GWC

This is where this league falls down taking itself too seriously. Rolling averages at this level doesn’t help either it’s more about current form so a last 6 matches count back perhaps should be determining team strength with no limit.

To my mind it has to be one professional league of at least 14 clubs to make the opposition more varied. Riders would be able to spend what they want on equipment and overseas riders accepted. The best stadia should be allowed into this set up and sell it to tv sponsors etc as the UK speedway league with teams of riders who don’t ride for other clubs. Remaining clubs will be semi professional in a second league with costs restricted. They would be weekend tracks in the main and geared for rider development. The current set up is making a mockery of the sport but I understand why it is so at this time. It will need promoters to come together ignoring self interests.

Rye House is a purpose stadium fit for speedway without the inconvenience of a dog or stock car track in the way. The previous incumbents did their best to turn it into a dump (moto x track etc) but I’m sure that will be rectified once speedway returns. Lakeside lost money through the playoff system of riding against the same team over and over again.

If the PL expands next season with CL clubs then it will need even more young riders to fill places in what will be a much weaker league. All clubs will need to promote riders from the NL as well so it will be either hailed as a revolutionary saviour to the sport or the final death throw of a great sport. The alternative is carry on as we are with probably an even smaller PL then not needing the inexperienced riders. No doubt cost implications will dictate.

The PL seems to have scant regard for riders it uses to ‘fill up their teams’ when averages dictate team strengths. Never sure what the league expects from these young reserves, they seem to take the brunt of criticism when it’s more experienced season riders not performing as they should who are the problem. I’m of the opinion that there should be some kind of ‘experience’ requirement in place to avoid young riders being put under pressure to score way before they have been consistently competitive in the league below.

It’s to do with quota share. If 10 EU passport holders come here then that’s 10 less for other countries as the EU gets first pick. The governments policy is to cut immigration year on year but this isn’t happening (whilst we remain in the eu). Prior to us being in the EU Aussies and NZ were free to come here pretty much as they pleased but it’s unlikely those days will return.

Eastbourne postponed their meeting yesterday due to the threat of the Champions league final. The loss of a few hundred spectators would be crippling financially. Can see this continuing so the sport must reduce costs like it or not. Probably the area to consider and one which gets overlooked is rider equipment and how costs can be significantly reduced.

Principally because the ‘better off’ teams wouldn’t share around their riders so some teams struggled badly. The British league of 1965 was successful because it provided more variety of opposition plus teams were put together under the ‘ rider control’ system. Maybe a similar system would initially be required - especially if Buster owns all the clubs!

Losing Brennan is a big loss especially at home but going into the team proper would be a real challenge for him so maybe Newman can do his job. Morley is a slow burn and is probably still only reserve standard at CL level. I’ve yet to see him really attack a race and seems to lack speed when behind. Wood and Bowtell are great and really deserve encouragement and loyalty as there is potential there.

If he is a super talent why have so few heard of him? I’m sure the lad at Scunthorpe was also hailed similar and he had a lot more experience.

Danyon Hume might be on their radar if a certain reserve doesn't get a shift on!

Bought him 2 at the start of a season I recall.

Silver’s Rye house track was always very slick for NL meetings so I’m guessing he is pandering to a rider who wants it deep in a place where he can blast round the outside. It might be prudent to bombard Mr Silvers email to let him know that people want to see 15 heats if they pay top prices. What other sport (cricket apart) gets so much interruption.

It may come to some people’s notice that James is only a reserve in a CL team of low averaged riders at Birmingham. Quite what people expect of the lad in the PL is nonsense.

Comments made by Middleditch in last weeks SS about the dusty track took some believing saying that the riders should talk to the track curator. Does he think his job as a manager of the team shouldn’t include making sure the track is fit for purpose!

Thanks so it was a 2 hour meeting with the need for an ambulance as well. My gripe with Kent is their vulnerability to going over the curfew as happened a few occasions last season and making no attempt to compensate.

Today’s meeting against Belle Vue did it run within the time allowed had it started at 6 pm?

Those of us who have long memories in this sport will have been supporting a lower league club in the full knowledge that any rider developed to a certain standard was going to move up. It would have been interesting had Rye House Lakeside and Workington survived to run again this season where all the riders would have come from.

Reminds me of the old days when some Aussies would come over and ride second halves and then sleep in their car! I hope Palin isn’t a year too early next season after Godfrey almost guaranteed him a team place.

James Shanes honest appraisal of the track might not be to some of the riders used to flying round on Polish launch pads! Lets hope it’s a success tonight and speedway is the winner.

Different forms of motor sport exist in the UK when most people never look beyond F1. It ultimately depends on the quality of the arenas in use in today’s world first and foremost not who is on the track. Maybe that’s why Poland are where they are now.

Probably the official receiver!

UK speedway has lost a lot of the star riders but mainly through retirement and those coming through don’t seem to be of the same quality apart from a few. Paying huge sums to Hancock Pedersen and Woffinden wouldn't justify it now without outside money and I doubt attendances would be significantly more. The racing is more important as well as spectating facilities.

Clock is ticking on Swindon as a viable track with housing so close. It will have to look elsewhere if it is to continue in the sport. A stand alone track in the area should be achievable ala Somerset surely.

I hope GED isn’t lost to the sport as it needs people like him. Maybe Workington might attract him.