Star Lady

Do you have to take your own music to BV?

Given the ongoing traffic diversions around Lynn due to road works and the predicted large crowd, I'd suggest a helicopter. Sorry to be negative but seriously cannot see them getting there for the start leaving Heathrow at 3.

Much as it goes against the grain to congratulate that mob of puddy tats up the A47, I have to say a massive well done to everyone involved today. British 125cc Youth Championship was given full honours - parades/track grading/full build up etc and the lads repaid that in spades with a great display of racing which bodes well for British Speedway in 5-8 years time (hopefully the BSPA will maintain their interests that long). That was followed by the Men in Black , not my cup of tea to be honest, but it provoked some memories of long gone racing and characters if not spectacular racing. The return of the Peterboro old boys was probably great for Panthers fans, to be fair I only ever liked Flying Ryan Sullivan and it's not bloody fair he doesn't look a day older than he did in the mid 90s!!! There was a break for necessary track prep, but that only lasted about 45 mins, just time for me to scoff a couple of sarnies and read a chapter of my book. Then it was swiftly on with the presentations for the 125s and the parade for the PL. The match I think started dead on time -well done The weather threatened from the start and altho it didn't always seem like it they did keep things moving at a fair lick. I was a neutral not being a particular fan of any of the riders on show, so I had no idea what the score was most of the time but I was still thoroughly entertained. I'll let others go into details but special mention has to go to Ales Dryml who provided some spectacular passing and also to Derek Sneddon, who rode his heart out for the Edinburgh cause. Think it was heat 14 that has to go down as one of the best I've seen in years. During the whole of the PL match we were spell bound by the Son et Lumiere show (which sadly cannot be attributed to Peterboro Speedway lol) provided by the rolling thuderstorms. So that was it entertainment from 2.30 pm to nearly 6.30 pm. Four hours and all for a tenner. Now if all speedway was like todays offering this forum be boring cos no one would be asking what needed to be done to pull fans in. Well done Mr Horton and everyone involved today.

My positivity was rewarded. I really enjoyed the 125 Championship. Young lads, and boy were some of them tiny, giving it their all and so professional with it. They acknowledged the fans, even if there were just a handful of fans on the back straight on parade. The meeting was run efficiently - 4 riders into the pits, four riders out onto the track ready to race. Straight to the tapes, no gardening, no pushing the tapes, no flyers just honest gating. The racing was pretty good too. Probably more genuine post bend 2 passes than in most EL Matches. Was great that they all scored at least one point too. I really shouldn't single any one lad out but the rider who made the biggest impression on me was young Harry McGurk, can't gate for toffee but boy did he make up for it with his passing. Conrats to the defending champion Kyle Bickley. So a big well done to all the lads. Also to Neil Vatcher and everyone involved with organising this comp.

What more could anyone want? Warm weather, league leaders visiting (is there the possibility of a kilt or two?), 2 meetings for the price of one, a chance to see youngsters at the start of their hopefully successful career, scheduled break to eat the picnic I've packed, kindle at the ready in case of delays/boredom. The chance to say farewell to Ryan Sullivan (not to mention all the reminisces that will trigger). Only thing that can't be guaranteed is the weather. Now if all speedway was like this, I might have managed to get my backside into gear for more than one meeting this year.

Shakes head Too bloody hot to do anything else.

But you didn't say any of that did you. You put the blame (not that dropping one point is a crime) firmly at Lamberts door. He's 16 years old, learning his trade and doesn't need the whole expectation of winning and losing on his shoulders. Anything he scores over 3 points is a bonus and should be applauded as such. Too much pressure on young shoulders very often has a detrimental effect. Be pleased for him when he does perform well and bear with him when he is less than your expectation.

Yes

Was thinking of coming to this combined with the visit of the Monarchs. Any chance of a rough time schedule please Neil? Is entrance same price as normal?

Maybe if Robert Lambert had been allowed to ride for a PL team as well as Lynn he would ride more than once a week which would probably allow him to sharpen his reflexes etc. however the BRITISH Speedway Promoters Assoc deny him the chance whilst allowing every Thomasz, Fritz and Jens to do so. MAybe your ire should be directed more in their direction?

Probably because he is exhausted and needs a break. That means not being at the beck and call of fans who seem to want him to do all sorts of things which in the past he has willingly done.

If the BSPA had the best interests of the sport at heart they would publicise WHY this has been turned down. Like just about everyone else I have no idea. I can hazard a guess (or three conspiracy theories) which certainly don't have the interests of the BRITISH aspect of the sport at heart. Surely that's what is is about. After all it is the BRITISH Speedway Promoters Association isn't it? Presumably Peterboro now have to either use guests (not ideal), R/R (less so) or import yet another foreigner who will miss meetings and cost the earth. Come on BSPA or Neil tell us why, then we might just understand.

Agreed. To be honest track looks like a gaters paradise tonight so it's not really telling us anything.

Oh dear Stead beaten by Robert Lambert

Other riders may have had the same riding schedule over the weekend but I doubt any of them had the same media interest, that's on top of his charity work which no doubt consisted of far more than slinging his leg over the bar and pedalling. From all reports over the past few seasons, Woffy has always had time to talk to the fans , sign autographs and pose for pics. That might seem like a doddle but to do it constantly has to be tiring. He cannot throw a paddy and walk away, he's spent too long and too much effort building his well deserved reputation for being friendly and available to the fans. It's time to cut him some slack and let him have a rest. Sadly GB doesn't have the resources to allow him to sit out the first round of the SWC like NKI and Pedersen.

Whatever their motives, I cannot help but be slightly impressed (and surprised) that so many other clubs have said they will honour Birmingham season tickets. The Midlands clubs apart I doubt there will be more than a dozen take them up on the offer but that's not the point. If all clubs made the same offer something awful could be used as a positive thing. Press releases to the media along the lines of speedway cares about it's fans etc. It would cost most clubs less than a hundred quid, some much less, Come on promoters get off your backsides and do it.

Is this the Polish league that folk keep telling us is nigh on perfect?

Horton gets some stick on here but hats off to him for this gesture.

Probably the strongest team we could have put out so absolutely no excuses if they don't get thro. Totally uninspiring tho

The occasion might be great but give me the racing from the Pairs last night. Far Superior.

Personally I prefer a link to a picture. That way if I want to see it I can chose to do so, as can anyone else. It's not exactly difficult to click on a link, even my cat can do it

To be fair, apart from a short period this morning it's been hammering down since 0700 this morning and still is.

So you think it's OK for someone who is extremely limited to where they can view speedway to pay the same price as people who can view from any vantage point? Sorry IMO that is not right. Yes there are wealthy disabled people. There are wealthy unemployed people who work for cash and still claim benefits. That is not my argument. I have worked with disabled people for many years and lived in the same household as a wheelchair user for 30 years, trust me the vast majority simply want the same facilities as able bodied people, no more no less. I appreciate that is no always possible which is why I said if the facilities for the disabled are on a par with able bodied facilities the price should be the same. As they are at many venues out of speedway. It makes no difference who owns the property, they are providing a service/entertainment if that service is less for some sections of the community than for others surely those with lesser facilities should pay less? If you think that's b*&^$$$*( fine, that's your opinion but it is not mine.

I agree there are well paid disabled folk. If the facilities for the disabled are the same as for everyone else I agree they should pay the same. I have yet to visit any track, Cardiff apart, that provides equal facilities. Lynn is the best IMO and I would never knock the efforts Buster has made. To take Lynn as an example, there is flat access to all areas, there is a dedicated disabled viewing area and there are disabled toilets. However not all disabled folk want to sit in the dedicated area, if they did there would be no space for their family and friends. That is not equal. Not everyone wants to view from the home straight/back straight wherever the disabled viewing area is and until they are able to view from anywhere in my view the facilities are not equal. The unemployed however have the same facilities as everyone else and IMO should pay the same.