SteveLyric2

Not sure what Richie's average is or when it will change? He was on 7.26 last year but only did 3 home/4 away meetings so didn't get a new average.

So Chris hopeful of getting clearance this coming week so his visa application can be progressed once more. Meanwhile Richie Worrall replaces Kildemand who can't fulfill any more meetings.

Well it might be a 3 pointer if Smolli or another isn't signed in time!!!

Any issues with his son etc are not mentioned. The gist of the article headed 'Red Tape Tangle' is as follows. "Poole Team Manager Neil Middleditch admits Chris Holder is 'just a name on a list'!.. ....the Aussie is currently competing in Poland and Sweden...and is working to resolve the red tape currently stopping him from racing for Poole. ...it seems incredible that a former World Champion is still sweating on a visa for a country where he has lived for over a decade, has a son and owns property, while footballers - admittedly paying millions more in tax - can seemingly transfer to the UK at the drop of a hat.... ...The Pirates boss accepts the club will have to bide their time 'its all red tape.Unfortunately Chris is just a name on a list. Its a case of when they get to him, they get to him!'.. ...it was all going through,and then it hit stumbling blocks. The brakes are on. There is nothing we can do. You can't hurry these things unfortunately, it doesn't matter who you are. You're just a name on a list." Bearing in mind that the visa application process could not have begun until Holder's ban was finished (as until that time he didn't have an actual job!) the paperwork would have had to be 100% correct! Maybe it wasn't and maybe there was an objection to it - which may be part of the 'stumbling block' referred to in the article. Hopefully it will be resolved sooner rather than later. watch this space!

Just to be clear the Smolinski talks are for short term cover for Kildermand who has finished his temporary cover for Chris Holder. Chris' situation is partially explained in the Speedy Star this week. (Apologies if this has already been stated!!)

Hope it doesn't affect his GP summarising with Natalie on Saturday?!

So will the Smolinski signing be done in time for Monday and will it make any difference? Although after witnessing Scotty's performance at Poole last night, maybe we might have a hope after all!?

Because its to do with a work permit for the UK. Even if he'd been allowed to sign for Somerset with his brother it would still have been the same, Should be some progress (hopefully) next week. As for the Smolinski talks - its for short term cover as PK has finished his stint as well as having Danish commitments.

I wonder what would have happened if the BSPA had stuck to their Premiership Mondays/Thursdays fixed race nights - having initially agreed those 2 days with the FIM?!

With Woffy back in the GB fold and an article in the Daily Star today, maybe more national coverage may follow?!

So it looks as though Scotty is now getting the best out of the new engine - and from what I'm hearing about Monday's teams he'll be well up for another maximum!!!

Maybe we're just waiting til after 23rd May (when riders have done 4H/4A) so that the 2 Poles will drop to reserve, PK will complete his temporary stay and the 2-5 can be properly strengthened!?

But there's very little to 'take back' after only 4 meetings!!! Thats why I said to give it a rest - at least until riders have completed a few more meetings, FFS!!

Give it a rest Gav - How is any 'new' rider going to increase their GSA after only 4 meetings??

Correct - I'm sure the bookies will change their odds accordingly - or not!

Neither of the 2 rules you quoted are specific or relevant to Shanes' situation, unless if/when he returns (at the possible expense of a Pole) its seen as being in the best interest of British Speedway, whilst at the same time redeclaring with an 8-pointer?! Poole are likely to have plenty of points leeway to strengthen!!

They can't be proved right or wrong at the moment as we're not at the end of the season yet! That is what the betting odds and punditry is all about. I think there is a song lyric along the lines of "Its not where you start, its where you finish!".

Josh said in interview on video at Somerset on Wednesday that there was a good spirit within the team with everyone getting on well. It was just about getting their set-ups right and having more meetings. Only 3 home meetings so far (2 Prem;1 Challenge) and the track prep and weather conditions have been different every time.

So are we going to prove all the bookies and pundits wrong now - or shall we wait til the end of the season?

Kyle Newman replaces King in Wednesday's Prem Riders Championship at Poole!!

Why/How are either of those rules relevant to Poole's change?

Maybe Shanes will come back in for Sczhepaniak at the end of the month and allow for another 7 or 8 point rider if any of the top 5 are still not performing?! ;-)

55-40 Lisa???? Good luck with that score - anywhere!! I'll go 52-38 again. (ps. Just waiting for Gavan to come on stating it'll be a cast-iron Pirates win!!)

Holder's ban and fine were reduced on appeal to the ACU. However I'm not sure how much of a reduction there was? Originally I believe he would have been eligible to start racing again from mid April - but surely he would have to have a relevant work visa to be able to do that?! As I've said previously, maybe he had to come back to the UK on a visitor visa and he wouldn't have been able to start the work permit/visa application until after his ban was finished. I don't know enough about the visa application process, but presumably it may be possible for somebody to object to one being issued?! Any objection could be speedway-related or something else entirely, couldn't it?! Either way its Chris's business and Matt Ford is fully in the picture so watch this space. Meanwhile we wait till the whole current 1-7 have got new averages - those already on rolling averages and those that still need to complete 4xHome and 4xAway - to see what changes MF will have in mind - if any, by end of May. ps. Its a shame the rules don't allow for a last season's rider to be reintroduced as Timo Lahti is doing quite well in Poland!!

Not sure what I posted was either incorrect or 'smug'?! Merely stating facts as part of my opinion. Hardly my fault if posters are reading or seeing something that isn't there!!