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I wouldn't even use kurtzholder as a password, far too weak.

If Poole are allowed back into the PL they’ll have to sign the new Fair Play Charter. And apparently Matt has said he would rather be dead in a ditch than do that!

Surely all the contact would be by text?

By non-speedway fans, you mean people like yourself? You're fooling yourself if you think that speedway even enters the mind of non-speedway fans. We are already aware that most non-speedway fans (certainly in the UK) haven't any idea what speedway is, so why would they worry about rules, points limits, guests, and general credibility?

Not sure it's a good move at this point of his career he will be no8 and not get many rides. If any. He would have been best staying in liga 1 to get more rides

The promotion at Birmingham made themselves very unpopular by not paying riders!!!!!

Please please please not Kurtz or Holder

If people come onto a site looking for factual answers on a thread asking "speedway's future IMO," then they are looking on the wrong part of the site.

85

I thought that in these instances the bond that the Workington promotion would have paid to the BSPA when they took over the club would take care of these kind of things. You wonder how far down the list outstanding payments to riders actually is.

With rose tinted glasses unfortunately. Not a Poole fan, but please use the points on a up and coming rider who's got a long term future.

Congratulations to Dan who today, in his first ever meeting in Australia, won the Jack Young Trophy. Kyle Bickley was third.

Thanks for that reply Rob, at least my memory is still working! I also have memories of waiting for my parents Daily Mirror to fall on to the door mat, so I could grab it and look at the results from the previous nights meetings. I would turn to the sports section, and there in tiny (very tiny) print under "other sports" would be the results, and sometimes the top scorers if I was lucky. How things have changed over the years with the advent of the Internet, and we still complain!

Certainly was a sad day to watch on the north east news the aftermath of the fire . Everyone I knew had their regular seats in that grandstand.

He has posted truthful and factual answers, so why do you have a problem within him KNOWING things? You can't just go through life letting your opinions get in the way of reality and fact. Actually, it seems like YOU can...

You have asked a number of direct questions. He has provided a number of direct, factual answers.

I didn't, you did. Go tell them speedway is a 'pretend sport'. Go tell a rider speedway is a 'pretend sport'. You are an odious man, who has been sulking for 20+ years because he can't get free entrance into the sport anymore.

You need to get out more

Hit the rev limiter on a modern bike and all that happens is you get a slight misfire, much more like an over rev on an old engine than backing the throttle off. Points bounce was always a good indication you had reached 8000rpm and needed to fit electronic ignition in the old days too. Road bikes now have all sorts of traction control and anti wheelie options. Even my flat track bikes have mapping choices and start options that are basic traction control, it all works flawlessly, whether you need it or it is desirable is another story, I've used the same map since I've had the bike I use and never bothered with the start option. From 2019 the Yamaha YZ450 MX bike has had the option to connect to it via Bluetooth and make quite significant changes to the fuelling and timing from your phone. I've been tempted by that, not because I'd need it but I'd enjoy playing with it! I can't see the set up suggested for Speedway doing any harm at all and it may well have some benefits, especially if the option to gradually lower limits was used.

Quibell park was scunny

If IOW couldn't run in NDL if there is no NDL wouldn't it be a good shout for Matt Ford to approach Barry Bishop - that could be a dream for Poole as Barry is probably the most inventive / imaginative of current promoters - match made in heaven.

In the Midlands there are many older athletics venues in need to local authority investment that has sadly not been forthcoming before / after Olympics 2012 and still a few that hark back to the days when industry provided good sports facilities for their employees. I do remember going to speedway at Scunthorpe that was an athletics track, would have been around mid 70's can't remember name of the place and there were similar venues in Birmingham (Aston under motorway) that I think Brummies looked at and in Dudley borough / Sandwell Borough (that I think Cradley looked at) and others. Benefit of athletics tracks is that they have an obvious shape and base around which stadium is built that means work required to put down a track is reduced.

Wow a non-Polish rider looking after himself in Poland.?!

You wouldn’t sign him on 11 no. But that wasn’t the point I was making... Col made him out to be a second heatleader, he was more than that.

Wouldn't cricket grounds be the best fit? Is there historical precedent in Australia? Clearly they're not obvious bed fellows but I know a lot of the Counties struggle financially. Would it be possible to have a permanent speedway track covered by cut out sections of the cricket outfield? Not in-expensive but less so than a new stadium. Generally speaking you'd be appealing to two different demographics so wouldn't be competing for the same audience [debatable].

Whatever the team average they decide it wouldn’t put me off having Doyley signed & sealed. I certainly don’t want him going to another club as Swindon win leagues with him in the team.

Yeah, that was a big problem. It was like they were trying to stretch the meeting out over the whole day. Good to hear they seem to have improved that

This seasons Challenge in Scheessel was pretty good, and run at a realy good pace. I was used to Scheessel with very lengthy track gradings, but they seem to have it under control.

Cloppenburg is a track little track for the kids. The Germans always deliver a good show there.

I read the Speedway Star that's all, I was a Track Raker and that's about it. My reading of the Speedway Star this week suggests to me that Kent and Poole are as sure as you can be to be in The Championship when you read the articles written. I may be wrong but looks like rubber stamping at the AGM which is next week Wednesday and Thursday I think. I do hope there is a decent NDL in 2020 as most would agree it needs to thrive.

Just a little joke - there would be no vote As you you say only 7 teams so desperate times and even Poole are welcomed by everyone

Bjarne Pedersen was a top number one for Poole for quite a few seasons during their dominance in the mid 2000’s. He is way past his best now, but was certainly a class act back in his day.

The 250cc world ch'ship is a great 2-day event, and Cloppenburg of course a great speedway venue. go for it

In other words you can’t support your claim. Standard form for most of your posts.

Cloppenburg on my birthday might also be worth considering. My girlfriend has friends who run a hotel in the area and has been on about visiting.... Scheeßel though, isn’t far away. But my visit there and two tries visits to Mulmshorn bored me to tears

And you have to sell that ‘but further away’ to fans. Today football is generally the top sport and yet you would want those fans out at a disadvantage to a lesser sport ? Why should they then pay good money for a poor view ? It just doesn’t work like that anymore. People expect a good stadium with a good view and a certain standard of facility nowadays like decent toilets Doesn’t sound like a good business strategy to give potentially your main source of income the poor standards, when probably just down the road another club is offering something better

B*yawn*e was never exciting. His gating was more than decent & he was fast enough to be an effective chicane against any rider. He was a reliable above average second heat leader at most in Britain ten years ago. I doubt he got that far up the Ekstraliga & Eliteserin ladder. He wouldn't put my bum on any seat. Poole look back, last time he rode over here he was feigning iinjury so you could use Tungate as a guest!!

November til March is the best time to have him now. April til October he is bang average with just the all too few WOW moments

I have been looking at green sheets and closest I could get to 41 was Craig Cook 10.18 Kyle Howarth 7.15 Ricky Wells 7.05 Broc Nicol 5.16 Sam Jensen 4.34 Zaine Kennedy 4.00 Connor Bailey 3.11 Gives a total of 40.99

http://www.speedwaygb.co.uk/news.php?extend.35805 The BSPA are delighted to report that the 2018 AGM has successfully concluded and has delivered a number of positive benefits for 2019 and equally importantly, stability going forward. British Speedway in 2018 has achieved tremendous success in the International and European competitions. The British Premiership, Championship and National Development Leagues have entertained a growing and more diverse audience by consistently delivering speedway of the highest quality. It is clear from the data received from our media partners that British Speedway remain fit for purpose as a sports product. On this basis the BSPA have identified that the evolution of the regulations combined with delivering general stability through the sport, and a league structure that enables a clear progression pathway, are some of the key objectives for the short and medium term. The following 2019 actions are designed to deliver against this criterion: • New Limited Company -The BSPA has now agreed to transition to a Ltd Company from the 1st December 2018. The new company will be; The British Speedway Promoters’ Association Ltd. In accordance with British accountancy requirements, the BSPA business will submit timely audited accounts to Companies House. All current business assets will be transferred in their entirety and the association remains financially viable. The articles of association have been approved at the AGM. • BSPA Management Committee – These roles now transition to the role of Director in the new LTD Company. For continuity of leadership during this transition period, it is decided that for the next 12 months, all current roles such as President, Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Management Committee members all transition to the new Ltd Company, with Chris Louis nominated as a reserve Director. • BSPA Communications – To ensure that the good work of the BSPA is communicated correctly, the BSPA will pilot a monthly press release generated by the Directors. • The International Speedway League Bureaux (ISLB) – Agreement has again been reached that Great Britain has secured ‘protected rider’ race days for Monday and Thursday within the European events calendar. The British Premiership League will race on Mondays and Thursdays for 2019. This will assist each team to present a more consistent rider line-up to their supporters. • GB Speedway Team - has delivered a fresh brand image and new look to the GB Speedway Team, that has delivered success both on and off track. The BSPA are delighted to confirm that Rob Painter and his team at VRX Motorsport will continue to run, in accordance with the BSPA licence terms and condition, GB Team Speedway through to the contract renewal in 2020. In addition, the BSPA have agreed that Alun Rossiter and Neil Vatcher will, under the same licence conditions, retain their roles through to 2020. They are GB Speedway Team Manager and Young Lions U21 Team Manager respectively. • GB Speedway Team Test Matches – Every effort will be made to stage 3 GB based test matches during 2019. • The BSPA League Structures for 2019 will be; (NB to support the progression of riders who have progressed through the National Development League, all riders will receive a 2.5% reduction in their average) Premiership League – Commencing April 2019 • 7 Clubs • 7 Rider teams • 42.5 Average • Minimum rider points average of 3 ‘achieved’ and not assessed • 15 heat events • League - home and away twice + Play-offs • New ‘Premiership Supporters Cup’ with 1 race ‘fans nominated’ via social media – Full details to follow but 1st event provisionally scheduled for 8th April • Each Club to stage one round of the British Youth Championship in 2019 Championship League – Commencing April 2019 • Conversion rate for 2019 will be 1.5, 2020 will be 1.6 and 2021 will be 1.7 • Up to 12 Clubs • 7 Rider teams • 38.0 Average • 15 heat events • League – Home and away once + Play-offs • Shield – 3 Groups of 4 + Winners of each group + best runner-up • Knock-out-Cup • National League – AGM to be held on the 28th November 2018 • 2019 Premiership Clubs • Poole • King's Lynn • Belle Vue • Swindon • Wolverhampton • Peterborough • Ipswich • 2019 Championship Clubs • Berwick • Edinburgh • Glasgow • Redcar • Sheffield • Scunthorpe • Newcastle • Somerset • Leicester • Workington • Two National Development League clubs will be joining the Championship and both clubs will be formally announcing their elevation over the next few days. • National Supporters Club Group • The BSPA is looking to establish a national supporters club group. Each official or designated supporters club, will be invited to nominate one liaison member from their club. The purpose is to provide supporters with a mechanism to express views, share ideas and have an active communication channel with the BSPA. More information to follow with the aim to be active before the commencement of the 2019 season. • Rider ‘doubling down’ and rider progression opportunities • For a number of reasons, the BSPA has activated a phased 5-year plan to create a clear progression ladder for up-and-coming riders. In addition, the plan will gradually reduce the number of ‘doubling down’ riders between the Premiership and Championship Clubs. For 2019 the Championship Club rider average has been reduced to 38 points. The average conversion rate from Premiership to Championship will be 1.5. This conversion rate will increase (For example 1.6 in 2020) by one tenth of a point each year until the rate reaches 2.0. • Speedway GB press office report • New Style website peaked at 139,500 hits per day • Facebook in excess of 20,000 likes • Twitter has in excess 25,000 followers • Instagram followers of 2,481 BT Sport • Are a valued partner again for 2019 • The coverage has attracted an average of 98,000 unique viewers • Viewership of speedway on BT Sport has increased 41% year on year

What like nearly every other sport in the world .. like Football , Rugby and American football etc ? you need to come out of your time warp .

So is Bjarne a realistic option? Would be good to have him at Poole again before he retires. Should be okay at CL level..?

Bjarne Pedersen set to retire is news most Pirate fans would view as the end of an era and most would see as sad to hear. He gave amazing service to Poole and always gave his best, his 21 points at Lakeside would forever live in my memory and I really hope he gets a farewell meeting because he fully deserves one.

Just 4500 left to sell now.

I do hope we are not drifting into the cheap "snowflake generation" argument here are we? I'll give my own experience as an example... I was first taken to the sport aged 7 to Belle Vue's Hyde Road and was hooked..we then went every Saturday. Not a school night, no problem. Though I suspect it might have been a problem had it been a midweek track at that young age....less so 2-4 years later. Then, we certainly had the odd midweek trip to follow the Aces to Sheffield and Birmingham. I am now a father of six year old twins, they will be 7 by the time of the next speedway season, so the right age (I think) to have a grasp of what's going on and potentially engage with it. Bedtime at ours is 7-7:30, later at the weekend. So a midweek track is out for now. Additionally, even when they are a little older and could cope with a later midweek night, we - unlike my parent's boomer generation - are much more squeezed for time...and disposable income beyond the mortgage and bills. Like many in the 30s-40s generation, both us parents work and after the kids get back from after school club and we rush to make dinner, there's little time left for anything before bed. In contrast, as a child, I had the luxury of a stay-at-home mum who could get us kids home at a decent time, have dinner ready early for the whole family and much more time for any possible midweek outing. Society has changed. Now, this isn't all about me, speedway can draw from older and younger groups. But I do think that appealing to my (current) demographic is absolutely key for speedway now and in the future. We only really have time- and money - for weekend outings and if speedway can't cater for us, it is going to miss out on thousands of families like mine.

I’d like to think so too but the three riders who were most disappointing on the road last season are experienced and I’d say the chances of them suddenly clicking on other tracks is fairly slim. We all get emotionally attached to riders especially those who have been around the club for several seasons but if you want to be successful sometimes it’s necessary to be ruthless.

There has been a team representing this very forum on Eggheads, some while ago now. Also teams of Glasgow and Belle Vue fans. I saw an old "Bullseye" (circa 1985 if I remember rightly) on Challenge a while ago and one of the couples said they were Poole fans.

I suppose that means I am going to be searching through all The Chase programmes on catch up last week now.

That's right, Bunce. The BBC covered speedway as far back as the glory days of the 1940s at least, albeit via radio then. For many years during the 60s and 70s they just covered one meeting a year - The Internationale at Wimbledon. That was a single film camera effort shown either on the Wednesday or Saturday following and indeed commentated by Alan Weeks, who apart from expertise on ice skating and ice hockey was the BBC's man for the obscure sports like ours. He did give himself away once by describing Terry Betts as "riding for the King's Lynn Linnets". Later the Beeb did cover the odd world final but overall their commitment above local radio and regional news level has been minimal. in the 80s when I was covering Dutch ice hockey the usual question from the organisers was "So, do you know Alan Weeks?" I wish I had - he could have passed on a few tips...

My top 20 riders on current form up to and including 30.09.19 were as follows:- 01 (01) Jason Doyle-Swindon-1110 02 (02) Troy Batchelor-Swindon-1080 03 (----) Robert Lambert-King's Lynn-1000 04 (07) Jacob Thorsell-Wolves-980 05 (05) Sam Masters-Wolves-970 06 (04) Max Fricke-Belle Vue-960 07 (03) Kenneth Bjerre-940 08 (09) Brady Kurtz-Poole-920 09 (----) Neils Kristian Iversen-Ipswich-900 10 (08) Craig Cook-King's Lynn-880 11 (10) Michael Palm Toft-King's Lynn-875 12 (14) Eric Riss-King's Lynn-870 13 (10) Nicolai Klindt-Poole-865 14 (20) Adam Ellis-Swindon-860 15 (13) Nick Morris-Wolves-830 16 (06) Rasmus Jensen-Swindon-815 17 (16) Danny King-Ipswich-820 18 (----) Josh Grajczonek-Poole-790 19 (18) Rory Schlein-Wolves-780 20 (15) Dan Bewley-Belle Vue-770