Lovey

With only half wit, Mr S is far, far ahead of many who question his approach to life, the universe, and everything. Despite our differences, I am a huge fan of dear old Snacky - or should that be a dear fan of huge old Snacky - because he's got a very realistic outlook. Respect has to be earned, not purchased in a betting shop. If any team comes in with a bid that Lanham finds attractive, there's sod all that Ipswich or Rye House can do. After the publicity gaff about Garrity, it seems that several other teams have been alerted to his transfer request, and the youngster would be even madder than he appears not consider all offers that come his way - and take the one that he thinks is best for him.

There are various criteria used by the BSPA, including: (a) whether it's black bin or green bin collections this week, and (2) which way the wind is blowing when they actually have to make the decision.

Indeed - and Ipswich might also be able to. As a lot of others have pointed out, it's all to do with what Lanham himself chooses.

East Anglian Daily Times this morning (Monday, 19th March), Mike Bacon has speculated : "With Ipswich looking to bring riders in, Lanham is surely the Witches' number one target. He's a Witches asset, lives next door to the track and although he and the Ipswich management were remaining tight-lipped at Rye House, it would be hugely surprising if Lanham turned down the chance to re-join his home-town club, with him only on a short-term contract at Rye House."

Schramm, Wilkinson, Hart ...

I was fully prepared to pay and had offered to do so for anyone who couldn't go. When the main session of the event was on, I was in the Social Club bar and could hear some of the interviews (despite Chelski v Napoli on in the bar and people at the event talking even while Kevin was interviewing). I knew that I would still be able to meet and speak to people outside - mainly smokers! And when several people actually left, I thought I might go in to the room itself. At that stage, there was no-one on the door. I would have happily paid and was ready to buy draw tickets, etc. Surely the fire regs allow for the attendance of an event to be managed throughout the duration, e.g. if the entrance was controlled, people could sign out and new attendees could sign in? I wasn't given such an option - I was simply asked to leave, which i did. No problems at all as far as I'm concerned. PS: I'm not entitled. I'm definitely different - indeed, we are all different (watch "Life of Brian"). I am special - and if anyone in this world doesn't believe they are special then they don't have enough faith in themselves . I was told on Monday that Poole's kevlars were made in Poland ... sorry if that info was wrong. On the main website, the "offending" kevlars are covered by folded arms - which suggests that something will be done: http://ipswichwitches.co/index.php/rider-details.

I tend to agree, but like Cardinal Sin have grown used to the suits and there's a definite smartness to them. When Plymouth rolled up last season looking like they'd been on the street all day selling Big Issue - it made me realise how incredibly unprofessional a bunch of individuals wearing a race jacket can look. I didn't speak to anyone tonight specifically about the suits, because I didn't have a ticket, so couldn't get in. I waited for a while, and after the main interviews, a few people departed (ie. got in their cars and drove off), so I wandered in - but within a few minutes was told to leave because I was not a ticket holder so by being in the room was causing a contravention of the fire regulations. I guess I stood out like a sore thumb because people know me - but there was no-one on the door, so I wonder if anyone else crept in? Trouble is, these days you can't talk about anything like this without offending someone, so I'll shut up now, LOL.

Cock-up is the correct word for this. There are different manufacturers, and some came from Poland ... where they clearly got it wrong! Maybe the riders will be able to get replacements - I guess it depends on proving that the makers got the designs wrong when they set them up. I've no idea what process is used - I would have thought it's all on PC these days . Anyway, as mentioned above, these days the lack of team suits is definitely the most unprofessional approach. I recall Plymouth looking a right rag-tag bunch.

It was clear that Barker was a key figure in getting PL status for Plymouth - a local lad done good who could an ambassador for the sport in the area. I don't think he would have ridden for any other PL club.

From the photo that Jaybea published on Facebook, it looks like Tungate, North & Poole have all got "reversed" Witches. Doolan has got the kangaroo witch logo on his backside, and in the blue areas of his legs you can see designs of a kangaroo on a speedway bike .

Meet The Riders - important clarification - Despite some internet posts to the contrary, this meeting is totally sold out and tickets are NOT available on the night. The venue will be at full capacity and we must comply with the fire regulations in place. We are sorry for those of you who do not have tickets and had hoped to attend, but this event really is sold out. If anyone has got a ticket, but cannot now attend, I would be a very grateful recipient - I will refund the £3 and make a donation to the Ben Fund .

Rye House are 2.33 under with Nelson ... but only 0.2ish with Lanham. In terms of improvement, the Witches appear to have a lot of scope. There's a lot of pressure on Doolan to find the level of scoring he should be capable of. Without double-checking, I'm sure the Sackers Witches have got the lowest average #1 in the PL - three of the Rockets riders (inc. Lanham) have a higher (rolling) Green Sheet than any Witch!

Good news in the Speedway Star, which I hadn't picked-up on before, is that Mat Tresarrieu will indeed be giving the World Longtrack series a miss this year. As a compromise with the French authorities, he has accepted their request that he competes in the 2012 European speedway championships. Not sure what impact that will have on the Sackers Witches - I'm sure Mr Snackette will be cross-checkign the fixture lists .

Unless they served real ale, what's the difference?

When you are talking about amateur riders, the 20:00 start probably allows for them to finish work and get to Compost Corner. PS: Why do we need a separate fixtures and results list? Surely the splendid Live Updates team will do the business?

Very interesting news from the Mildenhall area ... http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate_courses/working_with_schools_and_colleges/enews.html

http://www.lovespeedway24.co.uk/teams/ipswich-witches/lanham_s_world_has_been_turned_upside_down_1_1217389

Move Scunthorpe to the "southern" group? Also, no more than two motorsports events can be staged in any eight day period. I know that doesn't affect attendance at the P&P day, but it shows the restrictions that both Spedeworth (as leaseholders) and Ipswich Speedway (as tenants, renting from Spedeworth) have to work under.

Celebrating Page 69 Next Witches fans event is a quiz at Sibton on Tuesday, 21st Feb - see ipswichwitches.co for more info, or follow on Facebook and/or Twitter.

You missed that one Mr S - it was in response to a comment about a slideshow from the Ipswich Press & Practice ... and I don't think they meant Ipswich, Queensland Have to agree - something more exciting than a slideshow should be available - although of course the Super Seven Super Sackers Witches will be there, so that's quite an entertaining sideshow

It's debateable how "good" the Polish riders are. There's no doubt that they generally have more experience - exactly the same as the Aussies. But moaning is no good - some options need to be suggested and tried. The NL is trying to produce better riders, and it will start to happen, but not instantly - exactly as I mentioned in my reply to your original rant. My solution is to prevent riders such as, e.g. (that means example only and I'm not singling him out) Simon Nielsen, only being allowed to ride in the PL on their assessed average, and not less. It's luaghable that Nielsen, and other young foreign riders, can come back on 3.50-4.00 averages, when they are clearly not capable of achieving that assessed average. If he had to come back on a 7.00, Nielsen would not be such an attractive signing. Using that approach, only the foreign riders who immediately step up to expectations will be employed, while the others will have to go back to their own countries to prove themselves worthy of a British team place. (edited fro rubbish toping )

Cos he hasn't got any British riders that are up to competitive PL standard at the moment ... maybe in 2013, if the lads at Mildenhall make the hoped-for progress. Huge investment in time and effort by Louis, Lee & Jolly, but it will not happen instantly.

I like that idea of "silver wear" - is that what they used when they went skiing recently

In the Speedway Star (21 Jan) Bowden says he is not making money - quote: "Other local professional sports teams have found that finance and attracting spectators seems to be a big problem in Plymouth and I, for one, am no longer prepared to pay to go to work. Setting up a speedway team has personally cost me a lot of money, so I hope that soemone comes forward either to take over or to help out. Then my life can return to a sense of normality, instead of putting in 80 hours a week to provide entertaiment for little reward."