Gresham

I know...but in the space of a week, he's riding for three teams, all competing for the same points in a league made up of only 8 teams. It's madness imo, and shouldn't be allowed. How can you have a rider who's side is in 4th place, riding for a team who's trying to take that 4th place from you? Easy to pay off, so as not to score as well. It's a joke.

Every time I've seen him ride this year he's looked class. Would love to have him in my team. Proper team rider.

Well the doubling up system is stopping me going to Swindon on Thursday. Sorry...I'm not going to pay my hard earned, to watch Poole rider Paul Starke ride against Somerset for Leicester last night, then ride for Poole Wednesday night against Wolves, then ride for Somerset against Swindon on Thursday. With 4th place up for grabs, this makes a whole mockery of the sport. I'm sure other fans will feel the same way.

Shame...was looking forward to going to this meeting, but won't bother now with so many guests.

My apologies...missed that.

.... going on from the thread about doubling up, it occurred to me how much of a major problem we have in British Speedway, and how short changed us Speedway fans are. Having the day off, I had time to check my hunch. At Somerset we have not had one single home meeting, not even from day one of the season, where we have not had the use of RR or guests being used. Not one meeting, where all seven riders, from both teams have been represented. I've not even looked to see what the away fixtures have been like. From 11 meetings it's looked like this... 1 1 RR 1 Guest 2 1 Guest 3 1 RR 4 2 Guests 5 3 Guests 6 1 RR 2 Guests 7 1 RR 1 Guest 8 2 RR 3 Guests 9 1 RR 3 Guests 10 1 Guest 1 RR 1 withdrawn 11 1 RR That imo...is disgusting and a major problem as to why fans are leaving in droves.

With respect...this is exactly what is wrong with the Sport. If the 'Top guys' as you put it, don't like something, they throw their toys out of the pram. You are thinking as Speedway is now. If you read my comments...I suggested riders would be on a wage...not paid per point. But they would get bonus's at the end of the season depending on results. Some riders are already being paid like this now. Surely in Club speedway you want a level playing field? You want to see a riders skill on a bike...not who has the most money, best tuned engines, most sponsorship etc. Yes...no engine would be completely the same...but drawing lots over a season would even out. The difference wouldn't be that much. No more different to a rider weighing a stone more than another. The idea, is to create more of a level playing field, reduce costs in tuning and maintenance, and bring more of a club feel, rather than 7 individuals turning up with their own gear. The have and the have not's. Surely this is better...than say for example, a rider turning up and having to ride borrowed equipment, because he can't afford new engines because he's blown a few up in recent weeks, which has happened this season and previous. That's a bit like having a footballer turning up and having to borrow some boots and playing with a hamstring problem. You have to think outside the box and ignore what is going on right now. It has to start again imo. Tbh...I can imagine most of the 'Top riders' as you put it, not wanting to partake...but so what. Let them bugger off. Most of them aren't interested in British speedway anyway. Do you really think British Club speedway can continue the way it's going, with how it's set up now? How do you for an example, think it's normal...for a rider like BWD, to blow up four engines in a month, ask for help on social media, and expect the lad to score points for you in a meeting? The whole scenario is nuts. How do you explain to a newcomer, that the rider riding for said team, is normally better than this, but he can't afford new engines, so he's having to borrow? In a professional sport? Think about that for a moment...it's madness. Teams are completely reliant on riders providing their own equipment, and if they can't because of blown engines and cost...the rider, Team and paying public have to suffer, watching a talented rider try his hardest, but knowing full well he won't score because of the machinery he's on. How is that normal? It's only normal in Speedway, because that's how it's been allowed to evolve. It needs to change.

Mistakes happen in every sport. Thankfully it didn't change the result in anyway.

Yes it was a huge loss...but rider for rider...Rye House are far superior as a side. You look at the Poole line up these days and it looks like a Championship side. How are Poole seriously thinking that's a strong line up? Kurtz - Holder - Lahti - Kennett - Andersen - Starke - Shanes - Not exactly a top 4 team is it?

Surely that's what the referee is for? If a manager picks his two riders and one is not eligible, the referee should pick up on this. In the heat of battle mistakes can be made...a referee should know the rules, like in every other sport. If a mistake is made, and it's not seen by the ref. then it's his fault...like missing seeing an obvious penalty or handball in football.

On tonight's performance I'd say Kings Lynn are probably stronger than Poole...in fact I'd say they were probably the weakest team in the League right now on performance levels. ;-)

I thought that was a pre requisite to get into the Country ;-)

Love the fact some fans think it's embarrassing to lose at home to Somerset... Poole, Belle Vue and Kings Lynn have all been done by the Rebels on their travels. So many last heat deciders at home, where we weren't far off winning...Swindon and Kings Lynn come to mind. We could easily be sitting in 4th place in the table ahead of Poole. And I can see either the Rebels or Lynn taking that 4th spot off Poole. I would say the only places the Rebels have been caught out are the trick tracks of Wolverhampton and Rye house. Not too shabby for first season up. Quite happy to be seen as underdogs though...so much sweeter when you beat the opposition. Loved seeing some stunned Wolves fans faces last night...Glad they enjoyed the Rebels racing experience.

I'd love to know what was said to him before the race...surely they would have told him the situation? As ER said...he was like a man possessed...he was literally riding the airfence. Almost lost it on lap 3, then did exactly the same on lap 4 in the same place...this time hitting the fence coming off bend 2. Surprised he got up so quick. That lad should start using that brain cell occasionally...could have cost us the meeting if it wasn't for Josh and Wrighty in the last heat. Excellent exciting close meeting though.

Great post ER...What was Jake thinking? He only needed to keep in second and not go for the win. It was a terrific meeting...the track was perfect, funnily they were even watering before the start of the meeting. Incredible, considering the rain we've had. Just hope Lawson can get things sorted again...not sure whether it's mechanical or not fit. Thinking the former. Would love to pip Poole to the play off spot...at least there would be a legitimate reason for them to talk about it on a Somerset thread lol

Somerset seems to have its own micro climate. Brings everything in off the coast. It's weird.

Not in the evening it isn't... During the day I'd agree. Anyway... Got here early. Took 50mins...no hold ups. Sat in beer garden in Highbridge and sun is shinning. Happy days

I agree...the people getting a very decent living from this sport, are tuners. A bit like Agents in football... a necessary evil. I think the majority of Speedway fans aren't interested in engines and bikes perse. Unlike a lot of other motor sports. Most, I would say, like to be affiliated to a Club rather than an individual rider. Although....Fans I would say, also like it when a rider becomes 'one of their own'. For example...Lee Adams at Swindon amongst others. This should be encouraged as well...as it helps with continuity in the sport. The merry go round of riders each season, each week almost, is a farce. A grading system of the averages would help imo. For example...In a team. Two riders with an average of 8+ Three riders of 5.50 to 8.00 Two riders of 5.50 and below. That way riders will have more leeway with averages and team managers less hassle when building a team. It should also reduce manipulating averages.

Probably because people have got used to doing other things on that night. If Somerset were to change to another night and keep it regular as that night, then what's to say it wouldn't improve? I really don't understand how the Club or Council think Friday is a good night to race, considering the absolute carnage of the M5 on that night. How many riders, fans etc find they are running late because of it. A mid week or Saturday/Sunday would be better imo.

I'm not sure tbh...Personally I think it's needs to go whole hog, as the Prem and Championship, bar a few riders is practically the same thing. I could imagine some riders leaving Britain...with then enough left to combine the Prem, Championship and some NL riders into one league. Then keep the NL/Development leagues going. I look at some riders riding in the Prem who don't have rides abroad, who ride for two teams in the UK and wonder how they keep going and keep competitive. Most are middle order riders, who tbh, are the one's I see as the main stay of British Speedway.

As someone else said on another thread...some people will only look to find reasons why something won't work, and never offer up alternatives or find a way for things too work. For me...British Club Speedway needs a complete overhaul and to start again. We can't compete with the Poles, and it seems we are getting further apart. We need to go in our own direction. If it means losing riders to the sport in this country because they don't like it, then so be it. I'm sure there would be many enthusiastic riders from other sports like MX...think Bewley...who would love to make a living from riding Speedway for a Club and not having the expensive of having to own and maintain engines. If it meant the 'quality' of riders went backward for a while then so be it...it already is as it stands, and gets weaker every year. Weaker leagues, less top riders, less fans coming through the gate...yet still the same spiralling costs of maintaining speedway engines. Madness. I'd much rather see British Speedway go to two nights a week racing...preferably weekend...for all tracks. Riders have other jobs during the week...or ride abroad, but not for another British Club. No money for points...just a basic weekly wage. Then bonuses given out at the end of the season depending on how they have scored and finished in the league...that would keep them focussed and not just 'turning up'. That already happens with some riders now...so it's nothing new. British Club speedway doesn't fit in with 'Joe Bloggs International Speedway Rider'. It's a garden shed sport in this country...of which the riders think they are the F1 equivalent. Far from it. The money and facilities just don't go hand in hand with what they are trying to portray. Time for massive change if Club Speedway is to continue in this country imo.

Why is it certain fans think Somerset can only race on a Friday because of some council ruling, when this is clearly not true? Looking forward to a clear run too...usually is except Fridays. Plus...when we've had natural rain during the week, and a clear afternoon and evening, the track has usually been at it's finest. Can't wait for this one...should be a cracker.

Yes...I understand that, and agree. But it's pretty much like that now, with the 'have' and the 'have nots' in a team. Those who have money and sponsorship can afford better tuned engines, so the playing field isn't level as it is. At least this idea, in theory, would cut down riders, spending ridiculous amounts of money on tuning and maintenance and endless hours doing so. The drawing of lots, would also over a season even out. Is that horsepower much different to having someone say like Rohan Tungate riding against Joe Screen or Andy Smith? I'm sure there are a 1000 and 1 issues that would have to be thought about...but Speedway imo, can't keep going down the same route it's doing at Club level. And for me...taking away the rider involvement in engines for Clubs, is a good start.

I agree...out of interest...how many Speedway Promotors have other businesses that they make their main income from? It would help imo, if Speedway meetings were run on just one or two evenings a week, preferably a weekend. At least the riders could work other jobs outside of Speedway if needs must.

I think it's a crackpot idea, to get 7 riders providing their own bikes, of which you have no idea of what quality they are on the day, then get them together, chuck in a team manager and call them a 'Team'. Perhaps that's why Speedway is falling apart at the seems. Every Club is dependent on the riders providing their own engines. We all know what they are capable of in ability. What's most frustrating for any fan, is seeing one of your team struggling, because he's screwed up his equipment up in previous meetings, can't afford to replace it, or has his best engines in Poland now and riding some cobbled together machine that isn't competitive....until he can afford to get competitive again. Seems to me, that Speedway shot itself in the foot from the start, by allowing Club Speedway to evolve the way it has. I know....lets get riders to bring their own equipment, of various standards and we'll call them a Team...right...ok