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Nice tribute to the great man here and some good publicity for the memorial meeting next month. https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/nostalgia/liverpools-world-champion-dad-remembered-23212909?fbclid=IwAR0fiZkbzPSQCdbA977bQFXojDptbKbIC2AQMSCfIpk6gQoa9Jgf6Xnhhy4

Been confirmed that Hans Nielsen will be guest of honour on opening night

It's personal choice though......if people don't want contribute then don't. Same as when Bomber did GoFundMe the other year and people whinged. For those that do then it's all good.

Just seen a few topics regarding speedway on Fridays, you do know that Mr Godfrey does not like any team bar Scunthorpe riding on Fridays, Workington had lots of these issues in 2018 the H18TORY season

"In view of the tremendously sad and troubling events in Ukraine, the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), the world governing body for motorcycle sport, together with Discovery Sports Events, promoter of the FIM Speedway Grand Prix series, confirm that in the current circumstances it is not possible to hold the FIM Speedway GP of MFR – Togliatti originally set to take place on July 9." https://www.fimspeedway.com/statement-fim-speedway-gp-of-mfr-togliatti/

So do I but Countries need to stick together re sanctions against Russia. I will be at Cardiff and would like to watch Sayfutinov and Laguta but in the circumstances if the war is still ongoing I don't think they should ride, if they do and should one of them win the GP I will not be cheering or staying for the presentations.

Top 3 of Bickley, Blair & Crang should ensure Berwick make the playoffs and go one better than last season.

Link here: https://youtu.be/dsF9Nl5qxoQ

Now Sweden have refused to play football World Cup round with Russia.

Kyle Bickley?

R.E.F. is a strange concept. You have professional speedway riders being given money to buy the tools of their trade with the money coming from fans through such event as an auction. Would there be an auction to raise money if you were a professional carpenter and broke your saw. I know all the arguments about rider's costs but that's another issue and I know R.E.F. is long established and perhaps harks back to the days when the riders were semi-pro...I also felt the same about spontaneous collections if a rider was fined by the ref.

Looks like a 9am UK time start. Link coming shortly.

Don’t we all, that’s a natural viewpoint of speedway supporters, or indeed supporters of any sport. However, no single country, nor NATO, is going to put their army against Russia, but the people in Ukraine, ordainary people like you and me, are suffering and will suffer more for every one of them that dies. So other means have to be taken to show that the world detests what they have done. Russia, and Putin, like their sporting heros, especially world beaters. Hence Olympic champions, World champions etc are highly prized. So just like all the other restrictions heaped upon Russia, it is hoped the effects the restrictions will get them to think is it worth it and change their ways. Action now may prevent world war 3.

and Russia have been excluded from the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest. Russia are so keen to win at sport, cheating has been rife, and even when Russian sports people cannot wear Russian colours etc (in the recent winter Olympics the Russians were representing “the Russian Olympic Committee”), and even then in the Ladies ice skating that young girl had been found of taking drugs (maybe not her fault). This shows even when banned they deem it worthwhile to cheat. For the “fatherland”. Not only should the Speedway GP due in Togliatti be cancelled, but Russian riders should be excluded from all the 2022 world championship GP’s, and yes that means Artum and Emil. What Poland speedway does will be interesting as well, I can see all Russians being excluded from the Polish league. Edit…… just heard Manchester United cancelled sponsorship from Aeroflot, worth millions.

I doubt anyone will be watching the Russian GP on discovery +. F1 have cancelled their Russian GP and Champions League final moved to Paris.

Great News... Tai Woffinden is making a key announcement at 6pm next Tuesday

Former World Speedway Number 2, Gordon Kennett, To Race At Smallbrook Stadium In British Upright Championship Final Even though the meeting is still some five months away, interest in the NORA 2022 British Upright Speedway Championship being promoted by the Wightlink Warriors at their Smallbrook Stadium in Ryde is intense with currently over 30 riders hoping to be invited to compete in the event. That level of support has come as no surprise to Warriors co-owner Barry Bishop who said, “We knew from the very positive response to the inclusion of the older, more traditional style of upright engined speedway machines that formed part of our race night last year, that interest from both riders and supporters in this category was strong and so to develop it more, with the support of our great friends at NORA, we were determined to include it in our 2022 programme. With no other equivalent Championship on offer it made sense to make our meetings that much more meaningful and I am thrilled that we have been able to appoint Lee Coleman as our Championship Co-ordinator and he has been instrumental in linking many aspects of the event together culminating in the announcement of the formula for the Championship and the first four excellent riders who we look forward to welcoming to Smallbrook. It really does promise to be a very close fought Championship that will add another dimension to our varied summer calendar”. Championship Co-ordinator Lee Coleman added “I’m thrilled and very grateful to Barry and Martin who have asked me to help with this very exciting project and just as soon as preliminary information was released, we have been kept busy with a whole string of recognisable names wanting to find out more. As a result of that we have settled on a format that will allow us to seed eight riders straight through to the Grand Final on 11th August where they will be joined by the top four riders from each of the two qualifying rounds on 30thJune and 21st July. The Grand Final will run on the standard 20 heat individual programme. With the arrangements now firmly established I am buzzing to be able to name the first four seeds that will compete in our Grand Final. They are former World Speedway Number 2 and World Pairs Champion Gordon Kennett, 1984 National League Riders Champion Ian Barney and British Indoor Ice Champions Wayne Broadhurst and Tony Atkin who are both equally at home on shale and especially grass where they hold multiple Championship titles. I’m told all these guys are already gearing up, both physically and mechanically, to be as competitive as possible and the other four seeds, who are already signed to the series and who are equally as keen, will be announced shortly. I know Barry and Martin can’t wait to see these guys blasting round the wide-open spaces of the Smallbrook raceway and I’ve got to say I’m the same. Summer can’t come soon enough”.

More so than ever when your spouse has died, and in my case, I have not been able to work due to health issues since 1985, so only source of income is a very reduced state pension.

We have Oxford back. Newcastle and Birmingham are still running. It's important we don't talk the sport down. Times are tough and money is tight but speedway is still a reasonable option in these times. It's not as expensive as football and some other sports. I just hope that the promoters think about this and give value for money - decent tracks, promptly run meetings, some s smiling faces when I buy a programme or a drink - and no last minute cancellations. Oh and have a word with the riders about making sure they turn up properly prepared. I personally cannot understand why people on this forum don't attend meetings. This is a speedway forum after all!

Ellis won heat 15 l have watched the dvd to confirm this believe the referees scorecard was wrong

Racing in all 3 leagues would certainly suit the rider in question, but I think it's a shame if some riders can't get a team or only have one team, while others have 3. My other thought is, if you're good enough for the Prem you're too good for the NDL!

Wow, Putin will be so scared by that threat he will withdraw immediately i am not bothered what country they represent, they didn't officially represent Russia last season, i just want to see the best riders perform