Roger Jacobs

Beggar Me! Another win at Wolverhampton! Even with Doyle and Riss scoring a large number of points, the others all chipped-in - even Batchelor with a vital heat win. Can't complain about that result.

BBC WM Sport providing the usual commentary: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/motorsport/61883190

What contracts do the riders sign/agree to? British contracts don't really seem to be worth much, given that riders swap teams without any problems. Nobody has ever challenged the concept of "assets", and, as far as I know, the value of a British speedway club does not include any value for their riding "assets" - essentially, riders aren't worth anything ...

That should bankroll next week's match ... or will customers feel so thoroughly entertained that they'll come flooding back ...

Yet again, the regulation about the top average rider having to rise at #1 forces a team line-up change for no reason other than a new set of Green Sheets (also impacted by the continuing reduction in the number of matches counted). Ironically, with Harris in good form, Peterborough might have wanted him at #1 before this, but of course they couldn't. This is one unnecessary regulation that needs to be dropped (I've been saying it for too long).

Blimey, forgot about that! Maybe if Jorgensen guests again, LOL!

SCB Regulations 012.3 TEAM LINEUPS 012.3.1 PremiershipLeague a) the top rider (by MA) must ride at #1. b) the 2nd to 5th riders (by MA) can ride in any position #2-#5. c) the Rising Star rider must ride at #7 unless they achieve an MA which permits them to be in the top 5 then the lowest MA rider must ride at #7.

Ben Barker named at #2 in reshuffled Witches line-up: https://ipswichwitches.co/raceday-preview-wolverhampton-premiership-a-2 On the Ipswich Facebook page, Barker responded with a fingers crossed emoji. Not sure how well Riss goes at Monmore Green, he could be busy at reserve. Can the Witches surprise the Wolves, and get close?

Accepting unprofessionalism, and mediocrity and the same old, same old is precisely why the sport has slowly but surely dwindled to a largely amateur performance hanging in there financially, and almost totally reliant upon cash flow from the die-hards who revel in and believe all the excuses.

I said British Speedway - it stands or falls as an entity. Unfortunately, some of them tend to stand happily playing their own fiddle while others burn ... and if you think some tracks are doing very nicely, then I'd like to see their attendance figures and profit & loss - I would be surprised if there's a single promoter who runs a speedway business and makes a worthwhile profit - and if there is, are they telling everyone else the secret?

No, but that doesn't mean a progressive promotion (or even whole organisation) trying to improve the standing of the sport shouldn't consider doing it ...

Can they afford not to? Every track relies on cash flow from a die-hard group of fans, yet they expect those fans to accept everything, with no goodwill offers. Why not do something that actually might get noticed and appreciated? No, it's the same old, same old. I'm thinking about going to Foxhall on 14 July - for various reasons it will be my first visit this season, but I'm still not convinced I'll get value for my £20 - so might save it for something else ...

The common denominator is that British speedway can't sell itself - that's not any landlord's fault.

It's the "as usual" but that's key here - paying customers are expected to accept whatever is dished-up. How about something like: "Sorry we weren't prepared for what happened, and that the match had to be abandoned - you can have £3 off your next visit to Sheffield."

History tells us that Allen doesn't get any better ...

Allen's average goes down as of 1 July, and Sedgmen's increases (converted from his new Championship Green Sheet). Very good move to sort it now.

The whole point is that you have spares available, including the piping. I can understand if more piping was damaged than they had spares for, but it appears they didn't have any. Just because it's never happened before, doesn't mean it won't happen. In a professional and/or business environment, you have to be prepared for as many eventualities as possible. Testing of the air fences should have dictated that spare tubing be available - it certainly should be now. As usual, it's apologies from the authorities, thanks for being patient, and to be frank, not a thought that their customers were robbed of what they paid to see. The usual British speedway story ...

New July Green Sheets are available: https://britishspeedway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/p22_issue_10.pdf Witches team total: 38.22 Riss at #6 !! Going with the BSPA/L's steady reduction in the number of matches being counted, these should now be based on last 16.

Or if both 4&5 missing, then R/R and G, or if already using R/R in 1-3, then guest for missing 4 and/or 5 ...

Ipswich currently using their #8, i.e. Hume (as at 23/06 Green Sheets, Rowe still named as Rising Star #7). Guest allowed for #6, but can only be a Rising Star (with a lower average), or a Championship rider who is not doing the Hokey Cokey - although I can't see that caveat in the Regs, but Hawkins said, so it must be true

Paying customers robbed of two races by the rule that allows the result to be declared. The declaration also denies Ipswich the chance to score an away point, which might prove important. Karma maybe for the Stupid Heat farce

Hawkins said: “The riders available to cover for Ben on his average in our league are limited. So, it is mainly just the rising stars on an average below him and then you are looking at the Championship for riders that are not doubling-up, so they come on a converted average and there are very few riders not doubling-up at the moment. It is a big ask to find a reserve capable of doing what Ben could do.” No idea what Sedgmen's average is, but if he's in place of Allen then it's 4.57 or lower ...

Nielsen is lumbered with a 5.14 average ... Tigers have strengthened-up with Sedgmen in place of nice bloke Allen. Allen is on 4.57 and Barker on 4.44. Wonder is Sedgmen's average would fit under Barker, or is it agonisingly just too high?

Currently 4th in the Green Sheets, so Musielak, Howarth and Mountain (with the option of Allen ).

Witches line-up is a bit odd: 1. Doyle, 2. Batchelor, 3. King, 4. Starke, 5. Riss, 6. Nicol (G), 7. Hume ... but it won't make any difference. Sheffield to win, and maybe even by 16-20 points. Could well look good on TV, with Tigers passing Witches.