Aces51

Very sad news, you have to feel for the fans but can also understand Bob Dugard's decision if no prospective new owners have been found. I hope it's not too late if someone does now come forward.

I can't see it happening anyway but with rolling average a few low score make little difference.

Eastbourne have some decent Kirky Lane specialists as guests, Schlein and Wells usually do well and Steve Worrall should clean up for them at reserve. With these three they should do better than the usual Eastbourne away performances and the Aces 1-5 will have to make up the difference in the reserve points. Belle Vue have Lambert guesting for Nielsen.

The truth is that none of us knows whether the play offs have increased the total number of fans attending matches over a season. Those claiming they are a success because they draw larger crowds for a few matches at the end of the season are missing the point. If the effect of the play offs has been to reduce crowds overall, then they are a failure. Realistically, we know crowds are dropping season on season but without detailed market research nobody knows whether the introduction of the play offs has played any part in that or, whether the numbers would have dropped even more if the play offs had not been introduced.

It does seem very unfair when teams in the play offs lose heat leaders and can't replace them. Belle Vue lost Bjerre after finishing top of the league in 2005 and then lost the play off final. However, we all know what would happen if replacements were allowed. Certain teams would produce medical certificates for off form riders or, riders who do not do well at a particular track and replace them with horses for courses.

Apart from the cost of building a stadium with permanent seating and terracing for 15,000 plus, the main purpose of the stadium is as a home for the Aces. Given the likely crowds, what would be the point of a stadium where 2000 spectators would make it look empty and the atmosphere would be zero? The compromise is what we shall have, a regular capacity of 6,000 with the ability to increase it to a level more than sufficient for, SWC, ELRC, British Finals. In fact many GP's attract less than 15,000. It is sad that some of those who thought it would never be built still feel the need to snipe. They are just making themselves look foolish, be better if they could find the courage to admit they were wrong.

Peter Moore of Ipswich and a number of other clubs, was without doubt the best starter.

I think you will find they all do have 20th century facilities but got stuck in the 1950's.

Humphrey, if you understand why it is being called the National Stadium then what is your concern. So far as I know there is no BSPA funding but it will undoubtedly be given preference for major meetings simply because the likes of BSI, Sky, Eurosport and the BSPA will see and want the advantage of showing off some of their prestigious events in the only speedway stadium in the UK that will have 21st century facilities. As for stock cars, the present promotion say definitely not.

This is a fantastic day for speedway in Britain and particularly for Belle Vue. David Gordon and Chris Morton have achieved what no other promoters have had either the vision or skill to achieve in bringing this project to the stage where planning permission was granted unanimously. This is going to be the first purpose built speedway stadium in a built up area close to a major city centre for very many years. The facilities far outstrip anything presently available for regular racing. All of the finance is in place and the contractors are ready to start work. We all know it has taken longer than anyone, including the Belle Vue management, hoped. The reality is that whatever they have said was based on time estimates they were given by those who supposedly were experienced in these matters but who now cares? The fact is that there may still be delays but David Gordon and Chris Morton will do what they have done throughout and show the expertise and determination which has moved on this project from what many would have regarded as a hopeless cause, to now being a short step from reality.

It's a funny old sport we follow. Monday and Swindon are the in form team heading for the play offs having demolished Coventry, who were the in form team and who recently demolished Belle Vue away. Come Wednesday and Swindon head for Belle Vue to face a weakened Aces. Most expect a Swindon win but what happens, the Aces come up trumps. With Kings Lynn and Poole having to rely on guests it looks like one of the most unpredictable play offs we've had. My heart says Kings Lynn, because they've been top of the league virtually all season and because they have yet to win the title in the top league but my head says Coventry.

If the rules are unchanged and we manage to finish bottom, possible if we don't get adequate replacements for Nielsen, then might be a difficult choice between Steve and Garrity. If I were a cynic I might say there's no chance the rules won't be changed, just as they were this year from draft riders going to their local track to being able to claim assets then bottom team gets first pick etc. I agree best system next year would be the likes of Garrity, Birks, at 6 with different format to give them more testing rides and other FTD riders at 7 and still protected.

As I understand it, it was about February when the Aces first approached Coventry. If we waited for all clubs to agree the fixtures before issuing them the season would never get started. It has always worked on the basis that clubs will cooperate when requests are made in good time. Some do, some don't.

Sounds like paranoia to me. Perhaps you sometimes reap what you sow. Maybe there are some regrets now in Coventry at being so uncooperative when Belle Vue wanted to change the date of a match earlier this year or, maybe, that has nothing to do with it. Perhaps it is a commercial decision that two separate fixtures against the Bees will produce more revenue for the Aces than a double header whereas Eastbourne are not a draw at Kirky Lane so it doesn't make much difference. Then again we are told that Belle Vue sent out dates for all outstanding fixtures so perhaps Coventry wouldn't agree to their suggested date. Whatever the reasoning it will be nothing to do with their current promotion who are as much a part of the BSPA fraternity as any other promotion. Past sins by promotions intent on bankrupting the sport with their philosophy of survival of the financially strongest have no relevance today.

I don't think mdmc82 got it. Try reading it more slowly.

With all due respect to the NL, I don't think you will find many Aces supporters who will agree with you. The dearth of talent in the Fast Track list below Stefan means it had a major effect on the Aces and could result in some home losses.

As I've said, Coventry reserves will clean up and the 1-5 will find it difficult to claw back the deficit. Fricke's a good choice, he rides well at Belle Vue although might find it more difficult as a heat leader. The only way we will win is of our heat leaders dominate and Worrall and Palm-Toft chip in about 14 between them. Not impossible but unlikely. Ironic that Stefan was injured guesting for Coventry but that's the way it goes.

Should be a win for the Bees. With Stefan Nielsen injured and Paul Starke, the only potential guest likely to score anything like Stefan, unavailable, Coventry's reserves will give them a double figure advantage. That will be too much for the 1-5 to overcome.

Apologies, no I didn't see that. I still think though that a double header against the same team is unlikely to attract sufficient fans prepared to pay £25. Why should Belle Vue take the financial risk particularly for a club who was not prepared to help them earlier in the season?

Coventry have brought very little support over recent years but I accept that the proximity of the play offs may increase numbers but I doubt it would anything like compensate for the fewer number of home fans. As I said you also have to be fair to the other clubs and take account of their preferences. None of us know what dates have been offered and whether those dates suit the clubs involved. We shall have to wait and see. I just hope all those potentially involved in the play offs can be accommodated before the deadline.

I doubt they want double headers and that isn't what the press release says, it says and "possibly" double headers. I can understand why Coventry fans would want to have two matches on Monday and it might happen but from Belle Vue's point of view it is less commercially attractive than racing two different teams. Fewer fans will want to shell out £25 for two matches against the same team. If I was a fan of one of the other teams waiting for a rearranged date I would want to get it in as soon as possible particularly as the forecast for Monday is ok at the moment. They might also think that Coventry would have an advantage over them because they would have their set ups sorted for the second match. Another major factor will be rider availability. What if one of the other teams could ride next Monday but not on other dates offered, if it is going to be a double header why shouldn't they get that chance. Life is never so simple once you start to consider all the implications. I'm sure the Belle Vue promotion won't take into account the complete lack of assistance they got when asking for months for Coventry to change the date of our fixture at Brandon. 😀

How on earth do people manage to put some of the fast track riders in the top 10. Those mentioned have certainly benefited from being in the draft and have made progress but none of them are anywhere near heat leader standard in the EL, let alone better than the likes of Zagar and Andersen.

I wouldn't worry about dropping points because of a weakened team on Thursday. Next Monday you'll get 4 points at Kirky Lane. With Stefan Nielsen injured and no adequate replacement you reserves will run riot. Our only hope is that Jason Attwood has perfected his Matt Ford impression so that it's good enough to fool Phil Morris when he phones him and asks him to put Stefan at the top of the Fast Track Draft List for September. 😂

Briggs, Olsen and Mauger were never involved in drugs or criminal offences, nor were they ever even rumoured to have had problems with alcohol. Comparing what Ward has done to whatever spats they may have had with the speedway authorities is ridiculous.

If you sent it after I posted the details for you on the 21st, then I think you have not given them much time. I don't know which of the various available email addresses you sent it to but if no reply within 10 days you might try emailing Chris Morton. He is usually very helpful. I hope you manage to sort it out.