Halifaxtiger

Word was he got filled in and collided with the items (fire extinguishers etc) near the starting date. It was Palm Toft that hit the starting marshal not his bike and it was a complete and total accident. The first meeting was disappointing in terms of racing and equally as disappointing were Auty & Palm Toft. The second meeting was much better, and so were Palm Toft and Auty. Workington were poor and Sarjeant worse. A quick word for the referee, Chris Durno. Not only did he keep the meeting moving along as quickly as he could - with Rob Godfrey in complete agreement - he also made sure that the second meeting started sooner than might have been the case. Not often referees get praised on here, but he did an excellent job

I think that's dead right and, to be fair, you have to increase your crowd a fair bit if you cut entry prices. At best its a gamble and its been tried many times, usually to the cost of the promotion. I think Belle Vue did it bang on because it was a one off (they haven't done it since) to get people in and hope that they stay. Decent opposition, tv cameras, good promotion and a cut price produced the desired result.

I am wondering precisely what you want or expect. According to traffic reports, there was a multi car pile up on the QE2 bridge yesterday afternoon that caused traffic chaos in the area. Jon Cook can be blamed for some things, but surely not that. In the circumstances, a delayed start seems entirely sensible in that it gave everyone a chance to actually see the meeting. Not ideal, but better than starting on time or abandoning the match altogether (I can just imagine how I would have felt spending hours locked up in a car to arrive and find that the meeting had been postponed). Given that the start was at 8.45, I would presume that it was pushing 10pm by the time that they ran heat 14. There was, by all accounts, a bad crash and extensive damage to the air fence. I suppose we could have had everyone standing around for however long it would have taken to fix it but it seems that there was a mutual agreement between both teams to end it there. Again, inherently sensible, particularly taking into account Adz comments above (and I doubt very much if he was the only one who thought that).

That's not necessarily true. For the Belle Vue v Wolverhampton meeting, there was a lot of promotion and a £10 entry. The crowd was over 2,500, by far the biggest of the season and probably double the normal attendance. Again, its not necessarily true. Isle of Wight's aggressive marketing strategy has produced impressive attendances over the summer and will probably mean that the track is safe for the future - and that's despite having poor on track results. You can argue that their crowds are seasonal (and you'd be right) but I can say with some certainty that their gates are four fold bigger than those of the previous promotion at the same time. The other thing is that you can do all the promotion you like but if the experience is poor, people won't come back. Isle of Wight have attracted a massive (and totally deserved) reputation for customer care that stands out against some of the surly, hostile, couldn't give a toss speedway management that exists out there and that's simply by treating a paying punter as someone who they desperately want to return. They have set a standard that others equally desperately need to copy. It says everything that the Island is probably 350 miles from my home but aside from local tracks I'll go there more than anywhere else.

Two factors in the Aces defeat : poor reserves and poor gating. 3 points against 12 tells its own story and shows just how important Bewley is to Belle Vue. To be fair to Aarnio, I thought he bust a gut in every race. The Aces were beaten off the grid time after time and you just can't let that happen at this level. For me, the meeting turned at heat 10 when the younger Bjerre and King got a 5-1 over the older Bjerre and Cook - largely thanks to King's brilliant blocking of the Aces riders. Rarely will you see a team ride of such quality. Having said all that, there was some fantastic racing and, for a neutral (or a Leicester fan), it would have been an excellent night out. A quick word for Tungate, because I don't think anyone rides NSS like he does. I don't like his crowing but he has a point. Its anything but the first time that Cook has been indifferent (poor would be harsh) at home this season and being beaten by riders who are nothing like world class on your home track does not augur well for a season at top level in 2018.

Quite The rule that basically anything is sufficient to allow for a facility is there for a reason, and its a sound one. There has to be a recognition that the NL is strictly part time, with most of the riders having other priorities such as family, work or education. The problem is Belle Vue - in Smith's case, because Bewley is travelling to Latvia and I would accept that - are abusing that rule as he has no other commitment, he just wants a rest. That's not good enough. In terms of the advertising of the event, I was helping the IOW promotion with a stand at a show on the Island. I was wearing my Belle Vue shirt, and told a number of people that the youngest and most exciting side in British Speedway would be there. IOW were told on Sunday morning that they wouldn't be. Aside from the fact that Smith most certainly should have been that's too late. The only thing is it didn't affect the attendance too much as far as I could see, because it was another good one By far and away the best. There are few who can teach them anything (and if others could they would unashamedly copy it) and many who could learn from them. Its actually pretty simple, basic and obvious stuff - treating the chap who pays his money at the turnstiles as someone you want to come back. Taking on board any criticism and giving him a reasonable response. We have all been there with the stupid, ignorant and crass promotions whose response to criticism is abuse, then a few weeks later complaining how poor their gates are without accepting any blame for that whatsoever. As to the team, they can quite reasonably point figures at the incompetent and cowardly management committee. They haven't been allowed a bloody thing (compare that to Hurry's ridiculous points reduction or Roynon's illegal average) and its easy to believe that that is at least in part down to jealousy given the (absolutely justified) credit and praise they have attracted from fans far and wide. You forgot about the curry, Robert I can't echo Bob's suggestion that you give them a try hard enough, just to see how a speedway team should be promoted. As I said on updates, don't eat before hand Definitely stronger. Both Williamson and Ayres are acknowledged track experts and Ayres was eligible for an RR ride. It is going to be a tough end of season for them but I suspect they will bounce back as hard as ever.

As far as I am concerned, "can't be bothered to drive all that way midweek"isnt a reason. The rule was almost certainly put there in recognition of the fact that the NL is largely amateur and contains young riders who may still be in education. I am sure that we can all accept that there will be absences for work or school that would come above speedway commitments. However, "taking a rest" is nothing more than an abuse of the rule that is absolutely no different to "cant be a*sed'which might also be seen to comply with that rule. It beggars belief just what the NL would be if this resson was subject to widespread use. What's even worse is that it affects IOW only. Belle Vue get two track specialist guests while the Warriors miss out on two of the sports most exciting young riders. Dan has said it is because he is travelling to Latvia; thats fair enough. I trust he won't be at Birmingham on Wednesday. quote name="Vincent Blackshadow" post="3016374" timestamp="1503343316"] A development league? Jon Armstrong, Paul Hurry. Definitely in need of developing. (Not picking on those two riders, btw, just two random riders I watched yesterday). Its acknowledged that having a senior rider in a team is not just acceptable, its a very good idea for thr experience thst they can pass on. Jon Armstrong is the best example, because I have heard nothing but praise and credit for his presence in the NL.

If they are its a very short one unless they aren't riding on Wednesday. You can see the reasoning behind the rule (and its a good one) but, typically, there are always those who abuse it and do it in a selfish, arrogant way that has their sole interests at heary and cares nothing for the impact on other clubs and their business. The fact that it is by far and away the best promoted club in the country who are on the receiving end - one who has pulled out all the stops in attempts to ensure that they survive and prosper - simply makes it all the harder to stomach. Dan has, to his huge credit, contacted IOW and said that he is not riding due to commitments at the weekend in Latvia.

I think there us a recognition that in the NL rider circumstances are different due to the levels of pay and age. As the rule says - work, education, holiday are accepted as reasons for absence. Simply withdrawing a rider for no reason whatsoever, however, is just wrong and I would say breaks both the intention and the spirit of that rule and indeed possibly the letter of it. What's worse is that Isle of Wight suffer the consequences of it here, not Belle Vue when it is the latter who are culpable. What if Isle of Wight had promoted this match on the basis that Bewley and Smith would be there - and in a limited way they did - only to find that they had cheated their customers through no fault of their own but through the selfish actions of another promotion ?

You're right that this meeting has been picked because it does least damage to Belle Vue. But what about Isle of Wight ? The appearance of Bewley and Smith was a major selling point for Tuesday but now they aren't going to be there for no reason other than it suits Belle Vue for them not to be. Lets hope Payne and Shuttleworth are, otherwise its 3 guests and rider replacement.

They certainly aren't riding, its only the reason I am uncertain of. I really don't see what that has to do with it. If you are unable to ride in all the fixtures, you shouldn't have committed to 3 leagues in the first place. In addition, why should Isle of Wight lose out - they could just as easily miss a home meeting. Finally, how on earth have guest facilities been allowed ?

I am told (although this has to be verified) that Dan Bewley and Jack Smith have been given permission to miss the Colts meeting on the Isle of Wight on Tuesday by Belle Vue. Can someone tell me the difference between that and what Peterborough have done because I can't see one. Presumably whatever punishment Peterborough and Holder get (if any) will be applied to Belle Vue as well. This is just not on. Isle of Wight work extremely hard to ensure promotion of speedway on the Island and are then treated with contempt by another club.

In actual fact, Leander is right. You can't compare the two. My comment was a response to the remark that you can't miss a meeting even with a club's permission. Quite clearly, you can.

Steve Worrall did the other night for the birth of his child. I think there's huge difference between a rider just not turning up and one who is given permission by his club to be absent. In the first, it is completely down to him, absolutely no-one else. In the second, the club must bear the overwhelming responsibility for him not being there because they have agreed to it. It is almost akin to the difference between an employee going AWOL and one being granted leave. To me, Rathbone takes most of the can. Holder might deserve a ban and/or fine, but nothing to the extent that his brother does.

I think you have a very fair point here, but lets not forget Jack was given permission to miss meetings by his promoter, Chris wasn't. As such, Jack can simply point to that. If we are looking at blame in Jack's case, that must principally lie with the Peterborough promotion.

It was. Heeps was pretty impressive during the whole meeting but he was beatable, and there was only one place Mountain was going to finish. However, they gated in front and stayed there. Slightly subdued afternoon at EWR with racing not quite up to the usual standard. Scunny were inconsistent and the weakness of having a high scoring reserve was shown up today when he didn't high score. I also thought the referee's decision in heat 14 was absolutely correct (and had a very good view) and that Aarnio was lucky to be in the second running of that race because it seemed to me he baled out on both occasions. Douglas unlucky when Schleen (whoever that bloke in the box is, get rid of him) hit him; it shouldn't need a fall for a rider to be excluded.

Not quite certain what weather forecast you are looking at.

After some of the riders comments about Peterborough last Sunday (Craig Cook, for instance) it is extremely clear (although I have known it for a very long time) that what riders like from a track and what fans like are often very different. Problem is, the way I see it in more cases than not riders get what they want.

No, it wasn't. Given the apparent weakness of the opposition, the missing Fricke and Tungate and, most of all, the weather (it was chucking it down as I pulled of the M60) that was hardly surprising.

Not often I get it right. The Aces are weakened considerably without Fricke and especially Tungate. No rider on his average is a replacement for just how good he can be at NSS. Having said that, take nothing away from the Stars. This was a performance full of fight and determination. ​I can think of one or two. They have simply been shown up to be what they are by other riders. Remarkably, the racing improved after the rain - albeit the light, misty kind - came down after heat 10 as it had been a bit gate and go before that (to be fair, the track was very wet). Dan showed a bit of inexperience in heat 14 by going so wide he ended up in the quagmire near the fence and went from first to last but otherwise another good performance. Bjerre was imperious again and a word for Jack Smith - a real battling effort. Cookie, sadly, still looks out of sorts. As everyone has said though, big thanks to the riders for carrying on in difficult conditions without a complaint

At the track. Its pretty wet but the rain has stopped. Can't see a postponement if there is no more. I think this will be tighter than some might suggest.

I was going to quote all the people on here who thought the meeting, the racing or whole day was fantastic/brilliant/amazing. Unfortunately, the site doesn't allow you to quote that many. Shads might not speak for everyone. But based upon opinion on here at least, he speaks for the overwhelming majority at worst. In addition, there will always be those who will prefer to focus on any issue that damns the BSPA, a promotion or a rider and utterly ignore or belittle the quality of the speedway. I really don't understand that mentality. Apart from arguing with the Poldark boys in the pub before hand, I don't believe I thought about Jack Holder, Torun or Ged Rathbone once and I most certainly didn't when I was watching that astonishing final.

Must admit I felt like whacking a Geordie accent a couple of times yesterday

Try and get Hoggy involved. Its no coincidence that he wasn't there for that PR disaster against Sheffield.

You're both dead right but, lets face it, some are more neutral than others. I quite fancy the Eastern Russia track.... The Sheffield track has been a lot better recently, its reasonably well located and it can offer the size and corporate facilities that a meeting of this quality needs. My preference would be Belle Vue, because it offers all the advantages that Sheffield does but is more neutral and can run on a Saturday night, which is surely better than a late Sunday afternoon. It has to be recognised, though, that at Sheffield the home crowd would turn up in usual (if not increased) numbers. That's not necessarily the case at the NSS.