SJA

The issue is not necessarily track prep but speedway's business model. A home club has to pay the home teams point at home and the corresponding away fixture from the home meeting gate receipts. Therefore, it's paramount the home Promoter maximises the home gate income. From what I saw last night Poole achieved this.

I was at both, and Ipswich had more people in a much bigger stadium. However, many of the Ipswich fans around me were "questioning" where these people were for the rest of the season. One thing that impressed me was the amount of Lions fans at the fixture, which had you believed the media was all done and dusted. I thought it was standard Poole fodder last night. Slick track, set up to suit the home riders and supporters. Poole always strikes me as a club where from a fans perspective winning is more important than the quality of racing. I think this is different to other clubs including Belle Vue, Leicester, Scunthorpe and Redcar where the fans are more than happy with a meeting with lots of passing rather than the result. What cannot be questioned is Poole's business model, are they possibly the only track in the top two divisions to turn in a profit?

I thought Jamie Courtney picked the Berwick team

Leicester have suffered in the Premiership for always having one of the latest rising star picks. And next season will be no different if there is no change in the rules. Joe Thompson had twelve rides across the semi final and final and did not score a single point. It makes the performance of the team even more remarkable when you take this into consideration. Congratulations to Ipswich who had the strongest 1-7 and were worthy of the favourites title many gave them at the start of the season

I would imagine that he stuck by Kemp as based on the September averages he has put the largest percentage on his starting average. Be interesting to see who the Supporters Club give most improved rider to this year as last year Becker won the award and was the only Lion to reduce his average throughout the season!

Is it to much to ask of the expert commentator to actually know what the rules are regarding awarding races?

Looking forward to this meeting. I think Leicester by six on the evening. I guess it depends on how Tom is feeling after yesterday's crash, or do we get to see Harris top up his pension fund? Its just a shame that Leicester are a six man team in most of their meetings.

I understand that that is still happening today. I was speaking to the Leicester Team Manager who said that getting guests was hard as they paid what the league suggests and riders with a little experience want more than this.

I've just looked on google maps at the Northampton track. On satellite view the entry to the bends looks very narrow. Factor in the width of a airfence panel and I would say its almost impossible to get good racing there.

I think that is the better option for Tolley. Look at the clubs Rogers has been involved with and most have closed down while he was there. No one person can consistently be that unlucky.

Last night was my 58th meeting of the season. I have been to all Premiership and Championship tracks at least once. Fifth time at Leicester this season (4 prem, 1 NDL) and I have to say its a very enjoyable experience, decent racing, which the track very rarely gets the credit for, decent views all around the stadium and nice staff. Well done Leicester in making the final and well done to the track curator for another good nights racing.

Has it - I thought they were separate, and distinct legal entities.

I would imagine it has nothing to do with being in a panic and everything to do with giving the broadcaster 24 hours notice as per their broadcast agreement.

So less than 10% of the population of the West Midlands (3,039,203) that cannot support a team. Even though Cricket and Football both have a footprint in Northampton it is basically a rugby town. I hope I'm proved wrong but I am fearful for the success at this venue. It will be one I attend as its an Uber away from a late night train back to London.

In the hundreds from each? As that is what I imagine Northampton would need from each of Coventry, Peterborough and Birmingham as their natural catchment area is not that highly populated.

1981 is a lifetime ago when we had limited entertainment options. That is not the case anymore. Speedway fans don't travel. I think I am one of the few exceptions, but I don't fit the average speedway fan demographic. When I have attended Birmingham, Oxford or Leicester during the last two seasons I have seen very few Wolves or Coventry fans. Looking around maybe Leicester does the best out of the three venues I mentioned with maybe 20ish a meeting. If speedway fans travelled then their would be greater support at away tracks rather than a hardcore 5-30 away fans at league meetings.

Which demonstrates that price is a red herring when people talk about what to do to attract more people to watch the sport live.

I like the concept of Northampton becoming a speedway track but looking at a map its hard to see where a "local" crowd will come from. I think its pie in the sky to expect Peterborough and Coventry fans to make an 80 mile round trip for home meetings. Depending on where a Peterborough fan lives Kings Lynn or Leicester could be closer. I hope Northampton does become an active speedway venue I just hope they have been realistic with a business plan.

I've also heard from a reliable source (Farmer Giles) that Doyle has got lost in Norfolk walking his dog this morning and may not be able to get to Belle Vue this evening even if he takes his RS6.

I think you can although based on previous years in the Prem and the Champ if its cold and wet you can discount Leicester. And if the play offs were at the start of August in all the sunshine they would have been unstoppable.

Looking at learning from the past mistakes I always find Lee Coleman's column in the Speedway Star thought provoking. He has lots of ideas, some of them would require a sustained long period of investment, which UK speedway is not in a position to deliver at the moment but other are almost cost free. If you implemented the cheaper ones then if crowds increased which attracted greater sponsorship then maybe the sport would be in a better position to commit to a long term investment strategy. We need someone with vision to help promote the sport and he would appear to make more sense that many of the so called experts.

Its interesting that with all the changes over the last three season with regards to who is which clubs rising star, some things do not change. Leicester still have the poorest rising star.

Oh come on most people accept that Olly Allen is the brains of the Team GB Management, with Stead providing the face and ego.

I have been told by a Premiership Clerk of Course that he often appears out of control during the meeting and is a nightmare to deal with.

I note you didn't say informed.