enotian

not at the minute.

it's definitely a risk. I do think star names will attract more supporters but are there really any riders in the current CL which would generate that interest? Not for me. Seen them all on many occasions. The 2nd tier was always about new riders progressing. Way back it was young Brits and Antipodeans then in later years Europeans making their way to become World stars. The CL no longer attracts as many young overseas riders so making opportunities for young Brits who might progress to become stars would be an obvious way forward. It happened organically in the 70's and 80's as the entry to the sport was much easier than it is now. Where youngsters are competing with riders on much bigger budgets. Hopefully SGP4 will help to increase the number of youngsters entering the sport at grass roots. Provided the cost base reduces, which it should without the double uppers, I think you could have lower crowd levels and still have a sustainable business.

And that's the dilemma. Pandora's box was opened and now nobody can close it. I would say you could reduce the standard of the 2nd tier such that the costs are reduced to make it possible to reduce admission fees and use it as a marketing tool to attract lapsed supporters or retain those struggling in the current climate. The 2nd Tier should be about developing young British riders (who could double up to increase their track time) so they have the experience of leading a team against more experienced riders who only ride in the UK and don't double up. But that's your problem. What happens to the current double up riders? Who subsidises their income if they no longer have 2nd Tier matches? It would seem obvious that they'll ask for more. Can the top tier afford that? I doubt it. So how do you replace the number of matches the current double uppers earn from?

did they give any reason for making the change? presumably averages for the start of 2023 won't be based on those last 10 matches and it's just for riding order heading into October??

It appears that the permission expired on 3 July 1981 and a new planning application was granted on 10 July 1981. It says the expiry date is Not available. Which would suggest there isn't one. So it would appear to have been another cock and bull story by various promoters (not sure if the current promotion have used it tbf) to get punters to fork out to watch rubbish on the premise of use it or lose it, the well established marketing technique. All rather academic anyway as there's no alternative promotion waiting in the wings.

Isn't that the point though. Neither of us know what the permission to operate speedway at Newcastle is. Other than Newcastle supporters have been told numerous times that any break in the sport will result in the end of speedway at Brough as a new planning permission is unlikely to be granted for the sport to return to Brough. Hence the "farewell track walk" at the end of last season when the sport was thought to be lost. Now planning permission might be a clumsy use of terminology but meaning a council approved permission to operate motorsports at Brough Park. Now we can speculate that those statements from various promotions are untrue but I'm only quoting what has been stated. My comment re Brandon was a question so not a misunderstanding (i only have a passing interest) which @noaksy has cleared up. So is planning for football stadiums given ad infinitum? I don't think St James' Park is but it's council land with something like a 200 year lease to the football club such that it doesn't matter. Or could I for example demand that the flats built on Highbury are knocked down because there is planning permission to play football at that location? I'm guessing the planning permissions are changed to suit the desired outcome, if acceptable of course. Plenty of former speedway tracks now under housing estates. West Ham, Long Eaton Middlesbrough is a college I think? So nothing seems to be forever.

existing one

I don't think he is. I currently have planning permission for a rail depot in North Tyneside. It is time bound and I need to decide whether or not to apply to extend it. It should be academic as the site is pristine but I still have to do it. If I want to continue to operate the site. Likewise you can't just run a sporting event because there was a previous planning permission to do so. Isn't that why the potential new Coventry promotion/owners have had to apply for planning even though it's the exact same site the speedway previously operated on? I know they'll need to do some construction which isn't the same situation as Newcastle but they'll still need permission to operate motorsports there. That's the reality as far as I'm aware. Unless you can provide contrary evidence?

We've constantly been told over the last 20 years or so that if speedway ends at Brough Park for any period of time (excluding off season of course) then anyone wanting to re-start the Diamonds would need to apply for permission to operate a speedway team at the venue. And that application is likely to be turned down. Given the proximity to housing I would imagine. If someone takes over from Rob Grant and there is no break then that wouldn't be the case. But there is nobody waiting in the wings.

I posted on the Eastbourne thread about what I think the two tier structure should look like but I don't think Newcastle promoters could influence that. The majority seem happy that they have Chris Harris and Scott Nicholls available to them and I'm sure those riders and the rest are more than happy with being able to double up. One thing I have bleated on about to the point of boring myself is that there should have been a restriction on the number of 8.00+ riders to one per team. It was obvious there weren't enough to go around and the heat format is such that you can't compete without one. The promoters should have lobbied for that change at least. The richest teams would still be at the top of the table (as they'd sign the best 7.00 riders but at least the teams would have had more of a chance of being more evenly matched and the product better as a result.

You misunderstand. It won't be up to the speedway authorities. Any new owner is unlikely to get planning permission to run motorsports at Brough Park from the local authorities. You weren't to know this. Finding another site would be ideal but that's probably harder to achieve without any money to make it happen and you still need permissions from local authorities. As you say the sport can't afford to lose any more clubs but the BSPL have done their best to achieve just that. I chucked the towel in at the end of 2019, i.e. pre Rob Grant era as to be honest the level of entertainment wasn't worth the money and the meetings seemed to take forever for what is essentially 15 minutes of action. It's an extreme sport and it's presented like crown green bowls from the 70's. The Brough track doesn't suit the modern bikes/riders and Sunday only meetings mean the Diamonds have zero chance of putting together a decent team at the current CL level. A lower standard hybrid of CL and NDL would be ideal for the Diamonds where most riders are UK based. Absolutely crazy the the sport in this country only had one meeting on a Sunday in May. I think that makes it two meetings all weekend (excluding NDL and Friday nights). Totally bonkers imo not to run fixtures when most people have their leisure time. But it would appear everyone in the CL would prefer to subsidise the PL by offering their riders part time work.

What would Kelv's dirtometer have revealed???? Looks like they've discovered part of Hadrian's Wall!!!

you're generous. they appeared to be there as spectators for most of the 90 mins. I didn't see many of them actually playing

have you got their number? We should give them a call. You are not wrong about embarrassing though. The trouble is that once the Diamonds close there is every chance they'll not be allowed to return. Which at this point might be a good thing but a massive shame.

Wasn't the Newcastle license suspended last season due to track conditions? Until expert help was secured. If I recall at one point the bends were altered to make them wider to allow more passing. So that pic could very well be the kerb from the 20's never mind 70's. Surely should have been removed properly when that work was done? Imagine dysfunctional behaviour from a promoter desperate at any cost for home wins. Someone has created a monster. This won't end well.

I was thinking the same. I would imagine those concessions are a massive part of the match day income. So either Granty is benevolent or hasn't a clue about his customer base. Or maybe the crowd just look older than they actually are after years of terrible Diamonds teams.

And what happened in 1985? Newcastle closed, having finished last after being unable to sign an established BL No1, despite the efforts of Joe Owen. I think, from memory, a few other tracks also closed or dropped into the NL along with the likes of L Collins, G Kennett, D Jessup, who had all been World Finalists (rostrum placed even?) within the previous 5 years or so. You could argue that 1984 was the beginning of the end for top level league speedway in Britain, as the reliance on foreign riders became more prevalent and the National team suffered as a result. Importantly though, whilst mistakes were made by promoters pre 1984 season what could not be foreseen was the loss of Carter, Sigalos and Lee for various reasons. I think Sanders left us around the same time. Fast forward to 2022 and it was abundantly clear there wouldn't be enough No1 standard riders to go around (in the CL) unless they were regulated. The chain is only as strong as its weakest link and the state of Newcastle it's not a chain I'd want to pull. And guess what happens if you never flush? You end up with a pile of......

exactly. because there are too few to go around which was obvious at the end of last season yet they allowed some teams to track three whilst others have none and two have non existent No1's. It all leads in one direction with an increasingly smaller pool of riders who constantly guest for opponents. It's a team sport in name only now. Shame

This is now two of eleven sides using a permanent guest for their No1. Can't be good for the credibility of the sport but I'm sure the promoters and riders love it.

never thought I'd say this after his season for the Diamonds but thank goodness for Thomas Jorgensen. sounds like the Stars are carrying all sorts of injury and illness which no doubt hasn't helped.

I keep mentioning product and as a neutral there's nothing here to inspire me. The truth is the sport has moved on and the small technical tracks are no longer fit for purpose as it's all about building speed and momentum nowadays. Whether you like it or not. If you're going to have so few tracks in the flagship competition you really should make sure they provide the best entertainment. Shame for Wolves which looks like a nice facility but if it's not producing entertainment it's just damaging the product.

I'm presuming that information is exclusive to Discovery Sports subscribers!!! PS The Presenter, although used infrequently on the Eurosport coverage, seems really good.

most sports commentary is very earnest now though isn't it. don't ever disagree with one another it'll make people feel awkward. 70's punditry sadly missed here. Is Sam on Discovery doing analysis on the gates? 5 wins from gate 3 already.

it is boring but no more so than Poland vs ROW this afternoon. just goes to show you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone. Pearson was polishing turds like this for years. Like Crumpie as a pundit but too similar to Kelv/Louis.

don't they have transponders this season then? I found it curious that the blurred image was being consulted when the technology should be definitive.