TheWellBehavedWorrall

Very true. I remember him with Sheffield. I thought he was the match winner last night. He set the tone with not only his enthusiasm for the crowd, but some outstanding riding. I’ll say it again - he bullied Lewis Kerr in heat fourteen. He created a 5-1 for him and Brennan.

If Pijper had participated in heat fourteen, there’s a significantly high probability that Kerr or Atkins would have finished ahead of him, thus adjusting the landscape of the result. Maybe not, but that was a huge risk by Cami Brown and in my opinion, a tactical error.

Poole are also at a disadvantage in the ‘Best Dressed’ category. Glasgow’s team kevlars take anyone wearing them to an eight out of ten, minimum. Absolute Vogue. Meanwhile, Poole are mixing navy and light blue, like they’ve gone; “Hi, Stevie Wonder. Can you design our kevlars?” Sometimes, I worry that Poole prioritise points over appearance.

I forgot to add that the second leg will take place on Christmas Eve. Poole, as you said, don’t want to surrender the second leg, but the Allied Vehicles weather machine has caused 19 postponements of the first leg. Lawson will be out in heat fourteen as a tactical substitute. I also forgot to add that Complin will lap him while smoking a cigar.

What was the script with Ace Pijper in heat fourteen? That was an uncomfortable watch, seeing him in so much pain. I assume the paramedics were the last to reach him because they’re instructed not to enter the track until all bikes are stationary, but that wasn’t nice to see. Also, why was Pijper in that heat? I’m conscious I’m not up-to-date on the rules, but I thought everyone had to have at least three rides - which he already had - so wouldn’t Complin coming in from the start have been the most astute tactical decision? Having said that, I felt sorry for Pijper. He had a tough night. At 17, I was illegally drinking alcohol on the streets; he’s lining-up at the tapes with the likes of Chris Harris and Scott Nicholls. These challenging experiences will be the making of him; he’ll benefit significantly in years to come.

The first leg will be at Poole and the second will be Glasgow. We’ve got a weather machine up here, so we’ll force a second leg at home. I, for one, cannot wait to see Lee Complin perform another erotic sex dance on the back straight, having just lapped Richard Lawson in heat fourteen to secure the title.

Thanks. The forecast is horrendous; the first dry day is Monday, according to BBC Weather. Why don’t we borrow Redcar’s track sheets? They won’t be needing them.

I’m sure I read somewhere that the first leg would be on Friday, but saw someone on here suggest it might be Sunday. Has anything been announced? No tickets are available on Glasgow‘s website.

I’ve also filled-out a contact form on Volkswagen’s website, but don’t tell anyone.

If that’s the case, ignore him. Heat twelve at Ashfield last night, according to the centre green announcer, was sponsored by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. I didn’t start going “No, no, no, I don’t WANT a commercial vehicle”. I just ignored it.

He hasn’t ruined your morning, has he? Let’s be honest, I hope Glasgow ruin entire week next week, but he’s joking; his post is tongue-in-cheek. It’s a bit of sporting banter. I’ve said it before and I reiterate that it isn’t healthy for a forum - other people’s opinions will differ from you, but there’s no need to be outraged. Instead of admitting you wished someone else had started the topic, why not tell him you hope a bit of wet shale from Tarasenko’s back wheel lands in his mouth? Or that the stadium announcer corrects himself after Steve has already marked his programme? Really attack him, you know?

Is this a serious post? What’s he done wrong?

That was an emotional rollercoaster, but what a result. I can’t imagine it would have been the most exciting meeting for the neutral, but sheer competitiveness of the first and second bends was outstanding. No inches given. The pop when Harris and Tarasenko gated in heat thirteen was incredible. It’s at moments like that I wonder how UK speedway is struggling; it means so much to so many. The biggest shout-out has to go to Lee Complin. I hold my hands up because I suggested he played to the galleries last week, but that in my opinion, he played the most crucial role last night. Following Basso and Brennan home for 5-1s in heats twelve and fourteen, the first of which was immediately after an Oxford full house was, wow. Luckily for the Facenn’s, Ashfield doesn’t have a roof. Complin’s cut-back in heat fourteen and subsequent press on Lewis Kerr allowed Brennan through. Genuine top class speedway. Kerr will be disappointed; he was bullied. I haven’t saw Poole ride this season, but I’m hoping for an incredible couple of meetings. Gutted the season is coming to an end. I’ve caught the bug.

@Steve Shovlar’s had more bites than Luis Suarez here. That’s twice I’ve saw him do that in a couple of days. Once more and he gets to keep you.

Martin Dugard was a great rider; he’s the only one I’ve saw. He won the British GP as a wild card, didn’t he? I’m sure it was in the early 00s and at Coventry.

Was Paul related to Martin Dugard?

This place is absolutely wild. The variety of discussion and debate available on this forum is outstanding, but it’s almost as if some are utterly outraged that someone’s opinion would differ from theirs, then it spills into borderline verbal abuse. Relax.

Steve, I assume you’re a Poole fan?

That’s a fully fit Claus Vissing though; no doubt an excellent rider around Ashfield, especially. The concern is his fitness. It’s a significant ask to throw someone who required a knee brace last week to take part in a play-off decider, having not ridden in a meeting for however long it’s been. Having said that, what you’ve said is interesting - the average points scored by his R/R. 5 isn’t great.

I’ve got absolutely no idea, but Nepal even have any male riders? Fair play to that young lady.

Both of these are speedway caviar. Both of these were coming to the end of their careers when I first saw them, but I’ve heard a lot of good things regarding how good they were in their day. More speedway caviar. Loram winning the world title without winning a GP in the series was the definition of consistency. He was frightening in the early 00s. Maybe I’m getting old, but as outstanding as the Torun GP was on Saturday, the field Loram became world champion ahead of was miles ahead of it; Hamill, Hancock, Rickardsson, Crump, Gollob, Louis, Adams, etc. These guys were averaging 9.50+ across two or three domestic leagues per-year. I’d say Joe Screen is the second most entertaining rider I’ve ever saw, just behind Shane Parker. Two proper characters, too. I’m sure they’re good friends, as well.

Personally, I’d leave Vissing out. Cami Brown said he was still wearing a knee brace last week, so there’s no way he’s fully fit this week. Then again, is that an option in speedway? It isn’t football, where you can pick and choose when to leave a team member out. The weather here is miserable, lots of rain, but the forecast is sun from around 4PM onwards.

I can’t see anything other than the creation of one league; no more Premiership and Championship because the volume of clubs simply isn’t there. Supporting a Premiership team this season must have been a nightmare for variety, playing the same teams every four or so weeks. Can you imagine that in a five-man league?

1. Nicki Pedersen An incredible talent. You could tell when he arrived on these shores in ‘98 with Newcastle that he was destined for the top. 2. Carl Stonehewer Arguably the Premier League/Championship’s greatest ever rider, especially with Workington between 2000 and 2003 when he was also a GP rider. 3. Shane Parker The most entertaining rider I’ve ever saw, by a significant distance. His ability to protect younger, less experienced teams mates to ensure a 5-1 was the most skilful thing I’ve ever saw in speedway. 4. Brian Andersen The smoothest rider I’ve ever saw, narrowly beating Leigh Adams in that category. He would have looked more stressed ironing than riding a speedway bike. 5. Peter Carr I’m a Glasgow fan and this guy broke my heart, but what a rider, especially around Armadale. He had this line coming off the second bend (now the fourth bend) that no-one could stop. 6. Simon Stead I’m amazed this guy didn’t go further or win more. He had talent in abundance. I used to love watching him and was certain he would reach the GPs, maybe even compete. 7. James Grieves The top boy. The legend. The best rider on this list. The housewives favourite. The man who battered Robert Eriksson, Stefan Danno and Frede Schott with one hand preoccupied with a protein shake.

I tried that, Steve. I bought the meeting on BSN and made a valid, unprovocative observation about Glasgow’s performance, so @Noelinho told me nobody liked me, then @ragdoll64 called me an “idiot” and @Gazc called me a “clown”. At what point do we draw the line? I wholeheartedly agree with you that we should stick to the thread, but I’ve tried that. It doesn’t work.