FAST GATER

Doyle has a finite time left in the sport ,therefore needs to make the best financial decisions he can to maximise his income .

Hans was an an amazing rider but Bart is centainly not "way behind him" !

Me too Dean !

I would love him to do that to prove all the "doubters" of him being the GOAT wrong !

The great Frank Varey used to throw the sweets to the kids as he graded the track at Elle Port in the 70's wonderful servant to the sport !

That's the problem it's ended up as a semi pro sport just the riders have not realised that yet ,even in the 70's Gulf league ( now PL ) riders except for the Mauger & Co had part/full time jobs !

I take no pleasure in the fact that the sport in this country has finally ended up at a semi professional level maybe it can survive and consolidate what is left ,it can't go on as it is that's for sure .

Sad news Brian was what the old NL was about solid reliable rider who went on to be a manager ,promoter and owner of s/way teams RIP .

Anywhere other than being involved in s/way track prep !

Still seems expensive for a Mill Stone !

Between 8 and 10 times( to value a business) is what I normally work on as rule of thumb freehold /long lease have a significant effect neither of these factors apply to many speedway teams .

Excellent analysis this was exactly the position when we looked at purchasing a club in the 70's "you are buying smoke " you haven't touched on the the most costly non asset element the RIDERS !

That has been true of British S/way for the last 30yrs plus ,like it or not the wage demands what we would call "star riders" ( not saying whether a rider is worth it or not ) has alwys had to be mostly if not totally underwtitten by third parties .

I personally have nothing but respect for CL he has been a wonderful servant to s/way as a rider and promoter ,I am certain in real terms owners /promoters in s/way do it for the love of the sport . I tried in the 70's to persuade my father to buy a speedway team (he was a massive fan of the sport) his reply was it is thankless and profitless passtime at best. Chris L has made a huge decision I would image it is one of the hardest things he's had to do in his entire s/way career .

Think NIcholls as a second string would be great signing at home he could still beat anyone and be a nice way to sign off his career .

A wise promoter once said to me many years ago 40/38 and how you got there was more important than a win even , it's true you can forgive a home loss if the racing plus result are close and exciting IMO ! The last thing you want to see is countless numbers of 5/1's and four riders strung out with the last one parking up on the centre green with a lap to go .Whilst I don't want to see 1970's World of Sport wrestling ( fixed and badly rehearsed) something in between maybe achievable . There is nothing better than two riders side by side elbow to elbow entering the last bend and one winning by half a wheel, ,demanding skill trust with the result being in many respects irrelevant . As far as I know there are no great rewards for winning the leagues in this country , extra income for the play off's but who cares who wins it's how they do it IMO .

Sadly I think that may well be the situation most of the people I speak to or come in contact with have zero knowledge or interest in the sport ,when you start talking about it they often "glaze over" (in the same way I do about football) or think that it ceased to exist anymore . IMO the sport needs someone to inject a significant amount of money and raise the profile ,not unlike Wrexham FC a perfect example of what money can do !

Much needed here IMO

I stand corrected on Doug T

Speaking as a former sponsor rider's start off grateful end up demanding , maybe just my bad luck but it happened almost everytime

Second left Charlie Monk Second Right Doug Templeton

The fan I spoke to at the weekend said Bomber and Scott would be the dream duo and a great way to end their careers .

Had the good fortune to meet an avid Plymouth fan over the weekend he informed that immediiately Scott N arrived the whole team and club seemed to get an incredible lift .In no time at all his merchandise was flying off the shelves and he was being lauded by almost every supporter .His approach to riding ,team mates and the fans meant in his opinion his return for 2026 was crucial even if he may no longer an out and out number 1 at Champ level . It was great to witness this enthusiasm which we don't see a great deal of within our sport these days !

I think it was more of personal/ family matter rather than injury finished him .

Scott will be pushing 48 yrs old by the time the next season starts ,thought he would of had a final season at Oxford ( he had said he would finish there in the past ) so maybe wants to break the half century as a rider !