mikebv

They gave them both the same finishing time.. Half past nine.....

He needs a very good night then... However... If he wasn't guesting and someone else did, Edinburgh could still get knocked out, and he would have missed out on three meetings... Plus.. Of course, if Berwick did reach the final, he could still get another couple of meetings riding for them... Or, he could ride for the other finalist if they needed him....... Don't think he could ride for both teams in the final, one leg each though...

And that is fair enough as he is self employed...

It doesn't... That takes planning...

In a ridiculously planned system...

Scott and Bomber had several blank dates in their calendar.....

I believe you either have a rehabilitation system, or you don't.. If Garrity's main way of earning money was as a plumber would he never be allowed to do it again.? Having employed ex cons, part of their release agreement can be restorative justice whereby they meet up with their victims and agree to give them recompense over time for their actions, and it is built into their wages received when they start work.. (Obviously this is led by the victim and doesn't always happen, but maybe in his case it has?).. To have anyone saying "I will never go again" though is crackers... If you have a flood at your home and are ankle deep in water, and an ex con turns up who you know has commited a violent crime, would you turn him away ? I am no bleeding heart liberal at all, but you either have a system that rehabilitate's and your slate is then clean when your time is served.. Or you don't...

100%... Guests don't have to be a "necessary evil" if some organisation and pro-activity was involved. Why don't the BSP sound out all the riders and list those willing to ride over here and use that for "emergencies" or team changes..? Some may only want a month some may want a whole season, it doesn't matter.. These "sub's on the bench" will replace guests, as and when required... Minimum 28 day contract so no "one off, horses for courses" ringers getting brought in (as happens now with guests), and using the average system (which they so slavishly do even though it is inherently flawed), would mean no one can manipulate the system (I know. I know!)... It would also mean competition for places and you could put a deadline for "no more changes" well before the play offs, meaning no "ringers" getting parachuted in (unless it is in the interest of Speedway obviously). I personally still think that, given the lack of riders of a "certain level", six rider teams would benefit (currently), the UK... eg there would be 7 riders in the current one to sixes that wouldn't have a place, but would be available to cover, (plus Scott obviously), if they chose to keep the RS and rode them at No6... Much better for the sports credibility and would mean a team place in the UK wasn't a given regardless of performance, which can happen..

Indeed... Again, not condoning what he did, but a sport that has allowed competitors to fix races shouldn't throw too many stones..

They retired and vacated the crown.. Laguta hasn't done either....

Another one tomorrow for the other meetings?

The "lineal" world champion... Never been beaten for the crown...

100℅.... It must be a huge shock to the system to get binned from a UK team.. The riders will know that "talent" is in short supply, in both leagues, so many would think they are "bomb proof".. The reality of course is that even if you get binned by one club, invariably another will want your services, given that lack of a talent pool due to running 7 man teams..

Depends on how many teams need him to guest to make their team competitive... In the interests of Speedway obviously...

Seems to always do OK in Poland even if poor over here..

I do have a concern that within all the good they do... Those running the GB under 21 set up just might be creating some riders that maybe, just maybe, are getting ahead of themselves, and see themselves a fair way further up the pecking order than they actually are.. I am not sure that riding at Premiership level helps either now that genuine world class talent is once again riding over here.. Poland have riders who can regularly beat the best in the world, riding in their junior berths, so it is fine for them, and as is shown at U21 international level, the Poles regularly smash the GB lads (unless Dan rode).. Maybe the 2nd Div should have seen the RS's being implemented...?

Dropping averages to bring Bartek and Laguta in?

Should just call it now... Brum get away without a complete hiding and save some points money...

No surprise though really... Always found wanting at the top level, and must find the tracks over here "somewhat different"... Going head to head against GP riders, and others roughly at that level, wont be doing him any favours...

Not a HL in the top division... And that was the same when hardly any "top riders" rode here... Now there are a fair few, his points scoring is under even more pressure... Riding at No2, at wolves, was ideal for him, especially as if they won the toss, he went off gate one in the first heat..

Sadly, it was obvious from the moment all the other teams had their own heat leaders in place that Brum were going to struggle.. Every one of their riders are riding in a position (at least), one place up from where they should be.. And their two top riders are only on their "contrived" averages to make the team look competitive on paper.. Good job there wasn't eight teams in the league...

It was like watching a testimonial...

Think they might need an "away kit" for this one.. Just switched on and all riders look on the same team...

Looks like they haven't released all the tickets on the fouth bend... Only those at "camera" level for the front shot of the start line are currently able to be purchased.. Front and middle available only. Meaning the most filmed part of the track will look full.. We got an "upgrade" last time from our standing tickets, with some flags to this section to ensure 100% full... Thus giving a positive message on the TV, and it created some great atmosphere.. (You do need the Poles there though).. Maybe they will do the same again for those buying standing tickets? Hopefully some "touts" might get involved (misguidedly), and there will be a bargain or two on the days as they scramble to offload as much as they can...

£85 for a tiny minority sport is "the very top end" I would think.. £50 cheapest seat would be a tad "more realistic" I would suggest.. There is also no longer a "novelty value" over here anymore in watching many of those expected to be there on "Final Night", which may also impact the perceived value in paying the prices sought.. Lets hope it is a great success though, and generates lots of publicity for UK Speedway, and full houses at each event reflects it in a good light..