StevePark

So, by cutting the fixture list by 3 (or 4) home meetings "that's not enough fixtures," yet Workington are running Double-headers weeks running and the likes of Somerset are running home meetings twice a week and Edinburgh are running a Double-header on Friday (12th) and are also running a home meeting on the Saturday (13th) to fit the fixtures in! It's perfectly fine if we have a decent summer, but we hit the same problems year on year. On another thread, some are calling for running home meetings once a fortnight (same night racing, which, by the way, won't work)!! Another solution is, start the season a month later, still ending it back end of October, or start it 2 weeks later and end it two weeks earlier

Or scrap the League Cup at the beginning of the season. 1 challenge match and straight into the PL matches, with the PLKOC interspersed within those PL fixtures. Then plenty of time to complete the PL fixtures before the Play-offs begin. I think they should make the play-offs the Top 4 teams with a straight knockout system 1st vs 4th and 2nd vs 3rd.

Mark Thorpe was exluded for dangerous riding at Middlesbrough one night. He lifted (he was yards in front of anyone else) coming off the fourth bend. Only time I've ever seen that.

Edinburgh have a Double Header on Friday (Redcar and Glasgow), but it was originally going to be Redcar and Newcastle, but then they moved Newcastle to the Saturday (13th) and put Glasgow on the Friday night.

They obviously have decided to take 'the hit' of a fine, if they've scapped them with almost 7 weeks of the season left to find dates.

How can Workington be riding against Sheffield at home twice? I know it says they are on the BSPA website, but teams rides against each other just once each at hoe and once each away, surely? Two extra home and away fixtures thrown in this season, drawn by 'ballot' at the start of the season.

Not really a MUST. If they can't be fitted in then they will go un-raced with club (or clubs) fined for not fulfilling their fixtures. It has happened various times in the past. Yes, whilst fixtures should be completed, it ain't necessarily so (as it says in the song)!!

Yes - cut costs - totally agree, but, when you start talking 4 figures for stadium rent, per match, before anything else, you would have to really cut everything else down immensly before it takes effect on what you charge at the turnstiles. Obviously, not all clubs are in that situation, but many are.

Workington will overtake us after they have raced their Double-header at home to Sheffield. We won't get anything at Edinburgh.

The Alan Brown incident was when the Newcastle Gems were in the Conference League so 2002-2004

Against Middlesbrough in a Challenge, I think

He was track reserve, if my memory serves me correctly. And, as far as the Lemo incident is concerned....... I blame the Team Manager.......

Alan Brown at Buxton was, during a race (under-21 Qualifier I think), Black Flagged - after falling, re-mounting, leaving the track, re-joining the race and was lapped. Take your pick as to why he was Black Flagged!

According to Updates, he fell last night while riding for Leicester and rode through the pain barrier to complete the match after Leicester's other reserve Josh Bates withdrew from the meeting after his second ride.

Echo those sentiments.

Rules may have changed from when we had to go with McKinna at Berwick last season, compared to Klindt this year (I don't know, just wondering)? Lemo was technically classed as a rider (I think), as, this year (for the first time) he had to sign to the World Cup and couldn't ride elsewhere whilst still in it, just as all riders had to do (it only effected him as Manager), so he had no choice but to miss a meeting for Redcar (or relinquish the Aussie Team Manager job). I'd also guess that it will be a committee decision where all 'Events' are held, although I don't know how many (if any) tracks, throw their 'hat' into the ring to stage those meetings. If none do (except those that already host the meeting) then that event (e.g PLRC at Sheffield), will be held at that venue.

That, surely, has to be a committee decision. It can't be down to just one person?

Why blame Alex Harkess? All he is is the Chairman of the BSPA Committee. If you are going to blame anyone, you can't just blame one individual, you have to blame all the others too. Being independently governed might be the way to go, but, I fear, they (whoever they may be) would still be full of self interest, that's if you can find someone in the first place.

A bit more info on tomorrow. Might be of interest to Season Ticket holders..... http://www.newcastlediamonds.co/news/article.asp?id=100316

Let's hope Rene gets through the meeting at Glasgow OK (and gets down from Glasgow in time).

That's one heck of a sweeping statement. The weather and the fact it was on telly are probably the main reasons behind a poor crowd. And, as for British Speedway "badly" needing Ward, well that (in my opinion) is total nonsence. It can die on it's backside with or without him.

I think it was before Peterborough dropped down that they decided on these extra fixtures. I have no idea why, once Peterborough dropped down, they kept them though. A bit baffling.

I see what your getting at. A bit like Cricket. One problem I can think of is - what happens to all those who have season tickets and lose matches because the clubs can't/won't find an alternative/suitable date? As far as points awarded go, the home team could offer the away team dates, but the away could be unwilling to fulfill the fixture (for whatever reason), then, under your system, I think the home team should get some (or at least one) point(s), as they have made an effort to re-arrange the fixture. After all, it's no ones fault if it rains!

That would still botch the fixtures up though, as all you'd be doing is moving another fixture to later in the season.

Is there? Is that why the EL teams have 2 NL riders riding for them (don't be kidded by the so called "Fast Track System") and PL riders Doubling up, down and sideways? On your last point (fixtures), the rain/weather soon botches all hope of better balanced fixtures, which is why you have teams (in the PL at least), riding 2 or 3 home matches in a week and double-headers 2 or 3 weeks running.