mikebv

"No. We're not doing that"... "No. We're not doing that"... "No. We're not doing that"... "No. We told you last time we weren't doing that"... "No. We're not doing that".... "No. And we're not doing that".. "Well, that's another meeting over. Thanks for your attendance. See you all next month"..

With the Championship "product" solely reliant on being subsidised by the top tier also paying the same riders that the Championship want to use... Crowds of 600/700 would only support NDL racing, and not support top tier HL's leading their teams... One Big League was suggested, and, personally, with so few teams in total, I feel that would resonate to a wider public number, however, the logistics would mean it couldn't happen as these teams with 600/700 crowds couldn't afford to solely pay top tier HL's who no longer could double up... Hence, two tiers will need to remain... With the tail wagging the dog...

Let's be honest, the "improvements" made have pretty much all been suggested on here down the past few years... All very basic, cosmetic changes... Fundamental change was never going to happen, given so many promoters are quite content with their lot... Fans say that want to see the sport have credibility, integrity, and able to be taken seriously, however, to be fair to the promoters, I have never seen those apirational aims ever being quoted from themselves as objectives to be achieved... To run UK Speedway "properly" as a team sport, takes more money, and also, brings close scrutiny, which UK Speedway doesn't stand up to well when it happens.. Phil made those obvious, quick win, changes, (which was more than had been done by others), however, ultimately, those running UK Speedway know that their skill sets are not what the sport needs, (hence it is where it is), but definitely won't relinquish control of it to someone else who may be able to lead it in delivering its true potential... I presume the lack of a TV deal meant no more job for Phil? As, again I presume, this helped pay his salary?.. The sport, 100%, needs grabbing by the scruff of the neck, with someone showing ambition, vision, and drive... It sadly just will never happen...

Not a dead rubber... Three wins for Leicester and they will be in the final!! It's all very exciting...

A novel approach.....

A side set up for home wins... Close ones hopefully to keep the crowd engaged enough to keep coming back.. A home win by six tonight?

With the ultimate irony being that "the hobbyists" get their hobby subsidised by "the professionals".... Many of "the hobbyists" crowds would only support a much weaker product without tier one clubs using the same riders, thus sharing the costs.. As said before, nothing will change as too many don't see any reason to do so..

Does that mean another ban, given he isn't fit enough to not ride today?

"I am very unhappy today with the fella who is doing my double glazing installation. I asked him a few weeks ago if he could book today in his diary, but, instead, he told me that he had another job already booked elsewhere, and it was a bigger job, thus will earn him several times more than mine will, and that all the equipment needed has been bought, and the people having the work done have already paid a considerable down payment".... "He also added that the other job will last six months, with several other dates already agreed through to completion. So. He basically has told me what dates he can do if I want to use his services during that timeline"..... "I am very disappointed with his attitude"....

Another who could see what the sport (in the UK), could be, if only it could become credible and authentic within a team sport concept... But was never going to change things when so many (who financially sustain the sport), are quite content with what they have.. He definitely helped with Coventry and their ongoing battle to get back to Brandon...

Ironically, I presume Oxford pulling out of the top tier has also lost revenue for the stadium..

But the clubs sign riders knowing they already have a Polish contract.... Therefore, they 100% know they will be missing some meetings..

Injury or insurance update?

So, if non ACU licensed, you are insured through your own countries licence, or the licence of the nation you choose to race under? Presume it must be a global thing then? Amazing that riders, like Ben Barker, were not made aware of the change pre season... Amazing, but not surprising.....

Currently flying around Grimsby....

Given he will be listed as riding in the programme tonight, and would have ridden, maybe RR would be an acceptable compromise... A fit for purpose RR facility would actually reduce guests several fold across the leagues..

I remember one TV meeting at Wolves where Greg Hancock was in the opposition, and World Champ... The scores were close and Greg got interviewed before the final heat... Greg, being Greg, was grinning and saying how he loved last heat deciders, and it was great for the fans and TV.. During the interview, the interviewer, (maybe Sophie), said Wolves had won the toss for gates, (as they did back then), and were taking two and four... Greg's grin dropped immediately and he said, "Well we've got no chance now"... Gate three had been a zero for most of the night... He wasnt wrong, as he took three and was last..... It was like he was gating uphill from a sinkhole... After Stock Cars at Kirky Lane, gate three was also a nightmare for the first part of the meeting, hence whichever gates gave you the most "two and fours" over the first six or seven heats were always taken in heat one.... To fix the issue must be akin to flying that rocket around the moon..

I read that there were potential purchasers that pulled out given the risk v outlay... However, these potential owners could still be interested if/when, all is shown to be a viable concern... The Premiership have committed to all six teams being in the league for this season and next, so you would imagine, come hell or high water, Northampton will work... Especially as it will show some outside parties, who may be looking to build some houses on ex tracks, that UK Speedway could just have a decent future..

To be fair, the Promoters are quite content to schedule in meetings, fully knowing riders will be missing, therefore it isn't really the riders fault clashes happen... Given the lack of UK rider development, over the past two decades or so in particular, and the impact of Brexit and Visa changes, every club needs to use every rider available... And.... It "kind of works", given the lack of any major prestige or financial return on winning any of the competitions, means clubs have to make do and mend, and adapt accordingly... Clubs want to put Speedway meetings on, and riders want to earn money, with guesting being a perfect solution for both, hence the operating model is the way it is...

But if it gets called off?..

"Somewhere where your Grandad, and his mates, go"....

Dan Thompson matches the achievement...

Do you get a guest for someone who hasn't yet ridden for you?

For the past few years. The Aces, on average, have lost by over 20 points a meeting when visiting Sheffleld, with the exception being the play off final... I don't think it really matters who is missing, or even if they are at full strength... The Aces just struggle at Sheffield... Looked a good night for Dan though, and after seeing him at the PCMT, and in a few Polish meetings on TV, so far, he seems to be a bit more aggressive in his riding, and gating a bit better too... He certainly has the talent to reach that GP top step, he just needs that forcefulness to do it...

The Hokey Cokey Cup... Missed a trick there didn't they?