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I'm finding some of this Cairns criticism OTT and rather odd to be honest. The lad is 16 and it was his first meeting as a fully fledged RS. I hope Rushen won't get this kind of hammering if he makes a slow start.

There were a number of “Big Guns” as such in the original plans, but Poland arranged sparring matches and as it is their day of the week they pulled rank unfortunately. It was not riders refusing to do it, Paul Ackroyd said this yesterday. They possibly do have insurance but that isn’t the point, for example within minutes of a rider crashing insurance doesn’t arrange to pay for transport or a hotel for his family to be at the hospital, and look after them once there. Or in some cases pay for a flight the next for the family to fly from wherever in the world to be with them. Or even just to have someone on the phone organising things for them when in a split second their lives are turned upside down. And then the immediate weeks and months or helping with bills, until the insurance might come in which could be a while. Nor does the insurance kick in 30 years down the line for an operation to help fix a speedway injury long after the event which wasn’t a problem at the time, but through age you need a hip replacement. Or those who need ongoing care, like Ricky Ashworth or Garry Stead, regardless of whatever else they may get (if anything I don’t know), getting extra support to make life a little better surely is the point.

So, a young British kid (once again), goes from being a future World Champion, to being just another overrated rider... And. All in one meeting!!!!😁 Hyping these kids up does no one any favours, yet plenty seem to do it... "I watched him ride after the match and his times were close to those in the meeting itself"!! Was one particular pearl of wisdom I read about him about 18 months ago.. Riding on your own, without three far more experienced riders nailing you on turns one and two is a bit different from riding on your own, and your times , and finishing positions, in those races will get hit quite severely... Being fast is one thing, being a Speedway rider is another... Let the kid develop at his own pace, like all should be allowed to, as the entry level for UK riders is quite a low bar, therefore one or two can look "amazing" when riding against their peer group at 15/16... If these lads are Championship second strings by the end of 2027 then they are on track to become Premiership second strings, around two years later, (at 20/21 years old).... If they reach that level, then by 23 or so, Premiership HL and International level will be there "glide path"... Not many are Woffinden, Bewley or Robert Lambert level by 21 years of age, so just let these lads develop... And the aim isn't to have future World Champs, the aim is to fill team spaces with UK lads, something the sport desperately needs...

A trick is missed every year. The first two weekends of the season should be a 4TT with Glasgow, Edinburgh, Berwick and Workington. Get big crowds in and some semi competitive racing before the real business starts. East Coast one weekend, Edinburgh Friday & Berwick Saturday then Glasgow and Worky the other.

While I respect the views of the 'good old days' brigade I think we are way past the point where random bikes and kevlars for team mates are acceptable or appropriate for our sport or any other which claims to be professional. British speedway gets plenty of things wrong but the correct team image is vital with social media, live streaming/TV and merchandise sales etc. Can't think of any other team sport where a side looks like waifs and strays and doesn't all wear the same kit.

Speedway Tracks to Replace Air-Filled Safety Fences with Water-Filled Barriers in Groundbreaking Innovation In a revolutionary move set to change the face of speedway racing, the Speedway Control Bureau (SCB) has announced that traditional air-filled safety fences will be replaced by state-of-the-art water-filled barriers. This bold initiative aims to combine safety with track maintenance, allowing circuits to water the track without the need for tractor breaks. The “HydroBarrier” system, developed in secret over the past two years, features high-capacity water bladders positioned around the track perimeter. During races, if dust levels rise, automated valves will release a fine mist onto the surface—all without pausing the action! A spokesperson said: "We’ve always looked for ways to improve safety and efficiency. Air fences absorb impacts well, but water disperses energy even better! Plus, riders will get a refreshing splash instead of a hard bounce." Early testing has seen mixed reactions from riders, one said: "I slid out, hit the fence, and suddenly it was like being hit by a tidal wave! My bike floated away, but at least I wasn’t hurt." Despite concerns over soggy race suits and potential track flooding, promoters insist this is the future of speedway. A trial event is scheduled in the next couple of weeks, though sources say backup dryers are already on standby, just in case.

Luke Harrison might have struggled a bit. He'd only be five years old.🤩

Kevin certainly doesnt get put off by less than perfect track conditions due to weather. The lad can certainly gate, ride slick or grippy, can ride a tight inside line and when pushed to the outside isnt fazed either. Extremely professional approach , fantastic determination and looks like a great signing for Glasgow after outshining several heat leaders who know Ashfiled like the back of their hand.

I was thinking of starting a "Guestfest 2026" thread, and logging each one... But then realised what an undertaking it would be ...

Doesn't quite rival the unmasking of Kendo Nagasaki !

Batchelor ?. Thoughts with the good people at Northampton Speedway at this difficult time.

It’s a decent side, not title winners but solid. Let’s face it, we would all rather have them in the league than not so I’m glad they have a decent team. A lot of Ipswich fans have already said they will be there for the opening meeting so solid crowds is what a new club requires. More positivity than negativity, a nice stadium, good track and a good time out. Good luck Northampton 👊🏻

Pleased to see Luke Harrison in there, liked what we saw from him last season and exactly the kind of rider that the RS system is about.

First time watching Pirates TV…bloody hell, I’ve never heard such a biased commentary in a LONG time!! 🤣 Not even a hint of impartiality!! 🤣

I don’t particularly follow the sport that closely in this country since I don’t have a team to support anymore but its remarkable how we are at the point we are at with teams closing yet when a new one arrives people still can only find the negatives. They’ve done a fantastic job building that team in the timeframes they have been working to, hopefully it’s a success.

But for this to happen British speedway has got to get it's house in order, clubs to give intention to run etc by the end of August, so these top riders can sign up and know where they are potentially gonna ride at in 2027, before they commit to other leagues

I don't know... A 30 something year old, grey, now far too small to cover a gut, Iron Maiden 1992 Tour T shirt, matched with a pair of dirty blue jeans, (also now too small), allows for a surfeit of "arse crack", when bending over and fixing a chain, which always looks professional on the TV...

I'm not sure I understand all this stressing about the name. People are talking as if Foxes is synonymous with Leicester. If that is the case then why are the Speedway team called the Lions, and the Rugby team called the Tigers ?

The Poole promotion were quoted as saying, when they signed him, that they knew he would miss some meetings at weekends but would do their best to work around it to minimise it.. Given he already had a Polish contract, Poole are secondary in priority... The Aces ride Monday and Thursday so shouldn't clash... Poole didn't have to sign him, knowing he would 100% miss meetings... No one held a gun to their head..

I do think nowadays riders don’t really go through the hard yards like they use to,the fact is for everyone that really makes it (top 5 in world) there are a couple of hundred that fail, there are some really exceptional talents in speedway who were always going to make it like zmarzlik and bewley and then there are others like gollob and Pedersen who went that extra mile to make it but on the whole 99% just forge a league career which is no bad thing but my original point to this is you have to ride the struggle and get through it because it will come when you’re up against it and nothing goes right and the world is to blame and that experience will help you get through it,speedway is a mind game, the head on your shoulders is as important as the head on your engine, I’ve watched both Rushen and Cairns and indeed bickley, they all have the talent,Rushen seems the most natural on a bike but all 3 seemed from the outside looking in to have had the their career so far on the crest of a wave but the moment you take that to the serious stuff and three others want your peice of track it’s a whole new world and unless you are headstrong it’s a harsh one, good luck to both Cairns and Rushen and hope bickley makes a comeback too

Its not OTT and its not odd at all. Go and read what people said about Boughen then look at the same people slating him as over rated when the wheels come off. I will take my hat off to Cairns if and when he hits form as obviously would like him to be a future star of the sport but after 25 years of following speedway there have been many , many riders hailed as the next Lee or Loram who go on to do not a lot. All this nonsense that riders should be in the top tier needs to stop. Riders should be left to the bottom two tiers to develop not slung into the top flight as rising stars having their confidence dented week in week out.

Well done Glasgow and the riders. An excellent meeting with some great races. Nothing better than watching good riders go at it.

Yes he looks a good signing and on this form we should keep Kyle in my opinion.

I watched the stream as a neutral and it looked a 50/50 to me. No malice whatsoever by either rider

In the good old days when we had a functional sport with competitors. For how many years did we have the old fashioned tactical rule of using any rider when 6 points behind. I always thought it worked quite well to be honest?

I’m not sure why riders don’t get their own cover anyway, I took mine out in 1994 with the CICA and still have it today because it covers you for pretty much everything except war but even with personal cover it does not let speedway off the hook to provide cover too, I see the bspl are saying the ACU covers it now, what about foreign riders who don’t ride under the ACU ?

I'd quit while you're behind 😂

Ok Leon you know what you have to do anything less than 3 points is job done. I am sure Gerry will make up the shortfall, any questions asked about your performance just say you had a burger for lunch and it must have been dodgy.

I've come up with a brilliant idea, that nobody has thought of... don't call it the Knock Out Cup!

Edinburgh will easily finish Top 4 well balanced team. After watching Dan last Saturday he looks like he will go up another level our loss is Edinburgh’s gain. I am away for a lie down now after that prediction

... and if Belle Vue do get "knocked out" of the "knock out cup" they can still do the business against Leicester on Monday to get back in? Oh no, hang on a minute I'm confused 🫤🤔

Looking forward to seeing Stars in action. To me there seems to be plenty of entertainers in the team. That’s great. A few years ago there were those who disappointed on that score. No names, no pack drill. I can accept defeats (we’ve seen a few !) but if riders try all the way, I will clap and support. I like to be entertained so if you win the race, pick up the flag, wheelies, wave but no straight back to the pits unless extenuating circumstances. Because of where I live, it costs me thousands of pounds to see the Stars each year. No complaints on that score but I do love telling people what a good night it has been. This year’s team looks set to deliver. Well done to Keith, Rob, Dale and the KL speedway team. Cant wait to get trackside. Boy was it cold for Nicolai testimonial.

IF the promoters aren't taking the sport seriously, then why should the fans bother turning up at all ?? Teams signing riders who they know will miss meetings sums the sport up. It's basically Mickey Mouse. No wonder the TV companies have washed their hands of it.

Wasn’t dirty riding so don’t know who would have suggested that unless they just hate Holder, I don’t particularly like him but it was deffo just a racing incident, he came up the inside and the gap was there as blodorn slightly ran wide but then Norick cut but and the gap disappeared fast, they both collided but technically you could say holder was ahead of him at the time of the incident. I don’t think anyone was to blame really, if you blame holder for those types of passes then you’ll see no racing at all.

According to some on here with an agenda , it was absolute garbage. Looking forward to seeing the thrill a minute passer’s paradise that foxhall regularly produces to put that right.

Rubbish.

Its not just one meeting though is it? What did he average for Poole from reserve last year, wasn't it under 4? As for crescent girl saying someone has lost their mind, dear oh dear. You lost your mind a long time ago mr barrie. its time the rising star program was removed from the top tier , it does more harm than good for young riders.

Agreed stacks of decent young british riders lost to the sport through being thrown into the deep end to early for every Screen, Loram and Lambert there's another 20-30 who although never hitting the heights could be the next Kings, Lawson's, Hurrys and have decent top league careers which would cut down on the need for flying in overseas riders.

Let’s hope we get the Sheffield Tobi from a couple of seasons ago. On his day can beat the best in the League we’ve seen him do it. Things obviously weren’t right for him at Lynn whether that be the ankle injury or other reasons going by what you believe, and Birmingham was just a disaster for everyone with so much uncertainty which couldn’t have helped riders’ form. Let’s hope this move settles him down again and he produces what we know he’s capable of.

Yep and back in the day meetings were held morning afternoon and evening with some real derby matches. As a Hackney supporter in those days I remember travelling to Ipswich in the morning and the return at Hackney in the evening. At Rayleigh you had a morning meeting followed by a return over the weekend with either Canterbury, Eastbourne or Boston. Today you have so few teams you cannot even have a regular weekly meeting and as a sport which should be thriving in the summer months you end up with a calendar devoid of meetings when support should be flocking to tracks and today the lack of ability to capitalise on those months when the sport should be attracting punters is consigned to history. Sadly it is a pale shadow of what used to be such a great bank holiday extravaganza.

Who is Jaimon Lidsey going to talk to in the pits? The rest of the top 5 have a combined age of 160.

Not sure what anyone else expects other than to be competing in the bottom two, late to the tapes so to speak, all done last minute, the track isn't complete, no real home advantage once tapes do go up, Northampton is very much up against it before a green light goes on but, if they can offer entertainment, can get the name out there, and survive into 2027 who knows... I'll certainly try and make one night this season and take my old man, but really do hope it works out for them, hopefully win a few meetings if they do then congratulations to them as its literally backs to the walls stuff already

Promoters have a long history of working together for the greater good, putting aside any differences to ensure the right outcome. I'm sure it'll go just perfectly...

You are well aware and you've been very active. So why question? Why doubt? Why mire in the demise of speedway. Looks like you absolutely love it, cant fix it and never lend a hand but always online to want for more despite giving less. Aye but you bought a season ticket.....yet put down and question everything else. Get yourself involved Ian, change the dynamics of meetings, be more than a worthless typist on the Internet. You won't, you aren't.

I would rather trust that departed bigwig to bring change to the sport than the other 2 and I think when we finally find out why he departed it may well be that he was stopped from bringing change, bringing a new team isn’t change it’s a new club joining a failing system no matter how much its cost or who its cost, n new club is a positive step but until change happens thst club will be in the same boat as the others

I agree and this should extend to the mechanics and officials too, optics matter

BBC couldn't forecast tomorrow is Saturday never mind the weather 7 days away