The Voice Of Reason

A (as in singular) Home Defeat?

Around half a dozen times at Lakeside - maybe a couple of times as a guest. He's never (to the best of my memory) scored well; looks very uncomfortable on his bike and hasn't ever impressed. Apologies if I've upset people with my point of view. But that is the purpose of a forum - isn't it?

Fair play guys on your points of view. I'm more than happy to be told I'm wrong but I was just saying it as I saw it (and stick by it 100%). Just on my other point though - if such a miscarriage of justice was served, don't you find it just a tad strange that neither Jack Lee or Ben got on the pit phone to the ref (assuming they didn't as Sky generally love showing these altercations - possibly as much as we enjoy the added spice)? Not sure why they didn't give a view of the incident front-on; coming into the bend as well though? Just to balance things up, I've always enjoyed watching Ben Barker ride - even way back in his days at Brandon. Nick, on the other hand, is one of those guys who I'm amazed continues to hold down an Elite League position - I truly think he's out of his depth.

Absolutely spot on. However, I don't think I've ever seen rakers at Brum (and I know they certainly don't do it at Cov any more). In my days as an infield track-staff man, I would have found it extremely boring just standing there with a red flag to wave for 90 minutes! And I can't for the life of me imagine why all tracks don't still adopt this practice - because rakers can pull a hell of a lot more material in (particularly from the bends) than any tractor or attachment - particularly at Sky Meetings whereby grading is more or less timed to the second.

Regarding the Ben Barker exclusion. As much as I have seen Dave Robinson miscall some absolute pearlers over the years, I truly think he got Ben's exclusion absolutely correct. Why? There was NO contact between the riders. Ben Barker rode TOO wide guys - he wasn't pushed off his racing line. He then appeared to under-lock, and possibly going into the bend too quickly, lost control and was actually sliding off due to his own making. At the same time, the major distraction was obviously Nick Morris also losing control of his bike. As Morris was losing control of the front wheel due to it locking then lifting, the drive from the back wheel threw him off his racing line; and he similarly went wide. However, Ben Barker was already losing control by going too fast/wide BEFORE Nick Morris was even level with him. Moreover, Ben didn't look around, and although he would have known Nick was in his inside, with the very limited peripheral vision due to wearing goggles and a crash helmet, he would not even have been aware that a Nick was so out of shape. Added to which despite what Rosco had written in his programme, I find it somewhat strange that neither Ben nor the Birmingham Team Manager appeared to get onto the ref via the phone. Particularly knowing Ben's temperament, I'm sure he would have wanted to make his views known irrespective of them changing any decisions. As for the track. What I cannot understand, for the life of me, is how Ronnie Russell has managed to wangle himself into the Sky Sports Speedway Team as, of all positions, the bloody track consultant! Given 'his previous' at Lakeside, Rye House and Swindon whereby he has proved himself to be utterly clueless (even being sidelined as track curator at Blunsdon, and tasked with simply looking after the drainage on the dog track) it absolutely epitomises the back-slapping brigade within our sport. So, what material is on the track, is clearly now on the outside. Okay, to stop it turning to porridge, how about we pull it back onto the inside lines to provide an even distribution of material. How about we use a blade on the tractor to pull it in, and for the track staff to rake the bladed material over before sweeping excess water from the surface; then tractor number 2 finally smoothing it over with the grid. Just to add doesn't Birmingham normally have track staff with rakes? Or let's try Ronnie's solution. Send out the wheel to perform the miracle of distributing shale - when there errrrrrr, actually isn't any pulled in from the boards to cut up. A camera view from bend 4 towards the tapes showed perfectly the end result of Mr. Russell's 20 minutes of track work. Long, deep shiny scratches on the hard-core of the shaleless racing surface along the inside lines. Ronnie Russell - you are absolutely clueless regarding speedway track preparation. Don't get me wrong I'm not saying the final track was salvageable. However, the efforts undertaken were absolutely pathetic. Ronnie Russell - a wage packet for nothing if ever I saw it.

Mate, with all due respect, I'm now 50 years old. Having been indoctrinated as a Speedway Nut since the age of 6, or in other words for the past 44 years, I've given a similar 'spiel' to people during my lifetime. "Seriously, it's not about who gets in front, wins". I wish I had a tenner for the amount of times I've uttered those words - because I'd be quite a rich man. I've subsequently taken a percentage of the aforementioned people to league matches; primarily at my beloved Waterden Road. Some have become Speedway fans for life. Others, it just didn't float their boat. Fair enough. Suffice to say that the GP that I watched tonight didn't float mine either. It was, as previously stated, an utter borefest of processional racing that did absolutely nothing to enhance the spectacle of the sport that we all hold so dearly close to our heart. In fact, it was possibly the worst televised advert for Speedway that I've EVER witnessed. I guess that we'll have to just agree to disagree. To my mind, nothing beats the spectacle of a one-off World Final at Wembley, etc. And as for these GP 'Superstars', well sorry. Give me Barry Thomas ANY day of the week.

Well tonight I put my principles aside, took your advice, and have just watched the first 13 heats of the GP from Prague via EuroSport. Jeeeeezus Christ - what an utter borefest. If you truly deem heat after heat of 'gate and go' processional racing to be the 'pinnacle' of our sport, then you are clearly more easily entertained than me old chap. In a word - DROSS!

You've completely missed my point - maybe I didn't make it clear. For example, Hackney Kestrels 'did the double' (League & KO Cup) in 1988. But that was in the old National (now Premier) League days. The Hawks never won the British (Elite) League title. Whilst taking nothing away from our '88 season, there's a vast difference between not winning the top league, as opposed to winning (what is primarily) the second division.

Congratulations Kings Lynn on yet another fine away win. Despite now supporting Lakeside, it is Hackney Speedway that still lives within my heart. To this end, I know just how badly it hurts; being years in the top tier and winning zilch. It's as if you are there simply making up the numbers; whilst the big boys use you simply as a commodity. Hopes and dreams at the start of each season quickly begin to evaporate as reality kicks in. But this year, you must be feeling something quite different. Your team, even when depleted, is bringing home the points because you have a team of riders with passion and belief. A team of guys that are so clearly proud of the club that they represent. It is still relatively early days, but if the trophy heads to Norfolk at the end of this season, along with many other true Speedway Supporters (particularly those of us who remember your much leaner times) I will be absolutely delighted for you. And in particular, genuinely happy for those of your supporters who have endured so many seasons of abject disappointment. Keep up this form Kings Lynn and you will be worthy Champions. And I for one will raise a glass in your honour.

Sorry kingbee - wasn't aware of your situation. It was said in banter though mate - no offence intended. Just to add, I think someone on here needs to get his hands dirty, and join a track-staff team - he'll undoubtedly find it a revelation.

Don't be such a miserable git! I'm a Lakeside Supporter, but I'm still going.......if it's on. Anything is better than sitting in the pub with a constant stream of poxy football on the box.

The BBC Forecast, which is about the most accurate of a bad bunch, shows (for Coventry Airport - the closest locality available) rain throughout the rest of the day; apart from a brief spell of sun from 1-2pm, then dry between 3-4pm. This is then succeeded by, constant light rain again from 4pm and, most worryingly, heavy rain between 7-9pm. Last Friday morning I'm sitting here contemplating Cov Friday OR Monday night, as I was intending to drive down to Lakeside on Saturday for the debacle with Poole. Despite the fact that it's nearly June this dire cold, wet Bank Holiday weather is depressing, to say the least. 3 potential meetings to choose and it looks like they'll all be a washout. Never mind, a fortnight of sun come August and next year, all those people with short memories, will be reflecting upon what wonderful weather we've had in 2014.

Okay guys - fair enough. The reason I haven't heard of him is simply because I NEVER watch the GP Series. And I never watch it as a I truly believe it is the main reason why Speedway in this Country (particularly in our league) is in the state it is in. I despise the very concept of it; and so I find myself unable to be a hypocrite by watching it. Just to add that Egon Muller once stood on the 1st position on a podium as World Champion.........didn't make him a great addition to a Uk-based British League team though, did it?

Looking forward to a Speedway fix, so can only hope that this isn't yet another Bank Holiday Meeting to play second fiddle to the weather. Will Birmingham have their new signing - Bartosz Zmarzlic, lining up? Personally, I've never heard of him, despite the British Speedway website referring to him as a 'Polish Sensation'. Sensation? Errrrr, okay, let's wait and see. Can only see this as a home win; based purely upon the facts that Cov are on a bit of a roll lately. They have strength in-depth and I don't think it will be too long before they hold a position in the table that reflects their true ability. By comparison, The Brummies are having a mare; albeit recent changes appear to be working to some extent. When I went to Brummies v Lakeside a few weeks back, their gating was absolutely woeful. Yep - worse than Lakesides'............and I really cannot tell you how bad that is! That said, they have a couple of riders that certainly know how to ride Brandon; but without Skornicki, it's undoubtedly a big ask for them to take an away win. But at the end of the day, who knows!

Whilst I wouldn't actually dispute that (despite the amount of utter drivel you carp) I assume that these guys aren't working for two or three other employers - with a job or two back home? To this end, it's not a true comparison, is it.

If 'the Ginger Whinger' didn't want to field a weakened team, why did he sign so many Eastern Europeans at the outset of this season? ANY manager should know, from previous experience over MANY decades, the baggage that such riders inevitably bring.

The reason we have Watty is because you lot don't want him - or else you'd have had him back over the past two years. It's as simple as that! So please don't infer that you are doing us any favours.

I'll be delighted with it. After the way your despicable promotion shafted us by cancelling your home fixture last season, seeing any club turning you lot over gives me great satisfaction if I'm honest. Blame Fraud and 'The Ginger Whinger' son for the state you've got yourself into; not Lakeside Speedway Club.

First and foremost, 'financial suicide' would be for our promotion agreeing to hire the track and stadium for the day (which is a 4 figure sum) only to then have not a single copper coin through the turnstiles. And whilst some may try and deflect the responsibility onto Lakeside Speedway Club, it should be remembered that the reason Poole are under-strength tonight is purely their problem; the end result of THEIR decision to employ Eastern European riders. When will some clubs ever learn. You made your bed, now lie in it. Or, in other words - TOUGH. DEAL WITH IT!

It's entirely dependent upon the conditions. 1mm too much, honestly, just 1mm, can take a track to the point of no return. Other factors come into play. Is it a chalk or lime base? What is the wind doing - strong wind being one of the best natural enablers to help dry it. How much has the track drainage had to cope with in the last 48 hours. The factors are numerous. Suffice to say, well done to KL for getting their meeting on. Just pleased to note that clearly Buster knows more about wet tracks than he does blown fuses!

Without going into the whys and wherefores, in the vast majority of instances, it makes NO financial sense whatsoever to call a meeting off - particularly post-Midday. I am quite sure that every attempt was made by the promotion at Coventry Speedway to get this meeting staged. And with no disrespect intended towards those who do not know (e.g. folk that have never worked as part of a track-staff team) it takes very little excess water to make the unimaginable difference between a track that you can pull back and make raceable, as opposed to a track that is so badly covered in porridge that it's not going to be at best SAFE and, at worst, just about rideable.

I think it should simply be cancelled - "for the greater good of Speedway".

Pity he only ever used it to it's full advantage in the poxy 'Rider of the Night' heats Tel!

I think I must have been watching a different meeting to some others on here? I seem to remember seeing Darren being pinned under his bike, which in turn had an airbag on the lower half of of it. And, having got himself free and whilst trying to get his bike out from underneath it, I also remember seeing his foot-rest caught in the thick rubber flap (which is at the bottom of the airbag, and lies on the track surface). Lakeside use the Briggo first generation airbags and, despite the term 'air', are heavy enough to require four guys to get them onto the flatbed lorry at the end of the meeting. And bear in mind airbags are zipped and strapped together, so there is a certain amount of combined weight to negotiate. Adam however, seemed to go into a controlled slide. The two incidents, and their respective outcomes, were completely different. Yep, I'm a Lakeside supporter but I have to say things fairly and how I see them.

Since when has anyone born in Epsom Surrey, been within earshot of the sound of Bow Bells? He would have needed earholes the size of Pearson's gob!