Sidney the robin

I wouldn't say struggling i would say he is learning, to even cope in the top five in the Championship Drew has made huge strides.He is still learning the tracks set ups ( etc) he is a huge talent and also comes across as a real level headed young man.

I think Zach has started other years slowly and improved, i think there is a good rider in there and he can contribute more.With that ruling you cant bring in a Pickering, Stewart, (ect riders who can improve a shame but that is the rule.

That is a mega point about Becker, i still believe in real firepower at the top and with Adam he is a real plus he can also keep on improving.The reserves are a real worry and scoring 2 between them like last night wont be winning any league title's anytime soon.

I did hear Steve that his Grandad was not keen to do so also did a rule stop him from doing Prem/ Championship.? I would love him to gets some outing's mainly for experience last year the unlucky young Brennan showed potential i am sure Drew would gain one hell of alot.

I am not so down coombdog with no Tobi i was not expecting anything at Belle Vue.Very disappointed we didnt get a point we probably deserved it.We have to aim to keep it close at Poole and beat them at home alot depends on Tobi really we shall see.Adam this year again has stepped up and we need to hang on in there and hope the reserves improve, how long will Rosco wait who knows.From what i have seen James gating is not good anough for this level he races hard but often has to much to make up fingers crossed he can improve.

He wont do three league's love to see it happen though .

This two point rule is a killer Crazy how can we make a change at reserve?.I believe we will make the playoffs but we need the reserves chipping in have you any suggestions Crazy for a two pointer who could improve us.!!

What about Danyon Hume had injury problems but he is a racer.

I loved watching the Russians and the Poles the thing that always stayed with me was looking in the pits and the Russians looking like they all had bikes that were track spares .They were always great value though great days indeed.

I did see Plechanov ride once at Swindon when he rode for Russia cant remember it though.I did notice Steve that Jerzy S rode the once at Oxford!!!! also he rode at Belle Vue and Halifax in 1971 i think was he deserved winner in 73 Steve what is your take.? Also Steve did you see Jim Airey ride in the 1973 series.??

Can't disagree with that Addio he was a real stylist a gentleman to, i have never heard anyone say a bad word about him.Like yourself i only see Mirac ride four or five times but he was a terrific rider he rode great lines and he never looked the quickest but his trackcraft was as good as anybody.One of my biggest regrets was i never got to see Craven or Knutsson ride but both would rank high on anyone's alltime great list.

Yes that top five Addio was outstandingI i really believe Bjorn gets forgotten he scared all of those other greats to death.Bjorn retired prematurely Ronnie for me was a 1950s man who after his gap from British racing comeback great Ron was a real star.Olsen is a rider i have always admired he won three title's the same as Nicki but for me was in a different league that era was tough.1973/78 Mauger, Olsen,Collins, Michanek, Lee, Jansson( his time was coming), Crump( on the Streety conversion were the top riders.In that respect the GP series now is the same six /eight who are the best with others on there day capable of having there day.The top five you mentioned have to be one of the best generation's we have had Craven aged 29 .killed approaching his peak Moore had six years off Knutsson retired in a way Speedway was robbed a real shame as all five were legend's.

I actually thought he might of become a two pointer for you as you said Montie he has done alot of laps around your place.

How did Rowe go Montie ? did he just gate ? got an interest as i would love him to make the grade and be a future Robin in the future.He has a hell of a long way to go i just hope Somerset sticks with him not convinced May will though Rowe and Atkins can improve.

Can Hume be fitted in ? if he keeps fit he will do well a real racer i know he is injury prone but he is a champs rider maybe his average is to high 3.83"???

Totally right i think Bob Paulson beat Ivan in heat 1 for Sheffield at Hyde Rd and Geoff Mudge beat him home/away not easy to do.

He got booed at the abbey Steve on a regular basis but i am sure the great man took it as a compliment and took it in his stride.Looking back to that 1970 season, a miracle happened at Wimbledon Ivan had two 5.1s against him by the Hedge/ Tebby and Moore/Maidment partnerships unheard of.Also my recollection of Ivan riding for Exeter was he was awesome for them to at that time you could see he had took the sport to a more professional level.He turned up with a superb van, gleaming leathers and immaculate aquipment so proud that i see him ride a real pleasure.

I was going through some of my programmes and speedway stars god how good was Ivan from 1969/72.?? for me they were his peak years. I went through all of Ivan's maximums and paid maximums in that period ( BL fixtures only) and the stats are unbelievable.I think Ove, Briggo, Ole all had oustanding records but if i hazarded a guess Hans Nielsen would come the closest to Ivan for maximums in his peak Oxford racing years.IVAN'S stats B.L fixtures only. ) 1969- 21.maximums- 3- paid. 1970- 17.maximums- 2-paid. 1971- 17.maximums-3-paid. 1972- 16.maximums-4paid. We all know what a great rider Ivan was i just wish i had of seen him at Hyde Rd in this period but luckily i got to see him ride quite alot LEGEND.

The old Wolves track was a wee bit different would you class Wolves the same as Eastie and Lakeside Webby.???

Next year if the side is designed to carry Jordan a bit they should do it.He can still do N.L as well, is he to young to do a few Championship meeting's later in the season for experience or has he got to be 16???.I believe he can establish himself in the Championship with time and patience he is a talent. Going back to List for me he was very unlucky a massive ask in the top 5 and starting at reserve i believe he would of been ok.

I actually liked both riders so the hurt of Martin losing out was not as bad.Martin's mistake like you said was dropping that point to Louis that really cost him.Wilson did really well to qualify after falling in his first ride and i can remember Ray lining up in the final in his yellow Bostik leathers.Maybe Martin was like Leigh Adams in some respect maybe not ruthless anough he was to fair that is what Jason Crump had over Leigh that little bit of devil but both were awesome aussies though Crump breathtaking at times.

A very underated rider indeed, very classy but even with my bias head on you have to say he underacheived at world level.

He did get around Ascot??? that was my doubt could he get around Hyde Rd, The shay,Swindon, County Ground, Owlerton in England.Ability wise i believe he could but Costa Mesa is alot different to a wet and mega racey night in Manchester on a crap Saturday night i still say Mike was classy could he of adjusted who knows.

I never see Steve ride City, he odviously was a very good rider as he interrupted his brothers dominance in the national championships twice 1969/73.I saw Keeter ride once for Leicester and the talented Rick Woods at Newport odviously saw all of the disappointing McKnight Swindon home meeting's going back to Steve i believe the terrific Bert Harkins helped him alot.

Great post this i loved watching Bobby and he was also terrific at Eastbourne just a shame in never got a run at it at World Championship level.By the way andout what was your overall opinion of Mike Bast he was odviously a brilliant home boy.