SteelShoe

Speedway has its problems, don't really think anyone on a speedway forum needs you to spell it out 1. What do you get out of posting on here anyway ? go wield your inflammatory pen on a forum of the more professional sports you purport to watch.

Attractive looking fixture. Hopefully the Bears will be on it and some great racing results. Looking forward to seeing how Zaine Kennedy and Drew Kemp perform but i'm going for the Bears 49-41.

It's my opinion that THJ is on point re all he has stated about this sorry situation. Derwent Park would have been available to the Comets over say the next 3 to 5 years. Unfortunately the perplexing financial situation precluded that happening. Another home would have to be found eventually but i still live in hope that something may hopefully develop.

Not at the majority of clubs for sure . Most clubs ran at a loss last season. There are otherways to help but i'm not appealing on here.

Like THJ has stated the wounds of no Worky speedway do indeed run deep. I don't believe that the huge majority of Comets fans bear Glasgow any malice whatsoever. Your fans are arguably the best and most welcoming in speedway and I always looked forward to seeing you all at Derwent Park and my visits to Ashfield. The fact is, last years apparent unmanageable debt coupled with the non forthcoming offers of help have resulted in the loss of Workington Speedway which for a lot of Comets fans is akin to losing someone close. The term 'speedway family' is often mooted on here but in my opinion there is no great evidence of this. Speedway is in trouble and there is no better time than now for clubs to work together in order to help each other survive. I'm not advocating repetetive assistance for clubs who have repeatedly demonstrated poor financial management but last season the Comets were very much victims of circumstance the results of which are plain to see. Laura came to the assistance of the Monarchs in their hour of need but where are the offers of help from the speedway family to help Worky to get back on their feet ?. The loss of the Comets and their travelling fans will be felt by the northern clubs especially the likes of Newcastle, Redcar and Berwick who will lose the income generated by the travelling Comets fans, which is unlikely to be replaced by the numbers travelling from the likes of Eastbourne, Somerset and Birmingham. The potential is there for clubs and riders to come together to help in whatever ways possible to ensure that clubs such as the Comets are not lost forever due being tipped over the cliff edge following a crippling season. Speedway family ? nah everyone just looks after themselves and herein lies the problem.

Yeah spot on geoff100. Still annoys greatly that those pushing this facility have inexcusably excluded the Speedway. It too could have attracted more prestigous meetings and on a more regular basis than a World Cup once in a blue moon. The council deserve credit for their ambition but castigation for their exclusion of the Comets. Hypocritical to call it a Community Stadium in such circumstances.

Just subjective perceptions from meetings attended and not always to watch the Comets. Cookie had a good apprenticeship at Edinburgh.

Newcastle is a track that does require more learning than most. For me the entrance to the first turn is too tight which appears to result in many more spills than any other Championship track that I can think of. There is room to alter the shape but obviously this would erode home advantage. The most accomplished away riders who are also slick gaters do alright on it but I've always felt that the excitement struggles to get past a certain level. I've been on many occasion when poor throttle control has been given as the reason for the frequency of falls but this has rarely been entirely true in my experience . The inconsistency of track prep has played its part and has created problems even for the likes of Lambert and Cook.

I'm pretty sure that Laura has more than enough integrity to ensure all monies paid by fans will be returned in full.

Still find myself thinking someone is going to step in to rescue the situation and its all just been a bad dream.

I believe this to be correct. Very mickey mouse for professional sport and yet another indication of how relatively poorly the sport is run in the uk compounded by the continuing inability to attract major sponsorship.

Without the offer(s) of financial support it's fair to say Worky's position at the AGM would have been one of not coming to tapes in 2019. The fact that the support wasn't subsequently forthcoming ultimately resulted in the very untimely withdrawal and the putting of the licence on 'ice'.

Got to feel for them all but Mason in particular has been hit really hard by the what has happened at Worky. Hopefully we can return to racing in 2020 on a stronger financial footing. I would like to think that there is a strategy being compiled that can help us achieve this, one that all us fans can contribute to in whatever way and to whatever level we can. Gonna miss my speedway fix at Derwent Park of that there is no doubt.

As far as I know Worky were at the AGM.

If you determine fitness for purpose as not losing money you may only end up with a couple of clubs. Last season it was widely recognised that nearly all clubs with the odd exception lost money, Championship and Premiership. Combined losses mooted to be around £900K.

Deeply deeply saddened indeed by this announcement. Has enough been done to try and raise enough to mitigate against the expected losses that would be incurred next season? well there has certainly been no figures produced about the sums that may be needed and the possibility of an appeal to fans and the wider public such as what helped save the Monarchs. To the parties that pledged financial backing all I can say is where is your integrity, words are indeed cheap. Speedway is in deep trouble, currently it's a mickey mouse setup which is a huge shame because it is deserving of so much better. What other supposedly professional sport would have no prize money for winning the league/major trophies, with the clubs having to pay for their own medals. Then to add insult to injury fine the winning club £3000 for not completing its final fixture at the 3rd legitimate attempt thereby compounding the losses already incurred. The AGM instigated nothing that will reduce the costs of the sport to the riders or increase the entertainment/value for money to fans. I love speedway but it is in serious need of a blood transfusion if it is to stay alive. Up the Comets.

Hope not will be a dark meeting. NSS for me personally.

James Shanes has bags of potential, very good signing in my opinion.

Proven top 3 all of whom are racers which will be great for entertaining racing. The other 4 have lots of promise. Much could depend on whether Jordy Stewart kicks on in the main body and how Tom Bacon and Nathan Greaves come back following injury. Ben Barker should increase what is a bargain average, Wrighty will easily maintain his. The only slight question marks is around MPT on a near 8. Lot of promise then but much depends on whether it will be realised.

Investment in facilities is fine but don't think this is being done for the benefit of the speedway fans. How will this affect chances of staging the likes of the PLRC. ? Will the back straight be opened up ?

Lot of question marks now around the potency of the 2019 Comets team. The realisation of the watering down impact of the 38 point team limit is hitting home and imo this is not a good move for a league that has been super competitive in recent seasons. Have to say the personal excitement felt when last seasons team was announced especially the prospect of watching Dan is not at the same level this time around. Think we could have a long tail away from Derwent Park. Looking forward to seeing Josh Mcdonald. The young Aussies are usually racers but its going to be a season of learning for Josh with the resultant high and lows. Personally i see Simon as a decent reserve who will be riding second string which may prove challenging especially away from home. Overall then a bit apprehensive about our prospects but its.great.to know we have speedway next season when it really didn't look like we were going too. Up the Comets. !

That team is solid right through and if performing to expected level should make the play-offs.

I'd be happy enough with that team if i was a Bandits fan. Good to hear the riders have been conducive to a pay cut in order to help the club.

Welcome back Tero, pretty sure the Diamonds fans will be disappointed. Could be a big season for the likeable Finn who has shown signs in recent seasons of being capable of taking the next step of achieving consistent heat leader status. If this does materialise then it can only help in the big heats.

Simon appears to be strongly rumoured but its not been announced yet. There are other options if indeed Aussie Josh McDonald is actually Comets bound , Nathan Greaves , Mark Riss, Mikkel B Andersen, Tom Bacon , Fernando Garcia and possibly others. Simon divides opinion, he can look limited at times especially on smaller tracks but he has put in some sterling performances in big meetings for Peterborough Panthers in recent seasons. Without doubt it's at reserve where his experience would be of most benefit to the team but if rumours are true then that position will be taken by Josh McDonald whom i know very little about but whom i think will need time to find his feet in what is still a tough league despite the fact that there will be more 2 pointers at reserve this season.