Sir Sidney

Per the regs 012.1.11Leaving the Track A rider whose machine crosses the inner edge of the track with 2 wheels must be disqualified unless, in the opinion of the Referee, the action was taken in the interests of safety for other riders or the rider involved was forced off course by another rider. Open to interpretation I guess as to what constitutes 'inner edge of the track'

I believe it was introduced to stop riders at the back on the wrong end of a 5-1 laying it down to stop the race, thereby giving their team mate a chance of a better result in the rerun. Given how far back Tom Brennan was I'd say common sense was applied

Probably Joe Bloggs knows the regulations and the other 3 dont!

Not according to the regulations.

I suspect it is a purely commercial decision. I have great respect for Tai and how he keeps coming back from serious injury, but from a sporting perspective he has declined and there are others who have a stronger case. However, I think attendances at SGP and SON, and the inability to make Cardiff viable , suggests speedway needs to attract a whole new cohort of supporters, and those with more disposable income. I think it may also be a first step in repositioning speedway as an extreme sport not a family sport. Maybe the view is that Tai, with his music following and edgy approach helps with that.

As per tbe Regulations 010.5 FACILITIES A Reduced facility (No Facility in British Development) only, is permitted to replace a rider, who although included in a re-declaration has not made an appearance for that team since being re-declared. However, the team has the option to revert to the previous declaration. A team may utilise a facility to cover the absence of a rider(s) who is: - a) FIM World Speedway Championship and FIM World Long Track duty b) FIM Speedway of Nations / FIM Speedway World Cup duty c) FIME Speedway Championship duty d) the riders own FMN National Championship e) engaged elsewhere at a BSP LTD shared or purchased meeting f) recalled in accordance with the FIM SLB regulations g) injured whilst speedway racing This must be recorded on the Meeting Report by the Referee. This facility will apply automatically for a period up to a maximum of 28 days. The Promotion may apply to the SCB Co-Ordinator for an extension. If a rider has not declared illness or injury to the Referee before the closure of the meeting, as per the Meeting Report, subsequently provides a medical certificate, they will receive a mandatory 7 day suspension of their SCB Registration h) sick or carrying a non-speedway injury. The rider must immediately inform the SCB and their club. A Medical Certificate must be supplied to the SCB within 48 hours of the sickness/injury occurring in which case the rider will receive a mandatory 7 day suspension of his SCB Registration from the day of the first meeting missed. This facility will apply automatically for a period up to a maximum of 28 days. The Promotion may apply to the SCB Co-Ordinator for an extension i) suspended by the FIM, ACU, SCB or riders FMN j) in dispute with his club, provided that the circumstances have been accepted by the SCB Co-Ordinator who will determine the facility and period of the riders inactivity k) retiring during the current season a facility will be granted for a period of 28 days. After which the team must re-apply for a further facility to the SCB Co-Ordinator outlining the steps they have taken to find a replacement. An extension may be granted. In these circumstances a rider cannot return to ride for any club within 28 days, effective from the date of notification to the SCB l) a Championship rider who’s own FMN does not have a current agreement with the BSP LTD and is competing in another FMN’s National, League or Open Meeting. This will result in the riders SCB Registration being suspended for one (1) season and the riders team will be automatically granted a facility for a maximum period of 28 days, after which that team must re-declare m) awaiting medical clearance from the riders FMN n) NDL and NDT only: absent for any other reason - applicable to riders 18 years old and under, providing 3 days’ notice is given o) a rider with an assessed MA p) has been approved in a teams declared 1-7 at the start of the season but due to extenuating circumstances is not available, a facility may be granted, up to a maximum of 28 days, at the SCB Co-Ordinators discretion. In the NDL and NDT this only applies if the rider was in that teams 1-7 at the close of the previous season Therefore, I would imagine that Poole were granted a facility under subsection p) There is a distinction between PL / Championship , and NDL/NDT,

I appreciate it is pretty pointless responding to you, because you take no account of facts. Wimbledon speedway did not leave Plough Lane because of either lack of interest or viability. Indeed, Wimbledon were planning to apply to move up from the then 3rd division to the 2nd division at the time the lease was not renewed. The only reason that speedway ended was because the owners would not give a new lease to the speedway club because they wanted to develop the site (which they did). All leaseholders on the site (speedway, motorbike training school, stock cars etc) were refused new leases. The owners applied for and got planning permission for circa 600 flats, and provided land and a multi million pound donation to AFC Wimbledon to assist in building its new stadium, thereby allowing the Council to grant planning permission whilst maintaining sporting use on site. This has all been documented many times and is in the public domain. In relation to the possible new site, then Wimbledon in Sporting History have made statements about the possibility of a new track in the area, and work continues to explore that option. There is interest and I'm sure that any new stadium will be built to a size that better ensures viability.

I think the key point is that SON is not an attractive format to many, hence fewer travelling fans, let alone fewer local fans to whom, in this case, it was an expensive exercise

If MJJ wins and one of the Poles doesn't finish

Whilst I would much prefer that the highest scorer wins, there are plenty of sports where the top qualifier doesn't win the final. I don't think that's the reason why people don't take speedway seriously

I think it's an illustration rather than an expectation of actual teams

Surely the number of heats rather than the number of riders is key.

How did it go?

Save the date *Saturday the 25th of October 2025* PANTHERS ON THE PROWL !! Peterborough City Auction Panthers will hit the shale once more in a long awaited return. The Panthers will visit the recently re-established Mildenhall Fen Tigers in a challenge match at the West row stadium.

Quite a big fiddle if it is, and in the public domain and declared. No doubt HMRC would be interested. I'd like to think there is a logical, and legal, explanation

As an aside, earlier in the year BSPL appears to have submitted amended accounts to Companies House going back ro 2021. To my untrained eye it appears to have gone from a position of a circa £250k net liability on the balance sheet, to a circa £900k retained funds on the balance sheet I'd be interested in a view from someone who understands accounts on how and why this might be

Who told you it was a summer sport? Ive been going since 1969 and it has always been March to October.

I don't know specifically about this meeting but usually stocks meetings are not as frequent as Speedway meetings. Perhaps less is more? If the entry fees you are quoting are correct then it shows again that speedway entry fees are competitive. We just don't market to or attract a cohort that will pay.

I suspect most of the people who would not worry about the current cost of speedway entry prices have no idea it exists, because British Speedway makes very little attempt to attract them.

What is noticeable about Poland is how many people (in addition to other team wear) have club scarves and wave them at any opportunity - especially during races as their riders go by. It creates a great effect and is very visible. It's virtually non existent in UK, but so easy to do

I don't disagree with you in the main. I was quite happy to pay my £29 in the seats to see the current world number 2 and 3, and another SGP rider and another most people seem to think should be an SGP rider. For me, heat 15 was worth the entry fee. At other tracks the amount I would pay might be less. I pay less to watch speedway than I do, for example, rugby - but British speedway could do so much more to attract more support and to improve the value of the event.

I don't disagree. I'm simply illustrating that other sports already do the same. There are a whole host of things that clubs could do to make meetings more of an event and greater value for money - most of which have been floated on here any number of times. There is endless free information available on the internet that shows tried and trusted methods used by other sports to engage fans and grow crowds. For whatever reason most clubs ignore that It may well be that the lesser difference in standard between riders is why some people prefer the Championship to the Premiership.

Mulford has the third highest Rising Star average currently - he isn't really the problem, but is made to look so by the lack of points elsewhere.

And perhaps that sums up one of British Speedway's biggest challenges - persuading our current fan base to part with entry fees that other sports would see as a bargain. Just as an example, and not in particular to compare to football, Manchester City's ticket prices for this year ( which also vary by category of team / competition) below Adult Category A: £40-£60 Category B: £35 - £55 Category -C £30 - £50 And Manchester United Ticket categories are listed below: - Cat D £32 - £52 (cup fixtures only) - Cat -C £37 - £60 (2 x PL fixtures) - Cat B: £57 - £86 (11 x PL fixtures) - Cat A: £59 - £97 (6 x PL fixtures) Less than 1% of tickets will be priced at highest Cat A price point of £97.

Using dynamic pricing it woukd go down - so don't expect British Speedway to use that.