g13webb

Well, apart from Lewis's unfortunate E/F this went very much to plan. Thorough enjoyed the speedway, on a lovely afternoon. Nobody was going to break a leg, but was some decent races. Most of the riders on show did perform in some of their heats, if not in all of them. Neils and Rory looked sharp, and Kenneth got better the more he rode. One or two failed to perform and that must be a worry for their teams. but the man of the day was Madssssssss To complete a memorable day, enjoyed Steak and Chip tea with the wife, watching Liverpool beat the Manc. Like I had previously said I expected them to win, but they battered them. The fact it was only 3, don't sound that bad, but it could have been far more embarrassing. Roll on Wednesday...

I find it amazing how two people can watch the same action and have different conclusions. I was also one of the few that turned up and was impressed with the riders efforts on a grippy track. Neils, and Kenneth both looked like the superstars they are. Rory, as always was a slow starter, but showed later what he is capable of. Porsing looked at home and performed consistently and Lambert didn't let anyone down. Rose, impressed me such, its hard to imagine he only been riding for a year and the only hiccup was Kerr when testing the air fence. but he will be ok . I don't know what you expected to see last night Screamer, but in general I was well impressed, and feel more optimistic this time than I have for years. I appreciate there are many variables that can alter during the season, but I believe we stand as good a chance as any team, to be successful in 2014.

What a pity common sense didn't prevail and the Premier league clubs joining the Draft system. Not only would it provide a MORE progressive route for the young brits to improve, but it would have also been a shot in the A.se for all those posters who think the BSPA only think of themselves and not the good of the sport. As it happened the action of the Premier Clubs confirmed just that.

It's only natural to remember the good times, and Speedway is no different. Life now, to what it once was, has completely changed, and when looking back it's easy to distort feeling with what was actually facts. Years ago we never had any of the X boxes, Computers , or Smart phones. We led a boring existence and looked upon any past time as wonderful. Speedway fell into this category. This is why the crowds poured in and created all the atmosphere and excitement. I look at all the SGP and really enjoy the spectacle. And yes, it is as good if not better then anything we use to watch in those glory days. Back then speedway was not regarded as full time sport and most riders supplemented their riding doing a part-time job. I remember once when attending a season Press and Practise day at Lynn, Michael Lee was the only person, who was turned out with all the sponsored leathers and equipment. The rest was just in black dirty leathers, probably still got last years dirt on. The difference now is that most riders are professional and are all turned out like Lee did. I find it annoying when posters rubbish the greats of yesterday. Top riders like Mauger, Olsen, Briggs, Penhall, Lee, Collins, Gunderson, Nielsen were really special and would have coped with todays stars very well. I feel speedway today is better in so many ways. Machinery, Tracks, Organisation, Media have all help to move the sport forward. What a pity that the greats from the past will never have the benefits that todays riders enjoy......

I take on board what people say and can understand their comments. But the facts remain, we DID have the best League in the world, We DID have ALL the best riders riding in this country. But the biggest difference was the crowds. Most places had a big support factor, creating atmosphere, was so that much better.. Like some say, probably the racing was no different then that of today, but It just seemed more enjoyable because of the packed crowds and electric atmosphere. There was so many more supporters prepared to travel to away fixtures and all this added to the excitement of reverie banter. So I will always refer to the 'Good ole Days' with good memories......

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but surely having a draft rider allocated to a club is for the duration of the season. A club, Poole or anybody else, cant just dispose of that rider for another if and when they think fit. The purpose of the Draft system is to propel these young riders up the ladder, and contain the Promoting costs. A rider needs to fulfil his obligation, and likewise the club has to fulfil theirs as well. The only situation that would allow a replacement would be if the rider got seriously injured, or he was completely out of his depth, either way the club would then go back to the draft committee and be allocated a replacement rider. Failing that, the draft system is dead already....

Cheek!!! He rode in this league when it was ' The Elite League' in the world. Now it's just a name of our top league, but it's not the best in the world anymore......

That's impressive when considering the quality of the opposition. This was the time when British Speedway ruled the world, and EVERYBODY wanted to race in our league. Wonderful memories, Wonderful times, Brilliant Speedway. So pleased I was able to live and enjoy the iconic period of 1970's (Make love not war !!!)

One of the most enjoyable meetings in recent years was when Poland came to Lynn for the WTC in 2012. The place was packed and the noise was terrific. Most coming from the Polish fans on the 1st and 2nd bends. If that could be rekindled on a regular basis I sure the crowds would flock back.... fantastic atmosphere.....

Sunshine speedway at the Norfolk Arena takes off this week and, for a change, the weather forecast is favourable. Action starts Friday evening with the open Press and Practise Day. Then Sunday is well manic, Up early to watch Lewis win the first round of the F1 from Australia, then go to Madz testimonial. Then home to watch a recording of Liverpool beating the Manc at old Trafford played in the afternoon. Then Tuesday comes next, when the Poles are practising round the Lynn Track in the evening and then it's back there again the following night for the official match. What a week...... I quite like this retirement lark........ bring it on....

I seriously, have problems with the people who come up with these ideas. They are obviously are not connected with the real world, and pricing an individual meeting at £25.00 is doomed from the start. People don't have that kind of dosh to waste. To make matters worst, when the public have the opportunity to see it on the tele, even those who live in Coventry would think twice about spending good money when they can watch it in the comfort of their home for nothing. People coming from distance will be a no go.. The fact its transmitted live will decimate the attendance. Even trying to con the fans with the fictitious name will not work. It's nothing more than a warm-up meeting and should have been priced accordingly.

But that doesn't make it right, or good or a benefit for the sport. We talk about the lost supporters and the lack of new fans, but we need continuality of teams and rules set in stone. Changing them each year is not the way to go about it.

This was always my contention when the protected format was first mentioned. Come July / Aug, the top riders will see their MA drop or stagnate, whereas 2nd string will see their MA soar to unbelievable levels. So when the teams plan squads for next year, the 2nd strings MA will be too high and they will be out of a job, and squads will be made up with HL on ridiculous low averages.... Another issue, is those top riders, not competing in the Elite this year, will have CMA so high no one will want them........

I see, most people seem to except Lynn will be in the forefront of the league this year, and admit, the thought does please me. But, probably, this year, with the new format I believe it will be far closer the most seem to think. We at Lynn have 3 strong Heat leaders at the expense of the 2nd strings.This could benefit the team big time, but these 3 riders wont win matches on their own and the others will be expected to win a few points as well. We have decent draft riders, who should more than hold their own and 2 second strings who will no doubt improve. I expect their scores at home will be more effective than those from away. But their are a lot of variables to consider and youngsters coming good before I believe Lynn to be certain Elite league contenders. The main aim is to finish in the top four. Once that has been achieved then the world is your oyster. To me Poole look the obvious choice, but not so certain as in other years. Coventry, Belle Vue, Swindon, Wolves can all win regularly and must have thought about finishing high enough. Only a fool would write off Lakeside and Eastbourne with their impressive home forms. I appreciate they appear to have a massive advantage at home but they are also capable of winning away. This I believe will always put them in the mix. That only leaves Birmingham and Leicester. Birmingham performed really well last year and surprised many with their fighting spirit. On paper they don't look that strong. but if they can win some of their early fixtures and put some points on the board then who knows what could happen. New-comers, Leicester will find the going tough coming up from the Premier. They will find out, there isn't any easy matches in this league. If they can perform regularly at home that will ensure enough points not to be disgraced....and that must be their first goal.... No I think we could have a close, and wonderful year of racing, with many teams in the mix for the play-offs. I don't think the Stars will hit the floor running, but I feel we have enough potential to be up there, when it mattered. The only problem I see, is that there are a lot of teams that could be like that..........

Had Bates had chosen to be a Draft rider, he would have assigned a position in the pecking order where other teams had to the opportunity to choose. Having turned that down, he cannot now come in and choose where he wants to ride. What a mockery that would make...........

The idea of incorporating the draft riders it the league was sound. Like you say, when the riders have been assigned to a team then it has to be for the whole season. I was under the impression that in the case, when replacement riders were sought to cover injuries, then they are done so, from the pool of standby Draft Riders who had qualified through the same procedure as was originally stated, but weren't chosen. If teams can pick any 'Tom, Dick or Harry' to change their allotted rider then the Scheme goes up in smoke and becomes a complete waste of time and effort.........

Appreciate what you say about the riding order, and the importance of their positions, depending where and who you are against, But I don't see why the No 5 is the harder position then the rest. Like you say the No 5 is riding with another Heat-leader (HL) in every race, and that must be helpful to him, and the opposition is quite consistent whatever order you race, in that, in 2 races he faces 2 HL's and the other two he races HL and 2nd Strg. as do positions 1 and 3. Bearing in mind, in team positions 1 and 3, you race half your races with a 2 Strg I would have thought these would be harder positions to race successfully. For that reason I would place the weakest of the 3 HL's at 5 so he would always be riding alongside another HL. I don't think there's much to choose in regards to the other two places they ride in , probably clubs will be more inclined to choose the positions on the 'Horses for Courses' policy.......

No doubt a lot of the 47 pages of postings have been accredited to total garbage, similar to the one you posted above. At least I have tried to be proactive and bring issues to other peoples attention. Probably some feel I'm wrong in what I say, others just want a quite life. But I have never ridiculed other people posts to get myself noticed. I was brought up with a lot more integrity then that...... What a pity you weren't......

Thank you TNT for answering some of the questions that been raised. But you say nothing about the riders average scores. This new format has divided the riders into groups. The Heat leaders group being far more difficult than that of the second strings. Once the season gets underway, the riders scores will differ alarmingly, and some second strings will easily outscore some of the heat leaders. The CMA has always been an indication of ability, and teams are built around this score. Now surely for this to continue, than the bias has to be addressed to makes these scores compatible to each other. Failing that, the CMA will serve no further purpose. When it was announced, back in November, that a new format would be introduced to protect the draft riders, the present CMA was always a big stumbling block. Now, 3 months down the line, It appears, nothing has been done about it. All we have is a new program of heats and riders, and as someone had previously said, that could have been sorted out in a few hours.......... Why did it take so long.........

We will see. I'm not convinced yet.. Only time will tell. I wouldn't want to spoil your fun, so please don't stop your laughing.

Personally I don't see that. Looking at positions 1 and 5 there not much to choose between them. They both have to ride against the opposing 1,3 and 5 twice. The biggest factor will be what order the TM places his riders.......

That's not a word I would use, but it has to be looked into. A good second string is virtually assured of 7/8pts a meeting whereas heat leaders have a far greater challenge. Come 2 months down the line, when the new scores come into play, some teams will be swapping the riding order, putting top riders down to 2nd strings and therefore racing against the draft riders... Because it was always seen as a mismatch, this was the main reason for introducing this new format in the first place. There as to be a calculation involved to compensate for the difficulties, the riding positions will transmit. Imagine a 3rd heat leader racing against top riders every race and getting only 3 or 4, he's not going to be too happy. I can imagine a lot of grumblings

Will say, am very pleased with the new race format. and should create some good competitive. meetings No doubt the averages will be sorted out later date........

I can't believe your perception of the BSPA or your expectations of the British riders. For the benefit of British speedway, this introduction of home riders should have been done years ago. It is only when the promoters can see some cost saving benefit, for themselves, that they bring in this new rule. But what a pity the BSPA cant be more united in this idea and have a program that would allow a more gradual progression of young riders through the Premier league, instead of being thrown straight into the deep end. Still not knowing the format these riders will be expected to race, I am a lot more optimistic than you, in so much that, I think there will be far more riders succeed than you say. I don't think we need 3 years to judge the success of this belated idea. I think this is the 'kick -up-arse' that our sport needed, and I can only see positives coming from the inclusion of these new British Riders into the Elite league, and hopefully the Union Jack can once again, be a force on the world stage.....

A change in the line-up is expected, but if you went to a football match it will be played for ninety minutes to rules that everybody knows. We all know the expected line-ups for the speedway but that's about all we know. Sorry, we know there will be 4 riders going round a track on bikes with no brakes, but that been like that since the sport started, Its the stupid rules that are the issue, and they change every week........