I used to love going to King's Lynn in the early 90s to follow Ipswich.
The racing & the atmosphere was always fantastic especially in Good Friday morning. My own opinion is Lynn like many others have struggled to adapt to these super tuned lay down rocket ships.
The powers that be really need to get the equipment sorted out as the first part of creating entertaining racing.
The national league in the late 80s also proved that you could run a league competition without guests. The issue like so many within speedway it's the easy way out.
Just look how far the sport has fallen since Ipswich's final national league season in 1990.
It's the credibility issue for me. In a supposed professional elite sport you have a rider who can be contracted to two different teams in the same country. Then by the time you add in the guest regulations its possible that one rider could ride for every professional club across the two divisions in one season.
I guess it bugs me because I still have the hope of the sport growing and getting the support and attention it deserves. While things like this go on its very difficult to see that ever happening.
Not necessarily a comeback but it was a massive shame Ipswich didn't resign the cowboy in 97 and again for 2001. I think 97 was very close to happening and Cook went on record in during an interview after his short stint with Lynn in 2000 that he fancied riding for the witches again. That after a mighty impressive 13 points at Foxhall for Lynn.
I know there is a pandemic on and to honest any speedway is a bonus this year. However for the sport to move forward and thrive again this doubling up really needs raining in its now out of control.
Good luck to Crumpy and the rest of the doubling up riders at least it keeps them busy without the need to ride overseas.
Alot of the issue is the foot print of the stadia & what is on the inside of outside of the speedway track that limits what can be done even if the money is available.
Ipswich carried out major track works a few years ago and have been tinkering ever since. Not sure how much of a difference it has made to the racing though.
Part of the problem is that the bikes are just to quick/powerful for the UK tracks. Part of the UK reset should be slower standard equipment that is not only better suited to the UK tracks but also cheaper to maintain.
It's very interesting now, much was made of signing Crump and it produced quite alot of attention.... Maybe there will be a further reduction in this average.... I would be suprised if he isn't at Ipswich however I was surprised he signed last winter anything is possible!