arnieg

Track was slick and dusty with as prominent blue grove, but given that large pools of water from Saturday's meeting stopping downpour were still visible on the centre green we shouldn't be too critical. 3 1/2 hours for the 46 races. One alteration to Derek's scores, Daniel Gilkes scored 11 in qualifying for the final (where he suffered a nasty looking fall on the final bend - any news on how he is?) 2 points from a fourth lap EF cost Jenkins a place in the 500cc final. There was a controversial race when Jenkins steamed under Kyle Bickley, causing(?) Kyle to pack up. Bickley dropped his only other point to Woodhull, while Brennan recorded the four fastest times in the heats. Sam Bebee withdrew after one ride. Although there were only four competitors the 250cc was the most competitive class with Edwards, Flint and Kemp involved in some tight first laps. The 150cc is the Nathan Ablitt show. Josh Parnell missed the final with bike troubles. In the 125cc's Dan was the faster Thompson in the heats,but Joe got the drop in the final. Jordan Palin and Mickie Simpson both had falls which could have cost them places in the final (one of Mickie's was on the last bend while leading). The nearest Joe Thompson came to defeat was in his final qualifying race when Jordan Palin did his best to block his opponent (with Corbin Pavitt just behind looking to exploit any gaps that opened up)

However if the FIM/BSI were to say to Hampel "drop out now and we'll give you a wild card next year, but if you ride we won't give you one," that could be very persuasive. Lindgren could hardly be said to be making up the numbers, he is in top 8 and above Nicki Pedersen, so I'd like to see him continue.

A 2.33 average for Sheffield in 1993 puts Rob Homer above Steve Johnston in that season's Sheffield averages!

The real problem is that once you have a 'one foreigner' rule it makes it easier to move to two and then three. Moving in that direction would make it increasingly difficult for the likes of Buxton to compete, and less attractive for EL and PL teams to run junior teams. In the long term that would mean a smaller league and even fewer opportunities for Brits (of any age).

It says something about the speedway community that you can do that. In 1983 I was in a similar position as a Reading supporter exiled in Leicester and travelled from Smallmead back home on a Leicester coach.

Sad to hear - I was wearing my Gnistorna cap at Belle Vue last night. I visited Hammarby last month and it is sad to see the state of speedway in the city that gave us the legendary Getingarna, home of the mighty 'Mich'.

Which would be fair enough IF Luke Bowen had come in to the Kent team on his 2006/7 average. But ...

So you force double uppers to ride Elite only, and then what? Half of them retire because the EL doesn't offer them enough fixtures and they can't get rides abroad. Result fewer British riders and more mediocre foreigners in our top league. To get more top class British riders you need more Brits at every level right down to 125cc. That requires effort and does not happen overnight - and it should be acknowledged that there have been some positive signs in that direction over the last couple of years.

But the rain we are getting now is the rain forecast for this afternoon. Meaning it is passing over more quickly than expected, and so we should have more time for the track to recover as it now looks like fewer showers this afternoon. Fingers crossed

The 'Rebels' won because the Rider Control Ctte confiscated Boley Proch from Reading....we wuz robbed!

Does the switch now have a big 'do not press this button' sign attached to it?

He's only been told he's taking too much time off and must stop riding in the UK. He is still riding in Denmark. He rode on Wednesday in the DSL. I'd say he is worth bringing back next year. A couple of weeks ago he beat Ricky Wells four times as well as Andrey Karpov and Chris Harris in a DSL match.

I see Stoke are running at 2.30pm on the same day. I'm interested in seeing both, but would only work for me if I could get a lift from Stoke to Buxton (the rest of the journey is sorted) - can anyone help? (If so message me)

Hamill has no entitlement to British nationality whatsoever as far as I can see. Being born in the UK does not give entitlement to British citizenship unless you have British parents. Spiller has dual nationality (and on his own website describes his nationality as 'German and British' - in that order) so it is quite possible he may decide to go down the German route. I'd welcome into the Team GB set up but I wouldn't take it for granted he'll end up wearing a Union Jack.

I think the existence of the Junior League, Junior Team Championship and other competitions are also an important part of your system. I see names like Bartosz Smektala making an impact in these competitions before they break thru into the Extraliga and Polish under 21 national team. PS What's happened to Dominik Kubera? I was expecting him to make a break thru this year but he doesn't seem to be riding at the moment.

It still very much depends on what the line ups look like in two months time. For example an on form Kenny Bjerre instead of Tungate would make Swindon a lot more competitive. Ultimately though Poole have a greater capacity (thanks to their extensive asset list and their ability to offer the right deal) to make improvements. As for guests see here: http://www.speedway-forum.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=81756

Well if that doesn't persuade the councillors to vote for planning permission nothing will

Meanwhile, back on planet earth.... Any news on Nick Morris? As the averages stand his absence would be a big blow to Swindon.

For the record I am no great fan of Jason Doyle, but I recognise a good rider when I see one, and nothing I have said suggests I am. As for supporting Swindon (with all due respect to the decent Swindon fans I know): go wash your mouth out with soap. You seem to have trouble dealing with independent, free thinking and impartial comment; you only seem capable of seeing things through an absurdly distrorting prism that paints everything as pro or anti Leicester.

I think you've just proved what an idiot you are by suggesting I am a Swindon fan. I didn't win tonight (and nor did my team). I don't have a big hitting number one. For the avoidance of doubt I am a member of LSSC.

Grow up - the exclusion of Summers was correct (and most Lions fans near me thought so too) and Doyle was generally well received by the home fans around me. Most of the booing seemed more of the good natured pantomime variety. Any Leicester fan that isn't grateful to JD for the two seasons he gave the club really has lost touch with reality - or do they think it is absolutely splendid to have a number one with a sub 6.5 average?

I fully understand the argument you are making and the position you have taken, and have considerable sympathy for it, but it appears the referee was not minded to accept that interpretation. Let's add it to the ever growing list sections of the rules that need rewriting.

No bats, and a transport plan - seems like progress. However if the fire station is built there will be less than 250 parking spaces - can't see that working well. http://pa1.swindon.gov.uk/publicaccess/files/40F38735A36ABEFC9AD70C94C0A429BF/pdf/S_RES_16_0036-GENERAL_ARRANGEMENT-535372.pdf

The relevant rule is 17.9 NOT 17.12. The phrase 'that meeting' does not appear in 17.9 - maybe it should, but it doesn't. The referee was clear last night that IRR was available, but I suppose he could always have asked the SCB co-ordinator for clarification.

You appear to be confused. You are imputing the requirement for the injury to have occurred in the meeting into the rules because you think it should be there. However it is not there. Furthermore it has been confirmed by last night's referee[\b] that IRR was available. So I can say with complete certainty that you are on this occasion wrong (although I do think the availability of IRR in such circumstances is odd).