SimonB

A thoroughly enjoyable day :) Well organised with plenty of useful advice both in advance and at the meeting itself. Plenty of food and drink outlets and a track that was wonderfully prepared. Particularly when you consider the conditions, which were wonderful for enjoying the day but not so much for keeping the dust at bay. I did wonder about how it would work at Redcar but it was excellent so well done to all involved. Well done Panthers

Even with those definitions, the riders meet most of the criteria.

Employment status is subject to some very vague laws in my opinion. Technically they are engaged as self employed contractors by each track they ride at, they have to provide their own equipment and employ their own assistants if they so wish. They can ride throughout the EU for as many people as will contract them. Some riders are set up as limited companies and/or VAT registered. I think there is a strong argument for them being self employed. Where it gets more tricky is the asset system but since (AFAIK) no rider has been stopped from earning a living as a result of the asset system I am not sure what legal basis there could be for challenging it. It has been used to create value within the sport.

I thought the same. I have seen many tracks that were clearly difficult to ride over the 40 odd years of going to speedway but the track last night didn't appear from the racing to be that bad. As you say only Tom Bacon got into any difficulties at all the others seemed to be in control at all times. Of course I am not a rider so cant experience what they were but Steve Worrall seemed clear, speedway riders need to learn throttle control

If I remember correctly the staging promotion gets the costs of holding the event covered. Any profit over and above the costs of running the event will go to the BSPA and will be shared between all of the clubs.

The major events at the showground will always take precedence over the speedway. Most of the major events are booked a year in advance.

I agree as well. If your team races once at home and once away each fortnight it gives you the opportunity to arrange your other commitments around the meetings. I find it relatively easy to arrange my life around football but much more difficult for speedway

Bridger has announced that he wants to ride PL next season as well as EL

No worries. Unfortunately I have to use some medical equipment when I sleep that requires the mains electric, so although expensive compared to the alternative it was worth it

My caravan is very comfortable thank you and the added benefit was being able to self cater, burgers and sausages Saturday and a nice gammon steak on Sunday. Proper real ale was also available from the chiller!

There were a fair few camping and we took our touring caravan on the 500 yard journey from our house which backs onto the showground The campsite is basic but perfectly ok. £10 per night but the electric hook up at £50 was extortionate (although that is the showground not the speedway club afaik).Good atmosphere and having the facilities in the van to cook your own food and chill your own beer certainly reduced the costs of attending the event. Hopefully see you there next year!

Wasn't he just!

Been a great meeting so far. The race that resulted in Glasgow losing was just awesome, a real shame for their wonderful fans though

That had been ridiculous this season, years of safe standing and now it's been decided it's dangerous.... See you tomorrow!!

As I am camping over the weekend I intend to take a leaf out of the Germans holiday rule book and lay a towel over my seat in the stand......