oldtimer

Have not attended this season, but why is track different every week? who does the track now

Horse Racing, Wimbledon tennis, fencing at Olympics (only time it's on TV). That's about it.

Fantastic to see Gary on a bike, what a brave man. I was at Somerset when Gary had his horrendous crash, and watching the vid brought a tear to my eye.

Somerset web site says only Kennett missing, but no surprise if reserves absent as well. OT will be missing.

Was referring to Plymouths visits last year, not necessarily Good Friday or 3 riders, just whenever we rode against Plymouth one or more riders were missing.

Sadly it's the same as last year when Plymouth visited, three of their riders missing and riding elsewhere. Edward Kennett will be missing the following week for Rye.

Allen will always be injury prone, it's the way he rides.

That's the main reason.

Why is it called Best Pairs when it is a team of three? Sam "down the straightaway" Ermolenko was his usual awful self, a nice guy but just rambles nonsensically, called the Russians Latvians during one race.

Better get used to it, there will be many more matches where riders are missing for various reasons.

So much for Matt Ford promising to send a full side, I assume this promise was given for Somerset to advertise a full Poole side. I was going to attend but will now give it a miss. Must be a big disappointment for Debbie but full marks for reducing original admission price.

Article in this weeks Star about Exeter Falcons, and very sad to read about the situation Exeter legend Michael Coles finds himself. Apparently after his big crash at IOW he was misdiagnosed and he carried on riding for four more years. Since retiring he has had 4 MRI scans and they have found loads more injuries. He has had two spinal operations, and can no longer work as a plasterer as he cannot lift anything over 25kg. He cant stand for long and he cant sit for long, he is registered as disabled and living on benefits. He says he turns up at as many meetings as he can to watch his son Connor, but is limited to what he can spend. Perhaps any Exeter fans or anybody reading the full article can get something going to help him out.

Saw Tiny aka Rebels Rooster at Taunton races today, he looked well.

Don't have that excuse this year as P & P misses Cheltenham. Great Cheltenham so far 12/1 anti post price winner first day, and 10/1 winning bet that Mullins would win first 3 races. Then today 9/1 winner in Coral Cup and my anti post bet of 10/1 Dodging Bullets came up in Queen Mother chase. Mrs OT also picked the same two winners today, so big bottle of fizz tonight. Have Zarkander at 12/1 anti post price for tomorrow, if that comes up can book another cruise!

We are supposed to be coming out of the recession, but don't think it has anything to do with falling crowds, it's the product that needs changing, speedway keeps doing the same things that don't work, hoping things will change. Personally I want to be entertained more than 15 minutes, poor presentation and standing around for long periods with nothing happening or unnecessary intervals, interviews you can't hear and awful music won't bring back the crowds let alone newcomers.

As Starke is a Somerset asset I would expect him to be at the Oak Tree.

The following list of doubling riders is not a comprehensive list, but if you do not like guests and R/R it will give you some idea of matches to miss should fixtures clash. Simon Stead Belle Vue Sheffield Steve Worral Belle Vue Newcastle Stefan Nielsen Belle Vue Ipswich Danny King Coventry Ipswich Stuart Robson Coventry Redcar James Sarjeant Coventry Glasgow Robert Lambert Kings Lynn Peterborough Lewis Kerr Kings Lynn Newcastle Edward Kennett Lakeside Rye House Ashley Birks Lakeside Sheffield Josh Auty Leicester Scunthorpe Simon Lambert Leicester Peterborough Kyle Newman Poole Plymouth Paul Starke Poole Somerset Nick Morris Swindon Glasgow Kyle Howarth Swindon Workington Charles Wright Swindon Somerset Lewis Rose Swindon Newcastle Lewis Blackbird Wolverhampton Peterborough Josh Bates Wolverhampton Sheffield

Premier League and doubling up in Elite League is this two Leagues?

For older people it's a social night and they don't get bored so easy as younger folk.

Any info on who in the Somerset team is doubling up and who will have priority on their services if fixtures clash?

New team not very attractive (personal opinion) and much weaker than last two seasons, not managements fault but the 42.5 team limit. We now have Josh who was a third heat leader with Somerset now a number one. Cannot see us getting many away points as in 2013 with Doyle and Nick and last season Ollie and Nick. However most teams teams are weaker. Edinburgh look good with Masters and Cook and would bet on these two beating Josh at the Oak Tree any day of the week. At the moment not a top six team, however Gary will make changes if required and I will be amazed if this is the same team that finishes the season.

This whole saga beggars belief, the averages and rules should be on computer at BSPA head office so that anyone can look them up and get an immediate answer. It's just another example of the amateur way speedway is run.

Is that why Josh's average dropped last year,8-41 when he last rode for Somerset now 8-11.

What better than Jason Doyle and Nick Morris Somerset's 2013 team? When Worky visited in September last season Josh scored 8 from 5 rides, less than Ollie Allen, Nick Morris, Charles Wright, Todd Kurtz and guest Nic Klindt.

And so with the 42.5 points limit the Premier League gets weaker again. Two seasons ago Josh was only Somerset's third heat leader, now he is the number one. If the limit stays the same, in a few years time Paul Starke will be number one. Who has first call on Josh and Charles, Somerset or the Elite club?