pointsmeanplayoffs

I know what you mean, cracking idea that! The 28 match nature of the rolling average should mean that the average are not so volatile though. The Lambert example you use though is a good one, as he was on an assessed average to begin with of 3.00 so his average is likely to change more until he gets 28 meeting under his belt. I don't actually see many second strings scoring that crazily high though....might start another thread on this topic....

All good points but there is the flexibility for teams to put their top 3 riders at any of the 1-3-5 positions. Up to the team manager to choose to cover these heats by putting his best rider at 3 if he's that worried. This is one instance which gives the team manager the tactical input they so sought during the winter when the new race format was being agreed.

Shame no Blackbird, was looking forward to seeing him ride at the Norfolk Arena. Who is his parent club of Lewis Blackbird? Have Peterborough bought him? And if so, will he end up at Lynn on loan like the other top Panther's riders? Had he been available he'd have ridden for Eastbourne no? I think the limit is 4 appearances, funnily enough me and my Dad had this conversation on the way home in the car last night - we need to keep a few top FTR picks in the bag just in case......

Absolutely right. Blackbird coming in for Kerr (who after all has hardly scored any points this season) was the difference last night. Is it nice on whatever planet you're living on?!? Kerr scored 7 from 3 completed rides at Monmore earlier on in the season, against a stronger Wolves reserve pairing so to pin Stars success on Blackbird replacing Kerr is a nonsense. If you are going to be bitter, at least cite the other guest booking Max Fricke as the 'difference' - he was superb last night and his 8 paid 10 haul compares favorably to Porsing's early season score in the reverse fixture when he was riding on the track for the first time. Bored of whenever a team does well it's down to the FTR system, or when they lose it's down to the FTR system. Speedway is a team sport with numerous factors affecting the results. Last night, perhaps if Pawlicki's engine hadn't ceased in his first ride and Ty Proctor not had bike issues it could have been closer....

He saw the race was over before he left the track. He's a professional after all.

Superb from the Stars last night, a victory due in no small part to some exceptional guest performances from some canny bookings from Rob. Blackbird was superb again, I wouldn't say he made every gate but his moves around and inside opponents on turns 1 and 2 meant he usually hit the back straight in the lead. Quality stuff. As for Max Fricke, I'd heard he was a fan of Monmore before hand, but I was impressed with his determination especially with his elbows out going in between both Wolves riders in one heat. Looks a class act that lad. Can't understand Niels getting stick for retiring in heat 1. The track was like a mud pie at the start and after staring off gate 4 he was quickly filled in at the back and simply couldn't see when he slowed and removed his goggles and left the track once he saw the 4-2 was in the bag. What's the big deal?

We're off again! 1....

Anyone know what engine Tai will be using tonight?!? The fast one for the GP's or the slow one for the EL ?!?! Let's hope we get a 'nice clean fight' with the referee going un-noticed. I anticipate the Stars will come home with something which will make the journey home much more pleasant.

R/R confirmed for Davey Watt, hope his back gets better soon, he was a great guest for the Stars earlier this season. Big losses for both sides now, a hard meeting to call indeed and should be nice and close. Would love for the Stars run to continue but realistically think we'll come away with point thanks to Niels banging in another big score.

Can't imagine Lakeside will be able to find a suitable gurst at such short notice, R/R looks likely. Hope the meeting still goes ahead though as I'm leaving work early travelling down for this one. Nice cockles at Lakeside.

Those lenses would need to react pretty quickly!!! I'm still in favour of 2 hot air balloons with a giant tarpaulin hanging down between them. Said tarpaulin could also be branded and would be an excellent sponsorship opportunity : )

Don't be silly! We are a nation of glorious failure with a natural affection to the underdogs. You only have to look at the stick Woofy has been getting recently to see how we treat winners. Such a nonsense. Probably fuelled by our pantomime media where everyone is either a 'goodie' or a 'baddie'.

Pretty sure it was 9 points inc the TR. Would rather have a team of 7 riders as well chosen guests tend to score more points than R/R rides yield.

The meeting last night was dis-jointed but if you can’t see down the home straight because of the sun there’s not much you can do?!? Better to have a sun delay than a rain off so you’ll not find me whinging. Nice of Buster to hold his hands up about the track, what a genuine and humble man he is. As for the racing, I was v. worried after 6 heats with the Aces taking 3 heat advantages including versus Rory and Kenneth. However, Iversen sorted out his bike gremlins and then looked majestic, and you can’t help but be impressed with Porsing and Lambert – so much for weak second strings?!?! I was looking forward to 3 Iversen v Zagar contest but in the end I didn’t get 1 due to combination of bike problems and attitude problems. Nice to see Cookie ride better at the Norfolk Arena, maybe gating well enough to get into Team GB. Cannot figure BV out, they look strong on paper but it just doesn’t seem to translate into EL points.

I knew Bjerre was being replaced with Nicholls, and Kerr by Blackbird, but I didn't realise that Porsing was missing as well?!? Why is he out? R/R for him would make it really tough.

14....

Never mind Pawlicki last week, Zagar is the best opposition rider around the NA this season in my opinion. Looking forward to Iversen v Zagar 3 times. Worth the £16 entrance fee alone potentially. That is Elite League speedway action at it's best. Simon Lambert is booked then according to Stars twitter feed.

Another decent forecast for Wednesday night at the Norfolk Arena, teams are according to the Stars website. Wait and see who'll we get to cover Lewis Kerr. King’s Lynn Stars 1. Niels-Kristian Iversen 2. Nicklas Porsing 3. Rory Schlein 4. Robert Lambert 5. Kenneth Bjerre 6. Guest TBC 7. Lewis Rose Belle Vue Aces 1. Matej Zagar 2. Richie Worrall 3. Scott Nicholls 4. Michael Palm Toft 5. Craig Cook 6. Lee Payne 7. Stefan Nielsen Would take a 2 pt home win right now!

No panic, just gutted for the local lads who have been an integral part of a wonderful season so far. Injuries are part of speedway, every team will have them at some point. Is there any specific news on Lewis Rose? Will he be fit for Wednesday?

Gutted. Just gutted. Hope both lads take the time needed to make full recoveries. 10 meetings before the WC break, hopefully have a few rain offs in that lot?!? All the FTD riders we get in to cover will not score as well as #teamlewis.

They are PROMOTERS what do you expect?!? They focus on the positives and gloss over the negatives. It's not in the promoters interests to shout about the fact that they are cutting budgets/rider quality is it? You're not going to attract/retain new supporters by admitting the 'product' is weaker are you? Do they actually need to mention the cost saving to it's members?!?! It's pretty obvious when you see a young UK rider at reserve and not someone like Thomas H Jonasson as in recent years!!! Surely the fact that we still have 10 clubs up and running in the EL is proof enough of promoters being able to cut costs.

Are you seriously saying that the FTD system ISN'T helping develop young UK riders though? Yes, it may help to cut costs too, but it does help young UK riders as well. What's the problem with either of those?

.....13.....

Are you not a fan of the draft system?!? 2nd halves are quite common nowadays with the development league etc and there are also usually young lads doing a practice lap or two at the end of the meeting. Don't see why one of these riders couldn't be used as a number 8 to cover EITHER team in the event of a 'ht 9' like last night. Although the idea of No's 2 and 4 covering withdrawn reserves looks good on paper, it would open things up to cynical manipulation which let's face it happens rather too much in our sport as it is.

It did happen, I was standing on the entrance to turn 3 and his wheels were on the grass. Gino was covering the inside of the track, only way for Fish to pass was cross-country. Summed his determination up on the night, Fish was imperious, he did not want to get beat.