Wee Eck

I didn’t name any rider. Deliberately. Many have a claim for a place, been offered a chance to ride in a lesser event, turned it down and now want to come in for the big event. Should they be allowed to leap frog those that have shown commitment to GB? Or do they need to show a little humility in order to earn a place? But I accept it’s a dilemma - Painter and Blackwell have built a group around them to develop a winning team and, with the exception of last year have done really well. My view is that part of the success is continuity - the team is stronger as a whole than the individual parts. Bringing in riders on a one off basis runs the risk of ruining that continuity. And as far as paying for a rider to compete - where is the evidence that Paul Cairns has paid (bribed?) GB to allow Will to ride? And suggesting that Hagon Shocks sponsorship - when was that, by the way, as I don’t recall seeing their logo on GB Team suits in the recent past - has got Sam a team place isn’t really borne up by the facts. The main team that rode last night were chosen on merit. The reserve perhaps on availability - and willingness to race. And we qualified. What more do people want?

First of all, and I’m not sure if anyone has said this yet, congratulations to the GB team for making another big final. The success of those running the team is a fair reward for all the effort they have put in, turning a cheap pizzas and beers operation into a professional looking and performing team. Some might try to detract from the result due to the nature of the opposition but you can only beat what’s in front of you. Secondly, I hope people picked up the not too obscure comment made by Ollie Allen of picking the best team available to him. Much has been made of Dan T missing but Dan chose to ride for Edinburgh rather than his country. I find that disappointing especially as I gather - though hopefully I’ve been misinformed - that Dan is missing Berwick tonight because he’s headed off to Poland. Thirdly, we do need a strong fourth rider if we’re not going to finish fourth out of four in the final. But it has to be someone who will fit into the ethos of the GB team and not just be someone who, having previously turned down chances to ride for the team (and there are a few of them) now fancies a bit of the glory that has been brought about by the hard work of others. That has to make selection difficult and controversial. Do you want someone like Adam Ellis who’ll ride whenever and wherever he’s asked or (insert your own chosen name here) who’s first question is “how much will I get paid? Fourth, Will Cairns selection. He was willing and able to be there, and maybe his dad helped with the team finances, maybe not. But who else would you have? It was a shame that, unlike the other teams, he didn’t get a ride but (a) unlike other teams, GB wasn’t built to use the reserve tactically (b) the other four did the job and (c) to put him out cold in the nominated heats on a gaters’ track would only have got his bikes and himself mucky. Will’s day will come, it just wasn’t yesterday. Finally, and this repeats my first point, congratulations to the team, not just the riders but Ollie, Vicky, Rob, Chris Neville, Steve Williams and all the sponsors big and small. No more “plucky Brits bringing up the rear” but World Cup Finalists. Again.

With two bikes?

Ban would be for failing to ride in UK on Monday due to injury picked up on Friday but which didn’t stop him riding in Italy at the weekend - I suspect he’ll be let off with a warning. The second sentence? Evidence for even thinking like that?

Ah. Another cheap dig at Cami Brown. Is his company still a sponsor as I can’t see anything on Glasgow’s website to suggest it is. And do you really think Glasgow’s owners, arguably the most successful business backing British speedway at present, would appoint a team manager because his company had supported the Tigers in the past?

Now, I’m probably being even thicker than usual but which team manager has got a team place for his son? I assume you mean UK and just can’t think who it might be

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michele_Paco_Castagna It’s his name

Non speedway reason for missing a meeting is an automatic 8 day ban, isn’t it?

Because they have done nothing wrong. This was an initiative by certain BSPL officials to try to save costs. And boy, has it backfired

Great photos - and nice to see Daddy Howarth putting an arm round his lad

I’m in the same boat - though not 85. I was happy with the way it worked, don’t have a tablet or a useable laptop and have never cast anything anywhere. So, after paying for the pass asked for and received (very quickly) a full refund. BSN was very good, probably still is, but I don’t need the hassle especially when I can watch Polish speedway using my smart tv browser. Why change something that worked?

Correct. Perhaps that was because what seems to be the two main proponents of this arrangement have chosen - though goodness knows why - to say nothing in public so SCB felt the need to fill the void. You’ll need to ask them, though, why they chose to make it factual but very limited.

I think you’ll find it’s nothing to do with the SCB

More likely he’ll be in Landshut on the 30th

I don’t see any grey area - there can be no doubt that riders contracted to British clubs are self employed. So “terms and conditions of employment” are irrelevant. They have, instead, terms and conditions of engagement. And in the vast majority of cases, these cease to operate when a rider stops riding for a club, either because they move on or because the season has ended. I suspect that also applies even when a rider is reported to have signed a multiple year deal as these can easily be cancelled. Further, with the abolition of retained lists, no rider is tied to a club beyond the end of their existing deal. Those signed up to ride in British speedway this year will have signed a contract and it’s reasonable to assume that contract contains details of the insurance cover provided to them. The huge proviso, of course is that something as radical as the change in insurance arrangements, which, of course simply brings British speedway into line with all other national governing bodies should not only have been clearly outlined to all riders, but someone with half a brain would have found and offered to the riders additional insurance which they could choose to pay for individually. In my opinion

Beautiful sunny day in Edinburgh and tonight has to be one of the least predictable meetings ever. If Bomber shows last night’s form, he’ll be good for a few but young Dan will be determined to make a point. My prediction? Not a clue

I think Glasgow might decide they got rid of the wrong 8 pointer.

I thought Harrison would be the only rider kept from 2025 - and, at the same time, thought he’d do better to get away from the comfort of the EWR. But having stayed, I hoped he would kick on but he’s started the season slowly. Perhaps he’ll improve over the season? But, will any of the others?

I don’t think even with being the only club utilising the “returning rider” rule for the “not been away” Ablitt, Scunthorpe lack enough riders who will improve their averages to ever be more than a bottom two team. I know we all have to be thankful for teams that survive but even the loyal Scorpion supporters must be frustrated at their team performances. As, clearly, is their manager if his comments at Redcar last year are anything to go by.

I don’t know enough about the insurance side but my understanding is that any ACU licenced rider needs start permission from the ACU for any event abroad. That would then suggest to me that they are covered by the existing personal accident cover available to all disciplines. Previously, ACU licensed speedway riders had to arrange their own cover

That’s been the rule for many years, though I don’t know if it still stands. But who does it negatively impact? Workington will have one now and Oxford would get one straight away when Jamie Courtney moved his licence from Berwick. Who else, other than Northampton and perhaps Ipswich is there?

I’ve seen a couple of references to the cartel. Who are they?

If the ACU insurance is now the same for speedway as all other disciplines then yes, they’ll be covered. Under the previous arrangements, they weren’t.

Must be Robert. Simon is too tall to fit

Clarification issued. Has Ben misunderstood? https://www.scbgb.co.uk/news.php?extend.242.1