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A bit like Swindon?

Blimey - bet there ain't many petitions that get pulled so easily. So because they said it wasn't gonna change, that satisfied you ? Each to their own, but that wouldn't satisfy me. I realise you weren't speaking to whoever it was on behalf of folk on an official basis, but blimey.

Despite not being a GP rider Nicki had the 12th highest average in the Polish top flight last year. He is still one of the best riders in the world.

This meeting may have to be put back until March 2021 in order for Peterborough to complete there team building. They are in talks via carrier pidgeons with various riders as it cheaper than using the phone.

Pedersen has always used hard riding to get past riders ever since he made his UK debut in 98. Very good gater but also a terrific racer , whether that’s using force or not. Have seen him make some absolutely breath taking passes during his time.

I think it's great that Crump is back. Ok, he and Nicki may not be the riders they were but these guys have an aura about them which no other rider here - with the possible exception of Doyle - has. Their signings will surely improve crowd levels at Ipswich and Sheffield, and hopefully at away tracks when they visit..I'll certainly be paying a visit to both tracks this year for the first time in yonks.

Everybody has access to podcast, Facebook, Twitter etc. To be on here you need access to the Internet. It's not the clubs fault but your personal choice to not venture to these other outlets that has information

Hope Peterborough are not putting a team together for this, or the league wont start until next year

The truth is out there. The Prem clubs step in to save the day (after the destruction of the current development league) by running a second half division for "local young riders" to enable them to develop and hone their skills before finding there is no team place for them as they are all filled with overseas riders and fading GP stars.

Very true AF. Since Peter, George and I set up the new Diamonds in 1997, Peter, Me, Darryl, Alan and Dalbers have made considerable financial inputs into the club. Sorry to see George go, as his speedway knowledge and his connections will be missed. I hope he enjoys his retirement, but I wonder what the situation is now with him fronting the BSPA shared events, a post he has only just been appointed to. We'll see shortly I think. Interesting that there has always been an English in Newcastle Speedway since 1961 when both George Snr, Joan and myself were members of the new Supporter's Club. Since then the English's have either represented the Supporters Club or been a Promoter of the Diamonds. That's a long time for anybody. I wish Rob well with his revamped Diamonds, and look forward to it being a big success.

Look I know my comments here are not going to make me any friends but here we go. The bottom line I think is that the BSPA has finally lost patience with "Ghost Teams" popping up year after year in the junior leagues and now that Cradley have folded, the thorn in the side of that argument has finally been removed. I've sat on the fence over the last few years and watched the MDL/MDSL with interest and In my honest opinion for what it's worth it has started to look a bit silly with all these old names being used. One or two like we had a few years ago is fine but when the league is made up of more defunct teams than actual junior teams of the promotion it starts to look a bit of a joke. Do the speedway star still run a fantasy league for people wanting to use such team names? I know the people running these teams are helping juniors get track time and that has to be applauded. But, I do believe that people running the likes of Reading, Weymouth, Crayford, New Cross, Wembley, etc, etc, have a very different agenda to those running the junior teams at Birmingham, I.O.W or Belle Vue. I could be very wrong of cause. I do sympathise with the people running the ghost teams. I know it takes a lot of hard work and enthusiasm, but if you are genuine about giving young lads track time and helping them develop then just swallow the bullet and call your teams Swindon juniors, Plymouth reserves, etc. After all if you are genuine then you will not care about team names, trophies and so on as long as the lads (and girls) are benefiting from a meaningful team competition. I know the objective of such enthusiast's it to find land and build a new track to revive them, but please, please, please wake up and smell the coffee. Unless you have endless pockets of cash, and are even lucky to get a patch of land when councils are after more land for homes, then you are just living in a romantic fantasy land. Cradley have failed and given up. Take lessons from that. The other thing you have to take into account is the 2 men now running the BSPA have no time what so ever for the junior leagues I will just finish on this. The language used in recent weeks on social media by the organisers of such teams to describe the powers that be has been very unsavoury when you are "promoting" yourselves as a family sport on the other side of the coin. It makes you look childish and like you are throwing your toys out of the pram. Sorry if my comments are a bit harsh but there's no point sugarcoating the truth.

Once Managed one... won one... lost none... 43 47 away to Ipswich... Regards THJ

If only XR would capitulate so easily!!

Yet. Could well be Peterborough’s last two signings

It looks like maybe you jumped the gun then started a thread with an accusation without first trying to ascertain the facts? I don’t have any answers to your questions but how many is the “plenty of riders”? Is it more than the 28 team places available? Then I could see some would be anxious. If it’s less than 28, then I’d have thought they’d all be excited at the possibility of being part of a top league set up? Because of the enthusiasm of supporters and other hard working individuals, we have moved from a time when there were very few young British riders coming through to a vibrant scene. You just need to look at how many young riders attended the GB Team training camp at the weekend and how many are at the Young Lions course in the Isle of Wight this week. Individuals have stepped in to make this development happen and the often maligned Neil Vatcher deserves great credit for what he’s done, as do those involved with the NJL and, after it was tidied up 3 or 4 years ago by the SCB, the MDL and the newly re-formed SDL. Now we get to 2020 and, at long last, the powers that be in the BSPA rather than individual promoters have picked this up and hopefully will move things even further along.

Time to get those applications in guys

I bet some of the Sheffield riders are dreading being given the No 2 'race jacket' ...

The truth is out, MSDL crushed by Prem clubs to run a second half league for a season or so until they get bored. Promoting local riders to each club despite the vast majority of riders being spread far and wide and unlikely to even be remotely local. Enter teams in the league great, maybe even split the M & SDL's back up, no problem with that as more rides and more competition will always benefit the sport but don't hail yourself heroes BSPA when you have directly replaced an established product and cast good honest hard working volunteers side without so much of an acknowledgement.

Not sure if it's been mentioned on the forum but I came across a 5 part Free Speedway Podcast on Audible by Jennie Gow. An interesting listen about how speedway started her love of motor racing and about the sports heyday in the UK to where we are at now. Interesting hearing what Barry Hearn thinks in contrast to Buster Chapman's all is rosy view. Well worth a listen. It's interesting that they say about people drift out from the sport often due to starting families and work progression and then coming back to the sport at a later point. This is where I am. Since 2009 I drifted away from Rye House attending sporadically but back in 2018 with the kids older showing more interest we tried to attend but the midweek meetings put a stop to that with school and their after school commitments. Since the Rockets disappeared I've been itching to get back to speedway. Over the past year I have bumped into many old faces from Rye at some very random places none of them at speedway. In the years I was a regular week in week out I had an amazing time with some great people travelling up and down the country. It's sad how many tracks I had visited are no more in a relatively short space of time. Fingers crossed the Rockets get back on track and if it's a weekend race night/afternoon then me and my Johnson clan will be there.

Peter Oaks was on the talk speedway podcast this week and he says panthers have a proper no1 that should be announced this week

Forget exactly how many matches Egon rode for Hull 1976 but know he averaged 8.75 so none too shabby, he was a more than decent speedway rider but think he was strongly 'encouraged' to ride speedway in order for his permission to ride to ride longtrack be processed quicker & more hassle free, long / sand / grass track being his first love. I have the official VHS video of 1983 Final with Barry Briggs translating Egon's German commentary, recall the start marshall, who got skittled by an Engine Failed rider (Hans Nielsen) - how often did that happen in a World Final, was at school with Egon. As well as 'road developing' his bike, he took just the one machine - how's that for confidence, Egon later admitted to practising all he wanted on the Norden track prior to the final. He also appeared to 'advise' on track watering / grading during the actual meeting. It's true Hull ran R/R for Egon in 1977, Ian Thomas said Hull fans would be required to pay adult entrance (75p ?) + £2.50 each to meet Egon's demands, so maybe today's entrance + £30 ? Also, anyone who saw Egon ride will recall Egon's super-wide, 'cow horn'-style handlbars. He wasn't a cheap rider but when the mood struck he was dynamite, had speedway been his main thing reckon he would have been unstoppable....

Are we allowed to boo Nikki straight away for all his dirty riding in the past, or do we have to wait for some more?

I suppose you need to take my comments in the knowledge I have never been a Crump fan - indeed he once scored an 18 point max guesting for the Witches and I didnt cheer at all Even in his prime I wouldn't have been too fussed about him becoming a Witch such is my indifference to him - I just have just never warmed to him (admittedly this is partly due to him being the arch rival No1 who scored countless points against us) Now that's not to say I didnt or dont appreciate his talent. Infact despite my general view I would class him in the top 5-10 riders of all time However after 8 years retired following what was significant injury I dont see that he will be anywhere near the level some are predicting He looked decent in the WA matches and will through his natural talent and undoubted professionalism hold his own in this years PL but somewhere around 6 points will be it IMO His influence on others could be a great positive for the team and cant be underestimated. His commentary and punditry is excellent and insightful. His experience and knowledge is 2nd to none His signing is probably bigger for the league as a whole than it is for the Witches in particular and will generate significant interest which is much needed It will be strange and initially difficult for me to cheer him but at the end of the day he is now a Witch and therefore he will get my unreserved support. You never know I may even learn to like him

Jason Crump's return, at whatever age, is exciting. He was one of speedway's last superstars (in my eyes). Luckily for British speedway, the other - Nicki Pedersen - is also showing his face again. These names mean more with their presence than the points they will score. The sport just doesn't have bums-on-seaters anymore. I'd disregard their tallies and just be thankful they've chosen to bless these shores again. Your team winning isn't always as important as the sport itself. And British speedway has received a boost with these two returning. All the best to both.

Honestly All right my love... Let's have a look at the old score board.... Because you know what points make... However you get nothing for a double... well not in Speedway anyway... Should a get me CV polished up Ruff because a still have a 100% win record from a triple winning team from 2018... Undefeated.... Not many can boast that now can they... Regards THJ

He has had experience at it. Team manager I mean.

I would nominate THJ, with his 'no nonsense attacking style approach, backed up with plenty of defensive options'

I had a discussion with one of the management team from Peterborough Speedway today. I have been advised that there will be no change to the new arrangements outlined in the Club press release of 28th January (http://www.peterborough-speedway.com/news.php?extend.3747). Thank you to all who signed the petition. I will be arranging for the petition to be removed from change.org shortly.

Don't think anyone thinks HE alone kept the club alive financially, but he's been the ever present and was possibly the person fighting to keep speedway alive when other investors came and gone, although I stand to be corrected on that, anyway its onwards and upwards from now on hopefully, has anyone got any suggestions for team manager next year, going off some of the posts on here over the years I think there's a few think they could do it better off the forum not naming anybody in particular mind

Thank goodness for the mute button, eh? My goodness, I haven't even got a copy! That was a rather, ahem, 'unofficial' job, shot from the terraces. After the event the KM Video proprietor had the cheek to get us into the hospitality tent and chat to Barry Briggs while a very camera-shaped object was hidden in a holdall under a jacket....... I went 'straight' later, honest!

Give me a team including any 4 of the following and ill be there every week. Crump Hans M Poole R Pederson R Sullivan Z (Sam) Tesar NKI Hans Clausen K Bjerre Mario Jirout However bad the results are, I would pay to watch with a smile!

I was also at both Norden and Amsterdam. It's all very well harping on about track time etc, I refer you all to the 1983 Overseas Final at Belle Vue - 3 Aces riders in it, and the one with the least experience of Hyde Road (Larry Ross) was the only one to qualify easily for the Inter Continental Final, Chris Morton did but had a struggle IIRC and Peter Collins was nowhere near. Nobody is telling me that Egon had more experience of Norden than PC did Hyde Road.

Funnily enough Ben the way I found out the Rockets were back in 2000 was by a couple of big signs stuck on the roundabout at the Tesco A414/A1 interchange in Hatfield and then a few weeks later there was a display outside the Howard Centre in Welwyn Garden City. Can't remember which riders were there but guessing Russell Paine being local at the time, may have been there. After the 2000 season I never saw anything round my area (Welwyn/Hatfield) again.

It doesnt hammer down with rain in the Sweet City we have liquid sunshine

Me too, it shows what a load of old fogies we are. I really enjoyed the 1987 two day final. You can't beat a long weekend in Amsterdam!

Will be looking forward to the return of Jason vs The Robins & hope he does well as the league needs it. It will be very interesting to see how he does & with Chris Holder not getting a visa there options were very limited.

I hope you thanked them for the quick reply.

He has 2 new Ashtech engines waiting. But as you say, age, inactivity, and fitness maybe against him. It will affect him to some extent, but I guess we will have to wait and see how much. Gating could be the key for him. After 8 years he will be trying to find all the setups again as quick as he can. Might hinder him away from Foxhall. I was surprised with the high average he was given. 7-7.5 would of been fair I think. Great for British speedway that he's back, and I wish him the best, but I would rather NKI if I had a choice out of the two..

Words fail me

Has to be an argument that if one of these teams found and co-operated in the opening of a new venue it has to be a positive thing that none of the take over clubs will be doing. Of course there was a lot of lip service and most of the current dev league promotions could not actually fund a full stadia but they are/were keeping the prospect and supporter base open. How many new tracks have opened in the past 10 years (3? Kent, Leicester & Redcar?) versus how many have closed. The stats speak for themselves that every possibility has to be supported not shot down.

Don’t think he’s trying to prove anything. I think the top and bottom of this is Seth. He is here to support his sons road racing career and basically needs some cash flow. Had Seth been doing something else I don’t see Jason even contemplating doing this. Whatever the reasons I think it’s great for British speedway.

If he has stayed active and been on a bike regularly I think he will be fine. Sam Ermolenko stayed fairly active and in a few meetings here and there, years after retirement, showed he was still competitive, mixing it with Lindgren and beating Darcy Ward in one race. He was much older, far more battered through injuries etc than Crump. As said, as long as he gets some decent equipment together I think he'll go well enough to maintain his average at least.

Little upside? One of the greatest riders ever is returning to the sport. If he can do well or even only entertain, what’s not to like?

Only problem I see is the assessed average, quite how they’ve arrived at that figure is beyond me. From Jason’s perspective I think this is purely about his son. He is over here anyway, so he will have to earn some money. Gives him time to spend with him whilst only riding twice a week. He has some good sponsorship and in turn will have quality kit. You don’t forget how to ride a motorcycle and as long as he’s fully fit, I expect he will manage at least a 7 point average. Will take a few meetings to get his sharpness back, gating etc, but once he does he will be absolutely fine in my opinion. On a personal level it’s great to see him back, my favourite rider.

I take it Coventry's match at Leicester is still on? ;-) Re Milan, it doesn't matter what the balance is between landlord and tenant the argument was put forward that all ground sharing is undesirable. The fact thast it works in a major sporting league is surely relevant, whether Internazionale are landlords or joint tenants?

Crumpy is a terrific signing, i am sure most Panthers fans are gutted he isn't riding for them.

DON'T underestimate what riding alongside Crump, one of the great professionals, will have on the rest of the team.

It’ll go one of two ways for me - crump will drop a couple of points and then drew will be exchanged for a 5.5 man and we’ll be stronger at the bottom, or he’ll show his class be a comfortable no.1 still and we’ll have a strong spearhead in him and nic who are both historically good gaters. bit of a left field signing but either way I’m rather looking forward to the season

Having done some research, I gather it’s only the teams with nomad names that are involved. The rules on this have been clear for a very long time - only people actively looking for new premises, and with a realistic chance of success could use the name of a defunct team. I’ve never looked into this but would guess that it’s something to do with protecting the intellectual property behind the name so if someone is able to open a track at the named places, they would have the right to use the name. The rules were loosened for SDL/MDL but maybe some people were abusing the privilege? Anyway, what is there to stop the so called nomad teams coming to an arrangement with whatever track they are using to run under their name? It’s been done plenty of times before.

We were blessed with the old fence at Rye. While the introduction of air fences as mandatory has been a revelation at many tracks the old fence at Rye was probably safer for riders in all honesty. It would give on impact and there was then a run off behind it, whereas with an air fence despite a cushion there is still a more sudden stop on impact. There are many incidents that I can recall that would have probably been worse had an air fence been in place. As mentioned in other posts the air fence did also make viewing worse at Rye, we do have to accept the times change however and air fences being mandatory is certainly a positive thing on the whole.