Hawk127

I think you might be a little overly optimistic. Are you sure you are not a promoter? Rose tinted glasses and all that😄

The only thing the powers that be are engaged in are their own self importance. No chance of thinking outside the box and looking at the demographic of the potential audience. I am assuming that they can spell and understand the definition of demographic. One lives in hope but cannot fail to be disappointed by the actions of a few who have brought the sport to its knees.

It will come, give it a few days 😅

And a great character to have in the sport as well as being a hard rider. No one like him today unfortunately. For protagonists and hard riders who could get a crowd going him an others were what made it tribal but fun. Yes those were the days for a different type of speedway entertainment with promoters who were also quite animated and outspoken. Today’s promoters are the woke of the sport and it is all the poorer for it.

Although supporting Rayleigh, once I had learned to drive a few of us use to do Crayford on Tuesday, Wimbledon on Thursday, Hackney on Friday and Saturday night at eight at the Weir. When it came to other away matches, Canterbury, Eastbourne, Ipswich and Peterborough. I never went to Rye House until the season that the rockets de-camped to Rye. Jack Millen was one of those up at the top with the likes of Brian Foote and the Kennet clan. Use to relish Dave Lanning turning up at the Weir and the accusations over methanol were legendary. Those were the days.

Yes Rayleigh did but the club was always well supported with the main stand usually full and the stand on the back straight had a good few with the 1st 2nd and 3rd bend embankments having a good smattering of supporters. Back in the day the local rivalries with Romford, Eastbourne, Canterbury, Crayford and Ipswich always guaranteed bumper crowds and on bank holidays whoever were the opponents you got good crowds. I still have some news paper cuttings with pictures of the action and the stands looking packed. I think back then because so many teams had characters riding you always looked forward to a protagonist visiting like Jack Milne, Brian Foote, Ted Hubbard, the Kennet brothers, Arthur Price and many more and that also tended to boost support. Probably a bit more tribal back then.

Watch Polish speedway for free on the internet/smart t v . Keep eye on the International section where Racer & Royals and Stewmac are excellent in providing the links for the various matches. Unless you speak Polish the commentary might be an issue but to listen to how animated some get you do not need to understand the language.

But apparently the management of said company continue to supply speedway tracks. I believe Mildenhall found an alternative supplier and that was allegedly why the BSPL/BSPA refused to licence the club. Another closed shop operation from those in charge of the sport. What is the matter with the morons who run the sport in this country. Time for more clubs to jump ship, join NORA and break the stranglehold of those who are determined to take the sport to its nadir.

Done. Fingers crossed.

I totally agree. It is just the apathy by those who promote/run meetings who pay scant regard for the up and coming riders. I really have never fathomed out why they ignore the novices who have invested in machinery and equipment only to be told to get lost because it does not suit those who run meetings. Over the years I have seen far too many riders turn up for a second half outing only to be told they cannot race and that is a disgrace. Why anyone would want to continue attend meetings when those in charge treat supporters and these novices with such contempt.

All it takes is for tracks to start 15 minutes earlier and put some races on during the interval and stop hanging about with riders going out on track as soon as the previous heat is finished. All could find a way to make sure the races take place but many tracks/promoters simply treat the youngsters with contempt. Back in the day with 13 heat meetings and a second half, the first race of the second half always use to be the new talent on the block. Now those in charge bemoan no new talent coming through in abundance but they do not want to do anything to change this and blame everyone but themselves. No wonder the sport is going down the plug hole and soon any rider who makes a serious living out of the sport will desert the UK and it will be left with amateur meetings which might not be such a bad thing.

Agree with Triple H. To get the riders more track time, every track in the country should run at least one meeting for what could an individual NDL championship. Each track to put some of the races on during an interval and the remainder after the main league match has finished. It would take someone better than me to sit down and work out the number of rounds needed based on riders prepared to take part. All the points scored in the qualifying rounds count towards identifying the top sixteen who then take part in a final in late August and preferably on the bank holiday. All riders score revert to zero for the final so everyone has a chance. Just an idea. Without doing something how on earth are the next generation of riders going to get the experience needed and the ability to hone their craft. Alternatively the bullies at the BSPL/BSPA should cease threatening tracks who would be happy to rent the tracks to NORA registered clubs and let riders participate without fear of threats from the aforementioned bullies. These two organisations cannot have both ways and if they don’t want to be accused of killing off the sport in this country then get off your respective arses and do something positive for the benefit of the sport.

He does seem to have an attitude issue and I really do think he comes across that well in the article. Oh well, hopefully he will learn and channel everything into mastering his craft.

As of the 2nd January he was leading the Argentinian championship on 76 points ahead of Albin on 74 and Zubillaga on 62.

In an article in the Star he says that he has signed for. Premiership club which will be announced at some stage but he is giving the Championship a miss. He also said”I still let my temper get the best of me sometimes when I’m racing. That’s a big issue that people have with me. I think people would be more annoyed if I didn’t care and that’s the thing, I think I care too much”

Interesting article in this weeks Star written by Lukasz Chrzanowski on how the world’s richest speedway league is slowly killing the sport and highlights how Britain, Germany and Sweden are struggling and economically outgunned when in Poland a reserve is paid more than heat leaders in other countries. Whatever happens the sport in the UK needs to go its own way and offer the public what it can realistically afford and if that means starting again and building talent from within so be it. The top riders find it easier to move equipment around mainland Europe and mechanics can travel by road to most places so why add to the cost by racing in the UK and given the extra expenses riders financial demands will only go one way, the question would be how long can the sport over here meet those costs.

Speedway is in his DNA and he mentioned a Polish club in the article yesterday so whilst he said he wants out he may be tempted if the opportunity arises and he could make a difference. Imagine if other clubs decided to look at the alternative given the current operating model is drab, boring and will never attract a new younger generation of supporters. Today people want a quick fix and action not 15 heats drawn out over two hours on average. The sport needs to be innovative and try something different, not the same old format and it needs to stop the riders dictating when, where and how they will ply their trade. It is not just about the riders.

It would seem that the way the sport is run by the BSPL and others no longer aligns with his aims and while he wants a lifestyle change change, I would not be surprised if he keeps his options open and perhaps a hand in the sport by linking up with Mildenhall who are again running under NORA. That would overcome the issue he clearly has with the cronies who are running the sport into the ground with a business model which is way past its sell by date. Changes are needed but it is not going to happen with the current managerial incumbents. He has a vision but it clearly did/does not sit well with his former fellow promoters.

Other suppliers are available!!!

Promoter Chris Louis plans to take time away from speedway once the sale of Premiership champions Ipswich Witches is complete. Louis hopes to be able to confirm the name of the buyers within the next two weeks. He put the Witches up for sale in November after they beat Leicester Lions to win the title for the first time in 27 years, and it is now going through due process. "Once we're in a position where the sale is complete then everything will move very quickly," Louis told BBC Radio Suffolk. "I had two or three other offers that didn't suit me personally or my vision of putting the club in safe hands. "It's unfortunate because it feels like the club is so far behind the other teams coming into 2026, but I'm very proud of the fact that we've found what I believe to be the right owners and hopefully it all goes through smoothly." Ipswich Witches agree sale to new owner Published 3 days ago Doyle confirms GB speedway exit with Ipswich up for sale Published 11 December 2025 Ipswich have confirmed their place in what, at the moment, will be a five-team Premiership this year but have yet to finalise a rider roster. "The way I've done things in the last few years, season ticket sales would have started at the beginning of December and the team would have been announced before Christmas. "It's different in 2026 but it's to be expected, it's a big thing to sell a business and it takes a bit of work with all the due diligence to do. "But I think we've found the right people for the club, I don't think it could be in better hands and I'm excited to see what they do with it and what the future holds." Louis plans to attend meetings at Foxhall Stadium in the new season but does not, at present, intend to have any direct involvement in the sport. "I received an offer from a Polish club three days after putting the club up for sale but it would have meant far too big a life change for me, moving to Poland," he added. "I want out of the sport, it's time for a change. I'm looking forward to a different lifestyle, I won't be travelling around quite as much. No firm plans yet." Chris Louis was speaking to BBC Radio Suffolk's Wayne Bavin

Jammy dodgers were what they were hoping for but when garibaldi came up as an option most round the table thought that was the new Italian track hosting a GP. Another promoter thought the Penguins were the Icelandic national team. Just shows what the British fans have to contend with. Roll on the end of the season and the contrived play offs. Home and away twice with an aggregate bonus point for finishing third out of two. Yep sums up speedway in the UK. Did someone mention Fred Carno

Almost every contributor on here can see the problems looming for the sport but those in charge of its destiny are not doing too much to keep the fan base onside and give some ideas as to how things might change. An announcement following the AGM then radio silence. No provisional fixture list, no details of the new competition, no more news about the mystery 6th club and none of this can help riders, sponsors etc. plan for the coming season and it must have a negative impact on season ticket sales. With the lack of clarity is any wonder some supporters are disillusioned with the sport and riders have opted to ply their trade elsewhere. You would have thought that some press releases would have been forthcoming even it was only to update of progress or otherwise of changes which may at least placate some of the doubters. The BSPL really have not got a clue when it comes to taking care of the fan base. If they are unsure as to what to do might I suggest they take a look at Poland, Sweden and Denmark all of whom are way ahead of the UK.

What about Fredrik Lindgren. I believe he is giving Swedish racing a miss. Janowski is signed up for three teams I believe so he would not be available to race in UK.

Not sure about Belle Vue but the figures published are as follows: Warsaw 48k , Vojens 19.90k , Wroclaw 13.50k, Torun (SoN & SoN2) 13.10k, Gorzow 12.50k, Prague 11.50k (inc SGP3), Manchester 11.50, Melilla 8.70k, Landshut 7.8k and Riga (inc SGP 2) 6.70k Appreciate what you say about the venues but it does seem that live attendances might be in decline and that is not good news if the plans were to spread it around other non European stadia. Maybe fans are tired of the format and that in reality you are not seeing the top sixteen riders in the world. Whatever the reasons it is failing to ignite the enthusiasm which once surrounded the world championship.

In this week’s Star they have published the attendance figures for all the GPs and coming out on top was Warsaw with 48k. All the rest were under 20k with Manchester getting a combined 11.5k for the two days. Three GPs got under 10k. With all the costs involved etc it is a wonder anyone can make it pay. For the sports premier event you have to say the attendance figures are poor.