Hawk127

Sadly not enough money in the sport with the right recognisable household name sponsors for it to feature on the general media radar. If it were sponsored by say a Santander or Barclays (other banks and financial institutions are available ) who carry weight through advertising their own products then speedway might just get a look in. With no evidence of joined up thinking amongst all the owners/promoters of clubs when it comes to publicising the product, piece meal coverage through local radio then it will remain at the same publicity level as tiddlywinks world championship. If it is the rules and farcical make up of teams is the reason that no one takes it seriously then if you promote like the WWE, everyone knows it's fixed, but they have characters that followers relate to, the story lines are poor but it entertains and that is why they can fill arenas week in week out. Speedway needs more than a series of GP's to get noticed. It is back to grass roots, make it affordable for punter and participant and create local heroes and bring back the characters on and off the track and dump the political correctness. Alternative is to keep the sport the best well kept secret until the last aging fan leaves the stadia. Please turn the lights off as you do.

Thanks rmc. A great shame that someone has not picked up on the one element that takes it to another level against speedway, yes normal speedway has the thrills of speed, no brakes and is mighty fine but with ice you have the added risk of the bikes with spikes and the fact that you need to be super fit and totally mad. Oh well that it is unfortunate that we are where we are but I am convinced that if just one terrestrial channel showed highlights, the interest would make it a must watch winter sport.

Conkers,, thanks for the update really appreciated. How was Zorn ? He always seems a tad nervous when taking on the Russians.

Yes some of his comments were frank but most already know that the gate receipts do not cover the costs and that without sponsorship many of the clubs would not exist. To state the obvious a successful team and the gates improve as does the revenue and he believes that th team will start much better than they did in 2016. He runs a tight ship and it was clear that he would not 'buy' a winning team but he was also clear about the poor state that the sport is in. Roll on the start of the 2017 campaign

Thanks. Sorry a bit behind the times but appreciate the update. It's old age

Assuming Sky do not carry Eurosport and assuming Eurosport still cover Sweden and the Euro Championship, is it worth dropping Sky and instead getting BT TV and simply using NowTV for the odd occasion that speedway is on Sky? It does seem that the the sport is having fewer options as far as the wider audience is concerned perhaps when the deal with Sky ends could the world of two wheeled motor sports get together and come up with a 'Motors' type t v channel? I know it is sad but I did record all the Swedish matches and watched them over the last few months and it does help fill the gap and it is interesting listening to the comments knowing how the seasons for various riders eventually panned out. (I digress)

Slick presentation might help. Riders ready to go on track as the riders cross the line for the preceding race. If an infringement occurs at the start, cut the crap, get back round to the start and none of this back to the pits etc. They were under starters orders and that is it, no changes, no adjustments, and if a rider delays the start put them on fifteen metres. If a rider is adjudged to be the cause of a stoppage, disqualify and put a reserve in. People come to watch races of four laps with four riders. When the powers that be think first about the presentation and the paying public and then the rules, it might just improve the image. Until then you have a Mickey Mouse sport that does not even pretend unlike WWE. Trying to take yourself seriously is not going to work. If. Sell it as professional sportsmen taking calculated risks then you might create an image. For now the image is dire.

When are the powers that be at whatever level in the sport going to stop sticking two fingers up to the supporters who over many many years have supported the likes of Coventry and all the clubs that grace the sport today. Most clubs are playing games with the supporters and cannot spell the word honest. The promoters seem to position themselves from a self interest perspective and yet come the opening day of the season expect all to be forgiven and the punter to not only generously give an over inflated sum to pacify the ego of a few riders who have an highly questionable view of their value but also underwrite the lack of business acumen of some promoters who generally care little for the average loyal supporter. Those currently behind Coventry do not deserve the backing and goodwill of the speedway fans at large and yes Coventry is part of a much bigger picture but will they come clean. Alas I doubt that they can be bothered and all one can hope is that one way or another this sorry state of affairs is resolved by someone with the balls to do so and ensure that we end up with what is best for British speedway.

If time is tight, most riders have mechanics who can warm the bikes in the pits while the riders themselves are introduced to the fans. Start the racing promptly at 7.30 and in the interval have three MDL races and the final three after heat 15. Perhaps if the format is changed it would be good for the sport rather than the same old structure to the meetings. Just a thought and ready to be shot down in flames as to why it would not work

All of the top riders seem to under estimate the feeling of the genuine supporters. Greg Hancock sticks two fingers up to the paying public at the lat G P an Tai does the same as far as the wider U.K. Supporter is concerned. The sooner that the top riders remember who actually pays to watch them and it is not simply about creaming a living off the sponsors, so the sooner that they learn that they have to earn the respect of the real supporter the better. Tai like many overs should remember that you earn respect you cannot demand it

I am a speedway supporter first and a club supporter second. I really hope that this resolves the issues short term but provides a wake up call that a new home has to be found sooner rather than later. Good luck to all and I am sure that I am not alone in being grateful that another club has not been consigned to history. The Bees live on.

With what has happened at the home of the bees, does anyone think that the witches might just move up a league. If it is true about what is happening at Brandon it is another sad day for the sport and I really hope that the bees are able to find a way to come to the tapes in 2017. It is never good to see a club disappear.

Thanks, as I said just curious given some of the rumours re Jarek. As to Mr Gollob, heard he was top of Mildehalls hit list It would however be good to see a few more international team meetings and joking aside, yes it would be good for the British riiders to get some international meetings under their belts and this could work and avoid the same repetitive meetings of home and away twice at league level. Yes I do remember the meetings sponsored by the Daily Mirror in the 70's and seeing the Russian Team at Hackney. Great crowds. Still dream on I guess.

It was a serious question about averages but as to riding for the witches, Foxhall has more of a chance of hosting a GP then either of these two wearing a witches race jacket. Rumour could see Jarek riding in the UK hence the question and given how knowledgeable the Witches supporters are I thought it might be the best place to ask but perhaps I was wrong. Oh well try elsewhere I guess

What would the points average be for Jarek Hampel and Mr .Gollob? Jarek might be happy with the free scoring to rebuild the coffers and could double up with Poole

They do seem to be out on a limb in terms of travelling support descending on the Heath. Still we do have the Panthers just down the road. All the more reason to have a strong and successful team that will attract more local support to ensure they bring some silverware back to Ipswich. This is probably the best chance the witches will have to be champions, so roll on the new season. Why not have some opening season matches with Kings Lynn, Rye and say Coventry, all good practice.

I know many are against it but if some clubs are to survive and attract more than just home fans then regional leagues or North/South may be the only answer to keeping some clubs going. Local derbies always generate interest.I know I am an old codger but Eastbourne/Rayleigh/Romford/Ipswich/Canterbury/Crayford were always must go to meetings for the rivalry and the atmosphere and nothing has really changed especially now that you no longer have the characters that use to grace the sport. However when Bradford or Scunthorpe or Teeside came to Rayleigh you still got a few fans from the opposition because it was a Saturday night track. Sadly those days have long since gone. Alternatively it may have to revert to how it use to be with riders being part timers and holding down other jobs outside the sport. What ever happens I hope that Lakeside race in 2017 and even if it is open meetings with perhaps top riders attending, it will be much better than them being lost to the sport and throw in a few NL meetings it has to be better than closure. Are tracks still allowed to run the open meetings?

Unless a sponsor comes along with an open cheque book I doubt Ipswich would gamble the future of the sport in the county town to make up the numbers in the EL. PL is sustainable and the limited number of regular meetings in the ElL giving a short season is not what the Ipswich supporters appear to want. They seem keen on the weekly fix throughout the season and my only regret is the 16 Lapper as a finale was not held this year. Maybe a sponsor can be found for this great meeting next year. Looking forward to more PL at Foxhall next year. Swedish speedway was shown on Eurosport as was the European Championships and some very good meetings at that. Hopefully they continue coverage next year.

Congratulations to the Brummies and a huge thanks to BBC WM for the live coverage, much appreciated

Conkers, thank you very much, greatly appreciated and it does help with the plans

Does anyone know if the German championship is being held on the Thursday before the world championship round on the Sat/Sun at the beginning of March? Just looking at flights and hotels which seem cheap at the moment for this weekend.

Does anyone know if the German championship is being held on the Thursday before the world championship round on the Sat/Sun at the beginning of March? Just looking at flights and hotels which seem cheap at the moment for this weekend.

The fall in rates was mainly due to an automated process and less to do with the reality of Brexit. Computer coded stats trigger trades when financial data does not satisfy the algorithums and when it comes to FX dealers around the globe, they do nothing more than gamble other people's money, few have any idea which is why these things happen. It is swings and roundabouts and in reality the major currencies have more to worry about then Brexit. The state of certain Southern Europe/med economies and their banks who are in a dreadful position liquidiity wise and what happens in the US elections as well as an unstable Middle East will have just as great an impact on the USD, Euro and Sterling. It is all short term issues and frankly as long as the lunatics (the financiers and bankers) run the monetary asylum these fluctuations will ensue. Does anyone know if the top riders hedge the currency position? Some smart ones may and I know of one or two who did in the past but now I suspect they are Ina quandary as to what to do particularly if paid in say Zloty. Simple answer is don't panic just yet and sterling will bounce back and riders will not suffer in the medium to long term

Agree but not an impossible task. A funny old game so who knows what next week will bring. Look how they dealt with Edinburgh.

Perhaps it is time to have just two leagues, NL and PL. The EL is not 'elite' in any way shape or form and with everything else that is happening in the likes of Poland, perhaps all need to finally accept that it is a case of many steps backwards to rebuild for the future. Workington must continue even at NL level as to confine the team to history is not acceptable. I really hope that a way is found for this great name in speedway to continue and at the very least I look forward to seeing them at Mildenhall in 2017. Ideally it is Ipswich but either way Workington needs to come to the tapes in 2017 so good luck to all concerned, the speedway world is behind you.