rabbit

Maybe Matt and Mike have now made a new decision...but the original message that came over the radio and was followed up in a convo with the same official was that it would be reduced admission. Clive had announced it as being free which caused a further radio message to say it was reduced admission hence my announcement on the scoreboard. Just it's a case of seeing what info follows although if it's on the Official site now maybe they've had a change of heart since the abandonment.

Agreed Kev - looked like Hans just lifted slightly - it was close but don't think it was malicious - just two racers going for it. David Howe seemed fairly philosophical about it afterwards when interviewed by our Clive.

What's a prima donner? Top of the range kebab? Are you on the funny juice tonight? Your main man was one of the main protagonists for wanting to call it off. Fact. It was he who called the referee over for the first meeting and was talking round the rest of the riders. For whatever reason he didn't want it to continue I know not! He had a lot of time for the paying public today didn't he? Still found time to plug his bloody book though. And to be honest i'm as disappointed in KK and the speed at which he was happy to give in before heat 7 as anyone else. Great post by the way Steve. I'm still totally gobsmacked at what I witnessed today. I've seen meetings carry on at Poole after torrential downpours - following remedial trackwork. I look forward to the statements that come out from the various sources after this.

WTF? Explain to me how that is a disgrace by the Poole promotion? You can have the damn meeting back up there! then we'll see what your comments are when the same thing happens at your track. In fact...i'm not even going to bother to make any futrther comment to such a dumbass post.

It's days like today when I really question why I bother with this sport. I feel sorry and angry on behalf of so many people right at this moment. Firstly the fans who travelled, paid their moeny and patiently sat around waiting..ultimately for nothing. I feel for those people who worked hard to try and get the track back to a condition that pleased the riders only to have their integrity and qualifications ripped to shreds by people on here with no more idea on track preparation than you or I other than what they think it should be. And I feel for M&M having to try and sort out a restaging of the event. When I got to the stadium at 3pm, it was dry and the track looked fine. After Friday's meeting I was dead keen to see today's racing and thought it would be a cracker. Then around 3.30 - 3.45 when everything was done, the drizzle started. We could see it was making the track wetter by the minute during the parade but the satellite picture didn't show up anything and thought it would be over soon. When the call over the radio came that the refereee was being called to the pits I had a bad feeling then. The track staff, despite their vilification on here, did nothing more than I've seen them do countless times and in most instances it works out. One thing was different today. Those riders had no intention of giving it a go. The cheer that went up when heat 7 was announnced was heard even where I was sat. When the call came over the radio 5 mins later that it was off I couldn't believe it. Having watched the TV coverage when I got home, it took the 4 guys in heat 7 a lot of soul searching to decide against it didn't it? That's being sarcastic by the way! I know for a fact that the track staff were not impressed - why did not one rider even attempt four laps to try the track. They just didn't want to know. All I can say is whilst rider safety is of prime importance, it's the fans who are being taken for a ride. What these guys should remember is that whilst they continue to pee the paying fans off, it will affect them in the long run. Without fans turning up, the sport will continue to die, and despite Rob B's post, it is dying. There were more people at the Poole v Eastie match than there today. That should never be - this is a showcase event for God's sake. The only reason that was called off today was not because of the track staff, the ref or anyone connected with Poole...it was down to the riders. It is now of course, bone dry - the rain stopped within 15 minutes of the decision and nothing has fallen since. Rant over. Am I p'd off - you bet I am!

I'm not Steve but seeng as I was in the stadium from 3pm onwards i think I might qualify to answer. 1. Yes the track was watered prior to the start, but until then it had been dry and sunny all day until mid afternoon. It was watered yes but not heavily. By the time the Sky transmission started it was then drizzling but nothing much. 2. No it wasn't a shocking decision. I was sat in the stadium with the Met Office rainfall radar page open, watching the drizzle come down, and no sign of anything around the Poole area on that site for the previous half hour. It simply didn't show up because the rain was too light and the only thing showing up was a small shower that as Mike knew about was due to pass a bit later. 3. Who knows... Matt and Mike will no doubt make an announcement but the fact that the admission tickets can be used to get back into the restaging for a reduced cost hints that yes they will be holding it again. Yes BobC..it is at a reduced cost...Clive didn't hear the 2nd part of the radio message unfortunately. I'm still fuming over 2 or 3 things from this afternoon. I'm going to calm down a jot before posting more about this farce.

Don't be so bloody rude Eastie. The rain is on and off and the track staff are following the refs instructions. As much is being done as possible...if the riders dont want to ride what else do you do?

Almost as good...

Yep...riders line-up in the same order. As an aside...just wait 'til you see what the riders are going to come out on parade.

Probably that this is the 3rd one currently running...

It's 20 heats, plus a semi and then a final.

So you'd be happy that you wipe out representation from two clubs? Would you say the same thing if Eastbourne had to track lower averaged riders through no fault of their own? David Howe and Johno aren't reserves - they're the next available from Arena and Oxford.

Nope..as I said 9 of the 16 are current or ex-Poole and it's very rare for a Poole rider to get a maximum these days. We don't have such a great home advantage as you might think. It wouldn't surprise me to see a top 3 with no Poole representation. Fully expect Crump to win it and if any Pirate is going to do anything you might see Bjarne in the final but to win it? Not so sure...much as I'd love one of our lot to do it.

Do you have the benefit of foresight? How can you judge before the meeting has even taken place?

I was being diplomatic. You should have seen the first reply I nearly posted.

I'd say forget league form - that counts for nothing. With the GP less than a week away, these guys are going to want to fire a warning shot to the opposition. There's about 7 or 8 riders there tomorrow that could win it on their day.

VV you really do talk some tosh sometimes.

With 9 of the 16 riders being current or ex-Poole there is no real home advantage. My money is on Crump and Adams being up there - Nicki P also. But then Andersen also rides Poole well and so does PK and Scotty. And of course Bjarne and KK are no slouches. Very tough to call to be honest. Could be a very open meeting - just hope the weather behaves and the riders take it a bit seriously - if the meeting yesterday was anything to go by, the current state of the Poole track makes it raceable for anyone wanting to give it a go.

So who would ride for Arena if Cupofcoffee can't? Don't tell me...it's not Johno is it?! Bless him - he's ridden in more ELRCs than some club number ones!

This evening? You're a day early me thinks...or like me totally confused by the Bank Holiday yesterday and got up thinking it's Sunday today.

I've just had a case of deja vu Tabby with part of that post Tabby.

Well they do give our company 15% discount Charlie Boy so it's the least I can do in return! And it is pretty yummy food as well as you well know. don't know about the duck but I can recommend the Spicy Singapore Noodles or the King Prawn Red Thai Curry.

Great news for KK. I know he was exceptionally disappointed with his performance the last time he was given a wild card - think first night nerves got the better of him! His British form at least has carried on from where he left off last year, so hopefully we'll get to see that sort of scoring this time! He is the World U21 Champion (however dodgy the outcome of that meeting was) so it was always likely he would get one of the places. I can't see that the FIM are likely to turn him down. Maybe Kolodziej will get the nod for the other Polish GP?

The Rising Sun does pretty good Oriental/Thai stuff at lunchtimes and is about a 5-10 min walk from the stadium. Loads of pubs and restuarants of all sorts down in the Old Town heading towards the quay. Not sure which will be open and which not, but there's bound to be quite a few as it's a Sunday.

Monkeyboy!! I can't believe you've just asked that! Poole of course!