PersonalResponsibility

You're right about the poor end to 2024. I think he had a poor start too, and a poor end to 2023 after a poor start, then a poor end to 2022, etc., etc.

...yes, if I'd ordered a grasstrack calendar.

Received the SS calendar I ordered as a Christmas present. Not a bad calendar, but I do have to ask: why is July a grasstrack image? Aside from the fact that I ordered a speedway calendar, was there nowhere else to put grasstrack than a peak summer speedway month like July?

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That, and what about him calling half the GP field "fillers"! I mean, come on, we can agree some riders probably shouldn't be there, but someone who will almost certainly never be a GP rider writing off half the field is a bit much.

I'm not saying he won't do, but KJP averaging 7+ would be an incredible achievement. I don't think he's shown anything so far that would suggest he could manage that in his first season. Out of the two of them, I think Hausl looks like he has more potential. Still, good to see 2 new faces instead of the usual, good luck to them both.

Nothing humane about being a British speedway fan. I curse the day my old man first took me along to watch 😆 Then again, I'm the idiot who's still following it 25 years later.

There are similarities, for me, of going to watch basketball in this country. I sometimes go on a Friday night and watch a game and it's a great night out. Lots of entertainment, good atmosphere (even family friendly), and competitive action. I'd never really considered it when I first start attending, but I genuinely have zero reference as to how good/bad these players are. I'm aware that it isn't the NBA, but otherwise it could be anywhere between the level below that and Sunday League. My mates tell me that apparently there's better basketball in Eastern Europe but I'm not bothered, I just enjoy a good night out. This is not to say that British Basketball hasn't had its own issues, they've had more than enough. However, the clubs have taken some of the good stuff that the NBA does and applied it to their own product at the level they're at. The best route for British speedway to take is something very similar. Work out what's best for British speedway and go from there. As you say, nothing wrong with picking up some things Poland does, but we won't outmuscle them on virtually any level. Obviously, the kicker with taking this approach is you'd need a solid plan, the right ideas, some joined up thinking and to get the word out there. None of which I'd have faith in the current set of promoters to do.

My apologies, no club should be forced to go up against their wishes.

8 years in the 2nd tier with one single PO final appearance does not scream "top dogs" nor an obvious "drive to rebuild". Curiously, both Leicester and Somerset dropped down to the 2nd tier for 2019, leaving only 5 teams in the 1st tier, and it was only then that Ipswich chose to go back up.

Sounds like we're already halfway there, just need to change to daytimes.

Yeah, I misremembered that one. As you say though, BSPL as an entity are majority shareholders.

Isn't it the case the a significant number of shareholders in Speedway Futures are BSPL members anyway? Can we disregard that they've just given the sport away entirely? As for this latest newbie...he sounds like a lovely fella. Certainly typifies the most recent bunch of Tories.

You've basically answered your questions within your first 2 paragraphs. Hook has improved every year...as a reserve. Fair enough, he isn't a 4pt 1-5 rider who averaged 5.5 at reserve, but equally, how do you know he isn't going to be a 5.5 reserve who averages 4 in the 1-5? A large % of his points came in heat 2s last season, he wouldn't get that opportunity next season. Someone like Luke Harrison is chalk and cheese given he was an 18yo with a single season of Championship racing. Hook is 23 and the question is still being asked if he can manage riding in the top 5. Even Jye Etheridge improved quicker than Hook.

Any top rider opting out of the UK isn't good, but Jason Doyle doing so speaks volumes. This is one rider who'd go to the opening of an envelope if he could race speedway, if he doesn't think the UK is worthwhile then it makes you wonder.