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100% agree however, not going to ever happen I suspect.. It is beyond saving as a 'proper team sport' now I would say, given all the nonsense that goes on regulations wise.. When you have to have lots of supplementary rules for every rule that isnt clear, or open to interpretation, then you are probably on a loser before you even start, and when you then need an ultimate caveat of "ahhh, but you see, this is Speedway" to often ignore your very own rules, then you are definitely not going to succeed... The time for change was a long time ago, when people still attended in numbers but it didnt happen.. It's not like they didn't get enough feedback from either those in the stands, those who wrote letters to the various Speedway media outlets and, ultimately, the most telling piece of feedback of all, seeing their stadiums less full on an almost annual basis as people voted 'with their feet'... A truly possibly once in a lifetime opportunity to reset the sport with a clear five years or so plan was gifted to them via the pandemic with lots of 'downtime' to discuss the way forward at length, and in intricate detail, and they could have undertaken a huge amount of market research from fans (and ex fans), via all kinds of social media, (either in house or on public forums), to help build these plans.. Was this opportunity taken? Well what do we have after 9 months of no Speedway? We have individual tracks breaking out from the umbrella organisation and issuing their own adhoc press releases questioning what the (already agreed), points limit is to be next year.. And we are still waiting for riders to decide if they want to put Poland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, France etc etc as their priority before riding over here.. Not great really is it?

Amazing what a good old punch-up can do to help build a better relationship !

All this is just more proof that Speedway needs an overarching governing body with no interest in any one team. None of this would have happened if there was someone saying “these are the rules now get on with it.”

Must admit I've not read anywhere that the riders are calling for this. It seems yet another instance of the F.I.M trying to railroad a niche sport of speedway and make it uniform with all their other motor sport disciplines . Speedway of Nations, New Scoring system, Qualifying. All mostly a step backwards for speedway . Personally don't see anything wrong with the open draw, if anything more effort should go into ensuring that 1 gate is not significantly better than the other 3.

Just got the Teams and Riders to sort now then.

Crowds have been dropping at Glasgow for a while

The first couple of practice qualifiers had a certain novelty value ... But that was it. Boring as hell otherwise. A terrible waste of a prime time Friday evening that would be much better used for Polish matches. and on top of everything the TV programme production was pretty dreadful.

This may have been the case some years ago, but a few seasons ago a system of pre-validation of line-ups was introduced which prevented any issues persisting until race day.

It’s always been it’s our money and it’s our ball.They never seem to see the big picture.Short Term thinking is all they see.

Absolutely spot on,a terrific racer most of the time,dependable,loyal second string and all round nice chap,yes he would have done a good job in the premier League,thanks very much for the memories Todd,sadly missed and all the best for the future.

Destined never to be a top racer, but always a consistent and reliable second-string. Todd epitomizes the stuff of which speedway is 100% reliant: total commitment, fervent loyalty and a love for the sport on the basis of what he puts in rather than what he takes out. Todd is one of speedway's nice guys and on that basis he'll be sadly missed. I wish him all the best for whatever life has in store for him in the future.

https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/sport/hawkins-hopes-to-emulate-his-dad-6826736?s=09

or overwatered

Last night was my 31st non league football match since August 30th. Add that to the 4 speedway meetings i attended, means i definitely haven't been hiding. I haven't been taking unnecessary risks either. Being a key worker has probably helped.

That is interesting- the FIM are telling the Extraleague who is boss !!! and not before time. The Extraleague will have to move their 2 Friday`s fixtures to another date.

I can only speak for myself, but my enthusiasm for speedway has been restored in the past year. I've been watching since 1974 and had become disillusioned in recent years. I have kept taking the Star (fantastic work Mr. Rising), but my visits to the track had dwindled. I've now realised how much I've missed the sport and will be going more regularly as soon as I am able.

Really? I think it's great news that one vaccine is already here and hopes are high that the Oxford one will be approved before the new year. The NHS managed to vaccinate all the over-65s who wanted the flu jab inside a couple of months and the roll out for the vaccine will be massive. We don't need the whole population to be vaccinated before life returns to something like normal, just the most vulnerable who have to go to hospital and who are at the most risk from dying. The prospects are good for this by Easter and I think that outdoors events will be ok for the spring and summer months.

Jason Garrity-Cul-De-Sac,has a nice ring to it ,DEAD-END street.

AND happy Christmas to you, too

Can't see Speedway returning in 2021

Never noticed any drop in support when "weaker" teams turned up at Glasgow.

The old track at Kirky Lane too has a 'covenant' on it that the land must be used for sports... I presume anyone who buys a house on there must have to buy a dart board?

They cannot meet as a group but have been having weekly Zoom meetings as quoted by Mr Dickson in the Star this week and on the BSPL website today.

Happy Birthday to you, and hope you have a day that you deserve, after all your hard work these past 9-months. You and your team have worked so hard in continuing to give us speedway supporters a magazine that we crave for each week, in the most difficult of times. As far as I'm personally concerned, the Speedway Star is a top quality magazine, being the best I've ever known it. I have every copy at home covering the past 61-years, plus numerous copies from earlier years, and none compare to the quality of what you are producing for us now. So a huge thank you. You and ALL of your staff and contributors, are a credit to your profession, to each other, and to the sport in general. So once again, HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Mike Moseley

Danish riders have to ride in the Danish Leagues to be able to get the permission to ride in places like Poland, UK, Sweden, etc. Without the stars riding at home, it would be doubtful that speedway could continue in Denmark. It's a bit like respecting what you were given to make it where you are now.

No one knows the time factor as the trialists have not had the viccine long enough to judge.

Just as well as keeping the odd "GP star" on big money at certain tracks but not all has.... Typically a lack of leadership to go either one way or the other has led to the 'Speedway Answer' which is always a 'halfway house', or in other words the "Let's try to appease everyone and get to the end of this season, then we will sort it all out (again)" 'solution'..

Just the same as any other year then...?