RobMcCaffery

You have to remember the fundamental principle of the BSPA (with some exceptions, to be fair) is 'What's in it for me?" Cutting the wage bill by exploiting a pair of kids and claiming it's training is pretty well par for the course. There's no clear, logical forward vision. Yes we want riders to progress, but not this way!

Back in 1982 Pirelli sponsored the England v USA test series, and the video company I worked for were commissioned to video the whole series for them. When we got to Belle Vue we were thrown out by the Bamforths. When we protested that we were there on behalf of the sponsors the reaction was "Don't talk to me about sponsors, they've taken a load of seats in our stand." I have cleaned it up, but that was the gist... We've not seen Pirelli since. Speedway went through a phase when top quality sponsors were found for the sport, usually by Michael Addison until he was released. Now, I wonder why they lost them all? JC! mentioned Durex. I remember when the London Rubber Company were named as sponsors of a test series we were told that the sport was being pioneering and responsible, that no smutty jokes would result. I remember going to a match in the series at Birmingham where the centre green presenter said "Yes, you know Durex, it's that funny-tasting chewing gum you get in bogs". Again, words to that effect. I wonder why we lost them all? When speedway learns to respect the outside world and puts up with the 'nuisance' of sponsors, doesn't take then for granted, hires an agent who can deliver and realises it has to work to attract and retain sponsors it might stand a chance of finding serious sponsors. It has to clean up its act. Obviously there are exceptions on a local scale but corporately the sport has to become far more professional in its dealings with sponsors and the media who help deliver the sponsors' message. Also Formula 2 Stock Car Racing. I take it you therefore didn't attend the Embassy Internationale, or the Gauloises National league Riders Championship, to name just a couple of cigarette sponsorships.

I remember Hyde Road well. I commentated on a few videos there. Now, those were cheap, single-camera affairs so I had to commentate wherever the camera went - in this case the searchlight platform on the roof next to the officials' box. The camera would peer over the top of the searchlight while I lay prone on its base with my head overhanging the edge of the roof, looking straight down over the start, desperately hoping I didn't drop the mic. It's a glamorous profession. I can confirm that those wooden stands were on the point of falling down, as could the birds that had nested in the crumbling fabric of the ref's box....

Such patience deserves a fitting reward. I'm sending you a ticket to the opening meeting at Belle Vue....

The usual Polish source states that he received medical clearance. Remind me to avoid Polish doctors....

Reminded me of a British track, poorly prepared with a dodgy second bend inhibiting racing. Real blood and thunder stuff despite this. Notable to see Pedersen give the home straight kick boards a little clout as he crossed the line last, way behind Hancock in heat 15. Think I caught a glimpse of the Leszno mascot at the end there - bet his wife's a bit of a cow

I have no doubt either.

And risking the health of others as Kopec-Sobczynski just found out

I've just tried again using Google Chrome and the web stream is still coming through superbly . I am lucky enough to have a really fast Virgin Media connection which may be helping though. Hope R&R can sort things out. Might it be a case of clearing the cache?

Just tried it and it's working fine, which is odd considering it hasn't before for me. On the other hand the telewizjada link on Kodi has been almost 100% reliable since I discovered it. Dedicated NSport+ streams rather than just those for individual matches have always seemed tricky to find - but not so much as CMore Sport in Sweden, sadly :-( The advantage of getting a reliable 24/7 channel stream is you can watch the repeat showings if you're busy on Sundays.

It would help if he kept one back and read it, all of it, not just the Poole article and the pictures.

Oh I had a period of mild importance. It's not what it's cracked up to be - it can lead to delusions of adequacy as I am sure you will be aware. I've done my 'bit' and happy to let others be 'important' now while I just pass on some of what I learned in my time. Anyway congratulations on being important, doing a minor role (piss-poorly if you are who I think you are) in a minor sport. I do hope you and your ego are very happy together.

Poole were caught with their 'hands in the till'. Don't play the innocent - that horse bolted long ago. A very sensible suggestion - so no chance then.....

I do wonder if some hope that the Belle Vue promotion can be forced out so they can get their hands on the NSS. It's unlikely but you never know with speedway.

Most of them will be too busy working out whether they get an advantage out of the current farce. Paying a heat leader FTR rates? 'Lovely Jubbly'. (I know they have to pay a reserve proper money in return but can you trust them to see the full picture? )

Charles has gone from being totally shielded from heat leaders to facing them in every race, sometimes three of them at a time. Is he on proper pay rates now or still on the FTR pittance?

Typical, blame it on the triffids....

Okay, we've finally broken him. Our work here is done

I think the asylum's tightened up its security.

Skidder1 appears to be very important - but thankfully only in Poole

I've already argued elsewhere that the moment it was decided that FTR riders could move into the main team the protected heat format had to go since averages are totally meaningless while meetings are staged using it. FTR riders are achieving similar averages to many heat leaders simply by winning the two reserve races and taking a few points off second strings and fellow FTRs. According to one of the Poole mouthpieces the riders aren't concerned. I don't think that situation will last for long. So, tonight Charles Wright scored 1 point from number 3 for Swindon while Rohan Tungate scored 9 from reserve. Was Wright still on FTR fixed money? Was Tungate suddenly confronted with FTR pay rates? It's ludicrous, but what is sad is that it is no surprise that this sad situation has been allowed to happen. Does nobody in the BSPA think these things through? Either way, I'm pretty sure we will have the sad inevitability of a Poole star rider in the reserve berth in the Grand Final. He might even wear his goggles ;-) Thank goodness we have two other leagues - imperfect but at least not ga-ga.

Yes, but not necessarily by enough to pay for them.

And Poole fans think people can't stand them just because their team wins? Slagging off the rest of the EL isn't good enough so you have to start on the other two leagues? Thank goodness there is an EL - it keeps you people from polluting those two levels as well.

What a wonderful night's speedway that was for the paying public! Poole got what they wanted so that makes it okay though. Pathetic piece of arrogance.

So, a ludicrous event ends in farce. Quite fitting really.