Technik

On The up side there was 15 races & no dust, dispite the weather there were some good races & until the last couple of races it was really close. yes Oxford have a problem at No1 & they have started with what looks to be a weaker side but the racing at Cowley has been good so unless your a died in the wool Oxford fan then there's enough entertainment for all 3 leagues to run at this track

I'll go for a narrow victory for the home side. Oxford without a second big hitter & some unknown factors against a Scunthorpe side with much the same but away from home & it's that difference that sways my decision 50 - 40

Todays engines rev far to high & just breed throttle jockeys. The days of the highly skilled riders that could use throttle control to make the machine work to its best are sadly lost. It only seems a few years back that we were trying to make an engine rev to 10,000RPM & now they are in excess 0f 18,000RPM & we require a limiter at 13,500 which means nearly 30% of the engines capabilities are unavailable & yet they still rip a tyre to shreds in a couple of races. I think a limiter is a bad choice, it's just something else to go wrong or be by-passed. My opinion is to limit the bore size which will increase the stroke to achieve 500cc & massivly reduce the RPM back to a level where the motor will work efficently at lower revs & provide a much smoother working band for the riders

Len Silver was the man for restricting access. He would wait at the gate & point at the sign that stated 1 rider 1 mechanic 1 guest then he would count the number of spare heads. The rider would know nothing until he got his pay cheque with deductions for extra persons.

My team. Tom Spencer Birm 7.22 Freddy Hodder BV 7.11 Vinnie Foord Kent 6.29 Luke Harris Steel 5.36 Stene Pijper Lei 4.82 Kai Ward Ply 3.58 Senna Summers OX 3.44 Total 37.82

I Have a question. I understand there are two leagues & some riders are in both & we should declare which league the selected rider will be in. However is it possible to name the same rider twice & use their average from both clubs

You could also include David Steen, I don't believe there were many riders to represent Zimbabwe.

I was happy with that. I know the rain was not ideal but the races kept coming & the quick thinking to adjust the schedule kept the flow. It was all finished by 8:15 a very efficient meeting. Credit to all involved on & off the track. Lets hope the SRBF got of to a solid start for the season.

There is also a young female rider from Germany Patrica "Paddy" Erhart that has links with Nepal she proudly wears the unique national flag on her race suit

This is phase 2 in the FIM homologation. Phase 1 started in 2018 & has a much wider selection but it is only for circuit racing helmets (full face) the next stage is to include helmets for off road events. The current count offers a very small choice but as the year moves on the selection will increase as more manufactures present their products for testing. The regulation will become live in 2026 so there is a long way to go yet

The pits look very different. The Hams put on a fantastic show every meeting was like the world final.

To be fair I'm finding that a cashless entry is becoming the norm at many sporting venues. I went to a "100" cricket match, Horse racing & two rugby matches where entry was either on-line booking or card at the entry point so Oxford's system is in keeping with the the progressive era we live in. One place I went for Rugby was a 100% cash free stadium entry, food, Drink & club shop were all card only & no amount of begging would sway them to accept cash

I agree 100%. live speedway of league meetings is not the best way to help our sport & that a magazine style format would be a better way forward. Along the lines of Match Of The Day with studio pundits showing & talking about the weeks events over a 1.5 hour time programme to show the best races from verious meetings & previewing coming ones

Over the years Speedway has been transfered from one channel to the next & if you want to watch you need to pay the subscription. I only got Sky sports for the Speedway & once they stopped covering it I stopped paying for sky. In the early stages I felt that our sport was made for TV but now I feel it is so drawn out to suit a 2.5 hour time slot it has lost the meaning of "Speed". I'm sure we all remember the second half races that there is seldom time for at todays events. I don't think TV is helping Speedway at this point & now having to chase after a different channel again. The SGP is good but I can do without the domestic racing I'd rather go along to a track & watch from the terrace & believe my money is going into a speedway club

Planning permission is far from a fully functioning sports arena. There was planning permission at Reading they even went as far as producing a scale model but never was a digger seen near the site. Clarke Osbourne is a con man & he has well & truly conned Terry Russell who I suspect at this stage has to much invested in the project & fears the embaressment of admitting he has been conned

Prague is one of the most beautiful cities I have been so much history, but I have to agree it is problem with the crime that go'es on. The weekends are a big issue as it has become a popular Stag/Hen party venue. If you enjoy speedway & sight seeing I would recommend the Golden Helmet weekend in Pardubice & incorperate the Tomicek Memorial at Prague on the Monday

I have seen Gusts in open events on the continent & he is a sound prospect if a little untidy in style at times. I don't know how he will adapt to the tight Cowley circuit. But if he is to start at reserve then it's a fair gamble.

I don't think the gambling companies are very aware of Speedway but they are fully versed on advertising & being able to get your name on live TV for over 2 hours by sponsoring a sports team seems cheaper than asking a retired footballer or former actor to make a 30 second commercial.

There are a few possible at that average i'm sure. Timo Lahti, Already has a BL average & is much improved in European competition over the last few seasons. Kai Huckenback, May not be the most consistent but can produce big scores. Leon Madsen, Another with a BL average & again improved since his last spell here.

Has anyone got any idea what average could be fitted into the remaining position?

I never understand why there is such a rush to get a team released almost before the end of the season. The new season will not start before March 15th so there's ample time to find a team. I can remember going to P&P day not knowing who I might see in my clubs colours. In todays climate there are many unknown hurdles, Polish commitments, work permits, Averages & of course finances to agree all before "I's" are dotted & "T's" are crossed

I think it should go to one of the southern tracks this season

I think Andrew always wanted his life to be fun & not just a job. I heard a story that as we all know The Silver's are skiers but Andrew was a step up & he was around the British Olympic squad when they were training. at the time the top Brit was Conrad Bartelski & he was decked out in full skin tight ski suit & Andrew in just regular ski pants, jacket & a wooly hat. Andrew recorded a time a lot quicker than the ski pro but he never made a fuss it was all just fun

I enjoyed watching Andrew Silver, he had a God given ability on the bike & was able to change direction like no other rider. he didn't need to be on the fastest machine he just had a faster mind

Petri Kokko. Almost parked & signaled before going into the bends, I once heard Armando Castagna yelling at him whilst they were teamed at Reading " F**ing hell Kokko you must go into the turns fast or I will kill you"