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Agree. And it is around the time of doubling up/down that the standard of both leagues started to weaken a lot. When it was first introduced, it was only for Premier League riders to be able to double up in the Elite League. So an Elite League team would use two Premier League riders at 6/7 and use whichever one was available. The doubling up rider would never miss a meeting for his Premier League club and they would always take preference . If Rider A rode for Hull in the Premier League and Kings Lynn in the Elite League, Kings Lynn would of had to use Rider B any time there was a fixture clash. Then I think a season or two later they also introduced doubling down, where two Elite League riders with an average of 6.00 or less could share a place in a Premier League team. Pedersen/Robson I think done it at Newcastle, Kylmakoorpi and Ruud at Arena. It was then when things just turned messy, I think that was 2003. The season after the EL brought in the grading system and scrapped the doubling up. And has just got worse in quality ever since. Have had the debate with a few people on here who say the standard of rider back 20 years ago wasn't as good as it is now. When the Premier League was full of top riders, Stonehewer, Wilson, Carr, Watson, Schott, Topinka, Parker, Bird, Zagar... the list is endless. Fair enough, their averages were all higher as their were more teams in the League but to say the current standard of second tier riders is better than before is barmy. Someone even said Howarth would of averaged 10+ in that company. Lol. I have named a few reasons why I think the sports fallen on its arse in the UK, but in all honesty there is an endless list of reasons. Weakening the product each year is another factor. I wouldn't say its the reason newbies don't attend as they wouldn't know the difference, but a massive number of fans have walked away from the sport. Being treated poorly by a promoter, watering down of the teams etc... it all contributes. So we have an out dated product, terrible stadiums and viewing conditions, over priced catering and entrance prices, a year on year diluted product as four big reasons why the sport is in such a mess. And there will be many more. Add them all up and then try finding a solution to bring the sport back to a modern day, attractive product. It would take a Euro Millions winner with a massive heart for Speedway to even scratch the surface. Not very promising, is it?

Personally think it’s two fairly evenly matched teams with plenty of young talent on show . Think the meeting deserves supporting by all who can get I know I shall be there

With the teams, almost, fully announced we have Stags - 1 rider with a 5.16 Championship average, 4 riders with a combined 24+ NDL average, 1 rider(to give the Cubs a chance) riding an upright & still doing 4 laps in 60 seconds, 1 rider 1 year on a 500cc plus 2 decent 250cc riders in the Youth Series. Cubs - 1 rider with a 4.73 Championship average, 4 riders with a combined 29 NDL average plus 3 riders that have, I think, raced at NDL level plus 1 rider doing well in the 250cc Youth Series. So, all in all, 17 lads, sorry, riders wanting to have a competitive spin out on a decent track & put on a spectacle for some fans on Bank Holiday Monday. Enjoy.

The attendance will be restricted to 33% of the stadium capacity. So given Foxhall has the largest capacity of any UK speedway stadium it makes perfect sense.

That`s because you should have said Zuzel- they would have known then

It will be interesting to see who wants to compete given lack of meetings.Unless there are other opportunities for meetings after Final some riders might not bother.IMO

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I used to call Arena, the elephants graveyard of London and south east speedway. Everyone that went there, used to support someone else!

Not so fun talking to all your aliases then?

Basically the sport just needs people who are enthusiastic and positive. I've witnessed it with a local non-league football team. They were relegated and last season finished the season in their lowest ever position. A new board came in, showed that they were willing to work hard, brought a bit of enthusiasm and as a result, sponsorship from local and not so local businesses has exploded, which is no mean feat in this climate. And all this despite being in a lower standard of football than ever before. It's like the Premier League football on BT / Sky. We are constantly told it's the best league in the world, the players are made out to be superstars and the games are hyped up. As a result fans lap it up. But if we are constantly told the sport is dying / dead, we will believe this as well. I often think speedway fans are the sport's own worst enemy.

Devastating problems they're having. Since May 22nd, only three times have there been five deaths in a day. A few 4's.. mostly 1 or 2. 418 in total since March 6th... over 6.5 months ago. What hope have we got when such a small amount is causing this? Not attacking you Iris.. just again pointing out the sheer nonsense taking place!

Social distancing will still be needed so isnt this the best option....

Who plans to go to the British Final at Foxhall on Sept 26th

The Speedway world is in turmoil !! The world is in turmoil !! one thing remains constant however- R and R Bookmakers are the worlds top Speedway Bookmaker !!! Due to the re-arranged GP series i have had to alter my plans for the 2020 competition. The spread is now under the new scoring rules 1st 20 2nd 18 3rd 16 4th 14 5th 12 6th 11 7th 10 8th 9 9th 8 10th 7 11th 6 12th 5 13th 4 14th 3 15th 2 16th 1 Positions 1 st to 4 th in the Final Meeting Classification will be according to the result of the Final (Heat 23). Positions 5th to 8th in the Final Meeting Classification will be according to the results from the Semi Finals (Heat 21 & 22). The 2 Riders who finish 3rd in each of the Semi Finals will be 5th and 6th in the Final Meeting Classification, with the higher ranked rider from Intermediate Classification 5th and the lower ranked rider 6th . This rule will apply if both riders complete, or fail to complete the Semi Final. If only one of these riders fail to complete the Semi Final for any reason, he will be placed 6th in the final meeting classification. The 2 Riders who finish 4th in each of the Semi Finals will be 7th and 8th in the Final Meeting Classification, with the higher ranked rider from FIM Speedway Grand Prix World Championship 29 Intermediate Classification 7th and the lower ranked rider 8th . This rule will apply if both riders complete, or fail to complete the Semi Final. If only one of these riders fail to complete the Semi Final for any reason, he will be placed 8th in the final meeting classification. Positions 9th to 18th will be according to the Intermediate Classification after 20 heats. I am increasing the start amount to £500 with the maximum bet per GP still set at £200.- minimum bet per GP is £50 minimum bet per rider £25 The other bookies are not going to like this initiative and will offer stupid gimmicks for your bets- so i`m getting in 1st !!! 1 On 1 occasion during the season punters will be able to use the " spread stretcher"(SS) to move the spread to their advantage by 1 whole point. 2 On 1 occasion during the season punters will be able to use the " double your money " card( DYM) ( i`m old enough to remember Hughie Green and Monica Rose) when a total bet for that GP can be up to a maximum of £400 I know it`s foolhardy but both bonuses can be used at the same time !!! Here is an example for you to get your head around Championship points Zmarzlik 15- 17 Madsen 15 - 17 Woffinden 12 - 14 Sayfutdinov 12 - 14 Janowski 10 - 12 lindgren 10 - 12 Vaculik 9 - 11 Doyle 9 - 11 Dudek 8 - 10 A Laguta 8 - 10 Zagar 6 - 8 NKI 5 - 7 lindback 3 - 5 Fricke 3 - 5 Drabik WC 3 - 5 Smolinski 2 - 4 Rules Each contestant MUST place bets in all 8 rounds -in the event of having no money left they are out of the competition All bets can be edited up to the advertised starting time of the meeting. If a rider is injured before a round starts then the bet is voided on that rider, or bets can be amended up to the meeting start time. If a rider starts a meeting but is injured and cannot continue THE BET STANDS but any points scored by the reserves count towards the injured riders score. If any rider is excluded for a starting offence the reserve points scored do not get added. To ensure fair play bets for the final round may be required to be PM`d to me instead of normal posting. If a meeting is called off at heat 16 then the spread will be adjusted to 4/5th`s of the original. If a meeting is called off at or after 20 heats the spreads stand. HOW TO PLAY One must bet on a rider to score MORE OR LESS than the spread-the HIGHER figure is taken for MORE bets and the LOWER for LESS bets-the mid between the two is what I expect them to score-and they add up to 146 which is the total points available in a GP A final message regarding the 2020 competition to you punters. M more value in 2020 U unique format from the no 1 Bookie G great bonuses S simply the best competition in world speedway

I think you'll find the reason the first lap of a F1 race is not recorded is because not all cars travel the same distance on the first lap, there are sensors installed under each grid slot, to detect jump starts and the main timing loop is installed on the Finish line, notice I didn't say Start/Finish line, some F1 circuits have the Finish line behind the grid, so in effect at some circuits, the front of the grid do not cross the Finish line and do not complete a full lap. The first lap timings are simply the time it takes from the Lights going out to the time the car crosses the Finish line on completion of the first lap, irrespective of whether the Cars cross the finish line on there way to the first bend or not. There are some circuits were the start line is in a different location to the Finish line.

The chances of getting caught if you don’t quarantine is slim from what I gather.It is irresponsible not to,but the logic is flawed iMO.

I'm surprised Zagar wins on Saturday, but good effort from him.

Good old Geoffrey

The obvious solution is to have the transponders activated remotely as the tapes rise. That way you will then get the guy who finishes in 1st with the fastest time and the guy who comes 4th with the slowest time. Fairly simple solution.

Newport wasn't too bad a set up as far as a speedway stadium is concerned, but in general it was a dump. A 1/4 finished bar under the grandstand which flooded every time it rained, weeds around the whole perimeter of the stadium, shoddy catering facilities etc. It could of been a lot better, I remember Tim Stone had began turning some of the rooms behind the steel shutters in the main stand into corporate boxers for sponsors etc but before they could be finished he had alienated a lot of potential sponsors and fans and that was that. I have no idea what music they listen to in Poland, OK maybe it is 80s or 90's music at the speedway. There isn't anything wrong with music from that era of course, as long as suits the scene. At certain tracks around the UK, you'd have all sorts of depressing rubbish from all eras. The banks you have listed, whilst not being my type of music, certainly aren't depressing and are quite heavy, pump you up style bands that suits speedway meetings. I think its widely agreed UK speedway presentation is ancient and awful in general. If your getting value for money, you wouldn't mind drinking out of a plastic cup for a bit extra. Everyone does it at a festival or concert. Difference is there you 9.5 times out of 10 have full value for money.

Depends what day it is.

https://sportowefakty.wp.pl/zuzel/i-liga/terminarz It`s not actually as updated as my thread here- OP You will find the other Polish leagues fixtures on Sportowefakty and much more.

Ok - with the spread stretcher on LESS i make it less than 14- you can have 12 if you want

I would imagine lots of interest in this meeting, in particular from Ipswich fans and those from those teams around East Anglia.. Hopefully a "full house" (whatever that number is).. It will be interesting to see the line up.. Will the 'top riders' all want to turn out for a 'one off' meeting or prefer to save things for next year? Either way, I am sure a decent crowd will be in attendance on a Saturday night, and if they can get 3k in it will be circa 1000 more than attends the British Finals at the NSS when ran on a Monday so more money in the coffers..

I can’t agree with that last sentence. It isn’t the job of the fans to make the product look good. They should be the sounding board for the people running the sport to know whether they are running a product that is entertaining or not. Imagine watching a Premier League match between Spurs and Leicester for example on Sky and the commentators trying to explain how Winks and Dier are playing for Spurs, Barnes and Albrighton are playing for Leicester but next week in the Championship Winks and Barnes will be team mates for Watford as they play against Stoke who will be fielding Dier and Albrighton. It’s an instant credibility drainer. And that’s not on the fans, it’s on the rules and rule makers.

Exactly the same, since I left in England, that's the biggest thing I miss.

I see this being a massive sell out personally. I ll be desperately trying to secure a ticket when they come available. Btw they have had many banger meetings recently with 2500 fans (plus 500 drivers, mechanics,marshalls,recovery drivers,medics etc) and the place has looked very well spaced out. If the same rule applies then face coverings must be warn at all times within the stadium.

I would think there would be plenty of fans up for it.Probably the one and only chance to see some decent riders riding,even if it is at the foxhole.

That’s what speedway is all about really. Watching it on the telly is never quite the same.

Wouldn't have thought it would be less than a league fixture....

It's the people at Arena i miss. Yes it was a dump, and a poxy place to get to for us fans south of the river. With Rye gone as well, it's pretty bleak for speedway fans in that neck of the woods.

What's that got to do with running trial speedway meetings

Which is very strange when the BSPA are involved

And people fall for this crap. When October comes we're beginning to head into winter, where deaths naturally increase. What do you think will get the blame?

The top riders in the world ride in Poland so it is more marketable. The presentation over there seems a lot better than the UK music. The prices are dirt cheap (so I am told) and most clubs are bankrolled by local councils/sponsors. 9 times out of 10 the racing is better. Also, the Poles dont really have a decent football league. Their top player plays in Germany and I would be struggling to find any other top class Polish footballers. They dont follow rugby. So thats two huge sports that the UK is associated with on a large scale that Poland arent. Their stadiums in general are much better. Theres plenty of reasons why it thrives there and not in the UK. I remember Newport (Queensway Meadows) was classed as one of the better stadiums in the UK. Lets be honest, it was a total dump. When Stoney had it and when the Mallets did. It was a dump. I attended Swindon and Reading regular, both of them were dumps. Hadn't been given an upgrade since the 70s/80s at least. Stoke was an absolute toilet. Glasgow and Edinburgh were rubbish holes. As were 99 percent of UK speedway stadiums. You have stadiums that are in the middle of a field. Its fine for speedway fans, and I mean proper speedway fans. They would stand in cow dung watching speedway. But newcomers will not like it. And they wont like standing in a crappy, ancient, damp stadium listening to music from the 60s/70s and 80s. Paying nearly 4 quid for a pint of warm fosters in a plastic cup. And whatever the prices of food are etc. Which were no value for money when I last attended so I cant see that of changing. The sport in the UK has just been neglected, it hasn't moved with the times, the prices are way ahead of the times, is run by a bunch of buffoons, the list goes on. It would take an absolute miracle to get the crowd levels anything like it was even in the early 2000's, let alone the 90's and 80's. Its finished. I am just being realistic. I would love nothing more than it to boom again and my home town and every other club thats lost the sport to get a club again. But it is not going to happen. And the quicker thats accepted, the better.

Col please re-edit your bet- that comes to £409 !!

Yes, Poland insisted Daugavpils had to race all their home meetings in Poland which of course completely defeats the object of having a Latvian based club, who by my understanding actually do pretty well for crowds etc. I think people really do need to come to terms with the fact Speedway is finished in the United Kingdom. OK, some clubs still do well enough but over the three leagues, how many? 5 or 6 at a push. Glasgow apparently do well, but their promoters have thrown so much at it and their crowds were starting to shrink. Even going back 20 years, a crowd in the second tier of anything less than 1000 was classed as poor. Now anything over 6-800 is classed as good. Prices in operating the sport have gone up, riders demand more money etc. Add to that ancient promoters who still insist on putting on a 70's style show, it is no wonder crowds are falling rapidly. A night out at speedway simply isn't attractive enough for youngsters. Standing in a clapped out stadium, drinking over priced pints of lager served in plastic cups listening to I shot the sheriff whilst watching tractors going round a track half the night isnt worth what they are paying to get in. No matter how good the racing is, which lets be honest is poor to say the least at times. You can spend the same, or less going to your local boozer with mates for a night out or out for a meal and a few drinks etc. And that is before you try beginning to explain the way the sport runs. Telling them the exciting number 1 rider for the home side wont be there next week as he is riding for his other club. That number 6 who actually over takes? He is a guest rider and wont be here next week. It just sounds like a farce. I loved speedway, it was a big part of my youth but sadly it is a thing of the past in the UK. It is no better supported than a lot of non league football now. And the quicker people accept that and move on, the better.

A bit late in the day but I have just watched the youth championship held at Scunthorpe and those who bemoan the quality of racing at this level should take a look again. Heat 6 is just one example. Raw talent reminiscent of speedway in the late sixties and early seventies when grass track riders gave speedway a go. In those days it would throw up some riders who would excite and my most memorable was at Rayleigh when Ivan Miller beat Boston's Arthur Price. What a race for those who were in the stadium on that bank holiday Monday These young lads today deserve every speedway fans support. They get out on track and give it a go and the gutsy performances deserve so much more and not the criticism that seems to be par for the course. Speedway purists will understand, those who believe the current league set up is the be all and end all a requires the skills of Doyley or similar to make the sport entertaining are deluded. If only tracks like my local, Ipswich , would put on a few of these amateur meetings I am sure the ‘anoraks’ of the sport would support the meetings and many would be happy to pay £10 to watch these lads entertain. To those at grass roots level you are appreciated.

When will the sides for this be announced , I was there with my dad for the last meeting which Jordan Palin won , unfortunately I’m away with it been bank holiday but please stop all the moaning the price . My dad is an OAP and I’ve purchased him a ticket for the next event , So let’s get the bullrubbish out the way by lining Rob Godfrey pockets you must all be stupid there will be better riders on show than the last meeting and Rob is prepared to put meetings on under the guidelines set out by councils , government etc so let’s back Scunthorpe as all the moaners will possibly get there way when it’s defunct . Simple fact support your local track or it might be lost forever Sorry Rant over

I had a dose of speedway at Scunthorpe on sunday. It did me the world of good.

I agree, would save me cleaning my car every tuesday

The looks of the 3rd/4th bend banks bothers me not. It’s a world class race track, that’s what matters. If the economic situation was different, if crowds of 5,000 was regular then I sure a stand could become a permanent feature. I think the UK speedway should be well pleased that with all that’s gone on in the last 12 years economically there has been one track opened up that gives world beating speedway racing. That’s a lot to celebrate.

I'll be at work and due to holidays (and a very small team), no begger to ruddy cover for me! Most frustrating.