PhilK

I doubt that will be the case vog. In Malcolm Vasey you have without doubt the most knowledgable man in third tier speedways history, added to that his knowledge of young British riders is second to none as was shown at Scunthorpe. If this is a step down for a short period to rebuild, then you couldn't have a better man at the helm.

Compliments of the season to you Malcolm, hope you are in fine fettle! It's tomorrow at Bury hopefully if not I believe there is a possibility of Tuesday afternoon as a 'reserve' day, be good to see you if you fancy a boat trip down to Suffolk.

I think that to be honest the two are inextricably linked, without a Speedway team Dave Coventry will have an empty stadium on a Sunday as Halifaxtiger points out, but without a stadium a Mildenhall speedway team cannot run! Halifaxtiger is right that it is surely in Dave Coventry's interest to have speedway at Mildenhall Stadium, but whoever decides to run it be it a 'professional businessman' or not is in my opinion up against it from the start. Kings Lynn supporters have the new experience of EL speedway plus on free weeks it seems the 'Young Stars' to support, whilst Ipswich decision to regroup in the PL gives their supporters regular quality weekly speedway. It would not be an exageration to suppose that about 15 - 20% of supporters at West Row on a Sunday are from these two clubs, and with regular speedway available to them in 2011 plus the current economic climate we may find our friends from Suffolk and Norfolks visits more sporadic. Add to that those that may have been lost after last seasons 'sudden' closure that left a number of supporters out of pocket and there is work to be done. I have no idea if the rent figures being quoted are correct, and to be frank they are not our business, but if they are then that takes about 120 paying adults out of the weekly budget, on crowds of 375-400 it doesn't leave much to play with once all the other costs are covered. I sincerely hope we have a team running as Mildenhall in 2011, but whoever it is are going to need deep pockets or get out into the community and really push the club to supporters and potential sponsors alike, sadly the delay in the NL meeting until January does not help that one bit!

I wonder if the events of the last fews days may result in another party showing interest in running speedway out of Mildenhall Stadium, Peterborough ? There has been rumours of their interest in previous seasons.

Agree with that, good post mate! Whoever comes in must have a positive working relationship with the stadium owner, or as you say there is no speedway to talk about. It is good to hear Dave Coventry say he wants it professionally run, and he seems to have good ideas on fixture organisation which is good to hear, if stadium owner and promoter can work together we may have a positive future at Mildenhall to look forward to. Below is an article from the CEN (DavidC)which seems to be positive "Dave Coventry has assured supporters that Mildenhall will be represented at the National League’s annual meeting in a fortnight where the club’s future will be discussed. Confirmation of the meeting at the BSPA’s headquarters in Rugby on December 7 was the only relevant news concerning the National League to emerge from the sport’s annual conference at the weekend. "I’m talking with three parties at the moment," said Coventry, the West Row stadium boss, "and it should all be happening this week. There will be someone representing Mildenhall at the meeting next month, either myself, a representative of one of the parties or a new promoter." Coventry also outlined work to improve the grandstand facilities at the stadium as it continues to be well supported for other motor sports and greyhound racing".

Each to there own, but if true I won't personally miss the EL at Foxhall. Elite in name only, no Gollob, Hampel, Crump, Holta, Hancock (1-5 in the SGP), Pedersen, Jonsson or Sayfutdinov, and with Adams retiring just a handful of the top names you would want in an 'Elite' league! As for Ipswich only Nicholls provided entertainment for me at Foxhall last season, unless Miskowiak out of control is your bag. Apart from the speed there will I feel be little difference still the usual mix of good races and ones where the riders are strung out like washing. But if Ipswich can survive and hopefully prosper at this level then hopefully they will get the support they deserve. One of the most interesting comments on this thread for me though came from Orion, "the other thing to look at is can the Louis put out a decent team in the Pl now that money is not such a problem ? or are they just poor judges in terms of team building". That to is my concern, they never seemed to have any knowledge of what was happening with riders in the PL, maybe the answer is to look for an experienced PL Team Manager?

Wilko always gives 100% but on the occasions I saw him at Ipswich last season, he fell far too often and didn't really seem to like the new track

If this is a new start in a new league for Ipswich I'd steer well clear of the Poles! Don't think for a minute that because Stachyra averages 4.5 in the EL, he will average 9 plus as a heat leader in the PL. He has never seen most of the tracks, and would be a weak heat leader imo. I appreciate he rode well at Newcastle but there will be probably 14/15 new tracks for him to ride Doolan has previous Ipswich connections and would be a brilliant No 1. Add Schramm, Poole, and Hart and you have a decent team coming together. Maybe the return of Jason Bunyan could be on the cards? As for Jacobs and Rayson both excellent prospects but maybe the 2012 reserve pairing but I'm not sure they are quite ready yet for the PL. 1. Doolan 2. Hawkins 3. Schramm 4. Poole 5. Bunyan ? 6. Hart 7.

Excellent post Mr Snackette

I'd like to think you are correct greyhoundp, but do think you are being rather hopeful here. From the eleven that started last year it would seem Bournemouth and Weymouth are non starters, Plymouth are applying to go up, Mildenhall are far from definate starters, Newport??,that leaves six and I doubt one or two of them are definate starters (Kings Lynn ?). As for new clubs, maybe one or two at the most, but personally i'd be surprised if the league is bigger than 8 clubs in 2011. I dont want to be negative here and do hope I am wrong and you are right.

Correct Howard! However the article quoting Dave Coventry in the latest Speedway Star is encouraging, and I agree totally with the comments he makes. Sadly i dont have a copy of the SS but if anyone does it is, I feel, worth posting on here.

Exactly wessexboy, I agree totally. One Commonwealth rider per side isn't hurting clubs or in all honesty the future of British Speedway. Often they are exciting youngsters who actually bring a few more through the gates. However, riders wanting £20+ a point certainly is making it difficult for clubs to survive. Apart from Dudley and Plymouth the crowds around the NL are pretty meagre, and as Rye House have found increasng admission costs is not the answer. When promoters such as Ford, Silver and the Chapmans have trouble attracting people through their gates then there is a real problem, and unless costs are driven down I can see the NL only having 6-7 clubs in 2011.

They certainly are justifible!!! and hopefully Ollie will receive what he is owed, no wonder his Dad is angry, any parent would be. I really feel for young Ollie, hopefully he can find another teamplace soon and get his speedway career moving again. He certainly is a rider of considerable talent.

It certainly was Mike, one of many in a closely contested excellent meeting last night

An excellent meeting very well run by Somerset Speedway. Those who think its not worth bothering about know little of the sport! Anyone who saw Freemantle's last two rides saw a 14 year old of some talent. There were many other top performances and some super racing. As for the winner well I am biased, and after last years horror crash I was unsure if we would ever see nights like this. But with the support of a brilliant family he has edged he way back up to this week where everything has fell into place! Well done Brendan British U18 Champion!! Great company Bob and Mary see you all soon, and well done to all 18 lads you are a credit to the sport.

Thanks mate, be good to catch up tomorrow been a while!

Yes Bob looks like two or three changes at least, hopefully Adam Kirby will get his chance. Hope too Brendan can carry on his good form of Tuesday evening and make a push for the title! We will see you there mate!

Indeed how!! Riders, Supporters, Sponsors all left in the dark until today. First enjoyed speedway at Mildenhall in August 1976 and now fear we won't see racing there again.

. Totally agree Dennis, your post sums up the position excellently in my opinion. The riders need to know exactly where they stand as by the middle of next week they will be a month without a meeting as well as being owed money for meetings already run. They deserve better!

Congratulations to Adam, an excellent result

Taken from this Friday's Bury Free Press MILDENHALL Fen Tigers fans have been assured there is light at the end of the tunnel – as Dave Coventry prepares to seal a rescue package for the troubled club this weekend. The West Row club's 35-year history looked destined to come to a shuddering halt at the start of the week, after chairman Ray Mascall handed over control of the Tigers to the British Speedway Promoter's Association. As a result, this Sunday's National League away fixture against Buxton was promptly postponed, as the West Suffolk outfit faced a race against time to assemble a full squad of riders. However, Mildenhall Stadium owner Coventry – who is locked in negotiations with Mascall and National League co-ordinator Peter Morris – has emerged as the favourite prospect buyer and he aims to complete the deal within the next couple of days. A swift change in hands would ensure that no further meetings are postponed. "I am confident that a deal can be agreed very soon," said Coventry, who bought Mildenhall Stadium from James Waters in 2008. "The club has a long and interesting history and it would not be fair on the fans if they were to lose their local speedway team. "No fee has been agreed yet. I will need to negotiate that with Ray and see what we come up with together. The important thing here is the future of the sport." Coventry, who has managed stock car racing at the sporting venue for 18 years, has been accused in the past of not being a speedway supporter. But, the 55-year-old insists this is not the case: "It is true that I like my stock cars, but I am a motorsport fan and speedway comes within that bracket. "If a deal is struck, I will pull the team together and safeguard the future of the Tigers." Mascall, who has been a Tigers supporter since 1977, decided to sell the club after his wife, Jean, died two months ago. "Jean was a massive Tigers fan and I bought the club, mainly as a gift for her," said Mascall. "She was my life and when she died, I knew I had lost the heart to carry on as chairman." The off-the-track troubles have served as an unwelcome distraction for the Tigers as they bid to lift the National League title for the first time. Currently fourth in the table, the in-form Fenmen look set to clinch an end of season play-off berth after sealing eight wins from their opening 11 meetings

Which is in total contrast to an article in Friday's Bury Free Press!

Any news on the line up for this meeting? It is less than a fortnight away!

Hardly a 'sensible' suggestion until the situation at Mildenhall is clarified

I'm only a couple of miles from the track as the crow flies, and it is bright and sunny outside