Hawk127

Belle Vue would be good for a second GP in the UK but given the state of UK speedway is it any wonder why anywhere in the U K can justify holding this event. Cardiff and Wales have been supportive of the sport and it should not be under-estimated the contribution Wales has made to the UK GP speedway. It is not a disgrace it is simply economics and whoever the piper is they call the tune. You also have not picked up that speedway is a second rate sport that does not deserve the exposure that the Cardiff Millennium stadium gives speedway. Face it, speedway is on its knees and the majority of the UK does not know it even exists and could not give a toss whether it is held at Cardiff, BelleVue or the IOW.

Tom is on the pace and should be pleased with his efforts. With experience he will be another Brit to look out for at this level in the future

Ipswich have three home meetings and one away and with decent guests they could expect to pick up at least two wins so maybe fourth is a little pessimistic. Notwithstanding it is going to be close this year and hopefully we get to see some of the best racing without further injuries. Whether another campaign in 2025 is feasible with seven man teams is debatable. Given the Polish scene and the pressure on riders to compete or suffer substantial financial penalties which in itself is detrimental to other European leagues it might well be time to start all over in the UK and try something different. Too few riders chasing too many empty spots is not going to work long term when Poland are calling the tune.

It may well be that the Foxhall hierarchy have lined up an adequate guest for the play offs and as long as Emil is back I do not see that it matters how they finish as they are capable of putting up a good show at any of the other top three contenders, although it would be nice to have an easier passage but this UK speedway with rules made up as it goes along and no one is taking into account an Ipswich or KL scenario with riders injured or unavailable or withholding services and managers failing to act in the best interest of the sport. Screw the punter and let’s race based on the lowest common denominator just about sums up the folks who run the sport in this country. Is it any wonder no one takes speedway seriously and with so few riders available or coming up through the ranks, it is on a a self inflicted hiding to oblivion.

Unfortunately the Polish scene knocks spots off the UK presentation and any rider worth his salt would rather ride in front of a packed crowd with an atmosphere that is second to none compared to the sparse speedway support that turns up at a UK stadia. Those that ride in Poland and frequent UK teams/tracks are simply topping up the pension. If you are a regular who watches on Kergel then you will understand the phrase chalk and cheese when watch weekend racing from Poland versus what is served up from the UK Clubs. The UK broadcaster cannot ever offer a comparable form of entertainment no matter who are the commentators and if they had any sense they would quietly part the sport in some dark corner and leave it to BSN to show the best bits from the lower leagues.

Phil Morris explanation regarding rider replacement and guests is just putting a plaster over the real problems with speedway in this country. If the rules had allowed for signings for injured riders things might be different, but no, the powers that be went for the broad brush approach. His excuses for where the sport is because of rider shortage is not acceptable and since when have those in charge given a second thought to Joe Public. He is talking as much horse s..t as the BSPL.

That is how to run a domestic championship with riders who are committed. Well done to all the riders.

Good to see Jarek riding so well, oh how good it would be to see him grace Foxhall again. He served the witches well.

If only we could replicate the crowd, enthusiasm and racing on a a Saturday night. Long gone are those days sadly and Poland shows the way so UK speedway should stop pretending and plough its own furrow. It is not and never will be a match for the presentation that takes place in Poland. Those Iin charge need to bite the bullet and start from scratch and let the promotional professionals in Poland get on with it. Eurosport and the set up no longer cuts it and if only a UK channel would carry English commentary on these live matches then it might just generate some interest in this country. Until then we can only watch the demise of the sport in the UK

Ellis riding well today in Poland. Long may it continue.

It does not take much to seek four or six volunteers to act as rakers even if you have to let them in for free, rider safety is paramount, so I am not sure what the issue is with finding some willing hands to help out. It never use to be a problem but perhaps health and safety has reared its head. No matter, Emil and Chris live to fight another day and between them are probably two of the best entertainers on the British track scene giving it everything to win and entertain us mere mortals in the stands.

Just watched the replay thanks to Steve and bloody hell. Prayers for both riders. One of those events you really do not what to see. Fingers crossed for both and I know riders are hardy guys but that is off the scale.

You have to question whether some of the tracks are suitable for today’s bikes or should the sport in the UK take a look at what is safe and suitable in terms of machinery for the available tracks. It is clearly not one size fits all and bikes that ride well on the big tracks in Poland are probably not suitable for the technical UK tracks which then begs the question, is it time that the machinery was standardised so that it is rider skill and not power of a bike that makes a good rider.

It might not have been pretty but they got the meeting on, if it had been in the UK it would never have happened. I remember evenings like this meeting when Ipswich rode every Thursday but now the witches and the league is a pale shadow of what use to be. It has almost reached its nadir when teams cannot put on a meeting because you do not have enough riders due of commitments elsewhere and falling numbers taking up the sport. The writing is on the wall.

Texter on updates seem to think it was the way the track was with the dirt piled too high which could be down to grading but I guess they are not expert on these matters. Fingers crossed for the riders.

Let’s hope they are alright. No one wants a meeting to end like that.

Zmarzlik makes it look so easy and With Fast Freddie alongside the result was never in doubt. Oh to have this sort of Friday racing in the UK. We use to but those days have long gone unfortunately. What a start to your weekend. Reminds me of the days of going to Hackney. Not quite the same number on the terraces.

Byker Biker and 1 Valve have filled in a few gaps of my knowledge so thanks to both of you, much appreciated.

Well done Witches, another good win chalked up and good contributions throughout the 1 to 7.

So Nora operates outside the FIM and if Joe Bloggs comes along and wants to offer racing involving riders, a bit like the open licence that Rye House use to operate under, it would be free to do so assuming the track owner had not signed the deal with the current promoter running under BSPL. Not a good example in the current circumstances but if someone wanted to run meetings under the Nora banner at Mildenhall and Spedeworth were OK with the arrangement given the lack of activity from a BSPL scenario that would be OK. I understand the point regarding tract time but that means everything has to have the blessing of the BSPL whatever the level of rider and many do not want that hierarchy telling them how to run and promote the sport when many in the current set up are so inept at actively promoting in their local area let alone further afield. I cannot share your optimism but we are both entitled to our opinion. Thanks for your feedback.

Thanks for the feedback which does clarify the position re the BSPL Out of interest in the scheme of things where does Nora fit in to the above or is in not covered by the FIM. Track time for riders is important as is competitive racing for them but given the limited opportunities if trading via the BSPL route where few clubs are making a determined effort, is it any wonder the sport is in decline. I still think that part of the issue is the blinkered approach of the BSPL where it is a case of our way or no way with no compromise whatsoever and the unwillingness to listen to other views and take on board what the punters and some riders are thinking/saying. Some people are willing to put the money into the sport but not to have it lost by a governing body of third parties many of whom lack business acumen but are still allowed to make the rules even to the detriment of the investor. It will never change because they have no desire for change. We all know everything in the British speedway garden is rosey.

What is up with Madsen??

Emil is still a class act but needs some positive contributions from the rest to get that bonus point

A good meeting made even better by those in the stadium. If only that could happen over here but alas those days (and yes they did happen albeit the numbers were slightly lower) are just a memory for speedway u k.

The passion, enthusiasm and excitement of the supporters is something to behold. What an atmosphere.