HGould

Enjoyed the meeting there are would say a decent crowd around around the 750-800 mark which at prices you'd pay at some Championship Tracks (more than Leicester and Eastbourne for me to get in to as an OAP) ; is cracking for NL so unless Len is paying well above NL pay-rates someone is milking it, although no idea what rent he has to pay for that very luxurious Stand and Restaurant. The track (and its my 4th visit) just doesn't cut it for me, not sure whether they need to sort the cambers out or get some more even dirt on it but seeing good level riders having to cling on when hitting grip on 2nd bend and rut on 3rd bend when they have had all winter to blade and grade seems a lack of attention to me. I'd contrast with Stoke who have a fraction of the crowd and income who have gone the extra mile and produced a stunning race strip since they changed curator last season and Leicester/Peterborough who have also invested time and effort in to track preparation. Excellent Team Kent have and very enthusiastic support but they deserve better track and lower prices in my opinion. Can't be right that I can see Richard Lawson for £14 on Friday and Rob Ledwith for £15 on Monday at much lower level???..

Yes decent meeting, a lot of crashes, not great track conditions, decent crowd for NL. I'd say about 1 hour 50 mins but wasn't timing it. Got to try to navigate the M25 home now but having a bite to wait til it does down a bit.

Having taken nearly 7 hours to get my home in Worcestershire to Eastbourne on Friday and arriving at 2.45 as a result, glad they did delay to let me and about 100 other people in a queue in at 10 to 3 and that with all their turnstiles open. I blame the M25 / M23 lack of infrastructure investment, awful British roads, crazy London drivers, the hot weather, 101 other things before i blame Eastbourne or any other speedway team, the doom mongers really do want out great sport to die don't they. I rejoice at big crowds and queues at speedway brilliant i say. Been to Kent today, not a great crowd but very decent for NL and another Club trying their best to promote speedway racing. Well done Kent and well done Eastbourne I say

Of course the (new) Alexander Stadium Brian refers to, now home to Birchfield Harriers and also HQ of British Athletics is being upgraded to facilitate Stadium for 2022 Commonwealth Games and although plans are for it to be scaled back to Capacity of just over 20,000 after the Event may make a longer term option for UK Speedway (if a temporary track could be laid) somewhere below the 50,000+ of CARDIFF Millenium (which cost is too much rent for Domestic use) yet well above the very restrictive spectator capacity at the NSA in Manchester.

Looking forwards to taking in Kent v Belle Vue Colts this afternoon having spent 2 lovely days on beach in area following Eastbourne v Brummies on Friday. Will be an interesting encounter between 2 of the 3 Teams most people think will dominate the League. If BV can get 40 points there would be a huge "marker" for them. Kemp's CL form very in and out but should dominate here on 2018 form. I've seen Gilkes and Ablitt a few times when Brummies down at Arlington in NL Ablitt used to ride before meeting and after and Gilkes regualr there in SDL for Reading; and also in SDL matches at various NL tracks I visited; so am assuming Gilkes and Ablitt were free mainly as a result of Eastbourne moving up and Kent being only NL option in that part of the world; as I'm sure Connor Dugard would have had them snapped up for Eastbourne . I did hear a whisper Leicester were after Gilkes who lives in Northampton I think but would imagine with Thompson twins in reserve spots Leicester did not want 3 riders on 2 point averages new to the sport.

Swings and roundabouts imho - the concept was that th 3rd Tier this season was going to be more about "Development" and that's why the Brummies moved up as Management thought product would be so diluted it could not pay. At the 11th hour a 6 man 32 point limit was scrapped (I know that's what Brum were expecting) and 7 man and 36 brought in. You now have a bigger span than before in terms of ability - Kemp / Flint / Brennan / Clegg at top down to some very good youngsters but some may be not quite ready yet. That will lessen spectacle in my opinion Probably needs a 3 year cap on riders who average over 8 points per meeting for 2-3 years as they need to move up and not stagnate - what is Clegg still going in that League??...and Kemp/Brennan/Wood/Bickley/Flint etc should not be in that League next season if they cement themselves in CL and on to PL... Looks a top heavy League to me and hopefully that does not affect other clubs. I think Kent need to be looking at CL or PL and really looking forwards to going there tomorrow as previous 2 visits with Brummies have been mired in controversy, curfews , and not great crowds (600-700), based on what Kent seem to have most weeks. Not the easiest place to get to on a Monday (excluding Bank Holidays) so I hope they ultimately get Saturday option.

To put this to bed I think there were 2 diverging issues here in hindsight. (1) there was a queue, all turnstiles from what I could see were open and Eastbourne decided to assure us in the queue that we would be getting in b4 the meeting started but didn't announce that to the fans inside as (2) possibly (and i have no proof) it suited them that there was a queue as they were waiting for Lawson to arrive....which he did at 5 to 3. He was not on Parade but rode unbeaten all day by an opponent. Probably preferable to starting with people outside and knowing that and doing nothing, but probably should have told people inside although it was warm and sunny and most probably didn't notice. Queues to get in though at 3 Speedway Fixtures on Friday at least, is I think something we can all celebrate.

Woofer Thank you and understand your comments but this is my perspective as an away fan who felt really valued (again as at the first match between our sides). I'll always give credit when due and say when not. Those of us outside were very politely told by a Member of your community Team that they were sorry for delays and that the start time has been put back 10 minutes and when we got in through the gate we were told by a very welcoming lady - also from the community team (well that's what it said on their shirts) not to worry as the referee had agreed to delay the start by 10 minutes due to traffic hold up's. At which as we walking in to the Stadium, Paul Carrington, The Referee, who I know well by sight, came down from the Refs Box presumably to go to the Toilet; looking like he had all the time in the world. That was almost 3pm At 3.10 the Parade Started, just 10 mins late and elongated only by a perfectly observed 1 minute silence for Colin Goody who used to race for Eastbourne I believe? I don't think that's standard slipping at all, more bloody good customer care I'd say; especially for a number of away fans like me, stuck on the car park, sorry M25 for 2 hours. Your Car Park was full to overflowing, I had to park literally in the trees right at the far end. BTW - Richard Lawson sped in at almost precisely 2.55pm in his van, past the queue. Highly likely they wanted to keep that quiet for as long as possible, has happened before at most tracks. You are clearly getting new attendees which I am sure your Club are very grateful for as your new brummie sounding Promoter said very eloquently when interviewed by Kevin Coombes.

I didn't have a spec of dust on me, then again, I don't stand in the obvious areas where dust is going to be. I guess dust is the new reason the doom mongers have to knock our great sport.... No doubt in a few weeks it'll be "why no covers". some folk can only moan. shame is they'll be moaning when tracks are closing because too many have moaned about things like "dust"...

Some people make their mind up before the event. I can only speak as i find, see and hear with my eyes and ears. Eastbourne v Birmingham Some dust but not excessive in hot sun. Track graded and watered every 3 heats. Had a walk on track after meeting, actually a lot of dirt on it as some stunning outside passes late in meeting indicated. Massive free car park, well marshalled and full to overflowing Crowd excellent, no complaints from anyone I heard about dust. Real buzz about the place and lots of children and families.Nice touch to have community team people outside turnstiles helping whittle queues down and point out which ones cash and card. Meeting Parade started no more than 10 past 3, first race went off at 3.15 Presentation excellent from the Cardiff GP guy, lots of crowd interaction and rider/management interviews etc, liked proper Parade, minutes silence for Colin Goody; home riders ride round stock car track after every race up close to fans.Excellent programme, good read and lots of quality articles and pictures. To say Officials and Riders not bothered is just a joke, some good competitive racing, Heat 14 re-run 3-4 times as neither Ashley or Wood would give an inch, some excellent from the back rides by Wood and Lawson for them and Shanes for us, Paco and Ulrich started well and passes almost every race. All Eastie pit crews in snazzy t-shirts and all Officials and track staff kitted out in team gear, hardly suggests "not bothered" attitude. Great viewing access in Pits after meeting.Good food and loads of outlets. Not seen Laurence so animated in a long time by Heat 14 and some Refs decisions debatable. Still a lot of folks in Pits and mingling round 30 mins after end of meeting. Complaints (if you can call them that) - young start marshall seemed to make a few mistakes, I missed my easter egg for grandchildren and late due to traffic (my fault), toilets a bit tired but clean.PA a bit loud but no excuse for not hearing results and times. Staying down in South for meeting at Kent on Monday - hope woofers not going may be a few specs of dust. We have to enjoy our speedway while with can with some many tracks closing or reporting difficulties, great to hear big crowds at Scunny and BV Colts too....

10 mins late with queues arriving late due to traffic is hardly a tardy start, what are Promoters to do, start with fans clearly waiting to get in, mind you not many know what a queue is. Anyone driving down 25 / 23 today will know how grid-locked it was.

Drove long way..., we got stuffed, a bit of dust and you moan??? Biggest crowd I have seen at Eastie I think, I sat in Grandstand, fans were really buzzing. Got talking to a chap next to me, first time he'd been in 3 years he told me and he was loving it. I was delayed on M40 and M25, got there 10 to 3 big queue, chap came out in a yellow top and apologised for queue and said they were delaying start by 10 mins, parade started at 10 past 3, first race at 3.15, hardly massive hold up. Some strange referreing didn't help. Thought the announcer was super, isn't he Speedway GP guy?? Heat 13 - despite the cone incident was worth admission alone? Alright saying run at night, who would go top speedway if they have been on beach or in the sun supping all day. Some folk don't deserve a speedway team with moaning attitude like that.....

Who do we fancy today?? Brummies had a feel for the track and that could be vital as most sides will only visit once! Can we do better than last time? I think we need 36 points to make Home Leg in a few weeks very interesting. Just setting off and very hopeful Brummies will keep it very competitive 50 - 40.....

It's a wolves/brummies love in (and I'm a brummie), the presentation is akin to a primary school play and content is dire. embarrassing nearly as bad as the NL Cup draw in a mug

Rules are CRYSTAL CLEAR...PL have priority Monday and Thursday and CL other days. When the Fixtures came out Birmingham were away at Eastbourne on Good Friday at 3pm. Poole decided to run an "off PL day" so face the consequences, well done for once to the BSPA for playing fair.

BSPA have stepped in and told Swindon that Brummies have priority as Friday is CL priority day.

Great meeting, good crowd, we lost, speedway won!

never really understood VAT and sport as not clear on sports tickets that you pay at gate. So if I go to Monmore Green and pay £28 for me and the missus to get in and £3.00 for a programme are you saying Wolves have to pay 20% the the VAT man (£6.20), christ that's a huge chunk, and if they pay VAT I assume no way of claiming back??... No wonder Speedway clubs are going bust....

Raised this the other day, Eastbourne match has priority as BSPA have confirmed PL only have priority on Monday's and Thursday's; absolutely cast iron CL takes priority on a Friday; so would think it's Swindon who will be needing Guests and not us. James is our asset too, bit trickier with Zac as he is a Swindon asset. Been in our Fixture list since they were issued so seems Poole or Swindon or both have not taken heed.

Biggest load of rubbish I have ever endured....and I am one of the few who understands the accents. Funny at first, just cringe-worthy now.

Counter that with Heats 2 + 8 + 14 where our strength in depth could be decisive as they have long tail with Kurtz, Atkins and Rowe

So Swindon will need Guests??

I'm off down to Arlington again on Good Friday for KOC match and be interesting to see if we get as close/closer than we did in Shield Fixture. I'm tempted by the free Easter Eggs they are promising to first 100 kids so grandchildren are coming in their Brummies gear as that'll save Grandad a few quid for ice creams later on. Just trying to work out how James and Zak can ride at Poole though and for Brummies at Arlington on same day. I thought PL had to ride Monday + Thursday so who will have priority there for their services??

Respect all riders, some more than others obviously. Some guys never a minutes trouble, others as in any sport, trouble seems to follow around. Always struck me as being potentially great rider but with a screw loose somewhere in his ability to think laterally in terms of career. Seems to have very few PL options left, seems to have burned bridges in Poland and Sweden and now all his eggs in a basket that openly admitted may be in their last season under current Owners. A shame but only himself to blame imho

I'm thinking same as you very tight, Covatti will be back but Paco likely to want to put his marker down. Brummies can still nick this group with 2 home wins especially after Eastie tanked Rebels last night