Sir Sidney

Thanks Very interesting information. I don't have the Speedway Star article with Jim Lawrence in front of me, but from recollection it included 3 main points: 1 confirmation that riders could ride in NORA meetings if they chose to ( I suspect we all knew that) 2 clubs, such as Scunthorpe, had run meetings / practices under NORA in the past and had gotten away with it, but they were all under SCB now; and 3 there is a potential insurance risk to SCB if an incident happens at a NORA event on an SCB licenced track, confirmed by SCBs insurers ( who incidents are the same insurers as NORA uses. SCB could of course publish that advice for transparency, so we could all see it. It's interesting that you say Scunthorpe does allow other motorcycle events to take place on it's track 7nder NORA, as indeed does King's Lynn. I've no doubt SCB will be getting a number of emails from concerned fans about the issue. I'd encourage anyone doing so to be factual in their contact and follow it up if any response is not credible.

He's injured not sick isn't he? Unless you are saying that he is not actually injured then I don't see the problem.

Clubs don't normally have the backing of the Local Plan, and not one that is so specific. That's why the Club (or any prospective new promoter) needs to be working with the Council to ensure that the Local Plan is honoured. Given the scale of the prospective development the Developers will be well aware of the requirements of the Local Plan and will be able to well afford a replacement facility - in fact the Local Plan says that the Council should not grant planning approval without it

What's your evidence for saying that?

Actually, if Peterborough lost every meeting this season and that meant that the club had a future, possibly on a new facility, that might not be a terrible outcome. However, the club needs to be open and honest about the plan, how it might be achieved and how the fans can be a part of that. Alienating either side won't help.

Different to Swindon. As far as I know the Council has stuck to it's planning decision and restrictions at Swindon - the new stadium has to be built before any more houses are built. Terry Russell has given Gaming International the way out by saying speedway is not viable on the site - and that's why it is vital that the Panthers remain viable

Have a read of the Local Plan. It's not the Council that has to provide a new stadium, it's the prospective developer - and that's why people are waiting to see what the developer proposes.

There are plenty of links on Facebook groups about the meeting. I'm sure there will also be on other social media platforms. Get along to the meeting. I'm sure you will enjoy it

The team will put on a slick show for the supporters who I hope give it a chance and back it with support.

And coupled with LP36 the Council should not approve planning permission without suitable or better provision for any existing sport facility proposed to be lost.

It would be nice to have some figures to show how beneficial or otherwise streaming / TV is on attendance and income. That would of course require transparency

Maybe streaming is a double edged sword?

Well, someone needs to make clear if Panthers are pursuing this line, otherwise they may well have lost so much money and so many supporters that it will make no difference. A brief statement to acknowledge that the Local Plan exists and they are aware of it might suffice for now

I'll say what I said a couple of days ago. The Peterborough ownership or prospective ownership need to be clear about what their plans are Are they in contact with the Council and the Showground owners about enforcing the requirements of the Local Plan? What response have they had? Is there a potential stay of execution at the Showground? Will the developers be held to the Local Plan and have to provide an alternative site before planning permission is approved? All of that might well prevent a £1m investment being required. If MT is a savvy businessman he will know that - but he needs to keep fans informed, if only in outline. If no communication is forthcoming and results continue the way they are so far this season fewer people will attend, losses (both on the track and financially) will build and the club could become unviable.

So, for those who read this Forum, there will be some knowledge now about what is included in the Local Plan. Is that more widely known in the Panthers fan base? It's still my view that a more nuanced communication could be released, but I accept you see it differently

I'm glad to hear that the Panthers will be seeking to make sure the requirements of the Local Plan are enforced. I do believe it would be beneficial for the Club to make a statement to that effect, so that all supporters know what is happening. There is a danger otherwise that supporters will just drift away, and the Club will not be able to say it is a viable option. On a wider point it demonstrates that the BSPL and all clubs should be working with local Councils to make sure that the Local Plan includes protection against venues being lost to development without a suitable replacement

Unless I go to Leicester

As a neutral who was there I think it was telling that the Poole riders, on the occasions that they missed the start, couldn't pass either. Was there a genuine pass all night? I don't know what was said about the track on BSN. It may well have been smooth, but it was dry and dusty and appeared lacking in grip. Poole are to be admired for putting together a team which must be favourites to win the league again.

IOW has more than 'a sprinkling of NDL riders' as you put it in the speedway based meetings. Of course, as they run a varied programme, there are meetings that may attract a different client base. Every promotion in the UK could benefit from watching how the IOW run meetings. As a customer I feel valued from the minute I arrive in the car park to the moment I leave, and often that is extended to the ferry trip home.

Maybe you haven't checked who is racing. National League standard racing and I am quite happy to pay to watch. On top of that I also get all the added value that isn't provided elsewhere. Give it a try. You might just like it. All delivered at pace and with first class customer service.

On Facebook Lee Complin has posted that the track was 'spot on' which seems to confirm that the more experienced riders can get round without issue. Since the NDL was weakened 3 years ago or so the impact has been that there are too many riders in teams who probably shouldn't be racing at that level. I very much doubt BSPL will do anything about it as they caused it, but it leaves tracks like Mildenhall in an invidious position.

I confess I have never thought of Sheffield as being a wide track. I would imagine the air fence has narrowed it a bit more compared to the upright engined days

That's what he says, but that is disputed by others who say they have the letters that show that to be false. In the thread I linked even Phillip Rising said he had seen the list and it was stretching it - and Phillip said he was a friend of Peter's and was carefully choosing his words. In the end we all have to choose which story, based on the info available, we believe is most credible In any event, isn't it the case now that the current owners do let ex riders in free with the only requirement that they contact Mark lemon in advance to say they are coming? Given that the seats are numbered that doesn't seem unreasonable

You only need to read back in this thread, and the one I linked earlier in the thread (page24), to read the alternative versions of events. After that you can take a view on which of the versions you believe - but it would be remiss to only rely on what is written in the book

Not a clue