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Well that's another mid season break almost over and we come back with a new line up . Banished to the speedway abyss are Paul Starke and Ace Pijper and keeping the NHS busy with his ears is Steve Worrall . In come a Slovenian and a 36 year old rising star , plus our guest straight out the bookies , Ben Barker . 20 points to make up for the bonus point , think we can forget that unless messes Howsrth , Palm Tree , Allen etc have off nights . I will happily settle for just winning the meeting , though I think it will be close .

Unless Poole move up

I thang you

What is your basis for saying that Championship speedway is unlikely in 2025? The attendances for both leagues are good and supporters seem to relish regular, weekly meetings.

There's only restrictions when a rider is "withholding his services" so as long as Klindt doesn't return to action abroad but say he's not fit enough to ride here, Lynn should have a facility till the end of the season (as I understand the rules).

Swaffham would be instead of King's Lynn, not aswell as. Anyway, imo it wouldn't work, to far away from King's Lynn & still to far from Norwich. The other surrounding areas wouldn't be enough to make up for those lost.

Poole tend to only get the blue groove when the weather is hot and sunny and the track dries out so quickly when its underwatered and thats despite using the shale purchased from Monmore!! Bright, sunny and breezy today after the deluge of rain in recent days so who knows..............?! I'll just go and check the tide times..

Tom Brennan now available for Pirates at Redcar on Friday as Rybnik v Gdansk is postponed! COYP>

He's got three from ten meetings this season. Hardly a lot and the lowest in the team.

1965 was the first year of the British League as well as a new Knock Out Cup competition based on football’s F.A. Cup with just one leg and the luck of the draw which team got drawn at home. In that year, one of the Quarter Final matches saw a local derby London tie with West Ham drawn at home to Wimbledon. Before the tie, the two teams appeared to be evenly matched and so the match proved. With one heat to go the scores were level at 45-45. That final heat saw the Wimbledon pair, Olle Nygren and Reg Luckhurst, shoot in to an early lead over West Ham’s Brian Leonard and Norman Hunter and it looked all over for the Hammers when suddenly Luckhurst’s engine blew up resulting in a 3-3 and a tied match at 48-48. Having drawn at West Ham, Wimbledon looked a good bet to take the tie in the replay on their own track. But there was even worse news for West Ham as their top rider, Sverre Harrfeldt, was injured the previous evening at Hackney and unable to take part and their third heat leader, Norman Hunter, was also unable to ride as it was his wedding day! There were no guests allowed so the Hammers had to resort to filling the places of two heat leaders with Tony Clarke, making his racing debut, and a Wimbledon junior, Geoff Hughes. Only Ken McKinlay was a recognized heat leader and, although by now a team regular, it should be remembered that at this time West Ham’s 19 year old Malcolm Simmons was just a reasonable five point average second string who had shown no signs of the great rider he was to become in later years. No-one, not even the West Ham supporters present that afternoon, gave the Hammers much hope. By heat six it looked as though Wimbledon’s superiority was about to assert itself as Wimbledon skipper, the great Olle Nygren. along with the experienced Jim Tebby, took a 5-1 against West Ham’s newcomer, Tony Clarke, and second string, Brian Leonard. The lack of two heat leaders looked as though it was now beginning to tell. But as West Ham were six points in arrears it meant they could use a tactical substitute and they wasted no time bringing in Ken McKinlay for reserve Ray Wickett in the very next heat. The line-up for heat seven was therefore Bob Dugard and Keith Whipp for the Dons, Malcolm Simmons and Ken McKinlay for the Hammers. The young Simmons shot away from the gate with McKinlay behind him and that’s how the heat finished. A 5-1 for West Ham and four points pulled back. Simmons’ time of 66.2 was the fastest of the night. The next heat saw McKinlay out again, this time in a scheduled ride, with old campaigner Reg Trott lining up against Reg Luckhurst and reserve Mike Coomber. Some brilliant team riding by McKinlay and Trott kept Luckhurst behind them and with Coomber falling, it meant another 5-1 to the Hammers and, unbelievably, at the half-way stage, West Ham now found themselves with a two point lead. With Nygren and Tebby lined up against Simmons and Wickett in heat 10 it looked as though the Dons would edge back in to the lead, but, once again, Simmons rose to the occasion and beat Nygren in the second fastest time of the night. Heat 12 saw another astonishing turn of events as Wimbledon’s Bobby Dugard fell and was excluded from the re-run. It was a simple matter for McKinlay and Trott to defeat Whipp and take a 5-1. It was now West Ham who were six points up and it was now Wimbledon who used a tactical substitute as they brought in Nygren for reserve, John Edwards. Unfortunately it did not have the desired effect as, for the second time that night, West Ham’s new hero, the young Malcolm Simmons, beat Nygren, leaving West Ham still six points in front. This time though, Simmons had done it the hard way, coming from behind and taking the Wimbledon captain on the last lap. With just three heats to go, time was running out for Wimbledon and the impossible suddenly looked possible. However, a Nygren and Dugard 5-1 over Trott and Leonard put them back in with a chance and when, in heat 15, Tebby and Coomber pulled off a 4-2 against Clarke and Hughes, the scores, were back to level with one heat to go. The line-up for that final heat saw Keith Whipp and Reg Luckhurst for Wimbledon against Ken McKinlay and Malcolm Simmons for West Ham. The tension around the stadium was palpable. Everyone was holding their breath. A match which at the beginning of the afternoon had seemed likely to be very one-sided had now come down to a last heat decider. To some extent the final race as a race was a bit of a disappointment as Simmons once again flew off from the start and never looked to be in any danger and with McKinlay settling for a steady third place, the match was won by West Ham by 49 points to 47. The small band of Hammers’ supporters who had made the trip across London couldn’t believe what had happened. The hero of the hour was the 19 year old Malcolm Simmons. He had beaten the Wimbledon captain, Olle Nygren, twice and had set the three fastest times of the night. In fact he still wasn’t finished. In the second half scratch race event, the Cheer Leaders’ Trophy, he won the first heat, beating, McKinlay, Luckhurst and Dugard and then went on to win the final, once again beating Nygren. As if that wasn’t enough, a special Handicap race was held with Simmons starting off 20 yards, Nygren off 10 and Trott, Leonard and Tebby off scratch. Yet again, Simmons got the better of Nygren, even with his handicap. As for me, although that match was held 59 years ago I can still remember it as if it were yesterday. In fact I can remember it better than matches I saw last season. It was just such an amazing afternoon. I went along there with a few other Hammers’ supporters expecting a reasonable match but when it was announced just before the meeting started that neither Harrfeldt nor Hunter would be taking part we seriously considered going home. The Wimbledon supporters around us were saying things like, ’You’ll be lucky if you get 20 points’ and ’This is going to be the biggest thrashing of all time.’ Of course we gave back as good as we got but in our hearts we felt they could well be right. But suddenly there was this rider called Malcolm Simmons, who we had seen rise from the ranks of a second halfer at West Ham to a reasonable five point second string but no more, taking on and beating the likes of Olle Nygren and Reg Luckhurst on their own track in the fastest times of the night. He was just phenomenal. As we now know, Simmons went on to become one of Great Britain’s greatest ever riders and runner-up in the 1976 World Championship, World Pairs Champion in 1976, 77 and 78, World Team Champion in 1973, 74, 75 and 77 and British Champion in 1976. He was capped 80 times for England, seven times for the British Lions (touring Australia), five times for Great Britain and four times for the Rest of the World. But it all started that night and I feel very privileged to have been there to witness what must have been one of the best matches of all time and one of the most outstanding personal performance of all time.

As happens many times in speedway, rule A will be thought up to avoid a certain situation occuring, then a new flaw will occur because of rule A, so rule B is added. This continues till everyone is confused & no one is totally sure of the rules anymore.

Probably because all of the Leicester team are doing well. I've gotta give credit to Leicester here for not dropping anyone.

And remember what happened with Denmark in 2022, should have been in Esbjerg and due to the high costs involved to them and presumably low ticket sales they abandoned it and had to be moved to Vojens at very short notice and they had low crowds too.

If Buster wants big bucks for hire or the stadium and promotion rights to run speedway at KingsLynn. It may put off someone wanting to run there like a previous poster has said it’s not looking good for next season. This may open the door for Swaffham Saxons to run as no speedway at lynn, wouldn’t surprise if Mr Brady is already doing his groundwork. The track would need converting but it could be made to a Belle Vue style track. The track surface at lynn is terrible for speedway.

Klindt is third in the KL averages. The one immediately above (Basso) can take a ride, and anyone below (Iversen, Kvech, Wojdylo, Rowe)

Looking at the teams - I think Poole will be too strong here and get an away win. Danny King has looked really good since he has come back. So hopefully it's a close meeting, with lots of passing.

Fantastic news, will be a very happy pre meeting flat white on Friday

It certainly looks like you could put a Belle Vue type track in there which would be brilliant

I can assure you Swaffham is as much an interest of Peterborough fans as Kings Lynn is, which isn’t a lot. The only time I have visited Kings Lynn speedway is when the Panthers were the visitors, that goes for Leicester as well, both dire tracks for speedway racing.

Peterborough need to be in Peterborough. History has proved that going out of the area and hoping the crowd follows doesn’t work. Glasgow at Workington cradley at stoke Scottish monarchs at Glasgow and Birmingham thinking the wolves fans would go in large numbers to Perry Barr

50 years ago it might well have been a problem when we had three times as many tracks operating but at the current time it makes no real sense at all. Until it’s tested we don’t really know.

The 30 mile rule... How short sighted is that? Many of the fans who follow the sport will attend to watch racing rather than be "precious" about the result, so running a track reasonably near on a different night could benefit both... Especially if they worked together on giving discounts for SS holders st the others' track...

Says who? If I wanted to buy Swaffham tomorrow and open it for speedway, why shouldn't I be allowed to? Was Cradley "instead of" Wolves. Is Notts. Forest "instead of" Notts. County?

Making the 2nd tier an almagam of Championship Lite and NDL Plus is surely the obvious opportunity? One each DU Top tier SS and HL per team and two "Rising Stars" at reserve (NDL reserve/SS standard), with at least one SS being a NDL level No1/Heat Leader.. Meaning a "top rider" (at that level), to be used as a yardstick for the developing riders, and to aid their development, plus keep the crowds interested, and (at least), 3 NDL level riders per team, giving six spaces, as a minimum, per match... For those teams who cannot compete in the Top tier, it would be ideal, and maybe encourage a few tracks back who have left the NDL over the past five years or so...

Chicken, scared of admin.

Don't think it will make any difference to the season's outcome as to who they bring in/leave out...... MPT is an average rider around PB....will be like for like. We've had chances to sign better riders earlier in the season, but these weren't taken! Sorry for sounding repetitive.......,but Zach Cook was/is better round PB than Worrall/MPT !! B'ham need a proper 'Manager' !

That was me who said it. Alex put the post up on X / Twitter.

Some one on here said they had seen it on one of Alex's social media sites ( i think). I'm not on any, so haven't seen it myself, and i'm not sure if it was the same site either.

Sorry for the silly remark just being sarcastic about the original remark about buying cheap seats then moving to another seat....ie sitting on a booked seat on a train then being asked to move buy the purchaser.

Totally agree with you, yet often managers use r/r at 2 for the second heat leader. Waste of an extra ride for your number one to beat a RS imo.

I wonder if you will bump into someone who can prepare a decent track

MPT... https://www.birmingham-speedway.com/_mobile/news.php?extend.3523

A wonderful read Norbold and thanks for the great memories. I was there too but sadly the grey cells are dying and my memory has not as sharp as yours. Oh how I miss those days.

It'll be the venue and time for the British GP after party

Gorzow v Wroclaw, 18th June 2023. Purely for the incredible atmosphere and noise made by the Polish fans.

Yes, he was only beaten once, definitely the star of the night.

How different it was in my day. Made the journey up to Saddlebow Road to support the West Ham Hammers. Arrived at teh track and it was wet - they had a downpour probably an hour before start time. There were riders huddling in the pits and I thought I had made a wasted journey. Then the announcer came on and said Olle Nygren the West Ham captain had agreed to test the track. Well Olle by Golly didnt spare the horses going from a practice start full chat into the pits bend which looked sodden wet. The dirt flew and Olle flew round for a couple of laps inside and outside. The bikes warmed up and we wer treated to a pretty decent nights racing. Today the promoters call it off based on a " dodgy forecast" , a damaged pits gate hinge, a clash with a football match ....... no wonder they get so few visiting fans attending. Even the home supporters are losing interest.

Would that be the same Richard Lawson with the second highest average in the league. You do talk crap

In Denmark league they not allowed to drop tear offs now due to environmental laws. So the tear offs and threaded on that yellow wire so when they pull it off it is retained. Not sure if this means for the GP there all riders will have to have it?

As ever, a good read. Thank you!

Sept 1972, Teesside v Bradford. 40 - 38, Dave Durham beat Dave Baugh on the last corner of the last lap in the last heat. Never forgotten it!! DD was the master at diving under people at Cleveland Park

1981 World Final at Wembley - Apart from the two Bruce Penhall races, it's the only meeting I've ever been to where you couldn't hear the noise from the bikes due to the noise that the crowd was making. What an atmosphere.

What a ray of sunshine you are.

I followed wolves everywhere until I started riding in 93 then obviously things changed but I still went pretty much wolves every week,I live 2 miles from track, then after I retired I spannered for skornicki so was going everywhere with wolves again,,I can’t really believe monmore is no more and sad to say there isn’t a light at the end of the tunnel regarding wolves at the moment, I’ve only been to 4 meetings this year 2 at BV 1at Workington and 1at Isle of Wight

Gutted for you Dean... I seem to remember that Sam was in hospital, hence Henka guested, and they had him on the phone over the PA several times duing the meeting... I must confess several of us did shout "Get Sam back on!", more than once at the end... The place was rammed that night and showcased everything that is great about this sport.. Real rivalry, proper hard racing, a massive crowd with the resultant atmosphere that such crowds bring, and an amazing last heat decider... Such a shame that the raw material of the racing, which can still often be great nowadays, doesn't get supported by what surrounds it...,

1993,'Wolverhampton v Belle Vue... Wolves needed a draw, and the Aces needed the win to be Champions.. No play offs then, just a league that ended with the top team winning.... The Aces were 8 points down, with only a few races left, and only that win on the night would do... The four of us there that night all agreed to watch one more race and then get out quickly, so we didn't have to watch the mullet headed Wolves fans (in all their 70's denim clothes), celebrate... Then the Aces got a 0-5.. Then suddenly a couple of races later, were one point up, with just one race left .. And then Bobby Ott flew from the tapes, with Jason Lyons riding shotgun, whilst Peter Karlsson did his best to spear him at the end of every straight, eventually doing so, lap 3, which let Henka Gustafsson through too... But neither could catch "Bob".... There must easily have been 800 and more Aces fans there that night (how times change), and the lady in the " Wolves Megastore" was particularly unimpressed when, as we finally left, I asked her if she had any "Wolves 1993 Champions" car stickers.. I think her face, and the pile of unopened boxes behind the wallpaper paste table used as a "display", told me the answer...... Big crowd, great atmosphere, and the right result... Just like the other night at the SON....

If the Brummies do decide to go for it again next season then the team needs to be completely different not just in quality but in its attitude and culture. The fans aren't asking for a world class team but rather one that is decent at home and doesn't seem to throw in the towel. They should be looking at riders such as : Masters, Ben n Zack Cook, Mountain, Simon Lambert, Douglas, King, Lawson etc. Real steady eddy's basically with ofcourse a good number 1 like Lingren if wanted to try GB again

Well if a GP was held at the NSS,I would certainly pay more for a ticket than I would do for Cardiff.If Cardiff is an average of £20-£40,then I would happily pay an average of between £40-£60 for a GP in Manchester.Simply because the racing is far superior. I use to go every year to Cardiff but haven't been there last probably 5 years.You realise you got swayed by the atmosphere rather than the racing.Yes it would be great to have the atmosphere/racing go hand in hand,but it doesn't in Cardiff.So give me proper racing any day so the NSS wins hands down.

Only if you're a tory

Nowt wrong with this week's star. as plenty of Workington coverage in it Hopefully same this week #UTC