theblueboy

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.

It's not too difficult if you don't have a vested interest in the Poole v Wolverhampton love in. The clue is in the title. A rider who I thought would do well to finish last in the GP actually won it. He won races from the front and won races from the back. He has improved immeasurably as a rider and has matured appreciably as an individual. He has never been my favourite rider and never will be but Tai Woffinden was the rider of 2013 by a country mile given the expectation level for the vast majority of this forum.

Absolutely Steve....like threatening to quit the Elite League....or losing gracefully....

or could a team with 'some previous' be involved...

What a shambles! I can see both sides of the coin. Morris is a self employed worker after all and he is free to maximise his earnings as he so wishes, however, in this country, he is a Swindon asset and if he has agreed to ride for Swindon then he should honour that commitment...or do people not have any scruples anymore? Swindon have loaned out plenty of riders on the basis that the team was sorted. As most people have observed, Morris on his average was crucial to the make up of the side. He would have been a big improver hence why most of us, including me, are not happy. There are not many options available and I would suggest that Swindon may have to release someone else because I cannot see anyone else capable of doing what Morris would do this season on his average. I don't subscribe to withdrawing our assets already agreed at other clubs. We have done those deals and they should be honoured. Our beef is with Morris not Sheffield or Leicester.

surely once a ruling is enshrined in 'case law' then that ruling is binding irrespective of whims and wants of house owners?

certainly knows how to use a brown envelope tho'

I agree with you ER, however, if the choice is a 1950's stadia with speedway or a brand new housing estate and the memories associated with it I know which one I prefer. It's time for Tomlinson to stand up and earn that extra £6k that we all think they thoroughly deserve.

To be honest, I have never understood why people have moaned about the parking. There's a huge free car park 200 yards from the stadium and all people have to do is walk from it. Supporters have chosen to pay £1.50 for the convenience but then spend 10 minutes to get out....the same amount of time to walk to Turnpike Road.

That's good Steve...at least we won't have to listen to the usual boring cliches being trotted out by you during the season.

No...he wasn't 'dumped'. To be 'dumped' he would have to be named in the team. Kyle Howarth was dumped though

Kyle Howarth anyone...

So the Poole team has the capabilities but the Robins don't? You could argue that Batchelor is still improving. He is not that far below GP standard and has stated that last year's financial worries hampered the team, so it is not unreasonable to think there is more to come. I think if he were to get in to the GP's then there would be even more to come as he would be riding at a better level against better riders. Kildemand has increased his average by 4 points in 2 seasons and he has made giant strides over that time. Given his propensity to have thrown away plenty of points by thinking he is Colt Seavers, a more measured approach will definitely reap benefits and no reason why he cannot continue to improve...say 1/2 point? Has Australia introduced a drink and drugs ban since he was last there then?

Sidney Let's deal with facts not opinion. 2013 EL averages Barker 6.47 - Auty 4.90 / PL Average Barker 9.44 - Auty 7.24 2012 EL averages Barker 6.22 - Auty 5.79 / PL Average Barker 9.83 - Auty 8.09 Those averages suggest that you observations are incorrect. It suggests that Auty has regressed considerably as both EL and PL average have reduced by near enough the same amount. Barker has his average based on being number 1 and that alone tells me he is a much better rider than Auty.

I am reading it as no PK either. Who is going to be the new fence inspector at the Abbey? A hugely talented and exciting rider but, unfortunately, it is looking increasingly unlikely he will be in the team this season. Mads has declared he is not at the Stars so one can infer that will be a done deal. Peter Ljung talking about possibly coming back to UK. I think he's on 5.6. Would leave something decent to work with.

A huge blunder you say... I am thinking that when you leave one employment for another you don't generally leave for less money. If Horton has paid him more to ride at Coventry than at Poole then good luck to the lad I say. He was mustard for Swindon last season and would have liked to see him back. Of course, the other huge mistake he has made is to knock several hours off his travelling. What is the boy thinking....

For now. These riders will then become the top riders and they will in turn will ask for more money. The promoters have fiddled (well some clubs have ) whilst Rome has burned to the point where the supporters product has been diluted because the top riders have held speedway in this country to ransom. This is not Sky's fault. They paid monies for a minority sport and brought it back in to vogue and in to the public eye. £100k per year is not an inconsiderable amount of monies if you do your sums properly. It is the responsibility of the promoters to ensure a proper business model and they have failed year after year to take responsibility. It will be interesting to see how much exposure Tai gets in the local and national media on the back of winning of the world championship. He should be a huge plus point in getting the sport back on its feet but can you see the promoters taking advantage of this fantastic opportunity? I do not know the answer but had the issue been addressed 10 years ago as it should have been then the likelihood is that speedway in this country would be on the way back. In the meantime, we continue going backwards in order to go forwards.

you will not get both. If that is the rumoured figure I am not certain you could or would go with PK and Doyley. Birks would be a shoe in on his 3 average but it depends on if he will fully recover from his injury.

so if payment of the 'best pay packet' determines where riders go why did Hans and Batch not ride for Peterborough? Is Frost a bit tight with his money or what?

I'll think you'll find that in general most speedway supporters would say.....dumped! Peter Mandelson has got nothing on you Pirate fans.

I can only echo what, most if not all, Swindon fans have said and that is the best team won. A fantastic performance from the 3 Poole heat leaders who completely dominated our front 3 and were superbly backed up by Tomas and Josh. I couldn't believe what I was watching and knew the writing was on the wall long before heat 14. Only PK and Nick rode to their potential and I would love to see them as the first 2 names for next year. Hans has half an excuse but if he wasn't match fit then we should have had someone else. Troy continues to frustrate and EK after a very promising start needs to have a long look at where he is going. Well done Poole. Good luck for the final.

Nice work

So just the 10 heats tonight.....excellent