foamfence

I think it weakens the team and it will certainly be less exciting.

The two are entirely separate.

Wasn't that for a university project?

i always thought that an idea would be to have all overseas applicants directed to specific clubs to bolster them as needed, they would actually be employed by the speedway authorities and could be moved around as required, during the off season. As things are, overseas riders seem to indirectly control much of what goes on here, as fixtures and averages are manipulated to accommodate them, they should have to agree to fit in or be refused. You might get a reduction in team strengths at first but it would soon become unnoticeable. You are right about costs and it needs some brave (and even breakaway) moves to address that.

I tend to think that 'the British scene' has given great service to Kiwis, otherwise they would have got nowhere. I'm not a Johnson fan but he has been treated badly.

I remember a very famous former rider and promoter telling me that whatever you did with bikes, the best riders would still win. Cheating might give you some advantage against riders of a similar ability to yourself, but it won't turn a poor rider into a top one. Having said that, I'm all for clamping down on any cheating and I hope Darcy is soon back, he's left a big gap in his absence.

There are only three complete teams, how can you predict anything.

Some of the big names would do OK but it's unlikely that the Poles and Swedes would allow a situation like here, where they come over and basically learn. Anyway Harkess seems to think it's all sorted now. This could actually be a good thing and co-operation between the two parties should now be improved (hopefully).

Even if he doesn't get a first choice spot, I hope he gets a few rides through the season, he needs to move on with things or he'll probably get bogged down like some others have.

Surely you mean Dean FELTON?

Riders are already disadvantaged here because they ride smaller and more grippy tracks. In long track and grass track you aren't quite comparing like with like. I should think you are right about adapting but getting that extra edge needed to be truly world class, might be a different thing. We all have theories on how we can credibly reduce running costs and until someone actually takes steps to do something, all we'll have are theories and lessening profit margins.

As things are, everyone follows the lead of the GPs and they don't seem likely to change to more economic equipment, having your riders use something different would seriously disadvantage them against those countries (Poland in particular) who chose to follow the GP regulations. An alternative would be to break away and have your own competition with your own regulations, you might eventually see some other countries decide to join you but then again you might not. You would have to initially accept a lowering of rider standards as most continental riders would stick with their own federation. That all isn't likely to happen though and the chase will continue to keep up with the wealthiest, the only real alternative that I can see is something like F2 running along side as an alternative, you never know, that might prove to be the more popular and eventually take over.

That's what I was actually saying. Yes fully agree!

I should imagine most of the riders do but they aren't served well by the promoters. You have to wonder if one (or a few) paramedic had a messed up application would that have lead to them ALL being blocked?

They are still Australian workers, I just thought it illustrated that not everyone faces the same problems as Speedway riders (most of whom are also "fully trained" and with places awaiting them).

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02hq364

The difference is that they will have specialist lawyers on the job.

I didn't say another country I said elsewhere. For Speedway purposes Glasgow is part of Britain and not an independent Scotland, if independence should ever come about, things MIGHT be different.

What the bloody hell has Glasgow being in Scotland got to do with anything, it would be same if Somerset had wanted him?

Aren't most riders paid in Euro's these days?

The real reason is that he isn't allowed to ride in two leagues here and being an ambitious bloke he opted for the higher level.

It's nothing to do with anyone here what Fricke does elsewhere, he might sell his body in Istanbul of a Sunday if he has a mind to, as long as he and his promoter here have reached agreement on what dates he will be available.

Do you mean 'moneybags Redcar'?

Yes, he works on a farm when able.

He actually say's "virtually what I wanted" which might be totally different to what he ASKED.