Ben91

You're likely to get more new fans through the gate if you advertise than if you don't. You have to bring new fans in and keep the existing ones too, no good preaching to the converted so to speak, which is why adverts for meetings being placed in the Speedway Star always baffles me. Used to happen for Rye with nothing in the local rag sometimes, the people reading the Speedway Star already like speedway...

No swearing on the forum please, this is a family environment.

Shame Speedway as a whole is so poorly promoted really, fantastic product, just needs the right packaging.

Some guy called Martin.

Good opportunity for him to get dialled in to his new home track, when the real stuff starts he'll be doing better than that.

People knew barely anything official until this statement on the eve of the season, that's why they've been worried. Fair enough reason IMO.

Witches by 30 at least I heard...

Why not just get all kevlars made by one supplier. Wouldn't see a football team going out in half Adidas kits and half Nike kits. Riders may have their gear made by a preferred supplier usually but if a team wants to go with team suits they should be buying them for their riders.

It'd be hard for him to ignore himself.

Grow up man, people who pay their way are allowed to have their say. And people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. I don't care if you devoted 25 years or 25 minutes it doesn't make your opinion more valid or you more knowledgeable than anyone else.

And the Oscar for overreaction of the year goes to...

You were doing so well until that last bit.

Won two races from 15m back in one meeting at Rye didn't he?

Wow, they look horrible. Feel slightly less concerned about Rye changing colours now.

I'd class an a-list celebrity as someone who everyone knows of no matter what their interests are. David Beckham for example is an a-list celebrity, Guy Martin, not so much.

I know who he is but I wouldn't be surprised by people not knowing him, he's hardly an a-lister.

Tends to be how these celebrity things work...

Wonder whether Guy will have a spin or has had a spin on a Speedway bike. Would be a good bit of publicity to get him on one at a Rockets or Raiders meeting.

Chessell has all the tools to be a top NL rider if he can stay on his bike, if he can eradicate the silly falls then he'll be solid back up for Clegg and Morris.

Damn Compton and him dropping his average before retiring just to engineer a short spell at Glasgow prior to re-signing for Sheffield a whole three years later.

Was this event run on an invitation basis or just for riders that could afford it? It is good that weekends like this are being arranged for our young riders, although if the best ones or the ones with the most potential are missing out because they can't afford it are we not missing the point? It's a positive step though, hope it continues and the riders who did attend have benefitted.

No reason has been given really, the loss of Bowtell and Hume will hit us hard though and be a benefit to the sides they have joined. With those two and Hunter who we have managed to keep hold of we had the bottom end of a decent side, that's not to be now sadly. Of course that's a bit of a tangent from Eastbourne! It'll be interesting to see how Kyle Hughes gets on, looked back to his best with us last year, hope to see him keep it up.

I support Rye and there's plenty to be critical of there. Nothing personal against him or Eastbourne, I just don't see where all the hype surrounding him has come from when he has had one half decent season since 2009.

Anyone can look impressive in practice. As for being on BWD's bikes that doesn't make any difference whatsoever, I could jump on them and I bet you they wouldn't even go sideways. He has finished one season with an average over seven. He's a six point rider at NL level. He had some time with Sheffield in the PL and struggled.

Knight has been riding league Speedway since 2009 and is a six point NL man, wouldn't get too excited over him.