Sings4Speedway

If he ends up in the moat at the start of the evening at least everyone can relax and enjoy the rest of their night

Equally disappointed but far from surprised. Sadly no amount of spin can make this look like an SCB/BSPA idea so won't get the coverage it deserves. Add in the wasted money (wasted)spent by the BSPA in the (un)successful GTR project and this shows further the vast gulfs between IOW's promotional vision and what we are currently saddled with.

Huge boost for Kent if true? I believe Ablitts 23 day ban is up also so potentially powerful reserves back on track?

Same Rutherford who can't make the trip to Plymouth tonight? Shouldn't be allowed to take guest bookings if you cannot fulfil your own fixtures.

I thought riders over 18 had to attend these meetings and the "any excuse" is no longer valid? If that is the case where is Shelby or is it a rule that is just being ignored because nobody likes it? Scratch that ignored and only a rider up to 3.00 average can be used hence O'Keefe. Stoke should finish the job tonight, good lead and weakened Gladiators. Good to see that Rutherford has a valid reason for not doing the Plymouth match....he has taken a guest booking at Berwick on Saturday and that sounds more fun.

Poor poor form from Poole. Im assuming they will be offering another date up asap as if they are allowed to renegade on a commitment made by all top flight clubs there should be consequences. Maybe they should pay the running costs at another track? If this is allowed unpunished what incentive is there for any club to host rounds in the future (other than the few who are not blinkered and short sighted).

Great to hear such positive feedback from the meeting although no surprise from the IOW. The time of year never helps the track and one line racing isn't always the best but a new initiative brings rewards? Anyone hear the rider feedback on how the engines performed / handled?

Whilst annoying for many (especially the home promotion) most continental grass/longtracks are contracted now and very difficult for riders to get out of once signed up (and certainly hurts future bookings) so if Adam took the booking prior to signing for Brum its fair enough he misses the fixture. What everyone is tiring of is the non stop BS reasons that Birmingham are issuing. Rogers has a reputation on nonsense so its about time the Mason's stood up and were open and honest otherwise they will end up tarnished with the same dodgy brush.

How delightful of God to deny his riders permission to take part in the 2v champs the night before the event was due to take place. Im guessing it was viewed as a threat to the successful GTR project that so much of the paying publics money was squandered upon rather than a potential positive move forward for the sport.

It would be nice if the BSPA actually published some genuine figures for these events to see if they are viable at neutral venues or not? Even the choosing of Stoke is a little odd as its not well supported compared to other NL tracks (although i do accept there were limited options especially now the NL is such a midweek league).

Im all for the grasstrack section as i follow both sports and i do believe that pages vs subscription base its a worthwhile addition. There are also plenty riders who ride both sports which i also agree with but to knock those taking part in the development leagues isnt on as there are plenty of established names who started out in DL's and im sure they were very appreciative of the tiny amount of press coverage they received. To completely omit an active UK league while offering space to other world leagues or memory lane chatter is insulting to all those involved.

He still has Cradley in the NL i thought?

The problem lies within the last paragraph. Steve might get fixed up next season with an average over 9 but nobody would employ Lasse or Tommy Gun on 8's. Once the season has officially slipped away the riders will set about manipulating the numbers to get berths for next year. As is said time and time again, its a numbers game.

Add in the joy that the multiplier will increase by 0.1 each season until it hits 2.0 at which point no doubling up riders will want to sign for Prem clubs at the start of the season because after first set of averages their 8 point Champ average would become a four in the Prem making them highly desirable and able to name their price.Thanks heavens this has been thought through.

There are some elements of the modern star that i like, there are more interviews and a few riders/managers etc are actually quite candid and open about the goings on rather than the dull company line. However to not be able to include results from a genuine British league and still have plenty of space for results from Germany & South Africa is baffling. We all have opinions on what should be trimmed (personally i don't care for the dear deidrie style readers letters as they are just handpicked opinions) why not keep it factual and report results? As ever development leagues are treated like trash,i await the uproar when the youth rounds are next to be pushed out.

Any idea on the crowds / atmosphere? I would imagine this one was a bit of a quiet damp squib?

Can't see him coming back for a few years if at all.His family moved over to pursue this move and have been left very disillusioned with UK speedway. All this did was cost them and Scunthorpe speedway a considerable sum of money for a youngster who wasnt ready because the sport is being driven towards scooping up riders just out of nappies and gambling with their futures rather than allowing them to develop.

Am i the only one who has noticed that the MSDL results are no longer being published in the speedway star? The league and its riders / promotions barely get any recognition anyway so to remove the few column inches that the star used to grant them seems a little unjust compared with some of the other waffle that is included.

Am i the only one who has noticed that the MSDL results are no longer being published in the speedway star? The league and its riders / promotions barely get any recognition anyway so to remove the few column inches that the star used to grant them seems a little unjust compared with some of the other waffle that is included.

I suspect if Gilkes comes back Clouting will be saddled with an average too high to replace Widman

Lack of electricity worked for Birmingham.....

In fairness the comments were from the Plymouth corner so they weren't going to be that happy anyway plus a level of deflection from their own track woes. I genuinely hope that Stoke do lift some silverware as its been a long time coming as it shows what a fresh injection of energy can achieve.

With the greatest of respect to Chris he was on the slide before he switched to GM's. The gate and go one line track may not have played to his strengths but there was no speed or grit all night. Initially i thought IOW had made a mistake not tracking Chris at 7 but afterwards it was a mistake giving him his 4th ride as both King & Wirtfeld lowered the colours of Clouting on the night. I still don't believe That Widman has become a bad rider but the excuses need to stop and genuine effort put in. He proved he can produce something on the Island (despite a lower opposition) so its time for him to show he deserves the loyalty shown or step aside and give someone else the chances.

I certainly don't class Bowtell as dirty but do agree he is reckless at times. He is a rider in a hurry to make a name for himself. The problem is with his limited time in the sport is that decision making and awareness is not always what it should be. Im not aiming this at Alfie but there are riders who i have seen throw the bike on the track in a split second or rapidly switched lines to avoid nasty crashes and others who have ridden for almost half a lap before ploughing into others. I don't actually fault the riders i believe its the promotions responsibility to ensure the riders they track are competent.

Sorry to say but anyone signing Chessell is barmy. His injury is preventing him move on the bike properly and he looks like a uncomfortable amateur now, anyone continuing to track him is not just helping to tarnish his reputation further. Think Stoke have to start favourites but feel like Cradley could push them hard. The victor will be the team with fewest mistakes.