Tsunami

Still under consideration, but it has been advised, but not confirmed. Put it on here as soon as it is known.

Thanks. Incidently, with the weather forecast showing a change for the better this weekend, we will be restarting the track work at 9.30am. Light wind, no rain and an almost tropical 9 degrees we can get on with most things. Need a big show of people to make some progress after the last two weeks calloffs. If you have spare time on Sunday, and you care about helping rather than just criticising, just turn up when you can and we will find work for you. Could be painting creosote on kickboards, or fixing all the old boards that live behind the air fence. We need to make big progress so give it sone thought please. Hot drinks, bickies and Cup A Soup will be available all day for everyone. SEE YOU THERE. Newcastle Speedway Supporters Club Posted by David Rowland · 2 seconds ago Thanks to everyone for turning up on a miserable night on Monday for the Race Night. It was great to see such an attendance, and even better with all the new faces there for their first event. On behalf of the committee, can I thank everyone and hope you all enjoyed yourself, and made a few bob on the races. We will get back to you soon with details of our next event, probably a Meet the Riders Night during the Press and Practice Weekend.

I think you undervalue your team. It could do very well.

Not a pleasant thought, glad i've already ate.

Agree with you. He scored something like 13 in one meeting, and had the beating of DEEK in every race with him. He scored valuable points, and his real average with us is much better than his start average, because his earlier scores from his Sheffield days is keeping it lower for the time being. Never going to be a champion, but then the likes of DEEK, Dickie, Little, etc, weren't either, but look how they all did for us. He is a trier who loves riding at Newcastle, in fact it was Simon that I meant when I said in December that one rider was begging to rejoin us in 2015.

Knowing Ice Hockey, The imports may not be Elite World players, but they are in respect to ours and in fact, like speedway, they don't have enough home riders to stock the leagues, so they are not taking a Brits place.

Yes they are, but by the nature of the material(shale), drains get blocked.

There has to be a standard or indicator of a riders ability to get his permit. In the past and possibly still, there used to be requirements like being in the top 4 of State titles to come here to ride. That probably equated to the 7 average, but despite the BSPA trying to maintain a 5, the UKBA don't agree and they have to maintain the average.

Agree with that. You need a certain type of rider in the number 2 position who can give good support in his rides, and usually be expected to win heat 8. Over the years we have been well served with decent number 2's starting with Dickie, DEEK and Christian.

My understanding on the fixtures clashes is that both leagues did there own fixtures as usual, and the ones that were released this week will be subject to change for clashes that are avoidable. Presumably if the fixture process had continued, the fixtures would have been delayed. Treat them as second draft fixtures.

Except of course is the UKBA that determines, that not an organisation within Speedway. That's been the problem because BSPA were wanting it to stay at 5.

Really.

Been tried a few years ago using some jet engine and quickly dropped. So THEY have tried it. So once your thoughts are looking non practical it's take the p**s and bring out the usual avoidance things. Yea right. Are you and UK Martin the new gurus of speedways.

Yes.

That's your ignorance, rather than my fault for not mentioning. If you say something on here it's taken as boasting but here goes. I have worked for years helping putting down and lifting the sheets that cover the dog track at Brough, and that usually starts at 10.30am. I organise all the labour and now i am in charge of and put up and take down the air fence every race day. I organise all the work and labour during the Winter, closing down the track, removing all the kick boards and, after Xmas, the painting, repairing and reaffixing all the kick boards replacing also all fenceposts that need replacing. I think with my experience I am well fitted to know what goes on and what works and what doesn't. I am a doer and organiser, not a critic. Now apart from at one time writing a column in the proggie, what's your experience.

At the bottom end of the crowd levels with the most expensive stadium costs baring Sheffield. I think sometimes others should think before they comment here.

Total balls. True possibly 30 years ago, but very little made in speedway by a few these days, in either the true market or the black one you mention. In your world, why do tracks go out of business then. A certain Brum promoter lost a lot of cash even though he was an accountant, so obviously not a big fiddle factor as you suggest, your comments are more a reflection of your own experiences.

If you and me agree on that, it MUST be true.

Do you really think anything through without just blurting it out. have you worked out the weight of even flimsy sheeting in the roll and only at owned tracks with no dogs could it be used. What about tracks like Ippy, Arena Essex, Eastbourne and all the dog tracks speedways. There is no chance of lifting it(too heavy) over the fence, and leaving it there in their stadiums, even if the covers did work. How many tracks would allow you to get on track the night beforehand, and where is this magic labour going to come from in a sport that is already desperately short on track staff. BTW. Even in your world track staff can't just turn up to do track work/ air fence etc, 1 hour before a meeting. Most of the day is already spent on track preparation and other essential jobs involving the air fence. I am one of them. You want to start thinking more, or finding out more, about how a club functions on race meeting day before the actual meeting.

Seems sensible. Must be galling, after selecting your team and submitting it, another promotion comes along and wrecks your plans.

Good points, but :- Air fences were for safety reason so basically not an option not to use them when some were introduced in the GP and EL. Track covers are very optional and dubious benefits. Apart from their cost, there is labour issues, storage issues, track consistency probs,etc and of course if the weather is that bad, the crowd usually stay at home anyway. Much easier to cancel the meeting, which has little crowd and poor racing, and do it another day with better conditions. If covers were that necessary, why weren't they standard track equipment in the glory days of big profits in say the 80's. There is already experience out there from them being used at Voyens., which has worse than average rain. Surely if they were that necessary, we would all use them, given Voyens experience.

Agreed. He said he was looking forward to it, and reminded us that he usually had input in the last three seasons. Hoping all his engine issues are now all behind him, and that he will have more time to help the other younger riders, who could have their own issues. I forgot to mention last night that Newcastle are hoping to acquire Ludde as an asset before the season starts. Being a Brum asset, he is currently assigned to the BSPA, and Newcastle has made two offers to buy him for the club. George was hopeful that their latest offer will be successful.

Once again it is work that you have no labour to carry it out. If it is a one off affair, like Berwick's FIM meeting or Poole's TV meeting a couple of years ago, you can give it a go, because of the nature/importance of the meeting. To think that there is a latent workforce out there just waiting to be on standby all season just in case it rains, is idiotic and has no aspect of reality. The 4 years quote came from the analysis after the Berwick FIM meeting. The material used was fit for farming purposes and relatively thin, so easy to handle, but suspect in winds. They estimated that, with care, it could only be used about 4 times. Alternatively, you could buy heavy grade material, and not be able to lift in without the help of machinery, but no doubt you will have a solution for that as well. The monies are distributed to the promotions, and of course that is factored into their financial budgets. Why waste essential money on things that don't work , are expensive to supply all promotions, and need replacing regularly, and can only be used by a workforce that is unlikely to materialise.

Sorry I am SO late with the update from the Supporters Club do at the Corner House. I can confirm that Christian Henry is the final one in the septet, and also that Ludde has accepted the captaincy of our very young 2015 side. I wish him well with his new challenge, but now await the negativity of that decision. Usual suspects may join in.