BuzzCagney

For all the good it did ya (sorry, but you Reading fans did start it!)

How far in advance do they advertise the dog fixtures normally? Its looking pretty empty after the middle of October......

We will gratefully accept all advise, I'm sure. I've popped an email off to JT. Hopefully he will reply with more than platitudes, Matt. I will let you know if he replies. As remembertheracers says, we need to get on it a bit and not just sit back worrying. The Pit Crew were awesome back in the day. Are they able to bring some pressure at all?

Clearly a bit more cynical than I am! We will see who is right.

Here is Justin's email address. justin.tomlinson.mp@parliament.uk Maybe it is time, in fairness to remembertheracers, to ask if things are still on schedule because it looks very quiet up there. It can't hurt just to ask.

I'm sure you think you are being helpful but you are coming across as rather bitter (which I understand) but negativity is not really what we need at this point. Trust me when I say the Council were made well aware of GI's modus operandi. If you are that concerned email local MP Justin Tomlinson and reiterate your concerns there. That will be of far more practical value than doing it on here.

The developers cannot complete their plans before a new stadium is in place. Indeed, they can't even knock down the Abbey before the new stadium is built. There have been lessons learned from the misfortune of others around the country.

I know he makes me slap my forehead and exclaim "oh god". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liGmPcC7vDk Great performance from the guys that really matter last night- the riders.

Rosco reported as saying speedway is 'supposed to be a professional sport'. What gave him that idea?!

Whilst certainly no lover of the changes that are going on I'm still pretty confident that there will be a new stadium. It was always allowed that some houses would be built before work started on the new Stadium as a revenue raiser. They are absolutely not allowed to complete their house building plans, nor indeed to demolish the Abbey without a new stadium in place. As to Tomlinson quitting the Parliamentary Speedway group, well, he has been all over this plan- once we got him to see the error of his ways!- since the early days, so if it does all go wrong now he is heavily involved. He won't be dodging any awkward questions that may result. As to Terry Russell saying its all tickety-boo, well, I like Terry, he's a good guy, but men at least as smart as him have been hood-winked by GI down the years. Terry needs to be playing very hardball on this one.

The biggest problem that we have is there are too many people in influential positions who don't think there is a problem with speedway. I know a sponsor who has put money into the sport for nearly 20 years. He pays up and goes along. Gets a bit of food plonked down in front of him and happily accepts all the nonsense of cancelled meetings, missing riders, poor entertainment and dwindling crowds without complaint. And when I ask him why he doesn't make the bosses more aware of these issues he just looks at me as if I'm the one who doesn't get it! I fear the sport is dying by a thousand cuts. One painful slice is accepted after another and if something isn't done soon this once proud sport will have bled to death. To me its already probably too late to save it but there might be someone out there with the vision and power to save it. I certainly hope so.

His inclusion will excite the pundits but ultimately it will just devalue the series.

Very sad indeed. Great rider and always a colourful character. Speedway needs more like him.

I remember Danny. He was a very stylish rider, I enjoyed watching him. Hard to believe he's been gone so long. Too sad.

Its still terribly sad and difficult to believe that Lee is gone.

Simon is a well known dirt racer (Sheffield fans know that as well as anybody) but given the machinery I think he's going to make hay for the Tigers this coming season. I'm very sorry that he isn't able to double up for my Robins because I honestly felt he turned a corner (no pun intended!) at the end of this season and looked terrific. I very much hope he has a great year and will be following his and the Tigers results with interest.

Its good that they have acknowledged the problem. the first thing they need to do is note the weather conditions. On a bitterly cold night the pre-match introduction of the riders could be speeded up. Then the first race cracked on with ASAP. After that allow the REF to dictate the speed the meeting is run, not the tractor drivers! Apart from that I still came away very impressed with what I witnessed. The track looks like it should be capable of producing some good racing- love the banking!- and the whole place is terrific I think. I wish Leicester well in the future. The Promotion and fans can be very proud of what has been achieved in such a short time. I can see you going Elite at some point in the not too distant future, should the desire be there.

Last night was my first visit up to Leicester and my first impressions are positive. Terrific venue, with good views of the circuit, it being set down quite low in a bowl. The facilities are certainly adequate and clean and tidy. The only downside for me was the leisurely way the meeting was run. The first race didn't start till nearly 7.55 and didn't finish till gone 10pm and on a bitterly cold night it wasn't much fun! The problem with taking such a relaxed approach to getting under way is you just don't know what kind of legitimate delays there will be throughout the meeting due to falls and other unexpected problems. Last nights meeting could and should have been over by 9.30 and spectators could have been on their way home. People, particularly those with children, can't be hanging around on a cold weeknight. Judging by Robert72's comments this isn't an unusual occurrence. I suggest they get on top of it!