MattK

Clearly. "The BSPA Management Committee have also ruled that Troy Batchelor must leave on a full transfer in consideration of public statements he has made over his desire to not return to Peterborough." http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/sport/speedway/panthers-go-public-to-set-the-record-straight-over-riders-saga-1-4646940

Alternatively, if there is no Elite League next season all EL heatleader assets become worthless.

I don't see why he would?

Does anyone know what average will Ashley Birks start on?

I wonder if Swindon could tempt Joonas Kylmakorpi back to Britain? He would make an excellent second heatleader IMO. http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/sport/speedway/panthers-are-after-answers-over-andersen-ruling-1-4725183 Credit to the Peterborough promotion for actually being transparent with what has gone on.

Two home meetings against Belle Vue has certainly helped reduce my personal costs.

I wonder if the motors used in these bikes bear any resemblance to the motors in electric road bikes, therefore increasing crossover appeal?

It's got nothing to do with having an axe to grind and everything to do with wanting the sport we love portrayed with a professional image.

Greenham Common

Newbury Nukes Aldermaston Atomics Thames Valley Thermonuclear Weapons

I'd have thought that the cost of land close to urban areas would be a far bigger hurdle to speedway than the noise issue?

Don't the wages/allowances in each league effectively regulate that already?

OK. We'll have to agree to disagree. I'll take promoters and their sob stories at face value and you can take them as the biggest conspiracy since the JFK's assassination.

So Newport closing, Oxford not paying their rent, riders not getting paid, promoters entering the sport for a season or two and then leaving without a pot to p1ss in - this is all part of British speedway's elaborate plan to fake losses?

No really the same, is it? Those companies have one aim, make a profit for their shareholders. Speedway clubs are typically owned by a rich benefactor who enjoys the "glamour" of owning a team. Anyone who buys a sports club with the aim of making a profit is in for a shock.

Swindon could have used any of those riders you mentioned, but instead we chose Eddie Kennett, who's a Coventry asset. There is a lot of movement between clubs of second-strings and reserves. However, we have no heatleader assets, therefore are totally reliant on another team loaning us one. Peterborough have six headleaders, therefore it seems a fairly obvious conclusion for Swindon to buy the riders they require, rather than loan them season after season. Of course, the flip side to this is that I can completely understand why Swindon don't want to buy anyone, based upon a) the imminent meltdown on the asset system and the potential of there being no Elite League in 2014 (which may also explain Peterborough's eagerness to sell riders). Ergo, we find ourselves in stalemate.

What is the difference in price between a loan and a transfer? It's have thought it would be cheaper to buy a rider than pay three seasons of loan fees?

I do have some sympathy for Peterborough though. They have six of the top 20 riders in British speedway, but can only use two of them due to an arbitary rule introduced this year. On the other hand, Swindon and Kings Lynn have no heatleader assets and therefore have to go cap-in-hand to the likes of Peterborough for riders. It's not unreasonable that Peterborough expect clubs to buy the riders they want to use, rather than loan them season after season.

It's not really the same though, is it?

It doesn't actually say that though, does it? All it says is that a house-builder has been engaged "to bring forward the first phase of housing". So houses first, stadium, um, well, maybe, in the future. Doesn't really matter. We can race at the County Ground next season as Swindon Town will be in the Blue Square Premier league.

If that was the case Belle Vue would be the most profitable team in world speedway.

Interesting. I know from a purely business point of view you want all your assets utilised, but he is on a particularly attractive average which Coventry could reap the benefit of. Either that or all our riders will be getting their averages down in 2013, ready for another assault on the title in 2014.

Anyone heard of this? Apparently it's a 6 round competition starting at Leicester in April. http://www.ukspeedwayseries.com/

Whatchu talkin bout, Willis?

http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/speedway/10147928.Panthers__didn_t_want__Hans/