SteveLyric2

Promoters have officially stated that they all aim for an Easter weekend start to the 2021 season. Incidentally with regard to rider availability Adam Ellis is a case in point - he has a team place in Poland, Sweden and Swindon so is unlikely to be available for Poole, even though its his closest track to his UK base!

The tone of several club articles in this week's Star seems to be discussing the best way forward for those clubs that may have to change their intended 1-7s due to rider (un)availability - due to Polish regs, visas, Brexit regs or whatever. There is even suggestions about going for 6 man teams if necessary?!

I confess that having read the article I questioned exactly why the FIM exists?? They allow all the different country federations to set their own rules and appear to have no teeth nor appetite for dispute resolution, preferring simply to 'point the finger' at countries getting their own house in order - whatever that means?!.

Back to normal today.

..but there is a secondary pot for speedway to access.

Got mine today.

Its a Winter bail-out fund covering November 2020 to March 2021. Speedway like Cricket doesn't run in the Winter!!

ditto

At least we'll be spared the highly contentious (dare I say dubious?) 'Best Matchday Programme of the Season' award!!

Interesting comments from Chairman Godfrey in the S.Star this week, including the possibility of a new Speedway Channel in the Discovery stable. Obviously not as early as 2021 but once they've got all the speedway contracts nailed down then it could be on. Apparently the British coverage will commence at 7pm for the live meetings with a half hour 'round-up' before the live racing begins. They also hope/intend to cover meetings 'from as many tracks around the country'!! Sounds as though it could include some Championship meetings.

Still holds the Poole track record!!!

If the Prem and Championship clubs are in a free for all for racenights, that will cause problems for those riders doubling up. Also lets not forget Denmark on Wednesdays and Fridays.

I believe that their realisation of self interest and short sightedness only having a negative long term affect on Polish Speedway was the key reason they pulled back from this when they threatened to introduce iot a couple of seasons ago. I'm sure there was a lengthy interview/article at the time in the Speedway Star with one of the senior Ekstraleague owners?!

I have absolutely no recollection of that - must be an age thing?! Did Nigel and Kelvin do the Eurosport commentaries back then in their capacity as freelancers?

In theory as there are now no greyhounds at Poole Stadium, the Pirates could go with any day of the week - bar Mondays/Thursdays reserved for Premiership. Wednesday is and always has been the preferred and regular meeting day for Poole and one of the key reasons why Pirates will be in Championship as they lost money and crowds running on Thursdays.

Poole are running mainly Wednesdays.

It would seem in the UK that the elderly and 'at risk' will be the first to get the vaccine along with key workers and then followed by age groups downwards ie 80s, 70s, 60s etc. That should cover the bulk of the UKs speedway audience by April. Job done!

My memory is failing a bit. When did Eurosport cover the GPs? I honestly cannot remember.

Why did the Polish Extraleague step back from this ruling previously? Was it rider pressure? Was it pressure from FIM? Or was it a realisation that it wouldn't help speedway worldwide ie its no good being so strong that you continually win everything in sight to the detriment of other country's leagues.

Mine arrived Thursday morning as usual in sunny Bournemouth.

At least with today's BSPL announcements maybe the AGM has taken place this week with ALL clubs in Premiership and Championship having declared their intention to run in 2021, with Easter the targeted start date. Most clubs have agreed to use the same 1-7 BUT there will be some latitude where riders are not available or choose not to be available for British racing!! According to the Chairman, he has a list of 16 British riders of Championship-level standard (in his opinion) who should be given first consideration for any vacant team places due to rider unavailability in any team declarations.

With the AGM due to take place during early November, I guess they will have to 'Zoom' it during lockdown unless they are fitting it in before Thursday?

Maybe the Poles are assuming that COVID-19 will still be a governing factor in 2021?

2nd part of the Mike Golding interview - excellent. plus the 2-page Zane Kelleher of his journey and quarantine back to/in Oz.

Why wouldn't the commentators be Nigel and Kelvin? They are both self-employed freelancers.