The Voice Of Reason

Christ.......I bet that was rivetting.

At £13 quid a pop to watch amateurs, can you honestly blame them? For an extra fiver, Rye House are offering Top-tier racing; in a stadium fit for purpose (with good viewing and excellent facilities). It's a no-brainer really - isn't it?

Any news of George Hunter's 'injury'? I hope it isn't serious. Or maybe, he just has the same 'doctor' as David Mason had the other week?

Well let's be honest, you can't exactly say he hasn't got any 'previous for similar' can ya!

Who are Lakeside bringing out of retirement next week - Alan Sage? What a farce.

According to the texter on Speedway Updates, there wasn't any bleedin shale to actually rake!

I think all teams in Speedway, irrespective of league, need two reliable and consistent 'big hitters'. At NL level, Lakeside appear to have that. The worrying shortfall is having a one 'track' pony who can gate and go at home; but is a complete washout away (that's when he bothers to actually turn up). The other positions will inevitably be made up of varying levels of experience; with a mix of ability and timeframe to develop. Importantly, it's also a question of money; in order to keep levels of equipment competitive. Sponsorship aside, this will also depend upon promoters paying riders a decent wage - commensurate with their ongoing costs. After all, and let's be honest about this, with the admission price that many promotions ard charging for this level of Speedway, they've certainly got no reason not to.

Perhaps the Friday Traffic put people off going? 😉

It's a pity that most refs, and some promoters, don't back The Clerk of the Course - and stop riders flying into the pits at ridiculous speeds (particularly when there's a bike problem). The ex C of C at Lakeside would regularly report this to refs. They didn't want to do sod all about it. Nor did Jon Cook for that matter. And given the amount of bodies within a busy, noisy pits (where you can't always see/hear what's coming) I' d suggest it's actually a higher risk than the centre green. I truly don't know how some refs get their licences. Suffice to say that having 'gonads' clearly isn't part of the exam!

In defence of Jim Lynch, there could have been a perfectly valid reason why he didn't replace Ayres in Heat 14. Taking management of a new team of riders, you need to get to know how each of them perform; not only their strengths but also, and just as importantly, their weaknesses (particularly when under pressure). Bates may well have featured in his plans for heat 14 but who's to know whether: A. Bates could have developed a bike problem; and there was minimal time from Heat 12 to get it fixed. His spare bike would have been cold, or maybe not even set up for the Monmore track. I've seen first hand problems suddenly occur that can't be quickly fixed.....clutch issues, ignition box, tyre problems, etc. When the pressure is on, mechanics can't always achieve the impossible within the time frame of one (in-between) race. B. Ayres, at that stage, was on 4 paid 7 - not a bad return. How do we know he didn't say to Jim Lynch "trust me guv, I won't let you down in this one". So there you have a rider, bike good to go, saying he'll deliver for you. Difficult decision. In either/both of these scenarios, what would you have done? It's easy to look through the scorecard and see who's scored more points, but who is to say Bates would have not come last also in that heat? Kim Nilsson had 4 first places but also ran a last in one outing. Yes, of course it's frustrating to not have gained a win - albeit the point earned was a quantum leap over recent seasons. But it's very early in the season, and it's a long run, not a sprint. I just think that you need to consider the possibilities sometimes; and certainly before apportioning blame - and alluding to the fact that the guy is a poor manager because of one apparent mistake. Afterall, at that stage the Lions were 1 point behind - I would imagine that Jim Lynch had some degree of input, by motivating his team throughout the meeting, to actually be in that position?

Excellent performance again tonight from Kim Nilsson. This is the rider that Jon Cook dropped for Ulamek a couple of years ago; and Tatum alluded to the fact he shouldn't have been in the 2016 Lakeside squad. He subsequently won rider of the year. No wonder Lakeside are now in the amateur league with those two 'no-marks' in charge! Well done Leicester Lions. I look forward to my trip to BP later this week.

What happens if nobody turns up to 'impress' for this marvellous, career opportunity? Do Lakeside continue with a 6 man team......or do they call the local job centre? Sorry but this smacks of utter desperation; not to mention unprofessionalism.

Steve, with all due respect mate, if you knew the reason why Rico told Team GB to do one, I certainly don't think you'd blame him fella....trust!

In fairness to Jon Cook, during his tenure at Lakeside, he's generally ran a decent, fair ship. He's also demonstrated a lot of loyalty towards riders; particularly when individuals have suffered a downturn in form. That's to be admired in my view. My only gripe remains that, more recently, I think he's been somewhat lacking in telling the full story - particularly with our (have to use this word) 'demise' into non-league racing. I'm sure that most folk would rather be told the truth; rather than the reasons to date - which have the depth of a grain of sand. Notwithstanding this, I will always admire, and have full respect, for the way in which our Promotion handled the gut-wrenching sadness when Rico was so tragically taken from us. The situation was handled immaculately; and I will be forever proud of the dignity and respect shown throughout the club. I just wish that people were told of the true reasoning behind the decision to move to National League racing. Open, honest and regular communication is key in my book - particularly given what is a risk dropping into the NL. It goes without saying that I truly wish The Lakeside Hammers ongoing success in whatever our future holds.

With the 'austerity' BS still spouted by Government; coupled with local council funding still being continually slashed year on year; do you honestly think that local govt. will fund what is deemed a minority sport? The way forward would be a local sports arena; within which a number of teams, various sport (including speedway) can serve the local community. But do you honestly believe that this will ever happen when even the most essential of social services are continually being slashed? Councils clearly have one priority - housing. It brings them additional revenue and goes straight towards their bottom line. Would a speedway track offer such lucrative returns? Think about it. Of course it wouldn't. And the reason I no longer like Jon Cook is that, as I've previously alluded to, I simply think that he's a liar. I do not for one moment believe that our demise to this level has anything whatsoever to do with our inability to have declared a race night. Moreover, the smokescreen regarding Friday Night traffic was clearly a load of old tosh - given the majority of our meetings in 2017 being run on Friday's. I just don't know why the guy cannot simply 'tell it as it is'.

Everyone is allowed their point of view fella - whether you agree with it or not. And what gives you the right to imagine otherwise? Personally, I'm more than willing to 'give it a go' when Lakeside are 'local ish' at Stoke and Buxton. But the fact remains that I still don't think Jon Cook has been truthful as to why Lakeside are now NL; nor why we didn't join the Championship instead of dropping to a semi-pro level. I also think the admission cost at this level is an utter pee-take; particularly given the woeful dosh many NL riders are paid. As for the 'new stadium'. Unless we get: (i) a major new sponsor (ii) a new promoter with more money than sense (iii) a healthier-looking sport nationally within the UK worthy of the investment .....then I truly believe it's complete and utter BS and will never happen.

And people have also seen the likes of David Mason, a Two-Bob rider; progress to the dizzy heights of not being worth Tuppence. Dream on pal. If you are expecting Lakeside to survive, then you are living in LaLa Land. And meanwhile, I've read that even Gerald Richter has moved on to a real Speedway Club? Cook has destroyed the Lakeside Hammers - period.

Chapman stated: "Coventry Stadium is one of the best venues in the country, between now and next season a lot of things can happen. I think there could be a new venue found. So what exactly is The Messiah alluding to with that utter drivel? Unless I'm going mad, that's a complete contradiction! Of course you could probably find a new venue. But who's going to finance it? More hyperbole. The Cov fans have been fed enough garbage already Mr. Chapman. Please show them some respect. As for Sandhu - what an utterly despicable, lying creature. Hopefully, karma will have it's day in due course. Finally, so very, very sorry for the Bees Supporters. My heart goes out to you; particularly given the lies and false promises that you've had to endure. When we lost Hackney Speedway, I was devastated. And christ, years later, it still hurts. Personally; I'd rather be honest - you've had enough false promises and been fed enough BS. The chance of Cov returning is minimal. But the one thing that scum such as Sandhu can NEVER do is erase those memories; nor the passion in your hearts. With all my love and with every best wish for the future.

From the (nicely overhauled) Leicester Lions website: Kim was an absolute delight to deal with at Lakeside, said Tatum. He never let us down, he was ultra-reliable and Im delighted to see him fixed up at Leicester. What a two-faced, chinless wonder Kelvin Tatum truly is. When he got involved in Lakeside Speedway (in the good old days of 2016; when we were a professional Speedway club) he alluded to the fact we'd made a mistake re-signing him! Good luck for 2017 Kim. You're much better off now that you've severed links with the circus down in Essex.

I can't believe all this "your team is sh!t.....our team is better than yours, blah blah blah". I honestly thought I'd left all that in the playground many years ago. And coming from Speedway Supporters, it's even more surprising to be honest. Where have the days gone when win, lose or draw; all you wanted to really see was four blokes chucking their bikes into bends; some hard racing and overtaking; the potential of a few on-track fireworks and a few characters thrown into the mix? I'll be going to Leicester a lot this season - as a neutral. But more importantly, as a Speedway SUPPORTER. That's what's more important.....isn't it?

You may have noticed that I've been a fan of Kim Nilsson for the past few years - and said recently that with the sad demise of professional Speedway at Lakeside, he'd be an excellent signing for Leicester. Therefore, I was delighted to see that he has joined the Leicester Lions. Suffice to say that I can now foresee quite a few trips to Beaumont Park over the coming months. He's a dynamic trapper and prefers an inside line - so I believe that the tight, Leicester track should suit his style. I don't want to tempt fate but I think it will take a very good opposing rider to beat him - particularly once he gets fully dialled in to his new home. Best of luck Kim for 2017!

Really? As opposed to the time when Tatum rode for Lakeside; when, if the track didn't suit, he'd give up before his first ride? Some of you guys are truly living in LaLa Land!

Eh? What apprenticeships are there now for 16yo school-leavers? A succesion of tories (including Blair) took away those opportunities decades ago!

Do what? I think you need a visit to SpecSavers fella (and preferably, before you get behind a steering wheel again)!

Not so sure that the short Motorway connecting Coventry to Leicester (the M69) has ever been 'chocker' to be honest. Great news in that The Coventry Bees have been given a lifeline. Losing them to the sport is unthinkable. However, it would be good for their supporters to have a specific Brandon completion/reopening date. Sandhu and Horton are hardly masters of communication; nor adhering to timescales, are they!