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SCB 2018 rule that “riders must remain astride their machine when ‘gardening’ at the start-line. As we saw/heard last night in the first meeting of the season at Belle Vue, 3 riders excluded having got off their bikes to prepare their start position. Riders/managers complaining of this rule. I believe rule possibly brought in to speed meetings up. But it doesn’t. Riders in my opinion should be able to prepare their start position, have a cup of tea or what ever within the 2 minutes allotted time. As in Poland a digital clock should be placed by the start, the referee starts the 2min. count down and if a rider not ready, then he is excluded. This system should be in place for all leagues in all countries. Same rule everywhere.

Sad but true on all count JC. . .and I still have the Shell suits! :-) We may not have seen eye to eye on some occasions but there is no doubt that you were a forward thinker who had great ideas to move the sport into a new direction and bring it up to date. The atmosphere that we all generate in that amazing era was 2nd to none and one of the best times I can remember in speedway.

He has saved plenty by ensuring his team look will look like the Poundland Pirates

You can be prepared as you like and just have absolutely no luck on any given night, it happens although fortunately not very often. Panning the poor chap is pretty harsh but not unexpected on this platform.....Belle Vue fans know what Tungate can do and won't be too concerned.

I feel sorry for any new promotion team at Lynn, as I think it is hard to meet the expectations of fans who supported the club during that era... and for good reason. The parade track rolling out to the intro of 'welcome to the jungle' always made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck, and everyone involved (from fans to riders) were emotionally immersed in the club. 9 titles in 4 years (from memory) is as good as it gets and shows what the club was all about back then. Unfortunately since then the club has lost yourself, Rob Lyon and me and personally I do not believe any have been appropriately replaced... although not through lack of trying as I did recently read a job advertisement for a centre green announcer who must like wearing illuminus shell suits

Didn't finish a race all night? That doesn't happen to the best riders, who are usually the best prepared.

Sounds like a typical first meeting some riders better than expected others no so good, mechanical gremlins that need ironing out overall a good night's entertainment. It isn't what happens on the first meeting that define your season.

Re the gardening - it serves no purpose to insist the rider remains on the bike. The 2 minutes is 2 minutes whether they are on the bike or doing a dance around it...

Jenga in talking sh*te shocker but its only banter isn't it. On another subject breaking news Jenga has found another brain cell to go with the one he already had , Joined up writing should now be achievable with lots of practice. Hopefully in years to come the dribbling will stop fully which should save a fortune in washing powder cleaning his bibs.

What a load of old tosh as usual, well happy with the performance from the Robins also for the Aces Bewley/Tungate had bike problems.Zach has just comeback from a serious back injury these meetings are there to blow away the cobwebs and get ready for the league programme.

Well done to Mitchell davey. Hope you keep clear of injuries this year and get some reward for your perseverance

Mmmmmmm.... Atmosphere at a high octane, adrenaline fuelled sporting event? No doubt infused by fans' noise and engagement to what they are watching? Now that there is a 'novel' idea..... Wonder if it will ever catch on? Who knows, if it does, maybe some fans would go back the next time to sample some more of the same?.... Nah... What am I thinking?....

Id take Knight or Mountain. I was impressed with Knight a few years back when he rode at Brandon. Not seen Mountain live but fans seem to like him. It would be a huge shame if we had to make more than one change. Mountain would be my guess.

I just don't see what the purpose of this rule is. If riders are at the tapes and ready to race by the end of the 2 minutes, what is the issue?

Yes. I suspect it may not be about him, let's give the lad a break and move on.

Unbelievable comments on here regarding Tungate from people who probably didn't even attend the meeting. Bike problems all night , didnt finish a race , it happens to the best of riders especially so early in the season

I think KK's door is bolted shut

It is as bad, ask flappy

It isn't a dream team for sure but you have a 1 to 7 to start the season - you may find it won't be your 1-7 for ever besides the sport is about racing - not necessarily winning - if they put a show on that's worth the admission

Fully agree. If Newman was ever going to achieve anything like that level in the top flight he would be dominating in the 2nd tier by now. In fact the last season's he has dropped year on year in the 2nd division. 6.84 (2015), 6.31 (2016), 6.10 (2017). A good reserve , and pretty poor second string in the top flight. That's pretty much his level. No doubt he had ambitions much higher than that and injuries have halted process but not to the level of top flight heat leader. I don't. I will be waiting to mock you if you fail.

Sick of listening to idiots (young and old) ranting and hijacking this thread. Here are some facts. Birmingham are being vilified (by some) for trying to use the rules in their favour. (Well DUH!) when no-one REALLY knows which rider they have been trying to sign, its all supposition. Even if it is the rider in question it would appear that they have only tried to stay within the rules. Something that many other sports would recognise. (Cricket and Rugby spring to mind.) Birmingham have been vilified for not bringing youngsters on. Well, I could of course point out that recently we had the youngest team in the league and (possibly) of all time. But that was under previous management so does not point to what the current management are doing. The current management have joined the MDL to bring on juniors and have stated that is a big aim of theirs. This despite the severe restrictions placed upon Birmingham via the planning permision. This should be applauded. But here is the crux of the matter for me. Why should any team in the NL (with the exception of Belle Vue) spend money and time and effort on developing ANY rider when they are not allowed to profit from such investment. Until the NL is allowed to gain assetts via such investment then they have NO incentive to develop any rider. Why spend that money and then let the boys from the higher leagues just step in and gain an assett without having developed that rider. Its wrong and does not help supporters to become emotionally attached to their team. The incentive is to sign Riders that have all ready developed and shown form at this level.

If they did that and they showed old meetings including guests and R/R would you wish to leave??

Hope every club in the league downloads the King's Lynn anthem and plays it when the Stars come visiting. Should demoralise the KL riders.

Point proven stick in the mud the reason the sports ruined .it's all foreigners fault isn't it there's no one watching the sport is the reason it's on its knees because it's not been allowed to progress and get with the times like other sports because old fuddy duddys are so out of touch with the modern world it's untrue

No, you have stated what your opinions are and as ever try to bludgeon the rest into submission. Most give up because there are far better things to do than deal with you. Who did die and make you god? If "99% of folk agree" you must have spoken to a hell of of a lot of people. That is a breathakingly arrogant comment. Anyway, if the majority of people here genuinely think speedway's just the same as ever and hasn't declined it says a hell of a lot about those posting here.