agree to disagree

You didn't say where the finish line would be. I think Plough Lane is the only circuit where the start and finish didn't coincide (Fd stands by to be hit with a barrage of other examples!). More than once riders shut off as they passed the start line after 4 laps only to find their opponents whizzing by to the finish line further down the straight.

Reintroduction? I is one!

Something so remarkable, almost unbelievable that we're still talking about it nearly 50 years on. He was good wasn't he?

The smiley was a clue. But hey ho.

Ask me in October

I never got round to watching this film till now. Quite entertaining but best of all..... Through exhausts. Hmmmmm

You waited till later in life. You joined the forum and started p!ssing over us all. No offence Steve, the thought occurred and I couldn't resist it! (he'll get me back)

This is included in the price. You don't expect any meat in the pies surely? Just kidding Scunthorpe. This evening is a great idea and wish I had something similar to go to. Good luck with this venture and I hope it gets the support it (and the riders) deserves.

Surely Tony should be viewed as an "expert witness" in this discussion. Most, if not all, of the other councillors will have no knowledge of the speedway tradition at Brandon first hand. He can declare a vested interest and provide input to the discussion on that basis.

The council meeting to discuss this bid is Tuesday, 13th Feb. I have written to the Cabinet Member for Public Health and Sport, Rois Ali (rois.ali@coventry.gov.uk) asking him to lend his support to our desire to keep Brandon open. I acknowledged the fact that the stadium is in the Rugby Borough Council area but set against this the fact that "We don't look good applying to be the City of Sport and at the same time allowing a 90 year old sporting tradition to die [for the sake of 130 houses]."

Coventry may look to add to City of Culture title Just a couple of months after being named UK City of Culture for 2021, Coventry is lining up another title - European City of Sport in 2019. The City Council's cabinet votes on whether to submit a bid when it meets next week next week and the recommendation in a report from council officers is that they enter the race. They are going to look good should Brandon continue to be closed and subsequent demolished aren't they?

You have a clear choice this year: 1. Go to Leicester and support the Bees NL team. 2. Stay home. Some of implications of each.... 1. You are supporting 7 riders trying to make their way in the sport. Some of your entrance fee will go into Mr Horton's pocket. However, this is not really relevant to the future of Brandon Stadium. Regardless of the outcome of the Leicester venture, Mr Horton has no intention of bringing speedway back to Brandon. The Leicester venture is a financial success. This at least means the Bees have one more year as a successful speedway club. You are giving your support to the view expressed by BE in their planning application in section 6.36 stating that Leicester is a more suitable (permanent) home for Coventry Speedway. This and several other statements in the said document are intended to influence the planning authorities in their favour. 2. 7 riders will suffer (assuming there aren't enough funds to pay them regardless of our attendance). You can feel good about spiting Mr Horton. The Leicester venture flops, maybe even before the season is out and the Bees team disappears from the calendar altogether, at least for the next couple of years. The fact of the failure can be seen as justification for the planning application since it proves that Coventry people are no longer interested in speedway. I suggest people make it clear to the planning authority why they are not going an extra 27 miles to watch NL racing. We must all decide on the balance of probabilities which option helps BE the most in their desire to demolish Brandon Stadium. For me, I believe I can make a case as to why I want Coventry Speedway in Coventry and why the Leicester venture can only represent a very temporary stopgap. I believe also why I can justify not going to Leicester without invoking any of the anti Horton clauses. Go down that route and the authorities will not listen. Don't get nasty (I know you want to, so do I) be polite and focus on the community/family/historical aspects of this heritage facility.

Why?

So draw the line in a fair manner. Top riders in the Premiership are not allowed to double up. Be it over 6, 7 or whatever average is thought sensible. That's straightforward and is equally penalising to all. What this rule does is arbitrary in the extreme. You have riders of similar ability being treated quite differently. And you wonder why they cry foul?

So there is no discretion? Perhaps that's what the official guidelines should say then? I've no axe to grind either way, I'm a Bees fan . But this is February and clubs are still debating various rules with the authorities which directly affect team building. That can't be right, surely?

I'm one of the 50% of the human race who has now been disqualified from comment on this subject. In fact, demonised. But hey ho. As we aren't allowed to comment without fear of retribution chaps, let's hear what the female members of the forum have to say about grid girls. Seriously, I'm interested to know if they are despised or secretly admired. Just asking.

You do know that we used have blokes in quite smart outfits, often colour coded to the helmet colours, long before gate girls, as you call them, were ever thought of? But on balance, I much prefer the girls! Happier times at a stadium I knew quite well.....

I was starting to be persuaded to support the "Bees" at Leicester. But this latest propaganda set of lies has hardened my resolve to not lend any measure of support to the venture. We are clearly being asked to support an explicit statement from BE in their planning application and thus justify their attempt to influence the planning authorities. They can appeal this until their blue in face. We haven't yet begun to fight. "Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Do not go gentle into that good night."

True. But your suggestion made sense and was fair and equitable. What's actually been enacted is patently unfair.

I'm not so shy.... Scott says: Thank you @SpeedwayGB ,I’m honoured to have made an “Outstanding contribution to British Speedway” & to be a “fine servant to British Speedway” for over 20 years. Great of you to now restrict me from earn a living. I will be releasing a statement soon, this is not the end of it.