cinderfella

You means you get a spark with Flint?

What has Cook got to do with a statement concerning Sam Masters?

Can see the names of at least 3 riders who won't be participating for one reason or another. Why name riders when it is obvious they won't be fit. Advertising standards obviously don't apply to soeedway in any shape or form.

Crazy the BSPA expect fans to travel to such a meeting while taking in Cardiff yet with less than a week till the meeting there has been no mention of line-ups. Typical poor show yet again

From the BSPA statement: BSP Chairman Rob Godfrey said: “There was a procedure in the rulebook by which after Heat 12 a result could be called. “But after consultation between the riders and the SCB, the riders weren’t particularly happy, so myself and Damien (Bates – vice chairman) intervened and factored in a good solution. So if they can overturn procedures in the rule book the floodgates have just been opened and team managers will now argue that results for league and cup matches cannot be declared if the meeting doesn't go the full distance. Speedway has become a total joke now run by a shower of imbeciles with their own interests at heart. Damien Bates should not have been involved in any decisions as Adam Ellis is one of his riders.

I've read apart from Cookie there are another two Glasgow riders carrying knocks from the last few nights. Any word on their fitness?

Seem to recall a certain top (ie World Champion) British rider had to sit out (I think) the 1989 season after testing positive at the BLRC for a 'recreational drug'. Danny Bird also failed a drug test but has never ridden again though that, I believe, was over his refusal to pay a related fine.

A previous post on this topic said he was in the passenger seat of his van when it was driven away with "his head in his hands".

The Poles wouldn't want to disrupt their Sundays

Find it hard not to laugh when you consider there are more overseas/foreign riders competing in the British Leagues than there are are actual Brits. Really say something about the decline of British Speedway and the power of foreign cash.

Having worked with UKAD in other sports testing on blood and urine can give accurate results to how long banned substances have been in the system. Let's face it only a complete idiot would take anything on a day they were competing not realising or knowing tests reveal what is already there. Wether speedway authorities wish to act on retrospective info would be another matter. When it comes to doping I do have hard opinions especially when it comes to motorsports. Cheating in say athletics is bad enough but when your judgement is impared and other participants lives are at risk to me that should be a lifetime ban.

There was a lot to be said for the old 2nd halves not least when a reserve spot in the team could be gained. I've suggested often enough that the old 'rider of the night' should be introduced but with points accumulated over the season with a major prize such as a new bike up for grabs. Make it interesting by awarding bonus points for performances at away tracks or when guesting.

Yeah seem to recall Kyle Howarth dad a similar problem through taking prescribed medication for pain relief and he was, of course, completely exonerated. If and its a big IF, Ben has taken a banned substance, knowingly or unknowingly, can his previous scores from so many meetings be be declared null and void? That would give Oxford a 4pt victory and place them in a stronger position in their CJL group. Speedway is just getting too complicated

Thought the ref was Tony Steele who certain was at one time a FIM certified official. Today was no more than a glorified challenge match between two select teams

Ashfield isn't one of his better tracks. I'd have though today would have been the ideal chance to give Danyon Hume a run out as he's been riding well of late and the experience would have done him good.

It is no more than a challenge match with an opporchancity to see a few rider you wouldn't normally see (@ a price lol)

If the withdraws and replacements were announced 'too early' some pay at the gate fans may stay away perhaps?

Yeah and gone are the days when things like the League Riders' Championships were prestigious and meant something. The doubling up has taken away the glory of the sport where riders now ride against team mates in different race jackets every other night. Cash is king these days.

Ritchie Worrall and Connor Bailey named in the GB team

Won't be Steve as he's riding for Poole at Berwick. Mind you take out Steve and Bomber at Berwick and it would even things up bar Poole having better r/r options

Let's be honest it is no more than two select teams. If it was a real "Intetnational Test Match" we would be seeing the likes of Woofy, Steve Worrall, Chris Harris and Danny King riding for GB and GP class riders for the RoW over 18 heats. It a fan pleaser meeting which because of injuries has been diluted.

So Kyle Howarth is out now? Wonder how Dan's got on with his fitness test? The way Danyon Hume has been riding he wouldn't do any harm if selected

Well apart from the fact it would be a bit unfair on Berwick there is no reason not to pick Bomber. He is on the form of his life at the moment and had it not been for Berwick having a match I'm sure he would have been in the team. Maybe not Glasgow fans' favourite after his poor season with us but he is a trier.

How much of his bad reputation is based upon the video of him when captaining the BV Colts giving the finger to opponents? Although he denied it the video clearly showed the gesture and I think that has stuck with him. Personally I don't think he has been the same since the passing of his very influential grandfather.

Time there was a rule change intoduced regarding riders withdrawing from matches injured then appearing 24 hrs later. Tom Brennan withdrew from Newcastle v Glasgow then rode for Belle Vue the next evening and now Sam Masters has done the same after pulling out of the Scunthorpe v Edinburgh fixture yesterday. Surely if a rider withdraws injured he must "rest" for so many matches. Yes I know its their income but (Championship) fans are being short changed here.