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That would be good . We could use him at Sheffield as a replacement rs for josh Bates lol

Eric Boocock mentions in his excellent book "Booey, Around In Circles" that he once saw a lady fan climb the ladder to the refs box at Halifax to protest his exclusion. He later found out - it was his own mum (!) ....

Was the best meeting I've seen at Foxhall for some time with two teams prepared to race and the track having more than one line. Congrats to all at Ipswich Witches. For the Crump moaners on here, he was injured, tried to ride once and was clearly not fit and he hasn't ridden since. Therefore a guest is perfectly legitimate and a team will always choose someone in form.

But then you'd have to endure them in audio form from Michael Max!

Eric Boocock could fit the bill for someone who retired too early ? Further to Falcace's point, you could argue no one who walks away fit and healthy from Speedway has retired too soon.

Tricky one...it's not a sport anyone should dabble in. If anyone's having doubts, then they are safer out. Penhall is the obvious name. But the older I get, the more I see how he got his timing spot on. He was never going to top winning the title at Wembley and defending it in his home city. He got out healthy, wealthy and with a rare career opportunity in front of him. Anyone with half a brain would have done the same in his boots. Ron Preston was a quality performer and seemingly had a fair few years left at world level. But I understand he had good reasons too. Lewis Bridger, I think everyone can agree, could and should have done much more if he hadn't kept retiring! Also, not the same level, but Jamie Luckhurst was a quality rider at NL level when getting out quite young.

Meeting sold out now

Absolutely. Come on young Archie!

Why bother having a National League team when you replace the main team's number 7 with a guest, when there's 2 riders in the NL team of a similar standard? Thought the point of having an NL team was to develop riders for the main team?

Probably the same interpretation that saw Berwick replace Coty Garcia with Kasper Anderson, only for him to be replaced by Coty Garcia so Berwick were able to get R/R last week. Now back in comes Anderson to replace Garcia.

Probably reduced to 3 months covering Nov to Feb

I heard it is 12 teams for the play offs , therefore we should just do away with the normal league season and move straight to the play offs.

Good to see the threat of a ban has been lifted, Nicki is in the line up tonight in Poland

I said a long time on here,”best to go and just enjoy the racing” it can’t be compared to football or other team sports. The rules, way it’s run ….etc. Good to see a few ex Comets doing well. Rules……..agh!

One of the better meetings I've seen at Foxhall for a few years,,, first full max from an ipswich rider in top league for a while,,, awesome from Cook,,, and Starke is a proper racer trying his heart out. Masters was a decent guest. Kurtz, Bewley and the Worralls all had their good races, and Brennan was impressive for an RS rider.

75-15?

Better meeting than i thought it was going to be , any race when Ben Barker was in was entertaining, especially heats 13 and 15

Really enjoyed that tonight , credit to Newcastle who never gave up and played there part in making it a very entertaining meeting. Everyone chipping in bar Connor who was well on the pace , some more laps and he will be fine.

55-35 is respectable enough.

Putting a tac sub in against Cook. Smh. Might get sacked

Whilst I’m sure everyone who can remember them would love to see the good old days back of the 1980’s it sadly ain’t going to happen. I for one just feel fortunate for the opportunity to go and see live speedway again. There just isn’t the rider pool or frankly money available to provide the quality of racing you quite clearly desire. however, at least there is now the RS programme in place and we are for once starting to develop some grass roots talent. Why are you not willing to put your hand in you pocket to give to the sport now to build a better future? Sorry for singling out your post but you do tend to bleat on about the unfairness of this and that and picking out the holes rather than looking at the positives. What with the last year or so we are lucky still to have this many clubs in existence.

Good call Ron Preston. Saw quite a bit of him at Eastbourne during his last year riding in the UK and he was a particular master around the first two bends.

Not really a backtrack. The case was taken higher and they decided that he should not be stopped from racing while an appeal was in progress.

No doubt still beat Simon 'one track' Lambert in heat 1 though.

It never rains but it pours will we ever get a full team of 7 .

Reading some posts elsewhere you'd think it's gonna be 75-15 for every match for the rest of the season

We have Danny King as guest at 1 so think that’s a bit harsh. Also I think you should just remember the score in the away leg of the cup wasnt actually that bad

For me falcace Penhall was the odvious one he was very lucky in 82 but when he went speedway died in the UK.After 83 Olsen, Mauger, Lee, Sigalos., Carter, Sanders all went for whatever reason a huge void..For me the Danes after that had an easy ride all those quality riders gone saying that got to realise just how good Hans was and Erik Jan O and Tommy rated all of them after the classy Olsen.

I can see the similarities but I don’t think those who run the sport are as bright as those who ran the sport in the 70s, 80s and 90s, so consequently the ideas for change are not properly thought out and how many 5 year plans have we had that only last 1 year. (Rising Star Plan being the latest) The rule bending unfortunately still applies ( but it does appear not quite as regular) but the saying, the answer depends on whose asking seems to still apply. I did smile when I read Jitendra Duffil’s rant the other week, I can still remember the fall out following the Redcar v Glasgow fixture a few years ago, a little bit of selective memory there. This sport’s history is littered with young promoters who arrive on the scene promising to do change everything and do things properly and leave a few years later disillusioned having done nothing but make things worse. Covid hasn’t helped but the collective desire for a better run sport just doesn’t seem to exist. Although the SCB and Under 21 development is now starting to show some progress.

Still absolutely spot on choices though Steve, albeit different eras. Always a puzzle to me why Knutson went while at the top of game, while still a relatively young man. Maybe Norbold can throw some light on this? Bjorn was I think, only a few months younger than Ivan Mauger and I feel he could well have snatched a couple more world championships from either Mauger, Olsen, Michanek, or the Pole that cheated , before age started to catch up and retirement loomed.

Exactly and it also applies if the SEC champion also qualifies by finishing in the top 3 in the challenge.

Oh dear... hearing on the grape vine a small change for the Diamonds at No 7... I wont say rumour because that stupid Mackem Ringitsneck gets his knickers in a twist... however JPB not very well so looks like he will be replaced by Archie Freeman... Be a tough one for young Archie and definitely a "Baptism of Fire" but good luck and stay safe... Regards THJ

Think Allitt needs to take most of the flak for the starting 7.

Tomorrow at Leicester Danny King replaces Adam Ellis who is on international duty

Well I enjoyed that last night, I know for one night only Sam Masters was a witch but he was a decent guest. With no camera's Jake was a lot better and a faultless Cook gave the fans something to cheer. Well done Belle vue for keeping it close. Also Jordan Stewart was spannering for Sam so was nice to catch up with him. Next meeting should be back to pre covid rules so to mask or not is a personal choice and you should all be able to reclaim your seats.

Nicki posted yesterday that he got a call from his lawyer to say the ban was lifted and he had a few tears on his eyes

I would enjoy the racing.... but what's to enjoy at the moment? Speedway got stale at Foxhall a few years back, a few of us tried and succeeded in bringing some fun to the night with various instruments and themes. Hi vis night and buffet night being 2. ( a wallpaper pasting table was even bought in and set up to aid with the last) A combination of not sitting together with mates and poor racing led me to not going last night through choice... 1st time in years. The 15 heats actually stop the conversations we are having ... rather than the heat action making the next conversation . I'm able to watch "proper speedway" on a sunday from Poland . Then the circus act on Eurosport on a Monday with good company Did I miss going last night ? No. And i know i wont be the only one in this position. Yes I checked on the scores through the night. ( 1st time about 8 when I then remembered it was on) But would I get value for my £19 .... not a chance. Would I go if it was less probably not. It's now another 2 weeks before speedway at Foxhall is back... Will I be ? It could be 50/50 but edging more towards giving it a miss...

And quite possibly crump could of had one ride, struggled and then replaced by reserves for the rest of the meeting, who knows until Plymouth next race

I nearly mentioned the maximum in Mike Keen's Testimonial. I remember Mike Keen going onto the second bend with a hosepipe and watering the track in the midst of a rain storm!

Dag was brilliant. So classy. He was virtually unbeatable in the wet. I always felt that if he'd rode in 1977 and reached the rain-soaked World Final he would have won it.

And i remember one rider known for his visits would stand there waving his arms asking how the refs kids were, it used to be part of the show. But with sgp things have become too serious

If I was in the North East I would but I can't get owt like that in Maryport unfortunately... I begrudge paying my TV liecence over there because I can only get BBC Scotland on the telly... and I don't have an internet connection either so am stuffed really... Just seen the above post from Marshall7 and I like Micheal Max great guy very knowledgeable and done a great job at Worky when he was there... So updates will be ok and to be honest I think it might be a bit one-sided to be fair... and I don't want to see grown men cry when the Diamonds win... Bazzinger... Regards THU

Genuine question, do you ever stop running the club down

Except of course for Issue 3 which Ipswich were allowed to ignore in signing Craig Cook

100% - he rides for both or neither and it should be the SCB enficing that not the clubs choosing If Ipswich are providing a medical certificate then I don't see how he can be insured to ride for Plymouth inbetween missing Ipswich meetings

Wightlink Warriors Bring Back Chad Wirtzfeld For The Summer Spectaculars Plus The Wightlink Wizards First Fixture Is Confirmed Wightlink Warriors’ new Team Manager Steve Piper has again acted quickly to ensure that fans favourite Chad Wirtzfeld will return to the Wightlink Warriors in 2021. He joins Danno Verge and Alex Spooner who were confirmed starters earlier this week. Blandford based Chad, who has been with the club since Martin Widman and Barry Bishop reintroduced speedway to the Island in 2016, will be competing in all seven Summer Spectacular meetings. Steve Piper said, “We are very excited to have Chad back for 2021 because we know there is a lot more to come from this young man. Anyone who has seen the speed Chad rides at during My First Skid sessions knows that he has what it takes to go far in track sport and now we have to mould that undoubted talent to get the best performances from him in a race day environment. He already has a busy weekend schedule of grasstrack and longtrack fixtures, but he also has the Warrior connection running through his veins as he started as mascot and a My First Skid regular before stepping in to the Wightlink Wizards and Warriors teams, improving year on year. Mid-week racing fits his into his calendar well so with the Wightlink Warrior ethos of encouragement, development and progress I am sure we can help make this another year of real growth for Chad.” Chad added, “It is great to get seven meetings on my favourite track and I shall be riding for both the Wightlink Warriors and participating in the Island Masters series. Everyone knows I always wanted to return to Smallbrook and it is great that Martin and Barry have found a way forward with meetings that should be great nights out for riders and fans alike. I’m looking forward to seeing all the supporters and once again doing my best for the club.” Turning to the Wightlink Wizards, it has been confirmed that the first fixture for new manager Tony Cook and his team will see the welcome return of the Weymouth Wildcats to the Smallbrook Stadium as part of an integrated programme with the first round of the Island Masters individual event. The Island co-owners and the Wildcats management have enjoyed a close working relationship over several seasons as the Dorset side continue to seek a suitable venue to re-establish the sport in the seaside town with Weymouth co-owner Martin Peters saying, “James (Tresadern) and I are thankful to Barry, Martin and the Island team for inviting us over for the first meeting at the new look IOW set up. We hope that everyone has a fantastic evening and our team will be doing the best we can to add to a memorable night”.

I certainly wouldn't call it cheating, I never used that word. Ultimately it comes down to the governing body and their strength/weakness, if he's not fit enough to ride then he needs signing off for X number of days/weeks so that he can't ride anywhere, or if he is declared fit (I suspect he very much isn't) then he must crack on for both of his teams. As I said having him fit for one team and not the other looks awful and really shouldn't be allowed to happen.

It's not too often that Terry Tibbs talks speedway these days but when I do, people say Terry you're still the man! So Kings Lynn fans talk to me! I've told Busty so many times that unless his brings back Main Man Rogers into the fold that the sport in the Fluxing Arena of Eastern England is on a slope more slippy, than the EU butter mountains. I had a lunch with little Johnny C in the Wimpy in Chingford High Street just last week, after 2 Milk Shakes and a Quarter Pounder with Cheese, little Johnny C agreed that there is only one man to bring back the glory days and that is Main Man Rogers! I have sent Busty a telex telling him he needs to quickly contact The Ace that is Mase and agree a deal for Main Man Rogers to return with immediate effect. The German chap was ever so nice, in fact my 4th wife Greta had a liaison with him once in Krystof Stojanowski's caravan in the car park of the Smallbrook Stadium on the Island of Wight, but that's a different matter for now! Answer me this, is there is a man with more credentials that Main Man Rogers - the answer is simply no! Look what he did for the career of Bomabardier Harris, turned him into a near GP Gold Meadlist. Don't forget what he did at Coventry Speedway, the way he mentored Big Blayne Scroggins into probably their greatest team manager of all time and of course his success at turning Mildenhall Fen Tigers from the FSO's of the sport to the BMW's! Talking of BMW's my valet boy Christopher Mills, is around to do a bit of spannering if any of you are looking for someone who is handy with a wrench, whilst my business Jimmy Lynch is busy with that wench Audrey he met at the Chinford British Legion just before lockdown in January 2020! But once again I digress. I could go on for hours, but we need to act fast Listen to Terry, bring back Main Man Rogers, Busty! Thank you, goodbye, much looove!!!

Having viewed the races (thanks Racers & Royals) I think only the first one (heat 4) was his fault. He took Kildemand by surprise clearly and he did do a bit of a Pawlicki and came down easily but there looked to be some contact (and Pedersen himself has done this many times as well when passed on the inside, particularly on the first turn). But, he definitely did not deserve to be exclude for heat 18 and 20. There was clear space and for heat 18, they went into the bend side by side and the rider on the outside should have known they'd run out of room. His questioning of the ref was justified but not knowing what he said then I cannot comment on the ban being deserved or not. It did always get people energised though when a rider remonstrated with the ref, whether on the phone or in person and as not as no serious threats are made I don't see the harm in that. I remember McEnroe in tennis using some choice language towards umpires/camera operators and other 'officials' which made him box office also.

Big fan myself but understand not everyone's cup of tea. Still banging in really good scores in Poland and was a pleasure to watch for Eastbourne. Plenty of other hard riders out there (Lindgren springs to mind) but think it's amplified by Nicki's character. If you hear him interviewed and talk to many riders in his peer group he's actually a really decent bloke, just a tough little so and so on the track. As was said on a previous post, if we had a few more Nickis in speedway then it would certainly increase crowd numbers, love him or hate him, he's box office.