Gresham

Would love to know why the riders think it's atrocious, especially as there have been some really fast times this season, some fine racing where riders have attacked the track, and even when raining, the track has held up well. Perhaps the Somerset boys have been so used to winning, that they are mistaking the track conditions to competing against a slightly better standard of rider each week? Times are consistent each week and to previous meetings. I haven't noticed riders struggling at Somerset either. In fact, the opposite.

What a nightmare... Left to go over an hour ago... Got to m5 and literally did half a mile. It's gridlock. Radio says 2 hours to get to Clevedon. Sod sitting in that traffic in this heat. Hope all the riders left early enough... Wouldn't be surprised if start was delayed. Why Somerset race on a Friday is beyond me. It must affect the gate so many times.

I agree...the quality of the racing is far more important than the result. And I agree with your sentiments...not all tracks 'fitted' are poor, and you rightly point out it's down to a look of changes to the bikes over the years and track preparation. However...I still prefer racing at a track that's purpose built. It reminds me in many ways, of Golf courses that were built when hickory shafts were en vogue. With todays golf club technology, many of the wonderful old courses are now useless as they, don't play according to how they should, as the technology means the ball can be hit further. They play totally differently and are less enjoyable because of the technology. Same can be said of some Speedway tracks.

Imo...the best racing tracks are those that are purpose built for Speedway and not fitted around a Greyhound/stock car/ football/rugby pitch etc. Shame more tracks in the past haven't been built this way. Hopefully Swindon's new track will give good racing too...I've pretty much given up with that place, the racing is so poor imo...and I used to be a regular there.

Indeed...very similar to myself. It's hard with this sport, not to get hung up with averages, rules and regs etc, as it is such a big part. But like you...Have seen many changes over the years. I go on my own these days...none of my mates bother anymore. I've been fortunate, to have been befriended by a few people. We stand in the same place and chat...buy a programme, but we don't fill it in anymore, or very rarely. We just enjoy the racing. Seems to make the whole experience much better.

From the Rebels site... On the plus side, although Palm Toft is required to ride for Scunthorpe, Somerset have preference on the services of Lewis Kerr, who also rides for the North Lincolnshire side, as Rebels team manager Garry May explains; “To explain the situation, with Scunthorpe’s KO Cup match on Friday against Peterborough being arranged after we signed Lewis, we get preference on his services that same night, but as we signed Michael after Scunthorpe had agreed the date for their match with Peterborough, then he has to ride in that meeting rather than for Somerset.” “But I think we have booked an excellent guest replacement in Brady [Kurtz] for Michael, Brady having been in a rich vein of form for Poole of late, and as an ex-Rebel, he will certainly know his way around the Oaktree Arena.” “The match itself should be a real cracker, King’s Lynn only just pipped us on their previous visit to the Oaktree Arena, but since then I think we have become a different proposition, especially at home, so we will be going all out to make it three home wins on the trot, while gaining some degree of revenge for that earlier defeat at the hands of the Stars.” After the main meeting there will be a 4-rider a-side, 6 heat Southern Development League match between the Exeter ‘Chris Richards’ Falcons and Kent Kestrels I'm between a rock and a hard place on this meeting. Totally fed up with the situation regarding riders missing etc... It makes you want to walk with your feet. However...the Speedway lover in me, seems willing to let this go this time. Should on paper be some good racing. Plus there is an extra 6 heats with Exeter v Kent. I'm going to forget about the rules etc...and just enjoy the racing.

I'm going for a Somerset away win. :-) C'mon you Rebels...

It's hard to fathom how this actually happened. I was there...it wasn't that wet. I've seen far worse in many years of watching speedway. How the hell did they manage in the past, when it was deep tracks, sometimes soaking wet, with no dirt deflector and no tear offs. Just monkey masks and a clipped on piece of Perspex to your visor if you were lucky. All I can think, is that it is the high revving engines causing the wheel to spin faster and hence throw the dirt higher...even with deflector...

I'm guessing he'll only be used at Leicester, Poole and Wolverhampton....Belle Vue maybe. Paddy hopefully will be back before then.

Better than Paddy?

Michael Palm Toft, signed as a short-term injury replacement for Paddy

Form or Engines? We all saw what he can do when he brought his best engines back from abroad at Belle Vue. That's the problem with some of these 'middle order' type riders...they get rides abroad and don't have the finances up front to get all the necessary machinery needed to be successful at all their Clubs. They take the best engines to the Clubs that pay the most. Can be said of a lot of riders.

I feel for the Belle Vue fans who made the long trip down. As Mark Lemon said...it was the same for all the riders, it was just that some handled it better than others. I'd seriously question Cooks attitude last night. He, imo, let Belle Vue down badly. He has all the ability, can ride the Oak tree fast and safely He even won heat 6 in a fast time in the worst of the conditions. To retire the way he did in his next two heats, considering Belle Vue were only 4 points behind in heat 12 was shocking in anyone's book. He reminds me of a player in the Footy team I support...seen as the most naturally gifted and a bit of a 'maverick'. On HIS day, he's unplayable. But when it doesn't suit him, or things aren't going his way, he sulks, doesn't work for the team, and blames everyone else, bar himself. You can't carry riders or players like that in your team. If Cook had 'manned up'...Belle Vue could easily have taken a point last night. If Bewley had been there...maybe even more.

He's becoming the British version of kevin Doyle at Swindon ;-)

For anyone that wasn't there...there was absolutely nothing wrong with the track last night. It was damp...not wet. There were no puddles, it wasn't slick or slippery...in fact it was really grippy. Riders were charging into the bends, no one fell, riders made passes on the outside, there was more than one riding line. Even the times were fast. The only difference to a 'dry' meeting, was that the shale that came up off the track, stuck, as it was damp and not bone dry dust. This made getting filled in more of a possibility. Hence you come prepared and have tear offs or mud visor roll strips. Can't believe Mark Lemmon in the after night interviews, said that he felt disappointed in the Riders being asked to ride by the ref as it put their safety in jeopardy. Seriously? It seems some good riders need perfectly dry conditions to race. The Great riders can ride in all conditions.

On the BBC article, they said Cycle speedway was the fastest growing form of cycle racing.

I missed Bewley badly last night...was so looking forward to watching him ride. Can't remember the last time I watched a meeting where both teams had their full 7 on show.

No....back in the day, they were still classed as 'knobs' and got the same abuse....we just remember them through rose tinted glasses now. Cook is a fine rider, especially around the Oak Tree...however...regardless of how wound up you are, and 'angry' or 'disappointed'...ripping a telephone off the wall in a strop makes you a knob in my book. In the same class as a teenager who smashes up a bus shelter...because he's 'angry or disappointed'. No class... Perhaps he should learn to ride in damp conditions like the majority of the other riders...although damp, the track was raceable, not just rideable. The times were fast. The only thing that stopped closer racing was riders getting filled in. Was a joy to watch this meeting. Showed what can be done on a well prepared track with a bit of drizzle. Shout out to Cameron Heeps too....his style especially when in the 2nd and 4th bends, hanging off the bike reminds me so much of Kelly Moran. A joy to watch someone with a bit of character in his riding style. That's the type of 'Character' I prefer ;-) Everyone got 'filled in' unless you were out front....they still kept racing though.

What's the ruling regarding riders finishing a race, but with the wrong helmet colours on? Sure that happened tonight as well with Jake Allen getting mixed up with his partner. Was expecting a Belle Vue complaint. Good win for Somerset. On a surprisingly fast track considering the constant drizzle. Probably the least amount of passing I've seen this season, and the most strung out. Made me chuckle when they announced the Pits phone had been 'accidently' ripped out...lol Who got their kevlars in a twist with the ref then?

Interesting regarding ages...When I go to watch Football, Rugby or Cricket...the age of the people watching is very similar to what it is at Speedway. In fact the average age of a football fan in this country is nearly 50yo. I've noticed a lot more of the younger generation watching Speedway live this season. At Somerset there is a good mix of older and younger and everything else in between. When visiting Buxton v Cradley the other week...there was a lot of women watching, and a lot of teenagers. Percentage wise, I bet Speedway isn't far off other sports, age wise. Trying to compare Poland with here, regardless of whether Speedway or any other sport, is futile imo. Totally different mentality and health and safety is pretty much ignored over there it seems. Poland in many ways reminds me of how it was in the 80's...in pretty much all walks of life over there.

....looks like Paddy has broken his shoulder riding in Denmark...more guests then...

Why is British Speedway 'Dull as dishwater'...just because people don't like airhorns, whistles, chanting etc, next to them? It's not just a Generation thing either. I like hearing the likes of what was shown on the video...but I'm glad they have areas for this within the stadium. Same as at football...I prefer, like I do my Speedway, to be at the best viewing area, and in an area where I can watch without outside 'interference. If people want to get pissed, shout, scream, chant, blow airhorns, whistles etc...then do it, but be respectful to others that don't enjoy that and do it in a 'designated area or where it doesn't bother other people.

I know...next they'll all be coming over here on cheap flights...Oh hang on a minute lol In all seriousness though, it's that 70's thinking that allows the freedom they have. Less Rules and Regs...or if they have them, like most of Europe they choose to ignore them, or find ways around them. Common sense prevails there still it seems. Plus you don't seem to get the NIMBY syndrome like you do over here. Which I've never understood. People are so stupid. Live next to a Speedway track that's empty and quiet for the majority of the week, or next to more housing and more constant noise? No brainer imo. I always laugh at the Nimbys that complained about speedway at Eastville in Bristol. Now they have to deal with a massive Ikea in it's place lol Idiots...

Agreed...from my travels to the likes of Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary and other 'Eastern European' Countries, it's like you've gone back to the 70's when watching sport there. Drinking, chanting, singing, hostility. It's a proper throw back.

As my father used to say....'Empty vessels make most noise'. Pride or Vodka? ;-)