False dawn

I remember Exeter...... Bob Kilby and Nigel Boocock giving it large and up high on the banked corners. I remember going there in 1971 (I think). We just happened to be on holiday in Devon when the Bees were there, so we went, as new fans of the sport. And we came away with a 40-38 win. Happiness or what? And then, much later, as a sidecar passenger, I was privileged to race there in the year before it closed. A thrill indeed, let me tell you. A fast track, of course. But to race in those famous tyre tracks was special. Sometimes you add together your life experiences and realise you have been given something special. The people watching you get ready to race in the pits from their bedroom windows was kind of interesting too!

Big mystery. He didn't look interested in his first ride which I put down to the conditions. Not a happy conclusion but kind of acceptable. Then he surprised me in his second ride. And then nothing. I saw him several times early season and he was impressive. What's happened?

Were you there? We waited for over an hour, with impeding rain, to go from a difficult track to a first class surface. I'm interested if you think that's justified? Especially considering heat 15 and the eventual result??? An interesting comment over the tannoy (spelling?) at about 14.00, "If you'd seen the track two hours ago, you wouldn't have thought there would be a meeting today. Well when we arrived 20 minutes before that, nothing was happening on track. So what had been done in those 2 hours? Either they had fixed the problems and had stopped work or what happened next was the truth i.e. the riders dictated what needed to be done, which could have been done two hours before. Sorry Leicester. You made mistakes which could have been avoided without a crystal ball. You prepared a tack that riders refused to ride on and then used up a significant chunk of the time before the rain came such that heat 15 cost you a chance of winning the meeting.

Unless you poke holes in the baffles. I'll get my coat.

Hey, I like the idea of a second (or even third) GP in England (that includes Scotland [just kidding]). But if F1 can have a European Grand Prix in Azerbaijan, why can't we have a US Speedway Grand Prix in Scunthorpe?

As a neutral... The track at 1.45 p.m. was rideable. As a former competitor and a fan of nearly 50 years I reckon I can judge what's safe. And trust me, there were many fans that felt the same. The sight of riders digging their heels into the surface only means one thing in my experience and that's trouble. The ref and the clerk walked the track and then gave in. Timid in the extreme. But hey, we all had plenty of time. Well no, the forecast was bad and rain was due anytime. In fact it was already spotting. Still we waited and a brand new surface was prepared. Well done track staff. Still the riders insisted on another inspection. If a refund had been available, a significant percentage of the crowd would have already gone home. But hey, we finally got on with this meeting. And what a meeting. Not too much overtaking, but a tight contest. A dry line after one race but hey, we needed the track rebuild didn't we. I was expecting a blue line and one Lions fan voiced (loudly) we might expect track watering. But all is well. Well nearly. Heat 15 decided the result and I'm sorry, but your earlier decisions, Leicester, came home to roust. The late downpour, after heat 14, meant that the probably draw, or even a home win didn't happen. The sight of Danny King at the back, pulling off his goggles in lap 3 dismayed me in the extreme. I wanted Leicester to win, but do what we do as fans. Look at the weather forecast, tell your riders to get on with it and stand your ground. You had the capacity to win this meeting but you went home empty handed. P.S. Heat 3 was 0.50 off the track record

I love it. Anyone could be World Champion. Freddie looked an early prospect (as good as ever there has been) and could easily come back from his "injury". But a track advantage or the odd crash could change the course of the championship. That aside, and I for one want to see a worthy champion, whoever wins this year will surely deserve the crown. The GP system is a marketing device. It's designed for television. But as one who comes from the one off final days, when there was no TV, I might be expected to take a different view. Well no, World Class Speedway is as high profile as it as ever has been. I know British Speedway is in the doldrums, but we are wrong to resent the profile of the top riders. It's not their fault they can earn more money elsewhere. We still have a great 3 tier league system in this country. Get your heads in gear. Do you want to see the best riders in the World or is it that you want to see good racing? At the moment, you can't have both. I want us to produce riders that can compete on the World stage. You don't do that by paying riders beyond your means, you do it by investing all you can in our youth. I don't know what it's like today, but when I was in the system, riders were competing in the Conference League for £5 a point and half their travel money. And there were lads (and girls please) that would ride their heart's out for that. We have an infrastructure to bring youngsters through to professional rating. The goods one will go on. To make it happen, we need your help.

Up to our ears in c**p with builders making our lives "fun" at the moment. Very sorry not to there to support our friends tonight. Given that we are in Rugby, it's nuts that we will be at the next round at Somerset (certain). Can someone post the results from Leicester please? We would like to know the whole line up if possible please. We do care, and would love have been there tonight.

Form can disappear. Class does not.

Speedway rule: The worse it looks, the more likely everyone walks away. No joke intended. The opposite is so often the truth. So glad to see everyone walk away. Somewhat beaten up no doubt.

Lol. Actually it's triplets. They're saving the really good brother for the finals.

Just a touch of water makes all the difference, eh? You're joking. I'll send my man to fix their electrics. How can you warn riders when they ain't sure the tapes are really going up?

Go and take a pee on the 4th bend. Might make it even with bend 2

Note to Poole: This is how to prepare a track. Oh, wait a minute. This is how you prepare a track. Oh wait a minute again. It's spitting. Standby for a good finish to this meeting How can that be? The tapes not working properly!! This is the World Championship. As a track, you should be under threat of losing your place on the GP circuit for that. Tractor racing!

Especially if they bring Erik, Jan O, George Major or Gordon Kennett. I'll get my coat.

I am reminded of the last time I can remember when a new engine won the World Championships. It was in 1983 when Egon Muller won the one off World Championship on a... GM

I was that man. The passenger that is. And it's worse than you describe. Roel, my driver, was indeed Dutch but rode on a German licence. I always rode on an ACU licence but it is the driver's "nationality" that counts. Funny, I found one of my German race jackets only today buried in the garage. My youngest son wanted me tried for treason at the time! So I guess Tai could get an Aussie licence or a Greek one if he wanted to. The fact he rides under the Union Flag is no small thing. I for one, hope he makes it up with the British authorities and once again takes his place at the vanguard of our national team

But only on average!

It was an omen. Just one big giant black cloud over Brandon now

We share a passion for technology. I don't know much about the internal workings of a speedway engine but things like titanium rods sound expensive.No disrespect but "What I've been told" is a long way from absolute truth. There is a lot at stake here. Getting riders to switch to a successful engine is money in the bank. What one sponsored rider is supplied with versus the out of the box version can be very different. Don't get me wrong. It has always been so. You can gas flow an engine and it's still standard. But it's quicker. A 4 grand engine and some clever mechanics beating the best engine tuners in the World? I remain sceptical. Anyway. Rock on Freddie. You're a great bloke who's served his time.

Pity Kenneth Bjerre isn't available.

oo err Missus.

Hi TDM. Not sure who you are or how you know anymore about Freddie's engines than I do. I was only asking.

Oh come on. You can make a killing based on those odds. If only I had some money left!

Hey I'm all for an inexpensive engine with lower running costs. Sounds perfect for reducing costs in a shrinking sport. But did Freddie or anyone else say his was a standard engine last night? Don't get the wrong message. I'm chuffed to see Freddie doing well but let's not misrepresent what we're seeing