lucifer sam

Ten points is very little in the GP, especially if Holder and Pedersen don't make it all the way through, so don't dismiss Greg from the equation. Holder, I reckon, though, as long as he keeps his cool. All the best Rob Wasn't Holder further back from Nicki? Nicki seems to have been closer for most of the year than Holder. All the best Rob

Great stuff wasn't it Montie? In particular, the Woodhull brothers were at it hammer and tongs against each other. The great thing about Scunny (well apart from the brilliant racing!!!) is that there's no messing about. Yesterday, including the second half, we had 26 races in 2 hours and 10 minutes. All over by 7.10pm and I was home in good time, despite someone playing silly buggers and closing part of the M42. All the best Rob

Al, hope Craig is OK. Tabaka impressed me this evening - quality rider. All the best Rob

That's a shame. All the best Rob

#yougotstuffed Great performance by the Scorps tonight. Cook completing the meeting would have made it a bit closer, while Scunny had two e/fs with the flag in sight. All the best Rob

As I thought, no evidence at all. Woffinden "would have been British Champion". Not good enough - he could have still won the rerun. Anyway, that was last year's excuse; he should have still gone out and won it this year. If he can't beat Nicholls and Harris, he's got no chance against the World's Elite. I've got nothing against Tai Woffinden, but he will be humiliated in the Grand Prix next year unless he puts his head down and steps it up big time. He's not ready. Maybe in a couple of years, he will be. But let's have a British rider because we deserve one, not just because of politics. All the best Rob

So this year where was Woffinden in the British Grand Prix? Oh, that's right, he failed to quality despite the British Final being on his home track. You are joking that Woffinden is a better rider than MJJ? What has Woffinden ever won? Evidence please. Being the No 1 at Wolves is no qualification (just means he's least worst of your riders) - if he was No 1 for his Swedish and Polish teams, I'd be much more impressed. All the best Rob

Unfortunately I agree. Politics comes ahread of getting the best 15 riders in the world in the GP. Tai still has time to become one of the best 15 if he gets his head down - but at the moment, he's nowhere close. All the best Rob Phil, so are you suggesting Vojens was a fluke? How about MJJ's performances in the World Cup then? Such as Heat 19 in the final. Holder had won Heat 18, with Nicki P only third, and the Aussies were right back in it. But MJJ then provided a wonderfully mature ride to hold back Holder and put the Danes on the brink. MJJ, for me, just edged NKI out as the best rider in the World Cup this year. Please can we have the best 15 riders in the world in the Grand Prix, rather than a hand out to the Brits? All the best Rob

Let's not forget MJJ was the Danish hero in the World Cup as well - I'm sure the final was in Sweden, not Vojens Much rather see him in the Grand Prix, rather than Woffinden - MJJ will stir things up instead of getting humiliated every two weeks. MJJ's credentials are also far better - remind me how many World Cups and Grand Prix rounds that Tai has won? I think the wildcards should be: Hampel Ward MJJ Vaculik But I have a nasty feeling that we will see the final place go to Woffinden rather than MJJ. All the best Rob

So three races to eliminate Batchelor, but now Heat 24 which will decide the final two places... Come on NKI and Ales. All the best Rob

Then use a smilie When you've already made daft statements as "it would be better to use countback" (like they're going to use countback when GP places for the whole year are on the line), it's difficult to tell when you are joking. All the best Rob

Well, no, because they'll have the rules explained to them beforehand. All the best Rob

That's it -although I believe Heat 21 has 3 riders and Heat 22 has 2 riders. All the best Rob

Three races to eliminate just one rider, then Heat 24 will be the key. All the best Rob

I wish I shared your faith in the British weather It is risky, though. If group matches are still being staged on the weekend of Oct 19th-21st, the earliest the finals will take place is the following weekend i.e the last weekend of the season. Depending on the tracks involved in the final, some of which have other use / planning resrictions, it may be one and only one shot to stage their leg of the final. All the best Rob

Just noticed that the Edinburgh v Workington play-off match is on Friday, October 19th. Surely this is too late for a group match? I notice Somerest have October 19th as their reserved date for the final if they get through. Surely there needs to be a deadline before October 19th for the group matches? All the best Rob

Updates it is then. All the best Rob

Is there a feed for this anywhere? All the best Rob

I guess much will depend on the fitness of Cook and Takaba. Although even they are fit, I fancy Scunny to keep up their winning run and nick this. All the best Rob

Parsnips, surely it's cheating to use Jonsson in a junior match. Seriously, though, nice idea to get these lads on first in front of a big crowd - hoping I'll be at the Raceway in time for this. All the best Rob

HUGE WEEKEND AHEAD FOR SCORPIONS HENDERSON INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions commence their Premier League play-off campaign this weekend with home and away fixtures to 2003, 2008 & 2010 Premier League Champions, the Edinburgh Monarchs. The Scorpions travel up to Scotland to Armadale on Friday (7.30pm), before bringing the Monarchs back to the Eddie Wright Raceway on early Sunday evening at 5pm. It is the first time that the Scorpions have ever featured in the play-offs at Premier League level. They compete in a group of three teams, which in addition to Scunthorpe and Edinburgh, also features the Workington Comets. Scunthorpe earned their placed in the play-offs by finishing second in the regular league table after a storming finish to their Premier League campaign, which saw the Scorpions win 13, draw 1 and lose only 2 of their final 16 Premier League fixtures, after a tough start which saw them lose 6 of their opening 8 league fixtures in a tricky period in May and June. The Scorpions are arguably the form team in the division, having picked up 22 points out of 22 in their final 7 league matches. Those final 7 fixtures consisted of six home victories at the Eddie Wright Raceway, plus a 54-39 away win at Edinburgh, where the Scorpions return on Friday. Team manager Richard Hollingsworth said: “I am genuinely proud that we finished second in the league table, just one point behind Newcastle. “It’s not been a straight forward season by any means; we were struggling with injuries from day one when Tom Armstrong crashed out of the opening meeting of the season. We’ve also been without David Howe for the vast majority of the season; we can count the number of times we’ve tracked a full side without guests or rider replacement on one hand. “Injuries, sadly, are part and parcel of the sport, and there are other teams who have also overcome problems on that front as well. “We knew all along that we had a good side this season. The addition of Nick Morris and Gary Irving did help to transform our results, but we had a team largely consisting of young riders who we knew would just get stronger and stronger as the season continued. Even Josh Auty, our No 1, is still just 22 years old. “We’ve seen Thomas Jorgensen (now sadly injured) and Ashley Birks both come on in leaps-and-bounds, and it’s been particularly satisfying to see Michael Palm Toft hit form, after a difficult patch earlier in the season.” Hollingsworth is now concentrating on the four play-off group matches ahead. “The clock is now reset to zero; everyone starts from scratch again in the play-offs. However, what we do take into the play-offs is a feeling of self-confidence and belief, built up by a very good set of results over the last two to three months. We honestly believe we are capable of winning our play-off group and then winning the final. “It certainly won’t be easy, because all the teams in the play-offs are quality sides. It’s impossible to get into the top six without having a good side. However, we have beaten all our opponents at some point during the season, and we will be looking to do that again in the play-offs. “Over the next four meetings, every single match point and indeed race point could prove to be crucial.” Meanwhile, everyone at Scunthorpe is looking forward to the weekend. “Edinburgh have been one of the teams to beat at this level”, explained Hollingsworth. “The Monarchs were league champions in our first year in the Premier League in 2008. These are the kind of big fixtures we’ve looked forward to for a long time – to take on teams like Edinburgh in the play-offs. “And while they are a big team, we can beat them. We’ve already done the double over the Monarchs in our regular league fixtures. “We bring in Kevin Doolan as a guest at Edinburgh on Friday, while Jason Bunyan (fresh from 12+1 against Glasgow last week) is again our guest at the Eddie Wright Raceway. Kevin and Jason fit in with our regular riders very well. “It’s a cliché to say each week that it’s the biggest meeting in the history of the track, but in our case, it’s absolutely true. Last Friday, we were involved in one of two fixtures that determined who finished top of the table – a situation we’d never been in before at this level. “And then the play-offs are another step up again, because these are the actual meetings that determine who wins the championship. “Sunday is a huge night at the Eddie Wright Raceway. Our admission prices have been pegged at the usual levels, at just £14 for adults, and we hope the public of Scunthorpe will respond with a bumper turn-out and really get behind the boys, as we endeavour to reach the Grand Final.” Sunday’s action is concluded by an eight-heat youth 125cc championship that sees eight of the stars of tomorrow battling it out for a trophy. Teams for Sunday (English unless stated): Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Josh Auty, 2. David Howe R/R, 3. Jason Bunyan, 4. Ashley Birks, 5. Nick Morris (Australia), 6. Michael Palm Toft (Denmark), 7. Gary Irving. Edinburgh Monarchs: 1. Craig Cook, 2. Derek Sneddon (Scotland), 3. Theo Pijper (The Netherlands), 4. Matthew Wethers (Australia), 5. Andrew Tully (Scotland), 6. Jozsef Tabaka (Hungary), 7. James Sargeant. Youth 125cc championship: 1. Dan Thompson, 2. Kyle Bickley, 3. Macauley Leek, 4. Jack Parkinson-Blackburn, 5. Jamie Halder, 6. Joe Thompson, 7. Ben Woodhull, 8. Luke Woodhull. Scorpions Info Josh Auty has now become the 4th highest all-time points scorer for the club (1302 to date). Edinburgh Monarchs at EWR Ave Ave Best Name Lge M R Pts BP (no BP) (w BP) Performance Craig Cook PL 7 32 48 1 6.00 6.13 16 from 6 rides (2011) Marcel Helfer DEBUT @ EWR Theo Pijper PL 3 13 15 2 4.62 5.23 10 + 2 from 5 rides (inc 4 pts T/R (2012)) Derek Sneddon PL 6 25 21 4 3.36 4.00 5 from 4 rides (2011) Jozsef Tabaka PL 1 3 3 2 4.00 6.67 3 + 2 from 3 rides (2010) Andrew Tully PL 7 33 56 3 6.79 7.15 16 from 5 rides (inc 6 pts T/R (2009)) Matthew Wethers PL 6 24 32 3 5.33 5.83 7 + 1 from 4 rides (2008) Other Notes Craig Cook 2009 National League Riders Champion. Member of Workington's Young Shield Winning Teams in 2009 and 2010. Member of Buxton's National League Championship, KO Cup and National Trophy Winning Teams in 2010. Ridden in the Elite League during the 2012 season as a 'doubling-up' rider with Belle Vue. Marcel Helfer German international who has ridden for his country at full and under-21 level in World Team Cup competitions. Rode at Berwick earlier this season in the GP Qualifying Round, scoring 2 points. Theo Pijper Member of Edinburgh's Premier League Championship Winning Team in 2003. Member of Glasgow's Premier League Championship Winning Team in 2011. Member of Swindon's Elite Shield Winning Team in 2009. Derek Sneddon Member of Armadale's Conference Trophy Winning Team in 2005. Member of Edinburgh's Premier League Championship, Premier Trophy and Play-Off Winning Teams in 2008. Member of Newcastle's Premier Trophy, KO Cup and Play-Off Winning Teams in 2010. Member of Newcastle's Premier Shield Winning Team in 2011. Jozsef Tabaka Hungarian international who has returned to the club having rode for Edinburgh during the 2010 season. Andrew Tully Ex-Scunthorpe rider who was a member of the successful Conference League teams in 2006 and 2007. ~ Member of Scunthorpe's Conference League Championship and Conference Trophy Winning Teams in 2006 and 2007. ~ Member of Scunthorpe's Conference League KO Cup and Conference Shield Winning Teams in 2006. Member of Edinburgh's Premier League Championship Winning Teams in 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. Member of Armadale's Conference Trophy Winning Team in 2005. 2012 Scottish Open Champion. 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. Edinburgh Monarchs Premier League Champions in 2003, 2008 and 2010. Premier League KO Cup Winners in 1997 and 1999. Premier Trophy Winners in 2008. Premier League Play-Offs winners in 2008 and 2009. Edinburgh Monarchs in 2012 Qualified for Premier League Championship Play-Offs by finishing in 5th position in the league table. Scored a total of 41 points during the league season. Have reached the PL KO Cup Semi-finals after beating Rye House (100-80) and Glasgow (98-82). Finished in 6th position in the North Group of the League Cup. Defeated Glasgow 94-88 on aggregate to win the Spring Trophy. Last 6 Results 22 September 2012 PL A L Edinburgh 35 Rye House 58 21 September 2012 PL H W Edinburgh 55 Leicester 38 16 September 2012 PL A L Edinburgh 39 Newcastle 53 14 September 2012 PL H W Edinburgh 57 Rye House 36 14 September 2012 PL H W Edinburgh 57 Glasgow 35 07 September 2012 PL H W Edinburgh 48 Ipswich 42 Edinburgh Monarchs' Results at EWR 26 May 2008 PL W Scunthorpe 39 Edinburgh 53 25 May 2009 PL L Scunthorpe 49 Edinburgh 44 11 July 2009 PT SF W Scunthorpe 44 Edinburgh 46 31 May 2010 PL W Scunthorpe 41 Edinburgh 48 02 May 2011 PL L Scunthorpe 46 Edinburgh 44 29 August 2011 PL(Ph 2) L Scunthorpe 50 Edinburgh 41 07 May 2012 PL L Scunthorpe 55 Edinburgh 37 (stats courtesy of John Eyre)

Hans made his intention to retire known a year in advance. He was replaced by the next rider in the series, not a rider from the GP Challenge. Seems consistent with Crump being replaced by AJ. Ironically, I think Hans would have stood an excellent chance of being World Champion in 2000, because both the riders who finished above him in 1999 had troubled seasons in 2000 (Rickardsson changed machinery and it didn't work, while Gollob suffered an injury in a car accident). However, he'd gone 23 years without virtually a single injury (I think a collarbone in '92 was his worst break), and wanted to get out fit and healthy. But I think he may have outscored Loram over six rounds - he finished '99 in excellent form. All the best Rob

The first of two massive Sunday evenings at the Eddie Wright Raceway. Scunny have Jason Bunyan (who scored 12+1 at the EWR as a guest against Glasgow last Friday) and R/R in place of the Tommy Gun and David. All the best Rob

And so here we go - the first fixture in Group 2 of the play-offs. Scunny have Kevin Doolan and R/R to cover for David and the Tommy Gun. Last time, Scunny won 54-39, despite being without Nick Morris (who was riding for Australia in the Under-21 World Team Cup). Can the Scorpions sting the Monarchs again, or will the Monarchs strike back? All the best Rob

Not really. Rob Godfrey realised all along Newcastle wouldn't pick you guys, so there was no point in selecting you until the final choice. All the best Rob