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What a wonderful Idea it was for the BSPA to choose Wednesday as our Fixed Race Night…. 'Brainless' !! At least our Second division teams don't have the worry of clashing with those Danish Teams

Must admit, I wasn't keen travelling to Leicester on a Bank Holiday Monday. The traffic on the A47 can be murder at times, so seeing its on the television makes the decision not to go far more acceptable. I will be disappointed if the Stars cant come away with a couple of points at least, probably even taking the full score of 4. I had hoped Leicester would benefit from the promotional change with the new brush sweeping clean , but unfortunately things haven't turned out that well,. Firmly anchored at the base of the league they are having a rough time with every match getting harder to win. With the Stars still having 3 matches to play against the Lions, these points could have a big bearing on the final placings of the league.. I don't like to prophesise more Leicester gloom, but I'm going for a convincing away win.. 40 -50 ....

That would be my option. Let the club take as much out of it as possible. I don't agree with those who think Poole will steam roller us. The history of results at their place is very patchy. Sometimes we have done well and others we have been poor . Regardless of previous results this year, playing them in the PO would be totally different. I am in no doubt we have enough strength to cause them problems. Whatever the result will be, it will be a close call that can go either way. It would also be wrong to assume we can repeat our success at the NSS. Those previous results only indicate our liking for the big open spaces that Belle Vue offer, Both results have been close and could have easily gone the other way. Assuming the PO teams are Somerset, Poole , BV and KL the 3 matches should be close and exciting, No way will there be any foregone conclusions, Every team will be in with a chance and that has to be good for the sport and the supporters... It will be all about performing on the night.. Three of those PO teams are still in contention for the KO Cup as well, meaning a 'Double' could be on the cards for one of them KL haven't been this close to achieving success for years. Long may the journey continue..

I understand we still have 2meetings to arrange before that cut off day, one against Rebels away, and the other against Leicester at home. I've seen it mention on here that we turn our arranged fixture with Leicester into another 'Double Header'. Has that been officially announced yet, or it that just 'Pie in the sky' We are fast running out of days

The speakers in the Royal Box are just the same. With Kevin on the Mic. with his strong voice, you can just about hear him , but Edwin Overland is so faint its impossible to hear. Even worse is Dale, he speaks so softly its a waste of time putting him on the microphone . I have spoken with Nathan about it , who said he would look into it, but as of yet he has done nothing. Probably its OK when the stadium is empty but come Race Night, they're next to useless. If it wasn't for the enlarged Scoreboard we would never get the information to be able to fill in the program.. They really are that poor.... NB I did notice when I walked round corners 3 and 4 the speaker were much louder and clearer there. Strange that as it was the place where the least people gathered..

It is said the cut-off date is 10th Sept, but would it be possible to race the last fixtures up to and including on that date ?? If so then surely Somerset V KL could be played on that date and make tremendous television. Imagine those 'terrible two commentators ' getting really excited.

Nice thought John, Would rather it be Stars v Rebels

Strange night, but still enjoyed it. Some things you wouldn't believe and others was truly amazing. A big well done to Buster and his team for the track he prepared, and for the staff and Ref for the way the races flowed. What a pity Wolves turned up late, and then with only half a team. The first meeting was an embarrassment, a rout, only kept from the record books by a couple late wins by Sam Masters added to those EF the Stars suffered. if it wasn't for them the score would have been nearer 70 than 60... Although the Stars were on fire, it would have been more enjoyable had Wolves put up more of a fight. It would be wrong to single out Lambert for his majestic display, as all the team to a man contributed to the cause. The only last places the Stars recorded were those wretched EF''s. The absence and subsequent R/R for Niels wasn't a factor for Lynn, but for Wolves Rory was sorely missed... It was amazing how the first meeting flowed. Parade started at 10-2-7. First race dead on the dot at 7pm. Last race finished 8-23pm. that included 3 tape reruns, and 2 EF, I don't believe there were any falls, ( why cant they do this every week???) . Then we had a 40min interval, the second meeting started 9-05pm The first race finished in another 5-1 to the Stars but the time was significantly slower. This was to be a different match, a track much more to Wolves liking. A lot slicker that produced some excellent and close racing. The result was never in doubt but Wolves were now making a fist of it . Thorsell and Masters were consistent heat winners and along with Howarth showed much more appetite to race. Thorsell had the glory of the only man to lower Lamberts colours in a tremendous scrap. Sometimes only inches apart he resisted all Roberts efforts to win a memorable race. Race win of the night has to go to Jorgensen in heat 6 when he races from last to first with his exciting round the board style. Master and Howarth were on a 5-1 before TJ split them . Masters then took to the boards as well, but Jorgensen found the speed when it mattered going to the line. Fantastic race. After a jittery start of the first 4 races, the second meeting flowed like the first. The last race finished at 10-28pm. All 30 races had been run and 6 pts safely in the bank. I felt sorry for Wolves and their fans, In truth they never stood a chance against the rampant Stars. To come here with such a weak team they were like lambs to the slaughter. They will have a hard task to pick themselves up from this mauling. Their chances of making the PO having taken a real jolt. Looking at the league this morning, it appears Somerset, Poole and KL have distance themselves now and that BV , Swindon and Wolves will al be fighting for that last spot. I was more than happy with the nights entertainment and felt it was well worth the extra cost. So A big well done to all concerned...…..

No doubt a strong contender, but not the foregone conclusion they were 2 weeks ago. They have some tough meetings to overcome!!

As time moves on the pursuit for Play-off positions is really hotting up. Acquiring 10 pts in a week, really has brought Belle Vue back into contention. The next two weeks will offer most teams the chance of staking a claim, but also it could be disastrous for teams who slip up. All Monday's fixtures went with home victories, but I m sure they all wont go as each will predict. Looking at the league table, Swindon and BelleVue have both played more matches than the rest, and must be hoping that 'The bird in the hand ' is better than cramming in loads of matches.. Away fixtures are of the utmost importance and offer teams the chance of those elusive bonus points. Tomorrow.s 'Double Header' of KL v Wolves is massive. Winning both matches would push the Stars up into a prime PO position , but losing them would be catastrophic and all but end any hopes of them P/O places. Wolves on the other hand have no pressure should they lose, but if they were successful it would virtually guarantee a P/O place. We are now at the point of the season where every match is of paramount importance....

Very difficult to compare riders from different years, The sport has changed so much it would be wrong to make comparisons like for like. I watched Michael Lee more than most and referred to him as god. There wasn't anything he couldn't do on a bike. Even the most daring moves, he would make look so easy. But would he have been so dominant had he been riding on todays bikes. Who knows?? Speaking with him, he says it's a totally different sport now to when he rode, and it would be wrong to make judgements. These bikes require a different skill, High revving speed machines, that needs the throttle open all the time. Darcy Ward, Shawn Moran, Thomas Gollob were all excellent riders in their time, But there are many more who could be included in any list of greatest riders. Robert Lambert has made big strides this year, and who knows how far he can go. Along with Dan Bewley I believe this country have two of the hottest talent about. Probably, in the future we will be talking about them being in the greatest lists as well..

Cant see Belle Vue being beaten again by Leicester, Should win this comfortable.

Even with a weaker team I can only see a home win. Swindon isn't setting the world alight at the moment, Morris has been a big disappointment, but could still get a point though.....

I wish it was. to me he has a lot to offer, But surely if it was him, the club would have used the occasion to publicise the fact... At present he is a free agent, having only competed in 7 matches, if he were to ride again, A) He would then become a Stars asset, and b): He would be in line for a reduce average.

You can rest assured, if it was somebody decent, it would be broadcasted all over the media. The fact they wish to keep it a secret, suggests it is no one special.

Cant think of any positives to say about the whole exercise. You would have thought we would have learnt from last year. We have had the whole season to sort out our fixtures, but we wait until the time is running out when the only option left is these wretched DH's . If we have to run these why wait till the season's conclusion, and then why race against the same team twice. We could have run a DH in the summer months when there were plenty of vacant dates When doing DH's the last thing you want is holdups, and R/R create more hold-ups than anything. To start the meeting with both clubs using RR is unbelievable. The wasted time, waiting for a rider with two on the trot, will be a massive factor. I find it interesting that both teams didn't agree to forego the RR and opted to use the number 8's in the team proper. Both teams are weakened so it would be the same for both sets of supporters. Least that way would free up the riders from doing 2 on the trot, allowing the meeting a chance to run smoothly. Its never going to be a match to remember. The best we can hope for is, both meetings are completed in the time allowed, nobody getting injured, enough fans turning up to make it viable, and 6 pts to add to our points total. ( I believe Wolves deserve a share as well, even if its only 2) This is a stupid scenario that does nothing for the sport. There can be no winners, all we are doing is bowing to the rules, created by representative of another league.....

Sometimes, life really does kick you in the arse. So sorry to hear of Nicklas and Vitalina plight, Its when you hear of problems like this, it sure puts life into prospective. Best wishes to them both and hope the future turns out better for you...

They say, ' There's none so blind, as those who do not want to see'...… Seeing varied opinions, is the way to form one's own open opinion. It doesn't take a professor to see through the majority of views. Some posters are so blinded, they cant see the wood for the trees, while others are so minded they cant help but bad mouth . There are some who offer a true reflection but it would be wrong to follow only one group of posters. Personally I feel negatives views are very welcome and can offer alternative ideas, Posters, who can see no wrong, can be tiresome , even when the wool is pulled over their eyes, they still justify it. That's why I prefer a view a wide spectrum of opinions. To me, those moaning posters are as important than those who see no wrong...

Please don't count me in those talking bad about Andersen, I have always thought he had the makings of a decent rider, who has been unfortunate with injuries. I was amazed when Dale announced last week, his intention of keeping Simon in the team. He to me is a one trick pony who we can use as a last resort when the needs be, but no way is he good enough to retain his team position. It must be hard to come over here, having never seen/raced on our varied track, but even in the short time he has been here, Jasper has shown enough ability to show he will become a decent rider. I wasn't surprised to see him scoring big points, I just hope he gets the opportunity to regain his team position.

I don't blame Lynn for the FRN vote, but they must accept some of the blame about the fixture congestion. To agree to run a Double Header can only be as a last resort. To agree to do it against the same team is madness, but to do it without your top rider (Niels) , or your top reserve (MPT) is totally pointless. Riding without those two riders we are easy picking for any of the teams, surely it would make more sense to ride a single match against Wolves ( as originally planned) and invite Wolves back as the second match when we play against Poole the following week. Least that way we only give Wolves one easy match opportunity instead of 2. Surely it cant be fair on other teams if we are force to field a weaker team, especially on a run in to the POs

This season could have been the best we have witnessed for a long time. Eight teams, all of similar strength and each capable of winning matches. It was even suggested each team had a chance of winning the league. It was to be that competitive. The FIM had opened the door, prioritising our race days, giving us the freedom of fixture planning. The ball was firmly in BSPA's court to make this a season to remember. Then WHAM !! at the AGM , the members take a vote that destroys everything. This vote should never have been sanctioned. The BSPA should have been strong enough to implement the FIM guidelines, and instructed teams that the FRN will be Monday and Thursdays. The fixture schedule would be free to use every week to amply plan the fixtures, even giving allowances for cancellations. That vote on Wed or Thurs, although it was seen only as a preferred race night for CL teams, was in actual fact far greater importance than that. It was a vote on not using Danish riders and riding on a night we have no priority. It was obvious from the outset this could only create problems. Talk about a sport shooting it self in the foot. Here we are with less then a 3 weeks to go, and we still have 22 matches to run. That in its self is an utter farce. There is no way all these fixture will be completed. The first of DH's has been arranged for next week, and because of that vote about priority, there will be riders missing.. If teams are unable to fulfil their fixtures, the season loses all creditability. What could have been a monumental season is destined to end in disaster. All because of that mindless VOTE !!!

It has been said that NKI has ridden more Wednesdays in Denmark than he has at Lynn this year. It was only Wednesday, just gone, that Stars forwent a FRN because some team-members were missing, because of commitments clashes abroad. Now we hear we have to miss a topman when in a double header. ( A double calamity) RR has to be a NO-NO, that alone could add 20mins to the length of the meeting. The only Option is to go 'cap n hand' and BEG Bewley to help us out....

They say a person who doesn't make mistakes don't do anything. Its so easy to proportion blame to someone who gets off his arse and leads from the front, rather than those who do nothing. Probably, we should look deeper than the obvious choice. Speaking with Buster recently about his chairman role, , he said you can lead a horse to water but you cant make it drink. This so symbolises the situation at the BSPA. a self centred group, motivated by their own existence for far too long. There was no way this was, or will ever, change.. I don't always agree with Buster, but I respect him for the work he does. If there were more people like him, our sport would be far better, and on a more secure footing than it is at present..

I disagree with that, the brain will take a preference from previous experiences, whether its good or bad would depend on how that experience were. I'm a positive minded person, but cannot turn a blind eye to the massive gamble and reality of running Double Headers especially against the same team.. As a supporter to the end , I will pay my dues and go, supporting the team and hoping all goes well. Such a massive gamble for both teams, where one incident could destroy a season's work in a single night.

The Cook situation tonight really highlights everything wrong with the way our sport is run. Never in a million years would the general public believe that a second division club can have priority over a top league club. Cook has only been riding in the second division for 5 mins, yet BV has to use a guest, and you wonder why the sport is looked upon so badly...