Hawk127

He could always attend via a video link. If the trip had been some while in the planning I doubt he would have known at the time of booking flights etc. that the AGM was going to be put back. A family trip to Australia is unlikely to be a last minute booking. Still I am sure those in charge have all areas covered and know exactly what they are doing but have just got to try and put into words that they are up sh.te creek without the proverbial paddle. Press release late on the 6th should be eagerly awaited by those who believe in miracles. For the rest of us another borefest of excuses, plans and rule changes.

I guess any new speedway track would cost a fortune but I was thinking more that as an investment its ability to capture some speedway supporters from the local vicinity is perhaps better than some other options but then again I could be way off the mark. Anyway enough on the topic of Stansted as clearly it is bollocks and time to move onto the next guess as to which venue could be appropriate to promote speedway and not go bust half way through a season unless the backers enjoy throwing good money after bad. The sport is on life support but the one hope for Ipswich making a comeback is if a buyer has been found and some of those Ipswich riders from last year who have not signed for other clubs are still available to form the core of a new team perhaps with some up and coming Poles. Happy new year to all and fingers crossed that 2026 has something more to offer than what appears to be the case as at today.

Thanks. I was only going by the pictures on-line and was thinking that it was nearer traditional speedway following but take your point. If it could be developed and start off like say a Workington did with basic facilities and grow sharing with speedway like a few other tracks it might not be too much of a problem providing the bangers can see some benefits of renting the arena to another party and generating some income. Do you know who promotes the meetings at the raceway?

Does anyone know much about Stansted Raceway? Given its proximity to Harlow, Bishops Stortford and within reasonable distance of London, it might be worth the nomad team talking to the owners rather than consider Northampton. At least at Stansted you stand a reasonable chance of attracting ex Rye House, Arena and possibly Peterborough supporters to get their fix in the interim. Just a thought.

Just to add to the debate this week’s Star arrived in the post this morning.

Not if mystery team number five gets to those two first. Then we all know how disappointed you will be and crying into your turkey gravy. Merry Christmas 😂

I suspect that Doyle may consider riding for either Ipswich or Swindon if someone comes along with the readies to fund the operation. Therefore what if the Ipswich licence was transferred to another track/stadia? Perhaps CL has gone abroad knowing a deal is done. Frankly no one here has any idea as to where the club stands and for all he has said I doubt he would leave Ipswich without a speedway team. As to what level that team is remains to be seen but I am sure speedway will feature at Foxhall in 2026 and beyond. Even a year out as NORA affiliated track simply to keep the track open should not be dismissed as an option. It depends on so many factors such as the rent for the stadium facilities etc. Let’s hope bikes are heard come March 2026.

It is no different to prior years when certain promoters did not get what they wanted but then you have look deeper and see what the Louis family have done for Ipswich speedway and Suffolk and understand that speedway at the top level is shot to sh..e and most astute business people would walk away given the proposed set up. The proposed Premiership is a bastardised version of the Championship with double uppers simply lining their pockets to try and maintain a living from a sport which is on it knees. The mainland European scene makes it easier for riders to ply their trade in different countries without the hassle of riding in the UK. Speedway in this country is out on a limb for so many reasons and needs to reinvent itself and stop thinking it is something it is not. Regroup and enter the international stage in five years or so but until then accept most riders are also rans and the UK needs to develop its own talent. Fans and promoters need to bite the bullet and support what is available to build for the future. Allow those who do rise to the top in British speedway ply the trade overseas where they can make an impact and if they wish to take advantage of the technical tracks in the UK let them ride but at a cost that clubs can realistically afford. No more supplementing the pension fund.

Sadly that is where the sport is and unfortunately it is going to take something special to get the riders to trust those in charge and believe they have a future in the over here. You really despair at the thought process of the few individuals who seemingly are driving speedway in the UK and wonder why they think that everything is hunky dory. Take a look at the Mainland European scene and speedway UK is way behind the curve. Thankfully those on the continent are professional, mainland U K are also rans but at least we can watch professional leagues race through the summer months. Speedway UK simply cannot compete on organisation, credibility or professional run sport. Oh well always regular Sunday speedway from Poland on free streams with the top riders, full stadia and incredible atmosphere. Dream on BSPL.

Agree with that scenario. Cannot see Spedeworth being overly happy with the way things are going and will either say enough is enough and concrete over the track and just run bangers/stock cars or give another promoter a chance but I suspect that Spedeworth make far more out of their operation than the income they get from a few speedway meetings a year. It really is a precarious situation.

The decision to continue with a top league may backfire given that a lot of the former top riders in the UK have opted for Swedish, Danish and Polish sides leaving few riders of that calibre to grace the top tier of UK speedway. You could also understand why they have made the decision given the logistics of moving around mainland Europe being easier as opposed to having to fly in and out of the UK and maintain equipment here as well as Europe. Time will tell but it will take something radical to entice riders to come back to these shores in the future. It could well be that the authorities in the UK have finally burnt their bridges.

Nope, the BSPL will want to string it out. In reality you could run this with one home and one away starting in July and the season over by the end of August including play offs. Why the hell don't these knob heads invest in young up and coming riders and prolong the season with new talent and other disciplines. Think like the IOW and add in the league meetings and finale. Not really rocket science unless you are an owner/promoter of a club in the so called top tier of British speedway farce.

Not if Poland has anything to do with it. The golden promised land is not going to happen. Those in charge have really lost the plot and who with half a brain is going to want to watch repetitive matches with double uppers on inflated rates screwing the supporters because the TV income has gone south and someone has to make up the financial shortfall. Two occasions, Covid and the current situation gave the sport the opportunity to reinvent itself but what have you got, the same old scenario. It has failed the punter yet again and this time it will implode because no one is going to be fobbed off with this plan. BSPL, you really do not have a clue about your audience and are so far removed from reality by your actions you will fail and regrettably be instrumental in the demise of the sport in this Country. Thankfully we have Poland to fall back on.

It also depends on East Suffolk council. Certain restrictions are in place and with Spedeworth running on Saturdays it may be difficult to operate on other days on a regular basis given the eight day rule which I believe use to exist and may still exist. Ipswich has been synonymous with Thursday night speedway and I doubt any new owner would advocate a change to another race night. I simply hope that a way can be found to see the Witches come to the tapes in 2026 if not simply putting the sport on hold for a year may just see the end of this famous club and the sport will be poorer for the demise of Ipswich.