Halifaxtiger

It is mentioned in the programme too. Looks like they maybe after a big one. I thought Morris stayed down too. Nothing wrong with him whatsoever. I didn't see the pictures of the track earlier but it was in excellent condition and produced some cracking racing, particularly a brilliant heat 13. In truth, on what I have seen this season Arena Essex is the best track in the EL for racing and second only to Scunthorpe in the country.

The much predicted deluge hasn't happened here. True, its been raining on and off for about 3 hours but its only light stuff - when I went out earlier, cars were on intermittent wipe only. If it stops around 4pm as forecast, should be all systems go.

Very cautiously, you might be right. Its stopped raining here and it was nothing more than light anyway.

Sue told me exactly the same thing last night.

That's simply not true. While Met Office have been putting back the point that the rain will arrive, they have consistently stated 12-5. XC Weather state 1-4, so do Netweather. Heavy rain between 1 & 4 is confirmed on almost every weather website. I certainly don't expect constant updates, but an explanation as to what they propose to do would be appreciated and cost absolutely nothing. The rain hadn't missed because it hadn't arrived. I am in Brentwood and it started about 12.

I have only had the opportunity to speak at length with Dean on one occasion but found it an education. Lindback's signing is legal only if someone agrees that it can be reduced by about a point from when he last rode here, albeit some time ago. There are few who would doubt that he is a better rider now. He's currently 8th in the GP series, which makes him one of the world's best riders. Of those GP riders competing in the EL, only Harris has a lower average (and half the GP points) and the average of those riders averages is well above 8. Lindback is being assessed as the same standard as Cook, Thorssell, Buczkowski & Nilsson, riders who have never qualified for a permanent GP place. The signing is legal, but only because it is based upon a ruling that is wholly unjustifiable. As I say, I suspect Neil Vatcher would endorse that decision, Arnie would not (indeed, he has actually said it is wrong). I think Arnie would last 5 minutes. That's not because he would break rules, but because he would insist that BSPA & SCB stick to them.

Completely agree. How much does it cost to say what they are doing ? There's a preview on the Lakeside website and it doesn't even mention the weather. I should say that Met Office (who give the BBC their reports) have changed their prediction twice already this morning. Now they say no rain until 11.00am, when it will be showers. XC Weather say rain until 4pm.

I would have thought that was rather obvious. Attempting to get a rider in whose current (albeit dated) is way above Andersen's and who is of current GP standard by having that average reduced. To me, that's trying it on big time and should unquestionably have been refused. I doubt that there is anyone outside the south coast (and probably quite a few inside it) who believes that the decision to allow that reduction is either reasonable or justifiable.

One of the best sights of the night was Sue trying to eat a cake, fill a programme in and do the texting at the same time. In the end, I held her phone and programme and she had the time it took to run a race to get the cake down her. It was touch and go but a big effort on the last lap saw her come home first.

I disagree. I think every Poole fan will be delighted in no different way than every Wolverhampton one was when Woffinden signed or every Belle Vue one would be if, to use Stevebrum's example, Sajfutdinov replaced Fricke. In truth, every fan in the country would be ecstatic if their team strengthened up before the play offs or any other big meeting and furious if that chance was spurned. Winning the league title means a great deal and any promoter who had the chance to improve his team but did not do so would be an imbecile. This is not really about Poole, Matt Ford or Poole supporters. Its about a dreadful ruling that allows a GP rider of considerable ability to have his average reduced and thus fit in.

What we have got is someone who is experienced in speedway and it seems is well thought of. But, as Dean rightly says, he is from 'the circle'. Arnie is a man of integrity and a true speedway fan who is from outside it. To my mind, given the sustained and substantial criticism of BSPA & SCB decisions, he would have made a far more popular and credible choice with those who actually pay every week at the turnstiles and quite possibly might have at least tried to introduce the transparency that the sport needs. While I can see Neil Vatcher endorsing the signing of Antonio Lindback on a 7.00 point average to please Poole Speedway, I doubt very much that Arnie would. The only thing is I suspect Arnie wouldn't have lasted 5 minutes whereas Neil Vatcher will. Me too.

And its one person who is almost certainly an interested party (to a greater or lesser degree) and who is never named. In other words, prejudiced and irresponsible. That's no way to make decisions.

I am not totally sure you are right about every season but all Poole can be accused of is trying it on. I suppose that is reason to throw some words in their direction but surely the person (or persons) most at fault is the one that allows them to succeed ?

Great post, Arnie. Poole haven't cheated, they have followed the rules. But to allow a current GP rider to have his average reduced when he is quite clearly a better performer than before is surely wrong. Those directing their ire at Poole are aiming their bullets in the wrong direction.

I think what you have done is ensure that there is more entertainment on race nights than merely watching the speedway. The importance of that can't be underestimated and is crucial to gaining and retaining supporters. As to your team, they were more impressive at Redcar than they were at home but that seems to stem from the fact that Jacobs doesn't like Foxhall, which might be a major handicap with Clegg and Bewley turning out for the Monarchs. Going to be a close one - after seeing the Witches at Redcar, I'd have given odds on to them getting through to the semi final at least. After last night I am not so sure.

I think I am still (just) in the top of the league wins the league camp. However, speedway just isn't in a position to turn down the gates that the play offs create. Last night at Ipswich there was a huge crowd for what would have been a dead rubber other than for the play offs. In all of the semi-finals and finals in all of the leagues, stadiums will report increased attendances and there's every chance that in the EL in particular they will be packed. In addition, in the PL & NL Birmingham and Somerset had won their divisions some time ago, leaving a considerable number of meetings with absolutely nothing to play for. I very much see your point here, but the sport is in poor shape financially and simply can't overlook any source of additional revenue.

There might be grounds for a tiny amount of optimism that this will go ahead (I should say that that's probably the kiss of death ) Pretty much every forecast says the heavy stuff will come in around lunchtime but then there are mixed predictions, although most say that there will only be light rain after about 3pm, stopping altogether between 4 &5. Certainly the biblical downpours indicated last night to start about 3am didn't turn up here in Brentwood (about 8 miles away). Lakeside have said they are making plans to combat any bad weather and there's no doubt that they will do everything they can to get the meeting on. I hope really hope that the play offs aren't decided by the weather.

Met Office has. Others say different at the moment (as you rightly say,early days). I think its clear Lakeside will do everything they possibly can to get the meeting on.

Check the map. Nowhere near Ipswich. Met Office forecast is sun all the way, less than 10% chance of rain. XC Weather has a light shower (1.2mm) in the evening. At the moment, no reason to believe this will be anything but on.

Hugely impressive this season and a major reason why Birmingham have done so well. He's as much PL standard as any of the others riding at No 7.

I really can't see it happening here. They were very impressive at Redcar the other night and have a top number one and a top reserve, usually a recipe for success. Kerr for Lambert won't do them any harm, either.

So do I, mate. Yes, I have noticed we get a load of rubbish from Ipswich Well worth a visit. The last two meetings I have seen have been very good, particularly the one against Ipswich. I certainly plan to do at least 2 more. Not sure you are into it, but I also a cracking Rugby League match at Kells (just outside Whitehaven) on Saturday.

I think you have to bear in mind its a free service with someone going (slightly or, in Sue's case, massively) out of their way to provide it. There's no responsibility and, if there was, there probably wouldn't be updates at all.

I agree (I was in the stand too). I am strongly against taking advantage at the start but I have never seen Wells move yet - he simply drops the clutch at precisely the right moment. I really don't see what is wrong with that. Another entertaining meeting at Derwent Park with the score not giving a true impression of the quality of the racing and in front of the biggest crowd I have seen there for a long time. Workington were disappointing especially given the motivation they had to win but Glasgow are a very good side with Rene Bach in the form that he was. Definitely coming back again to watch some more of that

I'd agree that there is always a reason to get stuck in. To be fair, I thought some of the Redcar boys did precisely that and to suggest that the score was about Redcar being poor undermines just how good Ipswich were. They had to win that meeting by 4 points to make the play offs. That's huge motivation for a team to give it their best shot and I'm sure that you would expect a bit extra from your team in the same position. The Witches are also a team very much in form. They battered Sheffield the other night, King is almost unbeatable and Jacobs is absolutely flying. As I said, they will be a real handful in the play offs. I should add that that's probably the best meeting I have seen at Redcar all season. Shades of the old STMP, there.