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To be honest that’s the least of our worries there is people are dying of this virus up and down our country- if speedway season starts all well and good we will be on top of beating the virus - until then in the big picture speedway doesn’t matter.

There are thousands of people up and down the country that are finding it ‘really hard’. However, at no point does that make it acceptable to go out and rob a vulnerable adult at knifepoint. The very fact you’ve even tried to defend or even understand his actions is very worrying. He deserves every bit of punishment that comes his way the absolute lowlife scum.

Crewe and Crayford where in the days of uprights, these days you have laydowns struggling to negotiate tracks that were OK for uprights but are too narrow and the wrong shape for laydowns (with a very small number of exceptions). We've had loads of Speedway meetings on YouTube etc over the last few days, some of them were advertised as 'great meetings' and as someone who started his Speedway involvement in the early 50s, I quite looked forward to them but in the main it's been a borefest. I hope it has a future but I see it more as a part-time or amateur sport here, as it is it's unsustainable.

On a sad note 2 ex comets no longer with us, Tony dart and Blair Scott, both seamed to have had some mental health issues. RIP both

If your THAT desperate to rob anybody at knifepoint you clearly deserve that everything comes to you

Your original post was amazingly stupid.

The biggest problem with some tracks is they cannot change their tracks down to sharing with dogs ie wolves Newcastle to name a few. But do agree with you that track preparation does need to be a lot more consistent

You'll not be disappointed...try and obtain some of the back copies if you can?

I was there! Great race again.

I think it needs to present itself as much as a team sport as it can. To many people it just looks like random people riding round a track.

may be you should go and read last weeks Speedway Star. Nicholls / Harris and King review various Tracks, looks like they are going to do an A - Z. All Class riders and all saying the same thing broadly. There is a place for all types of track, the ones where you stick you backside on the back guard and throttle full on (often boring and processional in my opinion as there is only 1 line) and the ones that are far more technical and require throttle control and rider to turn the bike (can be equally boring as the riders who have the ability to do that are often head and shoulders above the rest and a dying breed) Converse thinking is you can and do have great racing at big fast and technical tracks. I've seen great racing at most tracks and equally boring racing at those tracks, Generalisation is easy. If every track was built like NSS which I think is a good track but over-rated wouldn't racing be boring in general as the vast difference in types and skills required would be nullified. The greats could ride anything, from Crayford to Crewe, they never moaned and complained. Look at the 10 point average riders in those days, cream rose to the top, look now, there aren't any basically, as all much of a muchness. We have a generation of riders (those that came after Nicholls / Harris and King who can ride anything) who only know one way to ride, very few have actually learned proper throttle control and the engines are revved to destruction. De-tune, limit revs, bring onus back on to throttle control not throttle bashing and the sport would improve overnight. I did Trials and Road Racing, I learned how to ride fast and how to ride the bike properly. I didn't have the natural ability to excel at either but I'll tell you this, anyone can ride a bike flat out, takes a rider to learn throttle control!

I think it is, yes. I think it should be on display at all times. I don't always know the score if I'm watching a match and have to look at someone's programme. Having to listen out for announcements should not be necessary but an enhancement.

Rest in Peace Blair. I found this story from 2001. Which shows what a hero Blair was on a cold November morning. "A YOUNG speedway star was beaten up by thugs who used his face as "a trampoline" after he tried to rescue a woman from being attacked.Edinburgh Monarchs rider Blair Scott, 21, was kicked unconscious when the thugs pounced on him and his 22-year-old pal as they tried to stop a fight between the gang and the woman.The gang broke Blair's nose and fractured his cheekbone from a series of blows and kicks and his injuries were so horrific his own mother said she didn't even recognise him.During the fight the woman managed to run away and call for help, while the gang of thugs later fled the scene by jumping in a taxi.Blair was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment.His friend, who was not named by police, was also taken to the hospital and treated for a suspected fractured nose.The attack happened early on Saturday morning as they made their way back from a friend's fancy dress party in Musselburgh.Officials at the Edinburgh Monarchs club, who compete at the speedway stadium in Armadale, West Lothian, yesterday extended their sympathies to the rider.Their spokesman, John Campbell, said: "He is one of our up-and-coming stars - it's a great shame."Blair is planning to travel to Australia next month to ride through the winter as a member of the British Lions team.His mother Margaret, who lives in Niddrie, Edinburgh, said yesterday she did not regret her son's heroic actions despite the injuries he sustained.She said: "They used him as a trampoline and made a real mess of him."His face was a complete and utter pulp and they weren't sure if his neck was broken. He's unrecognisable. I wouldn't have known him."He's pretty sore but he's keeping his chin up. I'm so proud of what he did."Police yesterday said they were anxious to track down any witnesses.A spokesman said: "The attack happened at around 1.40 in the morning on Saturday on the Edinburgh Road near the Shell garage."We are looking into the attack and are keen to find the men involved as it was quite a vicious attack on two young men."Founded in 1948, the Edinburgh Monarchs are one of Britain's most successful speedway teams.The club moved from Edinburgh to their new home in Armadale in 1997 and have won a number of the sport's biggest trophies.As he recovered last night, Blair said: "I don't want a lot of publicity making me out to be a hero."I am not afraid of repercussions. It's just that I just find the whole thing very embarrassing. I want to forget the whole thing.

Some of the more progressive Promotions have already announced that this will be the case. I highlighted last week a few who have already made announcements with Free Offers and significantly reduced Admission Rates. Other Clubs will no doubt follow once the actual position about chances of Racing in 2020 are known. It's not all doom and gloom out there far from it. The biggest danger as I see it are the dinosaurs amongst the current Promoter population just carrying on regardless and killing the Sport in the process. A breakaway of the progressives at some point might be the best solution and that takes us full cycle back to the 60's.

I understand what you are saying, and agree to some extent. Just a look at history though, and the great recession after the Wall Street crash in 1929, which was one of the high points in speedway history and then the real peak period for the sport in the UK was directly after WW2. So it could be that sport is a way of forgetting the daily problems. But I doubt in this day and age speedway will profit . Live in hope though

Just been reading Jason Garrity has been a naughty boy... Looks like he will be doing some compulsory social distancing and social isolating at Her Majesty's pleasure... What a tool... and a waste of a talent... Regards THJ

Interesting that the old 15 year survey on another thread had only 30% of fans attending in the main to 'support their team', and only 10% went based on the quality of riders on show.. And that was when more 'top names' rode over here.. Therefore, presuming the %'s are still similar, (and I would think they are not a million miles away), what an opportunity to put on 'entertaining Speedway' in whatever guise it can.. When 70% go and watch and are not unduly bothered which team wins, then they are a real target market for each track to have them go away thinking "that night was great, I'll be back next time".. The promoters should spend this down time working out how to deliver 'a great night out' when the sport returns, rather than spending time getting slide rules out to determine whether 'Rider A' can guest for 'Rider B' in a meeting that only 3 in 10 fans in attendance are bothered who wins... A huge opportunity for fundamental radical change.. Will it be taken?

The top two leagues of British speedway has for many years relied on cheap airlines to enable riders to race in multiple leagues around Europe, however with the aviation industry collapsing the knock on effect for British Speedway is simple….. it will not have access to riders who wish to race in more than just the British league as the logistics will just not allow it. No star riders will mean a significant drop in crowds (I am guessing levels of 50% pre CV19) which will lead to lower revenues from ticket sales along with a significant drop in sponsorship/advertising revenue as well. If clubs have less money to spend then riders will also be paid less and some will probably turn their back on the sport as they cannot afford to ride, thus reducing the pool of available riders down even further. In my opinion British Speedway needs to give up on the idea of their rider assets holding any financial value and press the reset button to create a new blueprint to survive post CV19 ready to be launched in March 2021 (subject to government restrictions). I believe now is a great opportunity for supporters to share their thoughts and ideas on what British Speedway ‘reborn’ should look like and which clubs should be part of it so I can send them on to the current guardians of each club. I look forward to reading the thoughts you may share on this.

I think that you are spoiling what could be an interesting thread by living in cloud cuckoo land. 90% of tracks are the shape and size and have the dimensions they do out of decades old necessity. You write off one track based on a video clip and have an obsession with another. Any rebirth or renaissance has to be practical possible and sensible. I'm out.

The majority of British tracks are either too narrow, too short, have sub optimal bend radius, lack appropriate banking, or suffer from consistently poor surface preparation. Or a combination of some or all of those things. Essentially most of them need to bigger and wider.

That`s because there is a round at Rzeszow

Me too... I remember Ole & Bruce lifting both at the same time right in front of where we were standing

QUITE CLEARLY DESPERATE....many many people are desperate but don’t go out and rob your neighbours. Your tone and rationale is amazingly stupid, how you can try to equate riders finding things tough with this type of thuggish behaviour is astonishing,

It would be more relevant if Munich was in Poland.

This is from the Government's Overseas companies that own property in England and Wales Title Number WK405562 Tenure Freehold Property Address Coventry Stadium, Rugby Road, Brandon, Coventry (CV8 3GJ) District RUGBY County WARWICKSHIRE Region WEST MIDLANDS Postcode CV8 3GJ Multiple Address Indicator N Price Paid 2700000 Proprietor Name (1) BRANDON ESTATES LIMITED Company Registration No. (1) 116507 Proprietorship Category (1) Limited Company or Public Limited Company Country Incorporated (1) JERSEY Proprietor (1) Address (1) Elizabeth House, 9 Castle Street, St Helier, Jersey JE2 3RT Date Proprietor Added 02-12-2015 Additional Proprietor Indicator N

Yes, Alan Sage made his debut with First Division West Ham in 1971 and then moved on to Ipswich. He rode four consecutive seasons without missing one single match. He then moved to Second Division Crayford and carried on the record through 1975 - 1978 completing an incredible 327 consecutive appearances in official fixtures before breaking his leg in July 1979. Even then, when he returned to the saddle mid-season in 1980, he never missed another match for Crayford; and was ever-present again for Arena Essex in ’84 and ’85 and then for Canterbury in his final season of ’86. So, in 16 seasons from 1971 to 1986 Alan was ever-present in 14 of them. An incredible record!

Hope he wore a mask!!!

This weeks is the best for some time

Yes remember Clark Facey, Billy Wall, Martin Hitch., Melvin Soffe, Kevin Pope, Richard Evans all getting opportunities.

The resizing of our track is not really possible due to the many other users of the stadium.

"Sandwiched between major roads" would make it highly attractive for housing.

There were a few riders over the years who were not really ready for the BL even before the junior scheme came in.King's Lynn gave a few raw youngsters chances over the years ( i.e.) Sparshott,Dye, Framingham, Mallett Swindon- Simpson, Cross Halifax- Westwell, Stansfield, Baker( decent) Whittaker, Oxford- Butler, Surman, Stevens,( i liked) Cradley as you said Fryer( RIP great value), Leaver,Bostin.In the old days if a top rider was out somethimes you promoted a number 8 which was a big ask but a few riders developed there careers coming through that way.

Berwick have a great one. Made of wood Teams names and scores updated after every heat bit like an old cricket scoreboard.

Might I refer the honourable member to my previous answers! Do you not think that alternative sites have been sought and refused/rejected for a variety of reasons?

That piece of land is already earmarked ,in fact they may have already started to build a new technology park , as an industrial site it has connectioins within yards to the M6 M69 and M1 , it must be worth a fortune for that alone ,

Sandhu owned the garden centre as well ,he applied for permission to build a hotel but that got turned down , just like all his permission for the stadium site . so maybe he or his nonexistent partner sold that to brandon estates as well

Full coverage of the 2018 Julie Lewis Memorial individual Speedway at Redcar's Media Prima Arena. Sponsored by Gavin Parr in memory of his wife Caroline. Friday 24th April tapes up 7.45pm

Aah, from Bridget Jones's diary!

That for me is sadly ineveitable. It's dinosaur promoters and not dinosaur supporters that endanger the sport in the UK.

Mystery solved - rider has been identified on the Hackney Facebook page as a Dutch junior called Rene Hellzinger

It isn't i agree but the attitude of some on this thread was very poor.

Well ave got an unopened one too as it happens from a guy I helped to get a job with a good reference but I have had it before and it wasn't to bad... bout 25 quids worth and fair play to the lad he's trying... like the thing I am watching now it's a starter for 10... you could have a good one there... ideal for wetting the head of the first grandchild and don't worry it won't go off... Never mind the daughter he's a keeper if he's buying you drink... Regards THJ

It won't simply because someone will always have the idea "Hey, what about four guys racing on a stadium track that all spectators can see, and have a team to support" It might fade away temporarily at the top but at grass roots there will always be speedway, it's a simple sport. The trick is not to mess it up by making it complicated. As long as there are bikes, tracks and guys mad enough to use both it'll survive.

It’s pretty obvious that if there is any meaningful Team speedway this season(doubtful IMO)there won’t be many foreign riders or Aussies that have gone home available.Most Aussies that went home will have used their return ticket, so who will pay for them to return in present climate and if they do return they will be heading for a Poland IMO. Riders wanting to be full time riders in GB might have to rethink.Writing this season off would be the best option for many Promotions.IMO.

Becoming at least short term semi pro one league and long term second feeder league something like the late 60's early 70's ( Gulf league and NL) with fixed costs for points /start money.Riders can boost their income through their own sponsorship deals but some form of engine/ mod control ,maybe club engines with their own running gear .

My drive is about 40-45 minutes.I would of thought there was many a lot further?

Maybe suggesting air travel won’t be possible for sometime to come. Though can see Social distancing will be around for a good while yet

Looking like I dropped a clanger buying a season ticket this year I could have spent the money on toilet rolls .