Wee Eck

Apologies for mixing up the two but, as I said, Nick did provide a non-negative test in a form that concerned the tester who then decided to retest Nick. It was the retest that Nick declined.

I’m not sure that’s correct - the result can be negative, non-negative or positive as per WADA: Put simply, a non-negative test is one that is not definitively negative. There are several reasons why this could occur. The sample could be adulterated, substituted, invalid or positive, but further testing needs to happen to make a final determination. The suggestion is that Nick’s first test was non-negative, so not clearly negative. He was asked for a second sample which he refused and, as a consequence, was charged under SR 08.2.1 - Failing to provide a specimen. It follows that he did not provide a positive sample but his refusal of the second test is deemed to be akin to testing positive.

My goodness that’s a very old movie!

Adam was only ever signed on a short term contract but he and Birmingham were told not to publicise that. Both he and Birmingham speedway knew that, as soon as Poland started, he wouldn’t be able to continue with the Brummies. Why the veil of silence is anyone’s guess but Adam took a lot of stick for no good reason. Indeed, he should have been applauded for helping a team in desperate need in the best way he could.

Have you a link?

What would it costs to be in the meeting and what are the pay rates?

I’m not sure he was. Masters, Nicholls Douglas and Harris were higher.- and still are

Being a demented subscriber with limited intelligence, I’m unable to understand your argument. Could you expand please, to help limit my dementia and increase my intelligence? TIA

Do I take it you disagree with my opinion?

The point that was being made was that the poster was objecting to the other riders being allowed to go back into the pits. I was simply trying to explain my view that doing so was fair and not allowing them to had the potential to give the faller an unfair advantage.

Ok. So Freddie gets to put a fresh tyre on and put new clutch plates in while the others have to use their existing ones? Why should the faller get an advantage?

Why should Freddie get the benefit of having his mechanics work on the bike when the other three don’t?

I doubt we’ll ever know which riders were asked unless you speak directly to them or they choose to go public

I share the huge disappointment about last night’s result - the (very) recent successes of the GB Team since the current management took over has increased expectations, all of which were shattered last night. The silly and spiteful comments about Neil Vatcher however are, in my view, misplaced. Who cares whether or not he’s ever ridden a speedway bike? Has Peter Adams? Stewart Dickson? How would having ridden a bike have helped last night? This was not our strongest team but that was down to availability and willingness to ride. Latvia is a long way if you’ve got to take yourself and your bikes there and many riders weren’t willing to make the trip. Hats off to those that did travel there. The riders and the management. Especially the management because, unlike the riders, they weren’t being paid.

Talk about entitled. Does he really think that the views of a top league second string and lower league third ranked heat leader will make the sports authorities change what has been for donkey’s years a one off event, albeit some years had qualifiers? And why leave it until four days before the event to make his grand gesture? The days of vast numbers turning out regularly for individual events are long gone so he must either be making too much money to be in need of an extra pay day or else has something else on and is trying to weasel out of this commitment in a way that masks the reality - he’s letting Leicester and Plymouth supporters down.

Perhaps Buster’s need to reduce rider costs has impacted on Artem’s performance?

You did. First you said “wouldn’t go to Poole if you paid my entrance……dump” then said “Obviously been there before, hated it”. Or are you now saying you didn’t mind the stadium but the track was a “dump”? (I’ve read tracks being called many things before but never a dump”.

There’s a bit of truth in both of these. First of all, it was Mike Golding and Matt Ford who bought Poole in the late 1990s (I think). It has been well supported over the years but that hasn’t stopped promotions going bust (ask Reg Fearman/Neil Middleditch) I have no knowledge of Mike Golding’s talent spotting but am happy to take your word, However, he stepped down as a promoter in 2007 or 2008 so the current “talent” spotting has to be down to Matt Ford. Would Poole have been as successful with any other promoters? Who knows.

How long ago? I know it doesn’t say much for the state of other stadia but Poole is hardly a dump. In terms of viewing and facilities only Belle Vue better (and it’s the best of course) - can’t think of any others though I can think of a few, like Oxford Glasgow and maybe Sheffield that are as good.

How do you know it’s a dump if you wouldn’t go?

Never return to Poole on holiday? Lots of people don’t return to the same holiday location

I think this hits the nail on the head. I suspect the owners prefer pounds in the bank to passes on the track and the fans preference is for points on the board. One of my first meetings there was vs Swindon when Leigh Adams was their number one and every heat was effectively over by the second bend on the first lap - but the packed crowd were ecstatic with the overall win. It still has to be close to the best attended track, possibly being beaten by Oxford, so the business model is successful and sustainable, and also Poole is the most successful team in terms of league positions and cup wins this century. The snippy comments of supporters of others tracks, and none, just makes it all the better if you’re a Poole supporter. There’s nothing better than beating a bad loser. Mind you, a few Poole supporters - and we all know who they are - go over the top in winding up the rivals, but then some of the anti-Poole brigade follow suit. And although the exchanges might rile some people (on both sides) that has to be healthy for the business and survival of speedway

Ah. That explains it!

If doubling up is done away with, two things will happen - there won’t be enough riders to go round and riders will ride more in Europe to make up their wages. They’ll still be “doubling up” (or down) just not in UK. The lower league has always been a home for older riders still capable but past their best. Just think of those that have graced it like Zorro, Shane Parker, George Stancl, Freddie Schott, Havvy, Carl Stonehewer, Joe Screen for starters. And there’s loads more

I know that Nicki Pedersen shared TM duties with Henrik Moller at Wrocław because he was riding, but why isn’t he TM for this? Maybe riding for his Polish team suggesting he shouldn’t have taken on the TM role?