Aces51

After all the rain the track was bound to be grippy and that does produce processional racing. However, the Met Office forecast was for no further rain until 10pm so therfore, no good reason to call it off. As I have witnessed on many occasions, the drainage at the NSS is exceptional and if the forecast had been correct the track would have been fine after the first few races.

I think we have two possibilities of running a full season next year. Either, a vaccine is available and a significant percentage of the population is vaccinated by the spring or, the tests that can provide a result within about half an hour are available and relatively cheap. The current project in Liverpool should provide some answers on the quick testing. If a vaccine is not the immediate answer then quick testing would allow lots of hospitality, entertainment and sporting venues to test customers and allow all of those with negative results into the venue. Currently, all is not going well with the virus in Poland, which may impact their plans. Their number of infections has risen a lot lately. Today the number of infections is 24,785 compared to 20,572 here and that with a population about 55% the size of the UK.

It can only ever be an opinion but from the many Polish matches and GP's I've watched this year and in previous years, I can't say that I have seen any tracks there that consistently produce better racing than the NSS.

Play off semi finals in Poland tomorrow now postponed and rearranged for Monday so no chance of Bewley in the British final.

The only genuine stream was the Sportcentral.tv stream. The other 2 that I saw were scams.

The early bird price of £10 for the Aces v All Stars Select live streaming has been extended until midnight tonight. Two decent teams on the best track in the UK. I hope that many fans support both this meeting and the British Final. The sport is in a precarious position because of the virus. We have been calling for live streaming for years and this is our chances to help the sport we love and to show that streaming is a viable proposition for the future.

The count was never intended to be when the samples were tested but when the test was carried out. It was explained that with the postal tests advice was taken and that was that they be counted when the test was sent out. That is reasonable as otherwise, a seperate recording system would be needed to record when the recipient carried out the test and then in many cases adding it to a previously announced total. In any event the total without the postal tests would probably have been close to or, have exceeded the target if, instead, as some seen to prefer, postal tests sent out previously but carried out by the recipient on the 30th April were included in the total for that day. Much as it may upset some to acknowledge it, It was a remarkable achievement.

Rohan was/is definitely a racer at the NSS. It was his away performances that were the problem.

The charge is £3 for both PL and NDL meetings. The increase reflects the fact that the club suffered significant losses on Colts meetings last year. They could have easily completely wiped out those losses by not running the Colts. I am pleased they didn't do that and instead recognised the importance of giving opportunities to young riders to gain experience and to progress. £10 was the cheapest NL entrance fee last year and the increase to £12 still means that no other NL venue charges less. The increase for an adult amounts to a maximum total of £16 for the year.

Often over before 21.15 but not always. 10 minutes from the stadium to the station might be pushing it but depends how young and fit you are.

Who would have thought that Albert Steptoe would ever have become a fashion icon.

That's pretty much how I see it although my assessment is that we should reach the play offs, not that we are necessarily the second best team. Potentially, I think we have two big improves in Bewley and Lidsey and Kurtz, Wright and Worrall capable of increasing their starting average. It's academic to the extent that, as we all know, it's not usually the team you start with but the changes you make later in the season and injuries that determine where you finish. As it stands, Swindon have the strongest top 4 but then 3 not very strong reserves. For me, looking at the Aces, there is a big question mark over Kildemand. We know what he can do but his form last year was poor by his standards. If he gets back to his best we have a solid team with Lidsey at reserve and if he moves up, Worrall to replace him. If that is how it works out then I think our overall team strength is as good as Swindon. Although they have the added benefit of a bigger home track advantage. If Kildemand continues his poor form we must act quickly to replace him. The difficulty could be finding a better alternative

A decent reserve may not even be a half decent rider, if Doyle and Fricke are the yardstick but could win you a trophy.

I am sure that Dan Bewley, like many other riders, is always aiming to be the best he can be. I think the point being made is that it will be a big step for him to become a number 1 next year. Not impossible, considering the steps he has already made and the courage and determination he showed in coming back so quickly from serious injury but realistically, more likely to take him at least 2 more years.

6 for starting the season full of confidence.