The Dog

Not sure there's many other options out there tho Sings. And its a bit harsh to say that Brum have ditched Morris when he is injured with no real idea of his return either.

All down to the averages I'm afraid, to get a better calibre of rider in sometimes means you have to lower the points average elsewhere. I agree its rubbish that Hume and Stoneman have lost out recently but, hopefully, the better riders should make up the points for them. I actually hate the low team average more than our beloved guest system tbh, never any reason for it to be below 45-46 points.

I always think that the ridiculously low team average the BSPA insist on every year doesn't help, if a rider gets injured you generally end up changing 2 riders and there's always an innocent party that loses his place, which makes clubs look bad. On the positive side, the Masons always promised the fans entertainment and they don't come more exciting than Garrity, he was a Cardiff reserve 5 yrs ago so the talent is definitely there and he is another 100% effort rider. Fair play to Rogers for juggling the team around to get Garrity in, just a shame that Humey lost out.

I think some of the inconsistent refereeing, especially at Birmingham, seems to come from the fact that the referees box isn't quite in line with the startgate. Twice Shanes has been denied an obvious higher position because of this reason imo. Overall, another good meeting, some close racing, passing, which is fast becoming the norm at Birmingham. Glasgow deserved their win on the night but they certainly knew they'd been in a meeting. No negatives from me about last night and was brilliant to see so many Glasgow fans make the long trip South. Hope they enjoyed their evening, the ones I spoke to were a credit to their club. Hope we see them again soon!

Having had the privilege of being very close to the action for a few years now, it still amazes me how close these guys ride to each other, especially when their chasing the back wheel. The speeds entering and exiting a corner is unbelievable, must have absolute trust in each other. An excellent addition to a nights racing for the fans, worth every penny to watch from the middle.

As I understand it, any team that has injuries, riders missing for other reasons etc can only replace them with an unattached rider. This is why it was difficult for Birmingham to field a side. Shame really and maybe a rule change that needs looking into for next year maybe.

What exactly are we all supposed to be 'calming' down over? The fact that we've praised the promotion for doing their best? How much is 'big rent'? Perhaps you could enlighten us all. And what makes you think that the Masons can't afford to pay riders? Your right in the fact that Stoneman is hungry and probably cheaper wages than some, but if we had more like him you'd be the first to moan that it was just a NL team. Why not just appreciate what the owners are doing instead of being so negative and picking holes everywhere

I think the Masons deserve credit for getting Ellis in and I'm sure they will find an adequate replacement for Zach. Also credit for continuing to reach out to the younger generation by having face-painting and 'Chase' from Paw Patrol at PB last week. Plenty of extra shale on track too, so they are trying to invest in the club and make sure everyone is entertained. A great programme and always nice to see Peter Mason on the door welcoming the fans in. Nice touch.

I don't recall MF mentioning the bumpy dustbowl on offer. Surely the best promotor in recent history can see that a poor stage for the riders to perform will end in fans not turning up. Probably another reason why they can't attract top riders too like they used to. Personally, I'd like to see the average banged up to around 50 points to accommodate top riders if clubs can afford them. No 11 point rider is going to want to ride with 6 4pointers....

All the doom-mongers get can back down off their highhorse now....

I'd be happy to see any of those names mentioned above tbh. I've seen BWD twice this year at P/Boro and he's been sensational, Becker was the same at the SoN, I guess Laurence would know better how the land lies with him. Feel for Zach, he's a good rider who's achieved a lot in his young career and is obviously going through a tough patch. Hope he comes back stronger soon.

Whatever happened to 'innocent until proven guilty'? The only people who know if this is the truth or not are the Masons and the named stadium manager. The Masons worked really hard last year to get a good rapport with the fans and earn a decent reputation for doing the right thing, so why ruin it by lying? I agree it looks suspicious on a lot of levels but the fact is that until someone proves otherwise we have to take Birmingham at their word. If it is fabricated, the consequences could be horrific and non of us want that do we.

I think you could be right unfortunately, have checked a few forecasts and they all say the same tho they were wrong last week, so fingers crossed the weathers kind and we get a meeting on and a win in our first home league meeting.

But the averages are ridiculously complicated Neil, even promotors and managers find it hard to get it right! Must be an easier way.

These are good changes and will improve our team no end. Feel sorry for Thomsen, he will come good in a few years time I'm sure. As we haven't started our home league meetings yet, I hope the crowds improve a little too! I don't know about anybody else, but the way the averages work annoy me more than the guest system...

Opinions divided depending on which forecast you follow. I follow XC weather which I've always found to be pretty good and that said no rain today. Jump to the BBC and its heavy all day! Always a tough call when you have such conflicting forecasts. Remember that roads dry far quicker than tracks too.....

£4.50 does sound a tad expensive but is probably in line with most stadiums/events nowadays. Can only suggest that you fill yourself up before the meeting and hope you survive the 90mins or so without the fear of malnutrition my friend.

Intrigued to know how you think the facilities are 'awful'? Birmingham has a superb grandstand with excellent viewing, toilets are always clean and indoors, and the eating area is always clean with plenty of seating.

Bearing in mind that the Brummies are probably a little 'rusty' still (that was only our 2nd home meeting) I'm not too concerned atm. Lots of positives against one of the more fancied teams and only lost on a final heat decider, lets give the boys a chance. The 'guest' situation isn't ideal unless you have a squad system covering every position, but how many riders would realistically sign up for that in the hope of getting a ride once in a blue moon? R/R is Ok until you get another rider injured, then a 5 man team against 7 looks really unprofessional. But, all in all, a good meeting with passing and action in nearly all races on a decent track. Nice to see a good away following too! More of the same next week!

Blimey, people are already being critical and we haven't even got to press and practice day yet! Ulrichs been around for a long time and will be a steady rider for us, maybe not a Harris or Cook but if he gets an average of 8ish, I think we'd be happy. Lets enjoy our new journey under the Masons and see where we are after 10 or 12 meetings. We won't win the league but we won't go bankrupt either and hopefully, be able to enjoy many more years at PB....

Rattle them off then mate, just out of interest

I think it needs to be done to some extent but would it make speedway totally semi-professional and would that attract sponsorship/tv? Plus, it actually stops promoters doing a bit of promoting if they think the outgoings have gone down. On the flip-side, maybe riders do earn more than enough anyway given that not many of them seem to 'work' during the off-season.

Leon Flint is a superb talent and a fantastic character to have around the pits, lively and hilarious, he was one of the main reasons the team spirit was so good at Birmingham. Will have learnt a lot last year and will kick on at Belle Vue.

Not certain King will be starting at Ipswich tbh, but we'll wait and see

Now Buster has invested in 3 teams in the top flight, I'd assume he's trying to control the riders a bit more, especially cost-wise. If he offers a rider, for example, £50 a point less than he was getting last year and the rider refuses, the rider is limited to where he can go to next seeing as he'll find the same problem at another 2 out of the 7 clubs running in the Premiership. If the clubs that Buster doesn't own are full, the rider will either have to lump it, get a job and go semi-professional or retire completely. It could be Buster owning several clubs that starts to put the squeeze on riders earnings, therefore reducing promoters out-goings and keeping clubs afloat. Buster may well be the man to 'save speedway' but at what cost? He does seem to be a man of 'do it my way or not at all'.... Anybody think along the same lines?