Speed Hopkins

The guest rider rule is the biggest reason league speedway isn't a serious sport. The catch 22 is that league speedway also couldn't survive without it.

So assuming it was a geniune burst you think with water still leeching out onto the track they would have time to dig down, repair it, put the track back together and let it dry sufficiently to bind together before a 7.30pm start?

It wasn't a rain off!

Why are speedway promoters allowed to call a match off without a referee inspecting the track first? I'm not sure stopping a burst from a main is down to simply turning off a stop cock if that pipe is serving other adresses in the area. If the burst was a few feet under the surface it wouldn't necessarily leave the area flooded, but the ground would be saturated. As for all the speculation and hot air and general bollocks that is typical of this website, I bet the Poole riders and promoter would be bleating if the match was due to go ahead and all the Belle Vue riders were present if faced with those track conditions. The proof will be when and if the men from United Utilities turn up to dig a hole in the track, not on the opinion of terminally whining speedway fans.

My favourite bit in Malcolm Simmons's book was when he recounts trying to pass Nigel Boocock when Booey suddenley put his left hand up as if he was stopping. Simmo slowed down to avoid him before Booey suddenley opened up and raced into the distance. "I thought you were pulling up," Malcolm opined after the race. "I was just letting you know I was turning left," said Nigel.

Phil Crump moved with Newport to Bristol. I believe Jason was born in Bristol.