SteveLyric2

...hence the carefully worded press release that his withdrawal is in part 'injury-related', which will later be further explained as meaning 'still too injured to do a full SGP series, but recovered enough to do a few SEC and Best Pairs meetings'!!! So as ever, money and sponsorship does the talking - who will be the next??

Not forgetting Herbie Hancock too!! IMO I don't believe the money owed by Czestochowa is the whole issue - this is another part of the One Sport/BSI tug of war!!!

Back to the title of the thread - yes BSI are doing plenty to promote speedway in the SGP series - and would probably achieve more if it weren't for the 'new' SEC series!!!!

So despite his fitness issues, will Emil still compete in SEC and Euro Best Pairs events - which start on 28th March??????????

which is why they are looking at the possibilities/feasibilities with a third party developer!!!

Its no secret that Rory had a big falling out re the Aussie WTC team selections in particular, so I don't find it surprising that he might be examining all his future racing options - however and why ever they are motivated!!

I thought this year was the final year of the NZ SGP with the current Promoter?! Maybe why Aussie is being rumoured for 2015 as a possible replacement in the schedule?!

I wonder if Sky will keep any ticket money they get (?), to help offset the 'televised meeting' costs!??

If it goes ahead in Poole, Stadia UK are unlikely to be building it - at least not on their own!!!

...but NOT PROVEN nonetheless!!!!!!

What like the BSPA and SCB in British Speedway?!

Did they happen last year, really?? Lets not let the facts get in the way of a rant!! Even the staunchest of Poole fans know what went on previously in 2011 and 2012 (some fans also know of others involved - and that isn't excusing his own alleged actions)! The point that some are trying to make, who have actually met him, chatted with him, sponsored him and seen him race live every week is that last season/year, particularly the latter half after his injury, he showed a much more mature attitude in both his racing and his personal life, in addition to taking on the captaincy at Poole. His determination to improve his skills, focus and organisation under the tuition of the likes of Hancock and Crump demonstrates his much improved approach.

With which other organisation would you have speedway in a relationship? Or have I misunderstood your post?

...or a night out at the new 'Foxies' in Swindon!!!?

I'm sure it is only co-incidence but with the recent announcements of several schemes or potential moves relating to a number of our 'senior' speedway stadia, what do people really think? Is it the beginning of the end or can we realistically look forward to some better, modern facilities? Coventry - stadium to be sold Swindon - final(?) season at Blunsdon with new development about to start. Poole - serious moves to bring back the football club to the stadium - redevelop or possible move away? Belle Vue - ongoing National Speedway Stadium issues. Mildenhall - Noise issues. IOW - temporarily suspended. I'm sure - and saddened - that there are others!? Comments

Don't really want to be involved with dragging all this up again, but verdicts of 'Not Guilty' and 'No Conviction' should be remembered! As someone who has met Darcy on many occasions - particularly last season - I can confirm he has acquired a much more mature and professional approach to his life in general and Speedway in particular! He may not win the SGP series this year but he will certainly have a big influence on the final placings!

The Tactical rule in curling allows for a stone that is twice the size of all the others!! It has 2 purposes - to cover the whole of the target area, scoring triple points - and/or to split any other stones that it comes into contact with, in two!! I can't understand why it wasn't used either??

I would think Holder, Ward, Pawlicki, Janowski!! They're all Poole contracted or Poole domiciled!!

Curling is being included in the Scottish Nationality/Independence vote as all the Team GB members are Scottish and all the 'curling stones' are made in Scotland. If the vote is for Scotland to go their own way - then the rest of the country will probably never hear of curling again! A bit like speedway now I come to think of it!!

The slightly older, much more mature Darcy will be there or thereabouts - subject to injury. Taking instruction and guidance from Greg Hancock and Jason Crump on his gating, his focus, his organisation etc will stand him in very good stead!!

There's a very good - and lengthy - letter in this week's Star from Steve Evans, Team USA Director on the state of British Speedway, entitled 'Showtime'!! He makes many good and valid points, but the main theme of the letter is 'To put on a great, value-for-money show' and market/promote the event rather than continually cutting back on costs!! 'A downward spiral only has one destination'! (that's mine not his)!

Some people seem to be banging on about European Employment Law!! What about European Contract Law??

Why? World/European Championships in a number of other sports are on weekdays!!!

Whats the betting it will be a 4-team, 4-rider tournament!!? If its to be on 31st August that'll make it a good SGP/Euro Cup weekend!!!!? When this competition was being talked about a couple of years ago, the question of 'who rides for whom' if certain riders represent more than one team, was going to be sorted by initially, 1. rider nationality; 2. Continuous length of club service. So, taking Poole as an example (assuming they will be taking part?) Darcy Ward would ride for Poole and not Piraterna!!

This is all about the political in-fighting and wranglings of FIM/FIM Europe!! BSI and One Sport have just been caught up in the situation - although imo One Sport have antagonised the whole issue by adding new fixtures (SEC/Pairs) after the official FIM calendars have been agreed and announced. It is what annoys some FIM leagues - especially EL - as the new One Sport fixtures, in addition the the SGP series will have an increasing effect on some EL league meetings!