g13webb

No doubt the Shale issue will come back to haunt us. We have only managed 15 meetings in the first 4 months of the season. I've lost count of the number of rain-offs we've had. We now have to 13 meetings left to squeeze in the last 6 weeks before the playoffs. Our next meeting is away to Swindon 4th Aug. followed by Poole at home on the 11th . We don't stand a chance in hell of getting them all completed......

Just for a minute, like to go back to a special day, Good Friday morning 1975, against Leicester . We had a tremendous SNOW storm so much so some of the roads were blocked , stopping some of the riders from getting there. The teams were made up with junior riders, this being Michael Lees debut meeting. The track was extremely wet with lots of shale. Not only was there 13 heats of the main match but also a starlet meeting that followed. Racing was in an abundance, Michael Lee passing Ray Wilson 3 times during the match. The point I'm trying to make is; the wet conditions didn't automatically deem the track unraceable. The riders wanted to race it was their bread and butter and probably there only way of earning a crust, and the bikes were less powerful but,more controllable in adverse conditions. What happen at Lynn the other night was an accumulation of circumstances of how our sport has become.. The tracks now are useless in the wet and offer no grip, The riders don't give a damn about riding in adverse conditions, and the bike are far more powerful and are hard to control in these conditions.. Buster, like me is old school. He can remember these days when the riders rode these track and feels if he can trouble to get the track ready they should race it, regardless of the danger. But these bikes are hard to control slowly, its not just a issue of controlling the speed, these bike are all or nothing... Sad how our sport has become. But unless we have major reinvention it will not change. To me.... Give me the old days everytime.......

It was so obvious to any one watching, the track was not racable. There were 4 races started, and in each one there were instances of the riders in trouble. The track was wet, inconsistent and very slippery. The shale that Buster uses don't appear to work that well in the wet and the track becomes unraceable. Years ago when it rained the track stood up better as the water drained away. Now there is nowhere for the water to run, the track gets sodden and with faster bikes, there always going to be issue with safety. We need better tracks, slower bikes and covers to keep the tracks dry..... What we don't need is Promoters accusing Riders for not racing...... I'm with you Rory........

Yet another nail into that coffin tonight. A truly terrible evening. I have sympathy for Buster, I have sympathy for the fans; and no way do I blame the riders. Without doubt, the sport was the biggest loser tonight. Some supporters will have left tonight, never to be seen again. The untimely rain shower had a lot to answer for. It couldn't have come at a worse time with damning consequences. Yes its easy to understand why Buster wanted to meeting to run. The financial implications must be horrendous.... The riders risk life and limb every meeting so obviously want a safe track to race on, so no complaints there. But the Fans and supporters should be considered more in situations like this and any decision should be made bearing them in mine. TO ask them to wait around hoping the meeting goes ahead is wrong. I joined in after the rain when the skies were blue. Big crowds had assembled at the box offices I believed the meeting was going ahead. That was until I saw the track. It was a disgrace. there were clods 6" big near the start area. No way was this track ready to race....... In hindsight it should have been cancelled then. If there had been any doubt at this time then it should have been called. The punters and kids could have gone home. I admire Buster endeavour and determination to remedy the track, but is it right the paying public having to wait 2 hrs, not knowing whether it be on or off. To me that was a bad call, but it was made for personal reasons only...... A bad day for all concerned...... It did nobody any favours......

With you on that.. Huckenbeck has had more than enough opportunities and has failed everytime....... Seeing what he achieves aboard only adds insults to how he rides over here.... He has proven ability when motivated, but it is not seen on a regular basis...

9am ..At the moment mate, the sun is shining and a good day expected. The forecast thundery showers is not expected here, only in the north..... Fingers crossed........

I thought we had seen the last of Kai Huckenbeck. Am disillusioned with this chap who appears uninterested, and rides with no passion at all. Started out the season OK but has gone from bad to worse ever since. The thinking of selecting him into the side in preference to Porsing is beyond me. He has done nothing for months now. Its been so long since he performed well, I can't remember when it happened. and yet he has been selected to ride again tonight.... I thought when Busk Jacobsen joined the team, it was a breath of fresh air. He was everything you want in a new rider. A fast gater who could mix it with whoever. He scored more points in one meeting than Huckenbeck had done all year. Huckenbeck was now just a distant memory. But apparently not....... Whatever the reasons for using Huckenbeck, they are unacceptable. When we lost at home to Coventry, He was pathetic Not only last everytime, but showed no presence or interest in the proceedings at all. To expect the public to part with their hard earnt to watch him is wrong. I thought our season had turned the corner and we were competitive again...but now I'm not so sure...... Terrible decision......

Sure hope all goes well and you have a enjoyable night......

Never have I said there is no passing at Monmore, The track is notorious for riders getting the corners wrong and many passes are created by errors. Some riders have the wrong idea of the fastest line, some go chasing the dirt when the inside line could be quicker. No there are many passes, but what I pointed out that when a home rider hits the front he usually knows the quickest route and therefore how to keep the opposition behind him....

A wonderful acquisition, tailor made replacement for Wolves who has ridden many years on the Monmore track and has loads of experience he can share with others... An Adam's master-stroke that virtually guarantees Wolves a place in the Play-Offs....

The long straights and sharp corners make the track unique. Seasoned riders have the experience needed to be competitive, whereas new younger riders can find the fast straights and slow corners more of a problem. I have heard many riders say ' If you make the gate and ride the right line, they're not many people who will come by.... Not being rider I wouldn't know. But having watched many a meeting at Wolves, I've watch many races when the rider in front has had followers all over him but still hasn't been able to pass. .... ...

Never in a million years did I expect that result. For Swindon to supply just won race winner says it all. Always felt Monmore gives a massive home advantage and where gating is doubly important. But when a No1 rider like Dolye, don't win a race, then Wolves had to be impressive. Only a couple weeks back, the Robins looked good against Coventry where all their riders performed well. Obviously against Wolves, they didn't have the same attitude and suffered the consequences. In Doyle they have a proper No1. but the rest, fall a bit short of being heat leaders.. although all good riders, they are a step down to where they want to be.... With this new race format, a team needs either 'strong heat-leaders' or 'Strong reserves' but Swindon don't have either. their strength is their second strings. For many meetings Doyle has been their saviour. They are in desperate need of someone to step up to help him. I always felt Swindon could struggle when the meetings start coming thick and fast. No doubt they will perform better at Lynn on Wednesday, as the AFA is more forgiving than most tracks. But personally I think the Stars will be too strong, now they have 3 good heat leaders, and decent reserves. If Swindon gets a point there, they'll do well. Thursday, at home against Belle Vue could be massively important. Belle Vue are capable of winning every match, so Swindon will need to perform on the day to get anything from the meeting. With Lakeside away, waiting on Friday, it doesn't get any easier....

Of your 3 away meetings this week, I would have thought this was the best chance to get something from the weakened Wolves side. All away meetings are though so to come away with a point against a team who goes well at home has to be good.... Go for a close home win.....

Well whatever.... But one things for sure it will be a lot harder now compared to the poor showing we made at the Abbey earlier. This time, we will have a team who will try, plus Sedgman won't be scoring 18points either.

A personal take on the league so far: Wolves are sitting pretty, they have points in the bag and still have 7 home meeting to go. Will acquire a PO place . Belle Vue, Blows hot and cold, 7H and 5A should be safe but will drop some points along the way. PO place. Swindon: Appear good at home, suspect away. 4H and 7A . Will need more pts away to be safe. Lakeside: Although consistent at home, are weak away with 5H and 4A Squeaky Bum time. Poole: Not the force they were, Still to hit top form, 7H and 7A have plenty time left. to get a PO place. Kings Lynn. Dropped silly points at home. can do better both home and away. With 5H and 8A can do some damage to others hopefuls.. Coventry: Again dropped silly points, With weak Reserves will struggle to win enough meeting for the PO Leicester: Wooden spoon team that tries hard with no reward. with 3H and 5A Enough Points will always be hard to achieve. WS

Can you wonder why our sport is in such desperate state. The behavior of the Promoters last night was a disgrace. Their deceitful way they take our money is unforgivable. There are people, serving time inside, for doing less than the fraudulent exercise that these Promoters do to their supporters. Was it too much to ask to be treated fairly, and have the monies returned, at the time of the cancellation, to all those who wished. These fraudulent promoters, who do not return monies, Do it, hoping to benefit from this underhanded practice at the expense of the most important element of the sport. THE FANS.... I wont go to Leicester Speedway again. That'll be the last time they get anything from me......

And all the other teams in the league. We are, but half way through this season and results have proven anything can happen. I would wager a bet that the top teams will be in a different order come the end of the season. Some teams have ridden more than other, but they are not that many points in front. For you to dismiss 3 teams at this early stage is very short-sighted. Obviously certain teams are more fancied than others, but there are many points to be played for before any conclusions can be made........

Sidney, they will have to score big because that's where Leicester's strength lie. Have no doubt our top riders will score the majority of our points, but hopefully all will score some. On their day most of our riders can gate. Even Robert Lambert has upped his game and making more of them starts now. I'm feely quite optimistic......

After watching you at the AFA on Wednesday, and thinking how weak you were, I was absolutely amazed how you performed at Belle Vue last night. Against a team, many have predicted to win the Elite this year, you exceeded all my expectation to earn a point. So well done for doing that.... Probably tonight will be a lot harder than I first imagined.....

I think you have the numbers right, just got the teams in the wrong order . Can see the Stars getting an away win..

Although the Stars are not considered to be a top team, The difference between them and Leicester are an ocean apart. It was good to see all the riders coming to the party and each won at least one race. But before we get complacent the Lions were so weak and could only supply 3 heat winners. The score could have been more disastrous had it not been for EF and stupid exclusions. I expected us to win well so wasn't disappointed. Feeling optimistic about our chances now, to compete for those playoff places. A much better performance than those of late.....

Of all the riders used and tested since the introduction of this EDR scheme, Paul Starke must be the rider who has benefitted and progressed the most. Turned into a real quality rider that all clubs would want.. When, If and Maybe, the EDR is run next year, Paul Starke will be the first choice rider on every clubs list. .. Just wondering what list they will use to rank the riders???????

Not wanting to diminish Coventry's win, but we made it rather easy for you. Any team would have beaten us that night. We only had 2 riders capable of winning heats. The fact Coventry has 3 good heat leaders gave them a massive advantage. A lot has happened at Lynn since then, as Monday night showed. Also Leicester don't have the heat leaders Coventry have and rely heavily on the reserves. A thrashing is not the word I would use, But I expect us to win at home and hopefully get a point away as well.....

I am more confident than usual we can win this one. Our track invites team to race and consequently the opposition is always on the front foot. Lynn as a team have been suspect at home, never having all the riders fighting the cause.. Time and again we have seen the Stars being carried by the same 2 or 3 riders. I feel we are now turning the corner, Batchelor is getting back on track to what he use to do, Rose has upped his game we all knew he had, Busk Jacobsen is a revelation, all of them ably assisting Niels and Robert. Plus, Mr Motivator ( Rory) showed on Monday, although rusty, he's on the pace and it won't be long because he to is winning races. It can only get better... Seen also Lewis Kerr is guesting for us in place of Simon Lambert. He should be an adequate replacement. (Hope it makes him realise that this is the team he should've been riding for.....) Leicester always rides well here, but I think this time we'll be too strong. Prediction: A big home win by more than 10... ( 10 would be a big win for us !!) ​

You must have gone to a different meeting than the one shown on Sky last night. This meeting had everything. Only 6 races were FTG. in the other 9 there was overtaking somewhere. ( Check the updates website) The reason you were crap to start with, was because the Stars were on a mission. the way the Bees responded was commendable. The fact the meeting was decided in the last race was a fitting finale to a wonderful meeting. I thought you were better than that, Those sour grapes aren't very sweet..