Grachan

There would probably be a work permit specifically for riding in the GP at CArdiff, but would not cover other work (eg league speedway). EU visas (Schengen visas) don't cover the UK, because the UK opted out of that agreement. So they will still be able to ride in Sweden and Poland as that will be a different visa than the UK.

To do that he'd have to marry her, then apply for a spouse visa. That would be dependant on his wife working and earning at least 18,600 per year. After that he'd have to stay in the uk and not go back to Australia in the winter. The spouse visa lasts 2.5 years. Then he'd have to apply for another one for another 2.5 years. Then he could apply for indefinite leave to remain, which is what Davy Watt apparently has. Then, and only then, could he apply for British Citizenship. So that's in 5 to 6 years time. Doesn't really help regarding this season.

This may be a new problem for Australians, but it's not so new for speedway. In the past it was always Swedes and Americans that had problems. I remember Jimmy Nilsen and Per Jonsson had a hell of a job getting work permits despite being two genuine World class prospects. It had to be proved that they were capabpe of getting a 6 point average before they were alowed and Swindon had to get the local MP involved in the end. Then there was Americans, who also needed a 6 point average. Shawn McConnell failed to get a work permit after failing to reach that figure, and by all accounts Rick miller only managed to achieve it after a little help from Shawn nd Kelly Moran in his final match aganst Sheffield. It used to be difficult for not EU (or EEC or whatever it was then) riders to get work permits, but that all seemed to fall by the wayside in the 90s. (Possibly in line with Tony Blair's "open door" immigration that everyone complains about now) Isn't that on the back straight at Blunsdon?

They do at the moment. There are constantly evolving immigration laws going on, as the government try to keep immigration figures down to get hte UKIP vote. This is what it's all about, basically. Making things tougher so that figure can be quoted at those who moan about immigrants. Because, like it or not, that is what Australian Speedway Riders are, even if they do have white skin and speak English. It's tough on riders, but it's even tougher on married couples, many of whom are being kept apart by new immigration rules.

That only works if you're an MP!

No. Only if he is married to the child's mother and she earns more than 18,600 per year.

Ah yes, I think I remember something about that and posting at the time that it was dangerous to try and cheat the UKBA these days. So you could be right.

This has happened before! I remember posting a query a couple of years back on here because the fixtures showed different times on the Poole and Swindon websites.

I remember that match at Wolves. I was there. He was brilliant, and I think he was a 5 point rider at the time so it was a bit unexpected. 6+3 from 4 might be a 6 point average, but it's value to the team is 9.

I remember a race at a Swindon v Cradley match. I had it on video. Jimmy Nilsen and John Davis, riding for Swindon, both went forward at the same time and nudged the tapes. Alan Grahame promplty released the clutch and rode straight through them. Grahame excluded. Crowd went wild. Nisen and Davis both moved back and smugly put their back wheels up in the air. Great stuff.

So? Just because someone might have been with him the night before that doesn't mean they were over the limit. Maybe they remembered to hydrate! :-)

What difference does it make if Darcy was drinking alone or with another GP rider? If there was another rider with him, and that rider wasn't over the alcohol limit the next day, then the other rider will have done nothing wrong.

Do you mean this year's Premier League? Perhaps you could clarify that. Do you really think this: 1. Scott Nicholls 2. Matej Zagar. 3. Simon Stead. 4. Craig Cook. 5. Max Fricke 6. Steve Worrall 7. Stefan Nielsen Would struggle against this: 1. Craig Cook 2. Sam Masters 3. Justin Sedgmen 4. Kevin Wolbert 5. Erik Riss 6. Robert Branford 7. Max Clegg (Just taking the first 2 completed teams from each league alphabetically. Cook v Cook would be pretty close. Belle Vue's number 4 vs Edinbugh's number one!)

I think most of the talent was at Cradley Heath in 1983!

We may well have had the World's top riders here in the early 80s but only one of them was at Swindon. Or at least in 1983.

Two then. My main point is he shoud get the rest of the ban suspended and be allowed to continue his career immediately but have a suspended sentence hanging over his head.

Why sign a middle order man without knowing who the second heatleader will be? Unless this is the only middle order rider going and all the heatleaders available will still fit in anyway, of course.

I hope this doesn't get dragged into Darcy being cleared on some sort of ridiculous technicality. What I hope happens is he gets, say, a three year ban, with the time he's served out already being counted towards the ban and the rest being suspended. Then he can get on with his racing. He's had a long time out now and missed out on 2 cracks at the World title, which he probably deserved to happen. Hopefully it will teach him the lessons needed and it is clear to him he musn't transgress again.

Considering we are in desperate need of a top 2 rider, I think Darcy is certainly the best choice in terms of ability. There aren't a lot of choices unfortunately. Sure he's a risk in terms of the problems he has had, and I'd rather have Kildemand. But he ain't coming. Swindon need someone that can score big alongside Troy.

I'm pretty sure he'll be at Poole if he gets clearance to ride.

Really? Even with Kildemand confirming he won't be here? Reckon we should take whoever is going personally. And I doubt it will be Darcy.

Ah yeah. I see that now. To be honest, though, from what I saw of Howarth last year he's a good signing.

I would think that most people who want to view a website on Coventry Speedway would type "Coventry Speedway" into Google and then click on the link. I can't see the .co having any real effect on that. how often do you actually type in the full address of a website you wish to view?

A five point rider would be the worst but one rider in the EL last year. So that's possibly not the best team building strategy option.

Why? If it's available to Wolves then surely it has to be available to everyone.