Aces51

I doubt that many people believe that BWD is unfit to ride after the comments on his website and his performance yesterday but it is hardly fitting for Poole supporters to try to take the moral high ground with their history. However, two wrongs do not make a right and all this sort of behaviour does is to further damage the credibility of the play offs and the sport.

Nobody is blaming the serious problems on anybody but those who have governed the sport. The point is that we all want those problems to be addressed and resolved but that all is not lost, there is still much about the sport to be enjoyed.

Most knowledgeable fans don't accept anything. We are aware of the problems within the sport and want them to be sorted out so that the sport has more credibility. However, most knowledgeable fans can also identify the difference between a genuine race and the relatively rare occasion when a rider deliberately drifts out to gain a tactical advantage. What do you want us to do moxey63, stop going so that the sport dies? If you still live in the Manchester area get along to the NSS and if you ever enjoyed speedway you will understand exactly what Halifaxtiger means. Whatever your reservations about the integrity of the sport you cannot help but forget them in the excitement of some of the truly excellent racing. If you can't enjoy that experience then it's not just the credibility of the sport that you can't accept but speedway itself. Nothing wrong with that. I've taken lots of people over many years who just didn't enjoy the racing but don't decry those who can put the problems of the sport aside whilst watching a brilliant race. Of course the whole experience would be better if the BSPA could get their act together but I was recently talking to a Promoter and he was aware of many of the problems. He wants to do something about them and thinks there is a growing recognition by his fellow promoters that things have to change. If I and others followed your example and stopped attending he and others, will never have the chance to bring about the changes that many of us want to see.

Perhaps, instead of saying undeserving I should have said name a winner who wasn't a worthy World Champion. Ermelenko was and Havelock arguably was but Jerzy Szczakiel never really performed at that level after winning the title.

I'm not arguing for or against the GP's but name an undeserving World Champion from the one off finals. Maybe Jerzy Szczakiel but I can't think of any others.

I agree with all of the comments crediting the riders and track staff for what turned out to be a far more entertaining match than I expected. Riders attacked the track from the first race and although gating was vital there were some good races later on. Even Hyde Road wouldn't have produced the quality of racing we had tonight considering the amount of rain that fell. Those who designed the track and the drainage system did an excellent job.

There are times when the last three miles can feel like it's taken 5 hours.

It was never intended to be for free. As I explained, the money claimed by the council from the contractors, which they reasonably expected to receive and should have received, would have covered not only the rent but also other debts. Where is that money now I wonder? Might I suggest that you resurrect the old thread if you want to continue discussing this topic. As for the semi final I hope there are two good meetings and may the best team win.

If you read it all of the time you might recall that the stadium was never completed, they did not formally accept it and so wouldn't pay rent until the outstanding work was done. Also,there was the expectation that the huge losses caused by the problems with the track and other issues, that were assessed by the loss adjustor and claimed from the contractors by the council, would be paid to them and that would have more than paid the rent. However, this subject has been done to death elsewhere and I doubt many will want it to be rehashed on this thread.

The relevant question is; why wasn't the rent paid? That was discussed at great length on this forum and there were lengthy articles in the Speedway Star. I am sure you can find the forum discussion if you are really interested. As for, who cares, lots of people who have the best interests of speedway at heart and especially Gordon and Morton after the considerable work they had put in to see the stadium completed.

Suggesting banning all Aussies is silly. What have riders like Fricke, Masters and Grajczonek ever done to be banned. By all means consider the terms on which Australians are first offered contracts and the appropriate assessed averages but banning those who currently ride here cannot be fair or justified. Holder should be allowed back after his ban and if he does the same again the authorities will no doubt impose a stiffer penalty.

I sort of see both sides of the coin. During the dog track years I did sometimes use to wonder why I was still attending every match because the quality of racing was far removed from the Hyde Road days but obviously and despite the poor teams we often had, there was still enough enjoyment to keep me going. However, since the move to the NSS and despite the best efforts of the BSPA to destroy the credibility of the sport by their often ridiculous decisions and inconsistent interpretation of the rules my enthusiasm for the sport is as strong as it ever was. The joy of watching close, exciting racing overcomes the politics and incompetence. It is a five hour return journey for me to get to Belle Vue but well worth the effort and the cost. I've said it before but the NSS has proved that given the right setting Speedway can be as thrilling as it ever was. If only somebody sensible could take control of the BSPA.

That was a poor meeting but we'll done to Wolves you can only beat what's there. I do hope that the Swindon bubble hasn't burst, there's nothing worse than being the best over the season and topping the league and then losing form. I don't think they have. They will be ok if Bellego can rediscover his form, get Wilson-Dean back and someone at 7 who can pick up a few points.

I'm more concerned about Bewley, without him we shall have the same problem at reserve that Swindon have suffered tonight.

If you were there you would have seen that it was the normal excellent performance from Bjerre at the NSS, proved conclusively that his poor performances over the bank holiday were engine related.

Perhaps you missed Bjerre's last match where on his Polish engine he scored a paid maximum and Smith's much improved form recently for both the Aces and Glasgow. You are right about Fricke, we need him to be match fit and Bewley would be a tremendous loss. Hopefully, another week of rest and recuperation will see him able to race.

Don't clubs get fined if they don't run every league meeting?

That probably is the simplest way to avoid doubling up problems but there are of course other issues that would arise, would clubs who have to change their race night get smaller crowds as a consequence and what about clubs in the CL now racing on those nights who don't want to join the PL. It may be a sensible move for many reasons but it is a sticking plaster for doubling up problems, not a solution. A solution needs to stop riders other than British youngsters, who can use it as a career stepping stone, from racing for more than one team. Fans can then again have that feeling that a rider belongs to their team and is as committed to that team just as much as they are. Importantly, doubling up on the present scale must also stop in order to create more team places for new British riders. In tandem we must also address the other issues raised by GRW123 especially to sort out the fixtures, increase the number of meetings, which helps riders who lose the double up option and start to treat fans as valued customers.

I think you'll find that it was Lambert who replaced Dan that was second.

I can't see Newman doing as well at the NSS as Dan but away it could depend where we race. Kyle might do better at at Poole. I'm just hoping that Dan is ok but only being able to complete less than a lap in Poland yesterday is concerning.

A successful winning team with mainly local riders who have come up through the ranks, who are committed to the team and who, injuries apart, are always there, will bring in even bigger crowds.

It would be a significant loss to us if Bewley hasn't recovered from his injury and there is no adequate replacement but Newman's average does fit.

Fricke would have had his Polish bikes and he rides for Rybnik and Kurtz is his replacement there after he was injured so both had home track advantage. However, none of that explains why we couldn't compete with the Danes.

Does anybody know how Dan Bewley is? It isn't clear if his first race stop was engine failure or a recurrence of his groin injury, as he didn't race again the latter looks more likely.

Clubs who sign riders before the rules and the financial position is certain know there is an element of risk but are obviously prepared to take that risk in the hope of being a step ahead of the game.