1 valve

Well, how about this for an alternative view. The quality of racing has improved this year v previous seasons. The Lions have for the most part ridden more competitively home and away than previous seasons. The track is more conducive to better racing (though shortening the straights would make it even better) The promoters have been successful in bringing speedway back to the City and their ambition to bring big time Elite League racing here along with local rivalry with The Bees, The Brummies the Wolves and Panthers should be encouraged. The promoters cant please all of the people all of the time, so they shouldn’t bother trying but just carry on doing what they are doing which is pleasing most of the people most of the time and improving what is on offer year on year. i.e. from Nothing to Elite League racing in 4 years Go for it! Oh and finally, I took a 25 year old first timer to Speedway on Sunday and guess what, she thought it was utterly fantastic and can’t wait to go again. I didn’t bother telling her it wasn’t the best racing to be seen; I just let her enjoy the experience.

To state the obvious, had the track been prepared better to suit Bjere then the Rockets riders would have benefitted too. As I saw it, the track changed during the meeting through the racing but Bjere’s contribution didn’t greatly improve. I’m not getting at the lad has clearly you don’t get to be a team’s no.1 by being rubbish with he is far from being. But maybe his riding needs to improve so that he can adapt to less than perfect track conditions & maybe, just maybe the promoters can be spared a little from being blamed for everything that is less than perfect.

Your right I am new to the forum though I did look through a few posts to see what suggestions had been made and good to see a couple have appeared re shortening the straights which appear sensiible suggestions. Seems logical to adjust both ends of the straights to avoid the need to reposition the starting gates and avoid making the stands on both sides off centre but I would question 6 to 7 k to do both seems way too little unless the assumption is labour is free and materials are donated, what is the basis of this type of costing?One final question (as a newbie) does anyone know who advised the promoters on the size and shape of the track from the outset? I have seen DH on many occasions acknowledge various promoters and suchlike (Len Silver in last nights programme) for their help and advice so I think it highly unlikely he alone decided this most fundamental aspect of bringing speedway back to Leicester.

Well it is true that the "track debate" is an old one, but unfortunately, still relivent. However, I dont seem to recall any reasonable suggestions on what needs to be done, only people saying something needs to be done. So what are the REAL possibilities open to the promoters - and please dont suggest starting again as clearly that would not be realistic.

Can anyone provide an insight into the cost differencial of paying riders to form a team suitable for Elite League racing compared to one for Premier League? I ask because I see more exciting Premier League meetings than Elite League.As I see it, the problem Leicester has is the scarciety of local Derbies to create some real long term excitement and anticipation which imust be the main reason for jumping into the Elite League - but at what cost?

It was indeed a great meeting and a pleasure to hear neutral supporters say how they hope these two teams are the ones that make the play off final because if so they are off to see both matches. Just a shame Leicester lost but credit to some great riding from Somerset and never say die attitude - which seemed to ebb away from the Lions.

Back in the late 60’s as a young lad I experienced my first speedway meeting at Blackbird Road and was instantly hooked. From then on through the summer nights of the 70’s and the first years of the 80’s Tuesday night was the best night of the week. Then what?...Nothing. No more Leicester Speedway. So speedway was sought elsewhere (even Brandon) and you oldies will know how painful that was unless the visitors won! And after what seemed an eternity and attending many meetings afar & even cheering Coventry riders when they deserved it, what happens? We get speedway back in Leicester. Clearly this was not an easy thing to achieve otherwise it would have happened sooner and especially since the return of the Lions arrived at the height of the economic recession and needed a new stadium built from scratch. Then what happens next? The promoter gets slammed for trying his best to get it right – and even the most opinionated of you naysayers will admit DH would hardly intend to deliberately “get it wrong” would he! Has DH made mistakes? Yes. Corrections made? Yes, some way to go? Yes. Will it get better? Yes (has done so far) So surely DH should be applauded for his efforts rather than castigated and the next time the team lose a match having lost a 12 point lead I hope the riders responsible get another good hairdryer treatment from the management because sure as things went they will have deserved it!