Halifaxtiger

I certainly don't want to knock your efforts but in my view its an absolute myth that Commonwealth riders prevent British youngsters getting into NL sides. For a start, there are a handful - about 8 - and they are of a much higher standard than those who would be looking for a team place as first season novices, so the team positions they are taking is completely different. I went to an STR meeting at Scunny last year and the best rider on view was Rob Hollingworth and, with respect to him, he is in his 50's. I am wholly unaware of a significant number of young British riders who are of the necessary standard to compete at an NL level, and that's a view shared by Jayne Moss (on here) and at least 3 other NL team managers or ex team managers that I have spoken to. I try to do my bit to support the U15 championship - I sponsor Adam Kirby and saw the meetings at Northside, Buxton & Plymouth - and have absolutely no wish to have British riders excluded in favour of any foreigners. I am not convinced, however, that a total ban is in the interests of the NL and that means it is not in the interests of the development of our riders of the future.

Well said Robin & Phil. The Australasian riders in the NL are a drawcard for supporters and undoubtedly have added a little colour with very little effect on the British youngsters looking for places in the league. I'd be the first to agree that there should be controls on those borne outside the UK such as having higher starting averages and the number in each team, but a total ban would be counter productive. Good point, Dean. The very unwelcome (if necessary) sight of three guest riders turning out for Newport the other day clearly confirms that there isn't exactly a huge number of riders out there who can (or wish)to compete in this league. Its a point that those who wish to slash the points limit utterly brush aside but which is fully acknowledged by most clubs. With regard to wages, that is entirely up to the clubs concerned and I do not think it is for central authority to dictate to them how much they pay in this league any more than it might be in the EL or PL. Teams in those leagues use their financial muscle generated by whatever form of income to pay riders what they want and I don't see why NL clubs cannot do the same. If a club goes bankrupt because it has agreed to pay its riders too much, the blame for closure cannot be laid at the feet of the riders for demanding a certain pay level but those at the clubs who said that they would pay it. Without being too critical, 'all these' Aussies is an absolute myth as there are still less than 1 per team riding in the NL.

Very difficult to argue with any of the suggestions here, and it is indeed encouraging to see so many British youngsters making progress. If I had to pick one it would be Dudley's Tom Perry. I believe he is a complete speedway rookie this year yet the way he attacked the track at the Isle Of Wight was very impressive indeed.

What I can say is that I got a text from him last night saying he felt a lot better, so fingers crossed. I'll probably be down to watch him next Tuesday in the Golden Hammer.

Good to see young Mr Evans back among the points I don't think anyone (least of all Barrie himself) will view Weymouth as anything other than weak opposition but the way his machinery was working last week he'd have had trouble racing a push bike. I was with him in the pits and know just how gutted he was with his display and letting the Dudley fans down, so his score here will have done him a power of good.

Very fine post, Tina

They frightened the life out of me too, Rob, but I think Bob C fancies one (or more) of them

Not a bad stab at all I'd keep the play off for the attendances it brings in, otherwise fine. Not sure about 8 rider teams but 40 points is Ok; maybe a little lower say 38.5. Short term exceptions for riders over 25 who are new to the sport, have been out for a while or have been seriously injured. Aussies/NZ on 7.00. Lowest average 2.00 for 15 or 16 year olds; One 2 or 3pt man per team (don't think we could find 20 odd new riders). I am not sure how to get costs down but recent experience has shown me that they are high. Barrie Evans told me two new carburettors would cost him in the region of £1,000 - I am sure that is more than a car - while I bought a gallon of methanol for Ollie Rayson yesterday - £7. Could petrol engines be an alternative ?

This is a very fine post Jayne and one that I think most people outside north east Lincolnshire will agree with (and probably a few there will, too). I have to say I'd sooner see 1 Australian rather than two per team but a total ban would lose the entertainment and crowd pulling appeal that these lads give. There is no doubt that the suggestion that the NL has become a bastion for Australians is nothing but an utter myth. It should never be forgotten that for yourself and others the running of your side is your bread and butter - you are not putting out an NL side to produce riders for a senior team and hence might be prepared to stomach the losses in attendance that could easily be the result of devaluing the product too much. That is something which must be part of the equation when the points limit is considered. Another fine post and I can assure you that the points you make regarding the lack of available riders are not lost on other NL team managers. What I am most encouraged by here is the consistency of your views and your willingness to try and find an acceptable solution with two of those gentlemen I have referred to in my earlier post. There is unquestionably hope for the continued existence and indeed prosperity of the NL when such leading figures are prepared to put at least some of their self interest aside for the benefit of the common good.

Outrageous comment He's a very good tipper, you just have to remember that the riders he has tipped will finish at the back. I am not sure how my mates at Mildenhall will view this (probably with disbelief) but I was in the pits with the King's Lynn riders, trying (largely unsuccessfully)to help, cheering for them and the King's Lynn team manager got me into the stadium (thanks again, Dale). Shame and disgrace beckon, I think. The sadness of the Young Stars set up is that so few people watch them ij home meetings. These lads put in 100% effort on limited resources and deserve better than that. I was assured that the Bucc's tracks have dirt on yet by heat 12 there was a huge blue groove on the first corner. Heaven knows what the Pirates tracks are like.

As far as I could see, Rob, there was a considerable amount of action off track as well with the local equivalent of the Dingles throwing their collective weight about (which was far from inconsiderable). This was a most enjoyable first visit for me with some decent racing, a good welcome from the locals (despite the initial and subsequent fracas) and some good company in Lucifer Sam & Bob C. Give us a post, Devilmouth

I have to say the more I go to Weymouth the more I enjoy it. This was a decent meeting with some good racing marred only by the injury to Danny Halsey. Seemed innocuous, but the painful ones often are Little unhappy to hear the IOW management calling the decision to call the meeting off at heat 14 'a con'. There was no doubt that the county ambulance had been called, they know the curfew is 9.30 and Halsey's injury was such that he needed hospital treatment. The county ambulance actually passed me going to the stadium at 9.35.

Interesting to hear the cheers when Mr Bartlett announced on the night that he was putting the club up for sale (the person standing next to me shouted 'good riddance'). Clearly there will be a few who will be glad to see the back of him.

Very interesting question, this. I have spoken in the last few weeks to two current NL team managers and one former manager on this particular subject. Two have advocated a cut in the points limit, one rather draconian (36) the other not quite so (around 38). The third wondered where the bottom end riders are going to come from to make up the places of the top liners who will be forced out, and I think he's got a point as there are just 5 riders in the U15 championship this season. I do hope that restrictions are placed on Australians (with patriality or without) and that we see the kind of compromise between the stand alone and double up clubs most sensibly and reasonably suggested by one of the above three gentlemen, not one promoter selfishly and arrogantly demanding his own way at the expense and to the detriment of the majority of the rest of the teams. The NL can't survive without that. My other hope would be for the creation of an NL side jointly funded by our northern most clubs and sharing track facilities there. I also hope that all the teams will be back in again and am optimistic that Mildenhall will return. The biggest question marks to my knowledge are over Plymouth (who may go PL) and Bournemouth.

Weather permitting (and it looks OK at the moment) I am going to this too. Should be a cracker, and all being well I will be at the second leg as well.

We'll be able to do it together Weather permitting, I'll be going to Plymouth too.

John I have been to several rounds and a nominal charge is made for entry (I think it was £3 at Northside). Its certainly not closed to the public, and can make for a very interesting and entertaining spectacle indeed. Weather looks a bit mixed but I will be there tomorrow to see how young Mr Kirby gets on.

Just to spare your blushes Sadly, I won't be there. I say 'sadly' because last Thursday's match was terrific entertainment and up there with anything I have seen this season and I don't anticipate such racing tonight at Belle Vue (if its on). I shudder to think what the gate will be, however. There was only a very small crowd on Thursday, it was bank holiday week and Dudley brought about 100. The quality of the speedway and the sheer persistence of this little club deserve better.

Terrific match and an absolute credit to NL speedway. Only sadness was the small attendance. No more than 250 or so, and half of them from Dudley. The Islanders deserve better, and from the standard of the entertainment those who do not attend because of the drop to the third tier are cutting their noses off to spite their faces, at least to a degree. Slightly (but pleasantly) surprised to see my old mate Stressed there. I always rated Bryn Williams as an announcer but there is no doubt that young Mr Helm is up there with the best (having had to put up with Mike 'like the sound of my own voice'Bennett on both Wednesday and Friday). Thanks for setting the rumours straight, Tim. Also good to see first bend Tony again, and very interesting to hear his very fair and reasoned viewpoint about the management coup at IOW this season which opened my eyes for sure. Little more concerned about his complaints (him being a born & bred Islander) about the Island becoming a 'huge retirement home'. I am sure he is going for the Island to become an independant republic, and hope I won't be one of the 'undesirables' excluded from entry. Finally, a big thank you to Joe & Barrie Evans for taking me down. Long day (15 hours, returning at 2.30 am) but never boring and thoroughly enjoyable. The Messrs Evans, Vic Clarke & I put the speedway world to rights on the way down (punctuated by the younger Mr Evans' pleas for more sponsorship and the elder Mr Evans' road rage) but the mystery of Barrie's misfiring engine on the way back was a harder nut to crack. Thanks again, fellas.

On the contrary - I can see several clubs wanting to sign Oliver. He's a very talented young man with a potentially bright future in the sport (especially if he can sort his gating out )In addition, I can say both he and his dad have been a pleasure to deal with. There's no way I would have sponsored him (and, touch wood, will continue to do so)if the above were not true. My dealings with Paul & Oliver (and Adam and Paul Kirby) have made me fully aware of the financial commitment that parents make to young riders (and I have no doubt that they are not alone)and, believe me, its huge. The loss of any earnings and/or a team place is no laughing matter and if Paul is angry about what has happened its scarcely surprising.

I think it was more a matter of motivation and, to be fair to Ray, which of us can say for certain that in such circumstances we would not have done so ? As far as I am aware, he didn't turn financial help so much as turn down help getting additional finance. That was, unquestionably, a mistake although whether it would have saved the club is anyones guess. I can only go on what Ray has said in that gates of 500 last season dropped to 300. On the limited evidence of my own eyes I didn't think it was that bad but I do know several regular supporters who stopped coming. If you build a team based upon gates of 500 and you get 300, that's a loss of £2,000 a week or so and if you are on limited funds anyway you will soon be in trouble. I think that is the case (or something pretty similar) and its the one perplexing thing. I thought Dave Coventry was trying it on offering half what the others did but it seemed to me to be a case of £5,000 or nothing; I am not certain why Ray didn't take that. I think Paul's complaints regarding non-payment are fully justifiable. As I have said above, I don't blame Ray for closing the track given the circumstances he has stated but breaking contracts is a little hard to take. The previous promotion was losing monry hand over fist but I am unaware of any rider complaining about not being paid.

Just got back, a little earlier than planned as the Bournemouth match was rained off. Not a bad meeting and I was surprised it was on at all because it was raining everywhere else nearby. Fully understandable decision to call it off as the mist was getting worse. Good to see BobC again and listen to his views on British speedway. Often caustic, but absolutely reasonable, all too accurate and very consistent with those expressed by Proud Potter at Buxton the week before. I never cease to be amazed by the human race. Although warm in Bournemouth when I arrived it was raining steadily, if lightly. The beach however was packed(aside from the crowds come to see the air show) and there were dozens in the sea. Apologies for not saying Hi, Tim. I tried to catch your eye but you were busy and the next time I looked you were up in the box.

Not a bad meeting, and good to see young Mr Evans back to form. He was very disappointed about his display for Dudley at Bournemouth (which has been traced to a fault in his electrics) and was gating like a train today. No fears for Dudley for the rest of the season. Thanks to Barrie, Joe & Kevin for picking me up from the station before the meeting and taking me back afterwards. Good to see my old mate Proud Potter there and to have a chat. Malcolm & I have crossed swords on here several times but he remains a man of absolute integrity and committed to the best interests of British Speedway. Some a day a role might be found for him nationally (although whether he'd want it I am not so sure). Two bad notes : Joe Jacobs was taken to hospital with a possible broken ankle. Craig Cook & Nick Morris arrived about 15 minutes before the start and were fined £100 each by the referee, the 'Grand Monarch' himself, Jim McGregor. Such fines to NL riders are obscenely excessive given the pay rates but that is only half the story. Buxton announced over the PA that they would do a collection for the fines and did so near the end of the meeting. When they approached McGregor to reduce the amount incurred he refused, saying that he would have halved it if an announcement had not been made. I do not know how such a vindictive, arrogant and spiteful decision can be justified and it will only do damage to the reputation of British Speedway's referees.

Ray certainly made a big mistake before the start of the season with some of his most loyal and committed supporters (which included the arrangement of away travel). It would be inappropriate for me to go into details on a public forum, but there's no doubt he did. Of those he did upset, however, most of them still kept coming. The first meeting was disastrous but, lets be honest, that was a one off. I can't remember the last time it happened (it certainly didn't in 2009) so for the sake of one meeting people made their minds up and didn't come. I can understand first time visitors but not those who are regulars. We got humped by King's Lynn, but how many times did we lose at home in 2009 ? We then won at King's Lynn and Dudley. The PA system is terrible at West Row. But would you be tempted to stay just because you can hear what is said ? Does a presenter have so much effect that fans would attend if he were there ? Somehow I doubt it. The fact was we had a good team, a good track and good racing. I can accept that peripherals might make a difference, but not to the tune of 40% of regular supporters.

Very fair comments, Norman. If I am honest, I don't blame Ray Mascall either for closing Mildenhall or for the closure itself. Ray had, quite reasonably, banked on drawing the same gates as at the end of the previous season and with the team he lined up and Joe Evans doing the track he must have had every expectation of achieving them. The disastrous start, with the fiasco over the U18 meeting and the team getting humped away to Rye House and at home to King's Lynn did such damage that people stopped coming although, as I have said elsewhere, given a better team and a better track I am not altogether sure why. That left him losing money had over fist and he only had limited funds to begin with. The death of his wife almost certainly destroyed any motivation that he might have had to continue. As you have rightly pointed out, I think the only criticism that might be made of him was that he didn't honour his commitments and he should have done. Other than that, I don't think he deserves the vilification he has received from certain quarters.