False dawn

The best deal was to wait for the July GSAs and do a one-for-one replacement. A redeclaration would have decimated the team. On this basis, a rider with an average up to 4.53 was needed. If people don't like Max, perhaps they could suggest alternatives within that average constraint?

I think it's "sun". But I need to get my coat

Decent each way bet, I guess

Sad news that Roger has passed away. Roger gave significant financial support to the Leicester Lion Cubs and was a proper speedway fan. Often seen at away fixtures despite his advancing years. Thanks, on behalf of many young, upcoming riders.

1 62.15 2 64.00 3 61.44 4 62.31 5 61.50 6 61.62 7 62.94 8 63.59 9 62.06 10 61.94 11 61.82 12 63.78 13 62.87 14 63.38 15 62.50

Let's hope that the rumoured relaxation of the "rules" in Poland comes to pass next year. Then maybe earning mega bucks there and riding in Britain won't be mutually exclusive.

There's no such thing as bad publicity.

I know what you mean. But we had the real pleasure of Tom as our guest at a recent meeting of the Nuneaton Speedway Supporters Club. He voiced a strong allegiance to British Speedway despite the obvious lure of "big bucks" in Poland.

I contacted Oxford direct, weeks ago, simply to get a start time so that I could plan my onward journey to Cardiff. I'm glad I didn't hold my breath. Edit: I see the meeting is listed on both the Oxford and BSPL websites as 7:30 start

Oh, there are many ups and downs when you (loyally) support "your" team. I've followed my team to league championships and to wooden spoons. Sometimes an odd unexpected win from a second string is all you get. But still you go. I'm currently doing missionary work in Leicester and I support them faithfully, even internationally (if you count Scotland). But I'm still a Bees fans, through and through.

He dislocated an ankle according to the BSPA website, which sounds very nasty. I hope we have a good turn out from the Oxford faithful tonight. The Cubs have a decent following and this is a top of the table local derby. A good away following is always welcome.

There was a time when riders' were proud to don their national colours. Maybe I am really getting old

Got you worried?

It does look like Sam Masters and Josh Pickering had a night to remember and that made heats 13 and 15 very difficult for Poole. But that doesn't explain heat 14?

There are arguments for and against here. The way I see it, is that the team results have to expunged from the league tables since there is no fair way to leave them in. The rider averages are, however, a measure of their current riding ability whether the races that contribute to that average are from expunged meetings or not. I don't, however, see why new averages should be subsequently calculated at year end removing the expunged meetings (if that is what you're saying happened last year reference Eastbourne).

We cannot raise the importance of the British Final back to the days when it was a step on the road to the one off World Final, but at least the prize for winning the National Championship can have some real significance. The chance to step out in front of the biggest of crowds at the British GP and hopefully nick a few points is surely a big incentive. I love seeing the British Final winner at Cardiff.

I think we can guess.

Quite right. Maybe they could get Chris Morton to help out. Listening to him and how he helped recreate the old Hyde Road circuit when they built the NSS was fascinating.

And the BLRC should be at the zoo park, not to mention the NLRC at Brandon, coach competition and all.

You say that making this public is not helpful. I know of many instances of, usually junior riders, being treated badly and nothing is said in public. If you advocate that this is the right course of action, you are condoning such behaviour by the promoters and powers that be and it will continue. Unchallenged. I'm not sure if the lad said more than has been reported here, but the quoted FB post is quite restrained in my opinion. It lays out the facts as he knows them and leaves us to make our own judgement. Of course, there are always two sides to every argument. Perhaps KL could, dispassionately, put their side? In fact KL have said, "Jake (Mulford) has some grasstrack commitments abroad which means he has to dash off early on Friday morning, so I felt it would be prudent to go with Jason for what’s a really important match for us – we can’t afford to take any chances.” How is a rider travelling the day after a meeting, taking a risk?

We could have a competition to design his race jacket with all the clubs logos on it

I was working on one of those. But the program developed a bug and the crowd invaded the track after a doubtful referee decision.

If the stadium will be full just with the locals, where are the travelling fans going? Just asking Seriously, I would agree that Sheffield could be a good option. But wherever it is, don't stage it in the week. Gone are the days we could fill Brandon on a Wednesday for the British Final. If we really want to sell this to the wider fan base as a serious event that they will want to attend in person, surely it has to be Saturday night or Sunday afternoon. Let's aim for the 4's party atmosphere effect. And, we could then have some "forum meet ups" at a pub somewhere like in the old days

I used to have family in Swindon and they considered I was "up north"..... in Coventry!

Oh that's alright then. We've only got to wait till Wednesday 10th May 2062 for the next victory over Poole away. Poole v Leicester Wednesday 7th July 1982 (British League) Poole 1. Scott Autrey 2 2 2* 2 8+1 2. Vaclav Verner 0 0 0 N 0 0 3. Danny Kennedy 1* 3 0 2* 6 2 4. Neil Middleditch 2* 0 0 0 2 1 5. John Davis 3 3 2 3 1 1 6. Peter Prinsloo EF 2 N 2 7. Kevin Smith 3 1 1 3 1 9 Leicester 1. Les Collins 3 1* 3 2* 1 10+2 2. Colin Cook R I D E R R E P L A C E M E N T 3. Neil Collins 3 1 1 3 3 11 4. Steve Regeling Fell 0 N N 0 5. Phil Herne 1 1 2 1 1 6 6. Mark Courtney 1* 2 3 3 0 9+1 7. Finn Jensen 2 0 2* 0 4+1 Ht 01: L.Collins, Autrey, Herne, Verner 63.9 2 4 2 4 Ht 02: Smith, Jensen, Courtney, Prinsloo (ef) 66.1 3 3 5 7 Ht 03: Davis, Middleditch, Herene, Regeling (f) 66.3 5 1 10 8 Ht 04: N.Collins, Prinsloo, Kennedy, Jensen 66.3 3 3 13 11 Ht 05: Davis, Courtney, L.Collins, Middleditch 65.7 3 3 16 14 Ht 06: Courtney, Autrey, N.Collins, Verner 65.6 2 4 18 18 Ht 07: Kennedy, Herne, Smith, Regeling 66.8 4 2 22 20 Ht 08: L.Collins, Jensen, Smith, Verner 66.1 1 5 23 25 Ht 09: Courtney, Davis, N.Collins, Middleditch 65.3 2 4 25 29 Ht 10: Smith, Autrey, Herne, Jensen 65.7 5 1 30 30 Ht 11: N.Collins, L.Collins, Smith, Kennedy 65.7 1 5 31 35 Ht 12: N.Collins, Autrey, Herne, Middleditch 65.8 2 4 33 39 Ht 13: Davis, Kennedy, L.Collins, Courtney (ef) 66.2 5 1 38 40