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A great rider and always seemed a decent guy. RIP

R.I.P. a true legend of the sport

What a way to end the competitive season. The last Friday of summer 2026 brought weather which was anything but summery and a track which resembled, perhaps aptly, a pool. Having done the hard work on Wednesday, the Pirates barely had to get out of second gear in this one, sweeping aside the home challenge before it had even contemplated beginning. Rider of the Night, by a country mile, was Kyle Newman. I mentioned on his previous visit that I could quite happily watch him every week. It’s fair to say that opinion was reaffirmed last night. In fantasy world where I buy the Monarchs for £1, Newman is my first signing, that much is certain. His reserve partner, Slater Lightcap, didn’t have quite so good an evening. Obviously super-excited to be returning to the plush sunny Armadale surroundings, he nervously twitched his way to a heat 2 warning, before crashing out in heat 6 (speedy recovery). I couldn’t help but notice he wasn’t wearing his team racesuit. Why doesn’t he have one? He’s been here 5 weeks. Are the Kevlar manufacturers on strike? With Monarchs 4 points down and 28 on aggregate after heat 9, I rallied the troops around me. “6 5-0s and we win. Or, even better, 4 5-0s and 2 5-1s and we get an extra heat free of charge. Let’s do this!” As Monarchs gated on a 5-1 in heat 10 I thought, “bang... bang... here we go”. And then Lewis Kerr pulled off a tremendous outside swoop on not-so-super Grahn. The resulting 4-2 meant the tie was mathematically won. I didn’t notice too much (anything?) in the way of on-track celebrations. Perhaps FJ Havvy doesn’t have a calculator in his back pocket? If there was any jubilation, it appeared very low key. Almost as low as the volume on the home straight tannoy, which left me not knowing whether the presenters in the Tower had actually congratulated Poole on their aggregate victory. I assume they did? They’re usually very professional. That said, a low-volume tannoy does have some benefit as it means I don’t have to listen to the ‘modern’ music in between races. Why no Avril Lavigne? It’s all so uncultured nowadays. For the Monarchs, it was something of an impossible task from the off. And by the time the Thom(p)son non-twins were skittled in heat 13, the relief upon hearing of the resulting abandonment almost seemed palpable. It was sad, albeit perhaps fitting, that Justin Sedgmen’s final competitive race of the year saw him go from first to third. That apart he was decent, unlike Mitchell Cluff. Let’s just say, if the play offs were his shop window for a return in 2027, he shouldn’t receive an offer. Finally, I can’t not mention Captain Pugwash himself, Michele Castagna. When he first signed, I always remember him saying, “when I get dialled in, I’ll be virtually unbeatable”. Still waiting son. Still waiting. Well done Poole. The People’s Champions 2026. Here’s hoping you finish the job in the daft final. Roll on next season...

It's not a rumour - Sportowefakty has the details here: https://sportowefakty.wp.pl/zuzel/1274778/zuzel-raport-medyczny-stali-gorzow-klub-wydal-oficjalny-komunikat

Only a rumour but i hear Gorzow are trying to claim Bednar was not knocked out in the heat 14 crash. Hopefully the doctor won’t want to be implicated in these shenanigans !!!

Links for R3 Rzeszow: https://vksport.vkvideo.ru/live-53550004_456242874 https://vkvideo.ru/live-234681448_456239412 https://vkvideo.ru/live-81427162_456239822

That Valentine race is on Retro Speedway's 1974 production.

I think most Lions fans would agree with you!

Perhaps if Mario had shown an interest in practicing around Ashfield, he’d have found he had an home advantage. It’s total nonsense to say there’s no home advantage for Glasgow riders, it’s just an excuse when we lose. Most of the clubs that apparently have a home advantage get beaten at home more than Glasgow.

Martin Ashby was my absolute hero when I started going to speedway in the early 70’s. A brilliant rider with many seasons averaging over 10. I remember one race at the Abbey where he forgot to turn his fuel on in heat one, was miles at the back but came through and beat I think Valentine off the last bend to take the win. Also the 1975 British Final at Coventry when he was in a race off for the final spot at Wembley against Ray Wilson. Wilson gated, Ashby attacked up the inside for three laps and got through, but gave Wilson racing room for the Leicester rider to. Last around and win by half a bike. True gentleman. Swindon hero. RIP Martin.

Surely Spoons would allow a qr code linking to the BV website

Not sure about your specific question. But sometimes I want to kick Drew from here to next Wednesday. As a speedway fan, regardless of team allegance, his inconsistent performances just frustrate the hell out of me.

But will the reduction of some riders averages before the play offs mean, for example, that Drew Kemp will drop down to reserve for the play off matches in October?

Play offs are not included in the averages for that very reason

Bubba and Kordun are hopefully due to return although they need to see if it was officially stated as concussion, if so, a mandatory time off will be due and leaving it extremely close for the 27th match. Chatłas and Jabłoński will be potentially available if required.

Every Club has had young riders the have not fulfilled their early promise and expectations the riders have to handle the pressure ,joining Tigers is no different apart from a slightly better deal financially.Problem at Ashfield is there is not a lot of home advantage to build confidence. Pressure is part of every Sport if you want to succeed.Small percentage make it to the Top.IM0 if your not holding your own in a Team in 5-6 years it’s time to consider your at your Level.Accepting that younger riders these days might take a bit longer.Its a tough sport to reach the Top and financial outlays are huge.If you compare Polish and Gb youngsters it the same pressure (even greater)but many of them don’t make the Grade either. At the end of the day it is the rider that has to produce. ps Hausl was a huge gamble based on what he had done on track.

But ok if you miss the CLRC to ride in Poland 🤔🙃

better if you dont know results.

Missed a ndl meeting

What happened to Max ?

Nice work This info should be on the websites Just like match info only speedway fans will know the rearranged date and time not seen it advertised anywhere that none regulars would see it

Because junior riders want to race whenever and wherever they can, and accept track conditions they get to ride on, lets be honest normally they are riding after the main meeting the track is worn through to the base with a few crumbs of shale pulled back over it by the tractor. Where as profesional riders on the other hand have to think of where and for who they are riding for the next night and of course there income. Injury at this stage of the season could be very expensive for them around Europe. There is no way a profesional rider is going to risk anything like that. One has to ask why the track staff did not pack the ruts in the track while they prepared it for the meeting? If the ruts can be seen before a wheel has been turned surely something is wrong. I can remember back in the day (yes its that quote again) the likes of Len Silver before a match at Hackney or Rye house driving round and arround the tracks in his car packing it in before taking the tractor around once more making it safe and as rideable as he could. Different era, different bikes and different riders I suppose.

Maybe some comets fans are traveling soon and can leave WCSC stickers somewhere 😜

Sadly we haven't actually won much in the last ten years.

So unfortunate, a real bad night for injuries. As the 3 are out for next week are there any replacements possible, or youth riders, I've no idea how it works.