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SCB 2018 rule that “riders must remain astride their machine when ‘gardening’ at the start-line. As we saw/heard last night in the first meeting of the season at Belle Vue, 3 riders excluded having got off their bikes to prepare their start position. Riders/managers complaining of this rule. I believe rule possibly brought in to speed meetings up. But it doesn’t. Riders in my opinion should be able to prepare their start position, have a cup of tea or what ever within the 2 minutes allotted time. As in Poland a digital clock should be placed by the start, the referee starts the 2min. count down and if a rider not ready, then he is excluded. This system should be in place for all leagues in all countries. Same rule everywhere.

Especially the shorter ones?

Sad but true on all count JC. . .and I still have the Shell suits! :-) We may not have seen eye to eye on some occasions but there is no doubt that you were a forward thinker who had great ideas to move the sport into a new direction and bring it up to date. The atmosphere that we all generate in that amazing era was 2nd to none and one of the best times I can remember in speedway.

He has saved plenty by ensuring his team look will look like the Poundland Pirates

JPB replaced by both teams on the same day he walks.........don't let the door hit you on the @rse on your way out

Looks like a swift and excellent resolution to the issue from Coventry. From what i have seen Connor is far more professionally setup than JPB was and i feel will provide more consistent results from the number 1 jacket. Add in that he is familiar with riding alongside Armstrong & Ruddick from his Mildenhall days and i feel that this move will actually make Coventry stronger in the long term.

As usual it's a knee jerk reaction to appease the vociferous minority who whinge about a complete triviality such as 'gardening'. As said, 2 minute warning, ready to race when clock hits zero, no more gardening at that point. Oh so simple.

You’ve got to feel sorry for Tungate who has no chance of gardening astride his bike

You can be prepared as you like and just have absolutely no luck on any given night, it happens although fortunately not very often. Panning the poor chap is pretty harsh but not unexpected on this platform.....Belle Vue fans know what Tungate can do and won't be too concerned.

I feel sorry for any new promotion team at Lynn, as I think it is hard to meet the expectations of fans who supported the club during that era... and for good reason. The parade track rolling out to the intro of 'welcome to the jungle' always made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck, and everyone involved (from fans to riders) were emotionally immersed in the club. 9 titles in 4 years (from memory) is as good as it gets and shows what the club was all about back then. Unfortunately since then the club has lost yourself, Rob Lyon and me and personally I do not believe any have been appropriately replaced... although not through lack of trying as I did recently read a job advertisement for a centre green announcer who must like wearing illuminus shell suits

Didn't finish a race all night? That doesn't happen to the best riders, who are usually the best prepared.

Teams will be getting a bit fed up at being let down by this lad. He's not gone out of his way to make friends in the sport and I'm sure he won't be missed (especially in Sheffield, Glasgow and Coventry).

Jury is out for me regarding Holder. Very busy start to the season with Poole Fri, Torun Sat, Sheffield Sun. Obviously it would have been Wolves Mon too! Dont think he will rock the boat too much as a testimonial is around the corner. Feel sure he would prefer it at Poole. I dont see him as being a real top line NO.1 anymore. Happy to be proved wrong though. Not overly bothered, as long as Poole do well. Happy to see all our riders chip in with some decent scores. Whatever unfolds, I hope everyone enjoys their speedway and there not any controversial moves later on!

If a rider keeps gardening just before two minutes is up, its a choice to ignore the start marshall. So he’s earned an exclusion. Very simple.

Just did. Ha ha

Exclude them under the 2 minutes then, if it's expired.

Jordan Tyrer, Saul Bulley, or for experience go for David Speight. There is, also, your mate, Mason Searsby who are all not fixed up yet.

My all time favourite rider.

I can understand why people don't want to spend their money, it's their money, they do what they want with it If I really liked a drink, for example, and they changed the ingredients in the drink, and I didn't like it anymore, I wouldn't keep buying it just because it was my favourite before, I would stop, same theory applies for sports teams, music, just about anything, so I can see where these people are coming from, me however, I know I will still love watching the speedway on a Sunday night And think it's still worth the money

Sounds like a typical first meeting some riders better than expected others no so good, mechanical gremlins that need ironing out overall a good night's entertainment. It isn't what happens on the first meeting that define your season.

Re the gardening - it serves no purpose to insist the rider remains on the bike. The 2 minutes is 2 minutes whether they are on the bike or doing a dance around it...

Jenga in talking sh*te shocker but its only banter isn't it. On another subject breaking news Jenga has found another brain cell to go with the one he already had , Joined up writing should now be achievable with lots of practice. Hopefully in years to come the dribbling will stop fully which should save a fortune in washing powder cleaning his bibs.

What a load of old tosh as usual, well happy with the performance from the Robins also for the Aces Bewley/Tungate had bike problems.Zach has just comeback from a serious back injury these meetings are there to blow away the cobwebs and get ready for the league programme.

Just checked the final greensheets 5.12 from 2016 (didnt complete enough 2017 meetings for revised average) So perhaps not reserve but certainly not a No1

Now now jealousy!

Bl**dy Day-Glo poncey team suits!

Again just doesn't seem right as it's a 'late' call by Glasgow because of another riders decision. Great for his progression but as you say so unfair on another national league club. I wasn't over impressed with 'my' Eastie team when announced but perhaps I can now see the logic in going for a team that doesn't look like any of the riders are likely to double up this season at the moment.

Season over according to some posters on here!!!!

Saw him in action at Sittingbourne in September and was very impressed by him. Has a classic effortless style and thought he would have been snapped up by Scunny for their no.7 this Season. Having also seen JPB riding, personally I would have chosen JT ahead of him. Think the Tigs have just improved their prospects for 2018 with this signing.

JC, Micman I can feel the man love coming through. You are of course right. The bar was set back then. Sadly the standard has fallen way below that level, but of course, as always. Buster knows best. Still here we are new year, a new kid ( well You know what I mean) on the block. Hopes are high. Can They deliver..... Over to you Buster its time to walk the walk.

If they are still gardening they aren't ready to race, simples.

I supported the Dons from 1958 until their closure. The demolition of this iconic venue is the saddest day in my long speedway life.

COVENTRY have moved quickly to snap up Connor Mountain as their new No.1 – after being forced into an eve-of-season change of plan. The Bees had been set to go into the campaign, which starts at Birmingham next Wednesday (March 28), with 17-year-old Jack Parkinson-Blackburn at the top of the order. But it was announced on Monday that the former British Youth Champion was taking time out of the sport, and will not be taking up his team places with either Coventry or Championship club Glasgow. Bees therefore rapidly re-established contact with Mountain, who had shown an interest in joining the club earlier in the winter. The 20-year-old suffered a broken back in 2016 but recovered to enjoy his best season in the sport last year, posting a 9.06 average for Mildenhall and progressing at Championship level with Ipswich. Promoter Mick Horton said: “Connor approached me several weeks ago about joining us, but unfortunately for him we’d just completed our team at that stage. “It was a shame for him that he missed out, but thankfully for us he was still available when the situation changed with the events of late. “Connor is without doubt a recognised No.1 in the National League, and we’re very pleased to have him on board. “He jumped at the chance of joining us, and he’ll be with us at Birmingham next Wednesday although we will need a guest at Belle Vue on Good Friday as he’s already committed with Ipswich on that day. “As a club we’d also like to wish Jack all the best. It’s clearly something he needs to sort out himself, and I’m sure he will be bouncing back in the near future.” With press and practice last weekend having been postponed due to the weather, Coventry are one of several clubs whose riders have been short of time on the circuit ahead of the official start of the season. Horton added: “We’re desperately trying to get some track time at Leicester but it’s not easy at the moment, the track has taken on a lot of water and they’re working hard on it as we speak.”

Well done to Mitchell davey. Hope you keep clear of injuries this year and get some reward for your perseverance

Id take Knight or Mountain. I was impressed with Knight a few years back when he rode at Brandon. Not seen Mountain live but fans seem to like him. It would be a huge shame if we had to make more than one change. Mountain would be my guess.

Heat 4 from tonight :

Whos fault is it then? The fans?? I will always suppport them and always will but im not prepared to turn up in the freezing cold to watch us get battered and to pay for the privilege... its a huge gamble putting this team out and sustaining any sort of paying fan base imo. you say in a later post about die hards? Can you tell us how you are a die hard, how long youve been one, how long youve attended and more importantly do you pay to get in?? ive been going best part of 40 years, ive worked on the track, i cleaned riders leathers as a youngin, been a pusher, spannered here and there for a few riders, text updates to the updates site when no one else would, took part in fundraising a good few years ago, lifted sheets at 10'clock at night and paid my entrance fee every week for the past 10/15/20 years etc. what makes you a die hard and me not?? I would guess you are probably part of the inner sanctum at Newcastle speedway coming on here to have a go at those who dare to question or have a different opinion.

my subscription is still valid as i paid for a year none of the channels were working when i tried at the weekend, not even eleven sports or polsat

We don't know the circumstances of the desicion so nothing can be ruled out.

The first one getting busted (Fricke) was careless, but after that it is just unprofessional to fall foul of this. You've already seen your teammate get excluded for the exact same thing.

No idea why they haven’t arranged a challenge for Thursday. Ok the weather has been poor of late but nobody knew that would be the case when the fixtures were sorted. CL admitted he tried to arrange a meeting with a Premiership team but none could agree. Did it have to be a Premiership team? Why not do similar to what Lakeside have done and started with the Billy Sanders memorial with a field including the 7 Witches? would have at least given them semi competitive laps before the real stuff starts Good Friday. Not exactly overloaded with fixtures this year either compared to previous years so it’s a strange decision.

Well he has got used to watching Hans (Christian) Andersen in recent seasons

It is as bad, ask flappy

Newcastle, Redcar, Berwick. This Panthers side isn't as bad as it look on paper.

That's a bit harsh. None of us know the reasons so we shouldn't jump to conclusions. In the meantime no doubt Ryan will step in for the match against the monarchs

Whale meat again ? Micman.

Somebody sent me the link to this 'anthem' and I honestly thought April 1st had come early! Seriously guys, I'm halfway across the world and speedway people I know here have tears running down their legs laughing so much!Whoever thought this was a great way to inspire/motivate/put the fear into the opposition needs to reconsider when their meds kick in! Yes, I know it's nothing to do with me, I'm long retired from speedway and live in Aus but I still care about the club where I spent many a happy evening on the mic from way back in 1988.Hell we go rid of the war crys in 1990 (sorry Wild Wayne and Mother T!) because they were old hat . . .let along a choral extravaganza. Back in the days of the PL when the club were feared home and away it was 'Welcome to the jungle' that became the parade truck theme tune and even that sounds dated now so, for what it's worth, whoever came up with this idea. . .maybe ask the paying public for once - or as that just stating the blindingly obvious? Wishing everyone a safe and successful season ahead. . . now where did I put my Vera Lynn records????

Full of young whippersnappers like Tony Aiken and Jon Armstrong...young guys with potential to go far in this sport!

No, you have stated what your opinions are and as ever try to bludgeon the rest into submission. Most give up because there are far better things to do than deal with you. Who did die and make you god? If "99% of folk agree" you must have spoken to a hell of of a lot of people. That is a breathakingly arrogant comment. Anyway, if the majority of people here genuinely think speedway's just the same as ever and hasn't declined it says a hell of a lot about those posting here.

Some great pictures and the Saturday night under flood lights is brilliant. Looked like good crowds on both days. Thank you for sharing these. Unfortunately I was unable to make it to Berlin on this occasion and really missed the action. For those who have never been it is worth giving it a go and if you can get to one on the European meetings you will not be disappointed. I would also like to thank Conkers and Iris for always providing updates, reports photo and video etc. and other valuable information, it is greatly appreciated and the best reporting you can get.