g13webb

Having just seen the Lions final rider announcement , really put paid to my thoughts that Andersen was destined to Lynn as a 3rd heatleader. Them lions have sure assembled a strong team and have to be the bench mark of others, who have any hopes of being competitive

I agree, this is a strong looking side. Just goes to show what can be achieved when the effort is put in. This has to be to benchmark of all teams in the premiership, A big well done to the Lions..... Last year they were favourites for the Wooden Spoon, this year , I wonder what odds would be on them getting to the play-off.

There is no place in our sport for one or two strong teams, they would do more damage than anything else and remove those fans who have little of chance of success . The only way to induce enthusiasm is to have competitive teams all with a chance of winning. Your idea of a small super league (Super Cup) when benefit only a few supporter, but would do immense collateral damage to our struggling existence . If a team in the SC used same squad in both leagues they would be deemed way too strong for the remaining teams in the single league. If they used a separate team then the lesser one would be of little interest in comparison. therefore punters would forego the lesser option and support the top team only, making the remaining teams question their ideal of involvement. I support all forms of motor sports and would love the opportunity to see Rossi and Hamilton race every week in some form of a Super Cup. But life isn't that straight forward. These top riders wants rewards suiting of their expertise, so we are left with no other option then to go to see them once a year when this country have their yearly GP's. Probably we should look at speedway in the same light..... I actually credited you with deep feelings for the sport, but in truth, all you are thinking of, is your personal enjoyment.

It has been disclosed in the SS and on this forum that there were only 3 clubs who didn't run at a lost last year. You don't have to be Einstein to appreciate the dire situation our sport is in. When I posted my original comment , I would've put you in the first grouping, but following the above comment, probably you come in the second grouping...

But surely , this idea is directed to only a few clubs. That is the reasons why our sport is in the troubles it is, too many promoters thinking about number one.. Any ideas has to be aimed at the sport as a whole, one that can be sustainable and be beneficial to all parties. Most supporters are sensible people and can see the numbers don't add up, they know the days of top riders has gone. others, just bury their heads, thinking that don't mean us, we're alright Jack !! but I would rather we restructure now and continue to watch some speedway in the future, than see more clubs fall by the wayside...... If that means only a single league then so be it.......

The amount of times I needed them extra 2" has been the story of my life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . In more ways then you might think

What a pathetic little person you really are. You make these insane judgements and statements without knowing anything about me. Your assumption of me is so off the mark ' its laughable... In my long years of supporting the Stars, I have attended more fixtures than I care to count, but have programmes dating back to 65 when the club first started. In your senseless thought patterns why would I want a club to close after following the Stars for over 50 years ... It was ridiculous comment from a senseless self opinionated person. As for the failed footballer, brings yet another laugh. Speaking with an Senior FA coach, he once said for every 5000 people wanting to be a professional player only one makes the grade. Of those who do, only 5% will make it to the top. When considering those odds, playing 12 years part-time and drawing payments, I never considered that as a failure. But then again my feet were always firmly on the ground. Reply if you wish, but this will be my last response to anything you may think or write. I've been insulted enough already and believe my integrity is far superior than stoop to your petty levels.....

What a sad life you must lead, A self achieved expert, in all those disciplines, must make you the biggest triviality on this forum..

The distant, between your world and mine, are miles apart. you, a self acclaimed master of sarcasm, believe it is wrong to voice an opinion unless you are equally efficient as the person you have an opinion on. Yes, I voiced my dissatisfaction at the lack of information coming from the club, as did many others, it was my opinion, but you see it as moaning.. But I didn't proclaim to be efficient in that said role. But obviously, you feel you are an expert in many roles.... Many years ago I played football at a semi professional level, but was no where near the standard of those playing today, but it doesn't stop me shouting an opinion, be it right or wrong at those far superior then I. Moaning, and having an opinion, to me are not the same thing.

Never imagined this to be a fulltime position, surely one that could be fitted in to suit their own agenda. Either way Gavin could do this with part time with one hand tied behind his back.... No problem........

My sentiment exactly. its not about, not wanting to see the top riders, its about the affordability of it all. The sport does not generate the support to continue the present ways.. The sooner the Powers and the Fans realise this then, then decisions can be initiated to create a firmer footing of the sport.

Isn't sarcasm a wonderful attribute for one to hold. Probably that skill is more in keeping with other positions, but being a Head of Social Media and Marketing Communications. wouldn't recognise your obvious talent. I applaud the decision to include a position in a new enterprise, responsible for keeping all the supporters up to date, this is something that has been badly missing these past years. We have actually had two persons walk away from Lynn speedway because of the lack of information they were given to share. Hopefully, one of these, Gavin, will reconsider his decision again, and apply for this opportunity as he would the ideal candidate. He had all the skills this position would require, Not only a Reporter but aware of the Social Media's tremendous ability to connect with the world.. The fact he is a but a Stars fan he ticks every box......... NB. When I used the word 'easy' it was said in context when comparing the ways of informing fans today through social media, compared to the problems and cost of years back. when every newspaper article had to specifically written for each input. But please don't let the truth get in the way of good bit of sarcasm....

Not the best kept secret was it, but they always say a new brush sweeps clean. Lets hope so.... I've heard Brundle is taking over most of the Promoters duties leaving Buster concentrating on the BSPA Chairmanship. Be interesting to see the changes that will inevitably be made..... and where the emphasis will be concentrated on. My one hope is he can produce slick presentation with exciting racing. If he can get the crowd on side then who knows what he can achieve. Next announcement expected 12th January.

I wait with anticipation the announcement of the new team. Each year comes round and we usually have two, three, sometimes more riders we have used before, riders who have served us well in the past but who never propelled us into the contest of winners. Riders like Rose, Kerr, NPT, Porsing Huckenbeck have had plenty of opportunities to stake their claim for a Lynn spot but none have developed into riders whom can be relied upon when the chips are down... They're all good on their day but to contest for honours we need to look further afield for winners rather than these home favourites. Looking back over recent years only one rider can stand up and say he always gave his all, and that was Niels. He lead by example, and raced everytime as if it was his last. If as rumours say he is returning then welcome home Niels, you have been badly missed. Reading the SS it appears Lambert will again grace our track with his exciting riding style. Probably I have been wrong in comparing Robert with greats we have seen here in the past , but I don't apologise for that for I believe he is on par with all of them and hopefully this year he will eventually show that... In a year when not many things went well, the biggest plus had to be the arrival of Thomas Jorgensen. I am well pleased his performances and attitude have been rewarded with inclusion for another year at Lynn. I have no doubts he will improve as team progresses,. Many names have been aired and speculated and Gino Manzares can be added to the list . The four names that will compete the team has a lot of work ahead of them, trying to propel the Stars to a more deserving position than we found ourselves in last year....

This implication of specific race nights was required years back, when most top the riders riding here, they were all chanting the advantages that would have been gained. but as like everything else it fell on deaf ears..... Now when most of these top riders have turned their backs on us the BSPA have the wisdom to now include it. But this wasn't done to encourage some of those top riders back , it was arranged for the total benefit of the remaining riders getting 2 pay-packets... I now question the need of fixed race nights, I'm sure, had we had one league, where 6man teams competed against each other , on a night that suited each team best , we would have far firmer footing than we have at present. As much as the thought of Niels returning to Lynn thrills me , our sport at present cant afford these mega stars. The sooner everybody realise it, we will be able to change the structure to substantiate our existence. Until then the sport will continually being govern by certain clubs and their own agendas..... and look where that has got us.....

Although I enjoy the dark winter evenings, I really do miss the summer time for the sporting activities we watch. The wife reckons I'm like a dog with a sore head this time of year with limited sport to occupy my time. and have to make do with the football. So when the New Year passes, I look upon this as we're now on the home stretch before the fun starts... So there's little left to do, other than to wish all Speedway Fans A HAPPY & PROPEROUS NEW YEAR... Poll on March

I admire your tunnel vision where the team comes before all else. but in reality it has to be a two way thing. Come to think about it I should say a three way thing.. The Fans, The Rider and the Promoters. all supporting one another. It's when one takes the other for granted does problems start to appear. Having witness the Stars for many years, I've seen many Promoters and umpteen riders and teams and have lost count of the times it has gone pear shape. Of the three, the fans are the easiest to satisfy. All they want is VFM and excitement from the Promoter, and for the Riders to have a real go. Winning is not that important, as long as they each apply them selves to the cause. Next is the Riders, they want to be appreciated by the fans and the promotions and expect a track good enough and safe enough to race on. Last but not least has to be the Promoter. He has to have a Workable/Viable business that is sustainable. He has to ensure the race track is in top condition enabling the riders to entertain the fans, he has to ensure the fans are happy with what they see so they will return the next time. Looking back at recent years, there has been a lot of cases where all three have been guilty of taken others granted, and that will always cause problems. I feel all three can learn from the closeness of the others, and working together is the best way to achieve success. Its not just about the team, or the Riders, the Fans nor the promoter, its about all of them.... Each as important as the other....

I can understand your Dads comments and in most cases he was correct to say Wimbledon was a Gater's paradise. But Wimbledon was a special place. It was the first time I watched Speedway from inside . It was always prepared for the occasion where the atmosphere was intense and the excitement was never far away. Must admit i never rated it as one of my favourite tracks but always enjoyed my many visits....

But we all knew that, It has always been 'you scratch my back I'll scratch yours' Some of the decision made beggars belief..... The worrying factor about all this is, are they as shallow as we all think they are, where every decision made has an ulterior motive, or do they think we are thick ones and won't cotton to what they are actually doing. Either way, it don't bear well for the trust needed in these situations, or for the future of the sport....

Strange that, I thought his comments were informative and forthright.. Only the BSPA could get things so wrong. With top levels of power (FIM) meetings held to decide which preferential nights for each speedway country to race on, UK were given Mondays and Thursdays as their allocated nights, where English clubs would have priority of riders when meetings with other counties clashed. It has now become apparent that Matt Ford Instigated that we ignore the FIM's decision, and amply backed by teams like Ipswich and Sheffield we have now lost any priority we may have had. What a mess !!! You say 'Why should three Championship clubs change their race nights to suit the Premiership?' I agree, why should they have to? but it is wrong that they dictate what league rides on what night. As usual the BSPA were gutless in their decision making, and should have made Monday and Thursday their preferred race nights for the Premiership. That way all clubs could have rode on a night , not only one that suited them but also one that was recognised by other countries... Our sport has struggled for leadership in recent years and have repeatedly been overlooked by the FIM authorities when we needed their approval. Now we had the chance to co-operate with their instructions, but we say to them sod off , all because Matt Ford and 2nd division Thursday teams think differently. And we wonder why our sport is dying........ NB I thought the 1 over 8 rule sucks as well......

Cant be as specific with other tracks, but at Lynn there is a vast difference in the times of yesteryear to that of today. At that first meeting in 1965 the track record was recorded as 72.8 sec . In early time of Michael Lee, he reduced the record to 68 sec. This time was repeatedly lowered to the present record of around 57sec, actually achieved by Nicky Pedersen . What is strange is that nobody has beaten his time in the last 10 years though..... This could be attributed to many things, the track and weather were in top condition, Nicky was on fire that night, or could it have been a malfunction of the timing equipment,,, Whatever it was, it has sure stood the test of time......

Unfortunately, the sport has changed tremendously since them early days, when bikes were of a lesser importance than the rider. A good rider could always be competitive on poor machinery , whereas today the bike has to be equally as good, just to be in with a chance... The skill factor has changed. these high revving engines likes nothing more then to have the throttle turned up. No doubt the greats of years back who then ruled the world would struggle on these super fast bikes..... So tracks of today, has to cater for these ultra quick machines and that is where the problems some in......

I've always believed the surface was the biggest problem. if the surface was right then the corners are racable, with lines inside and out. Over the years we have seen some wonderful racing proving the shape is not that far off.

I've got no problem with any of Poole signings' providing they have accurate averages, as the same as everyone else, but please don't insult our integrity with your one sided comments. To put a finer comparison on Woryna's ability he is of similar class to that of Lambert, whom he has beaten more times when they have met... So this is not a gamble , more like a backhanded gift from all the other blinded Promoters...

We moan about all the fans leaving, and the sustainability of the sport, but this one rule highlights all the problems that are ingrained within the sport. Everyman and his dog knows that Woryna is a quality rider and his 4.65 is outdated insult of his ability, yet the powers do nothing about it. This sport will never be taken seriously, until them who govern, make rules equal and fair. NB... Why don't they put all the ringers in one team, to drive all the fans away once and for all.............