iris123

The problem is that we do not yet know whether the corona restrictions we are subject to until 31 August will also apply after 1 September. The government will not announce this until August, but we have to make a decision before then, says Jacob Olsen to TV SYD. A game of Russian roulette Jacob Olsen bought Vojens Speedway Center a year and a half ago from his father - the four-time individual world champion in speedway, Ole Olsen - who founded the track in 1975. Until the turn of the millennium, the course was in Vojens Denmark's national course, and this is the status that the new owner of the center has ambitions to recreate. The goal is for Vojens to once again be a center for world-class speedway and for the development of Danish talents for the sport. But the uncertainty about how many spectators he can lock into the stands when the Grand Prix is scheduled to run on September 12 makes the decision as to whether it should be settled at all a bit of a game of Russian roulette. A wrong decision can threaten the centre's existence, Jacob Olsen admits The current corona restrictions mean that a maximum of 500 spectators may be allowed in the stands. Last year, the event gathered 15,000 people, as Vojens, for the first time in almost two decades, was once again able to add slag to the running of the Grand Prix, which is the Danish division of the world championships. But Jacob Olsen does not believe that all restrictions will be lifted when we reach 31 August. The question is whether the government sticks to an upper limit on assemblies of 500 people - or whether the limit is raised, and if so, how close people are allowed to stand in the stands.This is crucial for the finances of the project, says Jacob Olsen. Great uncertainty As the Grand Prix will take place in September, Jacob Olsen is excluded from seeking financial assistance in the aid packages that have been in force over the summer. They expire along with the current coronary restrictions on August 31st Thus, Vojens Speedway Center risks being left with the whole bill if not enough spectators can be admitted to the grand prix. - We are "outside the category", because the event is in September, and these are some things that have helped to frustrate me in this whole situation, says Jacob Olsen. Jacob Olsen has together with Member of Parliament for the Liberal Party, Hans Chr. Schmidt, held a meeting with Minister of Trade and Industry Simon Kollerup (Social Democrats), hoping to gain an understanding of the challenges of speedway sports. However, he has not been able to get an answer on how many spectators he can expect to be allowed to close in September. - There are no opportunities with standing places, as it is now, and we all know that the assembly ban is 500 people. On those terms, we can not arrange a grand prix, where we had 15,000 people last year. So there are some challenges, to be honest. - We can not wind up if it will cost the survival of my company, and then we have to pull the plug, because we do not have the same facilities as the super league in football with spectator seats, where people can sit down, says Jacob Olsen. Jacob Olsen expects that during the coming week he will make the final decision on whether the Grand Prix will be run or not, together with the rights holders of the Grand Prix series in England and FIM - the International Motorcycle Federation. - I hope and continue to fight. We have sold tickets for the event, and I think I owe it to our guests and loyal fans that it can succeed, says Jacob Olsen. https://www.tvsyd.dk/haderslev/grand-prix-kan-koste-speedwaycenter-livet Guess that is why nothing has been decided with the league as well. 500 people

Good advice, just like eating healthy or not drinking too much alcohol or smoking cigarettes is good advice. But a large % of the population ignore it and the health system has to cope with the consequences

But like everything one person has mild symptoms and the next has big problems. Saw a report that many have lung problems months afterwards. Another was a woman in her mid-30s could hardly make it a few hundreds years down the road. But I must admit I didn’t see if she had previous problems and wouldn’t be too surprised if she was putting it on for benefits etc

The thing with bowling alleys or swimming baths etc is if you have to book in advance, as they do in some places, then they stagger the time you are allowed to enter and have a limited number at any one time. Then it is like comparing apples and pears as you can’t do that over the space of a day at a sporting event. It must be a major surprise no start has been announced, what with all the people who have posted here saying it is ok to start speedway now.... for about a week !!!

Doesn’t sound good . Two men’s cricket friendlies for instance . Is that all the cricket that would be allowed ? Then you’d probably be lucky to get a speedway meeting allowed on that basis https://www.bbc.com/sport/53441670

One difference could be stadia with numbered seating ? If you book online (which seems likely) in a Cricket or Football stadium, possible even at horse racing I think, you are allocated a numbered seat and so they generally know where you were and so if someone in your area is tested positive they can locate all those sitting nearby. That seems to be how it is working here in Germany in restaurants( you get a form where you have to put down which table you were sitting at and what time you arrived and left) and cinemas. As I said before, and looking at the speedway in Poland all a big mass in one area, it would be a nightmare for any promoter to try and track down 500 or 1,000 people.......

I know. I have already stated that........

Think the government will ask for more than the word of the BSPA, they will want proof. Probably have to wait in a queue with all the paperwork for hours until your number comes up on the board

329 males between 15 and 44 have died with Covid in the UK. Now the number of healthy men without other health problems that have died because of Covid is probably a very small minority of thse. So speedway riders are hardly at great risk, considering they should be fairly healthy. But i'd still say the risk is greater than the risk from death on a speedway bike. Not sure how many in the UK have died in the last 20 years, but can't be many

Seems like they are still looking at a possible league campaign next month if allowed according to this from SpeedwayGB PETERBOROUGH co-promoter Colin Pratt is working with the club’s landlords at the East of England Arena for dates should a new season be able to start next month. Club chiefs haven’t given up hope of staging racing this year and Pratt has confirmed dates would be available for a shortened league campaign. He said: “The Showground is opening up shortly, and a lot of shows that were to have run during the lockdown period are being transferred to later in the year. “At the moment those are plans being put into place rather than definite, because it’s still all subject to government policy and also local regulations. “We will be working with the Showground and I am being kept informed of what dates would be available for speedway, if restrictions allow.”

Wittstocks home meeting against Metalika Recycling Kolejarz Rawicz on 07.08.2020 starts at 16:00

That would make more sense

Tommy Croombs is another who spent his entire career of 20 years in London. Local boy to Wimbledon, coming from New Malden, but rode for Lea Bridge(1 season) and West Ham with some distinction and qualified for 2 world finals

Was thinking of Claude Rye, although Preston isn't really the midlands. But always seemed a strange team for a Fulham lad to ride for, as his debut team

Whilst I agree the problem in Poland and with all the money they have has shown just how plans can go wrong very quickly. The British league if there is to be one will have problems from the off under pressure starting so late, then add the normal weather problems and all of a sudden your whole team has to isolate because someone in the pits had Covid.......not my money being gambled, but if it was I think I would wait till next year Not only that just imagine (not that I am that bothered) if a similar thing happens at the GPs if they get started......all those flights and hotels booked and you find the whole thing is off.

It would be in theory, but the case of the pub with just 80 people to contact shows it ain't easy. Depends on how many the government will allow into speedway, if they even do this year. But 500 people for a promoter or staff to contact out of the blue and with other stuff to get sorted as well, might be ok for a professional football club. I would imagine for a speedway promotion that could be a nightmare

Yes I wasn’t really thinking of riders who came over for a short spell with a London team. Ok if like Freddie Williams they rode for a long period of time though. Just like we could include Ronnie Moore if we just ignored that short spell with Coventry

Of course Tommy Jansson only rode for Wembley and Wimbledon A lot shorter, which hardly counts, Steve Bast ride for Wembley

I actually thought Kuhn rode for a team in the midlands, which is why I checked. Must have mixed him up with someone else. But guess he qualifies for the other thread, having come from Birmingham and never rode for them

Gus Kuhn also rode for Southampton ? Dicky Case also rode for 5 London teams, but also one team outside (Coventry)

Another world champion, Jack Milne

Is there a rider that tops Wilks' 4 teams I wonder ?

I agree. I know one or two here have said they are willing to risk it and attend meetings, but quite honestly if you have a job and risk having to go into self isolation because someone at the meeting had tested positive as the ruling stands, it is a big risk. OK maybe if you are a pensioner. You can afford to, but a younger person ?

While I wouldn't disagree, it has been mentioned a number of times how British speedway seems to rely on the help of a lot of people in the section of society most at risk. Plus a lot of supporters seem to be as well. The riders themselves should have no trouble, even if they have got Covid The big problem could also be with doubling up, riders that have to self-isolate riding for other teams, it all could 'spread' like wildfire, in that sense

More importantly for the league all riders from both teams have to self isolate......If this happens in the UK with a late start anyway, what chances are there of finishing the season orderly ?