SPEEDY69

Obviously not seen him in recent years, particularly at Rye H or when riding for Glasgow then He did have a few good rides for Poole last year on TV so hope that's what you get at Ipswich.

If the riders don't come last, they won't lose any meetings - perhaps that will be the tactic. Can't see Harris lasting long at No.1 and really surprised he's not at Lynn as he does quite well there I think. Disappointed that some British riders are again being left out of teams in Britain in favour of those from overseas, at least Harris has a Premiership team now. Ipswich will likely be easy targets away from Foxhall. But it is speedway, so who knows how it will pan out.

Because people have wised up to standing around in the rain at a dunghole venue for two hours to see half an hours of entertainment.

No thanks, would much rather have Scott than Harris

Can you see if you can get a slot at the next BSPA AGM, would make a great presentation to kick off the event. Hard to disagree with anything you've said.

I agree that promoters should not spend above what they can afford. This need sot be a group effort though. The wages costs per meeting you mention are I fancy way short of what is paid now. The meeting costs are also well above £3k, the medical staff alone will cost nearly £1k, plus track rent of £1-2k then there's advertising, programmes, licences, fuel & maintenance of track/facilities, rider suits, insurance costs (employee and public), VAT/tax/accountancy etc.etc. It would cause the loss of some riders and maybe some fans short term but the long term gains would be worth it. Everyone has a choice, like it or lump it, If I was a rider today and the only contract I could secure paid me xx per meeting, I'd make sure I cut my expenses so that I still made a bit of money - it's not compulsory to use brand new equipment each year, or give thousands to people who you think might make you a bit faster, or spend on a new leased van every year, or even have a full time or paid mechanic.

Disagree. There is more money about for discretionary spend by people these days than ever before - just look at how many people have cars and eat out & takeaways nowadays. There are just not enough who know about or want to watch what speedway offers. Clubs need to budget and this may force riders to become part-time but it's needed otherwise more tracks will close.

Harris is known to follow the money so you may be right.

I still think Zagar would be good.

Is Vladimir Kalina still around?

Not concerned with averages particularly, just think he's rubbish. I like people who give it their all every race, have the ability to pass cleanly and if they're all much of a muchness, pick a Brit/someone who lives here.

No thanks to Sundstrom.

Sorry but I don't use or have any desire to use Facebook, so alternatives are most welcome.

Delays due to choice do put people into thinking it's dragging on - particularly when the environment for fans is unpleasant or there is little else in terms of entertainment to occupy them during 'down times'. This is where speedway can make changes - undercover spectating, additional entertainments etc. to engage fans rather than just watch 15 races. When attending an american football event in London once it lasted about 3.5 hours but it didn't seem that long because of the additional entertainment on offer and I wasn't too cold or wet. Surely if we took the simple step of grading every four heats, then have 5 minute break after heat four and twelve, with a 10 minute break after heat 8. This should give officials, and volunteers the time to have a break and satisfy those who want to keep things moving.

I wouldn't have Tungate, too inconsistent and not someone I've warmed to.

They will potentially get better starts - all those revs don't help. RIders will adapt.

Good signing. Will be better in top league than Championship I fancy.

Zagar?

Is Chris Holder planning to ride in the UK next season (Tru Plant sponsored?)? Is Iversen bound for Ipswich? What's Robbie Fuller doing these days?

I don't know in what country that might be but I reckon, allowing for UK inflation, 50 quid then would be worth about 90 pounds now. We'll agree to differ on clubs folding, i think the bigger drain is cost rises, not income falls. Speedway in the UK can barely support two professional leagues, let alone three. Would you mind paying more to watch NL speedway?

Jacek or Marcin?

Sadly Buxton have withdrawn from the NL and on reading the great article in the S Star last week (bought in WH Smith) it seems costs are the issue yet again. It really was a sad development when the third league went 'professional'. With ever increasing medical, insurance and licence costs it seems NL riders have been looking for higher pay rates, vans and even paid mechanics! If the third div collectively refused, there would be more riders seeking CL places and lead to less need for doubling down from the PL. How many more tracks will have to close before the BSPA and more importantly the riders realise that the money is not there. When I rode in the third div in 1997 the top scorer got 50 quid and a gallon of fuel plus 5p mile travelling. The bottom two got 15 pounds in total. It was a hobby so I didn't object to paying to ride. Those who wanted a career also had to shell out in order to progress. That's how it is in many careers - how much debt do students leave Uni with on the prospect of future earnings? I really hope the track there is not lost and that the third tier soon returns to amateur status and I feel really sorry for the Moss family. What do you think?

No thanks, boring to watch - gate or nowhere.

At home. Still as has been the case in the top league for a while, the first three months don't really matter, it's the team you have for the summer months/playoffs that counts

Just like we had meetings on Wednesdays last season! What this means of course is that riders will have to ride in UK I there is a clash.