mikebv

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?

Ahhhhh.... Now it all makes sense.... I am sure you and your fellow Leicester fans, are chomping at the bit to join in on Monday...

Are Tac Subs now allowed in the Knockout Cup, given it is no longer a Knockout Cup?

Amazingly, Poland don't use guests..... Clueless idiots.... And, it was only sparring matches.... I am sure, after a good rest, Brady will be ready for next Friday...

Kurtz will be banned for seven days... A non injury reason for missing the meeting... Next Friday is Wroclaw's first official meeting so, hopefully, he will be OK for that...

Lucky you got there early... They will be queuing down to Hillsborough this evening...

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...