lucifer sam

How do you work out that finishing 4th is the same as finishing 7th? All the best Rob

So did I. I needed a 5-minute break, before heading around and driving back to Oxford, so went to look at the track. Very wet and third bend totally underwater. I've seen the Scunny track staff perform miracles (2012 play-off final springs to mind), but getting that back into shape was even beyond their capabilities, especially given there was still rain in the air. The track staff were starting to pump the water off the third bend, but there would not have been a raceable track by 7.30pm. Scunny do have an excellent record in terms of rain offs; Rob Godfrey and his track staff are the best in the business when it comes to that. Only two rain offs at home during the whole of 2013 (both non-official fixtures, not a single official meeting was rained off in 2013), and only two so far this season. If they can get the meeting on, they will, but last night that just wasn't a possibility. The heavy showers were hit and miss last night. It was peeing it down in Gainsborough on the way up, obviously very wet in Scunthorpe itself, I drove back a different way and it dry on the M180 just down the road, but then once I got on the A1, it was raining so hard, I could hardly see. Very frustrating for everyone. I got home 7 hours after I started off, without seeing a heat of speedway. But I'll continue to take my chances in travelling up to Scunny (wouldn't have bothered if it was an away meeting), because I know they'll do their upmost to get a meeting on. All the best Rob

I have to say that I agreed with the ref. Kim Nilsson totally lost his rag. Krcmar performed a hard move on the previous lap, and Nilsson saw red. He decided to get his revenge and dish it back out, but got it completely wrong, and bounced Krcmar off the fence! It did cross a line and I think the exclusion was warranted. It was foul riding. An analogy would be an incident in football, where one player commits the foul, but then the other player then retaliates and ends up with the greater penalty. Jim Lawrence took this philosophy and I believe it was the correct one. Had Nicki P done what Kim Nilsson did, they’d be a lynch party out for him. All the best Rob

Yep, it'll be a toughie, perhaps even more so after Berwick's defeat at Ipswich last night, because the Bandits will be wanting to show that result was a one-off. Two very solid sides, both with a trump card at reserve! Really looking forward to this one. All the best Rob

SCORPIONS FACE STIFF TEST FLUIDAIR POWER Scunthorpe Scorpions face one of their toughest tests of the season at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Friday (7.30pm), with the visit of the in-form Berwick Bandits. Berwick currently sit in fifth place in the Premier League table, with matches in hand on all the teams above them, including fourth-placed Scunthorpe. The Bandits have won four of their six away matches, before visiting Ipswich on Thursday night and then Scunthorpe on Friday. Their only two league away defeats have both come at Newcastle. Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “Berwick have picked up a high number of away points – which means either they’ve been extremely lucky, or more likely, they’ve been extremely good. “We have to be on our guard, and firing on Friday night, because we do need the three points from this meeting against the Bandits.” Josh Auty is unlikely to be fit to return, after having his appendix removed a fortnight ago. The Scorpions will again use rider replacement in his absence. With the issue of the August Green Sheet averages, Thomas Jorgensen and David Howe swap positions, with Thomas moving to No 2 and David down to reserve at No 7. Howe has an August Green Sheet Average of 6.04, but such is the strength of Scorpions’ top six, he will still ride at reserve. It’s only a fortnight since Howe scored a paid 18 point maximum against Rye House at the Eddie Wright Raceway. Godfrey added: “The way we constructed this team, we knew we would always have one very strong reserve. Up until now, it has been Ryan (Douglas) or Thomas (Jorgensen), but this month it’s David Howe’s turn to ride at reserve, which is incredible if you think about it, because he’s such a class act and it doesn’t seem that long ago that he was the No 1 around here. “It couldn’t have happened at a better time, because as David demonstrated with his 18-point maximum a couple of weeks ago, he’s now showing form. Thomas was a star performer at reserve, but there’s no reason why David can’t be just as good.” Friday’s fixture takes place on the same weekend as Berwick’s visit last season, which means it is one year on from Ricky Ashworth’s serious accident at the Eddie Wright Raceway. Ashworth’s seemingly innocuous fall onto the track led to the Salford based rider eventually spending 91 days in a coma. Godfrey said: “One year on, Ricky still remains very much in our thoughts at Scunthorpe – and I’m sure it’s the same at Berwick and Sheffield. We wish Ricky all the best in his long road to recovery. We haven’t forgotten him, and we will mark the anniversary of the accident on Friday.” There are 24 heats of action in total, with a nine-heat second half, including a Midland Development League match between Castleford and Belle Vue. Admission prices for Friday: Adult: £15.00 Student/OAP: £13.00 Child (10 – 17): £5.00 Child (0 – 9) Free (accompanied by paying adult) Family Ticket £35 (2 adults, 2 Children 10-17) Match Programme: £1.00 Expected teams for Friday (English unless stated): FluidAir Power Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Nicolai Klindt (Denmark), 2. Thomas Jørgensen (Denmark), 3. Ashley Birks, 4. Josh Auty R/R, 5. Ryan Douglas (Australia), 6. Matt Williamson, 7. David Howe. Berwick Bandits: 1. Claus Vissing (Denmark), 2. David Bellego (France), 3. Steen Jensen (Denmark), 4. Matthew Wethers (Australia), 5. Kevin Doolan (Australia), 6. Liam Carr, 7. Matej Kus (Czech Republic). Midland Development League teams: Castleford: 1. Danny Phillips, 2.Tom Bacon, 3. Adam Portwood, 4.Ben Hewitt. Belle Vue: 1. David Holt, 2. Michael Neale, 3. Reece Downes, 4. Alex Wilson. Berwick Bandits at EWR Ave Ave Best Name Lge M R Pts BP (no BP) (w BP) Performance David Bellego PL 7 29 37 3 5.10 5.52 9 from 4 rides (2013) Liam Carr DEBUT PL MEETING @ EWR Kevin Doolan PL 11 53 85 4 6.42 6.72 14 from 5 rides (2008) Steen Jensen DEBUT PL MEETING @ EWR Matej Kus PL 3 15 27 0 7.20 7.20 17 from 5 rides (inc 6 pts T/R (2012)) Claus Vissing PL 4 11 13 0 4.73 4.73 7 from 4 rides (2012) Matthew Wethers PL 8 31 36 4 4.65 5.16 7 + 1 from 4 rides (2008) Other Notes David Bellego Member of Glasgow's Premier League Championship Winning Team in 2011. Member of Berwick's Premier League Fours Championship Winning Team in 2012. Liam Carr Riding in his first full season in the Premier League with his local club. Also rides for Buxton in the 2014 National League. Kevin Doolan Member of King's Lynn's Premier League KO Cup and Young Shield Winning Teams in 2005. Member of King's Lynn's Premier League Championship, KO Cup and Premier Trophy Winning Teams in 2006. Member of Workington's Premier League Four-Team Championship Winning Team in 2009. Member of Ipswich's Premier League Four-Team Championship Winning Team in 2011. Steen Jensen Making his return to British speedway this season after a number of years away. Made his Premier League debut with Isle of Wight in 2005. Matej Kus Has ridden in Speedway Grand Prix and World Cup Events. 2010 Czech Republic Champion. Twice Czech Republic Under-21 Champion (2008 and 2009). 2008 Czech Republic Under-19 Champion. Claus Vissing Member of Somerset's League Cup Winning Team in 2012. Made his British League debut in 2007 at Premier League level with Stoke. Matthew Wethers Member of Edinburgh's Premier League Championship Winning Teams in 2003, 2008 and 2010. Member of Edinburgh's Premier League Play-Off Winning Teams in 2008 and 2009. Member of Edinburgh's Premier Trophy Winning Team in 2008. Berwick's Results at EWR 04 July 2008 PL L Scunthorpe 52 Berwick 41 04 September 2009 PL L Scunthorpe 51 Berwick 42 23 April 2010 PL L Scunthorpe 62 Berwick 28 25 March 2011 PL L Scunthorpe 56 Berwick 39 23 March 2012 LC L Scunthorpe 53 Berwick 40 27 July 2012 PL L Scunthorpe 48 Berwick 42 02 August 2013 PL L Scunthorpe 34 Berwick 31 (stats courtesy of John Eyre)

Surely Lemo counts as being on official FIM international duty? It's not like he's gone to Poland for a holiday, is it? All the best Rob

Would be very surprised if Gollob doesn't ride in the World Cup Final at Bydgoszcz. A perfect opportunity to bow out of World events on a massive high in his own backyard. All the best Rob

No tricky is not the word, just different. It actually produced some absolutely fantastic racing. And no dust in sight, despite the heat and an enforced 15-minute "sun break". The inside line was probably the fastest last night, if the rider could keep the speed while riding tight. Normally it's the other way around. Both Nicolai Klindt and Ryan Douglas used the inside to pass riders. Mind you, Ryan also went around riders as well - he was properly Flyin' Another fabulous night of racing at the EWR - if you don't believe us, believe the Birmingham and Coventry fans who have posted on this thread All the best Rob

Really enjoyable night last night - track was superb. Thomas's penalty in Heat 11 was a bizarre, while Hugh Skidmore will be left kicking himself for not looking back sooner on the final lap, although it didn't make any difference to the outcome - three points to the Scorpions. Ryan Douglas really on it last night, and good performance all around from the Scorps. Fantastic to read the thoughts of P T Preece. All the best Rob

Or maybe he's an excellent starter, who doesn't actually move early, and therefore the refs should let the races go? All the best Rob

He was abducted after scoring 17 points for the Bandits against the Monarchs last night, escorted to the nearest airport and force fed a dodgy burger. Or maybe he has a Czech Republic league commitment. It's one of the two. All the best Rob

Forecast looks scorchio for tomorrow. Might be shorts weather for an evening meeting at the EWR for the first time. All the best Rob

Did he have one of Wolbert's dodgy burgers? All the best Rob

Dear Mr Blobby.... <<<<Thunderclap of lightning>>>> <<A shadowy figure in a cape appears>> Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha.... TWO!!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4trZO5WP9o&list=PLB809BAAFB3D565BE All the best Rob

SCORPIONS IN DOUBLE DATE WITH BEARS A VITAL COUPLE of days lay ahead for the FluidAir Power Scunthorpe Scorpions, as the team face the Redcar Bears home and away in Premier League action. The Scorpions firstly travel north to the South Tees Motor Park on Thursday, before entertaining the Bears in the return fixture at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Friday evening (7.30pm). Scunthorpe currently sit in third place in the Premier League table on a total of 28 points, the same number of points as second placed Ipswich. Two positive results will see the Scorpions move into second place, behind only runaway leaders Edinburgh. Last week, the Scorpions hit 60 points for the first time this season, registering a 60-35 home win over Rye House, with a back-to-his-best David Howe scoring a fine paid 18-point maximum. Redcar, having ridden one meeting more than Scunthorpe, are currently in eighth place on 19 points, some nine points behind the Scorpions. However, the Bears completed the early season double over the Scunthorpe in the League Cup, so there will be no complacency in the Scunthorpe camp. Redcar contain two former Scunthorpe riders, Carl Wilkinson and Jan Graversen, in their ranks, with Wilko, in particular, being a Scorpions’ legend. Team manager Dave Peet says: “In our last 3 or 4 home meetings, we have been very dominant, and that was been very pleasing to see. Our riders have really started to perform on a consistent basis around the Eddie Wright Raceway. “We need another performance like that at home to Redcar on Friday. They won at our place in April, and we’re determined not to see a repeat of that. “But if we’re going to turn into real contenders in the Premier League, we need some consistency in our away performances as well. We need to take the confidence built up by our recent home performances, take that in our away meetings, and start performing on the away tracks as well.” Scunthorpe are likely to again use the rider replacement facility for Josh Auty in the two meetings against Redcar. The 23-year-old Yorkshireman is recovering from having his appendix removed. SCHOOLS OUT FOR SUMMER… With North Lincolnshire’s schools having broken up for the summer holidays earlier this week, Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey is hoping for a bumper turn-out of youngsters at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Friday evening. Scunthorpe changed their cut-off point for admission prices for children prior to the start of the 2014 season, raising it so that all those under 18 are now regarded as children in terms of admission. Speaking at the time of its introduction, Godfrey said: “I think we might be the first club to do it. The cut-off point is normally 16, but we’re going to raise that to 18. “It’s the sensible thing to do. I suppose we might lose a few quid from those already coming in; but I prefer to see it as an opportunity of encouraging a few more younger people along. “16 and 17-year-olds don’t have a lot of money and these days they have to still be in some form of education. By the time they are 18, they can leave education and are subject to a higher minimum wage. “The school-leaving age has been raised, and it makes sense to move with the times. I think it will benefit us in the long-term. We’ll monitor it and see what it brings in.” Godfrey now adds: “The schools have now broken up for the summer and the days are long and hot. “By the evening, the young people from this area are probably looking for something a bit different. If they are, I hope we can tempt a few in the direction of the Eddie Wright Raceway. “If they are under 18, the admission price is only £5. What better way to spend the night than coming along with your mates to watch the only motorsport with no brakes.” There are 24 heats of action in total on Friday, with a nine-heat second half, including a Midland Development League match between Castleford and Long Eaton. Admission prices for Friday: Adult: £15.00 Student/OAP: £13.00 Child (10 – 17): £5.00 Child (0 – 9) Free (accompanied by paying adult) Family Ticket £35 (2 adults, 2 Children 10-17) Match Programme: £1.00 Expected teams for Friday (English unless stated): FluidAir Power Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Nicolai Klindt (Denmark), 2. David Howe, 3. Ashley Birks, 4. Rider replacement for Josh Auty, 5. Ryan Douglas (Australia), 6. Matt Williamson, 7. Thomas Jørgensen (Denmark). Redcar Bears: 1. Richard Lawson, 2. Hugh Skidmore (Australia), 3. Mark Lemon (Australia), 4. Carl Wilkinson, 5. Aaron Summers (Australia), 6. Jan Graversen (Denmark), 7. Rafal Konopka (Poland) Midland Development League teams: Castleford: 1. Danny Phillips, 2.Tom Bacon, 3. Adam Portwood, 4.Ben Hewitt. Long Eaton: 1. Layne Cupitt, 2. Alex Wilson, 3. Lee Geary, 4. TBA. Redcar Bears at EWR Ave Ave Best Name Lge M R Pts BP (no BP) (w BP) Performance Jan Graversen PL 21 94 107 26 4.55 5.66 9 + 4 from 7 rides (2012) Rafal Konopka DEBUT PL MEETING @ EWR Richard Lawson PL 10 42 65 6 6.19 6.76 13 + 1 from 5 rides (2014) Mark Lemon PL 9 44 84 5 7.64 8.09 18 + 1 from 6 rides (inc 6 pts T/R (2009)) Hugh Skidmore PL 17 80 130 10 6.50 7.00 11 + 1 from 5 rides (inc 6 pts T/R (2012)) Aaron Summers PL 14 64 87 8 5.44 5.94 10 + 3 from 5 rides (2014) Carl Wilkinson PL 86 385 700 66 7.27 7.96 16 + 1 from 6 rides (2010) Other Notes Jan Graversen Former Scunthorpe Scorpion. Member of King's Lynn's Premier League Championship, Premier Trophy and KO Cup Winning Teams in 2009. Rafal Konopka Made his Premier League debut for Redcar in April 2014. Richard Lawson Member of Workington's Premier League Fours Winning Team in 2009. Member of Workington's Young Shield Winning Team in 2010. Named as a 'doubling-up' rider with Lakeside for the 2014 Elite League Season. Mark Lemon Member of Exeter's Premier Trophy Winning Team in 2004. Member of Newcastle's Premier Trophy and Play-Off Winning Teams in 2010. Member of Newcastle's Premier Shield Winning Team in 2011. Hugh Skidmore 2009 New South Wales State Champion. Made his Premier League debut in 2009 for Sheffield and now in his second season with Redcar. Aaron Summers Member of Edinburgh's Premier League Championship and Premier Trophy Winning Teams in 2008. Member of Edinburgh's Premier League Play-Off Winning Teams in 2008 and 2009. Member of Coventry's Elite League Winning Team in 2010. Member of Birmingham's Premier League Four-Team Championship Winning Team in 2010. Carl Wilkinson Former Scunthorpe Scorpion. Member of Boston's Conference League KO Cup Winning Team in 2000. Member of Peterborough's Conference League Winning Team in 1997. Redcar Bears' Results at EWR 30 March 2008 PT D Scunthorpe 45 Redcar 45 06 June 2008 PL L Scunthorpe 52 Redcar 41 19 June 2009 PL L Scunthorpe 49 Redcar 44 31 July 2009 KOC L Scunthorpe 50 Redcar 39 02 October 2009 YS L Scunthorpe 56 Redcar 34 05 April 2010 PT L Scunthorpe 50 Redcar 42 02 May 2010 PL L Scunthorpe 57 Redcar 34 09 September 2011 PL L Scunthorpe 52 Redcar 41 07 October 2011 PL Ph 2 L Scunthorpe 65 Redcar 25 27 April 2012 LC L Scunthorpe 54 Redcar 36 14 September 2012 PL L Scunthorpe 55 Redcar 38 14 June 2013 KOC W Scunthorpe 41 Redcar 49 12 July 2013 PL L Scunthorpe 45 Redcar 44 06 April 2014 LC W Scunthorpe 37 Redcar 50 (stats courtesy of John Eyre)

Paul, mate, you're at the Horseshoe Bar at the same time every week - Commonwealth Games or not. All the best Rob

No saying you haven't. Just saying it's July and whatever the make-up of the 2014 NL, it ain't going to change much between now and the end of the season. Sick of tired of reading what's wrong with the NL. There's a lot of things right with it as well, e.g. Arron Mogridge and Danny Phillips and Nathan Greaves and Oliver Greenwood and (sadly now injured) Luke Crang and Liam Carr and Sam Chapman and Max Clegg and Reece Downes, etc, etc, etc. Let's hope for some cracking Cradley vs Coventry and Buxton vs Scunthorpe matches, and the all time, young riders getting better and better and better. The NL is the only league we have not overrun by foreign riders. It's a fantastic league. Let's celebrate that, instead of picking holes in it the whole time. Looking forward to a real feast (I think I'm going to 8) of National League meetings in August. All the best Rob

Would you like some curry sauce to go with that chip? The 2014 NL is what it is - end of story. All the best Rob

Starts are too fair these days. Should go back to allowing riders touching the tapes, as long as they don't break them. Would create some much needed controversy and talking points. All the best Rob

To Blobby.... ONE!!!! All the best Rob

I'm sure Dimitri Berge is touched by your ongoing concern for his well-being. All the best Rob

Yup.

So is the run 24 rain offs? All the best Rob

It seems to me that Edinburgh's unbeaten run is because their away meetings keep getting called off: e.g. the health & safety issues at Peterborough, tonight's rain off, etc. In which case, Edinburgh's unbeaten run isn't as impressive as first appears. I'm claiming a greater record: Oxford have been unbeaten in all official competitions since October 2007. And wait until the Walthamstow fans get on here - they have an unbeaten record that the Monarchs will never get close to. All the best Rob