Halifaxtiger

Its little wonder that TaylorJ has got annoyed. I have no reason to doubt the figure stated and that sort of amount makes a huge difference to any speedway track - quite possibly the difference between survival and closure. That's not a matter for ridicule. I have it on good authority that the Workington Speedway Trust is hugely valued, and rightly so.

I can't agree. Its occasionally the case that there is a hope that the rain will stop and it just gets worse instead. I think there has to be a realisation as to just how much a rain off with all the spectators in the stadium will cost a promoter, because its thousands even at most NL clubs. For that reason, it is rare that a meeting is called off in those circumstances unnecessarily.

I also think Bickley will go to Workington. This was apparently agreed some time ago. Jenkins is a possibility and he'd be a fantastic catch.

in truth, it should be semi professional at that level anyway. Part of the problem the sport has is that too many riders believe that it is a full time occupation when it isn't and, indeed, for most never has been. Mick Bell was at reserve when Coventry won the British League in 1978 & 79. He commented later that speedway, for him, was little more than a 'good paying hobby'. It could be that the reduction in meetings is due to the fact that most tracks lose money. More meetings, more losses. In truth, I am not certain that this is such a bad thing. Tracks could open up in early April, run the League Cup campaign and the first round of the KO Cup fortnightly and then go weekly from mid May until then end of August - about 15 weeks to get in 10 or so fixtures. That means that the season will be run in the height of the summer, when its warmer for fans and there's less chance of rain. Play offs & the KO Cup Final can be completed in early September. The blank weeks allow time for rain offs, absences and tracks running on the same night.

Did a show with Barry last season on the Island and I was astonished at the amount of interest it raised. I could remind everyone that every Warriors gate last season (bar one) was up on the corresponding meeting in 2016 and that gates have increased around 5 fold on what the previous promotion achieved. Any promotion that can manage that surely has to be worth listening to.

Free tickets are not loss revenue unless they are picked up by someone who is going anyway, in which case that person will be well aware of the importance of them continuing to pay at the gate and not using it. While it cannot be unlimited, a free ticket used by someone who doesn't go is no financial loss at all and may indeed have the result of them paying next time.

I think he's an excellent signing. Little disappointing last season but he can still beat anyone in the NL. In addition its not just that he scores points, but how he scores them. I doubt it - it would need an increase in the points limit for that and I can't see that happening.

Indeed you can.

Certainly where loss making is concerned speedway is little different to other sports. The losses incurred and debts owed by Championship football clubs are millions and tens of millions. Bolton are the worst : their debt after the 2015/16 season was pushing £200m, an eye watering figure which even when you take relative turnover, crowds and income into account makes losses run up by speedway promoters look like chicken feed. In addition, the clubs are almost entirely owned by wealthy individuals with money to burn. https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/national/football-finance-championship-club-by-club-2015-16

Bewley is a fantastic signing, but 2018 will be a huge season for him. After a brilliant 2016, I had him being a heat leader in the Championship last season but he never really got above a good second string even though he put best part of two points on his average. His best, it seemed to me, was when he was out for the Aces or the Colts. Fingers crossed he kicks on big time for the Comets in 2018.

The fact that a club has given a young rider track time, encouragement and the benefit of their experience must count for something. Money simply cannot be the sole factor in determining what team to sign for. I am aware of at least one young rider who got his fingers badly burnt by signing - against advice - for the highest bidder and two of the most talented who have remained loyal to the club that gave them the initial support that they needed despite, in one case, a thinly veiled attempt to poach them away.

They continued to lose money at Eastbourne. A lot of it.

In actual fact, its both. Isle of Wight's gates double in the holiday season (an extra 300 per week) and that's the difference between survival and closure. While I accept that some places are too far away to reasonably attract anyone, some are not. In a holiday destination, you simply have to let those who do not live in an area know that you are there. Workington just don't do that.

It was indeed and he was re-assessed as a 5.00. Word I got was Mildenhall put the boot in and NL management backed down, probably because 5.00 doesn't exist in the rulebook for riders and Marson, as a British passport holder who had never ridden in the NL, should be a 3.00. No reason why he shouldn't be this season. Very good start to team building indeed.

I am not sure there was any difference between last season and all the years before. Some of the stadiums were half empty last year whereas on Sky - and Berwick spring to mind here - there were occasionally large crowds helped by reduced price entry and good promotional work. In truth, I think the promotional work at Belle Vue was of more importance because it got the word out that there was a big match, it was reduced entry and it was on the box. After all, there's no point having £10 entry if no-one knows about it. Having said all that, I think you're absolutely right that clubs should go all guns blazing for the live matches.

You might be surprised - the roads aren't that bad and Keswick is only about 20 minutes away. I must admit I was pretty sceptical about getting the word out but agreed to do a stand at a show for Isle of Wight last season. I had that opinion rammed down my throat as I couldn't believe the interest, counting 10 people at the stadium on race night that I had spoken to on the preceding Saturday. One thing is certain. Within 20 miles or so Workington have an area that attracts huge numbers of visitors. If you don't get out there and make the Comets existence known, you won't get anyone. Has to be worth a shot, surely ?

Not true. Belle Vue's crowd for the TV match against Wolverhampton was by far their biggest of the season. To be fair, it was reduced entry and promotional work was undertaken before hand.

I hope so too. I think the Comets are in last chance saloon this season. Either the club comes close to break even (or better) in 2018 or that will be it.

I think he's OK but I completely agree - attempting to make comment or commentate while a race is on is most annoying. Its also widespread. I think that's one of the principle reasons why Kevin Long was so good. You always felt he was part of the show, not the star of it.

To my knowledge, yes. He's always been a speedway fan - which is one of the reasons why he was such a fine presenter.

Completely agree - in fact, I could have written that myself His 'Staying Alive' was just priceless.

Unfortunately, he was at Leicester when I went to a meeting there. You have got to be having a laugh. He has all the charisma of a moose and is nearly as bad as that dreary bloke at Birmingham. Best presentation team is unquestionably at Belle Vue : Neil Drummond, Hayley Bromley, Chase the Ace. Shouts for Michael Max (Glasgow), Dave Hoggart (Workington), Clive Fisher (Swindon) Roy Clarke (Newcastle/Berwick/Redcar) Andy Young (Lakeside). The master sadly no longer does it : Kevin Long (Mildenhall/Ipswich).

For me, Tungate would be just about the first name down for the team. Many of his home performances were brilliant last season and the way he scored his points was equally as good. Haven't seen a better potential line up than Aces 51's and that must be a very real possibility.

That's impressive

You could just as easily argue that the three who voted for more than one did so to give themselves unfair advantage.