Wee Eck

I’m led to believe about 180 - and not just for ex-riders. Several on the list were friends or people who’d worked for him, not necessarily relating to speedway. He was told any ex-BV rider would receive free admission. They just had to phone up and a ticket would be provided. But he wanted permanent physical passes so they didn’t have to phone up. There’s not a track in the country that would allow that. And no guarantee that a future promotion would feel bound to honour that. It’s a shame. The guy was a decent rider, not the best who ever rode for BV nor the best ever English rider, but he was loyal to the Aces and helpful, but little more than that, when John Perrin paid to open up at the Kirkmanshulme Lane greyhound stadium. I’m not sure if Kirky Lane would have opened without PC’s input, but it certainly wouldn’t have without John Perrin’s money. IMO

In truth, PC has no knowledge of that. He wasn’t part of the consortium and, despite his recollection, his views on the NSS were never sought nor offered. My understanding is that his only involvement has been his well documented reaction to being refused life time passes for nearly 200 friends, helpers and employees, very few of whom had ever had anything to with Belle Vue.

Oh dear, the natives are revolting. Both King Jamie and Decker having a pop at Mr Blobby, the “in the know” man of the Monarchs (must be in his genes).

Good point. I hadn’t thought of that. (But I still think there’ll be a few disappointments when it comes to raising averages, or rather not raising averages)

So many riders are being predicted to put a point of a couple of points on their averages. Where are all these extra points coming from? Or who are the riders expected to drop their averages? Other than Thomas Jorgensen whose converted average is simply too high to be maintained.

I don’t see him moving out of the reserves any time quickly but maybe move from 7 to 6 when Shanes drops to 7? Unless Redcar drop Shanes first.

Or maybe creating a rumour for the rumourers to ruminate on?!

It’s curious as to why no one wanted him in 2022 but perhaps the fact he came 9th in the recent 2022 Aussie Championship as opposed to James Pearson’s 5th place says a lot? I’m not even sure if he now qualifies for a visa, though I don’t know how he’s done in state championships. Also, he’ll be 30 before the season starts. Garry May is far too experienced to not spot a good thing - or a bad one - so I’d trust his judgment.

Thanks - that’s how I’d heard it. Unfortunate accident after the race was over

Is Manzares just a rumour or is there some truth in it?

The suggestion was that he was fitting before going to hospital. I can’t find anything having been said about having “several seizures after being taken to hospital” Also, I can’t find any reference to a 12 month withdrawal of a motorsport licence. Where did you find that, please? I have seen a six month ban after an epileptic fit, but that’s entirely different.

As I said, he didn’t hit the fence. Anyway, it’s up to MA to sign off the track and up to the riders to decide whether or not to compete. Unlike UK, or indeed Poland, at the riders’ briefing in Australia, the referee reads out a standard statement which includes offering any rider who feels uncomfortable about racing on the track the chance to withdraw without any penalty or sanction being imposed. And, despite all the comments on here, Rew’s injuries do not need surgery

I’m happy to agree to disagree. But bear in mind, I don’t think it was Rew that hit the fence. It was the rider he leant on down the straight. Rew hit the kickboards

I have watched it several times. It looks to me that he laid down the bike but momentum took him forward so that he hit and bounced back from the kick boards, not the fence. APB have kick boards below them too.

The fence wasn’t solid, otherwise it wouldn’t have broken away when the other rider hit it. And they’re not sandbags.

That picture only shows a very small part of the opposite bend to the one where the crash was. If you view the full bend, you’ll see that there is loads of run off space. The track is also used for moto x or flat track racing and they use the full size. As far as the crash is concerned, from the commentary, I take it Rew is in yellow. If that’s the case, I doubt an inflatable barrier would have made any difference as it wasn’t hitting the fence that caused any injuries. It was the way he laid the bike down. The impact would have been the same had he hit either the existing fence or an inflatable barrier. In my opinion

What do you think is wrong with the track?

I think you’re probably right there, Stirrer. Meanwhile, I’m off to France to help Matt find his marbles…..

I wouldn’t be surprised by either. It was Complin, Roynon and Manzares’ names that I thought weren’t right for Poole. Roynon will do a job for someone I’m sure but I don’t think Poole is his sort of track. Or team. If I recall, he also has history with Richard Lawson. And, in my view, Manzares has been away too long. Was his last season in UK 2018 with Scunthorpe? I suspect there are plenty of Brits out there that will do as good a job.

Oh dear. I was hoping that with losing Hume and Cook there would be some exciting replacements, not a 40 year old and a 38 year old. Poole supporters will be pleased

I am aware of Matt’s longer term ambitions…. UPDATE - I see Complin has signed for Glasgow. That’s one out the way!

I think that’s good for both - the Bullets and Archie.

I’m looking forward, not back. What is it they say? Past performance is no indication of future results?

Poole have a tradition of signing riders that excite their supporters and confound their opponents but none of the names being bandied about as the last three will do that. Worrall, Lawson and the Cook brothers are definites but none of the other names like Complin, Roynon or, heaven forfend, Manzares excite me. My view is we’ve seen the best of all three and it’s surely the modern Poole way to sign middle order and reserve riders that will improve. Or maybe with Matt concentrating on his business in France, he’s lost the magic touch? Surely not