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Obviously youve never been there have you? The Arena is rented from a local school. Speedway share the pitch side dressing rooms and allow for them to keep a rugby pitch behind the back straight. There is little scope to widen the track as there is only about a 15ft walkway between the stand and rugby pitch. No point in lengthening the straights as that would create problems for riders with the extra speed going into the tight turns. I have been a heavy critic of the state of the track preparation over recent few seasons. To the point of Mark Phillips saying he would ban me.! I say what I see and that doesnt sit easy with some people. We had several meetings called off because of the state of the track, not the weather. That said, Mark has worked his socks off in remedying the situation. I cant possibly argue with that. The last couple of meetings of 2019 you could see the effort paying off. The track did improve a fair bit. In 2020, Plymouth ran 2 meetings under very strict Covid regulations. Their organisation was absolutely top notch. Clear instructions from volunteers at every pinch point throughout the meeting. The track itself stood up very well indeed. How much of that was due to constant preparation ,lack of weekly action, I dont know. But, in my opinion, it was a good as its ever been, if not the best ever. Before the start of the 2nd meeting. I bumped into Mark and congratulated him personally on his fore thought and arrangements. I felt 100% safe. Add in the superb stand along the start finish straight, they made for a a good atmosphere with everyone that I know going home with a big smile. Indeed it was very disappointing when they cancelled the next fixture because the Covid situation had changed, I totally accept that. For Mark and his team to go out and gain promotion and deliver two excellent signings shows his intent. He IS listening to fans on just about everything. I applaud him and his team on their efforts so far. I wish them well for 2021, except of course against Poole!

That's okay,,, is normally Ipswich number 1s that can't ride Foxhall very well

Some say guests are a 'necessary evil'... They are not, it's simply become the 'easy, lazy way out' rather than try and not use them.. A fit for purpose rider replacement facility would eradicate many of the needs for guests, as would a fixture list that doesn't plan meetings in whereby you already know you need them to complete either, or both, teams.. Doubling up/down is though a 'necessary evil'.... There are simply not enough riders to go round and, if no doubling up/down, not enough meetings for riders to make enough money to justify their outlay to ride...

Totally agree with every word Bob Track was far better than my 2018 visit with Brummies Facilities and Stand a great improvement. Stewarding and Match Presentation far better. Communication radically improved with some new blood brought in. If they can maintain 2019 standard and not slip back will be welcome addition to CL

I visited Stoke in their last season and was impressed how the place had been tidied up. The track was also decent, but the water bowser broke down mid meeting. It had its faults, but the sport can't afford to lose any venues.

Whoooosh

That's no way to talk about Brady...

A truly great life has come to an end! I think Olle Nygren started riding in the late 40's and was still riding in the mid to late 70's. Also did road racing and scrambling and in the 50's especially if he'd of concentrated solely on speedway he wouldn't of been far of a World individual title. He was a top rider for Norwich in the 1960's then I saw the now veteran Nygren signed by Ipswich to help with their move into the top flight in 1972. He was past his best and not very quick but could gate and would use his track craft to block faster riders from overtaking. He was well known for sticking out his leg to stop riders coming through. A fracas with Coventrys Rick France one night then Olle getting on the mike to offer to meet a lout who I think chucked something at the parade truck are memories that come to mind in them early Division 1 days at Foxhall in the early 70's!

The national league in the late 80s also proved that you could run a league competition without guests. The issue like so many within speedway it's the easy way out. Just look how far the sport has fallen since Ipswich's final national league season in 1990.

Unfortunately you maybe disillusioned but speedway is NOT a big sport in the UK at the moment and if you think putting a race track in the middle of a field is going to get supporters in just because the track is big is far from the truth. you exspect the sport to survive on people that go just because they want to see a good race and that’s it is million miles from feesable. you now need to make it a package to come and watch speedway. You need there to be music, entertainment, things for kids to do, you need competitions, good toilet facilities, good drinking and eating facilities. Of course you need good racing too but that’s not going to bring fans in alone. Plymouth is growing as club because a magnitude of things..... 1) the mascot kids love it, if kids are happy so are parents. 2) the track is now being brought up to a good standard 3) the announcer does a great job of keeping everything up to date and the new people informed as well as the more experienced supporter. 4) they have made new stands and seating areas that are much more pleasurable to go on. 5) the food bar serves some brilliant food now especially the curry that is made from the Indian up the road ! 6) this year the team has big names people will want to come and see them 7) the team will have one or two fans favourites people will want to come and see them. 8) you can get close to the action to watch, Litterally on top of it at the back straight. The place isn’t the NSS but it’s never going to be after the amount of money spent on it. BUT my god they are trying to make it a family fun day/evening out and a respectable stadium and club and personally I think it’s working and Plymouth are very much a team on the up. unfortunately I think you have something against Plymouth speedway I don't know why nor do I care. For what it’s worth I enjoyed going to stoke the last time Plymouth went, the track was about 3 inch deep in sludge and yeah it wasn’t great sat on cracked steps with weeds coming up or the fact that you can’t walk around the track and get close to the action, but that’s what made stoke Stoke same when I’ve been wolves, Coventry etc they have something unique and special about them.

Yes we know bell vue is a excellent track but also redcar is prepared right you can see cracking racing there too and that's not a big track.

Utter cobblers tbh

This is a Plymouth speedway thread. I come here to read about the Gladiators. All this other nonsense doesnt belong here. As it happens, I prefer racing on smaller tracks..

if a rider is missing then RR is the 1st option (unless its your no1) then if 2 riders are missing its 1 guest and RR. As for guests why not restrict them in the PL to only riders who do not ride in that league? If Ipswich needed a guest then they could look at someone in the CL (eg Eastbourne) but couldnt use Kerr or Brennan, but Kennett, Lawson Edwards and Newman would be ok.

Bloody hell you only been in the league a week not turned a wheel yet and already upsetting everyone.

Not hostile at all just pointing out the blatantly obvious I hope that you feel reassured enough to venture out. Proper stewarding will be required at all tracks

As has been said before on here John Berry proved over many years you can operate without guests - and still be highly successful.

I think he lived in Felixstowe?

Brady choking when the pressure is on at the end of a meeting.... imagine it

He is a danger on the track,his lack of control is worrying.He won’t go a season without injury IMO.

A few seasons ago I saw Plymouth v Berwick whilst on holiday. With Berwick being a big track , I wondered how they would take to a small Plymouth track.it was an excellent meeting showing great racing. Like all tracks which create good racing , they still have to be prepared well for riders to show their talents off I saw the Colts a couple of season ago.... the racing was just about ok. With regards to Stoke, I used to go many years ago when John Dews was in charge of the track... indeed I would go regularly except when the Aces were riding away. Great racing and atmosphere. I stopped going when the last management team were in charge... track frequently in a poor condition..... Poor racing ensued with inevitable decision never to give Stoke another penny of my money... No regrets... plenty of good tracks around to venture to.

I’ve said this many a time - it was a huge problem before the fixed race nights and riders missing matches left right and centre but problem was solved by the introduction of that. Aslong as riders attend every meeting (other than for injury) then it shouldn’t be an issue for any fans really. I always like the idea of a relegation play off at the end of the year, but understand that doubling up is just one of the reasons that can’t happen. Now, the guest facility.... that is a real problem!

Why would tai be living in rental accommodation? When he as got a big farm house in Lincolnshire. But he will not be at Sheffield that's fact

It's all down to personal choice. I had no problem attending a few speedway meetings last summer and multiple non league football matches from August till December. Being a key worker, I've had the jab, but i can understand why some people won't want to mix with crowds at sporting events. For me personally, i can't wait for it to start.

All interesting thoughts but lot of obstacles. What about Clubs with limited time due to curfew? What if not time to run a 2nd half team? What if some teams are in areas with few riders and can't fill second team in midweek? How about Clubs who can't compete Financially but do what they do very well at a lower level like IOW and Mildenhall? How do you pair Clubs up? 6 in PL and 12 in CL? What if a rider wants to ride for parent Club but not paired Club? How do you account for Clubs running on different nights, Monday and Thursday is fixed for top League? If you scrap NDL how do young riders enter the Sport? Can you explain why Promotion and Relegation is an issue?? Its not and never has been in Speedway? Tried and didn't work as relegated Club didn't want to go down and promoted Club didn't really want to go up?

In 2006 Olle and Ove Fundin, along with other riders and a support crew, rode thousands of miles across Asia on motorcycles. I think Olle was 76 at the time! Don't remember the exact details, but have vague memories of Olle having to return home after injury or sickness on the route? Maybe somebody else remembers more than me. This web site is all I could find, but it shows a few photos from the trip plus the incrdible route they took. It was in Swedish, but I did a Google translation. I found if I clicked on the word "translating" it opened the page. https://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=sv&u=https://www.swes.se/2006/07/trans-asia-expedition/&prev=search&pto=aue

I give it till tomorrow before the “ the bikes are too fast nowadays/ there’s no skill involved in riding them (even though most of the critics wouldn’t even know how to start a bike), let’s go back to uprights/ black leathers and bibs/ proper cinders on the tracks/ eeeeeee I saw Tommy ( the mad wellie) Wilkinshaw in 1952 and he used to ride with a rusty Brillo pad on his helmet” brigade come and tell you that’s what’s needed.

Very sad news. My first experience of Speedway was 1963, as I lived within walking distance of the Firs stadium in Norwich. Olle was in the team along with my hero Ove Fundin, and they made a potent spearhead. I remember an incident in 1965 after the stadium had closed, when my brother and I heard speedway bikes in the distance from our front garden. Totally puzzled as to why we were hearing this from the stadium, we cycled over to the Firs, to find Olle along with some young Swedish riders, practicing on the track. I have no idea if he was supposed to be there, as I thought the stadium was locked up ready for demolition, but as I was only 15 I wasn't going to ask! We stayed until they had finished, then had a quick cycle round the track before heading for home. I would like to send all his family and friends my condolences, he will be missed. R.I.P. Olle.

He used to live in Springfield Road in Taverham before moving to Felixtowe many years ago.

It's about looking at the bigger picture, and what's good for the sport. What showcases the sport in it's best light. Which track is better, Plymouth or Belle Vue? Just track not stadium. All those who disagree with what I put above, answer the question, which is better? If you want to save the sport in this country then it needs more tracks like Belle Vue and less that are like Plymouth and countless others I could mention. If Arena Essex (and any club for that matter) come back then they need a copy of Belle Vue, start with the basics, track in a field. Get the track right and build from that. Don't shoe-horn tracks into places where they don't really fit.

If any sport waits for Covid to be eradicated the sport will be eradicated before Covid. I assume you've not visited a supermarket or been out for nearly a year I'm approaching 70, visited very well organised meeting at Plymouth in September with 400 to 500 others. I've been to non League soccer in Autumn with similar crowds. No reason why Speedway can't start at any UK stadium once lockdown ended and spectator sports allowed. If you don't want to go that's your choice, if many of us vaccinated wish to go I'm sure that we will.

I’m not so sure

Bad photoshop job here. Someone just trying to stir the pot.

This is where the rumours came from

It was compared to Kings Lynn, Kings Lynn is a solid concrete wall with steel in front of it.

It's the credibility issue for me. In a supposed professional elite sport you have a rider who can be contracted to two different teams in the same country. Then by the time you add in the guest regulations its possible that one rider could ride for every professional club across the two divisions in one season. I guess it bugs me because I still have the hope of the sport growing and getting the support and attention it deserves. While things like this go on its very difficult to see that ever happening.

Don't think anyone will be brave enough to start speedway up at Bradford? But the state of speedway at the minute who knows ' hope I'm wrong.

I remember one like that at a winter junior match between Hackney and Belle Vue. What made this one really bad was that the rider fell, got up, and was standing on the outside of the bend - and THEN he got run down by the guy behind him!

Should never slag any track off as we need as many tracks up & running to give fans & riders enjoyment of our sport... Some say Plymouth is small but I can't comment as I've never been but me pal has a few year back & he really enjoyed it

They have to Bridger. But seriously JPB had talent but also had too much smoke blown up him too early, family rifts, social distractions and poor preparations meant that once attempts to step up to the higher levels came along it was already slipping away.

I’m sure that any ex rider offered all of that ( over fifteen grands worth of kit there ) would seriously think of making a comeback.As talented as he might have appeared at one point you sure someone would offer that to a youngster who’s walked away from the sport twice already ?

I had the privilege of attending Olle's school three times in the late 80's. He wasn't that good a teacher as he never made me into a speedway rider. Well, thinking about that, it may have been my complete lack of ability rather than his poor teaching lol. But the best thing of all we that he liked a drink. Myself and one or two others sat up well into the night talking speedway, with Olle holding court which some great stories. A true character, gentleman and servant to speedway. RIP Olle

ah but the thing with josh auty is that he is a CLASS ACT around the ewr, so at least the scorps fans get entertainment value.

I really don't understand why people have such a problem with doubling up.

Stand up to the Poles! Your having a laugh, try telling that to the Top Riders+ any Young Brits who actually make the Grade and attract Polish interest,they’ll be off at the drop of a hat.We are a second rate Country in the Sport nowadays and it will be a long before that changes if ever. Better to just enjoy what we have here and get on with it.

Just love the word 'suggests' which suggests you don't know but heh ...... So - - I would suggest that as he has a UK passport; didn't need a work permit in 2019; rode for the Belle Vue Colts, a NDL team, in 2019 then that clearly makes him 'British' in the eyes of the UK government and British Speedway governing body. Throw in the fact that he is only 18, having arrived in the UK when only 16, ending up with an 8.55 average for the Colts just after a few months, this alone should be enough to make him a rising star - better average than team mate Danny Phillips who is ranked as a 2* rider. Plus he won't be the first rider to take advantage of being able to ride in Australian championship meetings. For example, Tai Woffinden won the 2006 Western Australian Under-16 title, in Perth.

His commitment should never be questioned, but whilst he doesn't mind getting hurt, the other three riders in the race might have something to say about that! He will always be a risk until Dickson puts some glue on his a*se!

How long until the begging bowl is out again? "Ive spent X thousand on new kit for this season and its blown to bits in weeks/ive put in loads of investment but i have no speed...." No Chris you have no idea on setups or how to get the engines/bikes to perform. The reason he is exciting to watch at times is that he has to wring the life out of the bike to get it to do what he wants and occasionally gets lucky. For someone who has been around the sport for so long knowing how to get the bike to work is what has badly held Bomber back.

The 3rd tier is one of the best things to happen in British speedway in the last 30 years, if not ever! The 3rd Division should have started in the late 70's/ early 80's when a number of tracks were starting to struggle with the then 2nd Division (called the National League) getting more and more expensive. The great promotor that was Ian Thomas said as much at the time. Maybe then tracks like Barrow, Workington, Milton Keynes, Castleford, Boston, Scunthorpe, Paisley, Ellesmere Port, Birmingham Bordesley Green and probably others would of had a longer more viable existence in the sport. These combined with training tracks of the day like Felton, Iwade and Ringwood and other potential venues that would have been tempted to open in the lower cost League would of made a decent League that in them days would have been in undated with potential riders to make up the teams! The current struggles of one of Britains top prospects Drew Kemp in the 2nd tier emphasizes how the 3rd tier is needed to help nurture young riders rather than put them off by throwing them in the deep end of the 2nd tier to soon! Without the 3rd tier, Birmingham and Eastbourne would have closed a number of years ago which would have had a knock on effect in the 2nd tier cause without the Brummies and Eagles this season the 2nd tier would be down to 9 tracks! Likewise would speedway at Somerset have ever been attempted without the safety net of the 3rd tier when they first opened in 2000? Would Berwick have re emerged in the 2nd tier had they not had a number of seasons building themselves up again in the 3rd tier in the 1990's? I'm sure at some point attempts will be made to re establish League racing at Rye House, what's the betting this will be in the 3rd tier? Look at today! - Without the 3rd Division, I wouldn't be going of to West Row to hopefully enjoy Mildenhall take on Thurrock a currently homeless team which is no doubt being helped in their attempts to find a new track of their own by being able to run challenge matches at 3rd tier level. Combine this with the fac that young riders will be getting valuable track time especially in the junior match that takes place after the main meeting!