Wee Eck

In my cheek, cheeky!

At least mc131 spotted where my tongue was……

Certainly did. He made the top 10 of riders who competed in all 4 rounds. In 10th place. Mind you, there were only 12 (including Michael West who I’ve not heard of) who did that. I can’t imagine why no one’s signed the near 30 year old Keleher

Bluey Roynon…..

Is all the talk of Newman and Roynon being the last two based on anything other than their averages fitting? If there’s some truth, in my opinion it’ll be the poorest Poole team since 2009 when they only managed to avoid being last because Belle Vue were even worse!

If, and it’s a huge if, Emil is allowed to ride outside of Poland (and riding in Poland is undoubtedly a smart bit of work by PZM) then he will be able to pick which other league he will ride in. As he wouldn’t need a work permit to ride in Sweden - and it’s closer to Poland and pays better - why would he choose UK? Also, and another huge if, if he was to sign for Ipswich on what would have to be a very expensive deal, wouldn’t Doyle demand to be paid the same? Where’s all the money coming from?

I think that top four looks about right. Redcar, Plymouth and Glasgow have built strong teams and Poole always manage to get up towards the top of their league. Edinburgh’s performance will depend on what Craig Cook does - if he has a season like 2022, then, even with Pickering’s expected continuing improvement, the loss of Masters will hurt them. Scunny I just don’t see what the fuss is - unless it’s expected that they’ll do well from the return of the aggregate bonus point. They’ll score well at home but are rarely a good travelling side. Berwick and Oxford may surprise a few but the only surprise from Birmingham is - despite rumours and expectations - they’ve again put together a very weak team. IMO

Not sure about the forum bit

I am happy to stick to my views, borne from knowledge rather than conjecture. My comment on the funding was that PC didn’t put any money in to Kirky Lane, something you confirm. On the topic of the NSS, again, I stick by my comments. I don’t know how much money George put in to BV over the years but as far as the NSS was concerned, he was shown as a creditor for around £90k when BV went into liquidation in 2016/17. I am told that PC was never consulted by Chris Morton or David Gordon as far as the NSS is concerned. His recollection to the contrary is not correct. I’m sure Mort has told you that and told you why.

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.