Big Al

I think the demise of Proctor and Bates kind of forced the Lions to rebuild the team to have four heat leaders, due to a large extent on who was available, on what average. But I don't think that having four heat leaders really did any of them any great favours individually, or the team as a whole. Go back to the three heat-leader model, find one reliable second-string, one second string who can put a point or two on his average, one reserve who will challenge for a 1-5 place, and one promising youngster. And never, ever, even think about trying Josh Bates again. And maybe consider one of the Thompsons riding elsewhere for a season.

So sometimes the truth is distorted for commercial reasons. And clearly was in this instance. For the overall purpose of preventing some, number unknown and unspecified, from deciding not to attend. Big deal, if anyone is shocked by this, they're not living in the real world!

Oh, and the weather forecast for Tuesday is showing rain from about 1pm onward, into and through the evening.

This is probably costing Leicester a lot, and all for something which shouldn't have been happening, anyway. Who the hell came up with the idea of having playoffs quarter finals. Sounds to me like one of B. Johnson's crackpot schemes.

Just pay them a basic compensation. It'll save everyone money including Leicester. Surely Scunthorpe riders would rather get their equipment mothballed and get earning money by working. Maybe even a couple of HGV drivers among them

Which makes it even more question able to have quarter finals. Mr Godfrey would be doing the sensible thing if, in the best interests of the sport, he now concedes the tie and allows the semi finals to proceed asap, with Poole v Leicester

Worse this year because of the quarter finals. They could be getting on with the semi finals now and have a decent chance of the final being done by mid month before tracks become too problematic

I think the sooner the speedway season is over, the better. This extra round of playoffs has been unnecessary and is only serving to drag things out, weather fast deteriorating, rider availability problems, and the fuel crisis is bound to have an impact as it carries on for a few more weeks at least. It's time for a decision to be made, which is to reduce it down to a Poole v Glasgow final, and the KOCup final if possible. Otherwise the risk of it all going into chaos is too high

This situation is crying out for the "pools panel" as put forward before on this forum, to be brought in to decide matches.

That early??

Leicester area seems to have been badly afflicted by overly pessimistic weather forecasts this summer. So many days I've lost count of them, when a full-on rain forecast for most of the day has turned out to be a short shower or two. But occasionally it catches you out by being correct but I'd say only about 20 percent this year. Very vexing indeed!

I recall watching them doing practice starts and remarking I didn't realise how similar looking Edward Kennett is to Kev Doolan. The penny dropped that it actually was Kev Doolan, but don't recall any announcement being made about the change.

Was it the Shield final in 2019 when a leading Eastbourne rider (could have been Kennett) was replaced by Kevin Doolan (who at least did ride) at very late notice?

Wouldn't it be in the best interests of the landlords if they improved access to the track for the Brummies in order for them to carry out the track preparation more satisfactorily? Otherwise, they are at risk of losing rental income, and have to incur the time and costs of cleaning up the stadium after a speedway match?

Wouldn't it be in the best interests of the landlords if they improved access to the track for the Brummies in order for them to carry out the track preparation more satisfactorily? Otherwise, they are at risk of losing rental income, and have to incur the time and costs of cleaning up the stadium after a speedway match?

You certainly wouldn't have liked it (the track) prior to the alterations carried out by the current owners and promoters! It was almost as off-putting as the constant rubbish peddled by the previous owner and promoter (same person as designed the track). Now, I just take the attitude of, to use the favourite phrase of T. Woffinden, "it is what it is" and fully appreciate that Stewart Dickson & co are doing their very best to enhance what they are working with, and generally are doing a fine job. The alterations have helped, too, and probably the current owners and sponsors have contributed significantly.

Will they have a 28 day guest rider facility for "rider witholding his services"? I wouldn't rule out the chances of Ty Proctor returning but only riding in the Championship. As for Josh Bates, what about Lewis Bridger as a replacement??

I think that Proctor and Bates have both had employment from the Bates family businesses as key workers in Sewage and Waste Water. I'm not sure if this is still the case, but if they are still engaged as key workers, could that be a factor in their struggling a bit, so far? In the case of the Thompsons, surely it is better a case of "steady as it goes" at present and assess them fairly at end of the season?

Is Dakota Ballantyne eligible to get a visa?

I'd hang on until they make the next signing. A former world champ now living in California??

I'd give it about 5 matches

Is that down to him having signed a contract in Sweden since Swindon withdrew, or would it just not be possible for a GB team to fit him into the new averages limits?

Has there been any word yet from Jason Doyle about his plans for the season?

Who will emerge as the No.1 ?

I decided, against my better judgement, to go to two Leicester home matches during one of their recent seasons in the Elite (?) league. They were against Belle Vue and Wolves - both of them clubs with good reputations, and with supposed star no.1 riders in Matej Zagar and Freddie Lindgren. These were strong factors in me deciding to go. Against Belle Vue, we were treated to Mr Zagar throwing a hissie fit in that he made it obvious that he didn't want to be there, to the extent that he created unnecessary danger to other riders (and was possibly doing it in order to earn exclusion from the match). Against Wolves, Lindgren mostly struggled around in 3rd or 4th, on machinery which looked to be not up to scratch. Those proved to be my only and last matches at Elite league level. Top quality is only top quality if it performs like it on the night. There is nothing worse than underperformance in driving someone away.