mikebv

Imagine trying to sell this sport to a wider audience than the 20k or so who attend each week..? (The UK version of it obviously).... Imagine it going out on TV on a main stream channel and someone explaining KL's team? Best of luck to Chris Louis pushing this one.. Nice to see the promoters supporting each other so well.... Cracking meeting at the NSS last night, with 14 riders all belonging to the two teams on show.... Looks like normal service seems to have been resumed quickly...

Could get it going with the lighter they use to light up the 20 Woodbines they need to get through on nights like this...

Get sone sawdust down... Put sone red boiler suits on.... Remove goggles by end of lap two each race.. And. Look sideways, not forwards, as you ride the bike.... Wipe face clean when you get back to the pits... A big mug of hot steaming tea, three sugars, in between races. Proper Speedway...

Scott preferring to commentate? If so. Speaks volumes...

The 2nd tier promoters have got used to Div 1 HL's so not much chance of DUing ending... And the riders have got used to the earning opportunities*... (* Other than one big league stopping it).. The middle tier should have two RS per team, one and NDL HL level rider, and one an NDL SS or reserve... Its role should be a stepping stone from Div 3 to Div 1, not a league where the vast majority of riders are fully pro...

But isn't that the whole point of sport? To win? Maybe a transfer deadline of July end would be better with a maximum of two redeclarations per season..? One at the end of May to still have enough time to maybe be successful for those struggling, and end of July? With one change allowed post July for season ending injuries to the No1, with anyone else injured, then RR used.. Bottom line is, that to take the sport seriously, (in the UK), there needs to be something worth winning, and bringing over top talent enhances that position...

You could argue that bringing in a rider like Lambert showed that a UK Speedway title must be actually worth winning... The counter argument to that being of course, all the weekly Mickey Mouse goings on that form part of the overall league structure, leading up to the play offs. You cannot suddenly decide "let's have some credibility" five sixths into the season... Personally I think even replacing an injured rider leaves the sport open to manipulation, but, given the way several riders ride for other teams you can see which injuries will be "genuine" as they wont be riding for anyone at all if truly "out for the season" (eg Fricke last year)... And if they do rise "Lazarus like", to ride for another team, then any replacement rider cannot continue ro ride as their replacement, and RR must be the only option, if you don't bring the rider back.. I would like to see Robert Lambert ride over here, and Woffy to stay even if Holder returns, as it means lots of good racing and very decent crowds indeed pretty much guaranteed.. Not sure it takes any shine off the trophy either to be honest, given there isn't really too much of one on there to begin with.. It would boost the profile of the sport though without doubt, which is the most important thing..

Mike Lee seemed to have difficulty getting there now and again...

Mmmmmmm... I see your point....

Not too many run it to "live on" I would suggest.. Hence it is an expensive hobby that many seem prepared to fund, often through wider business interests... Maybe that is part of the reason they run the sport the way they do..? ie. Personally enjoying a season of "affordable" Speedway being the ultimate aim, rather than making winning titles the prime objective.. Maybe as more tracks close, those promoters who lose them may team up with those still in existence to make the remaining clubs, and the sport itself, stronger?

Surely there is a brown field site similar in size to Workington, Buxton etc in the local (ish) area that could be bought for Speedway? Without it costing the earth.. Even renting the land of someone? Very basic amenities initially with plans for growth ongoing... A decent shaped track... A decent vantage point... Enough "facilities".. And there you go...

Great to have him riding over here isnt it? Even though he rode through the pits and tested his clutch... And practised a start on parade without a helmet on.. Got booed too by the fans next to the pit entrance and was laughing his knackers off... Got the Aces an extra, at least, 300~400 or so in last night I reckon.... Hope he can stay when Jack comes back...

Grandstand holds 1900 I think.. I would imagjne crowd was around 1400/1500... Very good for a TV match.. Woffy being there a big pull I would say.. Got both me and my lad there...

So be it... Be good to watch either way...

Hope they get to the play offs and ride against the Aces.. Be great to watch Emil again at the NSS..

The racing for the NSS was only "OK" in all honesty, cracking last few races apart.. It was the noise generated by a decent crowd and having some away fans there that made the real difference tonight, for me.. "Local Derbies", in particular should maybe have both teams discounting away fans' ticket prices..? There were around 20 Sheffield fans there tonight on the back straight, and they made some noise.. But a couole of hundred would have added even more. Maybe knocking 200 tickets out at a tenner each for away fans each meeting, not just derbies, would help add that much needed atmosphere, so desperately missing most weeks, at most tracks.. Hardly any travel now away, so not much to lose, if anything.. Quite easy to "police" too, to ensure only away fans get them.. Spent 48 quid for me and my lad tonight, and came away very pleased with the value for money that got delivered...

Seemed a decent crowd for a TV match too.. A few Sheffield fans there as well to add a bit of atmosphere.. Woffy added a bit of panto villain moments as well.. Booooooooo!!!! My lad said "if it was like this every week the place would be packed"... He isn't wrong...

If only it could be like this every week.. What a sport when done well... And properly...

I do.... Cost me 48 quid this...

All 4 back,..

Isn't this next Monday at the NSS?

Track too grippy... Inside still working too well....

Best white shirt too... All the stops pulled out tonight...

Woffy great to watch....

I wasn't going to come tonight but then I found out that our British Superstar, and the No1 name in Speedway, would be here... So had to come and see him... Woffy is here too, which is a bonus...