boz

Bears should lineup as : 1 Paul Starke 2 David Wallinger 3 RR Charles Wright 4 Jonas B Andersen 5 Josh Auty 6 Simon Lambert 7 James Sarjeant

Meeting postponed and rescheduled for Monday. So at least 1 Bear should be riding!

Up by at least 20% at Redcar

I do tend to agree - definitely been more crashes into 1 and 2. A lot of the time due to a rider behind generating speed coming out of four and trying to divebomb past somebody.

Gary Irving had a massive smash coming off the fourth bend, was amazed when he walked back to pits.

Sounds like Bewley out of Glasgow next season - could we replace Garrity with Bewley and keep pretty much the same side (2 pointer for Ayres?)?

I wasn't personally at the Sheffield meeting so not sure on numbers, just going off what Kevin Keay has said on the radio. I know he is very happy with the crowd figures. I'm rubbish at estimating crowds, but I reckon at the low point last season maybe around 350. I'd say regularly around 700-750 and on the rise.

25% was reported a couple of months into the season - i would hazard a guess that has increased further with I believe our last Friday meeting against Sheffield being the biggest crowd of the season. Atmosphere has definitely changed completely, and signs are very positive for this to continue. Still very definitely a work in progress, but I am already looking forwards to next season.

For me Thursday night is speedway night! Our alternative has been Fridays, and crowds have not been noticeably down (although has always been helped by a healthy travelling support from Sheffield). I would imagine we would move to Fridays.

To be honest, would not be surprised to see him at Glasgow next season.

Not sure about Sarjeant, never seems to go particularly well here from memory. Starke is an interesting shout - has been impressive around here this year and was very keen to ride in Silver Helmet.

Would be dull if we all agreed all the time! Bukhave impressed in the Silver Helmet, and depending on team building limits is one to look at definitely. The exciting thing is we now have riders actively wanting to come here.

True - and would be a tough choice to pick between JBA and Perks. Aim should definitely be to try and get Busch in at reserve (and injury free!).

Think I would definitely keep Perks - career only seems to be going one way for me and didn't particularly struggle moving into the main body, especially at home. Barker is a no brainer, and would be looking to keep Wright, Andersen and Busch. Would love to see Proctor back if we decide to get a sponsors licence. Has been an excellent season and full marks to Kev/Jitendra. Was good to hear Kev sound so positive as well about the future. Just as important as riders wanting to come back was the fact he has sponsors already asking about next year as well. Will be interesting to see the makeup of the leagues next season - looks like a change of racenight for us next season?

Meeting postponed

Rider replacement for Garrity. Ayres is also out ill so Carr guests for him

Well, if last night was our last home meeting then I would like to say a big thank you to the promotion and the team this season. It has been a breath of fresh air this season, and great to see much larger crowds this season which will hopefully continue into next year. The team has been a joy to watch this year, topped off by a hugely entertaining meeting last night. Whilst the racing itself was not the best due to the weather, full credit to all the rides who really gave it a go and not a single complaint from any of them on a wet night! And the idea for prize money for the best after race celebration worked brilliantly, many wheelies, donuts and more. Kevin Doolan roly-polying down the home straight and Ben Barker stripping down to his underwear before doing a lap of honour and then falling off! Daft little things, but really added to the entertainment on the night. Fingers crossed we can pull something out over the next three away meetings, but if not I have thoroughly enjoyed this year and am eagerly awaiting next season. With hopefully Ben Barker as the first signing.

Much, much improved rider this season.

Bates will be a miss - he is excellent around the STMP. I enjoy watching Douglas as well aroudn here, but he never seems to get the points his efforts deserve.

Danny Ayres is a great example of this - he was at one point tripling up this season but still had a 'proper' job. He actually said that has made his speedway better - feels less like a job as he knows he has guaranteed money coming in.

I might be one of an odd breed, but I still really enjoy my speedway. It probably helps that my club Redcar have had their best season in years, with good racing and a much improved atmosphere around the club combined with a good increase in crowds.I try not to pay attention to the rules and politics that go on, and just enjoy 4 blokes riding around a track with no brakes. Something definitely needs to be done around the consistency of meetings and riders though. We have been lucky to have a meeting pretty much every week but you see some clubs go 4/5 weeks without a meeting and people just get out of the habit of going. And guests/doubling up/missing riders needs to be sorted or minimized somehow, people want to see the same 7 riders turn up (injuries permitting).

Bears currently at full strength, Tobias currently down to ride although that may change depending on his fitness. Sheffield will use r/r for Todd Kurtz but otherwise full strength at the moment.

Jitendra Duffill appointed co-promoter. Great news and well done to Jitendra.

He was excellent at the start of the season, but i think his injury has affected him quite a lot. Made of a couple of comebacks and then re-aggravated it. Has developed a habit of jumping the start/making the perfect gate which has seen a number of 15 meter starts. On his day is still superb, and is excellent to watch but if I had to pick one to keep it would be Barker.

My guess is purely habit - as far back as I can remember Speedway night is Thursday night. I guess that if that night changed permanently the crowds may hold up once they get used to it but it's a leap into the unknown. I agree that in theory it should be more accessible - but hard to break that habit!