Great Central

Halifaxtiger very well put as always. Yet another balanced posting. Although I post as Great Central (most people know who I am because I live in Loughborough which is one end of a famous steam heritage line), I am Martin Widman Co Promoter and Joint owner of the Wight Warriors Speedway team. It is clear looking at the post by "crescent girl" that she hasn't read our press releases or postings on here. Whilst Barry and I did have misgivings about the product that we would have to promote as a result of the 35 points limit, that was not the reason why we chose to leave the BSPL. We may yet be proved wrong about the new limit but only time will tell and it will be a case of perception. The only reason was because as a member of the BSPL(albeit an Associate Member) we did not get the opportunity to discus its merits in a meeting or AGM, the pitfalls of it and the impact it may have on the product that we had to promote and the resulting impact on our business. The rules were dictated by the Board of the BSPL, none of whom have any liability as to the financial success of our business. In spite of the many emails sent seeking clarification about an AGM, about whether this method of dictating the rules which we had to work under would continue at the end of the year, no clear responses to our requests were made. We may actually be forced into publishing the emails to show that we are not telling lies and to show the lack of respect that we were afforded. We were therefore left with no option. Barry and I are the people who have started the business out of our own pocket, assisted by our sponsors and fans, and we live or die by how we run our business. It has to be noted that along with Mildenhall, we have never received any TV money from the BSPL, money which helps to subsidise the NL teams run by other league teams. As standalone clubs running more NL meetings than non standalone clubs, we actually put a lot of money into the BSPL and SCB coffers and yet got no say in how our business is run. Crescent Girl can buy out my share if she wants, and then be subject to the same dictatorial rules but I suspect the offer will be declined. I have tried on many occasions to come up with an analogy on the position we found ourselves in and can only come up with this one. Imagine you are a shop owner paying your taxes and rates to the local Council and suddenly the Council come along and say that you have to cut your prices by 25% What would you do?? Move to another area, get out of shop keeping, or accept the new rules and go bankrupt. Speedway is not in good shape right now and all we were asking was to be given the chance to have our say in how we thought it should run in 2021 and beyond. For now, that is all I will say but there is a lot more that could be said. Martin Widman

I have a list of riders experienced in NL racing who could step in to hole created by the loss of Jamie Halder so please don't say there is no replacement available, Martin Widman

That was a legitimate decision. This clearly isn't.

I don't know why people are getting so wound up by all this cheating? It is being done to bring on the youth and "for the good of the sport". Martin Widman Wight Warriors

Hardly the same situation. There are riders out there ready to ride in place of Jamie.

I think it is you that needs to get your facts right. The NL is not run independently as all their meetings are overseen by the Management Committee, with all decisions having to be ratified at a General Committee meeting. All the standalone clubs pay fees to the BSPA and to the SCB, the insurance is cheaper because the benefits are much reduced from the other two legs, and the referees fees are slightly less because the referees choose to charge less for their services.

There is posting from him on Facebook. No he hasn't retired from speedway but last season took it's toll on him trying to run his butchers shop and being a speedway rider as well, particularly riding for the Warriors with a full on programme meaning quite a bit of time away from the shop. Life running a shop on the high street has proved to be a bit more challenging than was anticipated due to various problems, but he has definitely not retired. I am sure he will appreciate your comments.

It is tough but that is how it works until somebody comes up with another way of team building from year to year.

Thank you Richard for your words of support. The handicap and the gate change rules only apply to the NT competition, not the league, and were agreed by all three participating clubs as a way of creating something a little different. No rider will be left out of his/her nominated race, it is not a tactical substitution but a means of trying to do things differently. As you may know the IOW have held handicap races for a number of years and this season we tried 6 riders in the final for the first time so we keep innovating. Some things work and some don't but unless you try, you will never know.

They will only have 6 away meetings so it shouldn't be a major problem. I think Ryan Mc did his fair share this season without too many hiccups although he did suffer some cruel rain offs.

It is still there and is used every weekend for speedway and flat track and sometimes in the week as well. Track is good now.

Are you sure it was 29 and not 28!!!

There is also on top of your list BSPA admin fees, SCB track and official fees. You are right, not much change on gates of 150 and just in case anyone is wondering about your 90 points, you have to pay your riders for the equivalent away fixture and of course travel to both.

Former Potter Chris Widman was there in the crowd.

False dawn that is spot on, and you can understand in a way why so little was spent on the stadium if the lease they had allowed the owners to do this. Not much incentive to spend any money knowing that it could be snatched away at short notice.

Great work again Mike. Thank you so much for doing it so well from often scant information. It is much appreciated.

Looks like a forgone conclusion. Plymouth woefully weak due to injuries obviously beyond their control.

Yes Ben did a great captains job leading from the front, and it was nice to hear absolutely no complaints about the track. A bit slick but very smooth.

Looking at the webcams down there it looks like a good call by the Plymouth promotion.

Not sure your list of riders in the same boat as David is very accurate. Mark Baseby has retired, Taylor Hampshire is taking time out and I am sure Adam Roynan isn't fit yet.

Glorious sunshine in the late morning/afternoon meant constant watering but it got quite cold later and the Warriors blankets were on show yet again. Flaming June!!

Many thanks Rob.

Rob has promised that they will be in this afternoon.

I have just sent a message to Rob Dyer to see if he can post them as my programme was incomplete. What I can tell you is the track was much improved this week and enabled Georgie Wood to record the fastest time of the season.

Kelvin it is very interesting to read your summary of that year . Heady days indeed. Thank you for everything you did in running and promoting it.