Grachan

So if you don't think Tai is an Aussie, why do you think he rides as British out of convenience? So if you don't think Tai is an Aussie, why do you think he rides as British out of convenience?

How many times to some people need it drumming into their heads that Tai Woffinden is British before it actually sinks in? Unbelievable.

I used to really enjoy those. You'd get quite a few people hanging around in the bar for them, too, instead of just heading off home. Great for fans. I don't know why it never caught on at other clubs back then. It's much better and more intimate than a few roving mic interviews on the centre green after the match.

A big miss is people all trying to work out how the tactical substitiutes would pan out over the next few heats and how the losing side could get the best out of them. Speedway lost a lot when it got rid of the tactical subs. They made the same mistake that many people make - thinking that it was just about 4 blokes on bikes without brakes.

I saw a bit of it. It was good to see a decent crowd at a Sky meeting. I guess the fact that it was against Edingburgh helped, although Glasgow are clearly promoting well at the moment. Some of the racing was processional, but the score stayed close for most of the match and there was crowd and crowd noise to compensate. You can get racing as good as you like, but if it is in front of 2 people and a programme board it doesn't come across well.

Fine as long as the points limit doesn't restrict better teams too much. TS is 3 down? Who on Earth came up with that!

Tai's family moved to Australia when he was 4. They moved back here when he was 15. That's 11 years. He's now 25. So he hasn't lived in Australia for most of his life.

Shawn Moran finished second on the night, with Todd third. Moran was later (unfairly in my opinion) disqualified but the lower places weren't moved up and Todd remained World no 3.

People aren't being nosey for gossip. People are doubting your word.

I think your pants are on fire.

Why? You were happy to name check Darcy Ward.

Why have a snide pop at Darcy then? I'll reserve judgement and opinion on the other matter as you've not given a name for the rider or track.

So are you being truthful or are you just looking for an excuse to have a go at Darcy Ward?

I noticed a conversation elsewhere (*cough* sp**dway fri*nds *cough*) where an ex r ider is complaining that ex riders need to pay to get into Belle Vue. The general consensus there seems to be that riders should get in free, although personally I don't see why they neccesarily should. Martin Ashby is always on the terraces at Swindon. I wonder if he pays to get in? No idea. So, what do people think? Should ex-speedway riders pay to go and watch meetings?

Why do they complicate it like that? They should just allow the reserve to come in to replace someone at any time.

That's the key point. If the reserve can be used at any time then it's a no-brainer to have Lambert at reserve. Bates for Woffinden? It's a tough one but I think Woffinden just edges it.

Would Newman be capable of scoring a 15 point maximum in the top 5? No, but, on top form Holder would. Newman is capable of winning the reserves races. There's your 21 points. You want your heatleaders in the heatleader positions so that they can win those key heats. Do you feel Swindon would be better with Doyle at reserve?

What benefit would Poole get from Holder being in reserve? Surely they would be stronger if was riding as a heatleader and beating heatleaders, while having Newman and Ellis at reserve capable of beating other reserves.

I wasn't there, but from the descriptions on here I'd say it is exactly what speedway need more of to stop it becoming a sport watched by 200 people in deck chairs supping on flasks of coffee.

No, it is you who is missing the point. He should have been excluded. The ref got it wrong. But that is not the same as cheating.

So now we gave a Leicester fan threatening to go to the police because Doyle gestured the crowd. For Heaven's sake!!

Well, if that was the case, that would have been up to the ref to call that. I don't have the current rules to hand, but it's always been that if a rider is withdrawn then a reserve replacement can be used. In this case it seems Swindon could have even used IRR but didn't. So to say they were 'cheating' (a favourite, much over used and usuaslly ridiculous term on this forum) is nonsense. People love to come up with this rubbish on here. They example you give of Zagar being one. Another classic was Poole were 'cheating' because Newman wasn't wearing goggles, when clearly that would have put him at a disadvantage. I'm sure there are plenty of other examples too. Nyah nyah, cheating Aces. Nyah nyah cheating Pirates. Nyah nyah cheating Robins. So it goes on ad nauseam and, as ever, it's rubbish.

So your theory is that by pulling Tungate on Thursday and not using IRR, thus losing a match at home that they otherwise would have won, Swindon were cheating. Brilliant. #typicaldropacogagain

...as the reaction of some people to him missing Saturday's meeting proves.

It almost certainly did strengthen Swindon, although, having said that, R/R scored 7 and Tungate scored 7 on his previous visit there. This is the thing about Thursday. Tungate withdrew from the meeting and some people are saying IRR was available but Swindon never used it. Do the injury is clearly genuine, otherwise why would he withdraw? Nice to ear he was on parade. Do people honestly believe he would be there with the side if he had been dropped against his own will?