Leaderboard

Google what an amateur is... for this meeting some of the riders are classed as amateurs (loosely) some are professional... the meeting winner gets a cash pay out so in real terms what should happen is the proffessional will collect it and the amateur shouldn't but I would suggest whoever wins the meeting will take the money and run amateur or proffesional so strictly speaking maybe the meeting should have been called junior, novice or journeyman meeting rather than amateur... but WTF it's a moot point do we really care? Its a good line up for the level and standard and IMHO there will be some cracking racing on offer... kudos to Redcar for getting such a good line up together and if they could allow fans in I certainly would have popped down for a look... some good young talent going to be involved in what I think will be a very competitive meeting... Good luck to all involved... hope they all stay safe... and there are no expensive failures on the bikes that cost these journeymen dear... Regards THJ

Better than no speedway.

That's easy,,,, Josh Auty!!!

Or maybe it has THJ? A bit of short term pain for long term gain? Flying in and out hundreds of journeymen foreign riders over the years and planning fixtures around these riders agendas, regardless of whether a good night to run or not, whilst at the same time reducing the places available to UK riders could now be a thing of the past... Those who run the sport have steadfastly avoided "the bleedin' obvious" so maybe the pandemic has forced their hand and it will be for the best in the long run?

i'd suggest it was used as a practice, is Andersen still interested in GP's?

Is the Brazilian variant the one that makes women go bald ?

Somehow think this season is not going to run smoothly regarding riders travel plans from Continent.

Was in todays Speedway Star

Of course it is. But some fans only support a winning team and then complain when there is no speedway. So I hope the home fans do continue to support the team. I’ll be there regardless as it’s an exciting race track.

I read in a book that you co-authored, falcace, that it has been said that Aub Lawson went to the other two riders (Split Waterman and Freddie Williams) in that fateful heat and asked them if Jack had ‘said anything’ to them, i.e. offered a small inducement for them to let him win They replied he had not. The story goes that when Biggs said nothing to them, they decided to ‘fix’ him. Biggs said later when this story began to circulate that he hadn’t ‘said anything’ to them because he was confident he would win – or at the very least get the third place he needed to become World Champion. He had been by far the fastest gater all evening and Lawson and Williams were having poor evenings – Lawson in particular as he was suffering from a hand injury. To him – and probably the whole crowd there that evening – it was unthinkable that he wouldn’t at least get third place. So, even if they did decide to ‘fix’ him, it wasn’t easy to see how they would be able to manage it. The authors of the book go on to say, “Nerves seem a much more plausible explanation.” He had a long gap between his fourth and fifth rides and he just sat in the pits getting more and more nervous. The book quotes Ken Taylor, a long time speedway fan who was there that evening, as saying, “It was nerves that beat him.” He said he had seen Biggs in the pits some years previously in the London Riders’ Championship Final when, again, he was in with a chance of winning and his hands were shaking so much, Ken was surprised that Biggs could even hold the bike, let alone race it. It should also be remembered that Biggs came third in the run-off as well – again a race on the previous form of the evening he should have won. But his nerves were shot to pieces by then.

Brilliant guys

Are you always this optimistic?

The reason is indeed that there is no money to fund the German SGP without having paying spectators.

Sad to read that former Reading promoter Mark Legg has died. Mark funded the purchase of the promoting rights at Reading from BSI during the 2007 season and was at the helm for the club’s final season in 2008. I enjoyed being part of his team during his tenure at Smallmead and always got on well with him, my condolences to his family and friends.

That is a very pessimistic point of view. An optimist would say that a major company with huge resources as stadium owners is beneficial. For the past 30 or more years, stadium after stadium has been lost to us because the value of the land for development was higher than any income that could be derived. It seems that this company are in the business of operating stadiums for gambling, not for development.

Honestly... Welcome to our world... unfortunately I don't think you are wrong... Regards THJ

Never a truer word said... lol Didn't know whether to put a like on it or a laugh... Regards THJ

For me. 100%... The sport is down to its very hardest of hard core support so is pretty much bomb proof from any more "walking away".. Therefore, keeping the same numbers (or even a 'natural' reduction in punters), but removing thousands from their costs, has to be a good thing for the future of the sport... "Never waste a good crisis" is a term often quoted in business.. Speedway should take note......

Can't disagree Mike to be fair its definitley the other side of the arguement... if it works that way... I just think the sport is a bit fragile and vulnerable at present... Bit brutal and I sincerely hope you are wrong but again opinions like this do stand up for themselves at the minute... unfortunately... so in that context "your not wrong" (either) Regards THJ

More concerned with the podcast maybe?

Not in my case, accommodation booked for all Edinburgh and Armadale away meetings except Devils meetings at Berwick and Belle Vue. Only need Sturgeon to give me and fellow travellers our 'FREEDOM'

Can see this affecting the viability of speedway here going forward.

I intend to go to many of Scunthorpe's home matches. They are not my home track so would not be too upset if they lose. Just hope to see some good racing. Hoping to see Crump and Pedersen, in Scunthorpe's first match.

I agree, if a team keeps losing at home it will be down to the hardcore of supporters. The only way Scunny could do anything this year is if they made a quick ruthless change after a couple of meetings, theo or Lambet for vissing or BWD.

Arena Racing Company (“ARC”) can confirm that an agreement has been reached to acquire Cearnsport Limited, the owners of Central Park greyhound stadium and speedway track. Upon completion of the acquisition, Central Park will join Newcastle, Nottingham, Sunderland and Perry Barr within the ARC group of Greyhound Stadia alongside sixteen racecourses, which include Doncaster, Newcastle, Chepstow and Royal Windsor. Promoter at Central Park, Roger Cearns, will continue with the business through a transitional period ahead of the return of owners and spectators. In addition, Roger will maintain his links with the track via the Kent Kings Speedway team. ARC will continue to honour the ongoing media rights agreement between the stadium and SIS. ARC Director of Media and Technology, Mark Kingston, said, “We are delighted to have reached agreement with Cearnsport Limited, and to welcome Central Park into the ARC group of venues.” “As a well-respected and popular track, Central Park will really enhance the portfolio of greyhound racing that we host and reiterates our long-term commitment to the sport. We will, of course, fulfil any standing arrangements with regards the track’s media rights, but look forward to Central Park becoming a key part of our schedule going forward. “We are incredibly grateful to Roger Cearns, whose knowledge and expertise will be hugely valuable to the business during an upcoming transitional period.” Roger Cearns said, “I have, for some time now, thought that after 60 years connected to greyhound stadiums and 23 years at Central Park that the time is right for me to retire for younger people to take charge and to secure a sound future for Central Park, its trainers and employees.” “Having closely investigated all possibilities I consider that ARC, who are acknowledged leaders in this field, operating over 20 venues, are the best option to achieve that. Racing at Central Park will continue as normal with the exciting Category One Grand National commencing soon.” “I believe that being within the ARC group will give Central Park, it’s staff and trainers a secure and prosperous future and my best wishes go to them.” This news follows the announcement of the establishment of a landmark joint venture between ARC and Entain, which will deliver a single, optimized UK greyhound racing schedule from 1 January 2024.

I'll ask them both on Saturday and see what they say.

Should have been one League years ago IMO.The standard would not have dropped of so much,and steadily risen again.It’s a still all about self interest unfortunately.

I'd say they must be happy to class themselves as amateurs as they entered themselves in the class. No one forced them

Ha! I must pick up a copy and refresh my memory :-)

Arise Patrick Hansen. Will be worth keeping an eye on his progress this year. Surprised at Birkemose and Jeppeson scores!

What’s the odds on 8 rounds in Poland, maybe behind closed doors. Europe has massive COVID problems.

fair play, if you're going to be in and you need info on vpn let me know

Take the 2.5% reduction off IS its 3.03 for a foreign rider and I did qualify the numbers with "for a Brit" and "not including any reductions" but thanks for the kicking even if a little undeserved... Regards THJ

It’s the “Warriors Shale Track Racing Club” The Wightlink Warriors today announce the launch of the “Warriors Shale Track Racing Club” which will encompass all racing events staged at the Smallbrook Stadium. The club, which will be open for membership, will offer riders of all ages and ability the opportunity to participate in many different race classes on the country's largest shale circuit. Warriors Shale Track Racing Club Co-owner Barry Bishop said, “Martin and I are delighted to be able to extend the reach of shale track racing to a far greater rider and fan base than ever before with the support of NORA Motorsport. We will now be able to develop riders in many different shale track classes and incorporate them into our fabulous summer spectacular race series. Again, we cannot wait to welcome fans, riders and sponsors once more to Smallbrook for a non-stop feast of entertainment and further details will be released in due course.

correct. Although it also depends on the number of new Covid cases between now and then?! ps. I hear there's a meeting with Stadia UK tomorrow.

With the “South African” variant coming back into play and undoubtedly the “Brazilian “ variant will rear its ugly head again too, I still can’t see there being any league speedway in the UK this season