Hawk127

Remind me what team does Chris Harris ride for? The league select or is he setting a new standard by being a squad member for every team in the leagueGood luck to him but come on, this is taking the sport to a new low. Anyway I hope all,riders have a safe and good contest. Hopefully Ipswich can get a point.

Can Scott please ride for Ipswich next season? The numbers through the the turnstiles would go up many fold and the local lad would be welcome back with open arms. Come on CL, make it happen.

I am not surprised that supporters are turning away in droves. Only speedway could shoot itself in the foot so many times with the use of guest on so many different fronts added to which the powers that be think that no one notices. What a crock of .... this has turned into. Time to stop calling it a team sport and rename it Rider Select and pull names out of a hat the night before the meeting. Sad to say that just a few years back a lot of people would turn up regularly for the weekly fix now many cannot be bothered because of the contempt that the management, promoters and many but not all of the riders have for the paying punter. The riders are forced to earn while they can and no blame is attached to most of the them added to which the fixtures etc. have been organised by those who could not organise a p ... up in a brewery and with the rampant abuse of guests, R/r, riders picking and choosing which meetings they want to ride and a few promoters letting the decent ones ride elsewhere robbing the the UK punter and blatantly misleading/ deceiving the supporters and you alienate the meaningful source of income with the terraces devoid of support. Just hope that the riders enjoy entertaining one man and his dog and the promoters have very deep pockets. If those that run the sport cannot see the issues, then it's days are numbered. That said, let's hope the Witches can carry on the success and add to the league points tally.

Plus other formats of speedway racing or make it a multi discipline meeting with side cars, short track and try to widen the interest. Just a thought but like many, the idea of attending weekly meetings has sadly gone. Do I miss it, yes, but the way it has evolved, the days are numbered and unless drastic changes are implemented the amateur racing will be the only game in town.

Totally agree. Today it is a circus now with a pool of riders who may be available on a particular night to represent and town or city but not your club. This has become a sport for individuals so the team concept has long gone. Why not refer to those meetings where riders can ride for themselves under a 'club' name as a 4TT then have Gt Britain championship and possibly league meetings for those clubs that can put six or five man teams together. Mix a match. Five man team league meeting followed by individual championship and then the equivalent of a second half for up and coming riders. Possibly three man teams a bit like the development league. Something needs to be done before it is too late if it has not already reached the point of no return. I hope not.

It is sad that this great sport is dragged down further by those who have scant regard for the paying public. I really hope that those in charge are proud of the performance. No blame can be directed at riders, they do what is asked of them but the promoters and BSPA are taking the patience of the fans to new limits. These so called guardians are killing our sport and perhaps it is time to show the utter disdain most have for those who continue to take the proverbial. No wonder those clicking through the turnstiles is going down. What will happen? Nothing. A wake up call is looming and when T V pulls the plug those from the BSPA will start to see the gravy train come off the rails. Onlya few promoters deserve the support the rest will hopefully get their comeuppance.

British riders are not up to the standard required to compete at the top level in Poland so while a good idea the reality is it cannot happen. Unfortunately two choices, bring the Poles down to the lowest common denominator (will not happen) or GB walk away because riders in the GB are simply not good enough and leave the Poles looking for some alternative opposition which with the Russians, Latvians and a combined Scandinavian presence could be provided. Maybe at individual or pairs but anything else Gab has no chance. Speedway in the U.K. needs to go back to basics and start again if it is to survive, the alternative is oblivion. Accepr that GB riders are not at the same level but might be in a few years

It is a £10 sport but not when it's is televised. £5 tops with kids and OAPs free (any one over 60). Radical maybe, reality yes. What ever way you look at it the product at this level does not lend itself to live television. People might have far more interest if it were highlights and the live meetings promoted so that the 'taster' of highlights attracts the punter to see a live meeting. Dress it up as you like but it is not rocket science, sell thrill seeking highlights, cut and thrust etc. and promote meetings on the programme, give out the fixture list and show where the sport is being held around the country. Do not rely on Nigel and his side kick spouting some crap, show the fixtures on screen, dates, times, track location/ details, not difficult but even this seems to beyond the comprehension of the average promoter to actually do what the word means, promote. Those who want live speedway get this, the sport is seen on T V and with some input from those running meetings, everyone gains/wins. Will it happen, unlikely. Bemoan all you like but the sport needs to take a real hard look at itself and realise that change is needed, not tinkering around the edges.

Possibly people are becoming more fickle. If they add up the cost of getting to the track, entrance money, possibly refreshments, and then the delays with an interval which is generally unnecessary and old hat and drags out the meeting and then on the other side the issues which are beyond the control of the punter that could mean anyone of the foregoing makes it a waste of time, they may think it is a better deal to stay at home and watch it on TV Other things that may put people off could be any slight doubt that a single black cloud forecast for the start time might mean rain and therefore better call off the meeting just after you enter the stadium or the track is prepared for gate and go merchants who would be better off doing drag racing rather than competitive racing and always the other possibility that the riders may not want want to race or just go through the motions or even refuse to ride because it is dangerous (surely a bike without brakes is dangerous, it is more a question of how a rider manages to use some technique to set the bike up,to suit the conditions and uses some throttle control) Given the credible and cost saving alternative of sitting at home watching the speedway soap opera unfold, I guess more than few would go for the TV option. Watch it in comfort at home with little of the hassle. Why has it got to this? Because it is no longer an attractive proposition to go along to a live meeting with all that is so wrong with the sport, presentation, racing and general disdain that promoters and riders have for the paying public. Hopefully it will change, but the question is when?

Is it correct that you have five guests and one R/R in the meeting? Why not just draw straws from available riders each night and pick the teams that way. Sadly it appears to sum up the sorry state of where racing in this Country is and until someone gets to grip, have one league and enough meetings to at least guarantee a decent level of income for those participating, then this ludicrous situation will continue until such time that the only punters watching will be the track staff and the referee. Here is hoping that someone wakes up to what a farce it has become. It pains me to say it but Mr Shovlar on another thread has a point re let teams build to any level etc. It was a bit like that in the 70's and I can remember going to Rayleigh every week be it a top performing club or unfortunately those that struggled. You went to see if you could beat the leaders or for the lower opposition, what sort of margin you could win by. People still went unlike today.

Could be some whinging Aussies who appear to dominate page 2 and 3 of this weeks speedway star. When will they give it a rest and move on. What is done is done and if all they are interested in is the Visa, then maybe the whole idea of Aussies riding in the UK. Needs reviewing.

Maybe this result is based on the 'you screw the club and the public and in these dire times, the sport and I will shaft you' so just a little bit of revenge but whether it is right or wrong the sport is a shambles, turnstiles are clicking less and with the hint of a shower, a meeting gets called off. Perhaps the next step is someone suggesting that the bikes have brakes. Imploding is an understatement. Forget the overseas riders. Time for Speedway England to have one league plus the NL, weekly meetings, a transfer window in July and no other changes with overseas riders committing to U.K. as priority and get back to basics. Forget Poland, Russia etc, the UK is in their wake. and the British are so far behind, time to stop pretending that we can compete. Aussies want to ride here, then set a minimum five or six average. Unless someone gets to grip with the sport, it will be amateur open meetings within five years, no league racing. The sport brought it on itself. Fixture lists are a joke with long gaps between home meetings and then fixture pile ups. who is responsible for this? they need sacking. All rather sad and when you think of the opportunities the sport has had with SKy etc. and you ask yourself are those in charge for real. Unfortunately the answer appears to be yes.

Perhaps we should not turn our nose up at the likes of Germany, Czech, France and Italy and consider having a European competition with them and full team meetings home and away (not 4TT) and have it as a knock out cup. This could be based on the top team in each respective league at a cut off date in the season, say 31st July, and then fix the meetings for September and final early October. With some positive thinking and the will to see it through why should it not work. Beats watching the same old Poland, Aussies and one of the Scandinavian nations. Is it not time to scrap the annual World Cup anyway and hold it every two or three years with full seven man teams rather than individuals pretending to race as a team in a 4TT.

Just a thought and I appreciate that starting positions are taken into account but the 16 Lapper at Ipswich has eight riders in the final. Therefore with some thought, five rider races involve the two lowest scoring teams starting on a front grid and the remaing three starting on a grid ten yards behind. Surely some constructive solution can be found rather than cave in to the few. If this carries on where will it end and frankly if those protesting find it too dangerous then perhaps they ought to think again about riding a 500 cc machine with no brakes. If those riders are concerned then perhaps speedway is not for them and they should find another career but stop taking the p... out of the paying punter. It is a dangerous sport with high risks, if you cannot handle it then step aside. Turn it into an NL meeting and each NL team can have a rider from the next tier and possibly a number two. It might work but stop pandering to the few.

Five rider races works elsewhere in Europe so can someone explain the issue or is this another case of the tail wagging the dog. Another nail in the coffin for British Speedway may be how some view this and it is time that someone with some balls stated to take control of the sport.

Is this just part of the wider issue that is blighting speedway in the U.K. No one condones this type of behaviour with total disregard for the paying public but is this the turning point for racing in this country? The big names only want to ride on their terms and/or those of the Polish authorities so is it not time for promoters to stop kidding themselves about attracting the big names. The money, loyalty and commitment no longer exists so back to basics. What has the sport got to lose now. Standardise the bikes to suit the tracks rather than what you have now and the gate and go merchants can ply their trade elsewhere. If you want to see the best riders go to a GP. Run speedway on a weekly basis, £10 entry, introduce tickets that you can buy to attend any meeting at any club and those under 16 go free. The racing format may need changing and teams should run a development team who go on first. Six heats followed by a league meeting of 13 heats. No joker, no guests and referrees encouraged to get through a meeting a quickly as possible. Stop the gardening, stop the mechanics coming out if a restart is required and just get on with it. It is a simple enough sport that has lost the plot.

Rosco seems a little disinterested and not his usual upbeat self. Has he had enough? The track is the same for both teams and not a lot to get excited about which seems a sad indictment of where the sport is these days. Inhave said it before but the current set up simply does not work. Double up, treble up it is not working. Lack of riders and so much R/R and the powers that be really need to get a grip before sport disappears into oblivion. Admit it now BSPA you have got it wrong big time and only you can save it. You have p.. off supporters, you are asking too much from riders and offering through total mismanagement crap entertainment and having spent the gains from Sky you still expect the punter to line your pockets. All of you on the management committee hang you heads in shame. BT offer a temp life line but given the quality of presentation from the track/meeting how much longer will we see league racing on TV? An old saying is their are none so blind who do want to see. To sum up the current situation, so many still want to see it succeed but so few have have any idea on how to entertain. Time to get back to basics.

I agree but really hope that a great club like Ipswich survive but it becomes more difficult when those running the sport are so divided. I come from that generation who can relate to a team of riders who you follow but were your team. In my case it was Rayleigh and in those days when Ipswich came calling it was something really special. Similarly Romford, Crayford, Canterbury, Eastbourne with that derby rivalry was something to look forward to but nowadays it seems difficult and for the next generation of supporters to appreciate what has gone before might seem old hat but believe me it is streets ahead of what is served up now. Yes the bikes have changed as has many other aspects but it is simple as a sport. If you are a Witches supporter you will recognise the most recent example Witches versus Stars I guess it is a case of dream on but something really does need to be decided. It should be so simple four riders, four laps, no brakes and that is it. The rest is frankly detracting from the simplicity.

Good news and fingers crossed that this goes through and another new track comes to the tapes. On the question of racing and any opposition from the current owners of the licence to promote, what is to stop the the owners of the track holding open meetings or renting it out to another team? I am sure that if approval is granted, a way will be found if enough people work together, something which does not seem to happen too often these days in the current Speedway set-up

I am sure that with some thought these problems could be overcome and if the structure was right every club would not lose but as is usual on here more negatives than positives. The sport is dire as it stands and needs shaking up. I suspect that some would have the same view in cricket and the 20/20 versus boring matches. Watch the sport eventually disappear with the view that 'its a non starter'. Why not Suggest something positive that will save this good motor sport from the state that it is currently in then regular criticise. Time to close the topic.

Given the general quality of racing at the 4TT particularly at International level and the overall lack of team racing as it use to be (riders generally racing for themselves now days) would this type of meeting work even if it was team A and Team B in a League match. The overall winners of the combined totals get three points second highest scorers get two and third get one with those finishing fourth getting no points. A format needs some thinking about but you could have alternate heats for A and B classed riders and a final for each. The combined results count towards league Points/placing. This would also give tracks the chance to mix it up in terms of meetings to subject to rider availability. The main criteria being that every team must complete the same number of A and B fixtures but in any order that suits clubs and rider availability. Just a thought but what he heck, the club / team racing as is unsustainable going forward so perhaps it is time to think outside that box. This is just a thought for discussion not a topic for vitriolic responses.

I suspect that if the UK want to improve then the riders need test matches home and away, riders allowed to compete in the SEC and other invitational meetings and the powers that be should open their eyes and stop making crass decisions that make it difficult for riders to ride on overseas competitions. The alternative is stop competing at International level. If they are all on the same 500 cc machines why do the British riders more often than not look like they are not at the races. Anyway congratulations to all and thank goodness for event two and the play off.

Unless you are Pole this is pretty boring. Compared to the 2nd event and last nights race off I think this not that good but the racing lines may improve but not necessarily the finishing order.

If you stopped using the Joker would that change the attitude of the riders competing. Would they go all out in the knowledge that points doubling up was not a choice. We may never know but I think that it is about right in terms of the line up,for tomorrow and England may just have a chance if the Poles become preoccupied with Russia. Some tactical riding with Sweden and either England or Sweden could win this. Maybe a dream but why not.

Well done to all the riders for serving up,some good racing. Shame about the Australians but hey ho, good to have the Russians in the final and while Poland look odds on I suspect that they have a slight worry over them giving the Poles the odd tough race. With these emerging teams, is it not time that England held a few test matches against the Latvians and the Russians and UK looked beyond the usual suspects. It worked long back when The Daily Mirror sponsored a world event and I watched Russia ride at Hackney. That was a proper world team championship. Good luck to all the competing teams tomorrow and hopefully another round of close exciting racing