Halifaxtiger

To be fair, mate, what they have done is entirely legal and within NL regulations. You can, as Alan Jones has said, have a facility for literally anything.

I hope that it is a brief rest. Kevin Jolly might have made a mistake here but he is as far as I am concerned a very decent, likeable and approachable man who has put his heart and soul into Mildenhall Speedway.

I stand corrected, Alan (I 'd like to thank Neil Watson for doing so by pm). I suppose 'I got wrecked last night, am hungover and don't fancy riding but will be in the bar having a few beers in the stadium bar instead' is reasonable grounds to allow a guest, isn't it ?

Because there's no way on this earth you should be allowed a guest because a rider doesn't have machinery (although according to the Mildenhall facebook page there was a bike waiting for him at West Row). That's beyond reason, and makes the use of guests (already a major sore point with a large number of speedway fans) farcical. What makes matters worse is that Jon Armstrong's wife recently had a baby that was some months premature. I don't think there was any serious risk to the child, but clearly there was some hospital treatment over and above the norm that was necessary. Not surprisingly, Armstrong wanted to be with his wife. Mildenhall were refused a guest and had to run with rider replacement. How can you justify allowing a guest for a rider without a bike - when in actual fact he has one - when you refuse to do so for a father with a new born child ? Its just another appalling example of the shocking and irresponsible decision making that the sport is subject to, and one thing is certain - we won't find out who made the decision or why. As far as I am concerned, Shads has it just about spot on. Kevin Jolly has every reason to be furious, but he shouldn't have called the meeting off because he'll be poleaxed for it and it looks like little more than spitting a dummy. I should add this is all speculation; the actual reason for postponement hasn't been made public.

At the risk of being pedantic, I'd say that if a decision is not consistent with past rulings dealing with the same issue (or substantially the same issue) it is wrong even if there is a cast iron case that punishment is deserved. Without consistency, there is no credibility. I'd agree completely that you cannot have the sort of intimidation that Hemsley supposedly showed. However, you cannot justify any form of action in any way, though, if someone has done something similar and got away scot free. Given what you have said that Chapman did and referring to what Rob Godfrey did as well, the fine etc given to Hemsley isn't inconsistent so much as bloody outrageous. I have no idea whether self interest is a determining factor in the judgement that has been handed out and only the gentlemen concerned know the truth of that. The problem for me, though, is that we cannot be reasonably certain - based upon the inconsistency in terms of both punishment and the publication of the circumstances, past rulings and the undoubted fact that those judging the case cannot be seen to be entirely impartial - that it is not. I think you are absolutely right. That response isn't so much about putting up a defence of his own actions as making counter allegations about the conduct of others and to me in terms of appealing against a decision its a very poor rebuttal indeed. I suspect, though, that he realises that the allegations made against him are substantially the truth and he needs another way of avoiding the punishment handed out. Making comments about the ability and knowledge of those in charge of speedway meetings in terms of safety seems to me to suggest he's decided on something not far from blackmail.

....and yet he is doing pretty well at Sheffield and was usually impressive at Workington. I agree, though. He was poor last night.

Slightly disappointing because there was no outside line at all but, to be fair, there was a threat of rain. As you say, though, still some good racing Hugely impressive from Max Fricke and the improvement from Joe Jacobs was startling - riding for Isle of Wight has probably restored some of his lost confidence. Good to see the South Stand has its own ticket office.

The way I see it , it doesn't matter what the arrangement with Bewley is. You can either ride for two clubs with the same race night or you can't. I think you know that my view has always been that speedway needs independent adjudication (I hasten to add, not independent control) and I only wish that my comments were over the top. I also think you know me better than to say something simply to please others - my views are my own, always have been and always will be. The fact that my opinion is popular with others merely reflects the fact that they think I have a point. I'd agree that you can't judge the correctness of one decision by another but what we have here is people whose record is, I believe, questionable at best and who cannot be seen to be impartial by any means. Having someone judging a case who can easily be accused of prejudice and who has made poor decisions in the past will inevitably attract adverse comment and raise issues about their competence in dealing with such cases. I am sure that any ruling would attract debate but if it were independent there would be no allegations of self interest. Its difficult to see how that might not be better than what we have currently. I am huge fan of Rob Godfrey and Scunthorpe (for the most part). There is, however, a very thin line between showmanship and taking an action that will damage the reputation of the sport and even compromise safety. Make no mistake, when Josh Auty went and sat on the track he was deadly serious and it most certainly was not something to please the crowd. Moreover, Peter Clarke's handling of the circumstances of that meeting was almost universally criticised and one can only speculate how someone like Jim McGregor, for example, would have dealt with it. What effectively happened was that a rider and a promoter incited part of the crowd to take part in a sit in on the track in front of the tapes when riders were at the gate. The motivation for that was what happened to Auty in an earlier race and the referee's failure to take appropriate action in dealing with it. It was Clarke's view that it was merely light hearted; I am not sure that Auty, for one, would agree. No ruling should ever been completely subjective. In making a decision, you look overwhelmingly at the circumstances and only marginally at the person. The question is whether that is true here. And that's really my point. Given their history, can we be absolutely sure that this decision is entirely objective and without prejudice ? The position on publication merely adds weight to the argument that they are not. While I'd agree that decisions will be criticised no matter what, surely the procedure should be consistent. After all, how can you justify making one person's misdemeanours public while hushing anothers up ?

I must admit its something that has always bemused me.

It is not my intention to defend David Hemsley or even to suggest that his punishment is incorrect. Some might find it harsh, some might not. My point was (and is) that the BSPA system of adjudication is completely discredited. In the last month, we have seen Craig Cook refused permission to ride for two clubs because their race night is the same despite the fact that Dan Bewley does it. We have seen Richard Hall saddled with a way out of date NL average although Luke Bowen rides on a converted PL one. I am sure I could name a dozen more such incidents that have occurred over the last few seasons where crooked and illegal rulings have been made, almost certainly motivated in part by jealousy, spite and self interest. Why, then, on this occasion should we accept that this decision is totally fair, above board and consistent ? Last season, I saw the current vice chairman of the BSPA join a sit in on the track in front of the tapes when riders were at the gate. He did so following an incident involving one of his riders in which (in my view and, I suspect, his) a very poor refereeing decision had been made The referee saw that as a bit of a laugh(I can't remember his exact words) and I didn't take it seriously. Others, however, might view that as a gross act of irresponsibility that broke every rule in the health and safety handbook. To my knowledge, he suffered no punishment whatsoever. And that really sums up my point - a ridiculously inconsistent approach that seems to enable some to get away scot free while others are poleaxed, and its little wonder that some see this verdict as completely subjective. I think you are right when you say that there are those who will criticise the BSPA whatever they do, but I think their opinions are regarded with the sort of contempt that we all have for the ludicrously biased. I am certainly not one of them , and in fact merely share the anger and disillusionment that many feel when yet another bent decision is given out. In truth, I could have put any names there - those were just the first three that came to mind. It would be interesting to know what punishment that promoter got (if any) wouldn't it ? I can certainly recall (albeit some years ago) Len Silver being abusive to a referee. Then there's the incident when Chris Louis entered the referee's box at King's Lynn at the precise moment that the destiny of the NL title was to be made a few years ago - he wasn't abusive, but he most certainly shouldn't have been there. If memory serves me correctly, he wasn't punished at all. Someone has mentioned Mick Horton being fined, appealing and getting most of it cancelled. I can't remember why, but it would seem he has been down the same route. Then there's the Rob Godfrey incident above. Makes you wonder whether Hemsley has been dealt with fairly after all, doesn't it ?

Cracking meeting Undoubted highlight two brilliant races between Lambert and Garrity as they went hammer and tongs for 4 laps. Heat 13 between Stead and Lambert was equally as good, and Berge's last bend pass of Holder worth a mention. Garrity is looking very impressive indeed at the moment and a word for Nathan Greaves with a good win in heat 2.

Definitely I have to say I am not sure that the NL has major problems. Otherwise, dead right. The EL is in trouble because of loss of stadiums. The PL is where clubs are threatened with closure because of financial losses. The thing is though is the EL is simply not viable if it has about 6 tracks. Under those circumstances, there would have to be an amalgamation on PL level because, as Rob accurately says, you can't destroy the PL in trying to save the EL.

I'm with JChapman & Danny Smith. Part of the problem is that confidence in BSPA/SCB decision making is so low that when they are accused of malpractice and bias almost everyone gives it credence if not absolutely believes it. We have seen far too many times what a vindictive, spiteful bunch they can be when someone doesn't toe the line and how ludicrously inconsistent their decisions often are, as they use the 'interests of speedway' and rigidly stick to the rulebook by turn without any explanation whatsoever. The simple fact is you have interested parties making decisions - at the very least they can be accused of prejudice even if there is none. There is absolutely no reason why we cannot have independent adjudication in speedway apart from the fact that the BSPA/SCB would be prevented from making crooked and illegal rulings motivated by jealousy and selfishness. That's why we'll never get it. It says everything that a man like David Hemsley - who comes across to me as arrogant and smug - is actually attracting some sympathy. He might well deserve that punishment. The thing is there is absolutely no guarantee at all that if Matt Ford, Alex Harkess or Jon Cook did the same thing they'd also get it.

Second bit, true First bit - If I am honest (and I know my pal First Bend Clive from Plymouth disagrees) I thought Wells just dropped the clutch at the right time. No rolling, no anticipation, just a very good gating technique.

You shouldn't please the riders anyway. As Paulco says its the fans you should be pleasing so prepare tracks to suit them. Racing track = good entertainment = more paying punters. Its not difficult. Besides which if you prepare a track to suit the fans its likely to be consistent.

Having been 3 times so far this season, I'd echo those comments. It was dusty the first week but the racing was still good and that continued (without the dust) for two very entertaining meetings against Mildenhall & Belle Vue. Its brilliant to hear that attendances are increasing - that was clearly the case against Belle Vue when I got blocked in in the car park - and nothing less than Barry Bishop and Martin Widman deserve. Believe me, they have tried so hard to produce a good night out and attract the numbers they need to ensure that speedway continues on the Island and their PR is absolutely first class There are a few other promotions up and down the country who could learn a lesson or two from Isle of Wight about how to treat paying customers. As Andy says, give them a go. As there are discounted prices on the Cat and the car ferry for speedway fans, why not make a day of it ?

Is this the same Ben Barker who has dropped a point and a half off his average since the beginning of 2015, has just been dumped by Glasgow, managed to beat only Williamson and Campton and never got near Vissing, Wells & Hansen and whose bikes turned up about 30 minutes before the start ? Kurtz is a genuine PL no 1 (and if we are talking jumping starts I suggest you read the updates from the meeting because he's not the only rider that does it) something that Barker (at the moment) most certainly is not. Holder scored 9+1 from 6. Kus 5 from 4 (taking out the tactical ride). Not as good. Stefan Nielsen is in the best form of his career. I take Scarra's point but a full strength Plymouth would, unquestionably, have been stronger. As to the meeting, it wasn't brilliant but it wasn't a bad one either and its fair to suggest that with rare exceptions I always enjoy my visits to Workington.

Kurtz would have scored more than Barker, Holder more than Kus and Nielsen more than Wilkinson. It would have been closer for sure.

I think this meeting was a lot better than the score suggests. We had the usual cracking racing (and finished in under 90 minutes) and, make no mistake, Berwick were sweating after heat 12. It was clear that heat 13 was going to be most important (if not decisive) and so it proved. I find it hard not to have some sympathy for Rob Godfrey. He has easily the best racing track in the country but it never pulls in the attendances the quality of the speedway deserves. Moreover his team simply isn't as good as it should be or indeed good enough. Davies (possibly) aside, I thought they put an awful lot of effort in for little reward but they are just conceding too much at the starts. Even with a track of the standard of EWR you can't do that. Highlight of the match for me was an extraordinary decision by Margaret Vardy in heat 7. Doolan and Douglas were entering the final bend when Wilkinson fell some way back and as they were riding the same line, there was no way Douglas was going to pass yet she ordered a re-run. Unbelievable.

Not a bad meeting. Garrity was imperious, he never really looked like being beaten. Roynon was better than I have seen him in ages. The rest were all a bit inconsistent and Workington as a team no better than they were at Plymouth. Fantastic (but also very moving) to hear and see Ricky Ashworth last night.

The thing is I don't think the queues outside will be a teething problem and will be more like a permanent fixture unless the method of sale is changed. What the answer to that is I am not so sure but the present system can't stay in place. I went to 4 meetings this weekend - at Isle of Wight, Plymouth, Eastbourne & Kent and didn't see a single bag search. In fact, I am reasonably sure it hasn't happened at any of the 20 or so tracks I have been to this season (to be honest, I don't take a bag in). If that's the case, why is it a H&S issue at Belle Vue but nowhere else ? I have to say, though, that I regard both the above as pretty minor in the whole scheme of things especially when it is clear that the track is proving to be just as good as it looks. I had the same problem against Swindon so what you are saying is (as usual) perfectly reasonable. To be fair to Belle Vue, on that score I think things will improve.

I was going to agree about pre-payment but if you pick a seat you could turn up and find it occupied. It doesn't take a lot of imagination to realise that that could create significant problems, as it could easily be repeated many times. I think you could do it for big meetings and then mark the seat as reserved. For Aces matches that seems a bit impractical so I think it must be case that you simply buy a grandstand ticket and get there early.

The problem is people buying a specific seat in the stand, rather just a seat. When I went the other night, people were taking 5 minutes to buy a ticket as they argued and thought about where they wanted to sit. That compares with 20 seconds buying a standing one for the South Stand. 5 minutes might not seem much but when you have 1,000 people buying tickets you will have problems and until it changes to buying just a seat (rather than a specific one) those problems will continue. If memory serves me correctly, both Edinburgh and Newcastle give a discount when tickets are purchased in advance.

Not much racing (with one stunning exception) but a pulsating meeting simply because of the closeness of the score (42-42 with one to go). And then we had heat 15. Halsey gated and was followed by Bowen, Shanes & Mountain and it stayed that way until bend 3, lap 4 although there was never much of gap between Halsey & Bowen and Shanes & Mountain. Halsey stayed in front and Mountain edged inside Shanes and at that point Mildenhall were going to win. Then Bowen burst off the final corner to go inside Halsey and Shanes got the speed to re-pass Mountain. A brilliant end to an exciting match. In truth, Mildenhall should have won. They lost points throughout as a result of being unlucky, trying too hard and a little bit of loss of concentration.

To heathens supporters first time I've seen cradley this year but why are your team so down? Eb boys coming in helping one another out eb promo pumping lads up, who's your team manager the one in the green jacket that actually sent the wrong rider out lol i didn't see him move once I'd get rid of him clearly hasn't built a good team either That was absolutely bizarre. I was on the back straight directly opposite the tapes and could see it wasn't Andrews who had gone out and thought it was a straight reserve change and that Purchase was there. When the red lights came on I thought Ms Horley was sodding about only for Basford to come back from the starting gate. Since when has no 4 taken part in heat 6 ?