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would have gone on to be the greatest rider ever

no but he will be this year

Reading the forum and the comments re Roberts interview in Speedway Star. I am not giving my opinion on it. However some facts my help you. I have done an approx. costing for a rider doing one UK league. Naturally a rider doubling up, some costs would increase or decrease or not exist. These figures are from my experience for an annual cost to a rider. 2 bikes/engines @ £8000 each = £16000 spread over 2 years = £8000 Spares £4000 (surprising how many spares needed in a season and that’s without a blown engine cost) Other equipment - helmet/goggles/tools £1000 Oils/Lubricants/bike cleaning materials etc. £500 Van hire 8 months £2400 Mechanic £4500 Flights 50% of cost £3000 Airport travel costs £500 Budgeting travel Rain off expenses ( no income ) £1000 Fuel van £800 Engine servicing £3000 Insurance van £800 ( many mechanics under 25 ) Injury Insurance rider £400 Sundry misc. expenses £1000 (always unexpected costs) Total £30900 These are the costs, looking back through them it would be easy to increase some. But this gives a ball park figure. Naturally some costs are off set by sponsors supplying their goods which a rider uses. But it is still a cost and a rider needs equipment sponsors as well as cash sponsors. From this total cost, now you can can calculate how much a rider needs to earn per point or plus get sponsor deals to make it all pay. Certain some of you will argue these figures. That’s your opinion, but as for 5 years I’ve being paying invoices I know these figures are a good ball park figure. I am just giving factual figures - this is not my opinion of what’s right or wrong. I will leave it to you to do your own calculations and come up with what ever view you wish.

Where have I said he’s on the same planet as Leigh, all I’ve said is he rides the Abbey as well as Leigh. I’ve been lucky to see Leigh ride at Swindon for all of his career & he is the master of the Abbey, Morris is fast becoming a master in his own right......oh, I watched Darcy & he wasn’t bad.

I should imagine every Polish Extraleague club has looked at Morris. No takers. It’s the Championship. Kurtz rides Extraleague in 2018. Is Morris even riding Polish league 1? I have nothing against Morris but I doubt he will go any further than the level he is at right now. Perhaps a Schlein level, not quite a Davey Watt.

Gavan is only obsessed by Poole riders.

.....and a Wolverhampton heat leader (and reigning Australian champion) and a Belle Vue heat leader....but they don’t ride for Poole so they don’t get criticised do they!!!!!

I like this character of yours better DropaCog/FredFlange/Wibble/FledFlange. Still got the same issue with repeating the same phrases every other post, but this less intelligent, abusive alter-ego is a refreshing change.

How strange that a “new” poster makes these comments. It leads one to think he is someone in disguise. But regardless of that, there’s a thread in the international speedway section for the Aussie championships. It is an individual comp so very little to do with cluttering up the Poole threads. If you are a Belle Vue fan go celebrate Tungates win over there and leave this part so we can discuss just how good the 2018 Pirates team is shaping up.

Congratulations to Tungate and Fricke, first and third in the Australian Championship.

I think the Robert Lambert knocking has been done enough now. It's time to move on and look forward to the start of the season. And to the announcement of the final 4 riders.

£400 a point ?????? Lol

Isn't the solution to the disparity of wealth not a GB Super League but a Euro League (or in reality the richer teams joining the Polish League) I think the reality is the even the Polish and Swedish "Elite" leagues are not without financial problems and might welcome a new era which I think would represent the first genuine pan European sports league. Probably run/branded by a BSI/One Sport type organisation to administrate on team strength you'd hope it could attract decent media coverage. Eventually developed into a 16 team European league with the bulk of teams from Poland, Sweden and the UK it could eventually incorporate teams/franchises from other nations (Denmark, Germany, Czech Republic, even Russia) the 30 meeting regular season should provide enough fixtures for GP standard riders with the teams supplemented by those also riding in domestic leagues. Whilst the standard would be a little lower than the current Polish top division it would be an uplift on the current Premiership. Domestically in the UK there'd be a two league structure. One Championship standard (made up of those Premiership teams not in the Euro league and the current Championship teams) featuring those riders who wish to supplement Euro League racing and those riders based in the UK including youngsters from the National League.

Thanks for your information David, I don't doubt your honesty one bit. This more than anything illustrates just how much the sport has become too expensive and unsustainable. A sport where attendances struggle to reach 1500 it is ridiculous economics for a new rider to contemplate in participating. Top riders are expected to earn decent money which would more then cover those costs, but the majority of riders are less prominent and would struggle to make them ends meet. It is little wonder the riders need that amount to compete and also see why the promoters are flogging a dead horse. Many years ago, in conversation with Terry Betts when riding a 2 value Jawa, he said he purchased a new bike every year, keeping last years as a spare. After each meeting it was hosed down and the chain oiled. Additionally, after each month, the chain and tyres were replaced. He commented this would guarantee competitive equipment for the whole season. How things have changed!!! No the races weren't as fast but the enjoyment was just as good... We need new ideas to control those costs. David has just illustrated the outlay is way out of line....

Until Poole's first fixture of course.. You will then be weeping like a little 'un' prior to the meeting as you always do !

If said new non Brit has such a great chance of improving their average that just shows the original assessment has been set too low..... The league doesnt really need new 5 point and sub 5 point riders I would set entry level at min 6

SCB's thin veneer of intelligence is once more stripped away by his rancid and repugnant ageism. It's a familiar argument - "I know a pensioner who's well-off so every one of them must be." It's as intellectually and morally bankrupt as "All these foreigners are taking our jobs". I do wonder if he's got a problem with his parents or other elderly relatives, given the sick bitterness and prejudice he continually shows to the elderly. In another recent thread he came up with what were superficially intelligent comments about the way forward but which were invalidated by his comment "Stop pandering to the old, they'll be dead soon", or words to that effect. I'll leave you to consider for a moment just how repugnant that is. Don't be taken in by someone who is obsessed withe speedway rule book and averages. It doesn't make them intelligent, merely fixated. I had to correct him ages ago when he was spouting this regulation and that to point out that he was completely ignoring the key part of the rule book, the supplementary regulations which are issued during a season and regularly amend those rules., I remember SCB complaining about the car park at a certain track on the basis that it was damaging his very expensive car. Lovely chap. I'd park mine outside ;-) If people were singled out for such abuse on the grounds of race, gender or sexuality they would be rightly condemned by most reasonable people in society and in many cases prosecuted. So why is ageism allowed? Speedway may have an age profile that could do with reducing. The SCB's of this world would achieve that by making the sport hostile to the elderly and forcing them out on the basis that the young and 'cool' (i.e. his own perception of himself) are put off by the sight of geriatrics viciously sitting down because they can't stand up for two hours and callously drinking hot drinks from a flask because they know that the stuff on sale at the track is awful quality and overpriced. Shame on them! It's not the elderly that are the problem, it's the shallow, ignorant outlook of certain people at the other end of the age spectrum. Still, there's one consolation, given the modern trend to despise the old by the time he gets to be in that age group life's going to be pretty appalling for him. Yes I have attacked the poster, and I have not one iota of apology for doing this. I've posted some strong views on here over the years but they have all been based on a deep love of and concern for the sport, and not my ego. I had my brief spell in the spotlight and I can tell you I am much, much happier sitting quietly in the shadows now. When I see SCB's posts I see raw ego. I worked with a few TV technicians like him in the past and you would sometimes get those who developed appalling arrogance through working in the industry. I thought I'd seen the worst.......until now. I remember years back Sittingbourne getting their only away Conference League win at Newport. Almost everyone on the BSF were congratulating the then Crusaders on finally getting a win. One kid wasn't though. He went through every decision made in the match, every pass and incident, desperately trying to prove that the Kent side hadn't deserved their win. Ever since then I've been waiting for SCB to grow up. Seems like I've got a longer to go. Still, I'll probably be dead first, eh? Rob McCaffery - aged 60 and expecting the basic state pension only, if that when I can finally afford to retire. You see, instead of building up a career I spent too much time with speedway. I'm now partially disabled so have to have a seat at a track even if it's a folding one which SCB so despises. After 46 years of course I don't deserve a small concession on the admission in my advancing old age.....It would be nice to be able to enjoy the sport in my final years without having to put up with prejudice from this shallow clown.

Should Speedway ditch the family sport tag and go for the dirty, dangerous, raw sport tag? I think probably so!

Pretty much sums it up. It's how many feel, who have either given up on the sport or who only go because of the company you keep rather than the spectacle you see.

did Morris ride at no 1 last season, Kurtz rode there most of the season

Does that matter?You still have to look at the topic and ask yourself 'is there a point worth discussing'?I agree with Halifaxtiger,that some people have aimed abuse at scb for no real good reason As I have said,if the oap reduction is a sort of mark of respect for all the years of service to club and country,then I wouldn't argue against it

Hahahahaha.

Yes I know I was just commenting on Nick being better than Brady, not replying to your post

Neither of you can count. Those 6 leaves 4.12 fo the last rider, so Etheridge fits comfortably.

You replied to Stevebrum though!

Just as well Brady rides the UK tracks a lot better then - as his higher average proves. I seem to remember Rohan couldn't hack it as a Number 1 and had to settle for a 6.18 2nd string role!!!

Most seem to have pinned the predictions on getting Scott Anybody got a 1-7 without him - which is more likely unfortunately.....

I wouldn't bet on it

That is as may be but it's unlikely to be until 2019 now, perhaps over the next few months things will change with a new promoter on board and if he has a breakthrough season he may not feel the need to be elsewhere. A lot can happen in twelve months, rather than predicting doom and gloom let's just see what happens.

Pickering would be a great choice his career is on the up and I would love Fricke to push on and be a number 1 he has the ability just needs the consistency.Belle Vue,Leicester,Swindon,Poole all look to have decent sides i don't care who wins just hope we see some decent racing along the way.

Yes real shame all championship done well in the heats and lets himself down in the final. Needs to work on that area of his mind as he often fluffs heat 15 at Poole when on for a max. Let's not forget he is extremely young still and will get it right but in the end.

this is the main thing for me so many shout about brits before foriegners there are a few things to considor cost,ability and attitude towards the club there signing for if they only sign because they cant get another club and they arnt fully comitted then they should stay at home and wait for a place somewhere better suited

Andersen still a very good rider but throws in too many duff rides these days. Always liked him, crazy to think he never won a medal in the GPs. I think it was 05/06 that he was, Imo, the best rider in world speedway. But definately his average is only going one way and I think its a good move from Ford to release him now.

Yeah my bad I'd convinced myself the limit was 39.5 for some reason.

I agree,his article in Star is very negitive towards Kings Lynn and basically he was left no choice and is there under protest.Needs better management IMO .

I think that's exactly what it is.

Would have been a big bonus if Leicester could have tempted back Syzmon Wozniak for this year as he had an average under six and is now Polish Champion and over 21. Decent team ram and good experience with Hans being a great team man and good with youngsters.

Many a time I have paid £32 on the gate at a BSB event and have never felt that I have not had value for money. It is an excellent day out for the cash and I cannot always say that about speedway. Next week I am going to the Arenacross which again is fantastic value at £36. In our group we are taking a mum and her 11 year old who has never been to a motorcycle event. She wanted to show him motorbikes in the action as he quite enjoys the moto gp on tv. I know that taking him there he will have a great night as it is non stop entertainment for 3 hours. As living near Reading the closest track to me is Swindon and I know if we took them there the chance of her wanting to return is low due to the facilities at the stadium and the journey being a pain. The only speedway that I would take them to is Cardiff.

Plus they will need beefed up suspension for Wimborne Rd

He won't get punished though. There was only one person Chapman wanted to punish as he had already stated before a date was set for the BSPA /SCB hearing that he would come down heavily on Rathbone as he was absolutely furious with what had happened . Then to chair the actual meeting with such a biased attitude was totally out of order.

I'm guessing... If we get Nicholls 1. Scott Nicholls 9.72 2. Tero Aarnio 5.02 3. Lewis Rose 6.49 4. Ludvig Lindgren 7.21 5. Stuart Robson 7.02 6. Ashley Morris 4.88 7. Alfie Bowtell 2.14 Total: 42.48 And have Josh at 8... Would also have Robson as captain, and this team would always mean that we would have a very strong reserve in Aarnio or Ashley, and we'd have a pretty solid top 4, as I'd see Lewis upping his average and Robson, Ludvig and Nicholls (just about) maintaining theirs... Maybe dropping or adding a little bit, but them staying similar... Also Alfie would be one of the better young British number 7s in the league

Try living on £154 a week like I have to after working for 48 years.Without concessions no speedway for me.

He like all speedway riders is self employed, it is up to him to get the best contract he can subject to his ability, skill and scoring power. If he expects to be able to make a living out of the sport he needs to negotiate a better contract, get out and acquire a lot of sponsorship or ride for other teams. If he cannot demand the income he wants then he needs to improve and do something about it. If anyone in any job expects to earn a living they need to be in a position where their skills etc are worth want they want as an income. If they are young and learning they have to accept a lower income to start with.

No hopers are difficult to quantify, but if for example if Joe Bloggs from Blackpool had a 5.2 average and desperately wanted a CL place then he should get one before a new European rider on a 5.2 does. Of course if it's Danny Smith on a 3.5 and a team has over five points left you wouldn't expect them to sign him and be way under the limit, Danny would have to miss out and wait for an opening and said Scandinavian would be able to fill that slot.

The above was Halifaxtiger quoting SCB. SCB, it does say "average", that means the figure evens everyone out. Someone on the National Minimum Rate of £7.50ph will earn £15,600pa. Even the new pension, only recently started to be paid, is approx £8,400pa and that depends on NI contributions. Pensioners before that get much less- and thats what my state pension is....much less. I contributed to a private pension for 23 years which helps me out, many pensioners today do not have private pensions. They will really be struggling. I think you need to learn what pensioners are actually on rather then rely on some "average" figure. If pensioners didnt get "senior citizen" rates I would imagine some businesses would struggle - speedway would probably have folded years ago.

Bit of a generalisation SCB, there's plenty of pensioners on basic pension and maybe a small personal pension .....

Godfrey should have stood down, having brought the sport into disrepute ( by the standards of other sports ). But in speedway, no, you are a True Blazer Gent.

Women drivers..... Honestly, they need to get off the road and stay indoors...

But so was Vaculik, who is now 8. Apparently.. If the BSPA were capable of publishing facts, this sport would not be in the mess it is in. The uncertainty certainly erks me allot.