cyclone

To be re-staged on Friday 21st, according to Official Edinburgh website. Lets hope the floodlighting has been fixed & fully test in advance and that the weather is kind to us (now where's that "let us pray smiley"? )

Unlikely as the regs only permit a guest for a No. 7 to have been eligible to be at 7 at the beginning of the Season Without fully checking, I think Liam Carr with a current GSA of 4.81 has the highest average of any current PL no.7,

Think the advantage of using a guest from a 1 – 5 to replace a number 6 is being over exaggerated. The programmed rides for a number 6 means he is scheduled to race against the opposing 6 & 7, three times (i.e. ht 2 and either ht 12 or 14). However a number 5 will also face the opposing reserves three time also, while a team’s no.2, 3, or 4 will be scheduled to face the reserves twice. Granted there is the flexibility to swap the reserves allocated races after ht 4 and an on-form reserve can appear in two more races in total than any non-reserve, where there is no r/r. But as pointed out previously, if a team has a high average number 6, they have earned this situation and should be allowed to replace like for like when the situation arises.

Re above, the following has been posted on FB by Mike Hunter:- "In case there is any doubt about it, could we clarify that we have every intention of restaging our league match against Glasgow. As it won't be within the next week, we won't have Sam or Ryan available. Obviously Glasgow have a lot of important fixtures so it will depend on agreeing a date with them. The Tigers organisation were terrific last night, trying just as hard as we were to ensure that the match would go ahead if at all possible. We are grateful to their promotion and riders for their positive attitude".

It was also a pity that meeting presenter Scott Wilson was otherwise engaged and that his stand-in Gordon Campbell, understandably became involved in the floodlighting recovery. Though a belated attempt to interview Alan Robertson about Linlithgow was made, it was a pity someone could not have spoke to the riders over the PA, especially Ryan, Dan Bewley, etc.in order to break the monotony on the terraces. Even drawing the raffles and presenting some of the end of season awards could have filled the gap.

You weren't expressing this view in 2014 or 2015 when Somerset did not top the table, but were involved in the Play Offs

Did Woffinden no harm riding on the small tracks of Rye House & Wolverhampton, and then becoming a top rider in Swedish & Polish leagues and winning the SGP

Maybe on safety grounds, the time has come to consider a feasible way of limiting the speed of the bikes. It might also change the balance more in favour of rider ability, rather than over reliance on expensive engine tuning.

According to the latest Green Sheet, Mark Riss's average is no longer classified as assessed, as he has already completed in excess of the required 4h + 4a qualifying matches. I believe that 2016 overseas newcomers once they have completed 4h + 4a, the GSA will be either 5 or actual average, whichever is the greater. For instance, the likes of Mark Riss & Jye Etheridge's actual scoring are less than 5, but they have GSAs of 5, whereas Jake Allen's scoring has exceeded 5, resulting in a GSA of 5.96. Etheridge guested for Peterborough at Armadale last week, based on a 5.00 GSA.

Realistically, Edinburgh are highly unlikely to even get near to clawing back a 26 point deficit. The loss of Dan Bewley, given the form he was in before his injury, seriously weakened the potential scoring power of the Monarchs. Still, 4th place in the PL table was better than I expected after the first month of the Season. Injuries at Play Off time can critically alter the balance, and Somerset are now looking less powerful if BWD is a long term absentee. If Lunna is likely to return for the Tigers soon, imo they will now be favourites to collect all the team silverware that's up for grabs in the PL.

Over the two legs, Tigers could shade this. Bach & Worrall are in top form and their reserves should outscore their Somerset counterparts. Rebels will also not have the benefit of guest no. 7 to match the previous exploits of Dan Bewley, this Sunday also.

Why do Monarchs persevere with an unbalanced lineup by pairing their best two riders around Ipswich at 1 & 2 , whilst tracking a very weak 3 & 4 in the Riss brothers? The reason given for this recent change in rider order was that Mark Riss felt more comfortable partnering his brother, but there has not been any dramatic improvement in his form since. If Mark beats any home rider on his Foxhall debut, it will be a bonus. Given the Witches comfortably defeated high flying Newcastle in their last home match, expect an 18+ home victory.

Buggy Fleaman who rode at Cardiff c. 1929 was a belter! Always wondered how Peter Moore acquired the nickname of " Piccolo" ?

Confirmed here on RHS :- http://www.ipswichwitches.co/witches/#News

If you look at Pardubice topic in Internation Events - http://www.speedway-forum.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=82511, Holub is not in U-21 on Friday, and Bjerre's Golden Helmet appearance is on Sunday. May be KB has another Speedway commitment on Friday - does anybody know what that would be?

Max is no.6, Dan is no.7 (if fit) I am grateful that Somerset have filled the gap and give us the opportunity to see some Speedway on Friday, win or lose. Any team will pick the best guests they can for a particular track, and as Rebels absent riders have good averages, quite right to select first-rate replacements.

Can someone point out which overseas fixtures which do not qualify for normal guest facilities, that Peterborough riders are committed to this Friday? Last Friday, Erik Riss was present at Armadale and was able to ride in the Euro U-21 which started at 9pm at Lamothe, France, the next day. Pity that Peterborough were unable to arrange for Holub to do likewise last Friday, as he might have scored more than the one point scored by his NL replacement (which was in a ht 2 1- 5 btw) and turned a home defeat into victory

Withe Garrity & Lambert now unfortunately injured , make it from Cook, King, Stead, & Grajczonek.

Much as I admire your belief that Monarchs will qualify for the Play Offs , currently they are not guaranteed to do so on 41pts.

The problem for next Friday is rider availability:- The scheduled Lakeside vs Swindon will take out Lawson, Grajczonek, Tungate, & Wright & Erik Riss will be in the U-21 at Pardubice the same night. There might also be Danish fixtures next Friday which affect Peterborough's Danes, plus Rene Bach. Also Richard Hall might be en route to Germany for the final Long Track GP on Saturday and his absence would only allow a NL guest. I would guess that next Thursday would be the only feasible day when a fixture could be staged, but I think that's Greyhound racing night at the Stadium.

Interesting article in the Newcastle vs Edinburgh prog about a local supporter with an engineering background who has proposed replacing the starting gate & tapes with a laser beam arrangement for both the front and rear areas which might also eliminate movement before the start. In theory, it would appear to be a more reliable and effective system, and I would guess that it would not be too costly. Hope this idea gets to the prototype testing stage as it could improve this part of racing.

Must have been lucky as Charlie was through at Edinburgh as a spectator and was walking beside where the riders loaded their bikes in Clockmill Road at the end. He was pictured on the front page of the programme in an action shot from the previous week and I politely asked him to sign it. He carefully autographed the front and it is the neatest example I have ever got. Mind you he never said a word. I also remember a pal telling me about an incident he witnessed in a GB vs Sweden Test at Glasgow White City in 1967. Charlie was partnered by Ron Mountford who wiped out himself & his partner in a nasty crash. Apparently Nigel Boocock ran from the pits and uttered to a prostrate Mountford, "Why the f*** did you do that?" Charlie never spoke a word, but waited till Ron had recovered and then promptly smacked him!

L to R Gordon, Barney, & Dave Kennett , I think

Six Years ago - are we referring to 2010 ? Because if so, I think you must have got your year mixed up, re Newcastle, - here's a link to the 2010 PL table FYI :- http://www.speedwaygb.co/premierleaguetable10

From Cook, Garrity, Lambert, & King