Steve Irving

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04bkg82 2:35.50 to be precise if anyone fancies a listen

So King can ride for Ipswich after all so that's 1 and 7 sorted (King and Hume), just fill in 2-6.

Think there's far too much smoke for there to be no fire TBH. We'll find out later today one way or the other.

That confused me also. This AGM is for the EL and PL, the NL have their own AGM at a later date. So if Lakeside can't declare to run EL by the start of this AGM, then surely they can't declare to run PL yet either?

Spot on with all those. Would add Snooker and "whispering" Ted Lowe too.

Ipswich? I've heard that one myself the last few days..

"Agreed, it'll be wider, rounder, perfect camber and smoother in 2017. Lots of work planned for the winter. .." That was the tweet by Chris Louis in reply to Sam Masters who wasn't exactly waxing lyrical about the track when Edinburgh visited. As Foxhall will be my "home" track next season, I'm looking forward to see how the changes affect the racing. Hopefully in a positive way.

Well done to Danny King, beating Craig Cook's track record in what would probably be the last official meeting on the current track given the proposed alterations over the winter?

No idea Scooby..

Think that was in reference to your "cracker" comment as in Jacobs Crackers. Could be wrong though

Oh I get that bit he seems a strange chap indeed, I meant generally besides him the whole thread seems a little bizarre in the main! Scotsman's post above just about confirmed it LOL.

I genuinely haven't a clue what's going on in this thread. Not a clue.

🖕🏻

The Sheffield fans also seem to be saying similar as well. Seems to be a trend unfortunately and there's an ever decreasing number of tracks that seem to be serving up good Speedway on a regular basis. Even in the EL King's Lynn (which always had a good rep for producing good racing) has come under fire in recent seasons, mostly from their own supporters.

Gating is a skill you either have or haven't got. The sport has been riddled with riders down the years who were notoriously bad gaters and vice versa. Mark Loram for example was a poor gater his entire career and could never master it despite working hard at it. I think you're correct Baldyman, you either have quick reflexes or you don't.

Actually looking forward to this! Quite enjoy my visits to worky.

No that's fair enough and like you rightly say, each to their own. I was just a little confused at your post that seemingly started off anti EL and pro PL, (because you don't want to watch has beens like Nicholls), and then in the very same post seemed to become anti PL by naming journeyman riders who ride PL (Risager and Covatti) who are no longer good enough to be wanted in the EL. The PL has seen plenty of riders use it as a retirement home who can no longer cut it in the EL. We could even see in a year or 2, the rider you don't want to watch, drop down a league and become predominantly a PL rider for his closing years.. The argument of preferring being competitive in the PL rather than struggle in the EL is a valid one, and one I'm sure is shared by plenty of others. But I don't think Chris Louis would risk ailing crowds by moving up and not being competitive. Things got pretty hairy last time if I remember rightly? and I'm sure he wouldn't risk Ipswich' future if he wasn't confident of at least being competitive.

You're contradicting yourself there Baldy. On one hand you don't want to see the club join the EL to watch has been riders like Nicholls, and then make the point that Risager and Covatti are journeyman has beens that don't get a sniff of EL racing and are PL riders only, the league you want to remain in? That doesn't make an awful lot of sense to me.

Nicholls has had a good year to be fair.

I'll be coming to this one too. My last chance to see Redcar until we visit Ipswich next season as I'm moving down south in a few weeks. Seeing less of Redcar might not actually be a bad thing mind!

I think Louis will look to move Ipswich up whether they win the play offs or not IF there is anything concrete in the current rumour. Rumour is just the two leagues next season with the PL a weaker product than it currently is to accommodate the NL teams and riders. Can't see Louis sticking around for that personally but we'll see.

Depends which league Ipswich are in regarding Jacobs I'd have thought. If they stay Premier then he's almost certain to return after impressing this season. He's one of the main reasons Ipswich fought their way back in to a play off spot and still has an average that could fit him in at reserve next year. On Garrity, as exciting as he may be, he's one rider I wouldn't want anywhere near my team. Ideally you want a happy camp with good team spirit to help be successful as a team, and for that reason Garrity wouldn't get a look in for me.

Hopefully it produces good racing. I'll be moving down to Bury St Edmunds in a few weeks so Foxhall it will be for my Speedway fix next year. One concern though if they take the inside line in again is that it will in effect shorten the track further. The first alterations took the length from 305 meters to 285, so any further reductions will take it in to Lakeside territory..

No 2017 Witches thread yet which there shouldn't be with this season far from over, but very interesting tweets from Chris Louis today.. "Agreed, it'll be wider, rounder, perfect camber and smoother in 2017. Lots of work planned for the winter. ..👍" That in reply to Sam Masters who was having a whinge about the grippy Foxhall track. When then asked whether it was track shape or surface that was changing, Louis replied "both". So after those extensive alterations a few years back to widen the track, it seems as though he's not entirely satisfied and will work on it again this winter. Interesting.

As expected really. Edinburgh outclassed on the night.