stevebrum

Wolves was one of the best prepared and skilled racing tracks. More fans enjoyed the racing at Monmore than Brum. Bitter? Not at all but Brum SHOULD be one the better tracks with its shape but rides pretty awfully. Track prep has been an issue for years although I hear it’s got better. It will be bitterly exposed on TV if not in 2024.

Let’s hope so but it’s reputation is pretty poor. One hosted British finals, raved about on SKY, and had a crowd most clubs would be envy of. Was one of the best prepared tracks in the UK. The other is Birmingham. Has improved his average year on year however. Lindgren has gone on to be easily in the top 3 riders in the world over the past 5 seasons. If he was committed to riding in the UK (I doubt he will again) he will easily be high 9.

Zagar’s average was way higher at the NSS than away. Too much of a risk particularly if at number one. I doubt he is even a 7 point rider anymore given he average was topped up half the matches at NSS. For the Brummies to succeed they need an attractive team to encourage Wolves/Cradley fans to come across regular. Let’s face it they are banking on a few hundred Wolves fans coming every week to make this work. Sadly the track and viewing will put a lot off.

All confirmed at the Brummies forum meeting recently. 80% chance of running next season and if so will be a Monday at PL level. No other teams interested in moving up. 20% chance of not running. Plus a maximum of 3 to 4 years at the venue. They are already looking at new sites. They we’re looking to lease the whole stadium which would have seen both Birmingham and Wolves running but the price of a quarter of a million is too much! Listening to the podcast they really seem to be relying on Wolves fans turning up at least 200. Its clear Birmingham fans aren’t turning up in the numbers they need and going top flight is virtual suicide if Wolves fans don’t turn up. The owner admitted putting way more money in this season to keep it afloat. Costs higher in the PL. Think they have been hoodwinked to moving up. Potential new team manager (Pete Adams maybe] might persuade some Wolves fans particularly if it has a Wolves team flavour.

Little to no chance of that. Big meetings I hear with the greyhound people about the future of speedway there. It’s another place that’s likely to be lost to speedway in the near future. greyhounds already running Wednesday nights so alternatives needed for the Brummies. CVS would have said that Wolves would be running at PB in 2024. Very unlikely.

What the action showed from Wolves was as equally as thrilling. You must have had your eyes closed to not witness that or just blinkered. Monmore was always about entertainment and not just pure throttle jockey happy. Watching the skill of the riders was what made Monmore special. I just hope they can replicate that on any future track.

Guests for heat leaders not second strings. guest for reserves.

Much prefer smaller skilled based tracks personally.

Well done the Witches, best team over 2 legs. Decent racing once it warmed up. With decent racing at Monmore it was a great night of TV watching overall.

Perhaps as expected Wolves limp out (as good as) the play offs. The last few seasons the same team (give or take the odd change but not much) is good enough in the main season but just awful in the play offs. Masters has really gone backwards the 2nd half of the season. the racing was top drawer too which most of us know is often usual fair at Monmore

It’s a pity every other season including this since the play offs began have denied teams replacing season ended injured riders with a suitable replacement. That’s the fault of the rules are per usual. Maybe you might suggest they are weakened then with Lambert in the line up. Dodgy selective research tho.

Get a guest for a rider who is fit to ride? You mean cheat? Doyle ‘can’t be fit’ either but is riding tonight. Riders are used to riding not totally fit.

Big difference. Poland have squads to select from, UK doesn’t. Just like Laguta did and they got a facility for him. Beyond corrupt. Why? Same with Laguta who rode all his rides in Poland but apparently ‘aggravated’ an injury earlier on this season. Kings Lynn got a facility. But I agree it’s corrupt.

Yes absolutely. The rule existed (or added to the 2022 rules) bizarrely and as usual completely cocked it up. As they always do. Make the rules clear and unambiguous. It should never be allowed to interpreted in any other way.

Well done the Witches, THE form team in September. Never expected that Bomber would do pretty much a similar job as Doylie so credit where credit is due. The table toppers were awful.

Was referring to over 2 legs but point well made.

Beyond disgraceful post.

Gotta feel for the Witches (or any team losing riders for the play offs) as besides someone like Lambert or Laguta there isn’t a like for like replacement. Bomber sadly is a poor replacement even tho he will either be a match winner or score 3. The Aces again have the luck with them as missing Wright probably strengthens them a little. Still prefer to see 7 man teams tho.

But replaced him AFTER the cut off and only ever been allowed to happen once in the history of play offs. But after the cut off date to replace a rider, again only ever permitted one year in play off history. Exactly this, spot on.

So basically back to the same as every other season since play offs began! which makes 2022 even odder why it was changed and why they said no in the first place to the ringer coming in. Teams have suffered nearly every season when injuries strike, one team got lucky in 2022 that’s for sure. Either way sad to see teams chances ruined end of season for the play offs.

Picks and chooses his meetings. He is a disgrace to this league.

Irrelevant. Class riders can ride any track.

Exactly! Harris, Nicholls the list is endless. SKY proved why Monmore was such a popular track. They always wanted it on the box. The track was always superbly prepared with Doc Bridgetts in charge and riders knew they were in for a well prepared track. Some riders never got on with it because they didn’t have the skill or technique to handle it well. It’s that simple. Class riders can ride anything. Emil is proof of that. I remember first time Gollob rode it it literally took him 6 laps to figure it. You need skill to ride it, pure and simple. Since Doc left the standard hasn’t been the same sadly. But track prep has always been pretty important to Wolves.

C Holder for Ellis is a strange one. He has shown zero interest in the UK (until this year when he signed (but didn’t) for the Panthers), is way past his best and will struggle to maintain his 7 pointish average imho. knee jerk reaction from the Tigers management in my opinion but good to see changes happening before the play offs start.

Exactly! They would be the most dangerous side in the play offs although I’ll admit it’s still a tall order.