mikec

Hope James Shanes gets an injury free run & that the Pirates stick with him for the full season, despite any minor knocks or dips in form that he (or any other young rider) may well encounter stepping up a level. For anyone who hasn't seen him race, he has a cracking racing style & was one of the two most exciting young away prospects I saw in NL action at Belle Vue earlier this year (Jack Smith being the other). He won't be scared of that dirt line inches from the fence at Wimborne Road either, shall watch his progress with interest.

Sad to hear that Ryan Blacklock's called it a day. Watched him a few times this year, a real trier, wish him well in the future. Pleased that the Hitmen rounded off their nightmare season with a win. Hopefully they can track a competitive side in 2017.

Don't think young Joe will be short on offers for a NL spot in 2017. He dropped out of the Colts mid season, think he was having mechanical issues affecting his confidence. Clearly he has ability,though if you watch his mannerisms he seems a kid who's quite hard on himself. Wherever he races in 2017 he'll do a good job.

Scotty would be a great signing for the Hammers. He's mentioned previously his struggles with finding the speed/set up needed round the NSS, & did so again last night in the post match rider interviews on the centre green. That said, he's been a brilliant racer & captain for the Aces, really good interacting with the fans too - just wish we'd signed him as a joint spearhead with Crumpy when he was a bit younger! Always gives 100% whether scoring 4 or 14, can't praise him enough.

First up, congratulations to Wolves, the better team over the two legs. And all the best to PK, a class act over the years, rode well in both legs too. Thrilling racing, big crowd, great atmosphere, a gallant effort from the Aces who'd left too much to do from Monday. No-one present at Belle Vue tonight will forget that meeting in a hurry - what a night!

Back from Monmore, really disappointed, most of the lads didn't do themselves justice, frustrating! Cookie was excellent, that heat 15 summed him up, real fight (despite some plum in Gdańsk yesterday assuring me Cook is a gating tart?!). Credit to Wolves, Howarth was really good,they deserve their 18 point lead. Aces huge outsiders Weds, I give em no more than a 1 in 10 chance of pulling out an aggregate win. As Stevie Worrall said tonight, the fat lady's clearing her throat, but she ain't singing yet. Win or lose, gonna be some brilliant racing Weds night.

3 hours to tapes up & happy to report it's a lovely sunny afternoon here in Gdansk. The start line girls were wandering the Old Town earlier with baskets containing meeting promo leaflets & wristbands, posing with their (many) admirers for selfies etc. All excellent PR. Plenty of fans have made the trip north after last night's action in Torun, hopefully a big crowd tonight with bags of atmosphere & some exciting racing.

Hope BV do find a date before end of October for the Colts v Brummies, look forward to that. Can't make Buxton on Sunday but want to get over for the double header the following week. Is it still definitely a 3pm start? Back on topic, good luck to the Hitmen on Sunday.

Early start for me too, Manchester to Torun via Gdansk, not been to the Grand Prix there for a couple of years, fun place, really looking forward to it.

Lindgren been one of the best visiting riders seen at BV this season, Woffinden's SWC heroics well documented. Thorssell, PK & Masters have all won races there too. With Belle Vue's liking for Monmore, a Grand Final where both legs are away wins wouldn't surprise me.

You're spot on, some brilliant racing tonight. Thought Lewis Bridger's battle with both Worralls in heat 5 was the pick, fantastic race, deserved his win. Hope that you enjoy next week's match FH, judging by the queues outside the Aces ticket office after 10pm tonight,next Weds will be a sellout crowd.

So tough to call this one, the Aces like the Monmore track, Wolves really dangerous round our place. Got all the ingredients of a fantastic final. If you love speedway, whoever you support, these are 2 matches not to miss - win or lose I can't wait!

Only saw a few of the races as I was at Belle Vue tonight but credit Kyle Newman, he was outstanding, saw 3 of his races. Seems a decent bloke too, as shown in last year's Grand Final having the banter with the Aces fans with the goggles. Also thought the call on Ellis when PK locked up was really harsh.

Looking forward to watching young Lambert tomorrow night. He was quality last time with KL & enjoys our track, looked quick in the u21 meet too.

If it was a run of the mill home league match then RR would be a live option, but in a POSF 2nd leg it'd be too risky for me, would go for quality guest every time. Hougaard or similar round the NSS for me all the way.

Think train takes between 2.5 & 3 hours from Torun to Gdansk. Polski Bus is slightly quicker, 2 hours 20 mins. I've booked tickets in advance for bus but when using trains I've just bought them at the station. It's handy to have destination, class & time of journey written on a piece of paper. English really widely spoken in Poland, however less so at train stations.

That's a big trophy for 3rd - how big is the winners trophy! Daria needs a cushion on her chair!!

Where's this version of Matej Zagar been all season!!

Was down at Lakeside on Weds night, & for the match the Aces lost 48-45 at the Hammers a few weeks ago. Overall crowd for both matches didn't seem markedly different to me, though clearly plenty more Aces fans there on Weds night than our previous visit, unsurprisingly for a playoff semi final. Been some great racing in both encounters with the Hammers at the NSS this season, expect more of the same on Monday. With action on the big screen (if Sky put one up) from Monmore too, should be an exciting night.

True, but Nigel & Kelvin were in there on my last visit to the Torun GP, they still do world feed comms I think, & work for Sky on EL.

Kuranty bar in the Old Square does nice pierogi, decent pint of Guinness too. You see quite a few former riders (& Sky crew) in there on the Saturday afternoon. Plenty of cellar bars around the Old Town Square, explore a few of the side streets, some nice restaurants, fairly small area & easily covered in no time.

R&R's right that it's all seater. On my only visit there (for a league match) there were significant numbers stood up much of the time, especially the home fans on the back straight & 2nd bend. That should be much less of an issue in the grandstand area, unless Pieszczek's winning of course!

On the Gdansk club website there's a banner publicising the meeting. Click on there & it guides you through the process. Based on my experience at both tracks R&R that's fair comment. Let's hope Gdansk serves up a feast of racing this time!

Not too surprised he did OK at Lakeside, he looked decent around the tight turns of Kirky Lane a few moons ago, we didn't see enough of him though in the end.

Saw Pieszczek the other time I been to Gdansk (2013), really impressed & followed his progress since. In my opinion he's a match for anyone round there, a bit like Przedpelski is round Torun. But pressure can do strange things, hopefully Rob & or Max are good enough on the night to capitalise.