Leaderboard

Like I say, come have a go! Anyone willing to volunteer 6 hours on a Saturday to go out publicly and try keep people entertained gets praise in my book. They always be doyles like you wanting to slate them but never step up and volunteer your own expertise. Personally think that talking for 3.5 hours to a microphone connected to the entire internet with no previous experience is some good going! Talking over extended breaks when absolutely nothing is happening for half an hour. Drop me a message and we'll get you lined up for the next one and see if you get as much praise as they have

Yeah 4 weeks today, but it’s been a while so why not

Get yourself down and grab a mic, we have plenty of hours to fill at these events!

I'm just picking up the formation of a new breakaway league with Sittingbourne, Isle of Wight and trackless Weymouth. Not before time, the sport in the UK needs a new direction particularly at grass roots. Well done for those involved a brave move.

I would argue that speedway at grass roots isn't in a dire situation. In the past few years the junior championship has grown in numbers thanks to a lot of effort from volunteers. There are now several clubs, albeit mainly in the north, who have a pathway all the way from National Junior League (125 / 250 and 500cc), to National League, to Premier League, Eastbourne has exactly the same, while Kent has both a National and Premier League setup. The Premier League is also setting up a new junior league this season. You have to wait to see how that pans out before commenting. There is also a thriving amateur scene at both Redcar and Scunthorpe. I get the feeling the promotion at Isle of Wight will be supportive of the breakaway league, since they withdrew from the National League. But if they couldn't sell the National league product to sponsors, how are they going to sell an amateur product?

I sincerely hope not. The NHS meeting is certainly a worthwhile exercise, but for speedway the BenFund is ultra-important. Just ask Ricky Ashworth, Garry Stead or Neil Hewitt, among so many, many others.......

The Crayford Kestrels down at Lydd could be a possible member.

They have the best track man in the country ( my opinion ) now that Terry the track has a full time job & Doc Bridgett has retired...

R&R certainly is very helpful regarding information on all aspects of Polish Speedway Matches,Video Links ect,dont see your point regarding owning the forum..As for betting if people want to ask others advice that’s up to them don’t see any problem with that.You obviously have a problem with R&R,must have took his advice and lost some cash at one time

Deserves a ban ,that was nasty.Even the simplest fall can end careers.

disagree, it was cynical. Tungate got form, he got a 2 week ban for this nasty bit of work.

What??? He caused a crash on purpose should be at least 3 match ban...

Tungate what an idiot... Hope he gets a ban as well.

Could he ride for both?

still in the melting pot

With the bonus point in play, don’t think there should be much danger of Tarasenko taking 5 rides tonight. Huge return available if that comes in.

Sorry Ray I'll be corrected; been out of it with a serious illness recently.

Had an email this morning from Notts cricket club as they put it they are OPTIMISTIC ( there words not mine ) of fans returning for a county championship game on May 20th - rules are allocated seating within families or support bubbles - social distancing throughout-no cash sales for food and drink -restrictions on numbers in toilets - - even though I’m a member I have to get a ticket if I want to attend free of charge as I’m a member if I’m unable to attend I have to let the club no so I think speedway will definitely be all ticket -It also seems things will be confirmed on the 10th May if all the above will happen with fans so I guess speedway clubs will no more on the 10thMay as well

See Birmingham have had there water wagon set on fire in early hours that's after 3 break ins not good so close to the season. Scum bags hope they can catch them but don't think so.

Very true! To give the fans a chance to support one of the many other speedway teams!

Early meetings will surely be all ticket, it’s the only way it can be IMO. And with theatres etc opening that day surely BoJo et al will be making things clear over that weekend rather than during the day on the Monday? I wouldn’t be surprised if early meetings get pushed back but as it stands there is no reason this should t go head with some kind of crowd. The figures are very low currently.

Put money on Chris Harris to get his first of many guest appearances

It's going to be an awkward situation for club and supporters I'd have thought to know what's happening, as I believe it's that same day that BoJo confirms what and what can't happen, isn't it? If for any reason, he alters his proposed plans late that afternoon, many people won't know, as they will have been at work.

It rained and snowed all last week in Poland-all 7 matches postponed. Today is looking a lot better.

The obvious question about this and other early fixtures will be ticketing arrangements.

Keen

maybe they want to see how things go and what sort of impact it would have on the speedway first? wasn't Debbie the one that resigned from the BSPL management team? ominous for sure, but at the end of the day business is business, although tracks as good as Somerset are few and far between

We move on to tomorrow`s match Bydgoszcz v Tarnow start time 5pm UK time Links http://spedway.ucoz.lv/ http://www.maniak.tv/mk7 http://www.drhtv.com.pl/drhtv-1.html

Having been fortunate enough to be there ( on the tools ) I can say it was a very good day with some top class racing in all classes even after the track, inevitably after 70 plus races, went slick. Whilst the pits and parking was a little chaotic, to be expected, everyone enjoyed being back racing and from what I’ve seen of the ‘ live stream ‘ it was a good first effort , especially as it was FREE and Redcar should be congratulated for giving it a go. As for the Official Website coverage , they don’t give Scunthorpe meetings any coverage either so this was to be expected but still disappointing when there is nothing else for them to report on. The fact that a 30 odd year old upright engine saw off some very expensive new lay downs should at least warrant a few words in next weeks Star.

Seems a shame that the British Speedway Official Website has totally ignored this meeting, both beforehand and afterwards. The result from some meeting in Australia is on there, but sadly not this one. Thought the idea of that website was to support and help promote British speedway?

ACTUALLY there are limitations on the size and shape of the track that can be installed... for many and especially those who return year after year it is the occasion, the atmosphere and the whole day that combines to make it special.

Well I’ve just watched the semi final that Kyle Bickley won and it was one of the best 71st or 72nd heats I’ve seen in a while. Well done to all concerned.

Big thumbs up to Laurence and the other 2 Clubs who are keeping this League alive. The issue of "dormant Clubs" is not the fault of Laurence and we are lucky at Perry Barr to at least have some junior racing to watch.

It would be good manners towards the Rebels faithful, the Oaktree is a fantastic track, the facilities "clubhouse" & toilets were better than most, car parking brilliant & the team always competitive. I think the Hancocks are good people but are lacking in P.R. skills. I beginning to think no news is bad news?

Surely they don't need to make any statement until the 2021 AGM requires all clubs to give their intention to run in 2022?!

It’s a 15 minute walk , hardly out of town, and they close the motorway to enable you to walk back safely. For me Warsaw is better than Cardiff as you don’t get ripped off by the hoteliers.

All of which is beside the point. Why were the 'ghost teams' a 'thorn in the side' of the BSPA? The result of this decision is to sharply reduce the opportunities for riders to develop into team riders proper. In any case, all MDL teams - including those theoretically attached to league teams - were run by 'enthusiasts' in my experience.

think there was over 60 races yesterday there was a full youth meeting before the open class so i think the track staff done a great job keeping the track decent couldn’really water the last couple of races because the track was so blue and the sun was out all day night meetings would be a lot different and easier to keep track

Well organised and good meeting for juniors,but you can see the problems regarding track prep when you want to run NDL as double headers,keeping the track decent is very difficult and racing will be Gate and Go stuff IMO.When you want fans to pay good money to watch.30 heats on one night is too much IMO.

Thank you for this extremely insightful and fair assesment. We certainly noted most of the comments you raised, unfortunately we needed a few more hands than we had to sort the issues that arose as once the stream began it becomes a bit frantic to fix things that aren't working. Really appreciate this post as it gives a very balanced view. We will be back, and we will address what we consider were the small issues.

I understand why you are careful not to name names but as you say some "genuinely are seeking to bring back speedway to their town",and this denies those people just the opportunity to keep the flag flying while they try.

That's the drivel us Newcastle fans have had to put up with for years now... And some people say he's good!!

Looks likely to me Hopefully an announcement will be forthcoming shortly as the Somerset fans deserve that at the very least

Brilliant coverage, but OMG ! The commentary was absolutely horrendous Well done Redcar for putting this on, can’t be easy with so many heats

AT least 40,000 people think you are wrong.

I doubt if they would have a meltdown, they've come a long way since the fence scraping antics of the young touring teams of the 70s and 80s

Vast improvements have been made since January this year, check out Startrax site, the track is identical to '85-'97, it would easily obtain the necessary approval, current stadium capacity is 22000, so even 25% would be far greater than Belle Vue or Ipswich, and before anyone mentions the hospitality building on turns 3 & 4, the track side supports could easily be covered/boxed in if necessary. Bradford is a goer in waiting if the authorities want it. I wouldn't be surprised to see some behind closed doors 2 wheel laps before long, as soon as the final top shale layer is in place.

Use the same promoter as Cardiff, licence wouldn't be a problem with the kind of revenue the meeting would generate.

Are we talking about Kent/Sittinbourne ? If so i have been informed today that the Stadium has been sold by Roger Cearns to ARC racing, see link. https://www.arenaracingcompany.co.uk/media-centre/news/greyhounds/arc-agrees-to-acquire-cearnsport-ltd

Are you always this optimistic?