Pinny

Great to see Oxford back. Now for Swindon, Newport, Exeter, Reading etc

Have to admit the new Site is absolutely terrible - takes forever to load on phone, laptop and desktop and is hard to navigate imo. Since websites have been designed to be mobile friendly , a lot of websites in general have taken a downturn in standard but at least most of them load quick. This new BSPA site is just horrendous on every level. Surely needs sorting.

Agreed, Barker despite having his issues at times off track is pure box office on it and dirty he is not.

If Auty is using old machinery at the moment , i doubt he is the only one! I do agree though that he has probably lost the bug for the sport. A year off through covid as well as a seperation / divorce will hit some hard for sure.

Harris is notorious for having engine failures galore in the opening months before finishing the year strongly . Ask Coventry fans.

So who is Allens replacement????? Is it Zagar?

So whats the go with Wilson Dean and Roynon? Wiping him out after the race has finished seems a bit low ?

You never know. One suspects that if Iversen starts well for Lynn, it will be hard for both parties to replace him. Obviously we will see though. regarding Belle Vues mess of team building , even with Allen they still look a half decent side which could be worrying for other sides considering they have room to sign another top rider after a few weeks .

Plenty of young riders have dominated in the third tier/ conference league/ whatever its called these days , but not gone on to big things when moving up a league. Martin Williams and Barrie Evans are two that spring to mind. Evans as a 15/16 year old was touted as being a superstar and was poor at best in the PL. Kemp may well turn out to be better of course but has had a few seasons in the second tier now and his average hasnt improved a great deal

Birmingham need about a 1000 a week to keep going and look like fielding another awful side , struggling to see how they make the end of the season tbh.

Its up there though. Imagine a newbie attending BV and Woffy scoring a max , then newbie going to Ipswich a week later and asking why Woffy isnt there. “Because he can only be bothered to ride home matches”

True . Out of all declared riders so far thought, Doyle would be my number one choice. Full of effort, entertaining , points machine and actually enjoys riding in the UK. Loved him in his half season at Newport.

Even if Doyle isn't his once dominant self, he should still ease to an 8.5 average in this league at least. Also, you know that he will never give anything other than 100 percent.

Are people really arguing over 0.01? Despite the team being officially confirmed with the BSPA? Jesus.

Think we done it as well with Neath and Appleton in 1999

In all fairness , in I think 2007 , some of the racing at Newport was superb. We had a rubbish side on paper , Rajkowski had replaced Craig Watson during the winter, but ended up being half decent for us. I think we ended up about 10th but there was plenty of last heat deciders and some awesome racing. That said, I would still of preferred poorer racing and better results as would the majority of people.

Wouldnt of been a certain Mr Gjedde your talking about, would it?

Elkins I thought wasnt too bad a rider , just had more engine failures than every other combined but when he completed four laps he didnt seem too bad. I remember him coming out in heat 15 one year at Newport and ruining either Wato or Anders maximum and done pretty well that night in the return leg back at Reading.

People constantly give Shovlar stick and say he is the main embarrassment to the promotion and club in general, but I would say Lisa Collette and Starman are by far and away the worst two.

Shovvy gives far more to this forum than you do to be honest. Has been on here since before you were born probably . Hes quality.

What strikes me as quite alarming, is the fact that the internet and social media in particular have gained in popularity over the years whilst this forum is getting quieter and quieter by the month. The winter months on here used to be full of discussions, anticipation for the new season and new signings etc... nowadays it really is flat on here barring a few threads.

Has he ever done anything to prove he is?

Gating tuition from Chris Harris? Surely not

Not many were better out the gate than Anders. He had a right set of elbows on him into the first bend as well, as Phil Morris will confirm. Thats one of the things about him every one liked , all the so called dirty riders would come to Newport and he would sort them straight out. in his later years at Newport he progressed to being more than just a gater too and would often miss the gate and pick the opposition apart. Great days , the sport could do with more like him now for sure.

Think you got that wrong , Anders wiped Stoney out at Sheffield and Stoney chased him with a shovel. i remember the 1999 season anders and frank smart ended up 3&4 for newport and Anders out gated Stoney. Stoney was all over him like a rash but the minute hed of made a move, Smartey would of been through. Superb action. Always loved Anders as a Wasp fan but Stoney was awesome entertainment. i will add , in my long time as a Wasp fan, Stoney was prob the opponent i always looked forward to riding at newport as far as opponents go. Superb style , awesome rider, panto villain and a top bloke. Awesome stuff