Ommer Mon

Totally agree. It was great to see him on TV at the World Cup recently with the possibility that he is going to try car racing. Long may those positive thoughts continue. I regarded him as the rider of his generation and really looked forward to him competing with Sayfutdinov for the World title for many years to come. Have to confess I saw those two turning it into a two horse race (especially when Greg is over 50!). Like Erik in 1989 I think his approach to recovery has been inspirational for many others in a similar situation. Good luck to Darcy for the future - stay strong!

Only visited once with Cradley and that was a long time ago. I seem to recall it as a big open track that produced good racing that day. I think Alan Grahame may disagree as I think the ended up draped over the fence on the third bend after a nasty coming together. Always sad to see yet another venue trashed in the name of housing!

So one sport's gain is several sports' loss! Footy wins again - nothing else seems to matter. I've enjoyed many meetings at Plough Lane. Nothing for me will beat the sight of Ronnie Moore in full flow. Poetry in Motion. Sad day for the dogs, stocks and speedway fans.

I think it's also available on You Tube but can't check as I'm at work.

After a 60-29 thumping at the paws of the Bog Moggies, it's not looking too bright for us to make the playoffs. Belle Vue have still got a pile of home matches left to run and should overcome the 2 point gap. Rider Replacement for Big Jim isn't working at all and when you look around for riders to sign on a 3.59 average there is nobody I can see that would make any noticeable difference. I could suggest Ollie the Ommer has a go on a three point average. I suspect that would pull things around nicely!!! Going into the season with such a strong top two meant that we really needed one of our three pointers to do what Dan Bewley, JPB or Jack Smith have done but unfortunately it hasn't happened. Oh well, at least we have a team to support this season so we need to be grateful for that. Hopefully the balance of the team will be better next season if we have more time to plan this winter and can sign riders early. It's still not over of course but the second strings and reserves really do need to turn things around away from home for us to get into the shake up.

This has the obvious potential to be the match of the season and, for the Heathens, our place in the top four could hang on the three points at stake. I'm hoping for a cracker with the Heathens running out winners by 2 points. have top say I have my doubts though Tom Bacon has been magnificent in recent weeks and the two Jacks could pile the points up. I'm hoping that a bit of unfamiliarity with Monmore may count against the Brummies narrowly. Fingers crossed.

Once a Heathen - always a Heathen.

I really feel for the Kings at the moment. They've barely got enough fit riders for a best pairs meeting. Hope things pick up and riders start coming back soon.

Congratulations to Steve Worrall who was superb last night. I really must start popping into the bookies when I make predictions. I'm sure that is where the luck would run out! Next up at Monmore Wood are the Brummies who are sweeping all before them. Should be a classic.

Injuries can't be helped but it is a real shame they will be missing. They would have started as one of the favourites with a full team. I really feel sorry form the Kent fans who have booked up a coach to see their team race.

Superb come back by the Moggies. Well done to all concerned in that. Hope Kyle Hughes makes a speedy recovery.

I see Paul Starke is out as he will be needed by Somerset that night. That makes it Worrall, Morris and Ellis for me.

Very relieved to get the win last night. I thought we'd managed to throw it away especially after getting a gift 5-0 in Heat 2. Good to see Smarty get among the points. Great Number 1 for us in the early days of our return Keeps us handily placed for the play offs but there is a keen competition for places this year.

Great field assembled for the annual classic at Monmore Wood. I'm taking Steve Worrall to win from Ashley Morris and Paul Starke. I hope Adam Roynon has a good night. He is a Cradley legend of the modern era! Don't forget - its on Tuesday. If you make the mistake and turn up on Monday you will find another team riding there apparently. Don't know much about that though! :-)

Reminds me of an old Newspaper headline 'Fog in the Channel - Europe cut off!' :-)

I agree they are really going to struggle. Having said that I think this could be Ryan Fisher's kind of track. He's a racer who always has a go. I don't expect him to pick up many but 4 may not be out of the question. I also think the Russians could ruffle a few feathers as far as the Aussies and Danes are concerned.

The quote on the SWC website says "USA have stood down triple world champion Greg Hancock for tonight’s Race Off". That doesn't simply say Greg didn't fancy it to me. I think there may be more of a story to come out on this one. Seems so out of character to put all that hard work in on Tuesday and not bother tonight (though BWitcher clearly explained one possible reason for that). Interesting to see what else emerges.

I was aware that Ricky Wells had said he (Ricky) won't be riding but this is the first I've heard about Greg. I'll be surprised and disappointed if that is the case but he has been trying so hard to paddle this canoe for a considerable time and got nowhere with it! Disappointing that there hasn't been a continuation of the great racers from the States that used to entertain us all so magnificently in the late 70s and 80s (not forgetting the Dudley Wood Two from the 90s!).

Have to say I haven't gone into the detail of the application but why, if parking is such a problem, don't they provide a multi storey? Probably ruin the outlook for all those houses in the Planners eyes I guess.

I think we will find out what's great about Speedway on Friday and Saturday. From what I've seen of the Belle Vue track it looks magnificent, a great size, banked and with racing lines all over it. The World Cup should be a great advert for the sport in Britain. Perhaps track designers will take note in future where we get opportunities to build some more e.g Coventry / Swindon and with a big slice of luck Cradley.

Yes, Pete cc perhaps. I think he could be a good addition for Buxton if he decides to carry on with his comeback after this 'emergency' period is over. Once he has a realistic average (9+ is far too high given his lay off) I think he could be a valuable team member. A bit in the guise of Armo or Tony Atkin passing his experience on? Good to see one of the old uns coming back. The programme confirmed my recollection that he had actually ridded at Dudley Wood. Still with a 46 year old leading the GP there is hope yet!

For me it was the fact that there was very little else in Dudley or Cradley Heath to be proud of from a sporting perspective so you went along for the entertainment. For years were were little more than also rans but then suddenly, when McCormick and Pugh arrived, we became big players on the World stage. Something to be really proud of. It really was amazing how the whole area got behind the speedway team and we took about 70 coaches to Wembley for the 1981 World Final (plus many others who went by train and car). Dudley Wood, for all its faults, really was the centre of the local community for many years.

Unfortunately the weather really put paid to any hope of an exciting evening's racing. Apart from a few cut and thrust first bends there was only really one racing line and if you moved off it you got into trouble. I agree with Cubsforever that both sides should be applauded for getting on with it. 20 mins heavy rain just before the start almost put paid to it. A special mention for Lee Dicken who really put everything into it and deserved a better return. He's only just come back after a long lay off and demonstrated his commitment when he fell in the last ride and threw his bike down on the centre green in frustration. I'm sure he will get plenty more points when he's blown the cobwebs away. Lets hope for better weather for the next one - the Golden 'Ommer.

How nice to find a Council Leader and Council who are prepared to get off their backsides and actively protect such a key leisure facility. Rugby 1 Dudley 0. Massive congratulations to all concerned. Now get on with finding an alternative because the Developers will use this as a demonstration of their good will in trying to rehouse the Bees. you have to make best use of the time you have been given.

Just found out that David Speight has left the Hitmen suddenly and he will be replaced by youngster William O'Keefe tonight. If that moves Shelby Rutherford up into the team then I think it could increase the Heathens winning margin a bit. I really sympathise with Jayne at Buxton this year. The season has been an absolute nightmare for them. Porky may well get quite a few chances to rehearse his 'Wipeout' routine tonight!