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Bit of a farce competition so far, and seemingly the local crowd not at all interested for the first three meetings as their nation not involved yet. The semi-final's should be hosted in a country where one of the semi-finalists is from, this generates at least a home crowd cheering for three of the four competition meetings, and that added atmosphere only good for TV audience too. That means the semi-final race-off will have to pre-selected and means potentially an half empty stadium but also means, if one nation runs away with it like tonight, it's a pointless meeting. The competition needs to stop seeding the host to the final, which I have always felt makes them an unworthy finalist from a sporting perspective, especially if it is the Poles every other year. If you need to seed the home nation, put them to the race-off which guarantees a good crowd for that and all four finalists have had to earn their final spot. So the final would be the two semi-final winners, plus the top two from the race-off. There is a risk the final will not include the home nation, but perhaps a small risk and even if that happened, hopefully fans would flock to see the best speedway nations in the final anyway.

What has happened to our track for years one of the best racing circuits in the world now its a pile of rubbish. Even Henka couldn't come from the back on this .Gate and there's one racing line move off it and you go backwards . I've been told this clay is for the sock car boys well great as it's going to be the death of the stars . I don't mind loosing iv been a fan since the 70s so I've seen my fair share but I want good racing . I

You would expect the other 13 riders in this match are on more money than Kinsley.As Kinsley scored nothing,all points went to riders who would be more expensive.Buster would have saved loads had Kinsley got 21pts.

I can imagine the Swedish Speedway Forum going into meltdown tonight as to why they named Fred at 5 and then just proceeded to replace Berntzon all night, surely the thing to do was put Berntzon out early to see what his form was like and then replace him and/or others tactically... and Stefan Shovlarsson probably banging on about how the Piraterna riders should have been picked

I don't understand all these conspiracy theories regarding Andersen getting injured / missing his flight. If Peterborough wanted to drop him they can, if Andersen wants to leave he can. I see no advantage to either story not being true, so why don't (some) people believe the stories?

Which what they should have done several years ago.. Cut their cloth accordingly... Gone are the days of any riders bringing in an extra 1000 by their appearance.. They tried to desperately cling on to massage their own egos with GP riders, whilst crowds got sick of watching Mickey Mouse competitions which were ran that way to cover the often missing stars... Post covid was a "free hit" where any standard would have delivered decent attendance's from speedway starved fans.. They had over a year to plan a "new dawn"... They didn't bother.. Let's hope whatever structure they put out has plenty of doubling and trebling up, and guest riders to keep us all enthralled, and by using that so successful operating model, it brings back the many thousands who still watch Speedway but no longer attend..

Wasnt Krakowiak also a kids programme on Friday nights on TV

I’ve introduced , this season, four almost five 15 year old lads, school mates of my sons. They enjoy speedway in its raw form. They are happy to go to every home meeting. I’m taking two to Cardiff too. The problem is the questions I get asked and I wince. Here are a few: 1. “How come their ( the opposition), number 1 and number 3 have raced for us this season?”. 2. “What’s the commentator mean by he is doing well riding for two teams as well as appearing for us occasionally?” 3. “Why is it every week I come it seems to be the same 14 riders but a different team?” 4. “Where’s Poole?”

During the lunch break of the Ashes cricket today on BBC 5 sports extra, there was a live interview with sports promoter Eddie Hearn. He made several interesting and relevant points about the sports he promotes and some others that he enjoys eg cricket. He reckons that in every sport - team or individual - you have to create 'characters'. Any sport should have characters that fans can relate to, even if the personas are 'made up' to generate supporter and media interest. ( Wrestling,Darts etc) 'Sports should be entertaining - not just in the actual live competition, but also in the pre and post publicity'. 'Whatever the sport purists want it can be achieved but also every event must entertain by creating characters - heroes and villains'! Interesting.......

Probably no one else wanted to know this answer, but a kind FIM official in Wroclaw has told me that Milik’s nominated Tac Sub ride on Tuesday night was in heat 5. I hope that somehow we are informed tonight and tomorrow when the no 5’s are taking a Tac Sub ride as against a simple reserve change.

But as owner of both clubs,Buster would have had to pay points money for 90 points,irrespective of who scored them.

Just imagine what the figure might be for a PROPER World Championship Final, like there used to be before this wretched GP series (OOFC) was dumped on us.

It's an unfortunate trait of society in general and here is no different that there is a presumption of guilt and innocence needs to be proven rather than the other way round. I guess that's what happens when society has been lied to on so many occasions. People need to manage and prove the most basic situations as true, as the default position is that they are lying. It's a sad state of affairs. but understandable when you consider the state society in is.

Reading the comments speedway needs to distance itself from animal sports. It will only end one way if speedway remains a tenant of greyhounds.

Heat 1, 19:51 2, 19:56 3, 20:02 4, 20:10 5, 20:14 6, 20:17 7, 20:22 8, 20:26 9, 20:40 10, 20:45 11, 21:05 12, 21:09 13, 21:15 14, 21:27 15, 21:42

I Never thought I would say it but have been pleasantly surprised with the std of racing in the championship and find I don’t miss the smattering of top stars so if it means speedway here survives without them so be it. However I would prefer there to be one league rather than a divide

When has Foxhall ever served up great racing

Good to see Chris Holder back in the fold.

Averaging pretty much the same as Musielak and Kurtz in Poland. Do you think they are Championship second strings? By your metric Basso would be a Championship reserve. Sometimes your Poole-centric garbage is just embarrassing.

Behave. The lad's doing well but at a totally different level as you well know.

Sweden paying the price for their leagues filling teams with non Swedes.. And not ring fencing places for their own riders.. I think they maybe should have spotted someone else using that plan before. To, pretty much, the same outcome for several years...

This event has got to go down as the worst international event of all time. No crowd, no atmosphere, bald track, gate and go, really really rubbishe. 20 years ago Poole held this event and we had temporary stands, place was packed, fantastic atmosphere, high drama, brilliant racing, it had it all, except for the TeamGB win. Now we have this tripe. Interviewer has just said atmosphere is amazing. Effing bull crap.

Yep and looks like a novice too. He’s not going to make it, why are Edinburgh giving him chances at number 8 when he doesn’t even ride for their NL team permanently? Bad enough giving Wood a chance over a young brit twice, now you’re giving non Speedway riders chances.

So should he be anywhere near NL and certainly not CL. Nothing personal but theres plenty of 3.00ers who have put in the hours/miles/laps. Just because you are mates with someone don't make you any good

i like Dan Bewleys black panther fist wave after he wins a race.

4) The practice will do him good as Glasgow visit next week.

It's more laughable each & every time it happens. Hans in a traffic jam.... I'm in a traffic jam most mornings on the M25 i could take a picture at 07:00 & send it at 14:00 but what does it prove? Laguta with a wrist injury.... How? is there a record? it will be interesting to know if Scott will be at SWC for the play off tonight.. Lets wait & see

I hope the BSPA would understand Scott’s situation (which as they have allowed a guest for him suggests they do) it is no different to having compassionate leave in a regular job. This is as the statement said to do with his family no conspiracy theories here. I would rather Scott missed a meeting than turn up with his mind elsewhere that’s when accidents happen.

Definitely needs something more to attract younger people 15 heats isn’t enough 15 minutes racing spun out over 2 hours for £22 - why does Stock Cars get such big crowds ? Weekend racing might have something to do with it I guess they seem to advertise stock cars with posters .It’s as if most speedway promotions have given up run out of ideas .

Most fans just want their team to be competitive and have a decent race track which allows racing and overtaking, it really doesn't matter whether it’s Premiership or Championship. Unfortunately I am told lay-downs react to grippy or deep tracks more causing more problems for the inexperienced riders. Predominately the better riders like slick conditions especially the better trappers who can then win more easily when they make the gate. But you of course this makes for boring gate and go meetings which doesn’t encourage supporters to attend. If the racing was decent then I dare say more supporters would attend and you wouldn’t see stadiums 90% empty like this weeks World Cup so far.

Requires a little bit of tactical know how though so I wouldn't count on it.

Then the product is bad and it's a managed decline until the existing ageing audience is no more, or there are no more venues or riders let. YouTube is the best way to reach a mass audience, but they have a lot of choice in the world. Audiences no longer view their entertainment in the same way. Going out to watch an event live when they can watch it online is an option for many people. Not everyone, but for certain people consuming content is different to how it used to be.

It’s a £15 sport at the most for many once it went over a £1 a race they stopped going now it’s way over that price £22 doesn’t represent value for money we are talking 15mins racing I use that term loosely. Everyone wants to see their team win of course but going home after a great nights racing even if the team loses I can take that . Not sure what the answers are at KL the track surface isn’t going to change the admission prices are not going to fall and it’s always a team on a tight budget . So how does the club attract fans back ? Or even keep the ones they still have ?

During Covid somebody jokingly suggested that one day every meeting will be raced at the NSS with the majority of people watching it doing so via a stream. Perhaps that's a bit extreme but I can imagine just a handful of tracks operating eventually with several teams based at each one. Let's hope its the good ones that survive. The Lynn promotion will no doubt appeal for people to come and watch but what incentive is there to pay £22 when the team loses and the racing is non existent?

Absolutely!! You can understand why spectator numbers are dropping, £25 to witness an evening of that !!

Tonights race-off links http://video.ucoz.lv/index/live_stream/0-5?fbclid=IwAR3GBD24ycNEX1uH3QUSREiQxcnD9RHAhHAcp1WHq7svfS7e_VHYfRbHg68 alternative http://kergel.ucoz.lv/index/live_stream_2/0-12?fbclid=IwAR3VhUjKMTiAWVp9hnoJ55v5l4YLSDgCx3k6IBfv2shCfqCxJ8GFkuYYIzg VK links ? just before 6pm

JK`s SWC race-off racecard https://www.speedwayservice.at/images/racecards/2023/SWC2023-Race-Off.pdf

JK`s SWC race-off racecard https://www.speedwayservice.at/images/racecards/2023/SWC2023-Race-Off.pdf

Want to reach a big audience? Livestream on YouTube is the answer.

Caught in a massive traffic jam driving to the airport this morning, traffic at a standstill for hours. He even sent me pictures.

This will be the last year of the “Premiership” at least as we know it. Id advise everyone to make the most of seeing the following riders the next few weeks as it will likely be their last appearances in British League: Dan Bewley Brady Kurtz Jaimon Lidsey Emil Sayfutdinov Jason Doyle Max Fricke Artem Laguta Vadim Tarasenko Jack Holder Tobiasz Musielak I would be very surprised to see anything other than Championship standard teams. Older riders on their way down, British riders and upcoming youngsters seem to be the way forward. Perhaps a north and south divide with a play-off system between both.

And what did he do while he wasn’t in the UK? Was he working? You can put a turd in a dress, but it’s still a turd!

Doubling up is a curse of British Speedway but the riders need to race for two teams because of the very limited number of fixtures each team races. The only way to solve the problem is to form one big league with teams running a home meeting every week meaning the rider races in the same number of meetings as at present but they are all for the same team. If we have to run with five man teams it will mean the riders get more races in each meeting which is a good thing from the riders point of view as they can make more from each meeting they race.

No chance I would think.. The riders will say they cannot make it pay.. And the promoters and fans in the 2nd Div will expect to use and see Div 1 HL"s.. A ludicrous situation that was allowed to happen is now "the norm"... Unraveling it all will be nigh on impossible I would say, given all the stakeholder's individual requirements.. An example of what you get when the top league gets its tail wagging it.. And when no one is really in charge to say "not happening" to the latest ridiculous short term rule or reg that gets proposed..

It's their Green Sheet, Calculated Match Average that it's based off of and they're both on 4. Aussies (or riders that haven't ridden in Poland, Sweden or Denmark) come in on a Assessed average of 4 and I have a niggly feeling they can't drop below that.

I agree, but he was brilliant at Glasgow. So fair play.

I think there are conspiracy theories as so many riders miss matches for all kinds of reasons. So when a rider is legitimately injured / unavailable, many assume there are shenanigans going on behind the scenes?

No it wouldn't have done,but Hoggard did say he was booked for MPT,not good when the management can't do the simplest thing right.

I think if Tim Henman had been a speedway rider he would have celebrated like Dan...

This from 1979, nothing much changes apart from the biro warriors have turned to keyboard warriors: