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How about maybe just being pleased that someone involved in your sport has been recognised by the wider motorsport world?

Like you making a sandwich.

What on earth are you talking about?

Me! Thankyou so much to all who voted, genuinely shocked to have won.

I believe Kenneth Bjerre will lead the Pirates in 2019

Send him upto Newcastle Please.

I hope Danyon gets sorted out and has an injury free year If he ends up on the sidelines then there really is something wrong with the structure of British Speedway

How can you quantify development potential. Let's not forget he is younger then a top 8 gp star. He had never ridden a lay down engine until the Laurels. So I am Looking forward to watching him develop.

Yes but Wells is better.

Maybe needed both to happen to sort out finances.

Decent team

Think Dan will be named but then it’ll be a temp replacement til he is fit to ride, whenever that may be?? As ya say, if he comes back and struggles like Worrall did this year, it’s essential we get Bjerre as to have Dan & Worrall at heat leaders coming off 2 horrendous injuries would be too much of an ask.

No, but the fans shop will be open there for a couple of days before Xmas so no doubt visitors to that may report on status.

Swap then.... no hang on... Hmmmm arghhhhh but that means we get Holder... but no Tungate. Dunno what's worse/ better

One major problem was the fixture list last year or rather the lack of weekly fixtures. we also raced on Sundsays, Tuesday night and even a Saturday afternoon as well as our preferred Fridays. The crowds for some meetings were good and then it seemed to be weeks before we raced again as a team. I think a lot of momentum was lost and with Cooks injury, racing at short notice and on off nights plus the weather, the crowd did seem to drop of. Hopefully the meetings will be held on a weekly basis and on the same day - presumably Fridays?

Interesting? I spent a day with the late Mark McCormack and we talked about tennis, the Sony rankings and other sports which he had "taken over" as a lawyer he was able to draw up player and media contracts, as an agent he could double, treble and multiply more players incomes as his representation was international. The rankings in particular allowed players all over the world to be benchmarked and of course maintain the ambition to move up. This of course created more matched international competition and in turn more international media interest, particularly television. For those who have never heard of Mark he was the founder and chairman of IMG - the International Media Group who coincidentally own BSI Speedway. Google him, his has a fascinating life story. Mark was a strategist who had medium and long term goals and whilst Barry Hearn is hugely successful the buck wouldn't turn fast enough or big enough for him to invest in British Speedway. If you look at the tv rolling credits at the end of many tv sports broadcasts you will see "An IMG Production" regardless of continent or country. The interesting element for me is the global company already has Speedway in it's portfolio and the riders certainly don't dictate yet everyone's perception is that Barry Hearn could save Speedway with his "take no truck, in your face" style (It's not unusual for Barry to Bollock household names big style) and I think we're past that to the point where nobody inside the sport gives a sh!t any more. The egos are bigger than the sport and until those egos exit we're stuffed, the money clubs are chucking it all over riders again and the skint clubs are doing the same ffs! Wait until the "we'll have to go national League" Bears announce their full team and what about; the fastest trapping, tape breaking second string nailed on with a great deal at a near local club but within 48 hours welches for a 500 mile round trip North of The Border and Mr Midlands based Maori nailed on for a 40 mile round trip at a local Midlands club only to swap that for a 500 mile round trip a couple of days later! I do believe that control and discipline set off on the slippery slope when the ACU/RAC removed the traditional Control Board replacing it with a Bureau and then changing the format of the committee to include BSPA members allowing club/personal interest into that forum too. In the past if you got a letter inviting you to the RAC Club in Pall Mall to discuss your behaviour you absolutely crapped yourself all the way there and carried embarrassment and shame all the way back, today even the FIM doesn't stir up those emotions it seems there's no mutual respect at all.

I was just using Kemp/Smith as examples.There was 23 riders on over an 8 average last year.These I class as the better standard of riders.The riders I want to see. Not riders on a 5 who have been about for years who aren't going to go anywhere. As for what Kemp would gain from riding NL. He's 16 years old and has had 1 season riding in a league. I suspect any experience racing in a league will do him the power of good

He is right though. They've completely cocked up the NL. Wish they'd realise lowering the limit simply doesn't work. They did this a couple of years ago and you end up with riders on inflated averages. The limit will now need to be raised again next year to compensate this. Really can't see the benefit of lowering it. The sport is on its arse right now. Lowering the limit forces out the better standard of riders,which as a fan I want to see at this level. You're now left with riders who have been in the league for years,averaging the same every year instead of the likes of Kemp and Smith for example who are the future. We are now presented with a poorer product. The BSPA don't do themselves any favour with regards to "advertising" with crap decisions like this

Becker, North American champion. Beat Novratil & Wells in a run off.

Agree totally about the differences and wasnt really suggesting a Hearn type figure could run speedway It was more the reference to player control causing issues and a more centrally controlled set up being able to regenerate the sport

Unfortunately speedway fans, promoters and most people within the sport rarely see the long term. If it isn't working straight away, ideas are binned.

Not really to be honest... The problem is no one is in control of Speedway.. The riders dictate due to the average system making ordinary ones more needed so overall salaries rise. And the riders need to ride 'everywhere' means they dictate when meetings take place regardless of crowd pulling potential or the credibility of it.. The Promoters then compound the issues by having no clear vision for the Sport and often run it as a "look at me" self indulgent hobby, so allow such nonsense to pervade... Far too easy to carry on making it up as they go along than ever have a clear plan for the future which may include some difficult choices.. Barry Hearn delivers clear direction, clear standards, clear returns for investors, sponsors and players, and clear direct leadership.. A million miles away sadly from British Speedways operating model..

Dave Goddard, whose work will be familiar to many through Premier Sport, Free Sport, match DVDs and a number of live commentaries at various forms of four-wheel racing, has just been named Commentator of the Year — from a shortlist of 10 — at the inaugural Motorsport Awards. I am beyond chuffed! King’s Lynn won an award (I think it was racetrack of the year) ahead of the likes of Silverstone, so it seems that speedway fans have been making their votes count! Congrats again, Dave, richly deserved.

Don't worry about the Wooden spoon. I think that was what Kings Lynn were awarded at the start of 2018. anyway no team has been anounced yet so you might be even stronger their are still a lot top riders not sighed on yet.

Wolves putting together a very strong looking 7

He's been told a few times!

Great at home, poor away so dropped with the hope that M Riss would score better away. He didn’t so in hindsight the wrong decision. However it was the right thing to do by the Aces management who were entering the play offs in decent form and needed better contribution away from home. Injury ruined any chances they might have had but that’s a different story.

One thing is for sure they do need a rider that will put bums on seats.i do not see that as Kennet who blows hot and cold...

Just to correct you on the avatar that Mr Shovlar was using...It was indeed the “Magnificent Seven” but it was the Seven riders voted for by Poole supporters as the best Seven riders to wear the Skull and Crossbones in their 70 year history and was nothing to do with the Pirates 2018 starting line-up. Hope that helps.

He will indeed. But he'll be wearing a Belle Vue racesuit as he leads the trailling Pirates riders.

He would put bums on seats, and probably a few riders bums on the track at Arlington.

He said mid December on the forum a few weeks ago. Not long to wait.

Truth of the matter is. If lidsey is a 4 then bjerre is in. If he's a 5. Then we will go strength in depth with good reserves and bewley and Worrall as HL So we all need to pray that lidsey is a 4

I know of someone who was looking at Sponsoring Poole before Volvo picked it up as a tax break and after looking at the demographic of the supporters and speaking with another big firm who sponsor another club/riders they decided that putting money into the sport would not reflect well on there company. One thing he said to me was after reading message boards (It was the poole one at the time) was that it was like listening to kids squabble in the playground. I had a meeting with him for some projects i have with them in the next few months and mentioned in passing that the club was for sale - He laughed and said no fool will buy it - Cant really argue with it can you. Hopefully someone will though as it would be a shame to see it disapeer.

Would be very surprised (and many would be just as disappointed) if Tungate returns especially if at No1

That is indeed a team that should do well. Strong in all positions so wouldn’t bet against them cleaning up.

Yes we all have no idea how it works we all think that whoever is top of the league in May is the champions.............are you telling us all that even if you are bottom early on like Kings Lynn were, that you can actually finish top come September...............i never ever knew that and im sure that all the fans of other clubs are content that you made us aware of this....thank you Though i do seem to remember that before a wheel was turned last season that yourself and Mr Shovlar were telling everybody that the Poole 1-7 to start the season would blow everybody away.....that it was a 1-7 far superior to everyone elses team (i mean Shovlar even changed his avatar to the magnificent 7 they were that good)......................there was no mention then of 'its what happens at then end of the season' .......................i guess you have decided to change your outlook

Don't think Lindgren will be back after a poor 2018 and him refusing to fly in for Newcastle final match at Workington. I think Rene Bach might make a return to Newcastle next year.

Eddie Kenneth? At the Showground? You’re joking surely..

Looks like the only teams that won't make the playoffs will have the Chapman connection

They have always done this, I remember doing it myself upwards of seventy years ago!

With Rory at Wolves this may well mean one of Thorsell or Wells is available - dont think they can fit in both

From Mildenhall Speedway - Fen Tigers to roar again in 2019 Following the recent National League AGM it can be confirmed that the Mildenhall Fen Tigers will come to tapes once again in 2019. A consortium fronted by Fen Tigers Commercial Manager Lee Chipchase and local farmer Greg Palmer plus as yet unnamed partners have taken over the day to day running of the club after Kevin Jolly put the club up for sale at the end of last season. Speaking on behalf of the consortium Lee Chipchase said – “We are overjoyed that Mildenhall Speedway will run again in 2019 and must thank Kevin (Jolly) for all his help in making this happen. We are very pleased to be able to announce that Kevin will stay involved with us and help our riders develop using his great knowledge of speedway and deep passion for the sport. He has also been a massive help to us as we prepare to step somewhat into the unknown. This was a decision not lightly taken but I am confident that with the various skills my partners will bring to the table we can continue to run Mildenhall Speedway on a sustainable basis whilst providing our loyal fan base with the exciting speedway they have come to expect at Mildenhall. We are very lucky to have so many committed helpers too that all help make the Mildenhall Speedway experience a special one. Now we are confirmed as running we need to act swiftly to ensure we are able to secure the riders we want to give us a competitive team. We will keep supporters fully updated and will be in a position to announce our first riders next week. We would like to thank our supporters for their patience during this worrying period” Kevin Jolly commented – “This is a solution that works for everyone, the club keeps running which is so important to me, whilst at the same time I will not have the financial commitment and day to day responsibilities that I have had over the recent years. I am happy to help the new consortium and am convinced that they can continue to move Mildenhall Speedway forward. It is great that some enthusiasts have come in to take it over and now we all can all look forward to the coming season. The intention, I understand, is that five riders will be announced next week, one each evening, so the run up to Christmas will be very exciting for sure”

Too much of an individual for my liking , definitely not my idea for team racing.

Kind of! ‘fronted by club commercial manager Lee Chipchase and local farmer Greg Palmer – plus unnamed partners – in control of the operation, although Jolly is to remain a part of the set-up at West Row.’

It's has not been publicly announced, I think the announcement about that and other various "tweeks" to the rules is due in January. But I have had it from the horses mouth, ie Promoters and Managers of 3 different clubs that the rule is in effect.

No playoffs next srason then winding down

I maybe wrong, but I’m sure you only get a reduction for a full seasons absence if was due to a “ Speedway injury “ and not any other, for example, sledging

With Rye House’s results being expunged mid-season, Chris Harris’s average should have reverted to his starting average, which would have been too high for Poole to sign him. Should the BSPA remove Chris’s points from Poole’s results and award the 2018 title to Kings Lynn?

Very pleased to see Luke Ruddick get a chance. I have been a fan since his early days at Mildenhall and he's improved season on season in the NL, with a near 1.5 jump last year. Its a massive leap from the NL to the Championship but there's no doubt he'll give it everything he's got.