SteveLyric2

So for those that were there and heard the interval interview with Rosco (spannering for Morris) Morris had 2 punctures - the first when he spun off and the second after subsequently using Jacobsen's tyre - and a burned out clutch!! Incidentally Rosco also said the track was brilliant - the best its been all season! As for the meeting, I reckon Craig Ackroyd got every decision right except the Jacobsen/Palm Toft one. Whilst the Pirates now have a 16 point advantage - more than most thought or hoped for - there is still the distinct possibility that the Stars can do exactly the same on Wednesday and reduce the deficit after 4 heats. Set-ups and gating will be crucial and with both teams having great team spirit I reckon it'll go down to the wire. The joint decision by the SCB and BSPA with the agreement of both clubs to allow Morris and Ellis to ride for the same teams in both legs, came about due to Dale Allitt's proposal to Matt Ford following the outbursts of bad publicity across all social media platforms. Today's BSPA meeting will undoubtedly propose a further tweak to the play-off rules for future years to allow a guest rider to have an average of 5% higher then the rider he replaces in BOTH HOME AND AWAY LEGS! Makes it much fairer for all at a time of the season when replacements can be scarce due to the season having finished for many.

Nice article and photo of Tai becoming 3 times World Champion in the Sun today. Not sure of any other national media coverage.

Iversen has said he needs to 'rest' but hasn't clarified for how long. Its possible he'll be ok for the 2nd leg on Wednesday if its not concussion?! If not available then the likes of Andersen, Thorsell and Morris are likely to be among the options. As for this evening NKI has always made no secret of the fact he hates the Poole track so his absence makes KL a little stronger I feel. At least both Morris and Ellis were in decent form at Peterborough yesterday as was Klindt with a 15 point max in Poland!

Morris and Ellis both riding at Peterborough today along with MPT and S.Lambert. Thorsell (as a possible guest for NKI?) is riding in the same Polish meeting as Woryna - Rybnik v Zielona Gora - but Thorsell is not in any form at the moment 0,0 from 2.

With the 'special, bumper, commemorative' programme being priced at 4 quid, I would be ok with a £25 entry fee including a programme!, but still nothing announced yet.

Thought he'd got that sewn up for Wolves!!!!!

Have to give them some joy at the end of their season A ORLOV!!!! Unfortunately Batch didn't drop his average enough to come into consideration.

Nick at home is in the Echo within the last hour!!

Unless MF got to Musielak quick enough to defer his hols?!

No you didn't but the point is if Poole want to use him in 2019 as their asset then he won't be able to sign a contract elsewhere!!

Good luck and stay injury-free to all riders from both teams who have racing commitments both here and in Poland over the weekend!!

Nik Budimir has been involved in this behind the scenes for several years. He has had several businesses in the Poole/Bournemouth area over the years as well as elsewhere. He has many contacts in the Leisure and property development areas. I believe he helped sponsor Antonio Lindback when he first came over to ride for Poole.

Holder is not your asset!!!

Still no official confirmation anywhere that Ellis is guesting - either at home or away?!

I think the big question for this thread is who will be the Promoter and Team Manager in 2019? If MF's 'exciting new venture' becomes a reality then he'll most likely be moving abroad!!!!!

So with 2019 signings being made already (Mountain and Dickson) it would seem Master Bates has an inkling of what the 2019 format should/will be?! If fixed race nights are dropped and a different rule for doubling up/down is introduced then I can see both Sheffield and Leicester in the SGBP.

So the strong whisper is that its Adam Ellis both home and away. Not confirmed anywhere officially yet but I'm sure his dad will let us know.

Not sure why its confusing? BV used r/r for Cook at number 2 on Monday!! The rules only state that the highest average rider must ride at 1 and the 2 lowest at 6&7. Its up to the team manager and riders as to who rides at 2,3,4 and 5. I believe the riding order will change for the final.

The point Gav fails to make in his argument is that Brady's current average and recent scores have been whilst riding at number 1. Riding at 5 (or potentially at 3 or 4 in the final for that matter) would likely have allowed him to score more heavily - hence why he is understandably seen as a loss for the Pirates.

...and imo would have been much better not riding at 1. But we'll never know now will we?

Replaces 'independent' Chairman Tony Gillias I believe.

Rule 18.10.6. states'No rider whose team is in the play-offs may appear as a guest in the play-offs'! No mention of appearing as a guest for more then one team!!

Not that many that aren't injured or also have a SGBP average!!

Gates are opening 30 minutes earlier on Monday at 6pm as stated in the Echo today. The car park as with the whole stadium is 'owned' by the council and leased to Stadia UK who take all the income (car park, bars, restaurant etc) except that directly provided by the Speedway (gate money, programme sales and adverts and sponsorship.). As has been mentioned the car park is open to public use during the day and many of the nearby hospital staff use it every day. However there is also a lorry/coach park to the left down Stadium Way by the main car park entrance. Car parking is 2.50 per vehicle.

Not much choice from Wolves, Swindon or Leicester on BWD's average - even less on Summers'!! Shame BWD's average wasn't 0.05 higher then they could have used Charles Wright!!