norwichkev

Think could be a close one, BV very unlucky at Rye House on Saturday especially over the last 3 heats - and that was without Garrity, fancy they would have won by a few had he have been there. Could be a good one for the neutrals, Bekker knows his way around West Row and all of the others chipped in with some good rides. Haven't heard any update on Cameron yet - is he here yet?

100% right Jayne, a point I made 18 months ago about Mildenhall - where is Malcolm when you need him?

Looking forward to this one. A good test for an exciting new era at Mildenhall, thanks to Chris, Michael, Kevin and Rob for a) reviving Mildenhall and b)showing the way forward for British Speedway. Dudley look good and Armo will be a miss, although Barrie is a superb replacement - he didn't look fast at Rye but still comfortably went through the card. Roynan when I have seen him has been quality and rides West Row well, should be riding at a higher level now, Ashley Morris too has impressed when I have seen him. Shame about Cameron, how can we have lots of illegals getting in here yet "paperwork" holds up a legitimate? Not the first one either. Block up the tunnel and bring back the Commonwealth - mock ye not - no more snails or horse but a lovely joint of lamb. Also just remember when you take the extra "Royal Bank holiday", the rest of Europe gets in extra days holiday for WW2 - we won it and get sod all! How does that work? Traditionalists come to Mildy, actually hear bikes as they should be - those PC then make it your mission and sell the new silencers to the USAF and keep everybody happy. And Malcolm, we were stunning in the 6 - 0 against Scunthorpe but still a bit to do. Cheers Kev

O.K it's Friday 23.58 and.............................. running out of space

Hope you will be there, roll on tapes up.

Good looking site. Well thought out pricing for the current economic climate too. Roll on Saturday.

Must admit Nikko that accusation seemed a bit rich from someone who wore shorts like he was auditioning for the Hitler Youth and then tried to grow a tache. Mr.H.T. might have a darker side me thinks.

Yea, you are right - everything in the garden is rosy so sit back and leave it as it is! Iv'e read some tripe in my life. Take a look around you at the shambles that is the Elite? league, the suggestions of underhanded payments to bring in teams to prop it up - then move on, a PL that will not take in Peterborough but rush in Plymouth after turning them down - or the NL who if what Steve Ribbons has stated re: the work the poor Office girls had to do for a previous promoter is part of the reason for a financial penalty - I suggest if there are no clubs to oversee then no need for an Office or Office girls following your stance on the way business operates the girls should be grateful to have the extra work to do as it provides them with a job. Then take the development of youngsters and all the TV money / GP revenue that the BSPA put in to encourage youngsters - oh sorry the self appointed body spreads the monies out to their own clubs instead. Still never mind eh! I think the phrase is Turkey's voting for Christmas. Revolution not evolution - that nice Mr.Mandela cracked a bigger bunch than this - mobilise comrades

Agree with most of that although I would like to amalgamate the Shield and trophy into 1 competition competed by clubs finishing 2nd to 5th. Also new averages first of every month regardless of meetings held - take away this nonsense of high scoring reserves running through most of the season on artificial averages.

The main advantage would be that it would be illegal to stop a British Passport holder from riding. Surprised that hadn't occurred to you Kev Malcolm Vasey It actually had Malcolm ( hence why I said legalities in opening ). Somebody could put me right here on a technicality it is not stopping a rider from riding Speedway e.g they are still eligible to ride PL / EL, not being a legal beagle is it beyond any constitution to stipulate a sinature of intent pledging future to Team GB prior to eligibility? - maybe e.g. we could have another name change and call it the future Team GB riders Development League OR heaven forbid promoters could have an unwritten agreement not to include such a person ( before anybody says it can't happen have a look at the petrol prices when you have a Tesco and Sainsbury without an Asda or good independant in same area amazingly they have exactly the same pricing - obviously pure coincidence ). Kev

Malcolm, Everybody has the right to an opinion, I'm not too sure that BW Double's can be classed as ridiculous - I can only assume you are claiming "informed" is from a legal viewpoint, otherwise your's is surely a personal opinion the same as anybody else's. Just tell me the benefit's of allowing British Passport holders to ride in the third tier - UNLESS they sign a declaration that they will ride for England / GB in the future - otherwise there is zero benefit towards providing the next English world champion. Another point - supposing there are e.g. 10 teams in the league - name me 70 riders who ould fill the slots AND provide entertaing meetings every week. If you take out those from the higher league's and the mature riders who are past what you are looking for the number does not exist. In days of old teams like Rye House took on the mantle of developing English riders and did it exceptionally well, even in those days you could not have populated 10 teams of sufficient standard to bring punters through the door. My opinion - the likes of Nikko at Mildenhall has the right idea with the Academy. Used solely for British riders that could work, and before we have the famous red herrings of costs etc most odf these young lads travel the U.K. to get rides at different tracks anyway - oh, and why not bring the NL down to the old formula of 13 heats that would ,make a contribution financially and maybe encourage supporters to actually stay and watch a second half. And lastly, any club that brings a lad through the academy has a contract OR a binding agreement that ALL clubs abide by - any club that brings a rider through the academy has the right to a set fee from the first PL or EL club that the lad subsequently signs for. Top rider in the Academy side is also the automatic number 8 for the NL side. Kev

Best you go back to where you come from with statements like " I said that as the NL was an equal part of speedway , the supporters ,riders, sponsors, promoters would have to be patient and wait while the running of the sport was sorted out" not sure it's got anything to do with you. The current lot responsible for the shambolic running of the sport should welcome you on board. But good of you to speak on behalf of the controlling body. As a suggestion maybe start to listen to people like Nikko who have a good knowledge of what goes on ( maybe even understand some of it although there are some big words in there ), never know you might learn something factual and be able to contribute. Oh and before you dismiss NL have a look at your declared riders - how many have those have risen through the NL conference ranks? Kev

With respect, if you want the same result then your posting is at best irresponsible. You have been in the game long enough to know how things work, if senior members of the BSPA can bend and manipulate rules on what seems like a regular basis I hardly think that there can be any complaints over the way other clubs operate do you? Also, why would anybody wish to inform you of something that is blatantly none of your business? Unless for mischief making. Whether you agree with Mr.Coventry or the new Promoter just deal with it - rights and wrongs within the BSPA it appears have just seen the shambolic demise of 2 senior Elite venues, as a Speedway fan per se the pleasure some people derive from self interest and negativity never ceases to amaze me. Kev.

Was just about to reply to your previous e-mail. Not sure why you are done with Mildenhall before all of the facts are known. Do you know more than you are letting on? your post certainly seems skewed that way, because if not with this e-mail I am not quite sure how Dave Coventry could have won in your eyes. Working your post backwards, most things in business are fairly nailed down before ink touches paper - and it actually answers one of your earlier concerns about leaving it too late to sign riders. I do sense some bad blood here - If Dave Coventry can successfully PROMOTE Stock Cars why not Speedway? after all we have been very short of actual PROMOTION in the near past which has rightly led to criticism on this board. We can't all like everyone, however, one fact that cannot be ignored is that Dave Coventry owns the stadium and whether you or anybody else does not agree with it tough smell the coffee ( or buy the stadium )it is crucial that he has a promoter who he can work with and will be there for the long term. Whether he gets it right is another matter, due diligence and gut feeling is not always a guarentee. I did note one of your points on the Tractors - which is quite valid, however, I think the balance has to be the fortune spent on erecting the new fence and the legal fees ( without either we wouldn't need a tractor ) Lastly I am delighted that this has been resolved, Rhidassa sums it up perfectly - we have another chance, and there may not be too many more. It is now down to us supporters to look to rally around whoever the new promoter/s are - listen to people like SimonB who managed more Sky coverage with SMS than the rest of the NL teams put together - and on one occasion he only had one pint in his hand . Father Christmas has come early for Mildenhall fans, something we should all embrace and move on. Kev The Barton Temporary Voice Of Reason

I think when you go on a forum you should expect different points of view - doesn't always mean an argument e.g. I understand FT666 points and where he is coming from but in my opinion I think they are slightly too negative and maybe do not take in the broader picture. After experiencing the two stooges from down the road who to my mind have been the main catalyst to the current prediction I feel quite safe with Mr.Coventry being at the helm. 1) First rules in business - don't show your hand and don't wash dirty linen in public. Why do people expect "statements of fact" every day. Get real it won't happen. 2) Anybody who feels that strongly why not contact him and tell him how to conduct himself and run a business. Keyboard warriors are two a penny. 3) Rents etc are between the stadium owner and promoter end of. If they are not workable nothing will happen - but everybody needs to not lose money. 4) Before spouting about having to take so many people through the door to pay for the track etc look at the bigger picture - four figure sponsorship was available from a group of supporters last year and was turned down flat. 5) Mildenhall does have a core of supporters who will not only put hands in their pockets but also have contacts that will bring in pockets of sponsorship. 6) No point in discussing riders in the open when a) Stadium future is not nailed down The NL AGM has not been held, so points limits etc are not known etc, etc, etc - but I also do not believe that Mr.Coventry is blind to the need. Look at the bigger picture this could be a lot worse, we could have landlords such as the GRA - would you be as confident that we were wanted then? Sane minded Kev

Understand where you are coming from, and on face value the rent might seem high - however, and I am sure somebody will put me right if I am wrong, I think there are other matters that Dave Coventry looks after i.e. removing the concrete blocks on the centre green to name but one, and I am sure there are others. We must not forget that the stadium is a commercial business of which Speedway is only a part - but it has to show a positive contribution or why would Dave Coventry want to entertain it? Having listened to Dave C talk just once, unscripted after the last promotion collapsed I left impressed, hard talking BUT also impressing points that needed to be taken seiously such as 1) the need for a promoter to promote - sounds simple, but for most of us the past few years an area that had been largely neglected and just as importantly 2) ( I wont have this word for word )The answer is not just put up the entrance price - everything has a value and cannot be overpriced or the public will vote with their feet. Personally I have confidence that Dave C will pick the best option from those available ( looking at the mess the BSPA have made of the Elite - self interest? - I would not want them having any part of any decision ) - yes, he does have another vested interest because I am not sure that he can afford to have another false dawn for the Speedway.

Having attended a few NL tracks prior to demise of Mildenhall would suggest before "rose tinteds" are donned looking at track support of NL teams currently tracking mainly GB youngsters i.e Rye House / Kings Lynn etc would be worthwhile - supporters tend to vote with their feet. In a sport that cannot attract enough youngsters to build Academy teams I would suggest that the only way to have teams of 7 is to allow more of the older brigade to drop down - surely a bigger sop than seeing young Commonwealth riders come through. Mildy gone, Weymouth???, Bournemouth - if Matt Ford can't make it work who can and I would suggest there are possibly other tracks uncertain. It's a bit like drinking squash dilute it too much and nobody wants to drink it

Now you know why we don't let you do the thinking At least you can give Jimmie Krankie his shorts back for the summer! Start at Basics. From day 1 the club, despite a number of us volunteering, was not marketed to the max - I offered thoughts, as did PhilK and I am sure others ususl promise and will come back to you, then.......nothing, the silence was deafening. Early meetings late and for whatever reason problematical - who can forget the meeting starting a couple of hours late due to the "ambulance" being stuck on the A11 at Barton Mills a road that I had travelled in arriving at the Stadium some 25 minutes before scheduled start!! People I had enticed left after waitng 1 and a half hours with limited / no information - never to return. Following this we had a number of meetings with a sound system that could not be heard.Press and Practice!!! say no more. Opening few meetings we had riders who had had no track time so got a few stuffings. I could go on and on, but being a man of few words............................. Attending Speedway is like most sports a habit, the moment you give people a chance to find something else to do you have a problem. Remember our first discussions on the NL - we have now had 3 weeks between home meetings - there are not and never have been enough fixtures end of. Team Viking, what happened to the Mildenhall leg of that!!!!!! On the forum we suggetsed regional 4 team Tournies over Bank Holidays - or even running on Bank Hoilidays where there were no Car meets - nothing. Speak to some of the key supporters of old and you will find stories of Away meeting buses not being endorsed and supported by the club. Tours e.g. fixtures between Weymouth, Plymouth, I.O.W, Bournemouth arranged together - not interested in limp reasons about why not - we used to manage it in PL days up North. A great set of riders this year with supporting families, they have not only been hit financially but are left half way through the season trying to find new clubs and being given little information - having to rely in some cases on the fans forums. To their credit they have all acted with professionalism and dignity I don't believe that the full story has by any means been told in the public domain No dig here at any individuals within the club, but the way I see it - very poor communications and a disenfranchise from supporters, in my view key reasons why people have voted with their feet. If I get a ban until the end of the season so be it Great that Dave Coventry has consistently shown his support, at least gives us a glimmer of hope.

Agree 100%, not many winners no matter the outcome. Without knowing any background in the negotiations I hope that it works out well for Dave Coventry who, despite the noise issue hanging around his neck appears to have worked hard to keep Speedway at the venue and has remained positive in his postings. Hopefully the riders will be paid, mostly young lads the bills fall also on their families - if there are hardships as supporters maybe we have to llok at ways to help. Without Ray & Jean we would have lost the Fen Tigers 18 months ago, however harsh though we have to remember that come the end of the day it is a business.

Many good points from all sides here. Nothing wrong with being pro British over others - look across the world, it's no different anywhere............ however. The young Aussies at the moment bring a new edge - excitement, attitude, experience, the will to win. To name but 3 last year Taylor Poole, this year Morris and Branford all great to watch and would tip the balance if you were undecided about going. Young Brits at that level unquestionably Marc Owen and a few others bubbling under BUT then you struggle. All of the riders mentioned you could put up against second strings and quite a few Heat leaders, they have all learned fast. Surely entertainment is a large part of what the game is about at NL, PL and EL level - GP's etc for the individual to stand alone. Putting young Brits in for the sake of it will only dilute the sport and ultimately drive crowds away. Development has to be via a mechanism that exists - the Academy League - make the youngsters hungry and really want to progress. Mildenhall have in their programme a slot every week for an Academy League meeting - to date end June we have had not 1 fixture, apparently nobody else can field a team. Says it all really.

Good to see the numpty's are still about, too much cooking sherry I guess. If you are that worried about Jerran have a look at his scores last season at different tracks both NL & PL, + 9 points at last years Ace of Hearts at Rye - but then, don't let facts get in the way of a good argument. Doesn't need bringing down a peg or two, has confidence and ability - will do for me. Kev

Well done Blayne decent replacements in a few potential winners in this one. Looks a great afternoon all round - by my maths 24 races + the Men in Black for normal admission prices? Great way to end the season.