SPEEDY69

Sometimes on this thread, sometimes on www.southerntrackriders.co.uk

Blimey, PR eh, how many times are messages leaked ahead of 'official' announcements but this one appears official from Edinburgh - not their message to give. And it was by someone with a made up name as well - Toby Lerone, pull the other one

I believe that has little impact actually. Speedway is not about who has the most powerful engine, it's about delivering consistent grip around the track in a controlled manner. The rideability of a bike is drastically affected by the ignition timing, carb jetting, wheel placement and gearing. It's essential that these are all available to be adjusted by the rider and that they are able to put in a practice lap or two to know what settings to use. This could work and would answer your second point. Often, sadly, costs spiral as a matter of choice i.e. one rider sees another with such and such so wants the same as they think it will improve things for them when often it makes no difference whatsoever. I remember once getting an enquiry from a professional rider about the clutch springs I used because my bike got off the start quicker than theirs - they were perplexed when I said they were second hand three years previous and I also had old standard plates, not the $$$$ haruschi type. Gresham was right earlier in that it should be looked at from the spectator angle & not the riders as they will always want to seek an advantage over competitors - who wouldn't?

I always preferred Julia Bradbury.

Nope, was nothing to do with that. Not sure GB will have the consistency to win this but I'll be there cheering for them whatever.

He won one and had a couple of 2nd places as well.

The straw that broke the camel's back was the refusal by the BSPA to allow British riders to compete in the SEC - the argument being how are British riders meant to get experience and develop on continental tracks when there is no chance for them unless they reach a certain level and get signed up in Poland etc. There was much more that led to that but I can assure you it was nothing to do with money or suit sponsorship, neither is the decision to return anything remotely to do with Eurosport.

Sorry, but you clearly know nothing. The reasons for him declining to be a part of the GB squad was in protest at the lack of activity and promotion by the BSPA to provide opportunities and development for British riders. He's spoken with Rosco before but it's only this year that things have started changing, with Croatia and the Youth development stuff. These were the same reasons Lee Richardson made a stand a few years ago. It has nothing to do with TV - if you knew him, you'd know he'd much rather be racing.

And Iversen gets his GP testing chance! Seriously though, thought Batch would've been back sooner.

That's all very well but at most meetings I've been to that are called off due to rain, are because of visibility problems or the track being under water - so perhaps having different tyres would only save meetings where the rain has stopped and the track is clear. Another consideration is how many people want to attend those wet meetings, given the prospect of standing out in the rain at generally poor stadia?

Exactly, none of them better than either of them. Of course comparisons are not perfect as there is much more money in tennis but these people help as much with the mental side as anything else.

DIdn't realise that but still thought most Danish meetings were on Wednesdays, oh well. Can't see Lakeside, BV or Coventry moving from Fridays though.

Many riders now race in Denmark on Wednesdays, including your own Harris and King, so if they want to avoid clashes that night's out as well! You're thinking this is all for the fans' benefit

In speedway, as with many sports, it's not just about having the right equipment - the mental side is so important. Steady and Robson may be good coaches - the best performers don't necessarily make the best tutors/coaches. I don't think any ex player could claim to be better than Roger Federer but he employs coaches to improve his performances. Many of the top British riders have been successful on the international stage but most are not consistent. Being first to the first bend is vital - Mauger, Gundersen, Nielsen, Hancock, Woffy, Havelock + loads more - all excellent gaters. World Champion exceptions? Maybe Collins & Loram. This is a good move and I hope enough attention is paid to watching other successful riders and how they get out of the start - dropping the clutch is only part of the story.

This is why I thought they were considering Thurs & Fri. Several EL clubs already ride at home on these nights and it gives two consecutive days as you say. I just don't think it's right to pander to the few at the top so hope that any decision for fixed nights will be because of the benefits it will bring to fans and all riders.

Don't see how that's right given that they are reportedly looking at Thursday & Friday.

Adding something to the fuel is of course against the rules! However, I know that many pros used to add either water or oil to the fuel to flatten the performance. Have used both synthetic and castor oils with little difference in performance or engine deterioration. Personal choice due to cost/sponsors etc. but with less smoke being emitted then I agree with earlier post that that's principal reason for lack of smell these days.

In a sealed container there'll be nothing wrong with it. I've used 'old' fuel lots of times with no issues.

Willing to help out or willing to earn a few quid getting some laps and testing in before the other leagues and GPs start? To me you're either in the team or not and if Lynn were my team, I'd rather they found another option (disliked Rickardsson's 6 week stint for Ipswich at the start of one season) but I know many people disagree.

I don't believe that is really the issue. If the other leagues paid less, they'd be less inclined to prioritise them. Although Swedish fixtures are mainly on Tuesdays, if they only earnt half of what they get now, they'd drop it like a stone. Travelling to these places is tiring but it's nothing new - PC used to do over 100 meetings a season and that was over 30 years ago when travel was actually more tiring as flights were less convenient/available. As long as fixtures are known in advance, they can be scheduled in so the fixed race night thing is a convenient excuse. What these very few rich riders want is to increase their earnings still further and they think that by holding out for the UK to change is the way to do it and I don't think we should fall for it.

Completely agree. There is only one reason why they won't ride here (and we're only talking about very few riders who are actually in the GPs anyway) and that's money. That's their choice and they're entitled to make it but our speedway shouldn't be held ransom to the rich few. I don't think it will be long before the money runs out in both Poland and Sweden, tracks are already struggling. Anyway, what's all this got to do with King's Lynn?

Squads are a poor idea in my view as some teams will simply pick specialists for each track and I think it will further irk the fans.

This is very similar to the work done at Foxhall a few years back. It certainly hasn't reduced the number of falls on bends1&2 but then there have been significantly more in recent years anyway since they've been in the PL. There is definitely more space but the challenge for any track in my view is how to make the inside line a winner again because otherwise they migrate to the 'fast in, drift to the outside and ride the fence to the exit' riding so often seen at Poole in recent years. It used to be the exception/a brave man that went around the boards but now they all do it! I think this is an excellent move and although it could make then more vulnerable at home, some fans may prefer the unpredictability it could offer.

Not for me. He is a great middle distance runner but that doesn't compare to an athlete that excels as several events such as Daley T or Jess E. I agree with that even if shortlisted, Woffinden would get nowhere near enough votes to trouble the scorer. Kevin Sinfield - who's he?

F1 is boring that's why - the title was won by one team and one of their pilots was always going to win. I've never liked Hamilton anyway, all for the Brits is he? He moved to Switzerland so that he didn't have to pay his fair share to the NHS, Schools and other essential UK infrastructure and now lives in Monaco, a well known tax haven.