Hodgy

Surely you didn't expect anything other than chaos.

Maybe we know enough to hazard a dam good guess. What's the point in watching the same riders race each other. Team Speedway is about racing against everyone at some stage of the meeting, in most cases. I'm all for promoting the Brits but don't really want to see Blackbird scoring a 9 point max by beating Josh Bates 3 times.

You need a product that is marketable. The EL Speedway I have viewed over recent years is neither fantastic or thrilling. Stupid complicated rules, poor governance and track preperation will never attract and retain newbies. How can you possibly entertain with such a gulf in ability / experience. Get the product right then you have something to market. I keep going as a harderned supporter knowing what it can be like. We fell into a trap, with good intent, of setting the regulations in order to save the struggling clubs. A huge contributing factor to the decline of British Speedway. In my opinion.

It appears he's changed his opinion after talking to Phil Morris. @lewiblack: After speaking to @philmorrisgb about money and race formats it doesn't seem as bad for NL riders in elite league.

Why didn't they just say team average is x but must have 2 Brits at reserve. Simples!!!

It is publicised in the SS. Page 36, Bonus Points.

Not sure about that BCD. TR was the main man that pursued and eventually gained Speedway coverage on a major sports channel. Unfortunately the responsibility for not succeding must lay with the promotors. They had a great opportunity but didn't take it, but took the money. The product in general was not entertaining - until they covered the odd Premier League match.

My view is that it's the promotors responsibility to promote, clues in the name. The Peterborough ET usually has reasonable Speedway coverage, although that might be influenced by the local journo's ❤️ for a Bear. The content is not too bad, often Pat Butcher spouting on about "we can still make the play offs" or "we lost, not my fault" - but it targets the lesser internet user market. Only problem is that now it is weekly, rather than daily, it's generally old news. Word of warning, don't read the Peterborough ET from the front - you risk suicide before reaching the Sports pages. Terry Russell States in this weeks SS he is confident a TV deal will be agreed. Didn't say who with or that it would be agreed before the Chimps Tea Party. We appear to be at this limbo stage every year, thinking it can't get any worse, unfortunately it does. Your last line pretty much sums it up - although I'm not holding my breath.

Years off winning WTC but most certainly could and should have done better this year.

Makes sense.

You make a valid point. PL would split easily but EL would all want to be in a southern group. Plan B, just split the one league in two, split how fits best. Maybe one league, home and away, will suffice.

If it's going to be 38 you can't really call it Elite League. It's basically PL + 1. May as well have 1 league split North and South, top 2 or 4 play off. The rest play in the best of losers cup. Logical way forward in my opinion.

It does matter. Get it sorted early, as they appear to do in Sweden. Thus providing maximum time for doing what they need to be doing, promoting.

Sky TV guide on tinternet states live at 6:15 but nothing on Eurosport Sky box

This is always useful. Just type Speedway in the search field. http://tv.sky.com/tv-guide

Anywhere I can still get a ticket for this gig?

Your back in the room!!!

Confirmed 7pm kick off.

In the process of sorting all the logistics, there are numerous permutations - narrowed it down to Gdansk or Poznan, might even do in one out the other. Can someone please advise what time the meeting starts? Many thanks...

Thanks all, this is working out to be quite good value - train timetable is very handy thank you. From my experience with Leszno recall the trains are quite cheap (although did share with cattle and sheep). Is the stadium likely to sell out? Appreciate your assistance planning this trip - can feel the atmosphere already.

Decided to go to the final round and quite like your idea of flying into Gdansk - too many hidden charges with Ryanair now with a flight direct into Bydgoszcz. Can you tell me how long the train takes and any other info regarding the trip? Many thanks...

They are going to price themselves out at this rate. Stayed in Premier Inn and paid £52 per night by booking year in advance. When they realised there was an event on room price for new bookings went to £94 - naughty!!!

Thanks Rico, We're all booked, Wizzair gets us into Poznan at 11am(ish) - gives us time to drop the bags at the Ibis, dab on a bit of Old Spice then off to Leszno. Have purchased 4 tickets on the back straight. Will by you a beer if we see you at the Hotel. Bring it on! Thanks again for all your advice. Hodgy

Hey thanks Rico and Mama for the advice, very much appreciated. Agree with you both - do not want to be on time pressure, could really ruin the day. Think Wizzair it is then, earlier start but gives plenty of time to drop off bags in Poznan hotel before going to Leszno. Would guess that taxi's are reasonably cheap (although understand possibly inflated for this event). There are now 4 of us shouldn't be too much if we need to jump in a cab. Any hotel recommendations in Poznan - easy to get to, good value? Thanks for the help - the first bottle of Lech is on me.

Thanks Rico, no earlier flights into Poznan from Stansted. Is the train station far from Poznan airport and track in Leszno? Planning to stay in Poznan - more chance of carrying the night on a bit.