1 valve

I know its a bit late, but congratulations to Glyn and all involved in getting the Lions v Coventry fixture on. We all know that the weather plays a big part in determining the type of track and hence the racing that is possible and all considered it was a meeting so much better than could be expected under the prevailing conditions. Also like to add a well done to the riders who put on a good show all round which considering the fact that this was a "friendly" they didnt hold back anywhere near as some other riders have done as witnessed on sky when track conditions were much less challenging. Job well done to all concerned!

I dont think the result v Coventry should be taken into account at all in determining if the Lions join the EL or take part in what ever the 2014 top flight is. Ok so they won by a big margin but it is strange to say its a bad thing can only be compared to saying that had they lost, it would have been a good thing. I am sure the Leicester promotion can do the sums correctly. Yes riders will cost more, and no weekend fixtures, but crowd numbers should be up due to local derbies v Coventry, Birmingham, Wolves & Peterborough to name a few so if they can secure a good enough team to compete (and I think they will) we should be encouraging the promoters to go for it - and then support their endevours to the hilt. I am lucky (old) enough to have seen world champions ride at Leicester and I am sure the prospect of top riders such Holder (when fit) Woffinden, Holder & NKI will bring the crowds in to BP just like Mauger, Olsen & Penhall did to Blackbird Road more than the Premier clubs and riders do currently.

On a number of occasions in various areas of communication DH has referred to the business plan. Like all owners of sport related business as an owner or majority shareholder you are involved either as a hobby for the rich or to make a living and return on investment. I think DH is in the latter and if the Lions get to compete at the highest level he will be on track with his plans complete with as many local derbies as possible. I think the concept of the average cap deals with the problem of a team fielding 7 top riders. However I do think once a team has made such choices they should not be forced to lose riders just because they made good signings in the first place.

If Douglas is available we could use him once every eight days

i Thank for the feedback jim, BTFC & volty. It Seems like DH has took on more than he bargained for in terms of other sports being found to complete the designated complex. If I remember correctly the guy from Kings Lyn was being touted as the potential promoter for Leicester, or was he going to be DH mentor? Anyway the project was delayed for a full year due to the non speedway parties not being able to sign up so I guess the missing piece (from my side) is at what point did DH get involved and did the LCC only agree for the speedway project to commence if DH agreed to take on the responsibility for establishing other sporting uses for the remaining areas. It is a shame Beaumont Town lost their facilities and maybe the LCC should step in with some seed corn funding and the club or other such body pursue lottery funding as per Aylestone Park and similar clubs have done in the past

Mount Beaumont just about sums the situation up...Clear as mud. Is it known if the City Coucil expected DH to be reponsible for developing the other none speedway activities as originally percieved i.e. football & BMX type sports or was it down to LCC to seek other partnerships?

Volty, you are absolutely right the value of the lease would be governed by what you can do with the facility concerned and personally, I have no insight into the scope of the lease in question. If it also does cover the outlying (& ever expanding) mud mountains then absolutely current and future values will be effected in consideration of any cost required to make those areas of use for other activities. My presumption is that the current promotion would sell all of its business interest i.e. the company, inclusive of Speedway license, lease and all other assets. Is that worth 1m? Well, it is if someone wishes to pay it and of course the current owner wants to sell and frankly I think the answer to the latter is a no, and I can understand why that is the case given that after 3 years DH must feel he is making progress with the project and wants to see it continue as a successful business under his stewardship.

By the way, is that £8,000 "the price with VAT" or "the price without VAT" ? !! ... because that might be another £1,600 that needs stumping up. [/quot If it was a full repairing lease i.e. new tenant being responsible for maintenance then there would be no need for VAT to be charged as the default setting is that VAT is not charged on transactions involving land and property. However I think people are missing the point that DH very more than likely has no wish to sell or give up the promoting of the club hence he is quoting what appears to be high prices. I say "appears to be" because 1m for a 99 year lease (I guess 96 now) maybe is not bad value when one considers inflation and the future benefits to be gained over that period. And of course is a way lower cost then the Belle Vue project which incidently the promoters of the Aces will not own as the complex will be run/owned by private equity. As an example of inflation in speedway: Admission prices for my first visit to Blackbird Road in 1969 (equivalent to 50p) rose by 400% to £2.50 by the time speedway closed in 1983 and now 30 years later £15.00 represents an increase of 500% (average 16% per year) on the 1983 price. So even if we use the current much lower inflation rate of 2.5% on a compounded rate in 32 years time (1/3 of the lease) we can expect to be paying at least £32.50 at each meeting which of course would increase the value of the lease. Therefore as in all similar cases DH is quoting nett present value rather than just today’s value in order to reflect the future value of the product he owns i.e. the lease and speedway organisation that didn’t previously exist! e]

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!