theblueboy

Isn't that what we rode on at The Abbey?

Great performance from the Robins. Makes a big difference not having to ride with an umbrella in one hand. Just goes to show that the Bees are very one dimensional and can only ride in the pouring rain.

I am looking to have a punt on this evening's live Swedish meeting and wasn't sure of the heat format and the line ups, so a big thank you for that Ghostwalker

Good to see humility and humbleness from the South Coast as always... Swindon only have themselves to blame and not for the first time the TR has changed the momentum of the match. As said by others, 1st half of the meeting the Robins gated superbly looking like Greg Hancock and in the 2nd gated like Tony Hancock. Young Josh rode superbly tonight and is a completely different rider to the reserve we saw a couple of seasons ago. I think he was the difference between the 2 teams. Benji did better than expected but the form of Klindt and Gustaffson is already causing for alarm. To be 3 lengths down going in to the turn, even against mediocre riders, is a tough ask. It is clear that we will get 1 decent ride out of 4 per meeting from both of them and that is not good enough. Great effort from Pawlicki in the last race. I think Batchelor hampered PK and should have left him to ride the outside but that would be harsh on Pawlicki as he never gave up and showed guts and determination to pass PK. Overall, a very disappointing day. Well done Poole. You were far too strong and our limitations were well and truly exposed. I think there could be many more days like today.

Are you not familiar with sarcasm Starman? I know that Poole fans have a brilliant sense of humour but I'll think you'll find from 'speedwayfun's' posts...he might just be a Poole fan If he is not, I will apologise Starman

Taxi for Starman... Better edit it again...matey

An absolutely p*** poor performance from the Robins. Glad I watched the Saharan Dust make another unscheduled appearance in the UK on the Bet365 site rather than pay to watch that effort. That said, well done Poole, much quicker from the gate and result reflected their superiority. No excuses on a beautifully manicured strip. I now know what the 'Mouth from the South' is on about now.

After last week's surprise showing of 'Singing in the Rain' at The Abbey I am very much looking forward to the start of the speedway season. Good to see young Matej as he is always good value. Nicholls will be competitive and Cook will give good support. Looking for Worrall junior to be the difference between the 2 sides. A Robins win by 8.

Coventry fully deserved their victory but it's not about who won. Just because I turned up at 7.30 and the track was fit to race on doesn't mean the conditions didn't change or deteriorate. It absolutely p****d down at around heat 8. The fact Coventry were winning is neither here nor there. I was getting saturated and I and many others didn't enjoy paying £17 just to get a meeting 'done and dusted'. Why the rush...still 6 months to fit the meeting in. The fact the referee was compliant in getting a result rather than what was the best for the sport speaks volumes. The rain was the same from heat 7 to heat 10. So if it is raceable and the visibility was same in those races then it will be the same for heats 11-15. Why not continue? The visibility did not change after heat 10 - it was exactly the same. We all knew what was coming. Well done Coventry. As the rules stood they won. End of. The issue here is the application of said rules and robbing the public. I would have rather paid £9 and got some money back than nothing at all.

CR Apology accepted. If you want to engage me in a pint that is fine. I have no issue with that. Let me know when you are available. Lots of love theblueboy

You sure CR? Be my guest. Pop along to the 2nd bend. I bet you those balls aren't so big

So you have to make financial sacrifices but the promotion doesn't - interesting comment Why do the promotion need to? Thursday night is speedway night. Speedway fans know the score and we all keep an eye on the forecast. You don't need a reminder. I am not interested what other promoters do unless Swindon are involved and I am going. I don't feel the need to run the promotion down on a regular basis though CR but I guess in your world that is acceptable. I have been unhappy with the promotion namely the financial issues last season and said so at the time. This led to extremely bad publicity in both the local and trade press but I prefer to focus on the positives rather than continually sniping and point scoring. You seem to think that slagging off people from the confines of your front room isn't juvenile? Do you live in a parallel universe? Grow a pair, pop along Thursday and put your concerns to Rosco directly. He is very approachable. Still want to know how enjoyable that pie was?

Loyalty? Really? Judged by your comments last season you hardly went... You made your comments between 11.00 and 13.00 a full 6 and half hours before the meeting. As Yerropes says, Blunsdon has it's own microclimate. Obviously, it couldn't possibly rain in that time. The promotion made a business decision and it turned out to be the right one. I for one work in Bristol and appreciated the early call off as I didn't have to rush home. There are some of us supporters that don't actually live or work in the town CR. I am likely to be moving to Bath v.shortly and I will be prepared to travel every week to support the club but if there is any doubt then I want an early decision. That is how to keep your customers. You didn't say how your pie was?

calling Crazy Robin....calling Crazy Robin....come in Crazy Robin....do you read over? How is that humble pie tasting this evening? Am looking forward to the 'Robins most loyal fan' apology...should be good!

surely you should empathise with the lad...after all, we've all seen your comments and tips on the racing part of this forum

According to Google, Gary Patchett and Keith Whyle (his accountant) are the listed Directors.

No idea why anyone is feeling sorry for the Australians. It's not the BSPA's responsibility to babysit riders who want to ride in this country. If I want to travel somewhere I look at the terms and any entry requirements. Straightforward isn't it. No visa - no entry. There is an Australian High Commision in London and there is an up to date website. I am sure everything is there to allow the relevant visa. Given that issues surfaced 12 months ago with Sam Masters then you can only deduce that Australian speedway riders aren't very bright

Alternatively, the Australians could actually contact their own Australian High Commission here in London or check their website. No excuses really.

Hans and Morris?

Kennet and Kildemand started off well...

Of course. The club has been precariously balanced for a number of seasons now. There is nothing worse than reading the club's financial issues in both the local papers and the trade press that riders have not been paid. The club needs financial stability. However, last year's meeting contained a very good cross section of riders in the EL including the new World Champion and the now 3rd in the world. If people can't be tempted to turn out for a meeting containing GP riders, the Swindon top 5 and some reasonable EL riders then why would you go instead and watch Darcy and 6 others (as box office as Ward is) You will never please everyone with an individual meeting but the club are doing what they think is right.

Do the promotion feel 'obliged' though to run this meeting? I don't doubt that Poole are a big attraction as last year's home fixture proved and providing the weather is good a healthy crowd will be expected this time too. However, regardless of that I doubt that Poole in an ES fixture in March would have the locals salivating either. Whether the meeting is against Poole or in an individual meet most riders will be testing equipment and set ups. I would suggest that the line up that contested the BK last year was much stronger than any line up that Poole could put out and the Swindon top 5 will have 5 rides against seasoned EL pro's so on that basis, the meeting will be better for the riders than a normal team meeting The club have decided to honour one of best local riders and the event should be supported. I am sure the promotion do their sums (well they should!) in advance of the season. Pete Toogood is now on board the ship should be much tighter and hopefully the club will be run better than it has for the last 3-4 years.

That's a tad disrespectful. The meeting is run in honour of one of Swindon's finest riders and this year combined with another local legend in Malcolm Holloway. The ES would be no more than a glorified friendly in any case. I would much rather watch this meeting than watch Poole (no disrespect intended) particularly as we will see them on Good Friday. I am not sure why you would think that a Poole ES meeting would attract more than the BK particularly as it is being held on a Sunday this year, with an early evening slot and at a time where it will it be only -8 stood on the 2nd bend rather than the usual arctic conditions in which David Hempleman Adams would feel at home.

I see they have managed to update the website to show that it is now Lakeside. I do have the webpage saved with the original fixture. Pity really...could have been a real money spinner in the current climate. DATE OPPONENTS COMP. H/A RESULT MARCH Sun 30 Bob Kilby Memorial Ind. HOME - APRIL Thu 03 Coventry EL HOME - Mon 07 Belle Vue EL Away - Thu 10 Belle Vue EL HOME - Fri 18 Poole EL HOME - Fri 18 Poole EL Away - Thu 24 Eastbourne EL HOME - Fri 25 Lakeside EL Away - MAY Thu 01 Birmingham EL HOME - Thu 08 Lakeside EL HOME - Fri 09 Coventry EL Away - Mon 12 Wolverhampton EL Away - Wed 14 King's Lynn EL Away - Thu 15 Wolverhampton EL HOME - Thu 22 Leicester EL HOME - Sat 24 Eastbourne EL Away - Thu 29 Belle Vue EL HOME - Fri 30 Lakeside EL Away - JUNE Thu 12 Swindon EL HOME - Sat 21 Leicester EL Away - Thu 26 Coventry EL HOME - Mon 30 Wolverhampton EL Away - JULY

Nice start to the season. End of March, on a Sunday and probably a 6 pm start. The promotion should be able to attract a decent field and the fans need just the 2 layers instead of the usual 3 or 4. Coventry to open EL proceedings at The Abbey will be a good test with the early return of Hans. I like the look of the back to back fixtures v Poole on Good Friday and good to see the management have used a bit of foresight and not gone up against England's WC match on 19th June. I am personally looking forward to the match on 12 June v Swindon. Should be a massive crowd for this local derby.