The Voice Of Reason

Pretty decent meeting but as stated, actual passing was at a premium. Not really sure why as the track looked good enough to me - more riders going around the outside lines than my last couple of visits. Also , one heck of a lot of drive coming out of the second bend - I think every rider lifted at least once throughout the meeting. Also, there must be a rut (or something) on the 4th bend at Brandon - 3 riders got totally out of shape last night chasing the outside line. Harris rode his gonads off for the cause but Ward looked untouchable. Maybe that's why Havvy put MJJ out in Heat 15 - have to say I was a little surprised. And for his stalker on this forum, based upon what I've seen so far, MJJ is a good rider; I can't really say much else. He certainly doesn't appear to be the messiah that you make him out to be. In my book, he's a typical Danish 'Start Tart'. Speaking of tarts, what was Middleditch thinking putting Hopwood out (to replace Nermark) instead of Newman in Heat 6? Gate looked pretty good but have to say, there wasn't much noise or atmosphere last night. I stand on the second bend and there wasn't much cheering; particularly given the opposition? Overall not a bad night. Spoilt only by a cup of tea that I bought with lumpy UHT milk. It doesn't really take much savvy to know that you don't leave cartons of milk out in the hot sun does it? Finally, as a neutral (with a Cov bias ) Bees......you really have got to stop chucking these odd home points away in your own back yard.

Albeit, thankfully not with a 6mm drill in his hand.

Come on now Steve, most of us have a bias for any team that's racing against Poole!

As a neutral (with a Bees bias I suppose), I'm just looking forward to seeing a Speedway meeting. I understand how people feel but what, in reality, can either promoter really do in this instance other than to re-arrange it? If their fixture list is correct, Cov still have to re-arrange EL(A) home meetings against Eastbourne and Birmingham. Yes, I can understand people saying "ride an alternative race night if there are insufficient Fridays", but then you may still have similar problems if riders are unavailable through their other commitments for teams abroad. Of course it isn't an ideal situation. But it is what it is. You just have to get on with it.

Being back the concrete starting grids.......problem solved.

Few observations. I believe that Monmore Green is the best race track in the Elite League (I won't be biased and say it's Lakeside - albeit over the past few years, it's the best it's ever been). However, I would have to question why a venue is chosen for such a high-profile event that only has about a third of it's stadium with adequate spectator terracing/viewing? And please don't think I'm knocking Wolverhampton Speedway because I love visiting the place - for a league meeting. But tonight it was so cramped, you had to wait for the person next to you to breathe out, before you could breathe in! And for the couple of people that gave me a dirty look, I was within my rights to spark up a fag - and can't help the way that the wind suddenly blows. To my mind, Brandon is a much better venue for this event. Good presentation - albeit I'm sure that Dan Holt could have expedited the re-runs just a tad sooner by whacking on the 2 minute warning quicker. And whilst on Dan, had to disagree with his decision to exclude Scotty Nicholls. It was neither guys fault; the incident simply being the result of hard racing. But at the end of the day, Scotty did not knock Bomber off, and actually appeared to actually have his nose in front when Bomber went down. If Bomber had gone down on the 4th bend, then I've no doubt Scott would have been to blame as he did appear to lose his racing line and clatter into him; but by the 1st bend, both riders were simply riding their nuts off. Disappointed with both of my guys - after an initial Lakeside 5-1, Richard didn't do himself any justice whatsoever tonight, given his form (including aways) to date this season. And after a blistering first two rides, Lewis just seemed to have no compression whatsoever whilst riding around the bends. Lining himself up perfectly, he just seemed to have momentary losses of power. Can't make it out - as apparently, he's got the best engines of his career. Really thought Lewis was going to be the spoiler tonight. Oh well. Some excellent displays - particularly by Jason Garrity. His win over Tai was one of the most exceptional defensive rides I've seen for a very long time. But also fair play to Charles Wright, who did himself and Somerset proud. Also, well done Ben Barker, who demonstrated some true 'Brit Grit'. Not sure what the messing about with Lewis at the start gate was all about though. I just wish Lewis hadn't have got himself psyched out, because his night was basically finished thereafter. Maybe just a coincidence, but he completely missed the gate in that race - I can only assume because his mind was clearly elsewhere at that moment. Tai's shenanigans at the gate - caused quite a laugh if I'm honest and added to the entertainment during the downtime. And, to be honest, I can't blame him. After all, if I had a pair of earrings that looked as if they'd been nicked off an Amazonian Brass, I'd be looking to dig a hole to bury them in as well. And finally, and this isn't anti-Tai because I like the guy. A big well done to Craig Cook who, to my way of thinking, should have been crowned British Champion tonight after his programmed rides. Yet another pathetic, unfair run-off qualification process, simply to placate the G.P. series and Sky - both of which I despise.

Lakeside definitely have rakers. You can't tell from the terraces, but even on today's tracks, the amount of shale that you pull back in is quite significant. Moreover, with a rake (and elbow grease) it's a whole lot more effective than what the tractor, going at quite some speed, can pull back in with a blade. Plus, a tractor can't go right to the edge of the bends (where most shale accumulates) as they'd potentially puncture the airbag, and/or tear the rubber flaps holding them to the tracks' surface. I've seen first hand the damage that stocks & bangers can do to a track. Tyreless wheels, dropped diffs, etc. can cause deep gourges. This appears to be the problem on Brandon's 2nd and 4th bends - I'd love to take a look. If it is the case, then I can't blame riders not going wide. Any sudden jolt can obviously cause loss of control, the primary chain to loosen/snap and so on. I can't understand, with Pratty back at the helm, why the Cov boys don't at least give it a go? Sometimes, the old ways are the best!

Another very enjoyable night. Presentation has greatly improved over the past few weeks. However, the track is, if I'm brutally honest, still a bit 'gate and go' as I said the other week after the Wolverhampton Meeting. Anyone trying the outside line on the fourth bend looks particularly uncomfortable - shame as it's clearly got a very fast racing line out there somewhere to propel you along the home straight. Still can't make our why your track flaggers don't rake some material back in between races?

Agreed. It will be "just what the DOCTOR ordered"!

Really looking forward to this meeting - it's a welcome change watching Speedway with a bit of sun on your back. Wonder how Scotty will perform on his former track? Just hope that someone doesn't burp or fart at the starting tapes causing him to crash them! Best of luck to the track guys - I wouldn't like to be paying the water rates tonight! Come on you Bee...........(whoops, nearly forgetting I'm a Hammer).

And STILL, despite my request for many of the 'newbies' to justify their beliefs, I (and many others) remain totally unconvinced..........maybe because we are still awaiting a decent counter-argument? And as for the clones that forever cite Mauger as the prime culprit (most probably because what they have heard/read/believed such rhetoric) where's your actual proof that Ivan was any worse than Olsen, Michanek, etc. ? In a word.....'Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah'.

Again, whilst I respect people's views that feel the newer starting system is better than tape-touching, nobody has actually said WHY it's better. No doubt, I'm not the only person in this thread that remains totally unconvinced.

But as a neutral, maybe you don't listen as much as some Hammers fans and have an entirely different perception. As for Sky coverage. No thanks. Thought about it a lot. What's the benefits of Sky? Money for clubs? From what I am led to believe, their contribution doesn't even cover the reduced attendance when their cameras are in town. Increasing the awareness of the sport? Of course, we can all see how many thousands more spectators their coverage of the sport has put on our gates. Maybe you'd like to outline what you feel the benefits are - particularly focussing upon how much each club receives via their wonderful financial contribution?

And just to add another example, if indeed any was needed, or Sky's biased reporting. The strap-line on their website for last night's meeting today reads 'Aces High after fightback'. So despite Belle Vue losing out two points at home and not actually winning - no story, nor inference throughout the subsequent report, of how we actually did so well; being the only team to have gone to Kirky Lane this season and taken anything away. Even Poole got tonked there at the end of April. And as for last night's meeting: - Constant references of how Belle Vue were missing Cook. No mention whatsoever of how we were similarly missing Richard Lawson. - To counterbalance Cook's absence, no mention of how Simon Stead's contribution of 10 points was much higher than that return usually scored by Worrall. - Constant references relating how wonderful Scott Nicholls performs at Belle Vue, despite him scoring only 8 points from 6 rides. - An accusation by Tatum that PK's movement led Nicholls to break the tapes - clearly not the case. Fair play to Pearson on that one - he kept totally schtum during the replay as he could clearly see that is counterpart was clearly talking out of his backside. - Questions over Rory going wide on the first bend (causing Lee Payne to fall) which "could have been viewed differently by some refs" - despite the fact Rory was at least a bike length in front; whereas Nicholls going wide and nearly taking Davey out was viewed as 'a great move'. - No meaningful recognition of our efforts in getting two away points; the emphasis in commentary being solely how Belle Vue had pulled it back. But thinking back to last night's meeting I'm still bloody incensed at how Sky forever appear to have this stance of being anti-Hammers. Fair Play to The Aces for getting a draw last night - nothing whatsoever against Belle Vue. But unfortunately, the term 'fair play' cannot be similarly attributed to Pearson, Tatum nor any of the rest of the Sky Speedway 'happy little quango back-slappers club'. Personally, I just wish that last season's coverage would have been Sky's last; and possibly for the reigns to be taken over by someone else. In my honest opinion, Sky needs Speedway more than Speedway needs Sky!

I think he probably goes for the chocolate ring doughnut..........and etches the initials MJJ into the icing.

Respect your opinion, but in a word -How?

If Nicholls was looking left, then he must have had his helmet on back to front.

Or let's just scrap this idiotic 15 metre rule altogether. Let's get back to the days when riders could rock and roll/touch the tapes without breaking them. If they do break them, then they are replaced by a reserve. Or if a reserve breaks them in a reserves race with no replacement, then tough. Since we've had this ridiculous ruling of all 4 riders staying still, we just now see countless apparent 'unsatisfactory starts' due to movement. We've also seen countless re-starts when riders have been penalised for apparently 'getting a flyer'. Why should a rider be penalised if he anticipates it perfectly - he knows the consequences if he doesn't. And these 'unsatisfactory starts' inevitably waste even more time given that more often than not, all four riders decide to return to the pits to sod about with their clutch, etc. causing even longer delays.........irrespective of them being on a two minute warning. The entire start-line process is just a complete and utter farce.

No. He honestly wasn't. I was specifically watching Nicholls to see if he could trap again out of Gate 2. He was definitely, beyond any doubt whatsoever, looking towards his RIGHT during the entire time.

Definitely looking right, towards Gate 4, during the entire time. So unless Nicholls can see out his arse (albeit Pearson & Tatum believe the sun shines out of it) then there is NO WAY he saw PK move (all of a centimetre I should add). What Tatum has basically alluded to is that the most respected rider in our sport is a cheat. If I was PK, when Sky next show their faces at Lakeside, I'd have Tatum on that accusation face to face. Despicable comment from a supposedly 'unbiased' professional commentator!

And, added to all the high tech stuff, someone at Kirky Lane might always forget to turn the hosepipe off.

I just knew you'd regurgitate that one MJJ. And if that vid is the one you linked to before (the one of him getting a back massage).........errrr, thanks, but no thanks. I'll pass on that one - albeit you've probably got it saved in your 'Faves' Folder. I suppose the only problem in your life nowadays, is how you are going to save your pocket money to get across the A14 to bring him a bunch a roses.

Undoubtedly has the ability to make Cov stronger; and potentially a team with even more strength in depth than Kings Lynn. If Kenneth Hansen can continue the form I saw him display on Friday night, it will make The Bees a very strong contender for the 2014 title. Commitment obviously haunts Jepson Jensen from his days at Peterborough. I remember him pulling a sickie (with a bad back) when due to ride at Lakeside a couple of years ago. The Panthers had Hougaard guesting in his place. Remarkably, Patrick had the booking in his diary from three weeks previous - despite MJJ riding in other meetings both here and abroad during that period. So apart from MJJ's apparent many talents as The Messiah, he's also obviously got psychic abilities - and knows well in advance when he's going to be ill. MJJ - clearly, always convincing at the G.P.'s..........and I don't mean the Grand Prix. That said, let's hope he's grown up. I look forward to seeing him ride during my increasing visits to Brandon.

Right - opinions of a neutral. Presentation - much slicker and more professional that the debacle I witnessed when Lakeside were there. Quality of racing - 'kin hell - tonight was an utter borefest if I'm brutally honest. For the first seven heats, I don't think that I saw a decent race/pass. Please believe me folks, I'm not digging out Brandon as it's now where I am spending most of my time. But that track tonight, as a RACING circuit, was an utter joke. Fair play, with Colin Pratt back giving his input, things can only get better. However, even with the likes of Wuffy and Pawlicki, it was clearly evident that there were only two racing lines - both inside. Anyone that ventured into the outer racing lines ended up flat on their arse. I think the point was proven by the likes of Thorsell (no disrespect) who's not even a Wolves heat leader, but managed to win his first two races with consummate ease due to the fact he got flyers out the traps. Highlight of the evening for me was seeing Fish going out in a blaze of glory by literally walking his last race for Cov (in 2014 anyway). Best of luck mate - despite the barracking you've received from some on here, you've always given 100% in my book - including your guest appearances for The Hammers. Pawlicki - what were you thinking in Heat 15? Fair play to Bomber for taking it on the chin but that move made novices in the National League look good. Rider of the night - Hansen. A guy that realises that races aren't won by throttle alone. An absolute pleasure to watch and a riding style so reminiscent of one of your fellow countrymen, and an all-time hero of mine, Bo Petersen. Sorry but for a local derby, and despite the excellent crowd (GREAT to see) the atmosphere was pretty pants. And just a word of advice for your track-guys.......there really isn't a lot of point waving your red flag when the riders have passed you by 20+ yards!

First and foremost, I would never watch some two bob stream over going to a meeting; particularly if it was my team. That said, I can fully appreciate why people do it. Thinking back, I used to follow Hackney on Fridays, then often follow them away on Saturdays (when many other BL tracks raced), then it was off to Rye House on Sunday afternoon, and Crayford on Tuesdays. Sometimes I'd pop along to Arena Essex or Wimbledon on a Thursday if they had a decent meeting. And quite honestly, that was a long time back in the very early 80's, having just passed my driving test. I think admission would have been around the £2.50 mark. Comparing £2.50 from 1981 and basing it upon about the best indicator that we have available - i.e. The Retail Price Index (RPI) then using the most recent figures available (2011), £2.50 in 1981 converts to £8.36 in today's World (to be fair, add on a few pence for the past few years 2011-14 where inflation has been quite low). So even if we say it's now £8.50, that's quite a lot less than the £16 - £20 that we are being charged for admission these days. To this end, it's quite simple to know the reason behind falling attendances. I truly don't think the finger can only be pointed at the promoters - who to the most part, always try their best and want to run a successful business. I also don't think it's the fault of Sky or Bet365 (who I've only heard about recently). I think part of the actual reason is simply people do not have the amount of disposable income, after bills are paid, to be able to afford Speedway on a regular basis. Younger families, and the vast majority of pensioners, possibly have less available funds than most. Then there's changes to society as well to come into the mix. Think back to 1981 guys. How much money did you have on loans, credit cards, etc. Did your family have two cars? Did you even have a mortgage - the councils used to actually build some pretty nice homes for people back then. Did you have a mobile phone bill, an internet bill and a Sky package? Were you paying through the nose for utilities such as water, gas and electricity? And let's not even get onto the price for petrol/diesel. That said, I'm convinced that people would attend more frequently if, quite simply, they could AFFORD IT. When Lakeside gave free admission a few years back, I'm sure that many of you that watched the meeting on Sky witnessed the absolute gridlocked Dartford Bridge and local roads. People came from miles around to watch Speedway - because it was free but ALSO because they clearly had an interest in watching the sport. I experienced the same last year when Birmingham had a free night. Perry Barr was absolutely heaving. Now, I'm not for one moment suggesting that we take the turnstiles down to the local scrap yard. But what I am suggesting is for some promoter somewhere to bite the bullet and reduce admission costs to something that people can afford on a regular basis. If my local clubs in The Midlands charged £8.50, then there's every chance that I'd be rediscovering my youth and visiting them all during the week. But I just know that isn't going to happen. Meanwhile, what is most worrying are comments on here that people would watch Bet 365 instead of going to their local track. If the promoters cannot retain their current fan base, then I truly believe that the days of Speedway Clubs operating professionally within the UK, are actually numbered. People in the UK are now probably more cost-conscious than at any time in their lives. Price drives our decision-making probably more now than ever before. We have all suffered through austerity, and want the best value possible for the least amount. Working as a travel agent, I talk to some customers in my business that say they can book cheaper online themselves. This is simply because with the advent of the Internet, everyone believes that can be a travel agent, or an insurance agent, etc. So you may wonder how I survive. Well basically I book a niche type of holiday (Worldwide Motorhomes) and deal with people that have a lot of disposable income; coupled with the fact that many people feel more comfortable dealing with a 'one-stop shop' travel agent; or simply can't be bothered booking it themselves. However, these people are in quite a minority in today's society. And I doubt whether many of these people with such disposable income are Speedway Supporters! The vast majority of us want 'bang for our buck' and if we don't perceive that we are getting it, we'll shop around and look elsewhere. And who can blame us? Something HAS to change. And that 'something' is a comparable reduction in the admission price - irrespective of coverage via other media.