Bezza

We are now straying into value for money and how the sport positions itself when it comes to marketing.... The product itself is not an easy one to call. Sat on the terraces to watch 15 one minute races spread out over 1hr 30-45mins is certainly not everyone’s idea of a night out. The crux for me is how you fill the gaps, maintain momentum and keep the audience (children and wives in particular) engaged during the meeting, not invite them 45mins before the start to meet a rider! ....off the top of my head Predict the score on the way in to win 2 x tickets for the following meeting. Cycle speedway on the in-field Launch some t-shirts into the crowd after a 5-1 Watch a race from the centre green. Have a push bike on hand for winner to cycle round track with nominated rider. You would think BSPA would reach out to get people’s opinions..,

Cardiff to many is simply a spectacle. It’s a world championship round with 16 of the world’s best riders, a magnificent stadium which attracts 35-40000 fans... Any person watching speedway for the first time will initially admire the speed and control of the motorcyclists..... but paying fans demand more, they want to be entertained. Wheel to wheel racing and overtakes at high speed are the order of the day! Unfortunately, as we all know many races do not play out this way due to either rider ability, track shape or simply the bikes are now to fast and with it a little unpredictable.to risk such moves. The bikes certainly need slowing down to bring the riders together and with it closer racing - anyone can see that but quite honestly some of the uk tracks are simply not fit or were intended for the modern day bike.

It doesn't say condition - only that its a perfect shape! I would tend to agree, since the changes to the track I think it is a great shape for Premiership racing!

I believe you have to look at these meetings in the best interest of Ipswich Speedway, our sponsors but also the wider sport in GB. Ipswich Witches are in the spotlight - we should be incentivising people to attend with substantially lower admission rate (£10) and not the willy wonka golden ticket idea. Crowds have been really good this season but I fear it could be well short tonight.... Lets hope not and better still hope for an exciting meeting to get the crowd back next week.

After Sunday's performance and £50 lighter, I'm 50/50 for tomorrow. It should be a comfortable win 8-12pt win for the Witches. Wells will no doubt trouble the top 3 with his gating skills and Campton is always good value. I think the tale maybe slightly too long for the Monachs to cause an upset...

Firstly best wishes to Danny....... The incident certainly played a part in our performance BUT you only had stand on the second bend to see right from the very off, the Hammers wanted that bit more last night with their heat-leaders attacking the track which also seemed to rub off on the second strings and reserves too... We know all too well the starts are so important in speedway and time and time again last night it was the Hammers going in and coming out of bends one and two. That said, the Hammers look a decent outfit and barring injury i feel they are set for a good season. Finally, I think its all too early to start talking about team changes just yet. We are fortunate our next two meetings are against Newcastle and Berwick. Nothing against the opposition but with the right attitude and decent guest, there are some key points to pick up on the road. Fingers crossed our fortunes change for the league.

I suspect it could be as simple as the Pairs event held at Somerset in the UK with two groups made up of 5 countries in each group! This would certainly contain costs and perhaps make it viable.... So what weekend is being reserved for this meeting 23rd June?

Afternoon all, 1) Does any of our polish friends know when they fixtures are going to be released? 2) Is it likely some fixtures will be moved from Sunday afternoon to other Friday or Saturday? Cheers

Saturday week! The perfect solution would be for the return leg to be on the Sunday at 3pm and for Ipswich to kindly organise a coach :-)) And of course a witches win 91-89

1st leg confirmed as Foxhall this Saturday. I would have thought next Sunday 1st October for the return or worst case replace the Cup fixture 5th October but being the latter it would lose some momentum.... Apologies to Glasgow for making certain assumptions!! I think we are under a little pressure due to the promotion/relegation met tings 9th/11th

I think we have to show a degree a sympathy in the circumstances and I wish Craig all the best in Russia. Chris will do a great job deputising and as always give 100%. My gut tells me like the first fixture, I thinks it will be a cracker!

Did I hear somewhere Cookie was not riding as he will be on his way to Russia for the GP Challenge?

I share others frustration as I too have been disillusioned with it all this year - despite tracking an excellent championship team. I suspect Chris Louis if he were to be honest is also disappointed with on-track entertainment I don't recall the Ipswich track ever been up there with the best of british but it has always proved to be fair track for most riders. Most GP riders (those with more ability) and who generally attack the bends would enjoy the new shape Foxhall but the track changes only appear to have made the track safer not any more raceable! In my opinion and this may sound daft but the only way to bring more racing lines and entertainment is to reduce the track length substantially and as such bring the bends in further. It would involve cost and more remedial work but I am 100% certain it would make a massive difference providing multiple racing lines on a Thursday evening. It feels a step backwards in many ways especially when you see such fast/exciting racing on the likes of Belle Vue etc BUT the sport in the this country bar one or two tracks is in desperate need of providing more entertainment to the public.

Not good enough witches! The key to this year is to build early season momentum. So far it has been Jeckyl and​ Hyde performances. I'm convinced foxhall will be a fortress but we need to be more convincing in the early heats away from home to prevent us chasing a result. I look forward to Ritchie's comments given what he has come out and said recently. PS: fingers crossed Nico is OK

Awful meeting. Track was clearly not to Peterboroughs liking and as a paying spectator - served up zero entertainment for what was another decent crowd. Along with follow my leader races, there were far too many silly stopages ranging from tapes exclusions, losing control in the first bend and falling off whilst in comfortable scoring positions. It just shouldn't happen at this level..... You can only beat what's in front of you......but I truly hope Peterborough are a very different side at home with a very different attitude. A number of them simply gave up tonight if last coming out of turn 2. Clubs and riders must learn this cheats the fans of a race and will only drive more supporters away from the sport. One positive for Peterborough was Bradley WD who looked to have a very mature head in young shoulders returning an excellent score. Let's forget this one quickly.........on to Monday where I hope Peterborough are able to track a fully fit side ...