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There is hardly ever a negative comment from a first time visitor to the GT Tyres Arena. But the constant hot weather of late, has played havoc with keeping the track damp ! This (often in the first half) makes it a "gate and go" circuit. But by the commencement of the 2nd half there is usually enough water put on the track to make it FAR more exciting racing..believe me ! I think Steve Lawson spends HOURS and HOURS watering the track on each race day, but sometimes it still isnt enough. Yes the bar at Derwent Park was a fantastic asset, and many of us have spent happy times talking to riders there. In my opinion it is something that is sadly missing at Northside. But Andrew Bain has spent huge amounts of money getting other features installed, and crowds are lower than he would like this year. It would be great if a "proper" bar with draught beer and comfortable seats could be provided for next season. but only Andrew will know if we can afford that facility ?

Following on from the Plymouth team on Saturday having 4 guests and r/r to join there two available riders the Speedway Control Board has seen a way forward and are considering the following ........ 1) All riders will be under contract to the SCB 2) All riders will be graded according to there riding average 3) For every match 14 riders will be allotted to the track with 2x number ones, 2 x number twos etc 4) Prior to the start of the match each pair of riders will be drawn out of a hat until both teams have a 1-7 (like heat 15 at present the supporters will have to fill out the riders in the programme) 5) Each team will then pull on the relevant race jacket and the match can commence 6) At the end of the match the riders hand back the race jackets, head home and await the instructions of their next match Further to this idea there is a consideration of adding defunct teams to bolster the league and will not have a home track but run as nomad teams on other available tracks. This is all tongue in cheek as I'm only joking ( I think) 🤣🤣🤣

I am curious about your "lack of contact with riders" comments ? As far as I know, after the meeting, fans can enter the pits via the side/rear entrance and chat to the riders packing their gear up ? Before the meeting, I think there is too much activity to allow the public in the pits, although I appreciate this happens at other venues. But I am sure that the next time you visit, make yourself known to Andrew Bain. Tell him you are a visiting fan, and knowing Andrew, he will personally arrange for you to have a wander round the pits as long as its not too near race time. You can also chat with many of the riders outside their vans as they are loading up to go home. The constant hot weather at Northside is causing problems with keeping the track moist. I think Steve Lawson spends HOURS and HOURS watering it on each race day. But that often isnt enough. One of the reasons given for moving to a 6pm start was that the track preparation would be easier. But that hasnt been the case so far. Glad that like so many other fans, you enjoyed your visit and hope to see you here again.

Ipswich facing Leicester on the first return of Becker is an advantage id say, lions have used RR so brilliantly recently and Becker won’t be full race pace on British soil just yet, this could be the factor we need to win!

Random question, anyone having trouble with the updates site. Load of print that runs out at the bottom of the page and then won’t scroll down 🤨. Tried refreshing but no joy.

Extra link for Tarnów v Poznań: https://vk.com/video-53550004_456242383 Extra link for Rzeszów v Leszno: https://vk.com/video-53550004_456242384

Yes the beauty of Derwent Park is the 1,000 seat grandstand with bars underneath which post meeting was well attended by riders and fans alike. I believe there is a bar at Northside above bends 1 and 2 ??? - not been to it. I had a good chat with a Somerset fan who, with his family, was on a tour of speedway stadiums. What a great way to enjoy summer hols. Also beside me was a geordie on first visit to the track. he was less than complimentary - calling it "a gaters paradise"....oh well it's hard to please everyone I suppose.

Agree , Jye going above and beyond the call of duty to ride yesterday and score some good points .

On the one hand, allowing Emil and Artem back into the World Championships would generate a lot of interest. Whether they are real contenders or not. On the other hand, in the current political climate, bringing the Russians "back into the fold" could generate some less than positive publicity inside and even outside the sport. Imagine the coverage if one of them won it? Either way, it's all publicity. And as Barnum (and others) said, "There’s no such thing as bad publicity". And as speedway fans, surely we want two of the best in the series?

GLASGOW HAVE THEIR TRACK STAFF

Nice to read the complimentary views of first time visitors. It was a lovely evening for speedway but the exceedingly dry weather has made life difficult for the track staff. Comets managed to find something that worked in the second half of the meeting to send the Comets fans home happy. Big shout out to Jye Etheridge for riding through the pain barrier. Three of the Monarchs rode below their averages and we were fortunate that Victor only scored the one point after his 15 in the KOC clash. Thanks to the Monarchs fans who made the journey and best of luck for the playoffs.

Enjoyed our first visit to Northside and as like someone said before reminded me a bit of the Oak Tree Arena in terms of the setup. Great setup and viewing all round, well done to the promotion. Racing wasn't great as track was slick and only real pass on the outside I can remember was in the 125 race! Grahn did get round the outside off bend 2 in ht15 though to complete an impressive evening for him. Nice to have a chat to Dan Bewley as well plus the kids both got pics with him. My son enjoyed the kids race too, not as busy as the Coliseum version he is used to but still good. Probably the only thing I'd say was disappointing was the lack of contact available with riders in the meeting both before and after. Certainly plenty of space to do this there, maybe we are just spoilt at Plymouth with the access they afford. Overall an enjoyable night with a couple of knowledgeable locals to chat to alongside me (a few accent issues though!) and i'd certainly like to come back in the future although it's a long way from Somerset!

Doesn't Andy Meredith do them both? It's a shame he's not employed by the BSPL to visit all tracks during a season to instruct on how to carry out track prep, instead it's limited to some diagrams in the SCB Regs.

Amazed to see Becker being back I thought he was going to be out for the season! Glad he’s healed/healing well was having arguably his best season to date before the smash

Good hard win for the comets and always thought they would turn it around a bit like last week against Oxford.Think at the start of the first few heats gating was at a premium and most monarchs sticking to the white line,Not much passing in the early heats but you have to try to move them off that line by coming upside and making it work as going on the outside they where just going back.Seem to get it sussed later on in the meeting but will not be able to give the tigers that leeway on Saturday at 3pm.Is there any reason why they do not soak the track before the meeting starts?

Max just lost control .Took a fair whack, glad to see he is just battered an bruised.

he won the race 🤣

I thought it was

I know that's the format in the Prem but wasn't sure it applied in the Championship?

There is no choice. 1v4, 2v3. High position chooses order of legs, I believe.

Congrats to the Tigers. Finishing top has been a no-brainer for a few weeks and with the play-off 4 now virtually certain, the big question now is who will Glasgow choose in the semi final?

Hi Mike, The Plymouth website, up until some weeks ago, was built, setup and maintained by an outside freelance developer who had sole access. The club now have the website back under their control, and have been busy revamping and updating the site which can take an age. I can assure you the club are working hard on this and it will be another step in the improvement direction once this is complete and back up and running again.

Track prep at Glasgow is of similar standard to Belle Vue. Haven't seen a poor meeting at either track this season.