Terrace Grumbler

It has taken 16 heats to see a decent race. Good stuff from Bellego and Howarth. I have just heard Alex Harkess say on the PA that this is very entertaining. As I see it he is either delusional or just ripping it out of the paying public. The track is atrocious and the standard of riding to date has been, to put it politely, mediocre.

One pass in ten heats. This isn't speedway racing, it's more like exhibition riding. I've seen more effort and excitement at testimonial meetings. In other news they appear to be electing a Pope on the back straight

What has been done to the Owlerton track? It seems to have been neutered somehow - certainly there isn't much shale on it. All follow the leader so far.

In George we trust. He is the Arsene Wenger of speedway - I'd back his judgment 99 times out of 100.

MF, there aren't many trolls on these boards (thank the Lord) but sometimes you get pretty close.

MF, there aren't many trolls on these boards (thank the Lord) but sometimes you get pretty close.

Thank you for explaining that - appreciated here on the terraces! Moz, if I am not much mistaken, recorded a track called "speedway" tho if I'm thinking of the right one it's a love- hate choon about a journalist. Then again it may have been about unrequited love for A bloke in black leathers, I'm not sure.

Has Holub got British nationality?

Sadly I have to agree with Diamond Ernie about Phillips. Time for a change. Sadly I have to agree with Diamond Ernie about Phillips. Time for a change.

How many times will we have ridden Redcar this season by the time Sunday has come and gone?

I would prefer not to give publicity to those with the apparent inability or unwillingness to take a joke (who are nationally known figures within the sport through media work) but basically it seems to me - and it's only my view, of course - that a sledgehammer has been taken to crack a nonexistent nut. I'll pm you b

Spot on. Similar thoughts apply to the sense of humour failure apparent from one of the pages of the programme. The Plymouth team is a rag tag and bobtail bunch. Jack Holder looks decent and as ever Neilsen has given 100% but Coles looks interesting if The promotion happened to be considering a change.

I see we weren't the only people to turn up at BP this afternoon. It was hot and sunny - I should have checked the website. From a personal perspective I can't get to Monday meetings so it's now 5 weeks since we've been to a meeting. With the GP, anda holiday, in July I can't see things improving much. People may find other things to do on a Sunday evening...

Thank you - I stand corrected! Confused of Sunderland

Fair comment. What about the Championship team, and the team the season after that?

Yes, but it's not actually there, is it? (If you can sort it, I'd like to see Paul Bentley take on Sean Wilson round Brough. If you can't manage that, Wilson chasing Stonehewer round the centre green at Owlerton is something I'd pay money to see again)

Well I was almost right...anyhow, Hammer or no Hammer, my point remains...it's great fun picking teams but unless you see the NL riders, you just don't know how good they are/might be around BP. I'm sure that if a change is to be made, it will be done at the right time and in the right way. I can honestly say I enjoyed the Gems' Conference meetings more than I did the PL - what would it cost to run a joint team with Workington, with six home league meetings each?

Interesting discussion - but what I had in mind was a different question. How would a Monarchs team led by Carr, Schott and Schlein, with -say- Dalle Andersson and the early noughties Armadale crew in support fare against this year's seven? Or, would you back a Newcastle team with Eriksson, Olsen (J) and Walsh as its heat leaders against this year's team? I'm not carping and wishing for the old days - I just don't know.

"The Hammer" was RuffDiamond's handle for Dan Greenwood, wasn't it?

From a Newcastle perspective it's great to have two Diamonds in the Grand Final of the British Final. Leaving Robert Lambert aside (as he would be exceptional at any time) how well would, say, the Worralls or Lawson have gone 15 years ago? Would Paul Starke have got to a British Final? The lineup tonight looked to me like a decent end of season PL individual meeting from 10 years or so ago. Is this bad? Or doesn't it matter?

Anyone who thinks The Hammer would be a material upgrade is being optimistic. He was as uncompetitive when he was at BP as Kid Kong is now and while I can't claim to be the greatest student of the NL not much seems to have changed. There is no point in making change for change's sake and I'm sure the management is on the case. In George we trust.

Well said tonight, Roy. Matej may be gone, but he isn't forgotten.

That's very thoughtful, Screm. Awful episode, he was trying so hard to make it a success at Newcastle. It's something to reflect on and may be worth a word or two from Roy tomorrow night.

Doesn't it ha stone r/r? ....by which I meant "doesn't it have to be r/r?" (Hic!)