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The league that we entered 25 years ago is unrecognisable today and in my opinion has lost its way. The problems started from our point of view when the NL was formed and costs doubled overnight. Since then Eastbourne and Birmingham dropped down as they couldn't sustain the costs of the leagues that they were in and their costs must have more than halved but they have mostly retained the support so financially must be better off. Lakeside also did a season which added to the bigger clubs in the league and pushed costs up. Riders demands are increasing at an impossible rate for clubs like ourselves and Kings Lynn. The league is now, more than ever, an extension of the Championship with riders asking and getting £25-£30+ per point with tyres, fuel, oil, racesuits and mechanic wages in addition. Riders expect to be paid a wage for NL speedway and we can't compete with that. Most if not all other forms of motorsport are pay to enter. There are less riders to go around as a number are injured or have walked away from the sport and the up and coming riders from the Youth scene invariably go to the highest bidder. It becomes harder each year to field a team and the pay rates in the NL must have an impact on the leagues above. It seems that some NL clubs want the cheaper alternative of NL racing but want to be a professional league which understandably doesn't sit well with the higher leagues who are paying far higher rates to stage speedway.

I think the better way would have been that in the event of a 3-3, the top scoring side are the winners. Not just because GB were top scorers, but to make more value of those 40-odd races beforehand. So the second top scoring side would need a 4-2 to win. Talking of that final, I was disappointed at the end, and commented on here that we might have won if Tai had slowed the race, but when you see Tai's comments, they make sense. Basically, we went into that race with a winning mentality - to go and win the heat and, thus, go in and attack the race. Race positively. I can see the validity in that, even though it never worked (mainly because the Russians had a very strong pair and it was unlikely either of them would finish last). In the end, Robert Lambert was very close to passing Emil at the end of the race, but never, so the tactic never worked. But they went into the race with the mindset to go out and take the race, and the main reason they never was because Russia were on a 5-1 on the first lap so GB became every man for himself.

Well that really was a team effort against a rider. Stand up Robert Lambert and take a bow. Was brilliant until his last two rides. Pirates finally clicked as a team tonight. Sure the opposition was very poor bar one rider but a few weeks ago KL would probably have got a point. No chance tonight with every Poole rider getting at least one race win. Should have hit 60 tonight but for two silly falls to Woryna and Kurtz, who hobbled off in heat 13. Hope it’s nothing serious. Some very good racing with special mention to Richie Worrall whose last two rides brought the house down. In heat 13 Iversen led but Worrall got through only for Kurtz to fall and a rerun. In the rerun the KL boys were on a 5-1 but Worrall first passed Robert Lambert then went after Iversen and got him with a superb cutback. In heat 15 he did it again to join an excellent Sundstrom for a 5-1. Here’s clip I shot of Lamberts welcome.

Ive been pointing out the issues for a long time now, I have seen this first hand but there isn’t a big enough will to rectify the problem from members within the NL,there are a few like Jayne who want change but just hits a brick wall, even some who want change just say there is no point as others won’t stick to it , there is no structure in place and it’s been out of control for a few years now, I have been crucified by some riders or their parents or their sycophant fans on social media but I’ve also had massive support from ex riders and promotors who can see the NL problems, when I hear some deals riders are getting now it’s just crazy, there are things I would like to say but don’t want to abuse certain people’s trust but we are now seeing the chickens are coming home to roost but as we will see some people will just shrug there shoulders and say not my problem I’m alright

Good signing - he looked good at the British Final. Surprised no one has snapped him up before now TBH. I know he is a bit wild and injury prone but you can't fault his commitment.

If the final race is a 3-3 then the rider who wins the final he's team are champions, simple really. Races should always be about winning regardless if it's a pairs meeting. Trying to slow races down is dangerous and makes no sense

The only facts are that Tai got us to the final and Robert lost us it. All this talk about what they should have done is just talk. I don't blame either of them, I hope they both have a great future, you may have the last word as I really can't be bothered any further with the topic.

To me it is perfectly put. We know that the plan was to go for a heat advantage. That plan changed when the Russians hit a 5-1 at the end of lap one. Of course it’s naive to suggest there wasn’t a back up plan to hold a 3 all if they were 2nd and 3rd. But we were never close to that position, until the last lap. with it being the final what better way to finish with a hard race instead of a slow up race. Those who think Emil could have been fooled into being suckered by Tai over a couple of laps is also naive in the extreme.

He had no option but to go for the win and hope Lambert got a point or one of the Russians failed to finish, holding back could easily have resulted in a 2-4.

If he was 'recalled at the last minute' why was he listed in the Holsted team line-up for tonight before the weekend?!

I am very sorry to hear the news. When I wrote my history of Rye House, I spoke to many people involved with the club from promoters and managers to riders and fans. All of them had nothing but praise for Kelvin. He was an absolute hero to many and was undoubtedly Mr Rye House to them. This is a passage from my book that summed up his contribution to Rye House: "On 16 September [1990], in the home match against Glasgow, Mullarkey fell and never again returned to the track. It was a sad end for the Rockets’ most loyal servant. Nevertheless his fifteen year career as a Rye House rider had been a wonderful example to other riders. His exuberant never-say-die attitude had been an outstanding feature of the team for ten years. He had been a heat leader for seven years, captain of the team that won the cup in 1979 and the league in 1980 and was responsible for holding the team together in the potentially disastrous 1981 season. His commitment to the team was second to none as his massive tally of bonus points in 1979 and 1980 in particular showed. From September 1975 until he left for Canterbury on loan at the start of the 1983 season, he did not miss a single match for Rye House, racking up a total of 295 consecutive league appearances. In 1989, at the age of 38, he made himself available to answer the call of the club when they were in desperate trouble and did the same again in 1990. There is no doubt that Mullarkey has written himself in to the Rye House record books as the most popular rider ever to wear the Rockets’ colours." Because of this I featured him on the front cover of the book and everyone I spoke to afterwards agreed he was definitely the right choice for the cover. R.I.P. Kelvin and sincere condolences to family and friends.

where does it say if you ride a speedway bike you have to make money at it ? costs to riders are what they are and that is vastly inflated by themselves having all the latest bling that isn't needed , ive seen riders lately buy a complete new set of rear sprockets and then sell them for another set because they changed the colour scheme ,not cause the sprockets were worn or in some cases even used but because hey the fans will pay for it, strangely you don't hear motox riders saying they want paying cause their costs have risen, I know exactly what the costs are but if you don't like it then go do something else, sick to death of hearing this costs this and this costs that, go do some other motorsport and tell the organisers you want paying because the price of diesel has risen or you just had an engine serviced, they will tell you to go away, we are talking about the lowest league riders and they want paying about £300 to do something they supposedly love, they should be greatful they have a league to ride in, ive tried to put forward ideas to reduce the costs to the riders but they are not interested and give a million reasons why they need this and that, if your big sprinter van doesn't do 40mpg get a smaller van that does or cant you fit the girlfriend in the back ?

Indeed. Pick that team and say goodbye to the play offs. Or stomach the absences and stand a reasonable chance of finishing top four.

....and get ready to fight for the wooden spoon with Rye House with that team. Your vendetta against the Kings Lynn promotion seems to constantly cloud your judgement.

A lot of common sense talked in this topic so if we the supporters can see it why are the owners not able to grasp the issues. I’ve witnessed all 3 leagues this season and see a decline in attendances. I was talking to an associate of a club (NL) and like me he agrees the decline is accelerating at an alarming rate. However much the bspa try to talk it up the product has to be priced according to what promotions can afford. If the riders are killing the sport then it’s time to tell them some home truths. As mentioned the NL should be semi pro at best.

that would be a step backwards ,and you'd be1st to moan if it went ** up

I am tempted to join with you on this but I fear that opinions are so entrenched (on both sides) that I would get nowhere. It would appear that now 'Tai has spoken' many will be just be happy to let this lie. No matter that it makes no sense. And this despite the 'quotes' appearing to be less from 'Scunthorpe's finest' and more from a media manipulator's hand. Perhaps - with a bit of luck - this format of final will never appear on the 'World' stage again. And hopefully NONE of us will ever have to give it's tactics another moments thought. But I fear that GB will never be as close to a World Pairs/Team Championship again as they were on Saturday.

Spot on.. I think sometimes what holds Garrity back is that 'all important' space between the ears.. He has bags of natural talent, not sure always of the application... Which is a shame, as so many will apply themselves 100%, but will simply never progress to a higher level as they don't possess the talent to go with their ambition.. Maybe the 'new look' GB with their vision can nurture his raw talent and improve all aspects from riding and mechanical through to clinical focus on what his capability could be.. An entertainer though that's for sure..

Ex Rye House rider and rides Wolves well. Really pleased to see him in an Aces race jacket again. A great but so far wasted talent. I’d like to see the new GB set up get their claws into him and for him to listen.

As someone who lives in Spain, football programmes are non-existent. Indeed you rarely find a football programme anywhere on the Continent. It is very much a British phenomenon! As for speedway programmes, they hail back to a bygone age. A one-page scorecard would meet the need, given out with admission, with adverts on the reverse to pay for the printing costs.

They had nothing to gain by telling fibs for the last five years, but it hasn't stopped them from doing so.

Thanks for that splendid accolade! Losing Kennett has probably seen off Rye’s season now especially at home. Roll on next season when we hopefully will be back in the Championship.

I have changed my mind over the last few weeks. I do see that a decisive final is required, now. Not just for a TV climax but also because it also keeps the later heats alive and hotly contested by many teams. Don't have a final And you'll get a lot of dead races. Just look at the British Final on Monday. It would have been dead after heat 16 as Robert had an unassailable lead at that point. I feel that both teams should go into the final capable of winning. Whichever side wins a heat advantage in the final wins the tournament . But if there is a 3-3 in the final then that is a tie and on 'countback' the team with the higher qualifying score is the winner. Same rules in the heat 43 race off between 2nd and 3rd scorers.

can't see the point in bringing any of those in , hardly be a improvement think panthers missed the boat not signing kus for bacon , might have got away with r/r for grondal then ,i'm not saying ellis perks is a bad signing tho

Only in front of Tv camera's IMO .

But Greg is Mr Nice Guy? Back in Sudden Sam's heyday Gino would have been riding a Blomfeldt tuned rocket ship before you knew it and Sam sitting behind him and nursing him home

Not long home from the incredible experience of the NSS . First tine i had been there and i was blown away by the place . The track is stunning and it produced speedway we all crave , but rarely get . A worthy winner , the sky is the limit for young Lambert . And watching young Bewley round there is a joy to behold . Beautiful weather , fantastic racing and the feel good factor returning to the future of British Speedway . Thanks to whoever suggested the Diamond Lodge to me . A good few fans in there and the craic and the beer fliowed into the wee small hours . Loved my whole day out there , cant wait to go back

Pulling out an old programme from your collection is like hearing that old tune on the wireless, seeing an old photograph from your prime. Can’t beat that feeling… glancing down the line-up, the blank racecard and remembering your youthful anticipation, the team line-ups, riders you’d never heard of… a blank programme as we entered the unknown for the next 90 minutes. I couldn’t get rid of my collection - 40 years of my life.

Thought he would have his average he attained last season in the top league which was 4.68.

Easy win for Wolves. 4 points going up to the midlands.

I'm happy to stomach the absences for now,but they do need to sort this sort of thing out in the future.With the team Daniel Smith put on that would only get people moaning again like last year.Not sure whether Daniel was one of them

Hopefully the majority will be full time Championship riders next season!

The NL basically has now delivered pretty much every mistake that the leagues above them have already delivered.. Not big or good enough to compete at a higher level? No problem. Drop down... After years of struggle, by becoming a 'big fish in a small pond' you will no doubt start to win and your fans will not only stay with you but you could also entice more back.. More income and less costs? What's not to like? Except of course that paying even 50% less total points money than you used to in the bigger leagues, is still considerably more than gets paid out at some 'lesser/smaller' clubs.. The result? Expectations of income rise across all teams and supply and demand inflation kicks in.. Just like it has in the Premiership and Championship.. The NL should be 'entry level' Speedway. A balance between covering expenses and gaining vital riding time.. If you want a team of mainly semi pros then put your team in the Championship... If you want a team of full time pros then put your team in the Premiership.. Clear aspirational advancement for both riders and clubs... Not. "I'm sick of struggling in this League, I fancy the NL this year to see how it goes"...

Agreed, with attendances now in their hundreds rather than thousands, and many not buying programmes or printing off their own race cards, it now does not appear good value in terms of return to place adverts in programmes. Most of our advertisers did so as a sense of loyalty to help keep the magazine going rather than any potential benefit to them. If we had raised the price for advertising along with the rise in printing costs, I'm sure their loyalty may well have been tested. As Mr. Snackette posted, no reason why a simple race card with accompanying adverts cannot be produced. I have many non league football programmes from the 1950/60's when this was the norm with just the team line ups and the rest local adverts.

After last year I can't see how the promotion can be trusted, they haven't done a very good job so far in 2018 to change that either. So far in 2018, any issues that arise always is someone else's fault. Picking 4 Dane's on a Wednesday race night is the Stars management fault, end of. Palm Toft and Andersen were announced in their Danish clubs fixtures, yet on Tuesday the Stars add Palm Toft to the line-up. Who's to blame? The Stars management obviously. The Stars management have yet again promised that the Danish rider's won't be missing any more meetings. That is nonsense. If these Danish clubs pick up injuries our rider's WILL be recalled. The Stars management need to stop playing games with the supporters, they have 2 options. Just admit they'll have to deal with the challenges for the remainder of the season or change the rider's. To say they've had been promised that these rider's won't be missing any more meetings is nigh on ridiculous and naive.

Don't rule out this season we are only one point of the play offs. But I understand your message, the real problem is the performances have been very underwhelming so far (we are lucky that a couple of home wins could easily have been losses then we really would have been in the smelly stuff this season) we do need to make inroads away from home, just wracking up home wins is not good enough. Forget Swindon which is damage limitation but it needs to start at KL on Monday.

The point hes making is that no tracks closed through the introduction of air fences

No one's seen Macca in a while.. .. maybe he has a new face now

Oh no, seems all was not well in USA team, well at least all was well in other teams

Maybe,but trying to slow down high powered motorbikes is an accident waiting to happen

Can't agree with that, it's about getting both team members over the finish line before the opponent's two riders, as it should be. If a rider dashes off into the distance every time with no regard for his teammate a la Milik that's not pairs/team speedway.

Kelvin Mullarky was one of the great characters of British speedway of the 1970's and 80's! His confrontational, loud, aggressive personality which was a bit of a front cause Kelvin wasn't really like that, often overshadowed the fact he was a decent speedway rider! I always felt he could have established himself as a middle order top flight rider had he wanted to but Kelvin seemed happy to be a bigger fish in the National League where his antics would be more appreciated! Got to be one of Rye House Rockets greatest ever riders! I recall him coming out of retirement after initially finishing at Rye after the 1985 season, at Mildenhall then back at Rye House again in the late 80's and did he make a few appearances for Rye House in 1990? Kelvin had to of been one of the last riders in the top 2 Leagues that wore the old style 1970's grey monkey mask?

Exactly. An explanation has been given yet still some want to pick fault. we wondered what the tactics were and now we know. Some of us will have closure on why the race went the way it did. no doubt some will still pick it apart till everyone agrees with them.

My guess would be OUT Bjerre Smith Gravesen IN Josh g Nicol Georgie wood

Similar to Manzares. Slowing is very dangerous when it goes wrong and riders are on the limit

Still waiting for an explanation of why it makes perfect sense to NOT try to win a gold medal. You advocate it. Phillip Rising advocates it. Seems Team GB advocated it. Champions League Final.. Liverpool trail Milan 3-0.. co managers Phil Rising and Sommelier.. "Shut up shop lads, let's not concede anymore. Silver is great! We can't take risks and chase the game at this level, not in a final, the standard is far too high" Superbowl 51.. New England trail Atlanta by 25pts.. head coach Phil Rising... you get the idea. Now apply it to Speedway of Nations Pairs Final.. Sayfutidnov gets into 3rd on bend 2.. less then 15% into the race and you're advocating throwing in the white towel.

IMO the same thing is happening in Speedway with SGB Championship programmes now mainly costing between £2.50 - £3.00. With the Speedway Star running a rating feature on each track's programme, it appears that some Promotions have entered into a vanity contest to be top dog, with the result that larger, in terms of size and number of pages, are being produced, which in turn has resulted in the prices rocketing. If they reverted to producing a more compact & smaller sized version at about £1 - £1.50, I wonder if those who now print off a basic scoresheet to fill in, might be tempted to purchase a low cost Official programme instead?

See Dan Bewley got a paid max in the Polish league 1 today.Has he been riding in Poland all season or just recently?The future's bright for him and for team GB

Best wishes to Scorpions asset Alex Davies who was involved in a grasstrack crash abroad and has got several injuries and in an induced coma

I can assure you, I monitor all our crowd levels, and compared with theprevious 2 seasons, like on like for this time of the year, they are up