Plymouth Gladiators 2021

[Technik]

It was a fair night of racing Danny King was clearly the top rider on show but Bjarne Pedersen rolled back the years to give him a run for the money in the final. It was good to see Crumpy take the "B" final even if he was given a flyer but the old man needs a little help sometimes. Still an awsome superstar.

Downsides, It was very dusty even if they tried to keep the dust down with watering every couple of races it was far to dusty. Also this led to the first 12 races taking over two hours to finish. but the worst for me was after they gave out the riders for the final & I with many others had marked down which helmet colour each rider would wear in each final they came out in a different order, Thankfully it was noticed & my programme remained correct to the announcments (Thanks control box)

[Robinh88]

Funny how Bjarne’s form has plummeted in recent weeks!!!

[lewy]

21 minutes ago, Robinh88 said:

Funny how Bjarne’s form has plummeted in recent weeks!!!

He hasn't scored so well since he's moved to number 1. He is still a class act the ultimate professional its been a privilege watching him this season. 

[RebelDan]

10 hours ago, Skidder1 said:

The Plymouth Promoter (Mark) said in video interview after the meeting that he was sorry that the track was far too dusty and there was hardly any overtaking??!!

There is a bias by a few posters connected with Plymouth that start glowing about the track and racing even if it’s 15 heats of processional racing ! Some of the comments about last nights meeting are a classic example the above quote sums it up in contrast to certain posters.  It’s like some are on the payroll! I’ve been to most meetings and I’d say the following :

1. Well done to the promotion on a slick presentation and providing competitive speedway in the south west especially after the Rebels sad demise. Thank you for live  speedway !

2. The racing is compromised by its shape and size and anyone disputing that needs to be objective and the racing is sometimes very processional , but the size does none the less keep the racing close. If the track could ever be widened that would be hugely beneficial but I expect it is cost prohibitive.I’ve seen many riders bust a gut for 4 laps on the outside and they have simply  gone backwards. 

3 . The people are very friendly and welcoming  and it’s a very pleasant evening out - again well done to the club and all the volunteers connected with the club. 
 

Finally I wish the club all the best over the winter and I look forward to returning again in 2022. 

[Steve Shovlar]

Agree the majority of fans are friendly there. As you say some are blind to the track shape and the “racing” it provides. Four riders close together might be exciting to some but often a junior can lead a race and much more experienced riders can bust a gut and get nowhere. The track is far too narrow, which makes most heats a procession. 

When Poole rode there earlier this season there was one pass of note in 15 heats, when Schlein litterally forced himself under Bowtell off the last bend, causing Bowtell to throw a wobbly after the heat. Perhaps they could move the back straight back ten metres to widen the track. It would mean a more circular track, but it would certainly improve the spectacle.

[phillwhitewasmad]

10 hours ago, lewy said:

He hasn't scored so well since he's moved to number 1. He is still a class act the ultimate professional its been a privilege watching him this season. 

In fairness he has been the best rider on show at scunny all season 

[Steve Shovlar]

Hopefully loads of Plymouth fans will travel up to Poole next month for Bjarnes farewell. He is a Pirates legend and deserves a great big send off into retirement.

Edited September 9, 2021 by Steve Shovlar

[M.D]

9 minutes ago, Steve Shovlar said:

Hopefully loads of Plymouth fans will travel up to Poole next month for Bjarnes farewell. He is a Pirates legend and deserves a great big send off into retirement.

Keep me informed Steve and I will get it put up on Eastbourne's social media pages

[MalDon45]

Our track doesn’t guarantee good racing anymore than any other track does. Occasionally we watch processional racing as do fans at all tracks. Weather, prep, rider preference etc. all factors.

But it can and does produce superb racing as do most other tracks.

Bias? Maybe. But I’ll continue to passionately dispute posts that claim the track can’t produce great racing.

Good racing at Plymouth needs guile and cahoonas, those without both or either can often blame the track… Riders blaming the track when they should be looking closer to home, isn’t something unique to the coliseum. 

Last night at Poole, I can’t recall a pass after bend 3 lap 1. Not the tracks fault, more to to with the Gladiators not looking capable of passing wind let alone an opponent. 

I’ve watched truly tedious meetings at Somerset, but on the right night with the right riders the racing could be thrilling.

On the payroll? Certainly not. But I do feel a loyalty to the club and the promotion to defend their corner when I see them unfairly criticised. 

In the current British Speedway environment I think a phenomenal job has been done by Mark and the team down here. We’ve seen some fantastic meetings on a lovely little track in a well equipped atmospheric stadium. There’s a true buzz about speedway and crowd numbers are on the up…. That’s almost as unique as the track.

I continue to be dumbfounded every time I log on and see negative posts aimed at the club and it’s facilities. Get behind Speedway and one of it’s good news stories.

[Ghosty]

13 hours ago, Robinh88 said:

Funny how Bjarne’s form has plummeted in recent weeks!!!

I agree, I have spent this season sat in the NHS stand close to the starting gate & had been highly impressed by Bjarne's gating ability, so consistent & in a different class to everyone else.

He must have lost his trapping gloves or more likely that special engine has gone bang or been serviced never to be the same again. 

[Ghosty]

2 hours ago, Steve Shovlar said:

Agree the majority of fans are friendly there. As you say some are blind to the track shape and the “racing” it provides. Four riders close together might be exciting to some but often a junior can lead a race and much more experienced riders can bust a gut and get nowhere. The track is far too narrow, which makes most heats a procession. 

When Poole rode there earlier this season there was one pass of note in 15 heats, when Schlein litterally forced himself under Bowtell off the last bend, causing Bowtell to throw a wobbly after the heat. Perhaps they could move the back straight back ten metres to widen the track. It would mean a more circular track, but it would certainly improve the spectacle.

Steve Plymouth will never give the racing I have been accustomed too @ Somerset (RIP) but you as a Poole fan I can think of three words: POT, KETTLE & BLACK.   Let us agree we are lucky we have a speedway track we can support & that neither are like Somerset or Belle Vue!  

[torpointfanatic22]

2 hours ago, Ghosty said:

Steve Plymouth will never give the racing I have been accustomed too @ Somerset (RIP) but you as a Poole fan I can think of three words: POT, KETTLE & BLACK.   Let us agree we are lucky we have a speedway track we can support & that neither are like Somerset or Belle Vue!  

Not to go off topic but as racing goes, I've found Peterborough to be absolutely brilliant for racing on the few occasions I've been there. I recall a Premier League fours there a few years back and it was one brilliant race meeting.

[Fromafar]

5 hours ago, Ghosty said:

I agree, I have spent this season sat in the NHS stand close to the starting gate & had been highly impressed by Bjarne's gating ability, so consistent & in a different class to everyone else.

He must have lost his trapping gloves or more likely that special engine has gone bang or been serviced never to be the same again. 

Just maybe is going to have another season.

[jbell1995]

Hi all, 

Just been flicking through on what's been said about this season. To cut a long story short, I was a regular down at the 'St Boniface Arena' during the Mike Bowden days when the club first stepped into the second tier. I've been away from the sport for nearly 8 years before returning this season. I cannot praise Mark Phillips and his team enough for what they've done to the club. Thoroughly enjoyed being back down at the track this year. Every meeting I've been to has been tight and competitive. 

I think in an ideal world, we'd all like every track to be perfect and a little bit bigger but there's something quite special about the unique nature of the track down here in Plymouth. Life would be boring if it was the same everywhere surely? No one is right or wrong with their views, that's what is great about sport with everyone allowed a different outlook on things. I think the way the side was built this season, baring in mind at short notice was with one thing in mind, get people through the gates and build up a strong fan base to really kick on next season... that's been successful I think it's fair to say. Crowds have grown every week and in regards to local, good quality sporting action, I'd say its pushing the City's rugby side now to follow behind Plymouth Argyle in regards to somewhere to be to watch sport for the week.

I can't wait for next season, I've enjoyed this year so much I'd say there's a fair chance I'll become a season ticket holder for the first time next season. It would seem that Lawson is in the door already with all signs suggesting Ben Barker will return to the city for 2022. I'd like to see Bowtell and Ruml retained. Dillon has improved and progressed every week and Alfie's talent is clear for all to see. A third heat leader is required I'd say and with everything that's gone on down here this year and the ambitious nature of the promotion and sponsors, I'd suggest you'd struggle to find a rider turning down the chance to wear the Gladiators uniform next year.

Apologies for the long nature of my post

[Jaizer]

See Lawson confirmed for king's Lynn tonight. How that going to work if there's league reconstruction and already confirmed for Plymouth?

[phillwhitewasmad]

3 minutes ago, Jaizer said:

See Lawson confirmed for king's Lynn tonight. How that going to work if there's league reconstruction and already confirmed for Plymouth?

Would tell me there is no reconstruction happening and going to have same old double up and down rubbish 

 

[Jaizer]

Just now, phillwhitewasmad said:

Would tell me there is no reconstruction happening and going to have same old double up and down rubbish 

 

Looks that way. Clearly broken so we won't fix it. Magic

[lewy]

5 minutes ago, Jaizer said:

Looks that way. Clearly broken so we won't fix it. Magic

Maybe 1league but your allowed to ride for 2 teams  nothing would surprise me!

[Bagpuss]

8 hours ago, torpointfanatic22 said:

Not to go off topic but as racing goes, I've found Peterborough to be absolutely brilliant for racing on the few occasions I've been there. I recall a Premier League fours there a few years back and it was one brilliant race meeting.

The EoES is as good as anywhere on its day.

[mikebv]

1 hour ago, phillwhitewasmad said:

Would tell me there is no reconstruction happening and going to have same old double up and down rubbish 

 

You have to think that it works for both Promoters and Riders..

No flights or hotels to pay for..

No having to plan fixtures around other non UK leagues, even for rescheduled meetings..

And loads of potential earnings for the riders, who could in theory ride seven times a week over here..

All the heat leaders who DU must have done well for themselves this year, especially riding against so many RS's every meeting (both team mates and opponents)..

Cant see either Promoters or Riders wanting too much change..