False dawn

Why did Leicester choose 2 & 4? Gate 4 has had only one heat winner?

Just thinking what a talent. Has one wobbly ride and then comes out and beats the opposing No.1. Really hope it's not as bad as it looked.

Oh, that's what a screwdriver's for

Are you sure?

What are the odds on that eh? Amazingly about 1 in 6000 apparently. I never even heard of it happening let alone seen it, and on

Jason Garrity rode for Redcar yesterday

I never said his posts were ignorance. I said, if you as someone with a good working of the sport can only state the blindingly obvious doom and gloom we are lost indeed. We need a positive approach and suggestions what can be done to turn the corner. I apologise for opening my mouth.

You're going to hate me.... Greg's going to win it.

[getting back on topic] I find it slightly ironic that people are calling for less shale to improve the racing. Surely more shale on the inside line would provide multiple racing lines. But then, without those old fashioned men with rakes, the inside would quickly become slick.

He certainly was. Well turned out and a stylish competitor.

He'd better be, otherwise Scotland wouldn't have a team. Oh bugger, he's retired hasn't he?

Would you speculate a couple of million on a new stadium in the Coventry area please?

Funny thing is, my Dad told me they said the same thing when they changed from the big wheels.

As Voltaire said, "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it". I guess my postings sent the wrong message. For sure I think we're on the same side. But please, some constructive comment would be welcome, rather than doom and gloom. There are a lot of riders, promoters, track staff and fans who want to see our sport continue, nee thrive (and they read this stuff). You know the sport. Tell us some way, however small, how we can turn the corner.

I am an intelligent fellow who's followed the sport for many years. So let's get real. Thompson twins, give up. James, my money was for nothing, retire now. The Save Coventry Speedway Committee: you're wasting your time along with the local council and our MP, disband now. Oh and Buster, that was a shambles you put on last Thursday, retire now while you're ahead. I suggest you leave us in splendid ignorance.

No. Just be quiet.

There is a team of people trying to get the Bees up and running again. There are youngsters riding their hearts out on 125's and 250's for no money trying to be the next World Champion. There are riders putting their lives on the line every week wondering how to balance the books. Need I go on? You offer nothing to encourage these people. If you think you know they are deluded, leave them in ignorance please?

So building a new stadium (Coventry or Bristol) isn't an investment? I look forward to watching your "sport" on a field somewhere.

Just pack yourself on the back you're not in there fighting to make speedway great. Your negative analysis is less than helpful.

I wondered about CH's commitment this year. He nearly lost a point in my estimation for that. He disappeared off the bottom of my scale last Thursday. So yes, I can argue with that.

I've written elsewhere about Arnold Haley. Stay with me. It's relevant. I met him a few years ago and he told me about his days as an England International. He went to Oz with the Lions and was living it up. After a couple of meetings he got fed up and decided to come home. When the Aussie promoters heard, they opened their cheque books and persuaded him to stay. He had hire cars, the best of accommodation, top dollar. He didn't hold them to ransom. He got paid what it was worth the promoters were willing to pay. Do we want to be the best? Well employ the best.

You spoke in more detail than I, but I could have written your post. As a neutral last Thursday I came away disillusioned. What the home fans thought was more explicit. You're in a very small minority from what I witnessed last Thursday

I could be persuaded by such arguments. We could debate this back and forward but it would be a waste of time. Every form of motorsport spends endless funds on going faster. It's what competitors do. But as to the case in hand. No one has managed to beat Nicki Pedersen's track record of 57.6 set on 11th September 2002. Last Thursday we had a time of 58.06 set in heat 3 by Robert Lambert. My reaction was the usual, "The tracks too fast. We won't see good racing tonight". In the very next race we had the sight of a senior home rider, "flat tanking it" and finally "retiring". You tell me. If I see quality home riders setting (almost) record times and others giving up, what am I to think? My conclusion? Sometimes you have to attack the conditions that are put in front of you. If the track had been over watered or there was rain (beyond the Peter Kaye spitting) I might have a different view. The reaction from me and many home fans around me was "Get on with it". The impact of this debacle will certainly hit KL's income. Given the critical state of many track's profitability, it could end speedway at KL altogether.

Interesting though isn't it? Redcar have an equal "points scored on the road minus points lost at home" rating as....... Edinburgh! And they have scored more points on the road than anyone except Glasgow. Although Glasgow have done this from less meetings. The stats suggest there is a lot left in this league race to the play offs.

When a senior rider leads the call for a meeting to be stopped and refuses to appear on track, serious action is called for. I have this from someone who was in the pits last Thursday. I was on the terraces and I was ashamed of the sport I've followed all my life. I know about rider safety but I also know when riders have put themselves in danger by riding a track timidly. If every track has to be the same, we'll all be watching billiard tables with no shale. If a track is unsafe, it's the ref that makes the call to halt proceedings. Hang your heads in shame, those that let us all down last Thursday.