Sings4Speedway

Is it really a cracking team this year or a mediocre team that has no hope of making the play offs ? Its also a whole lot more than that, the 2019 team was tripe also with non stop changes and that is the last memory for those who have not returned this season. Then there is the question of how has the racing been over the past few seasons? I recall very few reports of entertaining matches packed with passes. Sadly Brum have run into trouble over a few years and not just 2021 and sadly the way back will equally take a few seasons and not just a call of use it or lose it for one or two meetings.

Not surprised as Edwards is clearly talented but confidence is down and lay off has done him no favours. I am shocked to see no more double headers as they appeared to offer great value but the stadium owners bang the drum. Bit odd that it includes the MSDL matches also as thats just a 2nd half of sorts. Ironic really that it was and Eastbourne rider and a Dugard who did all the falling in the last match which caused it to run on so long.

agreed and sadly not but is that because the sport has just taken these changes out of reactionary moves and necessity rather than thinking about how to improve the product as a whole. Laydowns could have been easily outlawed at the start, silencers could have actually been developed to produce a smoother power curve rather than the quickest whilst just sneaking under the db limit. Whilst all promotions are only driven by self interest there will be no future. Build a team with the best 7 riders in the world if you can afford it but there will be no spectacle as the opposing teams simply won't be able to match up.

It may well be the death of speedway but the same could be said of the move to laydown engines, short stroke engines, the move away from castor oil, the silencers the list goes on. The fact is that they are all "progress" and sports that embrace progress continue to evolve and thrive and those that cling onto the past fail. Even the same sport can be more and less successful depending on the approach it takes if you look at cricket or darts for example.

As stated above electric bikes are on the rise both in terms of production and popularity. Plus they will be far more utilitarian than a Speedway bike. Why are there far more moto x bikes and riders around than speedway riders? its simple and clear economics, why would anyone (sane) buy a bike that they can only use on tracks miles apart and when they are told they can (and often have to pay for the privilege) when you can buy an off road bike and ride it at a multitude of places. The future of oval racing is likely to be electric and likely to be a flat track crossover. Why anyone currently is looking at or developing new engines and engine parts for speedway is beyond me as its akin to making bodykits and engine mods for reliant robins.

Delighted to hear that first and foremost the racing at Central Park was good! Its a strange phenomenon that whats often needed is for the away team to be better to negate the home advantage or the 'lesser' riders to gate and let the 'better' riders chase them. Equally delighted to hear than Danyon had another good night and that Ben Morley rode so well. Both of these riders have been rattling around on the fringes for a while and seems crazy that Hume wasn't snapped up by a CL side sooner whilst Morley must be in prime spot for Kent rider of the season at present. Two hugely likeable riders and im delighted that the successes are matching their efforts.

IOW are providing different classes and competitions throughout the meetings but the Island Masters is still 500cc laydown engines. I do think that 250 speedway machines do provide good racing and better range of trackcraft to generate and maintain speed plus they don't pick grab drive as hard as their bigger counterparts. All this aside riders won't / can't just drop their existing stable of equipment if forced to use new/standardised/stock or whatever engines. The only way that will take off is running as a separate entity / class that grows in stature over the years until it becomes the dominant force in a similar way that laydown engines replaced uprights.

Have to agree with most whilst the frustration of the promotion is evident a public apology stating that riders have been told its not good enough doesn't smack of harmony within. The track was a little different to usual and the boys struggled a little but im confident they will all be suitably adjusted for our next home meeting would have sufficed IMO.

Genuinely can't believe Kents luck with the weather switching to Tuesdays was a worse decision than Kings Lynn signing Lewis Bridger. I wasn't expecting Heeps back but perhaps he is trying to make a point and not get replaced? I can't see any new mooted top level rider being added to the side without a double change?

Precisely and proving the point that getting the track right is the most important element to be successful. Its been argued time and time again which is/was better Scunny or Somerset? The answer is they are/were both great. Buxton also had all right ingredients to be successful barring a little extra capital to renovate the track surface. Frustratingly they had been calling for a lower points limit and wage caps for years and were ignored yet Berwick can get it pushed through at the first attempt. There is still a marketable option for Speedway at Buxton and should the Euromillions come up it would be my first place to call.

But why does speedway have to operate in stadiums? Internally its viewed as a sideways alternative to superbikes but externally its seen in the same light as stockcars and banger racing. So why don't / can't clubs run successfully on a lower glamourous environment? The basics to run a decent speedway event are track, parking, spectator viewing, toilets, food & drink. A Grasstrack has all of these bar the permanent track. Why not create more venues like Buxton? Lay a decent track in a field, fit fence, erect basic pit area and stick refs box on top of a shipping container? Everything else can be added at a later date, hired per meeting etc and all at far reduced costs than the thousands spent out on rent for tracks hindered by their Landlords because they feel they have the upper hand. Create an alternative and at least give the Speedway promotions some options on how they market the sport.

Sadly though that highlights the difference and value between the two clubs. £18 online advance ticket (£20 on the door) for a CL/NDL double header at Eastbourne versus £18 for just CL at Kent or £15 for just NDL. On that basis you either enjoyed the NDL match for free or paid just £3 more to watch a CL match. Different venue, same product but where's the sense?

I don't think NDL speedway is top of Jakes radar despite it being what has put his name out there. He was due to be at a grasstrack double header over the weekend, it turned into a single meeting with decent notice but still didn't fancy the return journeys to switch bikes. There is no doubting his talents at reserve but i fear the bonds between club and rider are becoming frayed.

Jake Mulford must be delighted missing the Eastbourne fixture and rocking the boat further. 1 race at a soaking wet grasstrack and didnt even get away from the start line.....definitely worth jeopardising his Speedway place.

Are the wheels / commitment starting to fall off this Kent team? Mulford can ride when he wants and chosing a grasstrack meeting tomorrow over speedway tonight, Dugard opted to pit at Eastbourne rather than previous meeting at Mildenhall. Kent made hard work of beating a 4 man Seagulls team tonight. Slip up like that could have meant no chance towards the end of season run in and no hopes of being top will do nothing but harm Kents crowds on already tricky September evenings

Any notes on how the crowd numbers were? Understrength Mildenhall side scared the leaders who still look to have a few passengers reliant on others scoring big. No way should Ryan Mac get beat my Muff twice anywhere but especially at home. Phillips did a decent job as a guest but you would fancy Jenkins to get more than the 7 RR brought for him. Would think the Bandits got away with it tonight.

Keleher for Newman, RR for Brennan TBA for Ellis

I hope not. Kent might be short a heat leader but they also don't want to break the bank on first season up a level.

Sadly Edwards and Jenkins missing spoils it a bit as a contest as i think a full strength Mildenhall side could have pushed the Bullets. I hope that those who said they would back NDL as a standalone do turn out and generate a good crowd. Will certainly be a decent indication if it sustainable or if double headers are here to stay.

If true that must fall under with holding services rather than prior commitment? That said any reason seems acceptable in the NL? No problem with that as long as its the same rules for all.

Given the tie has gone its certainly encouraging that Kent have booked a strong guest for this one and could end up paying out for a good few points this week. No meeting against Eastbourne is ever a dead rubber and there will always be a little bit of contention on the night. That said Lawson won't be arriving to make up the numbers and if Kennett can start doing a bit along with lively Brennan the heat leaders could be in for a battle. Sadly Edwards form has really suffered with the time off and Hurry must be eyeing the chance for a point should they meet and as the NDL at Eastbourne proved at the weekend even staying upright can bring points on the right day. Fingers crossed Len doesn't ruin the track with water and there is good racing on show tonight.

Jesus H Christ....is he coming in for Heeps or Wells?

Strong result for Kent against one of the leagues better sides who suffered for not having Edwards but 3 riders who all excel at West Row did the damage and the 5+1 return from Clouting tipped the balance. Still waiting for Spooner to get going (although if he had been included from the start?) but Kent go on getting big away wins and if they can get all the fixtures in look a real threat to top the table (although i also though Eastbourne would win despite the poor team put out so what do i know).

Ablitt withdrawn from U21s and believe he is not riding either meeting tomorrow.

I try and be patient especially as people appear to mostly put up with me but i fear that another could be headed for the ignore list soon and even Lewy hasn't been put on that.....yet