Technik

To be fair I'm finding that a cashless entry is becoming the norm at many sporting venues. I went to a "100" cricket match, Horse racing & two rugby matches where entry was either on-line booking or card at the entry point so Oxford's system is in keeping with the the progressive era we live in. One place I went for Rugby was a 100% cash free stadium entry, food, Drink & club shop were all card only & no amount of begging would sway them to accept cash

I agree 100%. live speedway of league meetings is not the best way to help our sport & that a magazine style format would be a better way forward. Along the lines of Match Of The Day with studio pundits showing & talking about the weeks events over a 1.5 hour time programme to show the best races from verious meetings & previewing coming ones

Over the years Speedway has been transfered from one channel to the next & if you want to watch you need to pay the subscription. I only got Sky sports for the Speedway & once they stopped covering it I stopped paying for sky. In the early stages I felt that our sport was made for TV but now I feel it is so drawn out to suit a 2.5 hour time slot it has lost the meaning of "Speed". I'm sure we all remember the second half races that there is seldom time for at todays events. I don't think TV is helping Speedway at this point & now having to chase after a different channel again. The SGP is good but I can do without the domestic racing I'd rather go along to a track & watch from the terrace & believe my money is going into a speedway club

Planning permission is far from a fully functioning sports arena. There was planning permission at Reading they even went as far as producing a scale model but never was a digger seen near the site. Clarke Osbourne is a con man & he has well & truly conned Terry Russell who I suspect at this stage has to much invested in the project & fears the embaressment of admitting he has been conned

Prague is one of the most beautiful cities I have been so much history, but I have to agree it is problem with the crime that go'es on. The weekends are a big issue as it has become a popular Stag/Hen party venue. If you enjoy speedway & sight seeing I would recommend the Golden Helmet weekend in Pardubice & incorperate the Tomicek Memorial at Prague on the Monday

I have seen Gusts in open events on the continent & he is a sound prospect if a little untidy in style at times. I don't know how he will adapt to the tight Cowley circuit. But if he is to start at reserve then it's a fair gamble.

I don't think the gambling companies are very aware of Speedway but they are fully versed on advertising & being able to get your name on live TV for over 2 hours by sponsoring a sports team seems cheaper than asking a retired footballer or former actor to make a 30 second commercial.

There are a few possible at that average i'm sure. Timo Lahti, Already has a BL average & is much improved in European competition over the last few seasons. Kai Huckenback, May not be the most consistent but can produce big scores. Leon Madsen, Another with a BL average & again improved since his last spell here.

Has anyone got any idea what average could be fitted into the remaining position?

I never understand why there is such a rush to get a team released almost before the end of the season. The new season will not start before March 15th so there's ample time to find a team. I can remember going to P&P day not knowing who I might see in my clubs colours. In todays climate there are many unknown hurdles, Polish commitments, work permits, Averages & of course finances to agree all before "I's" are dotted & "T's" are crossed

I think it should go to one of the southern tracks this season

I think Andrew always wanted his life to be fun & not just a job. I heard a story that as we all know The Silver's are skiers but Andrew was a step up & he was around the British Olympic squad when they were training. at the time the top Brit was Conrad Bartelski & he was decked out in full skin tight ski suit & Andrew in just regular ski pants, jacket & a wooly hat. Andrew recorded a time a lot quicker than the ski pro but he never made a fuss it was all just fun

I enjoyed watching Andrew Silver, he had a God given ability on the bike & was able to change direction like no other rider. he didn't need to be on the fastest machine he just had a faster mind

Petri Kokko. Almost parked & signaled before going into the bends, I once heard Armando Castagna yelling at him whilst they were teamed at Reading " F**ing hell Kokko you must go into the turns fast or I will kill you"

I go to the Rugby as well but at a lower level, National 1 which is the third division it's £16 to go in with a further £12 if you park within the grounds. I choose to park in the local streets & walk to the ground. At £65 a ticket I can see why Rugby clubs are going under. if it's not affordable for the average working person crowd figures will always drop off.

I'd like him to race at this level. My theory is that he will learn faster how to control & win races & as a senior rider how to help or protect a team mate for the benefit of his team. Racing at a lower level can be a confidence building exercise & also will mean he will be expected to return double figure scores most meetings where in the higher leagues with less pressure on him a line of zeros is put down to a whole manner of reasons & the result is confidence will drop & as so many times before a fantastic young talent may walk away. I always say young riders should exploit the lowest league they can for as long as they can. you can practice on an empty track for as long as you like but it's not racing

With Scott Nicholls unavailable I think it wise that Oxford look at moving in a different direction & bring in some fresh young talent. I can't say who would be willing to come to Oxford but there are a host of potential starters if you look at Casper Henrikson, Adam Bednar, Mattius Polestad or Mads Hansen to name a few. I believe all would start on 5.00 so one in place of Scott Nicholls & another for Jody Scott should fit

I hope Birmingham have a lot of money as Mr Zagar will take most of it. I don't think he rode anywhere last season & I can't see him producing the form he showed at Belle Vue again. If he stays past May i'll be suprised

The Pardubice speedway club are holding their AGM 0n December 12 so I expect to hear confirmed dates for all 2025 events soon after

If one big league is what people want & they also want to see the top tier riders then the race nights will be Monday & Thursday only as it will be the new Premier league. I'm almost 100% sure that it will not happen, to many clubs cannot afford the big card riders & will suffer as crowds will shrink. it's one thing to watch the SGP stars but when your team struggles at home many will stay away. Other clubs cannot ensure crowd figures on these nights, I offer Poole as a prime example. But whatever league structure is in place in 2025 I feel Oxford have more than proved they can opperate in all available leagues & finish in good time. lets be fair had it not been for multiple rain offs/poor forecasts in the running of the finals it would have been all done by the end of September

So much has changed within the sport, the biggest is "The Sump" when engines ran oil on a total loss system the used oil would go onto the track making the surface bind together then with the the oil catcher in the 80's followed by the recirculating oil system less & less oil went onto the track & over time the tracks became very loose & slick as there was no binding agent (Waste oil) this has in the past seen track men pour oil onto their tracks to reproduce the surface they require. Their actions have been to over oil or use incorrect oil & now the enviromentalist's have put a stop to it all. todays engine would struggle to work on a 1970 track as much as a 1970 engine would be poor on the slick surface we have today

2 Valve/4 valve, Upright/Laydown the difference is the progress that Riders/tuners want & it appears they want an engine that revs way more than it is required to do so. many things have changed over the years in speedway & we all look back to say how great it was way back when. Todays engine as a a laydown is much the same as it was 40 years ago. The insides have changed, to achieve the massive amount of revs todays engine make they have moved to a short stroke engine which makes for smaller flywheels & bigger pistons to get towards 20,000rpm & then fit a limiter to reduce it to 13,500rpm. The only time an engine might go over this is on the start line when the engine is not under load. The quickest solution would be to limit the bore size this would increase the stroke to make 500cc & dramaticly reduce the upper rev limit also reducing potential noise levels. With lower revs it would also reduce maintenance costs for the rider. This would also increase the useable rev band making the machine more rider friendly for those that choose throttle control over twist"n"go

Have you included the team building reduction for British riders?

I don't know who would fit in at reserve. My statement was purely regarding the personal development of Jody Scott. I don't want him to loose faith by trailing around at the back in CL match's. He needs to learn how to win races how to pass others & improve his starting. Oxford have overseen the development of many riders in the last 3 seasons & it has been a pleasure to watch them improve. However their rise is going to be overtime not overnight. which is why IMO Scott would be best taking guest bookings at CL level at the start of the season & continue honing his skill set in NDL All that said a lot depends on the points limit & weather or not Oxford need to track a 2.00 rider at reserve or a rider on a higher average

I think Heeps will move on. I don't think Jody Scott is quite ready to start at this level, He has shown some talent since coming in as a replacment for Atkins but another season at NDL with guest rides in the CL will be better for his progress IMO. There is a young Aussie currently riding in Poland Michael West that I feel will be a steal for the CL & maybe the new Czech sensation Adam Bednar I understand he is linked with the Dryml family so with their links with Oxford might steer him in that direction.