TheReturn

Apart from Bottas winning the Russian GP and taking pole in Bahrain?

I agree, in the GPs last year he seemed to be lacking a bit of speed too, but this year (so far) he seems well down.

I agree. I am a Tai fan usually, and respect what he is trying to do with the kids but he can't be allowed to pick and choose when he rides for Team GB because he wants a holiday. It needs to be 'all' or nothing.

Maybe, maybe not.... Point I was making was that the bike took the brunt, I think Emil went into the bike didn't he? But talking of fences, I am still having nightmares of standing behind a metal fence at Exeter!!! Thankfully I don't think I ever saw a bad crash there on my trips with Long Eaton.

That idiot commentating said the 'air fence took the brunt'. Emil clearly followed the bike into the air fence.... it looked nasty from the very moment Emil lost it, clear for anyone to see. Glad Emil was ok.

Are you for real or was that just another Tai dig? Before you get riders coming through you have to invest a lot of time, not just one or two training schools. Credit Tai for at least trying FFS.

Is it worth merging this thread with the one from the International Forum? Lot of good updates on that one.

Got to love British speedway!

Sorry, is my opinion not allowed? I pays me money, I am entitled to voice my opinion as frequently as Pearson repeats the same tired, boring lines during his commentary.... the only difference is I AM NOT SHOUTING. Don't like me comments, block me... simples.

Sadly it was also announced Pearson will be in the commentary team.

An obvious and sensible idea to improve British speedway talent.. which means it will never be accepted. But I am not sure on the legalities of EU law with this idea. I agree on this, none of this first or second team choice bollocks. If an overseas rider can not commit to 100% of their British clubs fixtures then they should not be contracted.

Two points to make. 1. Speedway is on TV, we had years without it. Cancel Sky Sports and subscribe to BT Sports, not rocket science. Either pay your money to watch it or don't, it's your money, your choice. 2. Less matches is a shame, but some of the dross on Sky last season won't be missed. What I am hoping is Terry Russell is good to his word when he says "“We are also working hard with the clubs to make every TV meeting an exciting event, to promote it hard and make it work for everyone." If he does that and ensures the majority of TV meetings have fantastic race tracks then we will be entertained, and with luck BT Sport will ask for more matches next season. On another note, someone please tell me BT Sport have invested in a new commentator! I guess I can live in hope on that one.

Some things never change. RMC taking at pop at other forums users belittling our right to an opinion.

Compared to Sky? Are you having a laugh? How Sky can justify over £50 PCM (without deals) for a TV package including sports and movies is beyond me. If Sky pull out, I still believe speedway is a great marketable package for BT or Eurosport... all that is needed is a good PR machine from the BSPA to generate interest.

Hancock seems to be allowed to get away with whatever the hell he likes, short changing fans the biggest crime, yet somehow he is still hero worshipped in the UK.

It's only January... and considering how many team changes that a certain club make in a season, usually in time for the play-off's, I doubt the teams that start the season will finish the season.

Consdiering away fans travel hundreds of miles and spend a fair bit of cash to attend speedway meetings, you would think showing a little respect to away fans in our failing sport would have been in order.

Then that is more than enough to 'sell' the sport to local residents. Pretty big catchment area too, so much potential. The first thing a new promotion should do is employ good marketing company that have a proven track record (excuse the pun) at reaching audiences (online and offline)... and by that I don't mean give the job to existing speedway buddies/press officers (which seems to be the case from what I can tell with British speedway). So many great promotion ideas that I can think of (and I am not even an expert), there needs to be lots of investment in terms of time and money this coming season with marketing Belle Vue, but it could have a long term pay off for Belle Vue. I hate to admit it, but when I was living on the south coast I would regularly see Poole being promoted. Because the racing is 'out of the top drawer' and they have a track and stadium that is proven to provide great racing. Sad but true, very few other tracks provide such quality racing.

Was the quality of racing not consistent throughout the season then? Every time the camera's were there the racing was by far the best we have seen anywhere on UK shores for many seasons. If I lived locally, that would be enough to get me going weekly.

I am confused by the promotion aspect from the AGM. How will some Premier League clubs afford it in the top flight? Surely it can only work if promotion comes with a big winners cheque to help prop the team up for the following season or two in the top flight.

Can someone summarise what's happened? I assumed the new stadium meant long term plans were in place for speedway, not clear from the press reports what's gone wrong. Shame this is what got speedway trending on Twitter.

Yep, I agree with others. Look at F1, if you tell sponsors they can't be in the pits on race weekend I imagine many of them would take their money. It shouldn't matter, provided the SGP officials are strong and firm and not influenced by sponsors, rider officials etc.

I must be watching a different Greg

I accept you were playing devils advocate and I don't have a problem with you holding an opinion. But why are people/speedway press not making more out of the fact he 'chose' to withdraw from the meeting because he was 'not in right frame of mind'. Just like the SWC at Belle Vue he's short changed the fans, and the excuse he used is pathetic beyond belief. Greg does what Greg wants, and it's about time BSI, speedway authorities and the speedway press called him on it.

You could argue Doyley was equally bad last year with his desperate SGP moves. It's just hard (silly sometimes) racing, which Doyley learned from, Nicki doesn't. The point is, Nicki is no worse that a lot of riders.