False dawn

I completely agree with your analysis. I'm not even suggesting the rules are at fault. In fact, had I been there, seeing Emil 8 times would have seemed like very good value for money. He's a class act, as we all know. I was just saying that this quirk of the rules does feel a bit odd. I can't see it happening that often so we don't need to debate it further. I will say that it's a pity that Emil didn't get a 24 (25?) point maximum. Because that might have been a record that stood for a very long time. Actually, it will surely be a while before anyone gets more than 22 (23?).

I know Ipswich were running RR, but for one rider to be in half of the 16 races seems wrong somehow.

We were wondering why they couldn't at least play the Discovery+ sound over the PA during the breaks. At least you could hear any interviews and reports from the other meetings even if you couldn't see the pictures. And I agree with your comments about the British Final draw. A complete non event. It could have been improved (very slightly) by a graphic showing the rider names in the 1 to 16 as they were drawn. But the extended delay during a live meeting (which was further extended by chat with Phil Morris) was very poor. Especially for the fans in the crowd who just stood around not even knowing what was going on. The crowd was of good size last night. Larger than I've seen before for TV meetings. Please, please don't piss off the fans when this can be so easily fixed. Edit: there was an announcement during the British Final draw saying that it was taking place. But small consolation eh?

More worrying was the interview with Max Fricke after the meeting. He said that the track was good and it was the way the team wanted it. He hoped it would be like that all year.

Me and my mate almost didn't go last night because of the tediously long breaks. But we did attend and had the best of both worlds. We watched the speedway live and got Discovery+ on a phone and watched all the reports from the other meetings and the replays from the races we'd just seen live. This had an added bonus. The Discovery+ pictures aren't quite live. If something happens live e.g. someone falling, you can quickly refer to your phone and see what happened.

Mark sounds like they are trying to prove to us, the fans, the riders and the wider sport and TV that they can run a GP. I can see that getting there requires a significant investment and therefore the SON tickets are higher than we'd like. But I hope they don't think that this sets a norm for future events. I'm sitting on the first bend at Cardiff this year for £18

Back in the day (like 50 years ago) there was no more intense rivalry than that between Coventry and Leicester. However, as a speedway fan I regularly go to Leicester these days while I wait for Brandon to reopen (yes it will, you see). My best friend says he follows Leicester but isn't a supporter. I'm a bit more on the side of being a supporter. It's not like any of the team come from Leicester is it? Seriously, I love my speedway and supporting a former rival seems to me quite appropriate. And just so this doesn't hijack the thread, I enjoy my visits to Oxford, very much. But when Brandon reopens I'll be back there like a shot.

I've got to say that Mr. GPT has not done a bad job. I was particularly impressed with the description of BZ - "a symphony of speed". Reminds me of "The Wizard of Balance"

Well Buster wouldn't mind. There is a "y" in the day after all

Only when Greg isn't there. The one meeting Greg was in the pits, Luke rode his socks off. Perhaps that's the cheapest option. Just pay for Greg to be there every week.

Yeh but, everyone's on a GM these days

I think I heard Stewart Dickson say in the post match interview, "I think I've been patient". Make of that what you will.

Well the evidence is that the self belief was there. The early signs are that it may be returning, which many fans, me included, would welcome, warmly.

I think there is a lot of truth in what you say. I've seen other riders suffer from "This is the Premiership, I can't possibly win". It was very telling, listening to Tom Brennan in interview last night. He said something like, "You pull up to the gate and it doesn't matter who else is there. They're all just riders that can be beaten". I like that.

There were all sorts of concerns expressed when Oxford announced their three team plans. My thoughts were that they would okay at home. More than okay actually. But the Oxford faithful may not travel as much having spent their hard earned supporting three teams at home. For what it's worth, I've enjoyed my recent trips to Cowley. I like the atmosphere and the fans are always chatty and friendly. And I especially like the new pits.

It's nice when there is a discussion thread for a particular match. But I have to say that the NDL is alive and well in Leicester. I was at the Middlesbrough match yesterday and couldn't believe the level of support. I couldn't say how many fans were there but a measure of the numbers is that the 50-50 draw prize was over £200. There was a goodly number who stayed on for the MDL match as well.

According to the BSPL site Dan got 21 paid 24 (from 10 rides). He must be cream crackered. It was especially good seeing as how he seems to have got a 5-1 all on his own in heat 12. Edit: They've corrected the error now (maybe we're read, more than we think!)

I just think there are a lot of uncertain factors at play in this match. The weather (a constant factor at present), PP, new to the scene, Leicester smarting from a couple of recent defeats, Scotty who performed well in his recent spell with the Brummies and, and, and...... Throw into the mix the referee. The last time he presided over a Leicester match, he got a one match suspension. I hope the weather don't win. I wouldn't miss this one for anything.

Which one? The way things are the only stream we're going to get will be the one running down the the track

Either

RIP Tiger. Thanks for the memories.

Any local weather would be appreciated. Every other club (yesterday and today) have called off their meetings. Just hope Ipswich haven't got their rise tinted glasses on.

On the contrary. He's been promoted. The new averages that come into force tomorrow put Zach into the top 5 and Scot in the reserve berth.

I do think Dan T could be a key player. He is riding the tide at the moment.

Nah. He don't like the place. He only set a new track record in his first ever race there.