mikec

Oh no, there's an "anti-British speedway, you know nothing, Falubaz is great, LOLOLOLOL" style reply heading your way I fear!

It's not the first time that Auty has been good value round the NSS, I for one look forward to watching him race. Based on performances like last night it surprises me that his career hasn't progressed further, as he clearly has courage & ability.

Cracking meeting last night, terrific racing in less than perfect conditions. Lindgren a worthy champion. Credit to Josh Auty, really impressive display, his race with Fricke was a classic. Heart was in my mouth in the semi final when it looked like Andersen was going to stuff Fricke into the 2nd bend fence. Overall I thought Andersen was excellent, his inside pass on bend 4 of Morris was classy as the Aussie youngster was giving it the big blast round the outside. Hope the event is back here at BV in 2018.

Could this be a watershed moment in the BSPA's stance with One Sport/SEC, which I personally have never agreed with? Their reluctance to recognise them in the way other federations do, in my opinion, hindered the development of British riders looking to make the step up from domestic to international class. Could there be a scenario where the BSPA go to One Sport & request that Kenny Bjerre is released from SEC to ride in their high profile TV playoff fixture tomorrow night. In return for this "goodwill gesture" , BSPA will over the winter negotiate a deal with them to recognise their events from 2018, maybe even host one of their events annually moving forward. Thus giving One Sport larger UK exposure, as well as giving British riders greater opportunity to make the (difficult) step from up in class & greater exposure to competitive international racing. Sadly I fear we'll end up with an NL guest for Bjerre, & what looked to me an exciting 50/50 contest ruined - not just for Aces fans like me, but for lovers of exciting, competitive speedway as a whole. We'll soon find out.

We were blasted out of the the water last year in the playoffs at Monmore, hopefully not this time! Would agree first leg will be close. I'd take a 10 point lead right now if offered, will be mighty tough to achieve that though. As for 2nd leg Wolves hit us hard early at Monmore last year in the Grand Final (14 down after 7 heats) & we couldn't recover. Expect a better showing from our top 5 this time round. The key to the whole tie for me is a fully fit Bewley. Impossible to replace round BV, goes well at Monmore too. If he's 100% & excels then I like our chances. If not could be heartbreak again. Feels like an age since the tie was announced, win or lose can't wait for Monday night - should be a cracker

Cheers for confirmation TDM. I'm going out there for 2nd leg on 24th, bit gutted it's on that terrible Wroclaw track. Should be a great occasion though!

Any idea R&R when Wroclaw will choose whether to race home or away first? Edit:Leszno advertising first leg at their place on their Twitter feed.

Agreed SS. We squeaked into the playoffs 2 years ago, pushed a quality Pirates side mighty close in the Grand Final. Take nothing for granted in the Playoffs!

Agree with last couple of posters. Arrived at 7 & the track looked spot on. Two hefty showers later & there looked no possibility of racing to me. How wrong I was. Then downpour no.3 & 4 arrived... Both sets of riders really attacked the track as best they could in the circumstances. Carr, Hall & Harris in particular gave the home lads a real fight. Most importantly no-one tried any stupid moves & respected their opponents. Judging by Smithy spraying his teammates, including a laughing Andy Mellish, with a post heat 15 doughnut & Liam Carr applauding the crowd the length of the grandstand post race, the boys had a good time. Tonight reminded me that there's a lot to like about NL racing.... & I'm hooked!

You're in for a treat, great track & stadium. Viewing fine wherever you sit. I usually go in yellow block, top tier on the 3rd bend, only 90zl ish too. Give Kuranty Bar a visit in the Old Square. Does great pierogi & a decent pint of Guinness. Loads of British fans & ex riders can be found there, plenty of friendly faces to chat speedway with.

Haha I'm a fan but that'd be a bit too keen!

Watching him struggle up the steps into the bar at Monmore Green last Monday he was certainly sore!

Choices are tomorrow night I think on BT Sport. Think Pete Adams would fancy keeping it tight at BV & hitting the Aces hard early at Monmore.

Poole Pirates "the people's team"??? SS is certainly creative.. ☺️

I think Wolves/Aces is a 50/50 shout. It should have been last year in the final but BV had a nightmare at Monmore, Cook apart. Gave us too much to do at home despite a great fight, Lindgren was brilliant on the night in Manchester & saw you home. I'd want 10 point lead to take to Monmore, anything less & it's advantage Wolverhampton. The Wolves track fazes some teams, it doesn't BV, some great racing in store.

Agree Beowulf, Newman was terrific last year, beat Woffy I think. Ellis was good too, has really kicked on this year. Pirates fans must be envious. Maybe I'm biased, but I'm lucky to watch Bewley in Colts & Aces colours every week. Know he has struggled on the international stage this year, but he is a very special talent. I wouldn't swap him for anyone, he'll star in the playoffs if fit.

Really concerning, Dan is dynamite round the NSS, not to mention really good round Wolves, where we are likely to be in a couple of weeks. I like & respect Kyle Newman, talented rider, but Bewley is irreplaceable, end of.

Watched Richie Worrall at Sheffield for Glasgow earlier in the year, at the British Final, for Poole at BV & guesting for us against KL tonight. Problems seem mechanical to me, doesn't seem quick at all. Only one race tonight with his brother when out in the deep dirt in the outside he looked remotely at ease. Hope he finds his best form soon.

Saw Charles Wright do the same round our place recently ER, definitely one to watch into 2018, hope he progresses further. So playoffs time, clean slate. Wondered if Robins would choose BV, no chance now imo. Pirates home & away ticks too many boxes,not to mention very winnable. Leaves Wolves & BV to slug out the other semi final - assuming Fricke & Bewley fully fit, that's a 50/50 tie, both sides go well at each others tracks. Credit to Somerset & Rye for pushing so hard in debut season in top flight. Some great playoff speedway in store, may the best team win..

Bewley & Wajtknecht, both way too good.

Having watched Joe Lawlor a few times at Belle Vue last season, I enjoyed seeing how has progressed last night. Always showed ability, but has really improved, looked much smoother & showed good pace, especially when flying past Jack Smith down the back straight! Enjoyed the battles between Connor Coles & Jon Armstrong. Glad Whitmore & the member of track staff were both OK after young Lewis crashed onto the infield.

That was one hard whack to the head. Hopefully Brzozowski is just dazed. Woffinden certainly looking sharp tonight!

In no particular order - David Bellego, Jack Parkinson-Blackburn, Zach Wajtknecht, Dan Bewley, Bradley Wilson-Dean.

Looking back on last night, it was a massive reminder, if one was needed, just how important Fricke & Bewley are to this Aces team, particularly at home. Fricke can beat the world's best there, as he did when beating the (at the time) almost untouchable Doyle this time last year and he thrives at the NSS. Just 6 points I think from RR for him last night. As for Bewley, it's a huge compliment to a kid in just his second year of racing, how good he is & how much he was missed, badly - despite the 100% efforts of Aarnio last night. It's far from all doom and gloom though. With a full 1-7, we have a side who enjoy racing at Monmore & at Blunsdon, as well as going close at Rye twice. I hope last night's result encourages a few people to write us off come playoff time, that'll suit me just fine. Quick comment on Cookie, not his best night, but the last two years he's come to the party come playoff time & lead his team, expect him to do so again. One thing is for sure, playoff speedway under the lights in front of a packed NSS we are in for some fantastic racing. If you love good speedway then get yourselves down there, you won't be disappointed - win or lose I can't wait!!

Congratulations to Leicester on their win tonight, thoroughly deserved. No excuses, better team won.