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i know the new co promoters are having to quickly find their feet but it would have made sense to make sure the grader was actually available before announcing in the press that said grader would be in action during this fixture break

Thank goodness for that .......i initially wondered if it was turn 2 at Poole.

I suggest that the BSPA ,BT Sport Poole Speedway do us all a favour and switch the TV match to either of Kings Lynn v Ipswich or Swindon v Belle Vue.

As a first time visitor to Ashfield, I have to say that it was an enjoyable evening. The promotion have clearly devoted a lot of time, money, effort and love in bringing the stadium into the 21st Century. Signing the stadium all the way back to the motorway junction made it far easier than expected to find the track. It would be fair to say that the racing got better as the meeting went on, with some cracking races e.g. Iversen v Lambert and Covatti v Aarnio. My impression of the riders; Berge - V. poor. Not interested and comfortably beaten by Bickley in Heat One. Tungate - Three exclusions and one point. Enough said. Andersen - Evidently took a chance on his shoulder, but after struggling in his second heat, he wisely decided to withdraw. Cook - 15 point maximum. Not quite as electric from the gate as I expected, but controlled and super quick when behind or in front. Smektala - Biggest disappointment of the meeting for me. Apparently didn't practice and rode like a novice in his first two heats. Two heat victories and a last - another Polish gating tart? Aspgren - Biggest surprise of the night but a deserved qualifier - comfortably held off Iversen, Lambert and Holder in his first three heats. Aarnio - Battled hard all night, with great races against Covatti, Nicol and Thorsell, but not enough speed to trouble the top scorers. Iversen - Controlled and ruthless. Got better as the meeting progressed - cracking race against Lambert in Heat Fourteen. Nicol - Impressive. Looked quick and took a deserved third to first victory in Heat Eighteen. Moi - Pleasantly surprised. Only one point from his first four rides, but he looked better than expected. Took Iversen from the back in Heat Seventeen before being repassed. Probably needs more meetings either in Sweden or UK to progress. Lambert - Two comfortable heat victories and three second places. Looked quick and deserved to qualify. Niedzwiedz - V. poor. Still surprised he was selected by the Polish federation. Never got to grips with the track. Easily passed by Moi in Heat Three. Covatti - The best of the non-qualifiers in my opinion. Attacked the track and looked quick. Not afraid to mix it - e.g. race against Aarnio. Holder - Not quite enough. His bikes didn't look quick enough - held off Aarnio in Heat Thirteen, but comfortably beaten by Cook and Lambert in Heat Twenty. Riding his brothers bikes as at the SoN? Smetana - Decent UK debut. Went somewhat backward as the meeting went on and the track produced better racing. Thorsell - Disappointing. Gone backwards since I used to regularly see him ride for Wolves. Comfortably passed by Nicol and Aarnio in Heat Eighteen. Biggest positive of the night - having the pleasure to speak to a range of speedway fans over the course of the evening; especially the two elderly Glasgow fans sat next to meet in the grandstand. Genuinely nice people, welcoming, knowledgeable and very tolerant of my over excited five year old!

Just as well it`s not the day before as he would have missed his Polish championship semi-final

Ellis deservedly named as rider of the month for May.

I understand, and wouldn't want him at Eastie and you're probably right, but if he does ok for Redcar other factors could have had a hand, starting at 1, track, management etc. Glad Eastie have the other Birmingham cast off by the way, think he'll do a good job for us in place of Tom Brennen in his correct position at 3 or 4.

Yeah the irony is that when promoters cheated, riders took bribes and illegally used nitro we had big crowds. Can't help wondering how things would have panned out if we had had social media in those days. Throw in the fact that narrow tracks produced poor racing and then we wonder where it all went wrong.

What would be the point of track covers, if as you say "it's fine here" at the moment? (assuming the "here" you refer to is Gorton?) If the latest weather forecast is correct that it's now 80%+ going to pee down at 7pm and 8pm, again what would be the point of track covers? Do you think they can race on top of track covers? In view of forecast heavy rain from 7pm and 8pm onwards, and a depleted Mildenhall team, I'd suspect it works out for the best to postpone and restage with a full team on a nice dry day.

How very dare you!!!!

How do you 'fluke' a top 3 place in the final? Surely you must 'fluke' your way through the other qualifying rounds as well. That's a lot of fluking. If riders can't beat those you deem to be an 'embarrassment' then they don't deserve to qualify anyway.

Riders alway say that they are happy to ride for such and such team they are just happy riding `anywhere rather than being left on the shelf

Barker could fall out with himself

I agree. He is a Reading fan who has moved to Swindon and who posts regularly on the Swindon Robins Facebook page using his real name.

Nobody has sufficiently explained how davies has attained that average. Interesting. You would assume that Bailey would’ve appeared in the declaration once those two’s averages go up! Phillips has achieved that from 4 meetings also. All NL riders get a new average from the first 4 league meetings of the season if they ride in all 4. Phillips has 31 points from 17 races.

Bob Monkhouse never wrote stuff this funny. British speedway, the comedy gift that just keeps on giving

I know i missed it when Bombay became Mumbai and I missed the changeover from Rumania to Romania, so when did Loktajev become Lokoksiev?

The huge problem is that the only club in the land to offer £10 speedway is Belle Vue with their Colts side and that is subsidised. The complaint of diluting the product come thick and fast but is anything higher up worth the money? The superstars are keeping away for a multitude of reasons but even if teams were formed of GP riders added into the current top flight sides would numbers come flocking back and be prepared to pay £20+ a meeting?

That, plus losing Kelly Moran to injury. Ivan was in sublime form, got the team really going and the league was ours to lose that year and we actually beat ourselves.. Sigh ...

Not just as clinical as that of -- the extra people, even if not quite "17-over-10" will buy programmes (handy profit in every copy) plus food and drink. Track shop sales will go up, and of course there is the intended bonus of lapsed and/or new customers liking their night out and coming back for more on future Saturdays. While going down to £10 this week is a breathtakingly bold leap by the young promoters, it really has to be applauded and supported by everyone who really wants to see speedway continuing in Berwick. What now has to happen is that everyone "tells a friend" about the deal, highlights the thousands of posters and fliers around the borders and urges folk to takes the opportunity to come along, bring the kids and savour the occasion. Get a buzz going around town and keep that buzz going on the night -- let's have some fun while we're enjoying the show! PS: Negative posters need not reply

I see - thanks for that. A little bit of a joke if he flops today and then turns up at the final and walks into the GP series.

Get Guy Nicholls on the case - he will be able to supply one!

Ignoring the fact that the most appropriate gap of sufficient length was missed also - October til March.....

As I stated in my earlier post, the Poole track has been a mess for years and as a result has cost the club sponsors. Matt Ford has been in denial and only now and after the Good Friday debacle and the 840 gate takings a couple of weeks later has he woken up and smelled the coffee. I will be the first to admit that it’s his business and he can do as he wishes but, it has cost him sponsors and some long time supporters. I for one no longer spend any money (other than admission) or, provide any services to UK based speedway..

A group recently occupied a site by Workington harbour side which has planning permission for houses. The rubbish they left behind was disgraceful and included multiple empty gas cylinders, garden waste /tree cuttings, multiple burst black bags containing all sorts of waste debris, building waste and a large tyre. They just seem immune to prosecution.

Slightly surprised there isn't a touch more enthusiasm towards Kennett signing. He was one of the few Championship riders who would come and regularly lower the colours of Ipswich hero Danny King, he has comparable Championship averages to the prodigal son (both home and away) and has formed a good partnership with Richard Lawson at Eastbourne so could form a very potent 1&2. As for Bomber just seen that his actual 2019 average is 4.92. I hope he comes round after the next home meeting and gives every paying Ipswich fan a tenner back as he has been ripping them off all season.

It's all about opinions. And you've got a lot of 'em! :-) I'm no statto but iirc Ulrich's record round BP puts Tommy Gun's in the shade.

Valid point - certainly Harris would not have been a great draw for Glasgow fans Id expect there was a pecking order with the riders choosing and its likely Wight had Hobsons.....

Also why dont they look at riders commitments when deciding who rides in which Qualifier, Charles Wright could of ridden at Glasgow or in France and been able to still fulfill his Peterborough fixtures commitment without the need of a guest,

Made plenty of money in the past hasn't he? Spent all that I guess ....

Bang on. You will see unattached riders towards the end of the season are very hard to come by (if they have any sense). Not unusual for a rider to score 2 points from 3 rides with a little fortune, do that 4 times and presto and average of 2.67 and nicely frozen out. It was a crazy idea in the winter and now that the holes in the barely considered idea are becoming apparent its an even crazier idea now.

There may be a slight increase in regular attendance, but not enough to make it sustainable at £10 a pop. Need to make the racing more entertaining, because in truth it’s been pretty dull overall in recent years.

Or... Allow the second and third best riders in the team take all his four rides between them..? Unless the manager thinks someone else might score more..? All riders below the No1 should be able take as many of his rides as needed up to a max of seven each per meeting.. At present the two Second Strings are scheduled to take two of his rides, which isn't much of a plan..

That's fair enough as long as people are allowed to place an advanced bid up to their own maximum limit. (Still would have been better to do it online too)

What exactly are we all supposed to be 'calming' down over? The fact that we've praised the promotion for doing their best? How much is 'big rent'? Perhaps you could enlighten us all. And what makes you think that the Masons can't afford to pay riders? Your right in the fact that Stoneman is hungry and probably cheaper wages than some, but if we had more like him you'd be the first to moan that it was just a NL team. Why not just appreciate what the owners are doing instead of being so negative and picking holes everywhere

This does seem a very naive way of auctioning off potentially valuable items, which would certainly have raised more money if put to a worldwide audience (very easy to do in this internet age). But if it's true that " They add that anyone who can't make it, ask someone on their behalf whose attending to make a bid. " then surely anyone can contact the auctioneer and instruct him to make bids on their behalf up to a set amount. A cynical person might think that the people organising this auction are purposely restricting the audience to try to increase their chances of snaffling the goodies for themselves on the cheap. If they refuse to accept advance bids via the auctioneer, then you know something underhand is going on.

Well if Jake is back on it and Heeps is on it and Danny is on it,, I would think we would score more than KP would,,, only my opinion obviously,,,, and it's only guessing,, as know one knows what anyone will score on a given night. And I'm glad people don't agree with me,,, I like to be a bit different.

Rolling averages don’t exist in the NL. It is about interpretation again! It doesn’t say ‘2 per team based on current average’ or ‘2 per team based on initial average’ in order to clarify the impossible difference. However at Cradley they have x3 riders on a 2.00, unless Davies gets a made up average.

Funnily enough it’s been in the programmes fixture list as a 7.30pm start on Sunday 30th up until just recently. I shan’t be going, as much as I support Eastbourne speedway, I’ve never enjoyed an afternoon fixture and each time I regret parting with my cash. It also mucks up the day, whereas an evening fixture gives you the whole day to do things and then go to speedway.

I was there and although it was the league decider Hull were up against it and had lost it earlier in the season due to the unprofessionalism of certain riders.

Well after such a disappointing trip to Eastbourne... Something needs to be shaken up, even if it's just new faces to keep the crowds interested!! 1. Steve Worrall - Obvious keep, may not be the unbeatable powerhouse he was two years ago but he's a proper team man and captain, him and Max seem to ride amazingly well together and there is no rider in the world I would swap Steve for. 2. Max Clegg - Clegg's obviously worth keeping, gone very well so far this year, especially at home (Shouldn't be at number 2 though!! Too much pressure on the lad) He is very young and seems to have gotten to grips with Brough Park almost instantly, something very few riders can claim. 3. Lasse Bjerre - Has been slightly disappointing to start the season, however I feel getting dropped by Peterborough and getting over the few little bits of mechanical and injury issues he's had so far this year, he's going to step up a level, Seems to be getting more used to Brough Park and can be very quick in front, him and Matty seem to ride very well together, although he can be a little inconsistent and it's not so obvious, but a keep for me. I feel his slightly lower than normal average helps him keep his spot here. 4. Matthew Wethers - Early contender for Diamond of the year already? Not only has he really proved a lot of people wrong, as he was considered uninspiring when he was signed at the beginning of last year, he has really made the number 4 spot his own. Such a great style and is stupidly fast for a tall Aussie!! Really solid and consistent... And a few nice donuts too after heat 15s he really shouldn't be winning Easiest choice for me... KEEP!! 5. Thomas Jorgensen - While Tommy can be very quick in front and very entertaining with his passes, he's kinda struggled for form and consistency as of late. I love Tommy a lot and think he brings a lot of excitement to the team... But he's on a hell of an average which sometimes (Last night at Eastbourne proves this) is not worth it. Maybe Tommy you need to step it up a bit, as you still seem to be making it hard for yourself around Brough... We can't be carrying a number 5 in this team!! 6. Jacob Bukhave - Watched him a few times in Denmark before and seen him once a Redcar... A boy do we have a quick talent on our hands!! I feel he just needs to concentrate more and maybe over a bit of time and experience in this country, he may step up to be a top quality rider by next season, welcome Jacob, good luck and fast racing over the next couple of months. 7. Danny Phillips - Perhaps the less said the better. I know what position his Dad is in and what the sponsors of the team have said. But surely they are seeing now that having Danny in the team is doing more harm than good, for both the team and Danny himself. He seems to be slower than he was 2 years ago, the year when he had his horrific crash. I'm very sorry Danny, I just wish we had a National League team for you to race for. Easiest choice for me. At the end of this month the average will go from 38.00 to 40.00. With the current averages we will have 1.52 to play with. This is my proposal. (Tommy out for Kus and Danny out for either Kasper Andersen, Emil Grondal, Mark Riss) 1. Steve Worrall 7.59 2. Kasper Andersen/Emil Grondal/Mark Riss (All fit) 3. Lasse Bjerre 6.79 4. Matthew Wethers 6.39 5. Matej Kus 5.63 6. Max Clegg 4.47 7. Jacob Bukhave 4.00 Yes, I understand Matej Kus on paper is a slight downgrade on Tommy, and Tommy is a hell of a lot more entertaining sometimes, But he has struggled recently. I feel that Matej could come in and do a similar if not better job than Tommy at number 5, so not much of a downgrade for me. This biggest positives is the significant upgrade we'd get from Danny, all three of these options, in my opinion would springboard us up right into playoff contention... Not to mention than Max and Jacob can spend all of July at reserve!! As the only rider he'd pass average wise would be Kasper, the other two would keep him at number 6. It would mean that Max can go out and take all the pressure of reserve duties while Jacob gets himself settled in. This, or something similar needs to be acted on quick!! Before people like Matty's, Steve's and Lasse's average jumps dramatically!! (Please remember that Matej is a Diamond's asset, so it makes sense) P.S. I know I'm just an annoying forum user living on 'love island' or whatever it is... But I am a concerned supporter of my beloved Diamonds and I want to see them succeed!! The team we have this year has so much potential, but I'm afraid the few riders we are currently carrying are going to ruin it all. Thanks for reading

Knowing how well he performs at nss, perhaps that had a bearing

No you’re not a lick arse, just an arse. And yes you can have an opinion but if it’s a loads of cobblers as it usually is then expect people on a forum to pick it apart.

You're making your own rules up! Where has anyone said you have to sack a rider if his average drops? All we're talking about is the rule that you can't bring in another 2.00 rider if your reserve berths are already filled with two 2.00 riders.

As I say, not always the case. Some guests want a guarantee, for a start.

Why do I have to be glass half full,,

It makes sense that unattached riders get an average after 4 league meetings, regardless of club, to stop them doing a Spooner (and others) by riding odd matches for every team. BUT it has to be official matches (i.e. League only). It's ludicrous to include NT or KOC just for unattached riders. They may very well end up being frozen out before they've even got as far as racing ONE league match, let alone four! With that terrible excuse of a bungled KOC draw, and now this, the new co-ordinator isn't exactly covering himself in glory.

We are going to put in a water jump on the third bend to spice racing up a bit

I think they had to make the change, with all the clubs below us strengthening up we couldn't afford to sit back just because we are second in the league at the moment. Kennett has been mentioned quite a bit this season and should do a good job. How long before he gets his kevlars & bike covers. Proves how much the Cook signing was premeditated. Scott Nicholls signs for Peterborough before Cook for KL, but Cook has his kevlars & bike covers but Nicholls doesn't.