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I visited REDCAR for the first time on their opener. Not often would I wax lyrical about a promotion, its stadium and the way they do their business, but this was an eye opener and an example of how to PROMOTE. Redcar offer a great product, a neat,clean, stadium and racing surface. All officials smartly attired in quality uniforms. A stadium with great viewing, well signposted and extremely supporter friendly. They plainly give Sponsors great value for money and run their show to a high standard. Well done to the promotion, the fans and an excellently balanced team Thank you for making me most welcome, and I hope to return again James Easter

Think this thread was better when no one had replied and just liked the original comment. Dragging up old disputes seems pointless.

Granted, winning trophy’s in GB Speedway is meaningless.

Auty looked extremely rusty, was 5-1’d in all his races and passed by Joe Thompson. Vissing was OK but no match for the 3 Leicester heat leaders on the night.

Putting the juniors on at the end is rubbish as all they get is a crap second hand track. More was learned today by sticking them on when track was good and watching them cope with it and make the required changes .

Jenga I am having a sabbatical not joining a monastery... give up drink!!!... give ya head a shake man... Regards THJ

Bloody hell, give the lad a chance. First time on the track, don't think his score was too bad.

corruption requires organisational skills

Teams like Leicester make a mockery of speedway, the track looks fantastic but it is prepared in a way that only produces one racing line, God help any visiting rider who tries to go wide on the bends because they siink faster than the Bismark. Lion's fans would call it "home advantage" whereas I prefer the word "cheating". All it produces is a guaranteed boring follow the leader home win

According to the P&P piece on Central News on Friday, Auty's bike can accelerate quicker than an F1 car. He didn't say which one or what year it was though.

Glorified practice session I won't be investing and I'm out

Not really...might be for the riders/manager...but I'll be just happy surviving and getting value for money (on track entertainment) I grew out of getting excited about winning trophies a long time ago. May be being a West Brom fan has added towards that !

Don’t know why the Birmingham fans think they’ve got a play off team? It’s bang average in a competitive league, Shanes in main body with Vissing and a finished Auty as heat leaders, if Ellis rides like he has in the past in this league, you will be nowhere

Well I've waited and waited to do my Championship predictions, waiting for 11 full 1-7s and it's the end of March and it's still yet to happen. So I am just going to go ahead and do it now anyway, sick of waiting!! 1. Leicester - In my opinion the team that looks the strongest for a full season. Easily unbeatable at home with home specialists throughout the team and the second strongest heat leader trio in the league, particularly at home. Connor and the Thompson twins also know Beaumont Park like the back of their hands and Anders will only get better I'm sure, he's a good prospect down at reserve. I think over the course of the full season they will be the strongest team and will take some beating. 2. Glasgow - Have a solid team through 1 to 7, have decent enough reserves and a very good number 1. Ben Basso and Ulrich should provide endless amount of entertainment and Broc is a very decent number 2 alongside Cookie. Don't think they're quite as strong as Leicester, but they will probably go unbeaten at home and get many points on the road also. 3. Poole - THE strongest heat leader trio bar none in the league, the only thing that lets them down is their second strings might struggle on the road, they're not the strongest and don't have the most experience of other tracks. Nathan Ablitt is also a bit of a question mark for me, I think he should do alright at home on a track he's riding week in week out, but away on tracks like Shielfield and Brough, he may struggle, is it a year too early for him? Time will tell. Poole however are my favourites for the end of season tournament we all refer to as the playoffs (vs Leicester). 4. Redcar - Very solid heat leader trio and two decent second strings, I was gutted when Adam didn't resign with my beloved Diamonds. Kasper Andersen will surprise a few this season I think and the two lads at reserve, particularly Jordan, should fly at home this season. I predict a very good season for the Bears this year and I wish them all the luck in the world, being our nearest and dearest, should comfortably make the playoffs imo and all four of the top 4 I have named are a class above everyone else. 5. Oxford - Have named a solid enough team for their return season, Scotty and Troy should be able to beat anyone in this league and provide all the experience needed for the younger riders in the team. Kyle and Cameron is a decent 3/4 partnership and I am interested to see how Jack Thomas kicks on this year after coming on so well last year. Josh MacDonald and Dillon Ruml is also an impressive reserve partnership, I think Oxford should make the playoffs this year. 6. Plymouth - Quite hard to tell without them having a complete septet however, based on the six they have named so far if they can add even an average rider as their final rider they should be a pretty strong outfit. I think Dan Gilkes and Henry Atkins will be 2 of the most overlooked reserves in the league this season and I feel they will both be pushing for a position in the 1-5 (oh well, just means Alfie Bowtell at reserve instead!!) Ben Barker and MPT will provide years of experience and plenty entertainment and Hans should be a solid enough number 1. I expect Plymouth to be the underrated dark horses of the league this year. Would love to see young Ben Trigger getting a couple opportunities at reserve if the chance arises also, think he's one of Britain's biggest talents coming through and looked just as good, if not better, than Henry at the P&P already. 7. Berwick - Yes yes, Jye and Kyle is the best reserve partnership in the league as every Berwick fan likes to keep reminding me and I do agree. However, they do have a couple of ageing riders and a couple who have a lot to make up for after disappointing season last year. Ricky Wells is not a number 5 and whoever the hell Chris Allen is?? He's not a number 1 either In all seriousness, other than Leon and Chris (Harris ) all the 1-5 need a downgrade in the team really (Ricky 5 --> 3, Theo 3 --> 4, Ty 4 --> 2 etc...) Berwick look ok, and maybe they will push for the playoffs, but I don't see them quite making them. 8. Edinburgh - Another brilliant top 2 by the Monarchs, Sam Masters and Josh Pickering is brilliant for this league. Joshie Pickering is probably the most entertaining rider in the league. However beyond this, the Monarchs offer very little for me. There will be a lot of pressure on Kye and Paco to help along the team, taking pressure off the 2 new lads (Lasse and Jacob) and heaven forbid either of them two turn out to be terrible for this level, Edinburgh could find themselves even further down the table imo. Sam and Josh basically need to go unbeaten in even meeting just to take pressure of the incredibly long tail that Edinburgh have almost become famous for. I do generally like the Monarchs, so I hope I'm wrong. 9. Scunthorpe - Scunthorpe have gone for a very familiar team, they've got decent reserves and Ryan Douglas should be a brilliant number 1. Hopefully Jordan Palin can carry on how he finished last year, another pretty average team for the Scorpions who do admittedly have the potential to finish higher if all the riders click. 10. Birmingham - Pretty bad looking side by the Brummies, although who can blame them due to their circumstances, it could have been an awful lot worse for them. There's a lot of pressure on Ashley and James (Shanes) to perform as second strings most of the year, although I feel Stefan will probably want one of they spaces sooner rather than later. James Pearson looks like a good prospect, but there should hopefully not be too much pressure on him while he finds his feet over here. Adam Ellis and Claus Vissing is a very good top 2 considering what it could have been at one point. All of this being said however, I don't see them finishing any better off than the teams above them in this list. 11. Newcastle - I'll always be as positive as possible and as optimistic as I can be about my Newcastle Diamonds, however in this list I have tried to be as honest as I can be. We are so far under the limit once again and our team is pretty disappointing tbh. Yes, we have had some difficult situations over the winter and I am as delighted as anyone about actually having a team to support again when it wasn't looking likely at one point, however we haven't constructed a team as good as we could have done imo and for that reason, I see the same situation planning out next winter too. I'm sorry but BWD as number 1 doesn't impress me at all. Positive point about the team however is James, Matty and Max are always pretty decent value for money at home and Paul Starke is a solid rider also (yet not really a number 5) Will be interesting to see how Lee Complin returns, he should be fairly entertaining and hopefully George can ride well at reserve, although early signs at Redcar don't look as promising as I thought they could be. I predict another bottom of the table finish unfortunately I seriously hope I'm wrong... I have tried to be as open and honest as I could be with this list, please let me know what yous think, what yous agree/disagree with. Will be an interesting discussion Thanks for reading my post, the length of which @TotallyHonestJohn would be proud of.

Not sure why people do it every year but they can't wait to hammer teams if they have a dodgy first meeting. It's March for Pete's sake, riders all take different amounts of time to get up to speed. Belle Vue haven't even lost tonight yet.

Well it bothered your lot last year when you robbed Redcar in the KOC

Well worth a visit.

I can't believe nobody has bothered to respond and I feel as a Bears supporter it shouldn't me but I will have my tuppence worth and proclaim that Redcar Bears are the best run c.ub in British speedway. The stadium is superb and the track is fantastic its just a shame that Godfrey and his cronies will stop at nothing to discriminate against us at any opportunity

The problem is....the bike can, but the rider can't! LOL

Can’t be using his excuse to get out of coming to Berwick that early can he?

I think Saturday, tonight and Wednesday is all about track time because the key to a good season for Birmingham will be survival, a decent season at home and getting fans through the gate. Anything more will be a bonus

Honestly John it all went on in the past !! At one time you could take your own egg to the dump, that meant all sorts of under hand things going on, from pot eggs to eggs covered in nail polish etc. To stop it getting out of hand the club/pub boiled the eggs ( in onion skins to make them brown ) then sold them to make the pot. glad you enjoyed the traditions of West Cumbria marra . Neil Ps as Geoff said speedway is in your blood don't give it up. Just turn up in disguise so you won't be recognised

Surprised you didn't put Newcastle on another page?

Its in your blood john dont give it up

Was at the Ben fund, Ulli was looking good but had bike problems in his last 2 heats or he would have qualified for the semi final, Tom was outstanding and got award for rider of the night, Ben was in the mix considering it was his first time on the track, looking forward to seeing them dialled in at Ashfield

Looks like young Mr Brennan should be stepping up to genuine heat leader this season looking at his performances this week at BV and Peterborough. Ulle seems to be getting better with every meeting as well. Be lying if said didn't want to win something but more looking forward to the excitement levels this season. Team full of (mostly) young racers going hell for leather on a proper racetrack

So the Tigers head over the Pennines with a deserved win from the NSS, despite being not tracking two of their top 4 riders. R/R yielded 5+1, would have expected more from Cook, Worrall scored 7+1 (ignoring his R/R) more than could have been expected from Musielak. Didn't think the track was as good as it can be, but some decent racing. Gate 4 was a handicap as it was last week, especially early in the meeting. For the Aces. Fricke - poor showing from a GP rider, failed to beat Holder and couldn't find a way past Worrall on two occasions. Etheridge - poor until heat 10 when he joined Fricke for the only Aces 5-1 of the night. Allen - poor, ponderously slow, looked overweight. Overtaken by Neilsen in heat 12. Wright - did what could have been expected of him, had the beating of the Sheffield middle order, going from 3rd to 1st in his first race. Kurtz - a little hit & miss, only rider to beat Holder with what looked the quickest rider of the night in heat 11 certainly the only time any rider ventured near the air fence. Plugged away on the slower inside in heat 13 keeping Holder honest but never really looked like overhauling the Tigers #1. Blodorn - showed potential in his first ride amongst the Tigers reserves, overtook Howarth in heat 14 to make the home side favourites in the last heat decider. Brennan - won heat 2 by a country mile, poor second ride - way off the pace, good win over Ellis in heat 8 then ran a last behind Allen & Neilsen in heat 12 but was never far behind. For the Tigers. Holder - best rider on show by a distance without ever really getting into top gear. Worrall - somewhat hit & miss, two defeats of Fricke. Howarth - largely anonymous, never looked likely to win a heat. Ellis - much better than last week, ran a last in heat 13 other than that will be happy with his night. Neilsen - was the better of the two visiting reserves, crucial pass of Allen to join Worrall for a 1-5 in heat 12. Mountain - picked up 2 points beating each home reserve once is all that can be expected from a visiting reserve. IMO stupid decision in heat 15 from Lemon, Wright hadn't looked anywhere near quick enough to beat either of the visiting top 2 so why use him rather than Fricke and having done that why give him gate 1 rather than Kurtz? Aces only needed a 3-3 to win the meeting. If Aces are going to make a change and it's one of Etheridge or Allen to make way... Etheridge 1, Allen 0 after tonight. But neither really impressed.

Thought the kid at 7 for Brummies had a nice style. Was never going to trouble the scorers on his first visit bit got round well. Will have a tough season no doubt but will be interesting to watch his progress

Didn’t know league was decided in first month of season. Not even running league meetings!

Bet BV wish it was a challenge meeting!

You can tell the season is starting, d*ck head is back on

I don't think the powers that be care much about any competitions in this country and they are certainly not going to change the fixtures for the benefit of the fans. We just have to accept it as it is and cup competitions mean very little. Personally i think this gives Belle Vue a much better chance of winning, Musielak is a far better than Richie Worrall, i expect they would have had his brother had he been available .Can't see r/r being of benefit to Sheffield either, Cook is good at the NSS.

if you can get some castrol r40 oil and put it on one of the sent burners with the candle underneath that you get for the house and it will give you that smell just dint put too much in the top of the dish thou

visiting riders need to be in the lead then!!

And this is expected to increase the viewing figures for speedway. I think not.!!!! Is cricket better off now its mainly on Sky NO. Has it increased figures for golf. I think not. I will not be subscribing even though I have followed GPs all around the world. S*d um!!! Discovery only interested in money, not speedway!!!! But then again we all know that!!

Not so good for my heart when we are hanging on though lol! Guess I have been lucky seeing so many finals, but you never know if it is the last one for a while. So I try to enjoy it as much as possible. I do hope Birmingham and Newcastle get decent crowds this season so they can continue for years to come. At least with the track sorted now, the racing should be good.

Ah really. I mean I'm a Southampton fan, but still really enjoy it when Poole make a final. But I agree a club surviving is way more important.

Anyone who could bottle the smell of "castrol r " on a burning hot "jap" engine would make a fortune !

Pearson will come good .

Thoroughly enjoyed yesterday, started off a bit gate and go , but that soon changed and some of the heats were top drawer . From my own team's perspective Tom Brennan was superb , this could be a huge season for him . Ulrich looked like his old self after his injury last season , until the bike gremlins . And young Ben Basso got better as the meeting progressed . But the best rider on the day came out victorious well done Ryan Douglas .

Can public go to press and practice today does anyone know ?

I have a funny feeling we may sneak this 47-43 With jye and allen fighting for 1 spot in the team you would hope that can only benefit belle Vue early in the season

I think so! Surely ALL first couple of meetings are about track time first and foremost.... The KOC holds no esteem for me, hasn't done for years!

I understand and respect your decision. I knew you cut your ties with the club officially, but I didn't know if you were going to come to the odd meeting this season just purely as a spectator or not. I wish you the best of luck with whatever you decide to do in the future. Enjoy your football and hope to see you back on the speedway scene again one day

It was £1 to park in the car park yesterday, as it has been for years.

Still cannot understand why the intro is so poor. Why not get riders at the start introduce them interview them with a couple of practise laps.. been going for years but unless I need my eyes testing the lighting is so poor now days. Also what is going on with the purchasing of tickets why is the bottom bar in car park no longer open to have a quick beer and purchase your tickets. Any way moan over here to a safe and successful season up the lions.

Didn't Leicester sign Jake Knight for a single meeting last year while they were waiting for Zaine Kennedy to arrive? I assume the team will be redeclared for Adam to ride in the next Fixture or definitely first official League Fixture.

But lets be fair it is easy to make a typing mistske now isn't it? Regards THJ

There is one thing having a personal gripe but to take it onto a speedway track is disgusting. Speedway bikes are dangerous enough without any other motive and I have neither side to take in this but I hope it’s dealt with appropriately.

I agree, we have 4 Chromecasts and each one is used a lot!