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Just from the start of 2022. Thought it would be a fairer (or at least as fair as it could be) reflection that way. I think it also shows that Kyle has been decent in both leagues, and Hans...well....hasn't.

Capacity is 2,000 - although it will increase once all the work on the stadium has finished. They've sold out a few fixtures I believe (Scunthorpe, Poole and Glasgow come to mind), and have been close to capacity on most of the others. Redcar at home in the league was probably the worst crowd of the season.

As far as I know, you can buy tickets on the gate - just have to pay with card and not cash. Haven't tried it myself, mind. Oxford themselves state: "Tickets will also be available on the gate for each fixture, providing we have not reached capacity through online sales" Don't see why you just wouldn't buy a ticket online beforehand though (guess the £1 booking fee is a sticking point). Not worth the risk that it sells out and you can't get in.

Absolutely, couldn't agree more with that. I was always shocked at the average age of the crowd in this country. To me speedway in the UK has all the factors that should attract a younger audience, but it just doesn't seem to be able to do it. It is possible though. I've been to a few meetings in Poland and it's a much younger audience (no surprise, given its popularity - and the fact each club has a marketing team of about four people). I was also surprised when Oxford started up again, they've done a really good job at attracting all ages. There are a few older faces that naturally returned, but the average age has to be closer to 30. Plenty of kids around as well. At least that's certainly the case around where I stand. And it always seems to be a decent crowd, close to 2,000 each time. But, as has been mentioned, the big problem is that the Cheetahs are totally at the mercy of the stadium owners. They've got a 10-year lease now, but after that, no matter how large the crowds are, it could just as easily be closed down again.

I know Bewley had said he wanted to ride the British Final this year, and Adam Ellis also confirmed Bewley would be riding on the podcast. Guessing it was just the official confirmation that Dan didn't know about, so I doubt it was a big surprise to him. Still a bit weird that he found out that way, though. Guessing that shows the levels of organisation!

So what? The post is about which teams are getting the best performances from their riders in 2022, based on Championship averages compared to Premiership. Greensheet averages are based on rolling averages (last 14 matches I think) and not just 2022 performances.

It was literally written in my post. The latest issue of the Speedway Star! Some people just can't be nice can they. M R Pts BP TOT CMA Jye Etheridge 7 26 48 4 52 8.00

I was bored, so did a bit of research into which clubs are getting the best performances from their riders based on Championship averages compared to Premiership averages. List below... Prem Champ Diff Leon Flint 3.22 7.05 -3.83 Joe Thompson 1.85 5.44 -3.59 Jye Etheridge 4.72 8.00 -3.28 Danyon Hume 3.61 6.85 -3.24 Ben Barker 5.30 8.44 -3.14 Drew Kemp 3.50 6.63 -3.13 Jordan Palin 2.27 5.36 -3.09 Jordan Jenkins 1.07 4.14 -3.07 Scott Nicholls 5.44 8.50 -3.06 Richard Lawson 6.93 9.62 -2.99 Cameron Heeps 2.40 5.10 -2.70 Kyle Howarth 7.13 9.38 -2.25 Hans Andersen 5.97 8.19 -2.22 Anders Rowe 2.86 5.00 -2.14 Lewis Kerr 5.63 7.53 -1.90 Erik Riss 6.92 8.78 -1.86 Craig Cook 6.93 8.64 -1.71 Richie Worrall 7.45 9.00 -1.55 Charles Wright 7.76 9.26 -1.50 Nick Morris 7.87 9.30 -1.43 Jack Thomas 4.23 5.50 -1.27 Benjamin Basso 6.81 8.07 -1.26 Ulrich Ostergaard 6.13 7.38 -1.25 Connor Mountain 4.94 6.13 -1.19 Tom Brennan 6.28 7.45 -1.17 Ryan Douglas 8.29 9.44 -1.15 Chris Harris 8.54 9.58 -1.04 Stefan Nielsen 4.34 5.37 -1.03 Danny King 6.77 7.70 -0.93 Steve Worrall 8.47 9.28 -0.81 Michael Palm Toft 6.92 7.70 -0.78 Josh Pickering 8.49 9.13 -0.64 Troy Batchelor 6.86 7.41 -0.55 Sam Masters 10.03 10.44 -0.41 Adam Ellis 7.74 8.13 -0.39 I think you can forgive some of the younger riders, but pretty disappointing from the likes of Barker and Nicholls being over three points down. (averages taken from the most recent issue of Speedway Star)

There may only be 5 other teams, but you're still talking a maximum of 36 meetings a year (20 league meetings, 4 playoff meetings, 6 cup matches and 6 pairs rounds - plus anything else I may have forgotten). Even in a worst/best case scenario that a team doesn't reach the playoffs/cup final and the rider doesn't compete in the pairs, it's still 24 meetings per year. Far more than many would like if they are also riding elsewhere in the world.

While pay is an issue for the superstars, it's more volume of matches that are keeping some of the B-List riders away I think. Attracting the A-Listers will be difficult, but there's definitely scope for more stars to come back if they didn't have to race in as many meetings. Remove the Polish rule, reduce the amount of meetings, and I'm sure there would be far more interest from riders (I hope).

Sigh, it's not. It's fair to say it was as of 2018. Saying it is now is pure speculation - it would have to be based of predicted racing levels and safety standards post pandemic (and they were already improving based on 2019's figures). Plus, you didn't say anything about Ireland originally, it was 'in this country' - you tried to claim 7,000 was in this country alone. You only claimed 'UK and Ireland' when I pulled you up on it. And Ireland is a pretty big percentage of it, based on your figures it's over 80%! You just wanted a sensationalist figure - regardless of its legitimacy. And that's the last I am going to say on it as you really don't get it.

How can you think it's fair to come up with a figure based on two completely different countries? Why don't you add in deaths from Australia and USA as well, you'll get an even bigger number you can try and claim is 'in this country' (as you originally stated) then. I just don't buy this is a result of 'typos' either, sorry! Poor excuse. Stop trying to sell us the fact that greyhound racing is bad, we get it. Now, let's talk about speedway.

I praise you for trying, and it's not my intention to belittle your efforts. I wish you all the best in trying to get speedway to return to Swindon. I just have an issue with the fact that you're just creating numbers to support your argument, and felt I had to take it to task. You can't create a 7,000 figure by combining stats from England and Ireland (and adding in some guess work) and then have the audacity to question if the GBGB's figures are truthfully reported. To me, it just looks like somebody who has got their own agenda. The reality is that Swindon is unlikely to return without greyhounds, and that's probably why people are not being receptive. I'm sure we all care about 'animal abuse', but a lot of us probably don't have views as extreme as yours and really don't want to see our beloved clubs die. Having been an Oxford Cheetahs supporter it was fantastic to see them return this year, but it simply wouldn't have happened without greyhound racing.

This is a figure from early 2018. Latest figures show the number is far closer to 400. How do you not know this? Plus again you're adding the 1,000 figure of greyhounds that died racing in the UK to the almost 6,000 figure from Ireland to come up with 7,000! It makes no sense. Regardless of David Smith, if you think the UK and Ireland have the same practices, you're very much mistaken. There are significant differences and you certainly can't group them altogether to come up with a magical figure. At the end of the day, even one death is too many, but you need to get your facts right. Anyway, I'm not here to here to discuss greyhound welfare with someone who is on a witch hunt. I'm discussing speedway, and its survival. Yes it would be better to be away from greyhound stadia, but it's just not possible in some circumstances. Many clubs would not exist without them, and certainly don't have the means to survive on their own.

The RTE report stated less than 6,000 (5,987 to be precise). Now while the number is still shocking, it helps to get your facts right. It was also definitely not commissioned by the IGB - that was the Preferred Results report, which was an internal investigation that was leaked to RTE. And the biggest issue of all is this is solely IRELAND and nothing to do with ENGLAND, so it's a bit misleading to state this in a thread about Swindon (and speedway in England in general). As others have stated, whether you are pro greyhound racing or not, there's no doubt there would be far fewer speedway clubs still going without it.

The main grandstand was built in 1986, while the extension (the bit with the exec boxes approaching the first bend) opened in 2000. No you don't have to pay any extra to sit in the grandstand, it's £18 (plus a £1 booking fee) regardless. At the start of the season there were two options when booking tickets (either inside or outside), but that was simply where you entered the stadium. Now there's just one 'general admission' option, so you are free to stand/sit wherever you want. I've heard they do take card payments on the gate now, but haven't seen or heard of anybody that's done this.

It's got to be close to 2,000 at each of Oxford's home meetings so far this year. Some possibly a little less (Redcar - but was the second fixture against the same team in as many weeks) and some definitely capacity/close to capacity (Scunthorpe, Poole and Glasgow). Let's hope it continues, especially if they can increase the capacity as the work at the stadium nears completion. Crowds would definitely be even bigger if you could pay cash on the gate as well.

Ah of course, forgot the 2022 British final will be before Cardiff.

Anybody know who will get the wildcard for Cardiff? Adam Ellis?

It's not about BSI turning down an offer from Eurosport (as you said, I'm sure they'd jump at the chance), it's more about Discovery/Eurosport not offering big bucks to cover something that they just lost the tender to promote. Could be wrong, but would very surprised if they did.

Yep, well said. And there's no way it will go to Eurosport in 2022 if BSI are successful seeing as the only other bid is from Discovery (Eurosport's parent company). That said, if Discovery win, it's almost certain the GPs will move to Eurosport.

This will depend on who gets the rights to the GPs - BSI or Discovery. Can't see the TV rights switching to Eurosport if BSI stay in control.

Not sure why he would refuse, no reason was given. It was an nSport+ exclusive in Poland I think, and then he may have mentioned it himself at the PGE Gala.

Drabik was offered the first reserve slot, but turned it down.

Yep, apparently so. It's going to be an early one.