ChubbyChesgire

Well done Lee. A future star definitely

Stock cars are ok - but as it's not a team event, you don't really care who wins ! We make it interesting by picking a car each on the start line and the one who picks most winners wins a prize !

Lee Payne has signed http://www.speedwaygb.co/news.php?extend.23328

Stoke don't usually make any announcements until after the NL AGM - so we won't hear anything for a while.

To be fair, the season was nearly over at the beginning of September which we complained about, they rearranged one for later - which pleased us, but then bad weather hit every rearrangement.

Oh yes, I don't think the decor has been touched since it opened 40 years ago ! A smile....I think we're hoping a bit much there ! Of course we had DJ Bart for the start of last year and that was really good - sadly due to all the rain offs followed by poor crowds DT decided to stop that. Hopefully we will see Chris back again next year. The most important thing - a lot pulled out when we dropped to NL, but with the success we had in that first year, the crowd grew, but then the last two years have been painful, losing badly at home on too many occasions does not encourage you to drop everything to watch speedway.

Derek has confirmed on Facebook that we haven't gone bump - so that's a relief

Numbers have been low this year - the poor performances earlier in the year not helping and no doubt last years bad weather and on/off performances, may have led to some supporters finding other things to do. I've only been to the stox once, right at the start back in 2011, the crowd was quite big, much bigger than the speedway, don't know if they maintained that.

The Stoke website has been suspended since Friday, and there have been no explanations on Facebook or Twitter (although neither DT nor Mal go on there, there are a few club officials who do, so could pass on a message) - a bit concerning

Didn't see you there, you should have come and said hello ! Sad to say, but I agree with all the negative comments about Lee - his heart does not seem in it and he is carrying far too much timber, although he seems to have lost a bit since the beginning of the season. Yes he should have a chance to rebuild his career, but he just isn't a number 1 at the moment - if his average is due to be reassessed, then it is worth keeping him, and using the spare plus Ben's to get a new no 1 (if there are any out there), as having Lee in the main team would give us a strong side. As for rest of team Chessell looked good, and was apparently ill, hence not being in heat 15, Priesty had engine problems, Kyle rode well, as did Lee Payne, you could see his confidence returning with each ride - but the meeting should have never been that close as Kent really only had 2 riders (but it has to be said they are fantastic riders - another class altogether). Yes the tac ride made it closer than it should have been (and the heat 15 disqualification odd for a turn 1 fall), but really we were only doing so well because of well placed r/rs. Hopefully with the new averages and a new signing, we will become less erratic - it may make meetings exciting - but it ain't good for the nerves !

An interesting post on FB by Kyle Hughes re last night backs up a lot of the comments - Riding good again tonight and bang 2nd blowup this week, looks like im on the sidelines again ****** off with the robbing ****** in the sport how can us brits move forward like this! Also may explain his up and down form

Talking of big lads, and I know this is rich coming from me, but I think Smarties form would improve if he shed a few pounds, he's carrying quite a lot of timber atm.

So you are writing the team off after one weak away performance ? I dunno what you've got against Mal, but I have nothing but respect for the man.

I agree Vog !

Yes it's having strong reserves that can make huge differences at this level - it was the same for us 2 years ago, when we had Sarge and Readey down at reserve. Barring any injuries, IOW look unstoppable atm, but it's a long season, and things have a habit of unravelling in the play-offs - and the best team of the year don't always win - like it did for us 2 years ago and Dudley last year