pointsmeanplayoffs

Went last night as a neutral, my first trip to the EOES for a while not since they dropped down to PL and moved around the race night. WHAT A MEETING! Probably one of the best I have seen this season. Two very even teams, and some excellent racing. Fisher and Manzares was superb. Crowd was definitely up on some of the EL attendances last season too. Perhaps the Panthers have found their level for sustainability? Riders on less money meaning the ticket prices come down which means more fans?!? The entertainment IMO was no different, I guess with a proper race track you will get entertainment. Well done Panthers, just wish we could have some A47 derby matches again.

Sounds like traffic is going to be a nightmare, and the sun is going to be out, there is NO WAY that this meeting will start on time!!! We love a delayed start at the Norfolk Arena.

Worth recalling that Steve Worrall was a guest FTD reserve last time for Wolves, and that was a rare occasion which our reserve pairing were outscored. Cannot see anything but 3 points to the Stars.

Not sure THJ fits for Josh? THJ ended 2013 on 5.69, Poole started 2014 with a team adding up to 31.81 so have 0.19 'in the bank' right? Josh is on 5.45 so that plus 0.19 is 5.64 which is less that 5.69. Sorry Poole.

Perhaps riding at Leicester has improved Mads' gating skills though? He knows he HAS to make the gate there. He's made it through the SGP qualifier today I see. Nice work Mads!

Stars looking to extend their win streak, with a tough home match against Wolves. Forecast looks lovely, and both teams are at full strength; Stars; 1. Iversen 2. Porsing 3. Schlein 4. Lambert 5. Bjerre 6. Kerr 7. Rose Wolves; 1. Woffinden 2. Thorsell 3. Wells 4. Proctor 5. Pawlicki 6. Jacobs 7. Morris Thorsell goes well around the NA, but I think Woffinden will need to score double figures if Wolves are to take anything away from Nelson's County.

12.......

Could someone who was on the first bend explain to my why Kerr was EXC in heat 14? From my view on the back straight it looked like he had got in front of Lasse, moved him out to the fence, and Lasse hit his back wheel/dirt deflector and lost control and then went down. I thought the EXC was therefore very harsh on Kerr. Anyway, it mattered little, the meeting was won before the sun delay really, with Stars quicker out the traps most of the time and thats all is needed. Such a shame, Leicester has a terrific set up, decent support and a decent team BUT the track is awful. There is no passing unless a mistake is made. It's probably the worst track I have ever been to. Gate and go gate and go, fill your programme in as the riders pass you on the back straight on lap one. It's frustrating as thats the only thing wrong with a great set up. Please sort the track out!!

Have King's Lynn got a better 1-5 than most of the teams? Yes. Quite clearly yes. 2 GP riders, and a 2 time EL riders champion backed up with the Danish U21 champion and then there's the best young talent in British Speedway for a long long time. Kerr has been fantastic but to pin all of Lynn's success on him at reserve is ludicrous.

Rather have a young local improving rider scoring '2' points in a meeting rather than some foreign rider coming over and riding on borrowed equipment on a false average. Ask yourself, which would be better for the sport in the UK in the long run? Ellis, Blackbird, Kerr, Garrity, Newman could all score 4 pts in the main body IMO, remember they themselves would still be riding against new FTD riders in a lot of their heats too. Personally, I think the FTD system should run in it's current guise for another season (allowing riders to opt out at the end of this season if they want). After 2 seasons, the number of FTD riders should be reduced to one per team, with the other reserve berth going to a British rider under the age of 25 whose average could be converted from their PL or Actual EL average and who would come under normal team building points limits of say 36 points? Glad Phil Morris seems to be running the FTD agenda not the Promoters which can only be positive too.

Surely it will be up to the riders to withdraw themselves from the FTD system. More earning potential in the main body of the team, the ambitious riders will WANT to progress into a teams 1-5.

I'd settle for a few more fans simply applauding after each race : (

From an Elite League level, The increased costs for riders competing at the top level; travel, hardware, mechanics, tuners etc has to be the main reason why admission is high. The income has to be high enough so that the riders can be paid enough £££ to make a living and I don't see many riders/promoters driving around in Lamborghini's!!! Sure, riders could get more sponsors to subsidise their earnings but I would imagine in the current economic climate, that such sponsorship is getting harder to obtain. Yes there are superstars sponsored by energy drink companies but I imagine that an increasing amount of sponsorship is of the ‘donation variety’ from family, friends, supporters and associates. I know my company examines all such marketing expenditure more closely than ever before, with a real focus only on what activity will deliver a tangible return on investment. With no increase in cash from league sponsorship/tv rights in sight for teams, If you want to pay less to watch, then you will get an inferior product. There will be no more Niels Kristian Iversen and Darcy Ward, instead it will be more domestic based riders like in the lower leagues. Equipment is the other big thing. Standardized equipment for riders which, yes may be a little slower, could be much cheaper to buy/maintain could help and let’s face it, would it harm the racing? Would it be that bad if races were taking 65.00 seconds rather than 62.00 seconds as long as the racing is just as close? To work, such an initiative would need to be FIM led as speedway is an international sport. I have read about F2 speedway, but to work it would need to be the ‘norm’ for the sport not a new lower formula. Agreed with an earlier poster, this is an interesting topic : )

Am looking forward to tonight, the forecast is good too. Shame Brummies cannot field their strongest side as that would have made it an even contest. I don't want the BSPA to fine them though, they are under enough financial stress at the moment as it is. Might even change my spectating position tonight as the old man is away on holiday (and he doesn't like change!).

Have Lions signed Josh Bates to replace Tom Perry at FTD?

Looking a little further forward now, to our trip to the seaside on Saturday July 7, am I correct in thinking that we'll be without Nicklas Porsing as he's on Danish WC U21 duty? If so, would that mean that the Eagles will be without Mikkel Michelsen? It would be a shame for Nicklas to miss out on riding at such a 'unique' track, as I don't think he had the best of times there last season.

Have you seen the league table?!? Don't you know we're flying?!? Another decent crowd I'm sure, coming out to cheer on the table topping Stars - who cares if we may not end up champions, we're going to enjoy the ride!!! Stars by 15, Niels to max out.

I think there is a stronger correlation between improved track preparation and good crowds, than there is between the FTD system and poor crowds.

It was Kerr's fault. His gating in the re-run was sloppy. He was only 1 bike length clear instead of his usual 3 bike lengths before hitting the first turn In my opinion (I had a great view btw) it was just two young lads, going for it, trying to win. I look forward to future Kerr and Garrity duels over the coming seasons, hopefully both can continue their development and earn places in the main body of the team.

Thanks STL, your response is very helpful : )

To be honest, that explains Garrity's erratic riding in the re-run. Nothing wrong with showing a bit of fire in your belly, problems come when someone tries to deliberately harm a fellow rider during a race. Can't tolerate that.

To be honest, finding a parking space was more interesting than pretty much all the racing I saw on my last visit.

Get there early Stars fans - parking is a joke!

Please god no! Would enjoy his interviews with "Roger" Lambert though. I didn't think the chappy last night on the mic was too bad, tough gig for anyone to follow Mike B as he was superb. The guy at Leicester is OK, seems quite good and I liked it when he want walkabout into the crowd to speak to fans. Maybe we could try that at Lynn?

News is that Mallett has suffered muscle damage NOT broken bones which is hopefully not as bad as first feared, a terribly awkward looking crash which from my view looked like he landed on the concrete infield. What's the latest on Sarjeant? Concussion? Wish both riders speedy recoveries. Yes the meeting took an age, but when rider's are receiving treatment you won't find anyone moaning about a delay.