mikebv

When he rode for the Aces, I always had a "Steve Worrall" feeling to Tom.. ie There is a very good rider in there, but "something" will prevent him consistently reaching that international level... The pressure to perform when he has to step up seems to be the challenge for him... Birmingham had pretty much zero pressure given they were so poor, which I think reflected in his riding.... And at both the Aces and at Ipswich he has had two genuine World Class riders keeping pressure off him.. I watched him in Sweden last season against the larger number of top riders over there, and he definitely started to look more aggressive on the bike, and in one race pushed Zmarzlik out of contention in a race with a very robust manoeuvre.. Then he got badly injured pre season which I think has (as you could expect), dropped him back a bit this year... A big season for him next I would suggest as an indicator as to how his career will progress.. Will he just end up a solid UK rider, with maybe a 2nd or 3rd tier contract in Poland? Or will he become a consistent SEC or even GP performer over the next few years, with a top tier Polish contract..?. I think any team would want him if they can get two top level riders at One and Five, and Ipswich should be in the box seat for that, given they will want to take advantage of this seasons average..

I saw some of the action from the Sheffield meeting in Luke Killeen's Vlog, and it was clear you couldn't just "howl" into the bends at full gas, sideways blocking the track, meaning the rider behind couldn't pass, but just did the same thing... Meaning, as often happens at most tracks, four riders in procession, equidistant apart... From the action I watched in the Sheffield match, the riders had to go around the bends more circumspect given the level of grip they were getting, hence more mistakes and opportunities were available to be had... Hence, the racing was decent... With so little actually riding on the outcome of a any UK Speedway meeting, you would think the promoters would 100% focus on ensuring that the actual entertainment level, both on and off track, encourages people to keep attending wouldn't you...?

And Kurtz did his usual.... Happy with paid ten off four and didn't do heat 15..

The whole thing was summed up by Mark Lemon being the manager to do some "damage limitation" in Heat 15, and not using his GP stars to deliver another 1-5....

The comeback is on!!!!! Another 5-1 in Ht 15 needed... Chase the Ace and Mark Lemon should go out in it... The Aces may need to do a "Special Offer" for the 2nd leg..

Embarrassing this...

Again?...

They did say that to get a GP there that they needed to sort the track out first.... A lot to do....

Scores are close though... Hopefully the Witches will take a lead to the NSS to keep the tie interesting and hopefully, it will also mean a decent crowd will attend...

Game Over????? Lambert looking good for Saturday., Kurtz not so...

Wroclaw throwing points away by riding too wide.. And Torun seem more agresssive...

I bet that deflated her...

Guests are 100% not a necessary evil, as, if they were, then all leagues would have to use them.. The very fact they don't shows the sport can be ran without them... The issue is that now it has become part and parcel of the operating model in the UK, and fundamentally ingrained in the way the sport is ran... Providing promoters with lazy, easy to implement options, (and even a chance to improve their team), and it gives riders a chance to earn some decent money, (sometimes more than their own teams guarantee and points money)... In short, everyone is happy... If there are not enough riders then reduce the number of riders per team, (Denmark seem to run well with five per team, and eight teams)... If implemented this could free up 12 riders for next season's current six teams, with these riders, as you suggest, riding in tier two but coming in on short term replacement contracts... Or just implement a fit for purpose RR system which doesn't involve your No1 being replaced by two second strings, (or reserves if the manager chooses).. Riders 5 and 3 should be allowed to cover all the missing No1's rides, (f the manager chooses), and for the rest of the team, then the riders above and below the missing rider can take two each.. With a number eight coming in for a missing number seven.. You still then win or lose as a "proper team" and credibility is maintained.. The way UK runs its Speedway is just lazy and contrived, as they can plan in fixtures, with known clashes, and then just use Guests to cover the missing riders... Removing the Guest "Get out of jail free card" would mean a far more disciplined, and much better thought out, and organised approach, to the whole running of the sport.. Which can only be a good thing... NB. Tier two can still do "whatever they want", but the top tier should always be seen as a credible bona fide, professional, sporting league...

The way the sport is ran (in the UK), would be laughable... If only it didn't do it so much damage...

Every tier one and two meeting should have one of these events... Four extra races for the fans, and plenty of track time for developing riders... Expenses covered only, eg fuel, tyres, travel, with the track time being "free"...

He had some great races at Hyde Rd.... A time when this country had many absolute top level riders, and he was definitely one of the best... RIP...

it was ever thus, though... Watching Peter Collins on World Of Sport winning ten races, (max) a season from the back, in brilliant fashion, wasn't replicated at Hyde Rd each week given he often won races there by half a straight... But what he did on WOS got the crowd in to watch him ride for the Aces . The majority of races since the sport began have been strung out, from the gate, therefore showing highlights, just like World Of Sport showed, will hopefully get people there .. Then, it is up to the promoters to raise their game (very considerably), in regards to their "on the night" presentation standards off the track, and the entertainment level on it...

Play Offs will do the same over here... It's the "run of the mill" meetings, that can easily get rearranged, and often then become Guestfests, that get called off the "easiest"... Those are the nights "live TV" would do the sport no favours...

Maybe not running again after several days of Stox will be the answer going forward?.. Obviously a huge learning curve this season, but one I am sure they will learn from and improve on..

Another reason for any TV deal to just do a highlights package using the club streams... Too many times meetings don't happen due to weather predictions, riders not liking the track or just simply rain offs.. The sport needs to build a reputation for professionalism, and "live Speedway" going out often doesn't always paint that picture... Time to edit the best highlights, and interviews covering rider commitments and lifestyles, can start to build that reputation..

Last heat decider and the tractor would suddenly appear!!😆 I remember one televised meeting with the tractor going over the starting gates in circles ready for the next race, and their opponents team manager going mental!!!😁

Jason Doyle has twice helped Sheffield reach the play offs in the last few weeks.. Best to not take it too seriously, just like those who run UK Speedway, and just watch the racing...

What about a Swedish or Danish system? Sweden gets probably double the crowds, and more, than the UK does, so maybe follow Denmark's operating model given their crowds are more akin to the UK's?.. Guests are just a lazy way of running the sport and does it zero favours from a credibility point of view, which won't help gain sponsors from outside the Speedway bubble.. Doubling Up isn't a problem given, as you say, different leagues exist with no impact to the top tier in the UK, and helps both tiers afford riders, and provides riders with more income opportunity... And given so few riders want to ride over here DU'ing is currently something fundamentally required...

UK Speedway would benefit from a one hour round up, magazine type programme each week, with a couple of riders in attendance.. Making them personalities and identifiable... Mix in a few of the best heats from around the country, and a "what's on where?" over the next seven days...

And on, and on, and on, the farce goes... Nothing changes does it?... Apart from less people attending obviously.,