mikebv

If Kurtz gets a seven day ban, maybe Bomber could do both meetings on Monday? Is that allowed? In the interests of Speedway obviously....

To be fair, on Monday it was said he was "really poorly"... Not just "poorly", but "really poorly"... Who knows he might rise again on this Sunday? At least Bomber gets an early April run out... He went through March without guesting... Edit. Next Friday is his first Wroclaw match, and he did miss yesterdays "sparring match" for them....

I was thinking of starting a "Guestfest 2026" thread, and logging each one... But then realised what an undertaking it would be ...

And Bomber in for Kurtz...

It happens every season anyway... Plenty of bonus points for a few more riders this year maybe?

Certainly not old hat and nonsense.... With the withdrawal of the SIS contract, I would think "crowds like that" will be what Oxford Speedway need every meeting!!! SIS have kept so many Greyhound tracks going, therefore, very worrying if they are now reducing their involvement... Running Greyhound meetings with no live TV betting simply won't be viable for tracks.... Strange that the only tracks being dropped belong to the same person....

Poland were allowed to run "rearranged" meetings on Thursdays... Which now looks like its become "arranged" meetings on Thursdays.....

What "should" happen is that the UK has priority... However, as we know, Poland can be "very persuasive"...😳

One thing you can guarantee is that even if there is an "inkling" of any flight issues, then Poland will demand their riders all go and stay out there so it doesnt impact their leagues...

Bomber, Lawson, King and Nicholls are the answer.... (Just like every season)....

It's been that way for far too long a time now to ever change... Ironically, some say "guesting" is a necessary evil... It isn't... It's now become a fundamental part of the operating model, hence meetings get planned in, well in advance, knowing riders will be missing... Considering it is such a "dangerous sport" the amount of injuries are actually very low... Isn't it amazing that the same injured rider can ride in Poland but, at the same time, not the UK?... Simply that is because the UK are happy to "put out any Speedway" regardless of credibility, and will borrow a replacement... To be taken seriously, a team sport needs integrity and credibility, but this costs money.... And when there is such a lack of prestige, and financial reward in winning UK Speedway Leagues (iroincally again, all down to their very own operating model), I can understand why "making it up as they go along" is the plan they follow.. Especially for those who run their team as a hobby... Those fans "who wear the club shop" still collude with those in charge, that what they are watching is relevant, and bona fide.. The rest, (the majority of fans), take it for what it is, however, those fans will be ones that "can take it or leave it"... Which isn't a great outlook, if you want your team sport to be successful...

It is quite obvious, by their actions, that Promoters themselves don't take it all too seriously, so fans also need to not bother about how the sport is ran... Just go along, and, hopefully, enjoy the racing... Admittedly, this approach doesn't facilitate any long term growth in a team sport, as an emotional attachment to your team is key for success in a team sport, however, it should see the sport getting through to its centenary at least in 2028, and maybe even a few years longer, as the 30 and 40 somethings, DU'ers, gradually retire and tracks run out of riders of a "decent level" to continue...

I think it is a good idea. It would save so much time watering the track... And. If, like in the GP's you need to flood tracks akin to biblical proportions, you could just "pop" the fence and gallons of water would instantly cover the circuit... Obviously you would need a repair kit to seal up the hole, but I am sure an ex World Champion could devise an "official one" to be used solely.... The only downside to having the track soaked so quickly though, would be it reduces, considerably, the length of time Phil would be on screen, directing operations... Màybe he could learn juggling and do that for ten minutes, whilst being covered by the cameras?..

And ran In front of almost 6,000 loyal fans too each week, desperate to hold on to the title.....

I always find that if you have very low expectations when attending UK Speedway, then you, more often than not, won't be too disappointed....

Wouldn't give a monkeys.... When I go to UK league Speedway, I just go to watch the racing, and dont let the Mickey Mouse way the sport is ran get in the way of what can be a decent night out.

Sums up UK Speedway doesnt it? Teams are fully allowed to sign riders knowing they will miss meetings, (invariably away meetings), but, if they plan their fixture list well, they can actually improve their team by bringing in a track specialist ringer... Can't believe that more people don't take this sport more seriously...

The Poole promotion were quoted as saying, when they signed him, that they knew he would miss some meetings at weekends but would do their best to work around it to minimise it.. Given he already had a Polish contract, Poole are secondary in priority... The Aces ride Monday and Thursday so shouldn't clash... Poole didn't have to sign him, knowing he would 100% miss meetings... No one held a gun to their head..

Why is it his fault?

And one bad meeting and there would be loads of moaning on here about him....

And, ultimately, it won't make any difference to the popularity of the sport if these lads do come through to ever become World Champions... The demise of which has actually accelerated during the time Havelock, Loram and Woffinden won their World Championships.. Should any UK lad become "World Class" they will be "owned" by Poland in their mid 20's, and quite possibly not even be riding over here... Tom Brennan should be someone they see as a role model to follow... Consistent, steady, improvement, as he has gained more experience....

So, a young British kid (once again), goes from being a future World Champion, to being just another overrated rider... And. All in one meeting!!!!😁 Hyping these kids up does no one any favours, yet plenty seem to do it... "I watched him ride after the match and his times were close to those in the meeting itself"!! Was one particular pearl of wisdom I read about him about 18 months ago.. Riding on your own, without three far more experienced riders nailing you on turns one and two is a bit different from riding on your own, and your times , and finishing positions, in those races will get hit quite severely... Being fast is one thing, being a Speedway rider is another... Let the kid develop at his own pace, like all should be allowed to, as the entry level for UK riders is quite a low bar, therefore one or two can look "amazing" when riding against their peer group at 15/16... If these lads are Championship second strings by the end of 2027 then they are on track to become Premiership second strings, around two years later, (at 20/21 years old).... If they reach that level, then by 23 or so, Premiership HL and International level will be there "glide path"... Not many are Woffinden, Bewley or Robert Lambert level by 21 years of age, so just let these lads develop... And the aim isn't to have future World Champs, the aim is to fill team spaces with UK lads, something the sport desperately needs...

He did at the PCMT.... Flying....

To paraphrase the usual answer when you mention Speedway to someone in a town that has their own team.... "Speedway? Is that still starting?"...

Sheffield @3/1 tonight ... Usually a slow start for the Aces and C. Holder was flying at the PCMT...