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So we are already looking at two riders eh... what with Brexit... Covid... and Poland... added to us being a Sunday track... there can't be a very long list to choose from... I certainly don't envy the job the promotion have... Like I said earlier I was genuinely looking forward to seeing our original team of seven perform in the Championship... This won't be the last change I fear... to Newcastle... or for any of the other teams in our league for that matter... Regards THJ

Copied and pasted off Facebook: Nick Skorja joins Landshut Newcastle have found themselves having to make a team change for the 2021 season having initially hoped to run with their shelved 2020 septet, however they must now move forward without the Slovenian star Nick Skorja. "Everyone at Newcastle Speedway would like to wish Nick Skorja all the very best," said Diamonds' boss, Rob Grant, "He is taking up a new opportunity with German team Landshut, however Landshut compete in the Polish leagues, which share Newcastle's race day, Sunday, making it an impossibility for Nick to compete in the Diamonds' squad in 2021. All the Newcastle management, whilst hoping he has a great season in Poland next year, are staying hopeful that Nick will return to UK, and racing for Newcastle in the future." With Skorja moving on to pastures new, Newcastle's behind-the-scenes team are now looking at what options are available and have added: "We are currently looking at what options we have available and have spoken to a couple of riders already, both of whom are based in the UK and from the EU. As soon as we know which direction we are taking. we will act appropriately and quickly, and in due course will reveal the decision to the fans as soon as we can."

Well another fly in the ointment Nick Skorja ain't coming next season unfortunately To be fair I was really looking forward to seeing him ride round Brough... The hunt is on for a replacement Somehow I don't think he will be the last change. . Regards THJ

We have said this even at junior level. My lad has benefited massively on the 125cc by racing in Poland ,Czech, Germany ,holland and Belgium over the last few years . The level was a grade above ours but showed us where we needed to be. Having watched a 250 meeting in Germany again it showed where we can improve. Due to the restrictions this year been unable to compete abroad on the 250 but we have had several conversations with Neil Vatcher about getting into Europe as often as possible as a group or individuals. As you say riding against the same riders every week gives a false impression of where you are.

Great to hear the stories from James. Pity he didn't say much about his time at Newcastle, but he is well remembered from his time with us. He brought his son down to Newcastle, I think it was at Press and Practice time, and he did a few races with our Archie Freeman. James's sweeps around the outside of Newcastle are legendry.

Surely there is a chance that the points limit will have to be reduced, making it impossible for teams to declare the same 7 riders ?

HE is on the cover this week with a feature inside...

Several riders have been mentioned as examples of riders who failed to get a 'fair crack of the whip', at a young age in Poland, however those mentioned have hardly gone on to have, (no disrespect) 'stellar global careers' have they? So maybe those who ran the teams they rode for in Poland didn't see enough to warrant their relationship to continue and ultimately got proved correct..? Robert Lambert is for me the obvious example of a lad who benefited enormously from riding competitive meetings abroad when he wasn't allowed to do the same over here, and more than held his own. And beating those at the time who he will race against many times over the next few years at such a tender age must have been a huge confidence boost to take forward.. Best wishes to you and your lad and maybe his level will hit a ceiling that he can't go above, or maybe his level will smash ceiling after ceiling and he goes on to the very top.. At least you and he won't ever wonder what might have been if only you had taken him out of his comfort zone, just like the lads with Polish contracts will find about themselves next year.. Hope it all goes well for him...

No- none in Div 1 or 2- only the Extraleague top 4 fighting for the title

Former speedway rider Bert Lindarw has passed away today according to Stephen Zetterwall and Smederna. I don't known well know Bert is/was in Britain but he was one of the old legends in Smederna. It's only two months ago since Bert's fellow Smederna rider and legend Bernt Persson passed away. https://www.facebook.com/stephen.zetterwall/posts/3766474836709997 https://www.facebook.com/eskilstunasmederna/posts/3463557400404390?__cft__[0]=AZVG36g4LHm8UQykAdGO9hzF0IeXnHQ5Ph_LRNmiszGspKr7zhutHwhcyrakau57GZtuDB1tf3Ea9usyRCIr8ZlfPPbY3QPvF2Rm4sfe653yEv_AepqhWw5EoeSX2z2lQv_G6PmgDuIviq6sDMLilNGbpX3ufJlvpJRNp-i4i4XtofILaQOEBb4AcLQj7qWJMeo&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R

Spot on... As I've said the Russians took the same route and now more are joining each year (some even with Polish blood coursing through their veins seemingly) Beating the same riders week in week out wont give you any sense of where you are globally versus your age group peers (who will be your rivals potentially for years to come), and wont improve you as a rider.. Riding in Poland will do both, or at least make it clear you are not at the required level yet, (or maybe even never).. Give these lads the safety net of plenty of rides over here and cover them with guests if needed when Poland calls (it's not as if you can devalue the UK Leagues too much anyway by doing so such is their already contrived operating model), and when they are overseas it gives other lads a chance to take their place over here... Many have been the "next great white hope" who at 18/19 become heat leaders in the top leagues, riding around small home technical tracks, who then go on to pretty much nothing on the World stage.. Let's see if 'something different' works and hope that the days of ten or so genuine World Class riders once again return wearing the GB colours.. Not one single club team out there winning any league will grow the sport nationally in this country one iota, therefore let's put the eggs in the basket of the national team and see if that will.. It worked in the 70's for Speedway and it worked for both Rugby Union and Cricket when they finally realised that a successful national team is the only way to attract more national coverage, more domestic fans off the back of it, and probably most importantly, more sponsors..

thing is Poland will run regardless of covid next year but will we in the uk. if I was there age and only definite chance to race (if picked) was Poland thats where i would go. these lads cant hang around on a maybe . if they dont get competitive track time they will stagnate which again is no good for them or the sport here,

You are so wrong in my view. Having the odd spin on your own at Leicester is alright for blowing away the cobwebs or the odd training school with Wayne Carter at Scunthorpe but that isn’t going to turn you into a quality rider. Diving in feet first in Poland where you are coached by a large group of knowledgable and experienced people, with quality riders, learning all about set ups and the fastest tracks will however give you every chance of becoming quality - not to mention additional invaluable experience. Sticking to the comforts of their current surroundings over here will just result in them turning into a Josh Auty or Lewis Bridger. Anders Rowe has been taken on under Leszno’s wings, Jack Thomas and Tom Brennan at Łódź with Adam Skornicki’s guidance, Drew Kemp at Gdansk a team with huge ambition, that’s before even mentioning Dan Bewley at Wroclaw who we saw benefitted huge at the end of this season with Tai Woffinden in his corner. Its a massive opportunity for these riders and fair shout to them for taking the leap. It’s down to them now to make the most of it.

The huge difference is, Polish teams have training and practice throughout the week. They regularly ride against eachother and have more than enough chances to prove themselves there. There is no sentiment though if you simply aren’t good enough.

Yes there is... don't call me Shirley

On Sunday, 3rd September 1939 Holbeach & Spalding Tulips were due to meet The Dominions at Bell End, Holbeach on what had originally been a grass circuit, but by mid-1939 had been levelled to form what was a dirt-surfaced track. There are references to the circuit having cinders on the bends immediately after the war, but it is not clear if this was the case in 1939. Meetings staged at Bell End followed the format for speedway meetings, with individual events over 20 heats and team meetings regularly taking place, sometimes against teams from league clubs. The meeting against The Dominions was cancelled following declaration of war earlier in the day, but in defiance of a government ban on public assemblies impromptu races took place that afternoon, with around 400 spectators present. In the final race of the afternoon Alan Smith beat Buster Yeomans.

WILL give it some thought ... thanks

At least we'll be spared the highly contentious (dare I say dubious?) 'Best Matchday Programme of the Season' award!!

Nice to see that GB have been allocated a spot in the Örnsköldsvik qualifying round

The sport in Poland has always been very supported and has manged to keep its self in the public eye, changing and adapting as time moves on to always stay relevant. The poles are trying to protect their product and in sure that it continues to evolve. The argument that if the poles monopolise the sport the GPS become nothing more than a polish championship and the world cup competition stops due to lack of competing nations probably doesn't worry them. The domestic league is far more important to them than the GPS etc these are just a sideshow in comparison.

DO you seriously think that someone who commentates for Sky, BT Sport and TalkSport has no qualifications. You have posted numerous times on here that you are not a fan. Fair enough, that's your views but continually doing so will not sway the opinion of those who recognise Nigel as a first class commentator for darts, speedway and football.

BEARS BEN FUND RUN It has been a tough year in 2020 for the Speedway Riders Benevolent Fund, with a huge drop in donations due to the cancellation of the British Speedway season. The reason for this is most of the Ben Funds income is generated by track collections, with less than £17,000 of the £100,000 annual expenditure raised to date. Redcar Speedway want to make sure that we are doing what we can for them, as we know first hand the amazing work the Ben Fund provides to injured riders and their families. The Bears three promoters - Jitendra Duffill, Jade Mudgway and Jamie Swales - have decided to take on the challenge of running the distance needed to drive from Edinburgh to Plymouth, the most northerly and southerly based tracks in the UK, by Christmas Day. This is a distance of 780km in 54 days, giving an average of 5km each every day until 25th December. The challenge will start on 1st November, and each run will be recorded on Strava and posted to their Social Media accounts as proof! This is going to be a tough challenge, especially as all three hate running! A Justgiving page has been setup for donations, with the aim to raise at least £2000. We realise 2020 has been a tough year for everyone so far, but for those of you who can any donation big or small is very much appreciated! https://buff.ly/3oGEQrq We wish the lads luck in this challenge!

I recall Richard Green having it for a short while in 1989. Very entertaining it was too. He won it from Berwick's Mark Courtney after a league match at Exeter. As I recall, the Berwich team management (poss Dick Barrie) even replaced Courtney with a reserve in his last programmed ride, so he could "psyche himself up" for the match race. Unfortunately, you can't out-psyche a psycho and Greeny romped it. He then went off to defend it at Hackney and after seeing the results appear on teletext that Exeter had been thrashed and Steve Schofield had scored a 15 point max, I assumed Greeny's reign was over. I assumed wrong as a few minutes later teletext gave me the great news: "Silver Helmet: R Green bt S Schofield". Ah, the simple joys of teletext sport, the fore-father of internet text commentary...