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Redcar nearly bottom? Are you mad?

Obviously your on drugs I quote Redcar in tenth, ?? Scunthorpe weakest no 1?? Claus Vissing no 1 at Newcastlewill be the lowest average No 1.He only scored 6 pts at Rough park when he visited with Glasgow

Don’t believe it was suggested it did have any relevance in the uk... so what’s your point? Although, Jack Holder will be a Sheffield rider next season, so it is of relevance to Sheffield supporters... and as most of us live in the UK, it does have some relevance here...

Eastbourne 1st - 3rd Great top two, if Brennan can score like last year, will be a very potent team! Not the strongest at reserve but have plenty of potential there! Glasgow 2nd Best rider in the league, good reserve in Jensen, Bailey has plenty of promise but there's also plenty of question marks in the top 5! Edinburgh 1st - 6th Very strong top two, reserves look very decent, if newcomers perform could challenge for the title, if not scrape into top 6! Poole 3rd / 4th Hard to judge as have two places to fill, but have strongest 3rd heat leader in league! Scunthorpe 4th / 5th Weakest number one in the league, but have a great reserve in Lambert & the most promising 2.00 rider! Leicester 5th / 6th Strongest second strings in the league, but alongside Redcar have the weakest reserves! Somerset 7th / 8th Good top 2, exciting riders behind them, but pretty weak in the bottom three! Kent 7th - 9th Middle of the road side, Gilkes is very promising! Birmingham 8th / 9th A good number one & probably the strongest reserve in the league! Berwick 10th / 11th Very solid, potential in their reserves but weak at the top, home advantage should help! Redcar 10th / 11th Strongest top 2/3 in the league, but also weakest reserves in the league! Newcastle 12th Strong reserves but very weak everywhere else!

Just seen this Cyril Maidment thread. Cyril lived out his later years in Tenerife. At the time my son was managing a bar out there and met Cyril. He told Cyril I was visiting the island and arranged for me to meet the man. I was late for the meeting but gentleman Cyril waited for me at the bar (he was on lemonade!) and we had a great speedway conversation. He then left on his Harley Davidson. A couple of years or so later my by then ex-wife visited and knowing Cyril was her favourite Aces rider my son arranged another meeting with her! He then took her on a tour of the island! He was unwell for some time at the end and 'parked' his Harley as he said he just couldn't handle it anymore. But a real gentleman.

Just don’t let starman catch you

You wanted him back at Poole last season when you supported them?

Fair point, but some people make it difficult for themselves! Saying that a team has the strongest top 2/3 in the league, but still having them to finish 11th ( even with "apparently" the 2 weakest reserves) means that they are either on a wind up or have a deep seated dislike of The Bears, I suspect it probably both.

Some of the Frank Arthur collection that I was at in Australia several years ago.....it was a shame IMO that this could have not been sold as one lot!

Or a Lynx Africa gift set.

Redcar near wooden spoonists ? And here's me thinking Redcar had a great season last year, and will be one of the strongest again in 2020. I nearly choked on my turkey when I read someone reckons Redcar will be turkeys in 2020. Nah !! Not a chance.

Reading this thread, the quicker the speedway season is here the better.

Means nowt in the UK

It's not about the winning, it's the taking part that counts.

are there any rumours coming out of monmore of a farewell for rory ? he has done more for british youngsters than 90% of british riders so i think it would be a fitting goodbye .

Further items on Keith McKay. An item from 29.12.1928 Interesting facts concerning dirt-track racing on the Continent were related by Mr. Keith McKay, who with Mr. G.S.Meredith introduced that sport to Europe. He is a Sydney man and is returning there on the Orama. In company with 13 motorcyclists from Australia and New Zealand, the two men left for England at the end of last year. Mr McKay estimates his profits from dirt-track racing alone during the year amounted to 3,600 pounds. When the little band of dirt track racers first arrived in England a company was formed with a capital of 24,000 pounds...............once the success of the sport had been firmly established in England, Mr McKay sold his interest in the company and has since been riding under short contracts in Europe. He ended the season in Copenhagen, where , he said , in spite of intense cold, there were regular attendances of 30,000. Next season dirt-track racing will be introduced into Barcelona and Cannes. Mr McKay himself is under contract to Mr Tex Richard, the famous boxing promoter to appear in New York at the Madison Square Garden on March 15th for a period of 6 weeks. He will appear in Copenhagen for the last week in May, and will afterwards journey to London, Brussels and Paris. He remarked that no Australian rider had made less than 2,000 gbp during the season And on 07.02.1929 the sad news of his death It was with much regret that Delegate people heard of the death of Mr. Keith McKay, which took place in Sydney on February 1. An old Delegate district boy, Keith was well known to all old residents. He had a pleasant personality and was very popular. He was having a holiday in Australia, and intended to take his wife and two children with him to England on his return. On the day of his burial a cable was received from London asking him to return immediately. We take the following from the Daily Guardian of February 2 Keith McKay, well known in local motor and motorcycling circles died in St. Vincent's private hospital yesterday as a result of a crash at speedway royal at Xmas time. The deceased was connected with T.D Chapman Ltd and the late A.V. Turner for several years and became interested in motorcycle racing about 3 years ago. He competed with a fair amount of success in Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide. Together with the late Geoff Meredith, he took a team of Australian riders to England last year, and was partly responsible for the boom in dirt track racing there. When his partner died, he carried on alone, but came home before Xmas for several weeks holiday Competing at the Speedway Royal on December 22 he crashed heavily into a post, as a resut of which a leg was amputated . Blood poisoning set in, and although he fought gamely for his life for over a month, he started to sink about a week ago, and passed out yesterday. Only 26 years of age, the late Keith McKay was popular with all whom he came in contact with and will be greatly missed Another interesting article from 24.06.1927 states he is contemplating a trip to South Africa having considerable experience in motorcycle and light car racing. Having left home at age 16 he went to the US and got a job in a motor factory and mamanged to have a fair amount of success in motorcycle racing at Sheepshead Bay track. Then he started as a car racer and had some success in South America .Then had a win on a track in France then took up road racing, which was considerably more difficult, but for 4 seasons had numerous wins. In 1925 he had a bad smash after competing in Italy, Spain and even Le Mans !!! The he returned to Australia and Adelaide where he was popular with the motorcyclists at the speedway

Its always the same - the No1 you want as a No5 . The No5 needs to be 3rd heat leader. The 3rd heat leader needs to be a 2nd string. The 2nd string needs to be at reserve. The No7 needs to be a 5 pointer All easily solved - just needs a 50 point limit

Tbf looking at the stats Tungate had a good season at home but away from home was another story. As a 3rd heat leader he'd be perfect

It's 'being' rude and I'm not.

Sorry, Ron How

Given the massive losses incurred by the NSS, I would have thought having the stox there for the extra revenue would be a no brainer?

As ever Keith... Drink? Regards THJ Edit... and food if you can call jellied eels food that is...

and is there any connection to speedway in that post john ??

Probably because only three teams have a completed 1-7 so far. Someone might spring a surprise signing

Once it was obvious there was going to be no big shake up of last seasons massively disappointing team then the expectation level should have been severely down graded. Another season of mediocrity ahead.

Is Hartel the surprise signing that Dale Allitt said would be in team? If it is , I am disappointed.

Honestly Reggie was the straight Kray Twin.... Fatty got his lip up for the Reggae.... Reggae not Reggie... you illiterate plum.... Actually am thinking of changing me name to Buster Bloodvessel and me Avatar as a can see a resemblance All the best and happy new year Regards THJ

For all my sins i am an Arsenal fan, and have a few mates with season tickets so I can go pretty much as often as I like. I dont care what the stats say, I ve been to the Emirates and there has been maybe 10,000 empty seats on more then one occasion. In fact in my last 3 visits it's only been the littlebaway section in the corner totally packed. I think they must count season ticket holders regardless of whether they attend or not as that seat isn't for general sale.

So someone in a dying sport gets an award and you have a sap like Richard Weston making stupid comments . This is everything that is wrong with speedway and more importantly, its fans. Well done Dave!

Because Champ teams are quicker to bring in a new foreigner than use a promising British rider!

Indeed, entirely new levels of pettiness. Best filed under ‘who gives a toss’.

Greyhoundp - would you prefer the Labour alternative? Salma Yaqoob - who famously turned her back on British soldiers parading through Birmingham before leaving the Labour Party to join George Galloway's Respect Party?

One time Crewe rider, Dave Parry, runs Parry's coaches who used to (or still do?) sponsor Wolves. I see the coaches around York occasionally.

i've got the week booked again, 14th - 21st, love it there

Poland have a huge (and almost insurmountable advantage) in that many of their state of the art stadia is council owned and subsidised, if not wholly funded.. Britain cannot compete with that as its simply not a level playing field.. The issue has been that for many years it tried to (of a fashion), rather than plowing it's own furrow. And ended up with the usual 'halfway house/not quite fit for purpose' operating model and business plan we have today.. Poland with TV companies tendering against one another to show their leagues at prime time from Friday to Sunday. And national company sponsors out doing each other to be seen around Poland on a well watched prime time programme, give them an enormous advantage that the UK have absolutely no chance of competing against such is the difference in income streams for the respective Promoter organisations.. One top rider in Poland per match can earn as much (and maybe more) as two teams collectively can over here.. You cannot compete with that..

after a lot of deliberation and changing positions here is my final guess.. 1 Redcar - excellent and retained top 5. Wright and Riss can possibly still improve average and if he stays fully fit so can MPT. Second strings look potential improvers too and if reserves can pick up 3-4 points per meeting between them, top 5 will ensure big advantages in key races. 2 Leicester - very solid top 5, expect Douglas and Perks to increase averages again. Very solid then with Morris / Howarth and Proctor. Fitness of those 3 who are prone to niggly issues could determine the season. Seen a lot of Thompson twins in 2019, don't underestimate either of them, will be as good as many with far more experience. 3 Poole - if we assume Ellis is in then very strong top 3 although Worrall has to prove still he is the rider he was pre 2018 early season injury. Neilsen is another who could add a few points or get crocked again. Not sure about McDonald so may be a team to factor up or down depending on final 2 signed with Ellis. 4 Birmingham - assured of strong reserves all season and Jack Thomas could be an inspired signing. I expect Shanes and Castagna to add a point plus per match, if Garrity stays focused could be no 1 and Jonasson could be CL steal of the season starting with everyone else and not playing catch up. Only niggle I have is with such a team of racers we'll need some dirt and to avoid injuries. 5 Glasgow - Cook will dominate the Team and Nichol is a very shrewd addition but has to improve dramatically on some away tracks, especially the bigger ones. Wells and Sedgeman both "marmite" riders who can blow very hot and cold. Bailey showed promise last year and Ulrich could be a trump card if they invest in his bikes. Sam Jensen I know little about and will need to deliver quite quickly to help them gel. 6 Eastbourne - Strong top 3 with Kennett on a truer average. Lawson and Kerr both excellent at Home and this has to be the season for Kyle Newman to finally deliver. The fact they again go all British and keep faith in Brennan and Edwards to be very much applauded. The signing of the season could be Drew Kemp, knows the track, starts at reserve and Eagles are likely to be far more loyal to him than Sheffield. Could pick up a few more Away points and no one will want to go there in any 2 leg Competition/Decider 7 Edinburgh - Rival Redcar with that top 3 and in Josh Pickering i predict probably the biggest upwardly mobile improver in the CL. Thomson and Frederickson complete unknowns to me but Lawson and Sargeant both capable of winning races at home and away. Could be a dark horse Team if it all gels. 8 Berwick - I think Leon Flint could be the next big British charger to follow Lambert and Bewley and his Away form looks sure to improve as he has more experience now of CL Tracks. Bickley seems to promise a lot but surprised Glasgow let him go so not sure if there is an attitude problem. Won't lose many at Home and Doolan you feel is just waiting to come back in should the need arise. If Pickering is the tider I expect to improve most in CL Etheridge is not far behind. If Gappmeier and Garcia improve away by a point would be top 6 material. 9 Somerset - weakest team I have seen from them in ages and can only assume that having overspent in 2018 they did the same in 2019 with a top heavy team. Anders Rowe was markedly improved in 2019 and looks real deal. Barker and Bates and Wilson-Dean - that trio can go either way, massive points or directly to A+E and whilst they will be entertaining, you'd be watching them with fingers crossed. Know little about Zac Cook but Stoneman is a charger who just needs better support and kit to possibly double his average. 10 Scunthorpe - as said elsewhere a typical Rob Godfrey side. They will steamroller a few when they all click but equally likely to suffer a few thrashings away. Jake Allen stand out performer and could become one of best 4-5 in the Division. Ayers will hope to continue where he left off and the mercurial Lambert will either score shedloads or nothing Jordan Palin may struggle unless he gets NDL rides to bolster confidence. 11 Newcastle - great to see them back and wish them all the best. James Wright is a rider a few Clubs may regret not signing if he clicks back to form and Clegg and Mountain could both become solid 6 point men in engine room. Vissing always struck me as good Heat Leader but can be very suspect under pressure and I'm not sure no 1 fits his persona, we shall see. 12 Kent - Scott will be their talisman but not sure if age or recently disclosed personal issues will have an impact on him. Heeps and Starke are good additions and Tom Bacon is another who really does deserve some luck and can put a few points on if staying fit. Gilkes is an outstanding prospect, Ledwith remains the most baffling of picks with likes of Morley and Wood sat twiddling thumbs in the South East. Hopefully the curfew won't be such an issue for them in better quality league.

Pretty sure Leon Madsen had last pick at Cardiff after missing the draw and ended up winning the event. Sure Emil didn't practise at Torun and made the semi. On the whole don't think having a pick of the draw has had any effect on the results of the GP's .

Pre 1936 numerous competitions were held under the guise of "World Championship". Didn't Jack Parker win the Paris one. The annual Star Riders Final was probably the nearest thing to a World Final at the time

Honestly Why would you being a soft sotherner... You won't find anything on here about warm beer that's flat as a witches twit or jellies eels governer... Regards THJ

He's also caused more Promoters and Referees more grief than just about any other Rider in the past 20 years with his constant moaning and whining! Jury's out !

You don't need to read "the papers". The Greyhound Board of Great Britain release their own report stating 1,000 dogs died in a single year, including 242 put down trackside and 324 which were put down because they could not be rehomed. This is only dogs which "retire" it doesn't include those which were being trained but were not considered suitable. A report compiled for the Irish Greyhound Board concluded that on average 5.987 dogs were culled (slide 26) each year as they "failed to produce qualifying times" (2,673); "failure to produce desired entry level times" (1,989) and an "unacceptable decline in performance" (1,326).

Forward planning for next year, maybe?