Grand Central

On another thread another poster has just described the bloke from Monster as 'an absolute penis of a man'. I am unsure whether this is more perception than fact. But it does seem a reasonable conclusion from the evidence.

Actually I dont see an awful lot wrong with the set up we have currently. If only it operated with a little more sporting integrity. Top 8 being needed to ensure qualification and those below that have to sweat it out for a wild card pick (or have put themselves through the qulifiers as a safety net). Top 3 from the Challenge and 4 honestly chosen wildcards is also fine. The two real flaws I can see are 1) The strange way in which the qualifers were done and dusted so early in the season this year. It has totally spolied the drama and means that some riders know that they are in for next year when this years series was only at the half way point. Daft. 2) The independent nature of the 'picks' is just bogus. Despite what some here will claim. The picking of Holder last October was a sporting disgrace. Thankfully he has not helped to hide the blushes of those who picked him with a rush of 'form' and he should be gone by the year end. Sadly reputations have been tarnished irrevocably.

Too right. It seems to have been forgotten just what a daft pick he was last year and just how many people here were arguing against it on good grounds. Only to hear of his 'surprise' pick by the totally independent FIM. No outside considerations were made, of course, it was done entirely on merit.

No doubt they would. But that was as true 'then' as it is 'now'. If there was a guy outside the SGP who was good enough to mix it with the SGP top 8, had star quality, real pulling power and just happened to be the right nationality to add to the series .. Then considerations about whether or not be did the qualifiers would miraculously turn to dust and he would be offered a place. And rightly. Just like they did with Emil. But that is not Madsen ... Or any one else. At the moment.

An attitude that is understandable. And it is also equally understandable when it is entirely ignored. As was the case with Emil.

It would seem that the powers-that-be feel that one warning followed by an exclusion for a repeat offence is the right method to 'police' rider's behaviour at the start. This should be extended to 'policing' the bahaviour of referees. Two 'mistakes' or 'failures' and he is disqualified. Might add an extra element of excitement to the GP AND stop them being so hot on stopping races when riders have made good, legal starts.

Brilliant multi-page tribute to Ronnie Moore in today's Speedway Star. The (older) writers have really come in to their own in the last few weeks and months when they have had to cover the deaths of such big names in the Sport. They clearly write from great knowledge and personal experience that hasbeen wonderful to read; despite the tragic circumstances. Puts some of the modern articles on up to date issues that, all too often, do little more than regurgitate press releases into the shade. And the brilliant cover photo of Ronnie is just as stunning as the earlier one of Ivan ... Just great.

Some people have some seriously weird dreams.

Oh OK. You might be right. But the cracks will be that much wider in one league and totally unfillable in my view.

Not sure which system you are saying 'could work' so not sure if I agree or disagree. I disagree. Even the current Championship cannot be viable for much longer with the need to accommodate the likes of Glasgow with the really cash-poor teams. A three-tier structure that has the criteria set rigidly on financial positions can really work. A top league no more costly than the current Championship, a middle tier at a level that the lower championship and higher NL teams could cope with (whatever that is) and an 'amateur' league for the likes of Buxton, IOW etc who can afford hardly anything.

I really cannot see any viable alternative to some form of 'three-tier' structure. It is the only way of accommodating the widely disparate financial positions of the clubs we have today. Trying to shoe-horn (say) Poole and Redcar into a one league structure is borderline-mental. Having said that; it will only work if the BSPA get the various levels right. And that can be done. Unfortunately recent experience does not leave me optimistic, especially when considers the current poor standard of leadership. Probably the worst of any since 1965.

Actually what's really wrong is patrolling forums just to 'police' other people's legitimate points of discussion.

I think that the People article did have an impact on the National media and it's attitude to the Sport. It played right into the hands of all those around Fleet Street who always believed us to be a Mickey Mouse Sport. And pretty much drowned out the voices of those who had battled long and hard on our behalf. It was a right kick in the teeth to them from those riders involved. That added to the 'Danish takeover' at the time diminished the profile we DID have in the media until that time to the negligible levels we know now. And in the end that would have had impact at the gates and sponsorship.

They have crap refs in Poland just as much as everywhere else.

Immense Heat 16

Absolutely right. In the 'olden day's of 'real' test matches they were official FIM inscribed events with all the priorities and aggrandizement associated. This meeting is not of that status. I notice that it does not even appear in the ISLB list of confirmed events updated on July 31st. So as far as the rest of World Speedway is concerned it does not really 'exist' in international terms. It has an official status more akin to a Testimonial or similar representative challenge and a Polish contract that has designated practice sessions included really does have more priority.

They will be paying their PRS dues for the music they currently play over the pa ... That doesn't change because they choose to designate a particular time to a rider for presentation purposes .

Getting back to the thread title and OP. Today's statement from Stuart Douglas and Jon Cook refers to the 'BSPA having exciting plans for 2019' ..... It's pleasing to find out that they have plans at all. Having kept then so quiet. But to find out that Stuart and Jon have found them exciting is simply mouth watering. It's like Christmas all over again. Waiting, and hoping and wondering IF Santa will bring the promised gift ... The anticipation just being heightened by not knowing until December.... I hope we are not left with Reindeer turd. Again.

I would say that 1000 was way too high a crowd level on which to base any financial plan for the majority of clubs, not just 'some'.

You make it sound so easy ... So it must be true. I would love to watch Championship level Speedway for £10 to £12 in 2019. But returning to planet Earth ....

You sound, from your much more 'knowing' perspective, to be suggesting that an 'one league' option could work better than before. I am happy to be be guided by you. I was of the opinion that it would be just as much of a FAIL as when tried in the 90s. Really surprised that you think it would be different this time.

True. People seem to be rather too glibly making statements of what is 'needed' or 'must' be done without the foggiest idea of the viability what is proposed ... Because we know so little of the details that matters. I just cannot believe that 'one league' is some sort of easy or even good fix for our situation. It may be the only one available come the winter but I do not look to it as any 'answer' in itself. One of the most obvious things about the current situation is the massive difference there must be between the 'top' clubs (financially) and the real strugglers for money across the premiership and championship. I find it very difficult to believe that enough 'common ground' can be found to combine such disparate businesses within a one league model with any great success.

Well I read what Torben had to say ... 1) Cardiff would be more attractive nearer the business end of the Championship where the meeting could be more 'vital' in the title race 2) moving away from the 'holiday season' will allow more fans to attend and this would be specifically the case for 'locals' 3) the later date should have a 'positive effect' on accommodation price. I cannot help being sceptical about his words though .... I have never heard anyone say they avoided attending Cardiff due to it being too early in the title chase but would suddenly do so if it were only 'more vital'. Most Cardiffs have been last week June to second week July which is generally not holiday season for most people. Goodness know why 'local' Cardiff folk would suddenly start attending in September when they have studiously avoided doing so for 18 years before . And I fully expect that the hotels will screw everyone in September just the same as July, especially as the Uni accommodation may be unavailable as well. I presume the Stadium is just not being offered to them any earlier than September for other reasons and he is just spinning it the best way he can. PS I am fine with September ... Just a little less BS from BSI would be nice.

I watched the whole meeting live on Saturday via this guy's Facebook page ... If you go through his posts it is all here ...Great stuff https://m.facebook.com/dmclmotoclub/

Yes but that individual would have needed to come to the conclusion you prefer. My guess is that the independent person is just have likely to have given preference to the Championship teams on Thursdays if it meant saving them. He may have thought that more important. It is just wishful thinking that the guy chosen would suddenly choose the 'right' path as you (or anyone else) might see it. He would just as easily go the opposite way.