BWitcher

Yes, many countries have them, you're wrong.

Yeah, because the fans hate it don't they. All those empty stadiums for the teams who finished 2nd, 3rd or 4th. The absolute despair when your team clinches a Champions League place. Damn those tv and sponsor people!

Agree with that. The only way to make it work and have the two separate 'champions' if you will is as mentioned earlier in the thread and turn it into an 'event'. A weekend of speedway at the NSS etc. However.. there is one big problem with that of course and that is the weather which may decide not to play ball! Speedway at it's absolute best. Superb atmosphere, riders giving their absolute all. I'd pay double quite happily. In fact I pay way more than that, I travel from another country JUST for the playoffs. There are many countries around the world that use playoffs to decide their champions in football, that's without talking about Champions League etc of course. We all know your views on the play-offs. Indeed some of the points you raise I agree with. Why does every major speedway nation have play-offs if they are so financially damaging? If the answer is 'tv' then why are leagues that aren't televised also operating a play off system? What is your view on why the promoters across the speedway world vote them in?

Of course you are getting extra for your money!

Well given a Play off Final is at least 10 times better than a normal meeting for the atmosphere alone, we're still getting a bargain

legitimate adjective lɪˈdʒɪtɪmət/ 1. conforming to the law or to rules. It might help if you actually understood what the word means. As the facility for Harris does not conform to the rules, it was not legitimate. Whether people agreed to it or not is utterly irrelevant.

Perhaps because he is claiming it is legitimate. I don't need to ask the ACU or the BSPA, I am able to read... something which many speedway fans seem incapable of.. their own worst enemy!

I've read all the other posts and understand the 'situation' perfectly well. That doesn't change the fact that the facility was not legitimate. You cannot provide the rule that shows that it was legitimate can you?

Not quite. In other sports it is recognised that the play-offs is the big prize, where the 'real' champions are crowned. Rugby League for example has a shield for whom tops the table, but the reality is, it's winning the Grand FInal that matters.

There are many arguments against the play-offs. This isn't one of them. Without playoffs their season would have 'petered out' in about early May! As it was Somerset, Rye House and to an extent Kings Lynn still had something to race for right till near the end of the season, in Rye's case, till the very end., That said, with no play-offs the battle for the top spot this season would have been amazing.

How can you use a rule that isn't relevant? The simple answer is, they haven't used a rule. It's not allowed.

The facility was NOT legitimate. If it was, provide the rule that allows it.

I assume they watch the track as can get a broader view of incidents, if just watching the monitor could miss a fall etc.

Personally I think this tie is too close to call either way with any degree of confidence. Quite simply it's going to be whomever holds their nerve and steps up on the night/s whilst some fortune, good or bad, could play a big part along the way. It will hopefully be a great semi-final and I can't wait.

It's fans like you that are as big a part of the problem as the promoters themselves. Indeed, "What a load of rubbish over nothing!" Who cares if it's against the rules, the fans don't, so let's just do as we please. The rule is straight forward and easy to follow. The ACU/SCB are irrelevant. They may have told Harris he had to race in the grasstrack meeting, that is fine. The relevant rules must then be followed with regards to his replacement.

Absolutely spot on SCB: This whole thing is just typical of speedway fans. Thread of thread of bleating about the sport not being taken seriously because rules aren't followed etc, then a clear case of rules being broken and they think nothing is wrong. How many times? Endlessly, until the sport wakes up and operates in a professional manner.

Agree with this. You could argue it's to the detriment of the sport, not just when it comes to constant re-runs. Back in the not too distant past I can remember in certain races riders would be told to go for a flyer, if they touched the tapes, so be it, a reserve would come in. Made for some entertaining races when a much lesser rider flew out the gate in front of some of the top boys. Or is my memory playing tricks on me......

Most likely due to their commentary position.

Game over now, Swindon to the Final.

There has been some exciting racing, despite the track. It could be so much better though.

Well now corrected at least.

Poor decision from the ref there, tight, but Musielak was 2nd.

Has Newman been given his orders to secure his Pirates place next season?

What a pathetic ride from Jack Holder

That opening shot is always from much earlier. Don't quite understand why they do that. As you can see, back from the advert break and the stand is full..