topsoil

So you want to get rid of the BSPL and replace them with who? So you want the sport here to become amateur. And fall way behind the likes of leagues in Poland, Sweden and Denmark. It's funny that the BSPL get stick every year for watering down the product and here you want to take the ultimate watering down decision. Good luck selling that to the current riders, who have spent a lot of money on machinery. Who, out of the current riders, would be willing too ride for only expenses? Good luck getting crowds to watch amateur racing, when they've been used to professional standards. And you're okay that "some stadia will fall by the wayside"? Sounds like a plan to me...

Is part of Poland's strategy for growth a 20% reduction in attendances this season?

Sounds like a good business plan, especially the 'meaningless' part. That should attract the fans back

Berwick have done a lot of good work putting in a pathway from Duns to NJL to National League to Championship then hopefully onwards for riders. It's slowly starting to bear fruit now. They deserve a lot of credit for it.

Were you though? Luke Harrison was a lot quicker than Ace Pijper in heat 15 before he fell, so would Ace have won heat 12? Ifs, buts and maybes, we will never know. Foe me Luke Harrison was the most impressive rider on show last night, even finishing comfortably ahead of Jason Edwards in heat 11. It could also be said Berwick could have added a few points to their lead by staying on their bikes / Greg Blair's bike troubles.

Very impressed with Luke Harrison last night, he has come on so much from watching him in his early NJL days. Would be great to see him full time with the Bullets next year, build the side around him, Ace Pijper and Mason Watson. Greg Blair for entertainment and a Kyle Bickley / Luke Crang to score top end points and pass on advice for various tracks. Been another entertaining year for the Bullets. One of the best things to happen to Berwick speedway in a long time.

Heres another equation, ZG = bottlers

Ekstraliga crowds down 19% on the 2019 season, despite extra playoff matches

Swap the guests for a lucky loser?

As long as the Poles are kept happy. That's the way speedway works now.

Are 7 and 8 lucky losers?

Is there a 3rd / 4th palce playoff in Britain? There's your answer

They care about Lucky Losers though. Every heat matters.

Name a trophy after speedway royalty, the Neil Street Trophy. Far more appropriate than a Jubilee Cup.

Must be a lot of clueless people out there then, who "know or understand little". All those working today, going out with friends tonight for a night out, going to gyms, those running in the GNR this weekend (jealous I'm not running this year, great atmosphere there), all the comedy shows still going ahead, concerts on over the weekend, even the Royal Opera, rugby league and union matches. Loads more besides probably. All these events will have a minute's silence and people "getting on with life". The way it should be.

Lucky the Fashion Police don't go to speedway meetings :-)

The palace can mourn for as long as they want, life for others goes on. Don't see why there should be "mourning". Surely people would rather have their lives remembered by "celebration". A minute's applause before every sporting occasion would be enough, or a tribute before every match. Cancel events the day of the funeral if people want to pay respect that way.

Total over reaction. Cancel everything the day of the funeral and a minutes silence is enough.

Straight forward knockout playoffs. It'll never catch on. In leagues we trust.

Best idea since they came up with the idea of the Lucky Loser

Is it worth carrying on with the playoffs when it means bigger crowds? Now let me think...

Every Loser Wins

I agree I don't want to see any track close, I certainly wouldn't want it to happen to mine. I am glad the club is still operating, but I find the attractions they are offering, flat track racing, grass track bikes on shale, upright bikes, just not attractive to me. I know my track Berwick offer free entry to children every week and certainly get a lot taking up that offer. In the past they have offered free admission to service men and women on occasions as well. I suppose I "don't care" that the Isle of Wight were lost to the NDL, because they chose the path they are going down and the NDL is doing very well without them. If they wanted to come back in, then fine, I wouldn't be against it. I find it hard to argue that Isle of Wight are taking the sport forward when they seem to be relying on alternative racing and getting old riders from the 70s back to ride upright machines. To me it's not speedway, just a form of entertainment. If I was on holiday and saw that, I certainly wouldn't get me looking to find a local track when I returned home.

Also a big nod towards Tom Brennan. Obviously a very promising, talented young rider. I heard him interviewed after gueating for Berwick last year. Came across as a very level headed young man. Thanked the club for the opportunity etc. To keep progressing as he has, after all the things he has been through over the past couple of years, speaks volumes for his character. Now to crash on Monday, be told by the doctors to rest for a couple of weeks, then come back two night later. Says all you need to know about the toughness of a speedway rider. A different breed.

Well done Leon. Champion! And to Ace on a very decent showing, with a heat win and a second