Gresham

Out of interest...what other Professional sports are run by the Promotors/Owners of Clubs? Maybe it's me, but wouldn't it be better to find ways of making things better for the future, rather than constantly looking at reasons not to do so? Is it really working now? Could it be improved? If so...how? If every promotor was singing from the same hymn sheet and had the same aims, then it wouldn't be so much a problem...but they aren't.

I actually prefer riders having their own individually designed kevlars...and just team race jackets. For me it's easier to pick out each individual rider...now I definitely have to keep looking at the helmet covers to know who's who. Some will disagree of course though.

It kind of is...especially when you take your girlfriend for the first time to Swindon, then the next time to Somerset, and she's scratching her head, thinking wtf! 'weren't this lot riding for Swindon last week?' Then explaining the reasons and averages...she just laughed and we enjoyed the racing. She's now hooked...she loves the racing but laughs at everything else...as in it's so bad, it's comically good. :-)

I thought BWD did well considering like you say, his bike looked sluggish. The drone freaked me out...red lights and a couple white ones...moving around like a UFO haha...certainly had a few wondering what it was. It was wasn't actually over the track though...it was over the next field. I'm guessing someone is videoing the speedway?

I felt a little sorry for the Exeter and MDL lads last night, who had to rush through their races, and still had to cut short the last couple races because of a time limit at the stadium. They could have easily fit this in, if it wasn't for the ridiculous rules of waiting another 2 mins after an unsatisfactory start. The last two meeting I've attended, the refs have held the riders way too long at the start, so no wonder there is movement. Swindon v Poole was ridiculous.

Very close meeting last night...was really impressed by David Bellego. Starke, Wright and BWD producing some fine racing again. Last two meeting I've attended, this and Swindon v Poole, have left me frustrated with the refereeing at starts. Never seem so many restarts for unsatisfactory starts. Why are they holding the riders so long...release the tapes sooner...no wonder they start moving. Then you get the bloomin farce of waiting another two minutes of watching riders getting focussed again. It's not rocket science is it...

What's the Somerset team tonight then?

Wasn't that at Coventry and the accusation pointed at a member of the pit staff there? I remember Nigel Boocock talking about it in my presence.

I think you'll find in the Sunderland players case, that she courted him, but he found out her real age, then continued seeing her...so he was in the wrong. With respect...What is wrong in reporting what the Swedish are reporting? If he misses the next meeting, what are we going to say...'we can't talk about it?' We just brush it under the carpet like nothing has happened? Nothing has been alluded to, nothing has been alleged...we should all post like adults and be trusted to...this isn't Korea. We fought for free speech...as long as nothing is slanderous and spoken about in an adult fashion, there should be no problems. I for one hope it's all a storm in a tea cup...but the fact is, a prominent speedway rider has been arrested for rape on a 15 yo. To not observe that would seem strange on a speedway forum, especially when it has been reported on other speedway media outlets. Imo.

Correct...some fans will think it's a farce...some won't. Correct...factually the best British rider won't be there. You preferred the BF in the 70's, 80's and 90's...as did others...some still like it these days. Don't worry fella...I understand exactly what you are saying... I can't see anything in your post that indicates Everything was better in the past. It seems what you actually enjoyed and how you feel is not allowed, and you will be told otherwise. ;-)

Like I said...I'm not judging him and as far as I can see, no one else is on this thread. I've just posted what has been reported by the media. Others have spoken about laws of the land in different countries. It's up to the law to decide...I've no thoughts on it what so ever...until 100% accurate facts are known. As an outside observation to what you have said... A scenario... A 31 yo meets a girl who says she's 21...and you have no reason to believe otherwise, because she looks it and says she is. You end up sleeping together...she gets pissed off because you've not wanted to take it further. She gets upset and reports you because she's actually 15. It happens... Anyway....that has nothing to do with this report as far as I know...just a scenario to what happens sometimes in life.

This is the point I was trying to make...Rape and unlawful sexual intercourse are different. But apparently I've got my knickers in a twist for pointing it out. You can't win sometimes. Some media reports on this subject are reporting it as 'Rape of a 15 year old that happened in Feb of this year'. Whether it was forced or consented in another matter. I'm not speculating...just posting the words that are being reported by news agency's.

Apologies if you misinterpreted my comment...I was only pointing out what was written in that article. Plus in reply to SGB...no speculation regarding what I think has been made...just posting what has been reported by Swedish media.

Sorry...I wouldn't know.

He's not been arrested for underage consensual sex...he's been arrested for suspected Rape. That's a whole different scenario.

....The Indian driver Antonio Lindbäck was arrested by police after the match against the Lions last night. He had been charged in his absence and was arrested yesterday when the game was over. Crime of suspected of child rape, the prosecutor confirmed the P4 Örebro. Google translate. http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=159&artikel=6444428

It's an interesting read, but surely a bit of a worry? It was hardly baking hot and there is always a bit of a breeze at Swindon. With Summer months coming and hotter temps into the evening, if I were the Swindon Promotors, I'd be making sure there was always enough water supply.

I wasn't actually saying anything fella...just asking a question as to what was going on and whether people enjoyed it etc. :-) The thread has taken it's own passage it seems...which is good...it's nice to hear peoples thoughts :-) I agree though...second halves like in the 70's are a thing of the past.

It is a shame more people don't take an interest. But it is the same in many sports. Many people are only interested in the main event and the result...they have no interest in the sportsman's journey...they just want to see the finished article. It's good to read about young British riders being invested in heavily, and academy's being pushed and promoted. It's just a shame so much money has to be invested in finding speed for these youngsters, just so they can compete with the highly sponsored youngsters abroad. I'm guessing a lot of British talent has gone to waste because of the costs involved. Sad if you have the talent, but not the finance to compete competitively. I'm guessing you have two camps which has been alluded too...those who like the meetings, and their team, and those who follow speedway as a whole. I got my interest in following speedway and watching the youngsters develop, by staying behind for the second halves, and listening to my friend who was an ex rider, who would explain everything happening. Hearing it through a riders eyes and opinions certainly made it more enjoyable.

Agreed...great racing track...and a good amount of lines....but I have noticed it getting slicker of late....since Workington tbh.

I can't see how the euro fixtures are going to effect Speedway. A vast amount of the fixtures are being played in the afternoon, when most of us are at work or on our way back. And many football fans will only be watching the home nations...and dipping in and out of the other games. Can see many watching on catch up tv. Wouldn't it also be a good marketing tool to incorporate the euro's into a Speedway meeting. Play it in the bars...so you can keep an eye on both and have a bevvy whilst doing so?

I couldn't agree more...great post :-)

They interviewed Josh, and he said the riders were finding the track difficult because of how dry and slick it was. Funnily, since asking my question earlier about the track, I noticed an interview with Josh in the programme, where he states how much he likes the track, how he's had to come from behind a lot, and that there are plenty of lines on it. He states...'It's nice to know I can go in the dirt as I like to and there will be some options there...but sometimes it works better than others, because it depends on how the tracks been prepared'. Which suggests, there has been more dirt in previous meetings? Also...it's down to what the promotors prepare and not what the riders ask for?

Interesting...what is it that doesn't appeal to you? I've often found watching the development of riders really appealing. When a second half meeting wasn't scheduled, I'd often watch 'Juniors' coming out after the main event, trying to hone their skills. You mention the football...again, when I used to live up near Manchester, the family business had season tickets to Utd. I'd find myself going to watch the reserves more often. Watching the youngsters develop was exciting to watch. Plus being able to sit anywhere you want and have a chat with Olly Gunnar, Bobby and Alex who would mingle afterwards, was reward in itself. I Scout development footballers for a Championship Club...so perhaps it's in my blood so to speak. But when watching the youngsters at Speedway, for me, it's great to see them improving week in week out. I guess we are all different, as I'm not particularly worried about results...just like close racing and seeing riders improve and do their best....each to their own of course.

Question...is the track normally that slick and dry this season at Swindon? It must be so frustrating as a rider, to miss the gate, and know you have very little chance of catching up and overtaking, unless the rider in front makes a mistake. You could see on a few occasions, riders trying to make moves, but once of the quickest line, they often lost ground. There was a little extra right out near the safety fence, for those that really dared...but nothing to speak of. Which begs the question...who has say in the tracks these days? Having only watched at Swindon and Somerset this season, I'm seeing less and less dirt, slicker drier tracks, and very little opportunity to pass. Is it something the riders want...or the promotors...cost etc? Any thoughts? Funnily...I got talking to one of the young Aussie entourage yesterday. He commentated...Quote...'Once you get past the idea of these bikes having no brakes, these bikes are relatively easy to ride these days, especially on slick tracks.' He said he didn't ride anymore...as he found it repetitively boring and went back to Moto X. I found that quite astonishing tbh.