rabbit

You're possibly spot on Salty, and as I said on finding out he would ride at Coventry, I don't think that 99% of the Poole fans would have had any argument with him if he'd done the same as Rory and Steady. But I really do appreciate his gesture, and feel absolutely gutted for him that a glitch in the connections has boogered it up for him. Just goes to prove that it's true that nice guys don't get the rewards they deserve. Let's hope he feels philosophically about it when things die down and he's back home!

But surely he didn't have the choice of gates in the earlier two races and had to go off gate 4 anyway. I could see your point if he'd had the choice of gate in the two controversial outings but he didn't... With second pick of the gate in the final he could take the best of what was available and not need to resort to 'tactics'.

You know...as soon as I hit Add Reply on that, I thought someones going to pick up on that and miscontrue it. So just to clarify (I've seen the hysteria on some of other threads today so I'm certainly not adding to it!) I meant ride as they did in that heat tonight (which is what i was thinking of rather than your wording)...just getting in the way of each other(other riders), certainly not fencing!!

Thankfully though at least they won't be in the same heats at Coventry....they're more than welcome to those sort of moves on the other 3 riders.

The sign of a good referee is that you shouldn't even really notice he's there...think on this occasion he can safely say he had a bad day at the office. I ould hope that referees are marked on their performances in order to assess who should get the top jobs. On last night's showing, he has a lot of making up to do. Some shonky decisions that altered the outcome of the meeting. Very poor.

I believe I've already answered that in my post above yours.

Err excuse me - I have ridden a speedway bike, and I have full respect for the skills of the riders. I'm just more realistic about the reasons why riders actually ride bikes... Perhaps we shall have to agree to disagree....

I think I've been on here long enough to know all about the topics and threads, and I'm well aware of the risks that riders take, and the unfortunate fact that some get injured and worse. I certainly don't wish to belittle that. But just like people in plenty of professions get injured in their line of work every day, I'm just saying keep a sense of prospective in this hysterical 'they risk their lives for you' malarkey - I've spoken to plenty of riders over the years and they ride this sport because they love it, not because they're heroic in putting themselves out for us on the terraces is all. And yes I have ridden a speedway bike actually. But what does that have to do with anything?

And there's me thinking they do it for the thrill, the buzz, the damn good lifestyle plenty of them have which beats a mundane 9 to 5 existence. I think if you ask most riders why they ride speedway, entertainment of the crowd comes quite a way down the list... Soldiers out in Afghanistan and Iraq risk their lives week in and out on the front line - these guys ride bikes cos it's what they love to do! A little sense of perspective is needed here me thinks...

Out of order JT

I wouldn't doubt what Shovvy says - he's a man of many talents you know Another good article in the Daily Express again today - have to say I'm impressed with their speedway section online. Never really looked at it before - there's a good piece on tonight's PL Pairs in there too.

We actually made the mistake of paying to see her as a headlining act at a gig in Bournemouth many yonks ago. One of only two concerts I've ever walked out of soon after the start. Don't expect too much...

Hi Peatbog - thanks for the tip but my version of XP doesn't seem to have this unfortunately... Cheers matey! Great footage but my Gawd, that makes me feel so old. I can remember little LD when he was knee high to a grasshopper and now he's huge! Great style though and very smooth - hope Matt's keeping an eye on him for the future...

Probably not, and you're just the type I get stood right in front of me at gigs too (although they tend to have long flowing locks or big hair too)...usually 5 mins before the start when I'm so chuffed I've been able to find a spot to see. I support equal rights for short-ar$es! Sue - thinking back I did find it a little dark in the under-tier last year, but as i said we were right in the corner and I was a fair way back. Given the choice I would definitely go for a higher tier, but that's just me.

I sat in the lower tier last year Sue and I know that like me you are vertically challenged ...I found that everything was OK but people had a tendency to stand up every time it got interesting on the 3rd/4th bends and that really restricted me seeing a lot! Having said that, I was right up in the corner by the entrance/exit to the pits. I think if i was paying for tickets, I'd try higher up so you're looking down on things rather than being levellish and losing sight if the tall boogers decide to stand up!

Have one for me DD in the same spot as last year. I shall be there in spirit.

Oi, not so much of the old, young 'un! Pretty decent GP with some interesting racing, and pleased to see Glob cleaning up in the end. Thought the Dryml/Freddie crash was just a racing incident, but Lukas was in hindsight lucky to stay in, and both were doubly lucky to walk away from a horrific looking tangle. Did think it was strange that Lukas was then excluded from the re-run for missing the two minutes, and then the subsequent attempt of the remaining riders to get to the track was held up because of the fence still requiring attention - begs the question whether the track was ready when he was on 2 minutes and excluded. So now on to the big night in two weeks...

He's scary good!

Blimey, talk about the irresistible force v the immovable object. Can't you two agree to disagree? Or is that not a manly thing to do?

More fool him then. Just hope it's a move which doesn't back fire and end up with the lad having an even bigger stint out injured.

Aah OK. Can't say I really took much notice to be honest, just thought it a shonky decision and one of many 'oddities'

Can't say I did really, I was already mentally switching off with boredom at the stage. My interest only piqued at any passing.

Thought Steele made a couple of 'surprising' decisions last night to be honest. I made a comment after one (think it was where a rider moved at the start and only disadvantaged himself and he stopped the race) that I bet it was that dodgy Polish referee who's a bit flakey, so was exceptionally surprised to see Mr Steel in control. Suppose no-one is totally infallible.

Do agree there - I don't think he could have had too much complaint had he been excluded.

Hard racing - yes; dirty racing - no. I like both riders a lot - cracking racers on their day and the sport needs more of their gutsy styles. This was done in a split second at 60 odd mph by a guy pumped full of adrenaline at a crucial point in the meeting. People can psycho-analyse and apportion blame, but I'd say it was just an unfortunate outcome to a move by a rider trying to protect his position. AJ was full on the gas too and caught unawares. It happens and was made worse by the spot where AJ hit the fence. On another day with another rider, it would have passed without incident and both riders would have stayed on. AJ was just unlucky and I hope he makes a speedy recovery from his injuries.