DWP

Always had 6 pairs of Goggles. Clear for floodlights, various strength tints and iridium mirror lens for bright sunshine. I know frustrating but the low sun directly at the start makes it hard to see the track. But let’s be honest how many times a year are there sun delays. 2/3 x I’d rather a sun delay than standing in rain or in a cold north wind knowing the rest of the evening will be warm. Re start times I agree meetings should have 7.30pm first race start. Stood there many a time saying “come on let’s get on with it” - the riders are ready, so really no excuse.

Stupid ruling by BSPA - if this rule is still in place for 2019 ( and this should be clarified now ) Nichols and Kennett will need to keep their averages below 6 this season to enable them to double up in 2019. Riders can not afford to ride just one UK league if only doing UK. Scotty is at the end of his career, I wonder if he may call it a day if this ruling is not overturned. This would be a big thank you from the BSPA to the multi British Champion. What a terrible way to bow out. But British speedway is hell bent on burying itself.

So Nichols and Kennet will need to ride in Premiership in 2018 not giving 100% and make certain their average is below 6 so they can double up in 2019. What a joke !

No was not implying that. But this system prevents any rider who may think they can bend any fuel rules.

Point 3 - do as they do in Poland. 15/30mins before the schedule start time and rider presentation. Each team coach selects 2 of his riders to practice. Home team 2 riders have 1minute practice, return to pits and away team selected riders have their 1minute. All 4 riders then change to their 2nd bike and this is repeated with riders having another 1minute each. Another Polish Practice, I’d like to see also is one fuel point. Home team supply the methanol and Mechanics takes their bike to be filled before their riders next race. Riders are not allowed their own methanol in the pits.

As I’ve said a few times, Nicklas is only doing Poland, Denmark and Sweden.

Yes he’s here, cooking me a curry.

£400 a point ?????? Lol

Reading the forum and the comments re Roberts interview in Speedway Star. I am not giving my opinion on it. However some facts my help you. I have done an approx. costing for a rider doing one UK league. Naturally a rider doubling up, some costs would increase or decrease or not exist. These figures are from my experience for an annual cost to a rider. 2 bikes/engines @ £8000 each = £16000 spread over 2 years = £8000 Spares £4000 (surprising how many spares needed in a season and that’s without a blown engine cost) Other equipment - helmet/goggles/tools £1000 Oils/Lubricants/bike cleaning materials etc. £500 Van hire 8 months £2400 Mechanic £4500 Flights 50% of cost £3000 Airport travel costs £500 Budgeting travel Rain off expenses ( no income ) £1000 Fuel van £800 Engine servicing £3000 Insurance van £800 ( many mechanics under 25 ) Injury Insurance rider £400 Sundry misc. expenses £1000 (always unexpected costs) Total £30900 These are the costs, looking back through them it would be easy to increase some. But this gives a ball park figure. Naturally some costs are off set by sponsors supplying their goods which a rider uses. But it is still a cost and a rider needs equipment sponsors as well as cash sponsors. From this total cost, now you can can calculate how much a rider needs to earn per point or plus get sponsor deals to make it all pay. Certain some of you will argue these figures. That’s your opinion, but as for 5 years I’ve being paying invoices I know these figures are a good ball park figure. I am just giving factual figures - this is not my opinion of what’s right or wrong. I will leave it to you to do your own calculations and come up with what ever view you wish.

I can splash some paint about on canvas. My work starts at £5million if you want to make an investment. Perhaps after we have both gone your family will see a return. They say all artist die poor lol

Yes Nicklas is very appreciative for all I have done for him from the time he first came to King’s Lynn. We are the very best of friends and he is like a son to me. Though I won’t miss the time taken sorting flights and the trips at 3am to Stansted etc. He is excited about the new season, certain things I can’t reveal at present, which will be announced within a month. Not doing UK was a decision we made at the end of last season and I think this will be good for him. We were approached by a number of UK Clubs, but said thanks but no thanks for 2018. In discussion with Dale, we all agreed Nicklas was not right for Lynn and Lynn was not right for Nicklas this coming season. Re myself, I have plenty to sort before moving to France, but yes I plan to retire in Normandy. Good wine, food and relaxing plus getting back to oil painting which I haven’t done for years. (The next Monet Ha ha ! ) I have looked at logistics and it is still easy for me to fly to Poland, Sweden and Denmark to watch Nicklas race. I will still look after certain aspects for him, but not having to arrange 4 flights a week and trips back and forth to Stansted will make life so much easier.

That’s for the compliment. But I am only looking after Nicklas in Poland, Denmark and Sweden. Plus with plans to move from West Norfolk to France myself in 2018 will only come to Lynn on the odd occasion.

I don’t know also but saw the photo. Have you read Polish Extraliga contract for 2018. There is a clause in it, that a rider is fined big time if injured outside of speedway. That includes falling down stairs, one of the reasons I believe Hancock not doing Extraliga. There are some other unbelievable clauses in it also.

Yep NKI in Canaries with Danish team. Nikki P lives in Monte Carlo, but also building new House in Denmark.

Been in Poland for the week so not seen forum for a while. However, Pedersen bike was given to Buster by Nikki years ago. It’s been office corner since new office was built. I would guess - “ we need a photo of Buster and Robin to announce Robin as promoter, let’s use the bike as a backdrop” I wouldn’t read anymore into it.

I believe Robert now lives in Germany with his girlfriend

Understand your feelings. But I can also understand the Poles. Unlike the UK, owners of most Polish speedway clubs have/do put a lot of money into their Club/investment. They would rather their riders only ride in Poland. But as it is at moment they can’t do that. But they naturally want to protect their investment in riders.

Put yourself in their shoes. You sign a rider, agree a large sign on fee paid 1st February. Your rider injures himself first week of April whilst riding outside Poland and is out for 2 months. Wouldn’t you want your money back.

Ok still not very healthy

Yep - Poles will fine you for wearing the wrong shirt. They can be ruthless.

Ok it was a quick calculation. Heard only 3 didn’t loose money

Been told how many made losses so did calculation

I’ve heard that riders are being offered 10% less than last season. Clubs need to balance books as 83% made a loss last year in PL and CL. I know we would all love to see Niels back. Even Doyle, which would be be a big coup for Lynn to have the current world champion. I don’t know anymore than you guys, but realistically I can’t see either happening. No TV, so top riders not attracting sponsors here, are costs to do UK disproportionate to potential earnings here, logistics of flying in/out. I just don’t see any up side as to why they would want/need to ride the UK. Top riders earn big bucks in Poland, so why do it. Yes more meetings, but other than that what’s the attraction for them. Crash in UK, injured and can’t ride Poland. Huge loss of income and probably having to pay back proportion of sign on fee. Personally I feel the days of the SGP riders and other top continental riders riding UK are over. I hope I’m wrong. To get them back the BSPA, SCB, Promoters etc. need to make big changes/improvements to fans, riders and sponsors and bring the sport into the 21st century. Unfortunately I don’t have any confidence that this will happen.

Each to their own.

A very good question. He rides well in Europe, but finds the UK tracks not to his liking. Small tight, never the same one day to the next. One track he did like but only rode it once was Belle Vue and only time he rode it, was a night of rain and slop sadly. Last season Buster was keen for him to persevere with GTR - he just couldn’t find set up with it. The power was there but getting it into the track was like banging your head against a wall. And with that it knocked his confidence. Unfortunately the GM bike was stolen and with what Lynn paid him, plus the costs to him to fly back and forth whether a rain off or not. He just couldn’t afford £8000 to replace it and he wasn’t going to give up Poland and Sweden and bring one of those 4 bikes to Uk. We have looked at all options for 2018. I can’t go into exact figures but with the costs to do UK - when you look at costs v earnings in Europe. It’s a no brainer not to do Uk. 1x less van, 2x less bikes, 1x less mechanic, 50+ flights less etc etc. Earnings so much more in PL, SE and DK. I think that he will really come on this year not doing UK. He’s done his UK apprenticeship and learnt a lot and he’s very pleased he’s done it. As with other riders I’ve seen who do UK then go back to Europe only and suddenly they seem to make their mark. Milik, Lebedev, Magic are a few examples. Nicklas as such style on a bike when he’s confident and with Greg Hancock mentoring him this season at Stal Rzeszow , I can see him making a few headlines. I hope so as he’s such a great lad.