SteveLyric2

Some great stuff in this week's issue. Especially liked the various knowledgeable views on guests, getting some top riders back and the fast track system. Jon Cook is always good for an overview although I don't agree with his comment (aimed at Rosco) that it was only at Swindon that we saw 'strung-out' reserves! There was a distinct gap in abilities between most of the Grade A reserves and the rest - and that needs to be addressed rather than left as it is!! PS. Not sure what the SS has to do to attract new younger readers, assuming that is one of its objectives - but long features on old (forgotten?) riders is not going to hit the right note in either the printed or the online version.

OR by the same token, if it was another rider say Harris or Nicholls, they wouldn't be vilified in quite the same way Ward has been because they don't ride for Poole (or Piraterna or Torun)!

I think its totally wrong for Charlie Webster to be pilloried for her moral stance on this issue!! No matter what people think of Evans, its Charlie's decision to stand down as a Patron of her local club, based on her own beliefs and personal experiences - and good for her for doing so! Other patrons and sponsors have also stepped aside and made their feelings known and there is nothing wrong with that. I have no issue with Evans having served his punishment and trying to resume a career and the club will undoubtedly make a decision on his future with them - taking into account all commercial, social and 'political' pressures. I mean, its not as if he's Darcy Ward is it??????????!!!!

Neither does that one!!

Quite a few riders have a drink the night before an evening meeting - even NKI alluded to that (and a lot worse) - in an interview he gave back in august, so lets not single out Ward for that!! . Clearly having a whole day to re-hydrate is more than enough for most riders, but not if the meeting is rearranged for the afternoon when the testing is done earlier. Just to add to his comments last night, as Starman says, Darcy did show remorse last night and was very contrite when interviewed and was very good with loads of the fans afterwards. Also he didn't appear to have been drinking, but that is just a personal observation.

Darcy announced at the Poole Awards evening today that he expected the hearing to be deferred to January 2015 - but doesn't have a date yet!!

Poole seeking to host FIM World Speedway league in April 2015 - Matt Ford announced at the club's awards night this evening!!!

Have you seen him face-to-face since Latvia then??!

Who's the 8th one?? And would that mean instructing those riders where they have to ride and how much they are to be paid? Can't imagine someone like Howarth agreeing to FTR rates after being in 1-5 this year!!

The costs of renting Perry Barr are likely to be the same as for EL/PL - maybe even more temporarily after whats happened!!

Nigel Pearson has attended as both a promoter and a media representative in the past hasn't he?!

Can't disagree with much of your last 2 posts. However I would add in the issue of facilities, which I know in most cases is out of the direct control of the promoters - but there has to be some positive moves to improve spectator facilities at many of our venues. To attract new or past fans to a decent racing product will still likely fail if there isn't a modicum of comfort in this day and age. You only have to look at the venues/stadia of other sports/entertainment to see what speedway is competing with!

Why should it? We are not members of the BSPA!! If it was the AGM of the British Association of Widget Manufacturers - and all of us were users of widgets on a regular basis - we still wouldn't be entitled to see/get the AGM agenda or minutes!! However I agree that the summary of decisions should be a lot more concise and accurate than it has been in recent years.

When you think about this logically - which I know can be an issue for some posters - IF there was some sort of irregularity with the FIM breath testing procedure in the rearranged Latvian GP, then it would also be highly irregular for the FIM to adjudicate and/or pass judgement on a case involving their own procedures!!? Hence it would be logical that any decision-making process was passed to a 3rd-party organisation. eg the WDC. - although that still doesn't explain why the delay has been so long!!?

I was told by one of DW's sponsors that it was the 8th and it was widely reported by others to be scheduled for 'early November' - but as 'theknow2' states, it has now been delayed further. Whatever people think of Ward's situation, the whole thing has been very poorly handled by the governing bodies.

What a difference 10 days make!! Emil Sajfutdinov stays with Vetlanda. http://www.vetlandap...i-elit-vetlanda

Enjoying this week's issue - some great 3rd party pro-Poole and pro-Matt Ford stuff. A good read.

You can forget that - Darcy has bought his own house!! (as has Magic, for that matter!)

Interesting that not all the Poole sponsors feel the same way!! and more importantly neither does MF according to his comments in the local paper last week!!

Don't see how it can be a one year ban suspended for 2 years, when he's already been suspended since August??!! That could open up a whole new can of (legal?) worms!!

I hear what you say - but I was just asking/hinting as to whether there might be a promotion/consortium out there who might be willing to run the Brummies without having to work with/for Tony Mole?! As much as I admire a lot of what he has done to save/promote speedway in the past - maybe he's not everyone's cup of tea?!! So now that he appears out of the picture, could something still happen? I hope so.

Young Beckham will more likely be offered the opportunity by the likes of Billy Hamill or Greg Hancock in the States!!

Very sad to read the Tony Mole statement after so much earlier positivity!! However, does this open the door to any other potential promotion/consortium to get involved (without Mole's involvement) - aside from the previously mentioned Cradley possibility??!

Not sure Scotty Nicholls would always agree with that statement??!!

Except of course Ward's offence was at a GP and Dudek's was at a Polish Extraliga meeting!!!