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Forgot to say, hat off to Cookie for donating his winnings to Ricky Ashworth - there aren’t many riders / people generally around who would do that.

Why do people fell the need to bash Craig Cook? Im not his biggest fan , i was there that night at Ipswich when he got thrown out of the meeting when he behaved like a petulant kid but people knocking him need to look at some facts. He Qualified by merit for the Grand Prix No he isnt going to trouble the top end but so what he deserves his place he earned it Is he really any worse than Pawlicki has been? He was a run off away from regaining his place. He should be allowed to ride who he wants for its his choice He didnt make the rules as to who should ride in the riders championship It sounded like a good meeting so thats all that should be spoke about. The favourite won it, thats what happens

I take it you would rather he didn't ride for belle Vue on Thursday so that he can prepare 'properly' for the Grand prix. 50% or more of the posts on here are about the lack of commitment and loyalty shown by riders to UK teams. yet when a rider tries to treat his team and there fans with respect he still gets slagged of. give me strength. PS well done Cookie and thanks for the way you've performed in Tigers colours

And let's not forget what he did for young Dan Bewley too

A great gesture,hats off to him.

I think you're forgetting that he was a run off away from competing in next years GP series. He might have struggled this season but clearly he's close to that level.

Yes, that's probably what will happen now. But if it was regular practice the #8s would have ridden several matches by now and would have come in at reserve with the reserve moving into the team. That would have evened things up and given NL riders experience at the higher level. I remember a time when many #8s could hold their own against lower order riders in league matches but that was when they had second half rides firstly against their peers and occasional rides against better riders if they won their junior scurries. They were used more often in league matches too back then and guess what, there were more riders coming through the system to hold down places in BL teams.

Not as good as he thinks he is? On the contrary, I’d suggest that one of Cook’s main issues is his self belief and confidence. I’d also add that while doubling up exists any British rider should be entitled to do it if they wish. Cook is riding for Glasgow because he wasn’t able to get a regular ride in Poland so it was mutually beneficial for them to offer him a team place.

That is statement of the century. Only folk that disagree are the BSPA and SCB. The only way British speedway is ever going to move forward is once a totally independent ruling administration is put in place.

And Mitchell Davey. Actions speak louder than words and Cookie has shown just exactly what sort of person he is by doing something he didn't have to do to help some of his fellow riders who have suffered serious injury.

As I mentioned briefly in the Wroclaw v Torun, Sunday August 19th. topic, I made a visit to Lodz to see their new speedway stadium whilst I was staying in Wroclaw last month. The match I attended was Lodz v Pila on Friday 17th August. The new stadium is indeed very impressive, and I thoroughly enjoyed my visit. Everything, however, isn’t up and running yet. There was no ticket office or club shop in operation, with ticket sales from a van on the roadside and merchandising from a couple of tables outside the stadium. Admission tickets were 25 zloty (£5.26) and programmes (£1.05). The electronic turnstiles were not in use and entrance was through the exit gates with someone checking and clipping tickets. Not all the toilet blocks were open with those in use being ‘unisex’. The floodlights were not yet commissioned, so hence the unusually early weekday start time of 5:15p.m. The area between the old and new stadiums is still very much like a building site and, for those that know the Belle Vue area; the old and new Lodz stadiums are much much closer than the NSS is to the Greyhound Stadium. Before the match I had an interesting 15 minutes or so talk with Hans Andersen. He wasn’t selected to ride in the Lodz team that day, but was about to do some ‘meet and greet’ with the fans at the merchandise stand. He mentioned that he very much liked racing at the NSS, but hadn’t been able to put four or five consistent rides together. ‘I can win some, but also run lasts’ he said – as if to predict exactly what he would go on to do three days later when he had two wins and a last amongst his rides in the Aces v Leicester match!! Thankfully, the refreshments stands were all open – it was a very hot and sunny day and touching 30 Celsius – and, as I was in the queue, one of the Lodz supporters struck up a conversation with me when he heard me speak and spotted my Aces cap. He was most likely in his late 40s and spoke English more than good enough to hold a conversation, insisting on buying me a beer. Later at the end, he and his friends came over to me outside. They must have spotted me buying a Lodz cap at the merchandise stand, as he presented me with a Lodz scarf and said ‘to go with your new cap’. Before waving goodbye he said they don’t often get foreign visitors – ‘they all want to go to Torun or Gorzow’ he said ‘so we are happy you’ve come to see us’. Speedway fans eh? Fantastic people. As for the match itself, there was some good racing with Lodz beating Pila 53-37. It had been pretty close through the first half of the match, and after heat 6 it was only 19-17. Pila, though, only managed one heat advantage after that, but when they had either Thomas H. Jonasson or Tomasz Gapinski out on track there was some good battles with the Lodz heat leaders. For Lodz, Aces’ Rohan Tungate scored 6+2 from 3 completed rides - he had a tapes exclusion in his other heat - and Poole’s Josh Grajczonek 4+1 from 4 outings. For Pila, Thomas H. Jonasson was in fine form scoring 15+1 from 6 rides whilst Tomasz Gapinski got 11 from 5. The track length in the new stadium is 321 metres and, at the time, Rohan Tungate held the track record at 58.84. I’m not sure, though, if it’s now been bettered as they’ve had a few meetings since as they catch up with their home matches. There was just one sub-60 second winning time in the Pila match, however, and that was 59.94 by Lodz reserve Jakub Miskowiak in the reserves race. He went onto score 11 from 5 rides. It was quite a long day as the coach had left Wroclaw at 10:15a.m. on Friday, getting back at 12:30a.m. going into Saturday morning. It was well worth it, though, and it would be nice to return one day to Lodz to see the fully finished stadium and surrounds.

I had my same script ready when we were 10 points down.Must admit now this is becoming a good run because when you can add Wolverhampton away in that run it does make it tougher.Did it help us with the withdrawal of Proctor.7+1 from his last 3 rides although one was Lambert as T/S so may have happened anyway. Finishing top of the league is so close now.Not bad for the team tipped to finish bottom or close to anyway.

Maybe you want to take the piss face to face on Thursday.

I take it, Orion that you don't regard yourself as an older fan, and consequently you don't realise how much better speedway was 30 or so years ago! Sure, the racing was probably no better than it is today, but the noise, the smell, the atmosphere and most of all the fun has largely been lost from the sport to its detriment. Speedway today takes itself far too seriously. If you have ever watched stock cars or bangers you would have to agree that the "racing" is nothing special. Difficult to tell who is winning, if you even care, but these events seem to attract far better crowds than speedway, simply because of the noise and the smell, etc. which speedway has systematically eradicated due to "technological improvement". I know that, unfortunately it would be difficult to reintroduce the noise and to a lesser extent the smell as this would upset the environmentalists, bit I can't help thinking that reverting to deep tracks so that rider ability was more important than horse power would be a step in the right direction. How you bring the fun back is another question altogether!

Tero Aarnio would be a great choice of guest for the Comets for Dan, has already scored 29+2 in 3 meetings at Scunthorpe this season including 15 when guesting for us earlier this season.

Why is it a crazy rule? if your rider who is declared in your line up is fit he has to ride.

Why don’t you clear off and leave the forum.

I suppose that would be one way of Sheffield securing a home victory if you banned visiting riders .

In every one off world final and the majority of GP's throughout history, there have always been riders who have qualified on merit but who realistically had little chance of ever winning. Craig Cooke is probably a current example of this but it's grossly unfair to keep knocking the man - it looks as if he will be out next year anyway but even so, he has already achieved what most riders never will. The only difference for people like Cookie and Bomber is that unlike struggling riders in GP's and world finals in the past, the 'ordeal' goes on for 10 or so meetings where as it was over and done with on one night previously.

As Wolves have no chance of winning anything this year, then I wouldn't mind a Stars or Rebels league title. Still like to win tonight though !

It just seems that people want to knock Cook for no real reason. No he isnt a top line gp rider and will probably never will be , age isnt on his side. But when he retires he can say he took his talent as far as he could. People used to mock Harris and Smith but they were in it all the time and by rights as well. There are 15 riders in a gp and most seasons you can always pinpoint the riders that will probably struggle. Maybe the qualification for the riders championship is flawed but thats not Cooks fault

Was never a huge fan of Cookie before this season, but was delighted when he made the GP's last season meaning two Brits were permanent members of the series. Having followed Cookie over the season and seen the way he has interacted with his fans and given opportunities to those who have helped him has been absolutely superb and people really shouldn't forget that. It's nothing to the riders to give these opportunities to people but for the fans it's a huge memory to treasure. I am gutted for him that it hasn't gone to plan this year and he has struggled. Whilst his self confidence isn't the highest, his lack of track craft and experience have been his downfalls in the Grand Prix and it was a huge shame he didn't secure his place in the run off with Lindback in Germany. Track craft again was a big example of his issues there! However, moving back to Cookie, what he has also done for his fellow riders is fantastic and he has used his position within the sport as a GP rider admirably and whilst at times he has let himself down this year according to some, the majority of his actions have been superb. I'm all for British riders riding in both leagues personally, there isn't a huge difference between the leagues and if someone wants to ride, let them. I'm sure many fans go to tracks specifically to see Cookie now he's back in the Championship. Congratulations to Cookie for the win yesterday and hopefully he can have a good end to the season in the GP's.

Mind I wish some fans would lighten up and actually cheer on their riders, it was like a funeral every heat that didn’t have a Berwick rider in it.

History will show that Craig Cook is a champion. It will also show he was a GP rider. How many other riders will history show as both. Not that many. Well done Cookie.

Remind us... Where did Lambert come in the GP qualifiers?

Exactly, but because this is Poland and Poland can do no wrong, nothing is said. Must admit, this was my first taste of Polish speedway this season, usually I haven't got time to watch anything, but tonight I had a bit of spare time. I watched the first half dozen heats, all processional, massive long gaps of silence in the commentary and when he does speak, he shouts at nothing exciting at all. For all that moan at the Sky / BT coverage, they should get a load of this and be thankful for what they have. i switched off after heat 6, I couldn't take any more of the shouting and the racing was boring me. Give me live action, where I can speak away to friends after races any day. Had this been a British meeting there would have been no end of "another nail in the coffin" comments.

As a complete neutral, I couldn't give a monkey's that Cook is riding in this league and was allowed in the meeting, just want to see the strongest lineups possible in the meetings I choose to attend up and down the country. That's why I have a dilemma about my first planned visit to Somerset this week being against an Iversenless King's Lynn!! The likes of Cook and Riss ultimately persuaded me to make my first visit from Coventry to Owlerton...and I'm glad I did. Good racing, well presented stadium and a decent atmosphere with the big crowd. Hope to visit again and great to see all the club colours on show with no disappointing no shows on the day for once!

Got to laugh at your average British Speedway fan. Cook shouldn't have been allowed to ride in the meeting because having a worse rider in it would have somehow made it a better event apparently?! As phil the ace suggested, that's the best big meeting seen at Sheffield for a good few years and Cook played a major part in that. Cracking evenings entertainment.

Because he’s not against Tero Aarnio, Kevin Doolan and Nico Covatti in the GP’s.

Hoping worky make it...even if my own team don't....would be shocking injustice if they don't take their place in the play offs.

He probably would have if he'd known

Are you often on the look out Blu

What about Todd Wiltshire, David Cheshire and Lee Derbyshire? Steve

If you want discuss Somerset you need to go to the Premiership section. This thread is about teams not named after towns or cities. Anyway, apart from Kent and Somerset I don't think there's many more. Edit:- Bristol today is actually classified as a county, so Bristol Bulldogs would qualify.

Scottish Monarchs were neither city nor county.

Pray tell in what way? No one knows what Barker would have scored or r/r will score unless you are clairvoyant But if you look at what happened on Saturday with Klindt having severe bike trouble for worrky against the moanrchs resulting in a lucky point - do you consider that convenient?

Scorpions options not great Allen has gone above Nielsen in the averages now so R/R can now only be taken by Allen and Reserves

Why did Somerset throw that meeting?

The convective rain threat has now just about passed through Leicester, cold front next, nowt really wet on that now either.... Should be fine for racing and the fireworks!!

TRANSPONDERS are being introduced along with photo finishes but unsure whether they will be involved in picking riding numbers

We are decent at home and that’s a fair point. We should win at home but with us now needing to win away to even stand a chance of potentially nicking that 4th spot I’d like to see us performing better away leading into the play offs not getting worse! The Stars look really good with Riss now part of the team and I’d favour them over any team right now. Lambert is awesome at the Green, Robert I mean. Puk is a former Wolf and track record holder and Proctor is a Wolves asset with plenty of experience of the track. 1-6 is superb in those positions with only Simon a potential weak link. Ill be massively delighted if Wolves win but won’t be surprised in the slightest if the Stars take all points on offer. They are THE team to beat now and I hope they go on and win the title now. Careful, you will have Bwitcher claiming we are still very much in it and could still make and win the play offs. Back in the real world however you are completely right.

When Wolves choose to run with Thorsell rather than Lindgren I always believed they would struggle , especially on away tracks, and so it has turned out to be. . At the start of the Season Rory was on fire and compensated for Freddie missing, The one thing that has kept them in contention is their ability to win at home. A track that is extremely difficult to master has helped them to maintain their home supremacy. Tonight will be no different. This is probably one of the hardest places to go and get a result, but I feel confident that the Stars have enough strength in depth to cause them problems , especially with Wolves using 2 guests. If we can stay in contention till the later stages, then we will be in with a shout. A win, would be beyond expectations, but a solitary point would be the icing on the cake. I'm going for a close and exciting match with a last heat decider. 46-44 either way.... Wish I was going now!!!

Agree Cook got to the GPs on merit,but has found out that he is out of his depth in the Main Event nothing wrong with that,but his social media Posts let him down IMO .He is not as good as he thinks he is and can't blame bikes all the time,fair play on his win today though,but that is his level IMO .

Got to be honest, really disappointed that cook won today, he should never have been allowed back into this league never mind this meeting. I'm Craig cook I'm a gran prix rider, I won't be competing in the championship next season was his message at The end of last year. No Craig your not a gran prix rider, in fact your not even riding to a standard of number 1 for bell vue. Why should you drop back down at your Willy nilly just because Glasgow are throwing the bucks about??

Sorry but if this was a Premiership play off meeting this forum would go into melt down, two hours gone and we still haven't had all 15 heats and the majority of the meeting going with a green light start.

My top 20 riders on current form as at 31.08.18 are as follows:- 01 (01) Tom Bacon-Birmingham-1150 02 (02) James Shanes-Birmingham-1140 03 (14) Danny Ayres-Mildenhall-1100 04 (04) Conner Mountain-Coventry-1035 05 (13) Georgie Wood-Eastbourne-1030 06 (07) Drew Kemp-Mildenhall-1025 07 (08) Ellis Perks-Plymouth-1010 08 (09) Mark Baseby-Eastbourne-1000 09 (03) Alfie Bowtell-Isle Of Wight-995 10 (11) Ben Morley-Isle Of Wight-990 11 (19) Josh Bailey-Mildenhall-985 12 ((---) Danyon Hume-Birmingham-950 13 (16) Jack Smith-Belle Vue-945 14 (15) Jack Thomas-Kent-940 15 (---) Anders Rowe-Kent-935 16 (---) Tom Perry-Belle Vue-930 17 ((---) Natham Stoneham-Kent-928 18 (---) Jordon Jenkins-Mildenhall-925 19 (12) Kyle Bickley-Belle Vue-910 20 (---) Leon Flint-Birmingham-905

First thing i thought on entering the stadium was the track looks in great shape. As you say its no wonder the racing was very good. If all tracks provided good track conditions the riders would produce, then promoters might see an increase on the terraces. Last night underlined how entertaining this sport can be given the right conditions.

What if the cost was Poole closing? Although I do tend to agree - need 3 or 4 of the better supported Championship sides to join the top league and a 2nd tier at a much reduced limit to enable those with 300 - 500 attending to be more sustainable as well as re-establishing a true differential The longer term aim should be to strengthen the top tier if finances can be developed (league sponsor/TV)

Apart from plenty more listed earlier in this thread! Oh, and add Arena Essex too.

This rule has affected, is affecting, us. However whilst I totally agree it's an awful rule, I get why it's in place. Imagine "cough" cough" certain promoters bringing in ringers in the latter stages of the season to win the league for them. As usual the many are hampered by the "dodgy" few, who spoil it for everyone.