R87

I've long advocated a highlights package over a weekly live meeting. It would a great chance to cut some of the rubbish and showcase the best action.

After 2 weeks of Peter York I can tolerate Porky.

The track was fine. I think the fact that most of the falls involved Garrity says a lot.

As I say, the score was close throughout, but I felt Coventry were a bit below par from what I expected. Admittedly they weren't at full strength though.

Thought it was the best meeting at Monmore this season and we were worthy winners. Yes Coventry kept it close during the night, but it never really felt like they were in it. Really nice to see PK rewarded for his achievement with a presentation by Sam Ermolenko before the meeting. As for the falls, at least three of them should have resuted in exclusions as they were on the coming out of the second bend, not entering the first bend. In particular Garrity who - although very entertaining to watch - still tends to panic if he misses the gate. One little moan is the number of riders who were getting off their bikes to garden and not being excluded. This happened a couple of times against Lakeside too. If the referee's aren't going to enforce the rules, why bother introducing them?

1999. Both Karlssons were below par that year, but Peter had that year with Peterborough in 2000 which seemed to galvanise him. He'd lost a bit of focus prior to that.

Stunning result - never expected that one in a million years. Congratulations to PK on breaking Sam Ermolenko's long standing club appearance record.

One or two decent races, but still hard to escape the feeling that its still not the Monmore Green of old. Can say the same thing for Freddie. In 2009 he dropped 7 points at home all season - he's dropped more than that in the last 2 home matches to - with all due respect - inferior opposition.

Gate 4 for the second week in a row is a graveyard. May as well stop in the pits if your on the outside

Bottom line is that NOBODY involved in last nights disaster comes away with their credit intact. I'm afraid to say that once Phil Morris showed weakness in failing to put his foot down the moment the problem with the tapes started, then the riders realised they could walk all over him. Ole Olsen has in faults (not least his role in track building), but I don't ever recall seeing the riders push him around the way that Morris was. How on earth does Jim Lawrence continue to get top FIM events? I have been at countless meetings when he's been in the box when he's dropped at least once clanger. I seem to recall Ivan Mauger saying that British referee's were traditionally weak, and last night highlighted that for me. I can understand the riders concerns over safety - lets face it it's not us putting our lives on the line - but even they come out of it with little credit. As I said last night, Tomasz Gollob deserved a much better exit from the world championship stage than the one that he was afforded to last night. There simply has to be a full scale investigation into this. The FIM and BSI have got away with sweeping things under the carpet and hoping nobody will notice for too long now, but last night cold very well be the final straw.

Really feel for Tomasz. A brilliant rider in the gp era and he deserves a much better exit than this.

This is fast approaching Ullevi 2003 levels of farce. If it hasn't overtaken it already.

This is fast approaching Ullevi 2003 levels of farfetched. If it hasn't overtaken it already.

Fantastic stage and a massive crowd. Yet speedway is again holding a big gun and blasting it's own foot off.

Terrible decisions are Jim Lawrence's specialty

Very sad news. I knew he had had problems with his health in recent months, but still very sad. A remarkable career and a highly polished broadcaster. Without wanting to turn into an anti-Pearson and Tatum topic, they could learn three things from Benaud: (1) commentary is not a forum for personal opinion; (2) hyperbole is a poor substitute for an articulate and accurate description of the actual events unfolding in front of you; and (3) neutrality is everything. RIP Richie

One thing about last night is it reminded me why I wouldn't touch Craig Cook with a bargepole. Another British rider who thinks he's better than he actually is.

Freddie wasn't dominating races at Monmore in his last season with us, so hard to see him doing it now. His ride in Heat 7 was bordering on amateurish. I still believe he'll do well to maintain his average. Some decent racing tonight. I thought Tomasz looked more comfortable as the night went on, Ricky Wells put himself about and bullied Fricke a couple of times too. I think our strong area will be at reserve, as Blackbird will get better as will Bates.

Not just the presentation itself, but the choice of music leaves a lot to be desired. I remember being at Birmingham about 7 years ago when they rode Somerset and they decided to play "I've got a brand new combine harvester" over the tannoy - obviously thinking they were being witty and clever. Its amateurish, juvenile, childish and just not funny.

Plus he likes to give the impression that he knows better.

Stunning performance from PK which kept us in the meeting, but asking to much to get a win when too many riders were passengers. Coventry had stronger reserve displays which ultimately swung it their way. I was impressed with the idea of going into the crowd with a microphone. Much as the idea of Peter York interviewing me isn't exactly a thrill, its a good way of trying to get the crowd more involved.

I use the speedway programme app now, but I noticed people around me with programmes having to make changes. Surely its not asking too much for someone to check the programme first before it goes to the printers?

After a slow start, we saw some pretty good racing tonight. Have to say though that it was one of the poorest opening night crowds I've seen.

I didn't realise until looking at the official site on Friday that PK will become the clubs all time appearances record holder, which is currently held by Sam Ermolenko at 542 (PK has 539, so should break the record against Belle Vue on Easter Tuesday. I really hope the club do something to recognize the achievement. Maybe a commemorative programme for that meeting or present him with a memento to congratulate him. Either way, a hugely momentous achievement. Interesting that it will be against Belle Vue as I'm sure it was against them that he made his debut in 1990?

I think the main obstacles to all of these rules will be how strictly the referees enforce them.