Grachan

The thing Swindon does have in its favour is there is a stipulation that the area must be used as a sports venue. It seems to me, from the outside, that GI are trying to avoid building a stadium but the local MP and the council are effectively not going to let them get away with it. I'm hopeful that this is what we are seeing. To me they will keep stalling, but in the end will have no choice but to build it. Then they'll just put positive spin on it that it was always their intention. As for it being ready next year, that's a different matter. One advantage we have over Reading is that the Reading promotion bargained away years of their lease and were left with no legalities to fall back on. At least we apparently have those. From a fan's perspective it's just a case of wait and see now. People knock the positive noises coming from the Swindon promotion, but it could just be part of the pressure being put on GI to keep it public. It seems a bit unfair to knock the club for that.

That's pretty much the same criteria as I quoted, but it has the added requirement that you need to be over 16. Tai left at 15, which is where he would have fallen short of the requirement.

I doubt it. Once you have permanent residency you are eligible for citizenship. So the same criteria would apply. That's how it is in the UK anyway.

Depends if they applied for it or not. They wouldn't get it automatically.

He wouldn't be eligible for Australian nationality. He wasn't born there, his parents are British and he moved away before he was 16. http://www.beyderwellen.com/immigration-questions/2.html#FAQ2

Troy is a good rider to have, but not as a number one. He wasn't signed as no 1 at the start of the year, and rode really well when Darcy was in the side. As a second heatleader he would be a good rider to have on his current average. Kildemand would be a better signing on his average though. I feel he is still improving and is an asset. If he could settle in for a whole season I think he'd do a lot better. Feel sorry for Aaron Summers as he was a star at second string and will struggle to be picked because of his average. Noises being made do hint at Doyle, but I just wish they'd start building the stadium so we can be sure we'll actually have a team.

What advantages does he have at Poole? Poole have dropped to PL under previous promotions. They never had more success or larger crowds than, say, Swindon under previous promotions. I think you have to give credit where it is due. As for the money back thing, it's always a frustation but it's standard practice in speedway.

Where?

Well I'm sure the goggles discussion will be seen as the biggest controversy in speedway since Carter v Penhall by the select few on here, but seriously. Think about it. People believe Poole are not true champion because in one ride they got a 5-1 with one rider not wearing goggles. It's ridiculous, but I'm sure you'll enjoy the discussions!

There is no gogglegate. Not sure there ever really was. Well done to Poole. I wanted them to win, but near the end I was sort of rooting for Belle Vue too. Tbat's the joy of being a neutral!

It's decided in November after a hearing on Gogglegate. I hope Newman's points aren't removed from that race. He won them fair and square. I suspect he will receive a fine for racing without goggles.

He should have been made to put goggles on, I agree. But points wise he was at a disadvantage racing without goggles I would imagine. Ref should not have started the race. But he did. I don't see why points should be taken away, that's all.

Blimey. You're a bit aggressive aren't you?

The ref shouldn't have started the race in the first place. Newman should have been made to put goggles on and would then probably have been excluded on tbe 2 minutes rule.

Correct. The rule that excludes riders for falling off had an effect on the result. The same s the rule that allows double points when 10 behind did. It's ok. I know what I meant. Don't blame Newman. Blame the ref for letting the race start. Clearly a health and safety issue, but no advantage gained from it so why try and get the points removed?

There's plenty of rules that had an effect on the final score. For example, if the ref had brought all 4 back instead of excluding Cook then Belle Vue might have won.

A draw thanks to the exclusion of riders who fall off rule.

I don't see why Newman's points should be removed from that race. It's not as if he gained an advantage. Goggles being worn would be a safety issue and the ref should not have let the race go, but once he did I don't see it as an issue really. Newman lucky though, because if the ref had insisted he put his goggles on he probably would have been excluded on 2 minutes.

You write it here, it comes out there

As I said earlier, take a look at Greg Hancock in the previous round. The thing is, these guys have just finished the final and, for the winner in particular, the adrenaline must still be pumping. They go straight from the track and onto the rostrum. Let them celebrate it.

Greg Hancock was the same at the last GP - laughing, chatting and drinking from the Monster bottle during the USA anthem. I find it more surprising to see an American doing it as they're normally pretty big on the patriotism stuff. I didn't notice it with Tai, but wouldn't be surprised if it is true.

If you had a Wembley world final now you'd get about 40,000 there too. The lower crowds aren't down to the GP system. They are down to a general decline in speedway's popularity.

Rosco seems confident enough as he is already talking about next years team. It wouldbe nice to know if GI have submitted the drainage info yet, as that appears to be what is holding things up.

If you read the email from Justin Tomlinson, the council are waiting for a submission from GI, with building to take 8 months from that submission. That already takes us to June from after the final meeting.

It would just be another open meeting. Would mean nothing.