Studland Bee

Everyone talks about replacing Robbo but looking at Hans Anderson this season he is a real weak link in the team. He went missing in the play off stages last year and has been equally frustrating this year. Watching Anderson in the European Championship meeting on Saturday was worrying, he was passed numerous times. He really needs to sort things and very quickly.

Robbo is out on his mountain bike every day looking to return on Monday at Belle Vue. He was considering riding at Redcar tonight, but decided the extra few days would help him back to full movement.

I just had an update from Robbo, he says track is looking good although on the slick side, but considering the heavy rain overnight its in good shape. Still looing at around 1630 on track.

If Mick had of gone with Klindt most of us would have been disappointed. This is a rider that I don't know much about. That said, Mick has clearly talked to other riders and not jumped to fill the last place. Personally I am pleased we are trying a new rider, it could be a good signing as Przemysław Pawlicki proved to be in 2010, time will tell. Looking forward to the start of the season.

Well done Leicester, I think Greg will be a good signing. Two Polish riders in the team experience and youth, should work well.

With Pawlicki back at Coventry this would make this team serious title contenders, I imagine cost is a big factor for Mr Horton, but it would be an exciting team of racers and gate revenue would surely increase once the results come in and with the right publicity. It's good to see Buildbase back as main team sponsors, it was announced fairly late on this year, I was wondering if John Clarke had difficulty convincing the Buildbase directors to stay involved at Coventry. Come on Michael; give the fans what they want, pull that rabbit out the hat!

I was frustrated like many fans are when riders don't make fixtures for different reasons. That said Przemyslaw Pawlicki most certainly turned up at the business end of the 2010 season when it mattered most as all Coventry and Poole fans will never forget for different reasons. Shamek is a class act and a real character who would slot nicely into the Coventry team. I can't imagine it will happen due to finances, but Mr Horton has produced the odd surprise.

From the outset I said that signing Bridger was a bad decision by Coventry. He has again showed how he is totally unprofessional in every way. Bridger is only going one way from here, and thankfully it won't be at Coventry. Mick Horton as has been said has another opportunity to sign a rider of real ability that can make this a team capable of winning the Elite League title. There is one young man we would all love to see in Coventry colours again ...

Brilliant news, well done Mick. I really like this young man, great talent and potential, British and a real character. More good news from the Coventry camp.

Jacques, I note your comments, but in effect this is Wards first appearing at a tribunal to answer charges against him, therefore this is the start of any legal argument. I can assure you that defence statements often arrive on the day of PCMH, or first hearing although they should be served before. I don't know how it works with the FIM, but my point is that experts and other evidence is often served after the first hearing. I draw comparisons to the Criminal Courts solely on the basis that there is so much at stake for all involved, and I suspect the tribunal will be hearing will be adopting similar evidential standards. But it's all very interesting not knowing the full facts of this case.

The hearing as we know lasted one day. The FIM would surely present their case and Darcy Ward would be asked to respond. If he were to have accepted the evidence, and in effect plead guilty to the offence under FIM rules and regulations, I think this would have been fairly straightforward and the FIM could probably have dealt with things on the day, or within a few days based on previous sentences for like offences. It seems to me from what has been reported, that Darcy Ward is in fact challenging the evidence and not accepting the alcohol test procedures and therefore pleading not guilty. Why else would he employ a Legal Team, other than to present some form of mitigation. The FIM would have to receive the defence evidence presuming there has been no previous disclosure or defence statement from Ward. From here the FIM would clearly need to seek Legal Advice and examine the evidence presented to them; what is the basis of the challenge ? The FIM or in fact Darcy Ward's team may need to seek advice from an expert witness, or refer to case law. These are some of the reasons why procedures in the Criminal Courts take so long. There is so much at stake here for Darcy Ward and for the FIM. This needs to be handled properly by the FIM and the relevant Legal representatives for both sides. I feel that 45 days is not unreasonable should this time frame be required.

More good news on the Coventry web site on the priority over the use of double up riders: http://www.coventrybees.co/news.php?extend.3025

I bet Ned Payne the speedway correspondent of the Bournemouth Echo has a right laugh dealing with Middleditch; the quote: PIRATES team boss Neil Middleditch says troubled star Darcy Ward could “take a couple of years out” of speedway – depending on his hearing result. At least that bit is accurate. I think Matt Ford should shut Middleditch up, he is making a complete fool of himself and not helping Darcy by his negativity towards the FIM.

Good to hear from Neil Watson, great idea with the fence sponsorship. I really hope that the planning application gets kicked into touch and we can stay where we belong at Brandon Stadium. Next job Neil in my opinion is to sign Jason Garrity as a full asset of the club, a swap deal with Eddie Kennett sounds like a plan. I think Jason has a bright future with the right people around him which is clearly at Coventry, keep him away from Poole

Interesting news on the Coventry Bees web site, investing in a new air fence in time for the 2015 season. This can't be cheap, and at a time of uncertainty for the stadium and the future of the club. Sounds like a positive to me.

This really is a tense situation in what should be a straightforward procedure, the outcome based on previous cases involving the FIM should be a ban from competition. So what has actually occurred here and why as it appears, is there some form of legal challenge. Why do the Poole promotion feel that Darcy Ward has been punished enough, when in fact he is merely suspended and no judgement has been made and no sentence imposed. I am interested to see what procedures the FIM have actually followed and importantly how the evidence has been gathered in this case. I would find it astonishing if there have been errors as their regulations are very detailed and comprehensive. Reading some posts on the forum, and with comments from Matt Ford, it appears the challenge is over some form of procedural failure. In the UK in respect of road traffic matters the procedures are straightforward. The first procedure is a screening breath test with a simple pass or fail based on the legal limit of 35 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. Although part of the evidence chain, and determining an arrest, this reading is not stand alone evidence for conviction. Following this procedure the person is arrested and when in custody given two further tests on a self calibrating machine which is the evidential sample for Court purposes. Two samples are taken and the lower figure counts. Interestingly, if a person gives readings between 40 and 50 he can elect to provide a sample of blood for analysis. I would expect that Ward has been asked to provide a sample of breath at the stadium and failed this procedure. So what has happened from here. Has Ward provided a blood or urine sample ? Has he had an option to do so ? These are the two recognised methods where a further specimen can be obtained for evidential purposes, and where the accused can have the so called 'B' sample for independent analysis . I suspect the challenge may be around these issues. I believe the FIM regulations have a no alcohol present standard and thus they may have simply taken the breath sample as evidence. Is it the case that Ward's advisors have employed a Legal Team to challenge on this basis. It is indeed a sad situation in many ways. I genuinely hope whatever the outcome that Darcy Ward does learn from this and hopefully finally mature and progress in our sport. I apologise for the lengthy post.

Dreadful news, not impressed.

I have been impressed with some of the decisions and statements Mick Horton has made in the last 12 months. I would like to think he takes on board the feelings and comments from the fans, we have not heard from Neil Watson for a while, but he certainly responded to comments made on this forum from time to time. I understand that Shamek Pawlicki would be a more expensive option than someone like Bridger, but the results and entertainment value with Pawlicki would be much better, which with the right marketing would improve gates receipts and encourage sponsors to the club. I really think Bridger would be a poor choice.

Interesting comments from Maciej Janowski on the Speedway GP web site. From what I have seen and heard, he really does seem to be a nice young man and a very special talent. Watching him in 2014, he really showed how well he has progressed, he was awesome around Coventry. I imagine most Poole fans are drawn here between having Chris and Darcy, should Darcy be available, or sticking with Magic, who thought he was in the team plans and clearly wants to ride for Poole. Much as I like to see Darcy at his best, I think I would go with Magic, I feel he deserves a team place for his efforts and loyalty to the club.

Please NO not Bridger, I don't want to pay to watch him, I have never rated him. I would love to see Pawlicki back riding for Coventry, another true racer in the team and would make us very strong and real Championship contenders.

Which ever rider Coventry had gone for, Robson or Summers, there would always be some clashes of fixtures. Stuart seems to think he will be available for most meetings and that promoters do actually talk to each other and try and work through fixtures to minimise clashes. I suppose time will tell with rain offs and re arranged fixtures throughout the season.

I have asked Stuart and he believes Redcar have priority over Coventry on the basis that he signed for them first so he is in effect doubling up with Coventry. From this he is saying if he had signed for an Elite club first and then a Premier club the Elite would then have priority.

I think Grzegorz Zengota is a good signing for Swindon, at 26 he is still young and improving so there is much more to come for sure. I really enjoyed watching him at Coventry, he always turned up, was a good racer who could pop out the start and also come from the back which he showed in some good races. He was also popular with the fans at Coventry and most of us would have welcomed him back. I hope Zengi has a good season with the Robins and I look forward to the Coventry meetings!

Am really pleased to see Stuart back in the team, a very good signing in my opinion. I would much rather have a rider that can come from the back if need be and provide the entertainment we all love to see. Stuart is an out and out racer and loves riding for Coventry. Over the years he has become a true professional and a real team player. Cant wait until March!

I think Howarth is an excellent signing for Swindon, I was really impressed with him at Coventry, and importantly, he can perform well when the pressure is on as he showed in the play off final. I would certainly consider either Kenni Larsen or Grzegorz Zengota for one of the final two places. Both riders are very professional and have good equipment. Both were popular at Coventry and provided good entertaining racing, both also never let the club down. I still think there's more to come from Larsen and this season could be really important for him. I suppose it all depends on the number one signing, I think if anyone can, Rosco could bring Emil back to the UK, I would love to see it. Good luck Swindon and Happy Christmas to all.