Aces51

The standard of rider may have been higher when we were one of the top speedway nations but it is gong to be the best British riders available and will, I am sure, produce some good racing. As for being a farce without Woffinden,he was very lucky to win it last year, Cook was well ahead in the first running of the final.

Everybody was in the stadium by 12.15. I've experienced similar delays of 15 minutes and longer many, many times at lots of meetings at tracks all over the country, so why all this fuss. There was a similar delay at Swindon but nobody seems to be questioning it.

One thing the match yesterday did prove is that given the right track the standard of racing can be every bit as good as it was in any previous era.

Could be. Could be for both reasons but I haven't seen any goods being confiscated.

I don't know of another speedway stadium where access is restricted to whichever stand you are in but again we are told that's a h&s issue. Maybe the rules have changed for a new stadium. I can't imagine that Belle Vue would be paying out for the large number of security staff unless it was required. Personally, in these days of high security risk levels, I have no argument against the minor inconvenience of bag searches. Both David Gordon and Chris Morton apologised from the Centre Green for the delay so are aware and will be looking for solutions but interestingly, considering the fuss made by some, everybody in the ticket queue was in the stadium by 12.15. There was a 10 minute delay at Swindon yesterday and it is a common occurrence at most tracks including, Kirkmanshulme Lane, so the old pay at the turnstiles system seems just as problematic but I don't see similar comments on the Swindon, Poole thread.

How sad to see so much discussion on here about what are no more than inevitable teething problems. I've also seen people moaning about a less than 5 minute walk from the ticket office to the southern terrace and bag searches. It's h&s and what would the comments be if, God forbid, something terrible did happen and no searches had been made. By far more important for the club and the sport is that yesterday I and many others were privileged to watch one of the best league meetings I have seen since the demise of Hyde Road. I don't expect every match to be like that, it wasn't at Hyde Road but what it showed is that the new track is capable of producing such a high standard of racing. Much credit goes to Chris Morton and David Gordon for the design of the track but huge credit also to Colin Meredith and his crew for producing such a brilliant race track yesterday in notoriously difficult conditions, a mid day meeting in hot sunshine. I hope the British Final is as good to watch. It may not be because of the wide standard of riders taking part but hopefully, it will be a memorable meeting, so long as Sky leave the track preparation to those who know what they're doing.

I suspect that once people become more familiar with the ticketing system the problem will disappear. Only having 3 windows in the ticket office is probably based on the assumption that a significant percentage of fans will in time use the on line booking facilities. However, if a solution is required then there is no need to revert to an antiquated system of a first come free for all. Obviously, the ticket system knows which seats are pre booked, people turning up on the day are then not given a choice but simply given designated but unallocated seats. Lambert rode in the recent under 21 qualifier at the NSS. He rode well but wasn't outstanding at that level. However, he is an undoubted talent but this year may just be too soon for him.

I don't get this complaining about queues to get in. Over the years every track I have been to has queues when they have a bigger than normal crowd. In the end the delay was less than 20 minutes to the start of the meeting. Once people get used to getting their tickets in advance any delays will be less. Every event I have been to, theatre, concerts etc. ,where I have bought tickets in advance I have paid a booking fee and usually more than £1. As I understand it this extra charge goes to the agency, not Belle Vue. Anyway, to important issues. Anybody who thinks they didn't get value for their entrance money today doesn't like speedway. Fast, close racing with passing in most races, a meeting as good as any league match I've seen for many years. Congratulations to both teams on providing some excellent entertainment.

It's the Council who insist on that time, presumably because of the parking and traffic problems if we clash with the stock cars. Should be good for the food outlets.

I'm not aware that they have been practicing regularly or, at all since the Swindon meeting and Harris did of course guest for Swindon. It would be perfectly understandable if Woryna doesn't race but sometimes I think it can be better for riders to carry on. It very much depends on the individual. I am expecting an Aces win but at the moment we have no form guide to know how riders will perform.

Is this just a desperate psychological ploy by SCB to try to upset Richie's mindset prior to the Aces v Bees match on Monday?

Only our second home match, no home track advantage yet, we should win but I thought that when we raced Swindon. I think Aces will do it but Bomber, Garrity and possibly Woryna should like the wide open spaces. Woryna at reserve could be a match winner for the Bees. Be good to see lots of Coventry fans enjoying a bank holiday visit.

I don't consider falls bad luck or picking a guest who didn't score well. What I think most will consider bad luck is when riders have engine failures on the last lap or even last bend when in unchallenged good scoring positions. That cost us 5 points which would have won the match. But as I said, Coventry won, that's how it goes sometimes and it tends to even out over time. On a different note it was good to see a decent crowd and I certainly hope that wasn't one of my last visits to Brandon. Coventry must must survive.

The Bees were a bit fortunate, Nicholls EF on last lap when second and Steve Worrall's EF on bends 3/4 of last lap when winning that gave Bees a 5-1. Having said that is the way it goes sometimes and a win is a win. I'm sure we've had our share of luck on other occasions. Some decent racing and always enjoy watching Bomber when he's in the sort of form he was in tonight. Max Fricke is literally coming of age scoring significant points here and in Poland and Sweden.

Particularly so now that Starman has spilled the beans about the lack of equipment. I wouldn't like to be in his shoes when he gives Matt his complimentary copy of Speedway Star next week.

Is that the bad service where they just wipe over everything to make it look as if they've done something but don't actually do anything. I don't think it would have helped but perhaps you know more about these things than I do. Who'd have thought it. Starman a whistle blower. Obviously, Matt isn't going to be pleased about one of his trusted confidants making public the lack of professionalism and money pinching on vital equipment and also that these revelations also cast doubt on Middleditch's comments in today's Speedway Star, implying that the track staff are to blame. I've no idea if these allegations are true but if they are then good on you Starman for telling all.

Boocock was never as good a rider as Olsen but he was a top rider, just one step down from the super stars. He epitomised a never say die, never know when you're beaten attitude and gave heart and soul for the Bees over many seasons. He was a far more exciting rider to watch than Olsen and popular everywhere. I would certainly have him in a Belle Vue team. Bomber has a similar attitude. He is not as good as Booey but again someone I would gladly have as an Ace.

It is, Android has the largest market share.

Middleditch has said on Twitter that he didn't think Cook jumped but perhaps he only saw it on the numerous TV replays. He didn't have the benefit of the much superior view from the grandstand and the reaction of the neutral crowd. Cook has also said he wasn't warned.

Poole will win this at reserve and with Holder having the easier second string rides. Kylmakorpi is a good replacement and certainly doesn't weaken them. I'm hoping we can keep it to within 10 points.

If you've got a smartphone just use the Fiveone app. Available in the Android play store and probably for Apple as well. It allows team and race changes, tactical ride, substitutions etc and automatically updates the individual score chart. You have to work out how to use it but just click/tap on riders names to make changes, similarly tap on pts in order of finishing in each race and it records the appropriate points scored, 3,2,1, 0.

Mmmm, a difficult one. What would I rather have, a few extra league titles or a 21st century stadium with a track that promises excellent racing, that ensures the future of the club, gives the opportunity to run a NL team, to develop new British talent with the prospect of more league titles and regular world class events like the SWC finals? Think I might go for the latter but then again I'm interested in not only Belle Vue but the future of the sport in the UK.

Do you realise the conspiracy theories you've started. British citizen, average dropping like a stone, Poole asset. Obvious isn't it, going to be Poole's tier 2 EDR next year.

I don't know, I'm probably way off beam, it might be a ridiculous suggestion but could it just be because it's not in Poole. No, can't be, that would be stupid wouldn't it.

We'll Give you the answer after the break.