bellevueace

Saw many a meeting with sawdust down and riders racing through the conditions with billowing boilersuits lol, i remember going down to Wimbledon in conditions that would create an early call off today, down went the sawdust and we got through the meeting rain and all, and it was a decent meeting.

I remember when ice hockey started in the arena, Manchester had the biggest crowds by far normally between 12,000- 20,000, i was talking about this with John Perrin and he said it wont last, the majority of the crowd are there thanks to free tickets to promotes the sport, a couple of seasons later the free ticket scheme was pulled and the club went bust as it wasnt viable, after a few years they did reform but at Altrincham ice rink with an average attendance of around 1,400.

Despite all the other problems that has dragged the sport to where it is the fact that a three time world champion took no interest in supporting his home countrys league cannot be denied. Jason Doyle has been far more loyal to this country and only missed riding here when Swindon didnt run, Anyway as long as Belle Vue dont sign him, que así sea.

Arent clubs in Sweden also struggling due to employing GP riders in their sides on crowds that are even worse than here when you look at their publicised figures?

I agree with you but your first paragraph sums it up, the sport isnt as popular as it was, crowds are woeful, nobody cares about it, hence the reason a British world champion with the charisma to connect to the generations it needs to rebuild and to put the sport back into the media headlines would have been a great asset, that he didnt chose to do that but now is happy to come back when hes on the wane is just another example of riders using the British league to suit themselves, when he could have made a big difference in promoting speedway he was nowhere to be seen and i wonder how much it will cost a team to employ him? Will he ride for next to nothing as clubs in this country are struggling financially or take a big chunk of a budget a club cant really afford?

True but Woffinden was in a position to help the sport from his position of being a British world champion with the personality to promote the sport nationally and connect with the younger generations the sport badly needs to attract, im not blaming him for the sport being mismanaged but he could have done a lot more to help the situation considering his standing. The sport is still badly run but apparently he has no problem coming back to top up the pension pot, he would have made a far greater impact as a current world champion, opportunity missed.

He,ll have to deal with them next year.

I would question the validity of many of these medical notes where a rider is injured one day and rides the next, i doubt any rider would struggle to obtain one, the SCB need to amend the rule, but with many other decisions theyve taken apart from a disregard of the fans they just makes the sport look ridiculous, hence the lack of mainstream interest from media sources and sponsors.

At least the SCB have confirmed their disregard of the supporters, as if we needed any proof.

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Me too, when he was in his pomp and world champion he could have done so much for the sport in this country, he had the image to connect with the younger generations and create media headlines. Of course he was nowhere to be seen and now sees the UK as a top up to his pension pot now his star has waned. Compare to Jason Doyles loyalty to speedway in this country,

When we have had new blood come into the ranks of the promoters with new ideas to take the sport forward they soon realise they are banging their heads against a brick wall. Coincidence that the Isle of Wight opted out and are putting on events that the public are praising and embracing?

Zmarzlik is no doubt the best rider by far and can only beat whats put in front of him but i feel hes come along at the right time. The likes of Woffinden, Doyle, Lindgren, are on the slide and are not the riders they were, the upcoming younger riders are nowhere near yet the likes of Bewley, Lambert, Holder, Magic and Dudek arent good enough to challenge so Bartoz is having a bit of a free run at the moment the two that could challenge are suspended in Emil and Artem, Far cry from the days of Crump, Rickardson, Adams, Gollob, Pedersen etc banging elbows. A poor meeting and we seem to be saying that more often than not when it comes to the GP,s.

It was a complete borefest. Anyone new to speedway hearing Tatum say that would be thinking if this is smashing what would a bad meeting be like. You can guarantee they wouldnt be rushing to their local track.

Poole need to stay well away from the prem, i would have preferred Belle Vue to go Championship, more variety and it actually resembles a league, and the same riders with the exception of a handful.

Got to go with a home win but Sheffield could be pushed by an improving Leicester side. The addition of Pickering i think will be the move to bring the Tigers overall success this season.

Impressed with Tarasenko and Niels appeared to have bike problems when those were sorted he looked fast, Worrall terrible, Andersen really needs to call it a day and as for basso there has been quite a bit of hype about him over the past couple of seasons buy when ive seen him not been impressed at all.

Think the Lions will win this one they have been improving since our last visit and can see them developing into a solid unit. I went into the chippy in the shopping centre last time and have to say the fish and chips were good quality. Walked into Anstey to try the real ale in the old hare and hounds, they do food all day too.

I think the Witches will perform better than some of their fans are expecting, im going with a home win 49-41

Totally agree with you, tracks like Monmore were the reason all the top riders made our league the best in the world throughout the seventies alongside the likes of Hyde Road and Somerton Park there was a mix of different styles from big to small, rough, smooth etc, hence why riders stated to win a world title you need to hone your skills on the British tracks and the variety helped their skill set. Today i just think the modern day rocket ships have outgrown some of the more technical tracks yet as Emil has proven the top riders can adapt their skills today. I always remember the great Ivan Mauger saying when asked what was his favourite type of track, i dont have a favourite they are all there to be ridden.

Both meetings produced good racing and were enjoyable, it will be a travesty if we lose Monmore Green, i always enjoy these double headers and my trips down there.

Solid performance from Lions who appear to be settling in at home now, good to see Max back to form, just one of those days for Tigers, Holder and Musielak are quality and will always do their job, disappointing night for Howarth i was expecting more from him around here, Bellego must be a worry and Ellis will be fine once hes collected a few more cornflake packet tops.

I was never a big fan of the GP,s but the series was something new and i embraced it, but it became played out for me a few seasons ago, apart from being mainly a closed shop its becoming a one horse race, Zmarslik was always going to win last season and barring injury and mechanical issues cannot see any serious challenger for his title, hes a great talent and a nice bloke not his fault hes way above the rest but the series is becoming boring.

Bit of inexperience there from Dan i think giving up the inside, good ride from Lindgren at least theres one more race for Tatum to remind us whos world champion.