IainB Posted May 5 Author Report Share Posted May 5 3 minutes ago, mikebv said: Maybe there is a case for new teams getting a few extra points towards team building? Maybe 5%..? Given they initially don't have home track knowledge it would even up the playing field somewhat . And, hopefully, provide some home victories early doors into the tenure... And it's not like UK Speedway isn't adverse to a bit of contrived rules and regs.. I think before bringing in more contrived rules... they should look at the current rules, instead of clobbering Northamptoningham with a no facility facility (absurd) for a rider that has not yet ridden they should allow a full facility especially if it can be proven the rider has actually signed a contract to ride... and if the sport is going to rely so so heavily on the guest system make sure that there are a pool of guests that are contractually obliged to guest. instead we have a system where it's totally up to the rider whether he chooses to accept the booking or not and even if he does he can change his mind at a moments notice... anyway that's getting on to a whole different subject! With Northamptoningham having around £75k on their hip after opening night they should have a bit of cash to splash... but as @paulnolan has already said the natives are restless, it's essential for any noobs to have a winning team, at least at home as they'll be lost before they come to love the subtleties of the sport after a few home losses. At the moment this is a carbon copy of Birmingham... but with crowds, but I fear they'll soon drop off and they'll be reliant on floaters, such as myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InTheDeepStuff Posted May 5 Report Share Posted May 5 With Zagar damaging his ankle yesterday he’s going g to be out for quite a few weeks, so maybe we might see a new face (or old returning face) in the Foxes line up in the coming meetings as can’t continue with R/R (when NKI is back) as team not strong enough Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtf Posted May 5 Report Share Posted May 5 3 hours ago, paulnolan said: The shine has quickly worn off with 5 matches in 15 days and 5 defeats. Sure, there's been no Iversen but it's already apparent that this side is understrength and needs attention. Zagar and Lidsey are doing about what you'd expect, the reserves are fine, but Klindt and Batchelor are seriously underperforming. The problem is, with the club being funded by its rivals, what's their impetus to improve their side? 14 defeats would suit them all fine. But with over 3,000 at the opening night, they'd be killing a golden goose. At £25 a go, I'll skip Thursday's match with King's Lynn and see if anything changes. Whilst I take your point on Klindt, Batchelor's scores have been 7+1, 3+1, 5+1, and 9, all away from home, and 5 at home. I'm wondering what you're expecting from a 4.73 averaged rider? 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjcone44 Posted May 5 Report Share Posted May 5 batch rode better than i thought he `would at bellevue 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted May 5 Report Share Posted May 5 54 minutes ago, wtf said: Whilst I take your point on Klindt, Batchelor's scores have been 7+1, 3+1, 5+1, and 9, all away from home, and 5 at home. I'm wondering what you're expecting from a 4.73 averaged rider? I always laugh on threads where 2 point reserves get blamed for defeats when they don't score... That's TWO points dropped... One more point each from the top three, who make up the biggest portion of the team average, would more than cover that... Yet, No's 1, 3, and 5 scoring a collective 25 or so isnt called out the same... HL's are paid to win races, meaning a minimum drawn heat, two point reserves are paid to beat their opposite number the two times they meet. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle77 Posted May 5 Report Share Posted May 5 Does anyone else think it's crazy that Northampton are not being granted a full facility for the missing NKI...? It's not their fault that he's injured and it's not their fault that he's being advised not to fly because of his injury... Surely this is a perfect example of where the infamous "In the best interests of the Sport" rule should be applied... We have a new track starting from scratch, trying to attract and retain new fans... but in a sport that prides itself on having No Brakes...they are being asked to operate with an artificial hand brake applied... Seems ridiculous!!!! 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marko Posted May 5 Report Share Posted May 5 They won’t be helped, it might be 22 years ago but I still have the words that Ronnie Russell/Arena Essex will be helped if they opted to race back in the top flight in 2004, it never came. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted May 5 Report Share Posted May 5 6 hours ago, Eagle77 said: Does anyone else think it's crazy that Northampton are not being granted a full facility for the missing NKI...? It's not their fault that he's injured and it's not their fault that he's being advised not to fly because of his injury... Surely this is a perfect example of where the infamous "In the best interests of the Sport" rule should be applied... We have a new track starting from scratch, trying to attract and retain new fans... but in a sport that prides itself on having No Brakes...they are being asked to operate with an artificial hand brake applied... Seems ridiculous!!!! In the Speedway Star NKI said it could be up to 12 weeks before the doctors give him the all clear to fly... Possibly 3 months of not even a six month season?... Ridiculous... They need some support given its a brand new venture with zero "recent" history... Luke Becker doing well in Sweden tonight... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TB1 Posted May 5 Report Share Posted May 5 10 hours ago, IainB said: I think before bringing in more contrived rules... they should look at the current rules, instead of clobbering Northamptoningham with a no facility facility (absurd) for a rider that has not yet ridden they should allow a full facility especially if it can be proven the rider has actually signed a contract to ride... and if the sport is going to rely so so heavily on the guest system make sure that there are a pool of guests that are contractually obliged to guest. instead we have a system where it's totally up to the rider whether he chooses to accept the booking or not and even if he does he can change his mind at a moments notice... anyway that's getting on to a whole different subject! With Northamptoningham having around £75k on their hip after opening night they should have a bit of cash to splash... but as @paulnolan has already said the natives are restless, it's essential for any noobs to have a winning team, at least at home as they'll be lost before they come to love the subtleties of the sport after a few home losses. At the moment this is a carbon copy of Birmingham... but with crowds, but I fear they'll soon drop off and they'll be reliant on floaters, such as myself. As I was there as well how many of the large crowd do think are Northampton or maybe new to the sport, 500 or so or maybe more? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TB1 Posted May 5 Report Share Posted May 5 1 hour ago, mikebv said: In the Speedway Star NKI said it could be up to 12 weeks before the doctors give him the all clear to fly... Possibly 3 months of not even a six month season?... Ridiculous... They need some support given its a brand new venture with zero "recent" history... Luke Becker doing well in Sweden tonight... Did Becker opt out of the UK? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triple.H. Posted May 5 Report Share Posted May 5 1 hour ago, mikebv said: In the Speedway Star NKI said it could be up to 12 weeks before the doctors give him the all clear to fly... Possibly 3 months of not even a six month season?... Ridiculous... They need some support given its a brand new venture with zero "recent" history... Luke Becker doing well in Sweden tonight... I know it would be a bit of a faff but couldn't NKI use the train, its a couple of hours from Brussels to St Pancras, walk to Euston approx 10 minutes, train to Northampton takes just over an hour. Get him a railcard to save some money. 3 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IainB Posted May 5 Author Report Share Posted May 5 33 minutes ago, TB1 said: As I was there as well how many of the large crowd do think are Northampton or maybe new to the sport, 500 or so or maybe more? That's really difficult to know isn't it... weren't they asking for people to tell them where they'd come from on socials? I saw a fair few familiar faces, riders, officials etc. And a lot of Bees and Panthers... not to mention Witches. It'll be interesting to see what the crowd is this Thursday, especially with it also being on BSN. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triple.H. Posted May 5 Report Share Posted May 5 13 hours ago, paulnolan said: The shine has quickly worn off with 5 matches in 15 days and 5 defeats. Sure, there's been no Iversen but it's already apparent that this side is understrength and needs attention. Zagar and Lidsey are doing about what you'd expect, the reserves are fine, but Klindt and Batchelor are seriously underperforming. The problem is, with the club being funded by its rivals, what's their impetus to improve their side? 14 defeats would suit them all fine. But with over 3,000 at the opening night, they'd be killing a golden goose. At £25 a go, I'll skip Thursday's match with King's Lynn and see if anything changes. Sad state of affairs when a local fan is already disillusioned. TBH i follow my teams in Football and Speedway through thick and thin, it's been mostly thin for both. But someone on the promotion should be speaking to you to try and resolve the issues. You might be full of good ideas to change them, it'll be a first for the BSPL but if after 5 matches only one of which was at home, you're fed up then they need to listen 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grumpyloser Posted May 5 Report Share Posted May 5 Was there last Thursday. Not giving up after one home meeting. Already have tickets for Thursday meet. Sure one or two riders not coming up with the goods, but lets give them a chance. Took my daughter & granddaughter last week. Though my daughter had been with me before (to MK), my granddaughter was completely new to this. she thoroughly enjoyed it and is looking forward to this week. Speedway can hardly afford for such a facility to fail, especially with people giving up so soon!! 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IainB Posted May 5 Author Report Share Posted May 5 11 hours ago, InTheDeepStuff said: With Zagar damaging his ankle yesterday he’s going g to be out for quite a few weeks, so maybe we might see a new face (or old returning face) in the Foxes line up in the coming meetings as can’t continue with R/R (when NKI is back) as team not strong enough Broken ankle 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted May 6 Report Share Posted May 6 On 5/5/2026 at 8:25 AM, paulnolan said: The shine has quickly worn off with 5 matches in 15 days and 5 defeats. Sure, there's been no Iversen but it's already apparent that this side is understrength and needs attention. Zagar and Lidsey are doing about what you'd expect, the reserves are fine, but Klindt and Batchelor are seriously underperforming. The problem is, with the club being funded by its rivals, what's their impetus to improve their side? 14 defeats would suit them all fine. But with over 3,000 at the opening night, they'd be killing a golden goose. At £25 a go, I'll skip Thursday's match with King's Lynn and see if anything changes. I wouldn't get too focused on the winning or losing given it is UK Speedway... You will spend the season, by the looks of things, using the other five teams' riders most meetings, so "success" or "failure" (on track) is a moot point... Success off track is key..... Looking at the opening night crowd, history of openings suggest crowds will settle down to around 700 - 1000, which, for a top tier team is going to maybe not be break even, however, that opening night income will offset what is only a short season, so hopefully it "wipes its face" and puts in strong foundations for many years of Speedway... Those who already have followed the sport will be vital in supporting the venture regularly until a local fan base is built of those who are new to it .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulnolan Posted May 6 Report Share Posted May 6 12 hours ago, Triple.H. said: Sad state of affairs when a local fan is already disillusioned. TBH i follow my teams in Football and Speedway through thick and thin, it's been mostly thin for both. But someone on the promotion should be speaking to you to try and resolve the issues. You might be full of good ideas to change them, it'll be a first for the BSPL but if after 5 matches only one of which was at home, you're fed up then they need to listen Disillusioned is the wrong word. It was always going to be this way. I've been through this before, at Elfield Park with a Milton Keynes team that was never competitive and crowds drifted away as a result. A winning side is paramount for a successful endeavour, especially with newer fans yet to see the intricacies of good racing whatever the result. 5 meetings is almost 1/4 of the season. I get it, it is what it was always going to be, but it needs more to be worth £25 a ticket. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Sidney Posted May 6 Report Share Posted May 6 (edited) 5 minutes ago, paulnolan said: Disillusioned is the wrong word. It was always going to be this way. I've been through this before, at Elfield Park with a Milton Keynes team that was never competitive and crowds drifted away as a result. A winning side is paramount for a successful endeavour, especially with newer fans yet to see the intricacies of good racing whatever the result. 5 meetings is almost 1/4 of the season. I get it, it is what it was always going to be, but it needs more to be worth £25 a ticket. Most teams will lose most of their away meetings. Northampton are unfortunate, because of circumstances, to have four of their first five meetings away, and doubly unfortunately that two riders are already injured. It's also a bit of a head scratcher that the captain didn't check the size of his home track before signing! Stick with them. Season 1 will be a challenge, but beyond that will be the real test of team strength. Edited May 6 by Sir Sidney 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulnolan Posted May 6 Report Share Posted May 6 38 minutes ago, mikebv said: I wouldn't get too focused on the winning or losing given it is UK Speedway... You will spend the season, by the looks of things, using the other five teams' riders most meetings, so "success" or "failure" (on track) is a moot point... Success off track is key..... Looking at the opening night crowd, history of openings suggest crowds will settle down to around 700 - 1000, which, for a top tier team is going to maybe not be break even, however, that opening night income will offset what is only a short season, so hopefully it "wipes its face" and puts in strong foundations for many years of Speedway... Those who already have followed the sport will be vital in supporting the venture regularly until a local fan base is built of those who are new to it .. I would absolutely disagree that success or failure on track is a moot point. No-one wants to support a losing team. And while I'm a speedway fan first and foremost and can get enjoyment from meetings even as a neutral, I'm not the 1,000 new fans they'll need to make this a success. At the very least, the league table at the end of the season should show 10 wins if you want this to be more than a one-season thing, and this isn't a team capable of 10 wins. As for who could come in, I'm sure there's riders out there who would welcome another 20 meetings, especially if they're already based in the UK like Jason Doyle, Tai Woffinden, or even Robert Lambert. And then there's Rohan Tungate, Keynan Rew, Luke Becker, or some promising young Danes? I don't know, I've not followed things closely for a few years so I might just be being unrealistic. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aries Posted May 6 Report Share Posted May 6 2 minutes ago, paulnolan said: I would absolutely disagree that success or failure on track is a moot point. No-one wants to support a losing team. And while I'm a speedway fan first and foremost and can get enjoyment from meetings even as a neutral, I'm not the 1,000 new fans they'll need to make this a success. At the very least, the league table at the end of the season should show 10 wins if you want this to be more than a one-season thing, and this isn't a team capable of 10 wins. As for who could come in, I'm sure there's riders out there who would welcome another 20 meetings, especially if they're already based in the UK like Jason Doyle, Tai Woffinden, or even Robert Lambert. And then there's Rohan Tungate, Keynan Rew, Luke Becker, or some promising young Danes? I don't know, I've not followed things closely for a few years so I might just be being unrealistic. Think most of those would be open to offers, but more likely later in the season. It’s a tad early as they’ve all committed to leagues and fixtures elsewhere, but those fixtures dry up earlier than ours here so it may have to be a waiting game for a few more options to materialise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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