The Voice Of Reason

Having driven second-hand Mercs for years, and being a passionate advocate of the three-pointed Stuttgart Star, just over 2 years ago, I bought a 15yo second-hand Jag. It's manufactured faultlessly, hasn't got a mark on it and still drives like new. I wouldn't go back to a Mercedes if they were giving them away. They are rust buckets! I knew it - but was in denial for years. So yep I saw the light. And people can, and indeed DO, change allegiances Liam - if and when you find something a whole lot better.

Well that meeting looked (on TV) to be an utter borefest. Still, at least those who went didn't have to endure 90 minutes of mind-numbingly inane drivel from Pearson and Tatum. I truly believe that their boring, often-repeated commentary tonight was the worst ever. Fair play though to Pete Adams - for putting the chinless wonder Tatum in his place at the end! Tatum's face was a classic.

No, he doesn't think they ride for nothing. But please enlighten me as to how much they actually do get paid. But there you go. You are clearly happy enough to pay money and watch 15 heats of a drawn-out borefest. So let's do nothing. Everything will work out fine; gates will increase sooner or later, as a raft of newbies discover what excellent VFM speedway now delivers.

Maybe it isn't a choice between the top flight and amateur level; what about Championship Speedway (with half decent/some Premier riders) and a SECOND HALF of National League teams doing battle? Whoooooops, sorry. Promoters these days giving people better value for money than 15 minutes worth of entertainment? What in hell was I thinking.

Trouble is, who was there to hear it? It would be interesting to know how many have switched their allegiance to Rye House. And let's be honest, I know which of the two stadia I'd now want to watch Speedway.

The bottom line is, there are too many 'Promoters' that haven't got the first idea of what the term promoting actually means; coupled with far too many people who have become stale by being at clubs for too long. They haven't got the passion any more; and under their stagnant leadership, things will only continue to spiral into the abyss. Worryingly, many appear devoid of new ideas; nor do they have the business nouse to successfully change things. Their way is the only way; as each season stagnates into an even bigger car crash than the previous one. Look no further than two neighbouring teams - Lakeside and Rye House. Jon Cook has taken Lakeside into semi-pro, amateur racing. Rye House, with a new injection of management and ideas, have transformed the club unbelievably successfully - and lets remember, in their first season within the top flight. Improved spectator facilities; team changes where necessary - leading to improved gates. From what I am led to understand, Lakeside now only get a sprinkling of fans at some meetings. If it was an animal, you'd just call a vet to put it out of its misery. Like a football manager that loses the dressing room, it appears in the case of Lakeside and Kings Lynn, supporters are voting with their feet. To get them back basically needs a change of management and fresh ideas. It needs a display of commitment and confidence; a demonstration of passion and enthusiasm - all attributes of which are infectious to others. The alternative is to limp into yet another year of false promises and failed commitments. Another year of Reserve Rides, Guests and a fixture list that, to be perfectly honest, is a complete and utter bloody disgrace for a professional sport. As alluded to earlier, no meetings for weeks then a raft of them within a fortnight. Is it any surprise numbers are down? What family, with limited disposable income, can afford to attend such a backlog even if they wanted to? They are obviously going go pick and choose. So terrace numbers are down; newbies attending won't get any atmosphere to embrace; and the 15 minutes worth of entertainment spread over 2 hours, is hardly a recipie for future success. Speaking of which, that's my biggest gripe. Having just 15 heats of racing, with never-ending re-starts, riders gardening and going back for mechanics to waste even more time sodding around with a bike that's raced around 5 yards. These things don't personally inspire me to attend local tracks too often these days. Staying still at the start was supposed to stop time-wasting wasn't it? Seriously? There is more time wasted these days than I ever remember in the days of tape pushing. But you'll never get promoters complaining because the time it kills means that they don't have to pay for a second half event. But so what. Forget about the fans standing there in the cold or wet; not being served up any bang for their buck. They'll still be here again next time. Won't they? Sorry to fly off at tangents. Suffice to say that I truly wish the Kings Lynn Stars every future success. And I'm sure that if you get a new Commander to steer the direction of the ship, you'll have your well-deserved success.

Did you try Standartenführer Cook? Actually, wonder if he (and the chinless wonder Tatum) even bothered turning up tonight? Clearly, the Lakeside team didn't.

Superb meeting - and fair play to the Rye House track guys. In case some people haven't noticed, the past few days have been scorching hot. However, the place wasn't drenched in water; and at the same time, there weren't clouds of dust. Despite Tatum's ridiculous screwdriver test, and his not too complimentary words about Rye's track, there was some excellent racing. Clearly, they kept that idiot Ronnie Russell out of the way (Swindon seems an utter gaters bore-fest these days). Some excellent overtaking - particularly by the Rye House guys. But what was most noticeable, was how The Rockets never gave up even whilst behind opponents; they were truly racing to the chequered flag in every heat. The only annoying part of the evening was hearing Tatum and Pearson forever bleating on and on and on about Poole having ridden this Morning. So what? Speedway riders have often doubled up on Bank Holidays; and considering they generally spend around 5 months each year sitting on their arses, big deal if occasionally they have 2 meetings in one day. The likes of Barry Thomas years ago would do two meetings; then be up early the following morning asphalting! Well done Rye House!

Sorry, to amend my earlier post. The meeting actually finished after Heat 13! Jon Cook - do Speedway a favour.......and go get yourself a job stacking baked bean tins in Lidl.

So a speedway meeting starts 45 mins late and finishes after 14 races. What a fkin JOKE!

According to Speedway Updates, Heat 1 is scheduled for 8.45pm! Is this Lakeside's new intro? https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8LQftYK2n8o What a Promotion.

But hang on, didn't Jon Cook use the excuse of Friday night traffic being one of the reasons to drop to semi-pro Speedway? Yet, on what night are Lakeside continuing to race in 2017 (more often than not)? And to just think.......there's probably still some people that believe him! At least it will be another of the 14 promised meetings delivered. I am sure Season Ticket holders are waiting with baited breath to find out how the remaining gaps are going to be filled.

Pulling out of competitions, and subsequently having infrequent meetings, hardly gets the turnstiles merrily clicking away either. I wonder if the new tractor driver will have his usual face like a smacked arse; and be moaning about the attendance on Friday? Assuming he turns up.

Well that would be pretty amazing.... given we pulled out of the K.O. Cup because meetings couldn't be fitted in.

Just looking at the Lakeside Fixture List: http://www.lakesidehammers.co/fixtures/ There appear to be 2 league meetings left between now and September 3rd (with a Reserved date for 16th September). Even including this Reserved Date (reserved for what I wonder?), that makes a total of 13 meetings - one less than was offered to season ticket holders: http://www.lakesidehammers.co/season-tickets-still-available/ So I was just curious what are the plans if Lakeside don't make the play-offs/play-off final?

Maybe he got stuck in traffic on the A11 whilst eating his dinner? Meanwhile, unfair criticism of Kelvin Tatum (above) - he's a very busy man. Do you know how much effort it takes each week being on tele; digging a screwdriver into the dirt and naming each clubs' Number 1 as "the rider to watch Nige"?

Of course, Matt Ford has never cancelled a meeting because he can't get a team together, has he? Remember May 2013? http://www.lakesidehammers.co/poole-v-vortex-hammers-statement/

Importantly, those meetings keep the momentum going for supporters. Even back in the 70's and 80's, there were 3 and 4 Team Tournaments, Individual Events, Local Cups, etc. I don't really remember crowds at these Meetings taking too much of a hit - because it was a Friday Night, at 8 O'Clock......and nothing whatsoever came in the way of going to Hackney Speedway; and no doubt other supporters to their repsective tracks. As has been alluded to many times before, if people get out of a routine then it's quite easy for them to find other interests. So fair play to Kent - who by the end of July have delivered EIGHTEEN Home Meetings, compared to Lakeside's NINE. No doubt there will be more bleating by Jon Cook on low crowd numbers. Does it really take much logic to work out why?

Woooo hang on a minute. Jon Cook chucked the towel in a few weeks before Zak was injured. What is he - psychic? And with our flexibility at home Fri/Sat nights plus Sun afternoons, we couldn't fit the KO Cup date(s)? What about the 2 dates that are showing in our fixture list as 'Reserved'......what is planned for them - in order for Lakeside to meet it's 'minimum of 14 meetings' quota as mentioned for Season Ticket Sales?

KO Cup......finally a statement: http://www.lakesidehammers.co/hammers-update/ So NEARLY A MONTH after it was reported on the Speedway GB website, Jon Cook finally decides to communicate with the Lakeside Supporters. Not enough dates? Really? July: We had a total of two meetings (None Away). August: We've got 3 Home Meetings throughout August - one of those being a 'Reserved' date. 'Reserved' for what? So once again, during the main Summer month with kids off school and families taking breaks, we have just TWO home league meetings. Keeping up so far? Not difficult really is it. In a two month period, 2 + 2 = 4. Oh.....plus a 'Reserved' date. Onto September: ONE home meeting and a (wait for it) another 'Reserved' date. So, over a THREE MONTH period, we've had/got programmed a TOTAL of FIVE home league meetings. But there was not enough time to fit in the KO Cup. Seriously? Meanwhile, Season Ticket release info stated they would cover a minimum of 14 meetings http://www.lakesidehammers.co/?s=Season+tickets Well, that appears to be the exact bang people are getting for their buck.......if you include the two 'Reserved' dates. http://www.lakesidehammers.co/fixtures/

Jon Cook can obviously do whatever he likes. But first and foremost, as an apparent Promoter, one would expect him to engage with his customer base and communicate what exactly is going on. If the club has pulled out of a competition, surely it's common courtesy to at least let people know; and also explain why?

Good to hear that Jon Cook has finally found his true vocation in life.

Nice to hear that he's found his true vocation in life.

Anyone would think there were thousands of supporters affected; thus causing this inordinate delay! A Micky Mouse League; supplemented by a Two Bob Promotion.

And yet again Jon Cook states "you can only beat what's in front of you". He's nothing but (un)original with his press releases, is he. Meanwhile, what's Kelvin 'no question' Tatum up to these days? Things seem very quiet on the chinless wonder front?