skydog

True, but my fear is that by then there will be nobody with the inclination to even suggest that they let Speedway back in...

We were told by the planning dept that the land is now owned by Foudry Estates, or something like that. Arnie probably has better info than me as to whether this is still something to do with the Pru. Foudry Brook runs past the land so I suspect it is a sub company owned by someone else just for the purpose of owning that piece of land. A bit like Brandon Estates. And AEPG come to think of it. I'd guess this is a fairly common thing when it comes to big money and big land deals, again Arnie would have more experience in this.

We have asked the council 3 times about Speedway returning to Smallmead and been given very definitive "No"s every time. The land has apparently been sold to a developer who is happy to sit on it for years. The company seem to be like Brandon Estates in that they have only been set up to buy that land, no other history.

I found it was never the same after Reading closed. I put it down to not caring who won, it takes all the passion out of it.

Some of you must have better eyes than me, I couldnt see movement in heat 5 or heat 15

Hi Laurence, do you still have the meeting with Mr Vatcher every year like we used to? If so do they still give you a hard time about rider replacement being used?

He was riding for Reading at the time in Elite League, must have been 2007.

North of £250000. Plus buying tractors etc and league entry fees

Thanks for the info, much appreciated. Not knocking Richard in any way and am sure he does a stirling job. Just interested in who runs these and under whose rules, what with all the talk about Nora. Thanks again.

Pardon me for thinking that a club that runs under the BSPL and SCB was running an amateur meeting under that particular umbrella.

Ok, are these amateur events being run under Nora? If so I get it. Then we're back to Scunthorpe being allowed to run Nora but not Plymouth, which is where this all started I think!

Bottom line is we were told that to run in MSDL we had to prove we were actively looking for a new home (we were, and sent emails to prove it). This was regardless of whether we were giving any money to the riders or not, so that is clearly not the difference. And no, I'm not asking these questions because we want to enter a team - the BSPL have severely dented our enthusiasm - I'm asking to see if there is indeed a difference between how we were treated and how others are being treated. I'd say it's a fair question.

Thanks for the info, but I would dispute that MSDL riders were being paid. We helped them towards expenses, nobody made money out of it. However if the riders are actually paying to enter, and there are other classes apart from the team event, then that is a difference. Sticks in the craw a bit though that we were told we couldnt use the words Reading or Racers, even for a 6 heat challenge cos we werent making sufficient effort to find a new home. Are Boston and Hull trying?

And who puts these teams together and runs the event, any idea? I suppose if its RG or on his behalf, they will say the difference is that they are being run by a recognised promotion.

What ghost teams are taking part? Considering Reading, MK, Weymouth and Carmarthen were all told they couldnt use those names in the Development Leagues any more, this would be the biggest piss take of all.

Same story different location. The man is an arsehole of the first degree. Dont know how he hasnt been lynched by now.

It's a bold prediction but it wouldnt surprise me. We had him in the Reading Development League team at 16, and he's definitely got something... just hope he gets an injury free run to prove himself.

We didnt ask... cant think why

But it still mentions Swindon... we were told that we couldnt compete using the terms "Reading" or "Racers" in our name. Having said that I get that these upcoming matches are just one off challenges, so a bit of a different case.

We had some great rows - sorry banter , with the coach load of Oxford fans that used to come and stand by us on the 2nd bend at Smallmead. It always ended civilly though with comments like "see you at the British Final". It was similar with Wolves fans but never ended on such good terms with them!

Unfortunately, I think Osborne played a blinder with Swindon. Make excuses why they couldnt run for a couple of years, then by the time they delivered the killer blow, half the supporters had moved on already. If this had happened immediately after the 2019 league win the fans would have been up in arms. They did a similar thing with us at Reading, promise a new track next year, oh sorry maybe the year after. Then maybe next year, before you know it, not enough people care...

And Reading

Maybe someone should also mention to them that Speedway fans are actually aware of Osborne's record when it comes to Speedway tracks, and there is very little chance of anyone believing that he is going to do anything at all that benefits our sport. Unless of course it benefits him. And if he has suddenly realised that he can make money out of it he must be really kicking himself for closing all those tracks down! I just cant believe they think everyone is that gullible.

Dan will do very well for you. I'm always surprised how little he is mentioned when people are talking about British prospects, and imo riding a big track every week will do him the world of good. He conducts himself very well, I think he'll make himself very popular.

Was really hoping Dan Gilkes was Oxford bound (because it's not too far me) Given an injury free season, he will be a star for someone