Tapeworm

But, if he was gating successfully, that would suggest that there was little wrong with the power/torque being produced by that engine so a different engine might not be the solution. Perhaps ragdoll's theory about his exit technique, and speed, coming out of bends 2 and 4 reveals the real cause of a reduced speed down the straights? Again, if so, this is something with which he could be helped by a more-experienced teammate.

"Starke was gating, but Christ there was no speed in his bike on the straights and he was having to ride defensive alllllllll night." I don't pretend to be an expert but is that not a simple matter of selecting the correct gearing? Correct balance to be struck between fast acceleration (gating) and top speed down the straights? Surely his team captain or more-experienced riders can offer advice on the most beneficial settings for the new Ashfield track?

Surely a major contributory factor in the delay to staging the Glasgow/Poole semi-finals was the adoption of "the top 6 teams to qualify for the Play Offs". This resulted in Glasgow sitting twiddling their thumbs for a couple of weeks while the 3rd to 6th placed teams settled their quarter-final ties. If the much-derided Play Off system has to be retained to provide much needed extra income, the BSPA simply MUST revert to a "top four only to qualify" next year (if indeed there are still 4 clubs solvent with access to stadiums!). That way, all of the top 4 teams can immediately get on with arranging their semi-final ties. Let the 5th and 6th placed clubs arrange home and away fixtures, if they like, for further income and bragging rights.

Leicester cannot be caught. Glasgow could still overtake Poole for 2nd. AS AT 25/07/22 - E&OE P H A +/- 1 Leicester 18 9 9 +19 2 Poole 17 8 9 +12 3 Glasgow 15 8 7 +10 4 Plymouth 13 6 7 +7 5= Edinburgh 16 8 8 +2 5= Redcar 14 7 7 +2 7 Scunthorpe 15 8 7 -2 8= Berwick 14 7 7 -7 8= Oxford 17 8 9 -7 10 Birmingham 15 8 7 -12

With Newcastle points, sadly, expunged. Calculated whilst sober so apologies for any errors. 1 Leicester P15 7H/8A +13 2= Poole P12 5H/7A +7 2= Plymouth P12 6H/6A +7 4 Glasgow P12 7H/5A +3 5 Redcar P12 6H/6A +2 6 Edinburgh P12 6H/6A +1 7 Oxford P14 5H/9A -1 8 Scunthorpe P12 7H/5A -2 9 Birmingham P14 7H/7A -9 10 Berwick P9 6H/3A -12 E&OE

At least the fans got to see a speedway match (of sorts!). The promoters got nothing for their money if the points are expunged.

Well he still seems able to update the table daily from his holiday venue with recent results! Maybe he's waiting for Newcastle to formally declare one way or another. Meantime the published table could be giving a false picture until results against Newcastle are expunged. Very sad business when it happens mid season. And how about recompensing promoters who paid out appearance and/or points money to their riders for a probably null and void away fixture?

Sorry to see them in difficulty but Newcastle are still included in Championship table on BSPA's website. Perhaps BSPA think Newcastle will complete their "postponed" fixtures without starting gates, air fence, track grading machinery, etc?

Quite right. Thanks. I really shouldn't attempt the calculations whilst sober! Is this any better? 1 Leicester P15 7H/8A +20 2 Poole P11 5H/6A +11 3 Glasgow P11 6H/5A +8 4 Redcar P12 6H/6A +6 5 Plymouth P10 6H/4A +4 6 Oxford P12 4H/8A +2 7 Edinburgh P11 5H/6A +1 8 Scunthorpe P11 6H/5A -2 9 Berwick P11 7H/4A -8 10 Birmingham P11 5H/6A -9 11 Newcastle P9 5H/4A -12 E&OE

1 Leicester P15 7H/8A +20 2 Poole P11 5H/6A +11 3 Redcar P12 6H/6A +9 4 Glasgow P11 6H/5A +8 5 Plymouth P10 6H/4A +4 6 Oxford P12 4H/8A +2 7 Edinburgh P11 5H/6A +1 8 Scunthorpe P11 6H/5A -2 9 Berwick P11 7H/4A -8 10 Birmingham P11 5H/6A -9 11 Newcastle P10 6H/4A -15 E&OE

1 Poole +14 2 Glasgow +8 3 Leicester +5 4 Plymouth +4 5= Oxford +1 5= Redcar +1 7 Scunthorpe -2 8 Birmingham -3 9 Edinburgh -4 10 Berwick -5 11 Newcastle -6 E&OE

Since when did Premier Inns allow pregnant cows in?

Still to play 1 Poole P19 9H/10A +19 Red (H). 2 Redcar P18 9H/9A +14 Lei (H), Poo (A). 3 Glasgow P17 8H/9A +12 Ber (A), Lei (H), Bir (H). 4 Leicester P15 8H/7A +6 Edi (H), Ken (A), Red (A), Gla (A), Ken (H). 5 Scunthorpe P20 10H/10A +3 6= Edinburgh P17 10H/7A -1 Lei (A), New (A), Bir (A). 6= Birmingham P16 8H/8A -1 Edi (H), New (A), New (H), Gla (A). 6= Kent P18 9H/9A -1 Lei (H), Lei (A). ????????????????????????????????????? 9= Berwick P19 9H/10A -6 Gla (H). 10 Newcastle P17 8H/9A -7 Edi (H), Bir (H), Bir (A). 11 Plymouth P20 10H/10A -9 Looks as though Poole v Redcar is critical in the race for 2nd top spot…….. and Birmingham v Edinburgh for the 6th qualifying place. E&OE.

Reaching a critical point for play-off qualification (max P20):- 1 Poole P17 8H/9A +19 2 Glasgow P14 6H/8A +12 3 Redcar P17 9H/8A +11 4 Leicester P14 7H/7A +6 5= Scunthorpe P17 9H/8A +2 5= Birmingham P15 7H/8A +2 -------------------------------------------------------- 7 Edinburgh P17 10H/7A -1 8 Kent P16 8H/8A -2 9= Newcastle P17 8H/9A -6 9= Berwick P18 8H/10A -6 11 Plymouth P18 10H/8A -7 E&OE What is the cut-off date for league fixtures to be completed? And how are the play-offs to be organised? Do the top 2 teams go straight to the semi-finals and the other 4 to the quarter-finals? If so, who plays who?

Adjusted following Eastbourne's sad withdrawal:- 1 Poole P13 6H/7A +15 2 Redcar P14 6H/8A +13 3 Glasgow P12 5H/7A +12 4= Edinburgh P15 8H/7A +4 4= Scunthorpe P15 8H/7A +4 6 Leicester P12 6H/6A +2 ------------------------------------------------------- 7 Birmingham P11 6H/5A 0 8 Kent P14 7H/7A -2 9= Newcastle P16 8H/8A -7 9= Plymouth P16 9H/7A -7 11 Berwick P16 8H/8A -8 E&OE