1 valve

The chosen level doesn’t really matter as there are insufficient numbers available of any section of rider ability to offer equality across the current number of teams. Doubling up isn’t actually killing the sport, after all it’s keeping clubs alive due to the sharing of riders. It is however removing any real opportunity for growth because as you say the sport needs credibility and doubling up acts against that concept. For speedway to grow in the UK, what’s needed first of all is some pruning to give eight full time professional clubs with the remainder running on a (lower cost)semi-pro basis. Unfortunately there’s too much self interest involved by promoters to make this an immediate possibility hence unfortunately the demise will in all probability continue.

Not enough quality riders available of a comparable ability to run two leagues without doubling up. It’s just the math of the situation.

If your idea of doubling up was adopted then five or six clubs would close as there would be insufficient riders of competitive compatibility available. However, you could dumb down the sport and have 5 riders per team or even allow a mix of established & NDL level riders to feature in the same meeting. Whichever alternative you choose the competitive element would be reduced & just accelerate the decline of quality speedway in the UK.

Highly unlikely any marketing or promotional organisation would consider adopting “Cobblers given the slang phrase “load of cobblers” used to express strong disbelief, contempt, or to dismiss something as utter nonsense, rubbish, or a lie.

A compulsory purchase order (CPO) is not generally referred to as merely "attempted" in a legal sense, but rather it goes through a four stage process where it is made, objected to, confirmed, and then executed. It is considered a last resort, and the acquiring authority must prove they have attempted to acquire the land by negotiation beforehand. Only Brandon Estates are likely to make an objection which given the history of rejected planning and appeal only the price offered could be grounds for such an objection. The valuation is determined by a chartered surveyor, usually appointed by the acquiring authority based on the "market value" of the land as if it were sold by a willing seller on the open market, excluding any future changes in value caused by the intended future use.

It would not be about promoters “throwing” their money about but “investing” in promotional marketing & product development. A better product, coverage & entertainment are the requirements to create increased crowd levels & support.

The purpose of having to tolerate doubling up is far from solely providing income stream for riders. It also enables the current number of clubs to function which is in fact the main reason promoters continue to endorse it. The concept of dumbing down the sport by having one league comprising the same or similar number of existing teams to include NDL level & similar limited rider ability or by fielding five man teams is not the answer. The way forward should be towards establishing top flight elite speedway of professional teams of eight and a second tier of semi-pro/ amateur teams. This concept should also enable the existing promoters to be split into two groups of a)professional & b)hobbyists. The professional group investing and promoting Elite speedway would amongst other things be responsible for the face of growing awareness of the sport to media and sponsorship. Whilst the second group providing growth and development opportunities alongside lower related running costs. There are now more than a few promoters who are well established businesses folk capable of developing the sport. Those same folk whilst prepared to run a team in the existing environment are not prepared to dig deep financially to create change whist the hobbyist’s continue to be blockers to any form of change which would cause their current influence to be significantly diluted.

Go fund now up to £7.5k Yet again speedway folk show their true colours when the chips are down. If a few more of us could “chip-in” a spare tenner or so, then the target will be soon me. Let’s hope some of the cash raised can be used to improve security at the stadium! After all prevention is better than cure.

We can discount Coventry from being ready for 2027. The current issues will take until the end of this summer to resolve at the very least and even if any final outcome falls in favour of Stox & speedway returning to Brandon, it will take a great deal of time to conclude a sale, clear the site and build a suitable race track and spectator facilities. If we’re lucky then Brandon could be up and running for a full 2028 season but not before.

They have their reasons for the delay in releasing full details of the “new” club. And, as they are the folk making it happen it is their prerogative to decide when that will be. Meanwhile let’s be grateful for this positive step in the current tough times for British speedway and wish the promoters and all concerned all the best of luck in their endeavours to make Northampton a long term success.

The full Premiership fixture list will be announced on Friday (March 6) at 8am.

Well it looks like we will be finding out the answer to your question over this coming season. Meanwhile, good luck to all those folk concerned with bringing a new speedway venue to the Premiership.

And Monster Energy

Would be good to be able to utilise the stox current stop lights, but I'm not sure if their positioning and format would be allowed for speedway (meaning I just don't know). Maybe somebody from Kings Lynne could shed light (no pun intended) if the utilisation of Stox lights are used for speedway at the AFA or if specific lights are required.