foamfence

http://speedwaygp.com/news/article/5963/nine-month-uk-ban-for-holder

It might just prove to be a good thing, less financial outlay and less absences.

Then again, a lot of people support what he did.

The referee told the riders before the start, that they should not return to the pits in the event of a re-start. Cook chose to ignore that and he rode into the official and fell off his bike.

And presumably allowed to assault track officials.

Sounds a bit like Kings Lynn is now.

Isn't that what he was trying to do while he was there?

There's always a silver lining.

No, but neither is it a case of the grass always being greener.

And some clubs in both countries have a history of not always paying.

No, representing your country is OK but at the start of the season promoters were signing riders who they knew would be absent because of league requirements abroad and other commitments and as the season progresses the Poles and others alter their schedules and riders are unexpectedly called away. As it is, Poland is starting to have a lot more meetings other than Sunday and Sweden is considering radical changes to it's league set-up, so changing to one or two race nights might not be as beneficial as imagined. I can't see it happening anyway. What we need is seven riders ready willing and able and one big league but the guys who own the clubs and put their money where their mouth is, will go the way they want to go, irrespective of what your or I might say.

Or maybe we should staff our teams with riders who are prepared to make themselves available, we can't afford the big stars so the better option is to find seven willing and available riders for each team, even if that means a reduction in the averages.

So you would throw teams out of the league and promote others who have shown no desire to be promoted previously? I would rather say 'clubs should ride on whatever day they feel will be the most attractive for their fans (including Tuesday nights and Sunday afternoons) and any riders who can't/wont commit to that shouldn't be considered because they are obviously not in need of the work'.

Alright then they are both liars! They don't need it, soon theirs will be the only professional league anyway, they are sewing it all up bit by bit, they already make riders miss meetings elsewhere to attend practice sessions at their Polish club, they already hold a quarter of the GPs and have a quarter of the riders, meanwhile Sweden is considering major pruning of their own leagues.

Having the same seven riders each week would help, irrespective of strength.

There are some clubs (Rye House and Leicester for starters) who claim that they can lose money or make less when they have to change from their regular race night. There is no compromise from other countries so why should clubs here be forced to change, many of whom are on tight budgets as it is?

True but why would he do that, unless he also got a Swedish place?

It never occurred to me that was the case, I always imagined that the UK counted as one. Interesting point if it happens.

He already rides in Poland.

I think most posters would agree to that.

If Chapman considered that the atmosphere among his team had been considerably soured, he had every right to do what he did, the timing might be an issue for some but personally I was surprised he kept Holder as long as he did, he'd been under-performing all season.

Something has to change, those figures are dreadful and a lot of people are finding them unacceptable.

I don't think that 'diluting' the strength of the leagues would be a big risk, there have been teams in lower leagues that were as well supported as those at the top. The two leagues are so near to each other now that it almost seems like preparation for one big league. That would certainly mean some diluting but I don't see why it couldn't be done successfully. Apart from the cost, the problem with the big names is availability and I think some clubs being forced to run on one particular night would be a bigger risk to their future than dropping a superstar.

One guy actually told me to do that, before issuing all kinds of threats and abuse. So I imagine reporting it would make little difference if he still has yet more cards up his sleeve.

Personally I think the majority of threads are started by people who just want to create more controversy or disillusion, any intention to do anything constructive is very much secondary. You wouldn't believe the threatening PMs and insults I've had on here, it's also surprising how many people seem to have multiple IDs, you block one and he comes back five minutes later with another name.