The Voice Of Reason

In the case of Richard Lawson, I think the true 'mark of the man' is that there will be a raft of teams in 2019 ready to snap him up.

There are rumours now circulating of Kim Nilsson (so that's as far back as 2016); Paul Hurry plus A.N.Other from this season, still awaiting their wages from the Lakeside Management. Any truth to these 'rumours'?

Has it got a delivery note - dated 1984?

Well from the pictures and video clips on (un)social media, I didn't see Jon Cooks' happy, smiling face, did you?

Do you, or have you, ever volunteered your services to your club? Genuine question.

Lakeside Speedway earlier today (including Jon Cook's new theme tune):

You really look like pizza would do you the world of good.

Seriously.......people perceive that Speedway Tracks operate within the regulations, restrictions, etc. imposed by local councils? Do you truly believe that? FFS!

You better just hope it's not being run by LakesideRail. The timetable will undoubtedly be subject to change, there's no regular drivers - because its the wrong type of grass on the rails, the station that you buy your season ticket for will not be the final destination.......and there's definitely no seats.

They weren't in when I went round and asked if they were coming out to play.

So Wajtknecht, not for the first time this season (and when he isn't injured) is choosing a grass-track event over Lakeside Speedway; accompanied by Adam ('great team man I read recently?) Ellis - who is similarly throwing his team mates under a bus, whilst seeking individual honours? You couldn't make this up.

I have to say that when Hackney finally disbanded, I would have driven to ANY track within the UK and continued to follow my team. I know that not everybody drives but bleedin' hell, Lakeside are only moving a few junctions further around the M25 - anyone would think they are moving to the Southern Hemisphere the way some people are talking. To be perfectly honest, surely it's worth it for the better facilities that Rye House Stadium offers; rather than the Hell-hole of a 1984 Time-warp Arena Essex.

What 'new site' Liam? Can you honestly believe a single word that comes out of Jon Cook's mouth? There won't ever be a new Lakeside track in Essex. Doubt it? Answer me this. Where's the money going to come from? Lakeside have kept the current place running for years thanks primarily to cable-ties!

There's always the Jon Cook Guest House? You can book in and pay by 8pm; shortly thereafter, you'll be asked to leave. Please note that there are no seats in the room; despite the place being opened 34 years ago (in 1984). Lakeside readily welcome 'guests'; although the hotel 'manager' hasn't actually got a clue - so despite the fact if you've already stayed here within the last 8 days, you should be fine to appear (according to Lakeside's promotion). For Breakfast, people are due to meet on the restaurant at the 'exciting whole new era NL 2017' 14th floor. Such a shame that the Lakeside Hotel only got to building up to the 13th floor; the 14th never actually having been delivered. However, you can always dine in the 2017 K.O. Cup Restaurant. There won't be any chefs, staff or people......and the 'management' will never tell you why things haven't progressed; nor why anyone appeared to ever participate in said event. Suffice to say, if you see any of the 50 Shades of Grey folk wandering aimlessly around, tell them that there's a Jon Cook love-in somewhere in Essex in November, and they'll be quite happy and content. Lakeside look forward to welcoming you......but please note, they are only open on Fridays. P.S. if you have any complaints whatsoever, please address them to Jon Cook, Bullsh!tville, Sussex, South of the M25. However, please don't expect a response - as he is far too busy eating his pot noodle whilst stuck on Dartford Bridge.

Clearly the ref. didn't check the rotten upright posts to the fences along the straights then; nor the cable-ties underneath the (expired) air-bags?

Lakeside's PROMOTION - basically, hang your heads in utter shame.When Gerald Richter was track curator, Lakeside used to pay for a pretty accurate satellite weather forecast (that gave 15 minute forecast updates). Now, whether the current promotion pays for this service (unlikely), who knows. Suffice to say, sitting here in the Midlands and (from experience) a very accurate BBC forecast, heavy downpours were due from 8pm (the last time I checked, whilst sitting at my Mother-in-Laws was at 4pm). Or, in other words, I'm over 100 Miles away and could have called this one.Suffice to say Lakeside Speedway are I assume, now in debt through hire of the stadium PLUS 14 riders' travelling expenses (minimum)? Is it any wonder that Speedway Clubs' haven't got a pot to p!ss in?This cancellation appears on the back of weeks of the most glorious weather the UK has seen in years. Seriously?But no. Jon Cook clearly only wants Friday Meetings.The guy is an utterly useless PR!CK who has basically delivered mediocrity and utter failure during his tenure at Lakeside. Those who still believe otherwise are basically brainwashed automatons. Meanwhile, here's a song for the utter tw@t:

If Lakeside don't manage to fulfill their home fixtures, what's new? Jon Cook promised a minimum of 14 Meetings last year - and only delivered 13 (even after pulling out of the K.O. Cup for no reason). And they truly wonder why attendances are down?

Of course, Lakeside wouldn't ever do this, would they? Particularly not at a crucial 2017 league play-off meeting at Belle Vue; when Jon (I don't travel North) Cook elected the 'Community Manager' to take the reigns.

I can't imagine how the Coventry match on Sunday would have affected track prep for Monday night - had the weather remained dry. At Lakeside, we used to have the track ready for Monday night Sky Meetings - even after banger cars had been running on the Sunday afternoon/evening. That included building the fences and airbags up from scratch. And 5 hours of cars knocking 20 shades of the proverbial out of each other caused significantly more damage to the track than I'd imagine a National League meeting ever could.

The form goes to the meeting ref; and should be sent along with the Machine Examiner checks, meeting scorecard, etc. to the SCB. It no doubt then sits on someones desk in Rugby, before ending up in the shredder or paper recycling. Not quite sure how Jon Cook was apparently unaware of this 5 Grand underpayment. Are we honestly to believe that Kim Nilsson wasn't chasing this payment at anytime during the past two years?

If I can just correct one point Westhamboy66. Lakeside have not 'moved up' from the National League to the Premiership. In the words of Lakeside's website, it was 'a promotion'. On another point, I wonder if Lakeside will actually run all of their scheduled meetings this year? That possibly hinges on whether their riders get paid.

Not quite sure what price dilapidated airbags and knackered wooden fences would fetch.

Personally, I've always found the Grand Prix style of World Final an utter borefest. It's now just a pantomime of boring, characterless, prima donna riders; complete with an entourage of mechanics and other nobodies, in the pits. A one-off meeting was so much more exciting; and produced the occasional surprise - such as Egon Muller. Not sure about only holding the event in Wembley - particularly as this would now potentially be yet another manmade track.

I'll possibly go to away meetings now that the level of speedway has improved. Clearly you thought it was right to chuck the community manager into the team manager role at Belle Vue (arguably Lakeside's most important meeting of the season)? 'You can never upset a happy clappy'!

Whoever it is, here's hoping that they can actually be bothered to turn up at all away meetings......particularly if we get through to the play-offs.