Pep

Do you not think it’s pretty clear what happens when Cook comes across Basso exiting turn 2??

Liam Rudden presents every home meeting at Armadale, it’s really not a good look for a prominent member of the match day team to be applauding such a stupid tweet whatever way you try and explain it away.

It’s difficult to see what happens on turn 3 to leave Cook feeling so aggrieved with the end result two wrecked bikes (Basso & Bickley) but thankfully nobody seriously hurt. https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMYscJ6Xp/

During his interview after last Friday’s match Josh Pickering stated that the Monarchs were going to win the league, couple of big matches coming up before the final!

Glad to see James get fixed up so quickly, unfortunately it just hasn’t happened for him this season. Hopefully, the Monarchs faithful are kind to him over the next couple of months while he gets his average sorted for next season. BTW - Worrall, Palovaara and now Sarjeant, very imaginative recruitment policy from Alex and John these days.

That’s a pity you decided not to wait up but you can have a look at the attached while you’re eating your cornflakes. Robert Lambert asked Jack Thomas why he wasn’t riding and the reply was ‘being paid helps’. So based on what I read on JT’s Instagram page do you think my question was a fair one or as Bent Billy put it ‘speculative gossip’?

If Glasgow are preventing one of their employees from earning money does that mean we can assume Leicester have started paying their riders?

Personally, I don’t think Glasgow have a win at all costs attitude - the Facennas are looking far beyond what happens on the track in terms of trying to develop the club / sport within the city. How many times have the Edinburgh promotion had to get the begging bowl out after overspending on successful teams? While I have no objection to foreign riders it’s got way out of hand. You suggest that they’re a necessity, how many do Glasgow have at the moment?

Oh dear, have I touched a nerve? I think you’re missing the point, not for the first time and undoubtedly not the last. Since the Facennas took over it has constantly been inferred that Glasgow pay their riders megabucks but the poor old Armadale Monarchs struggle by on a shoestring. That’s not really the case when you look at the riders you have had during the Harkess / Campbell era? So in answer to your question I feel the same way now as I did back in 2015 about second strings / reserves being flown in from Scandinavia to ride in the second tier of British Speedway - it’s nonsensical, no wonder clubs are constantly battling to stay afloat. There was a time when the second strings / reserves were almost made up of local(ish) based riders - now we fly them in from abroad. Personally, I believe the formula back in ‘97 was about right for the Second tier - 3 heat leaders eg Carr, Eriksson & McKinna with 3 local riders in support eg Gould, Scott & Campbell.

Don’t expect the plaudits to come flooding in for giving a British rider a team place when a Swedish second string and reserve are being flown in and out of the country every week. Remember, it’s not a win at all costs mentality down Armadale way...

Looks like the old policy has been chucked in the bin then?

I’m starting to lose track, another rider binned by the Armadale Monarchs yet their fans would have you believe that it’s the team from the west who are hell bent on success...

Ricky Wells will be at Armadale in 2017 - not a huge surprise considering his numerous guest bookings over the years.

Did MANSE not confirm that riders such as Bacon, Smith etc come in on a 2 point average around 4-5 days ago? Hope anyone who was confused is now clear on what's happening?

I genuinely feel sorry for those who can't attend on a Saturday due to other commitments eg work. However, it looks like we will have at least 5/6 Sunday fixtures so they will still be able to support the team - not perfect but still something. Personally, I think that over the years afternoon matches between early June and late August haven't been conducive to good entertainment - track too dusty, ineffective watering breaks etc. Hopefully, the change of race night works and the huge investment made by the Facenna family to save the club at the end of 2014 is rewarded with more people coming through the doors on a regular basis - it's the least they deserve.

Manse is correct - the likes of Bacon, Jack Smith etc will come in on 2 point averages.

The post announcing the news has 103 likes. A small number of people are saying that it doesn't suit them but on the flip side there are others saying that they will able to attend more often due to the change. The real question relates to how many people who have never been might give the sport a try now it's on a Saturday night as opposed to a Sunday afternoon? Time will tell but personally I'm delighted.

Finally over after 2 hours and 15 minutes - no kids race, no additional entertainment, just 15 heats of speedway. Those in attendance were treated to 7 reruns but I suppose that's what happens when you mix rain with a trick track.

Edinburgh fans are quick to comment on how long it takes to run meetings elsewhere - 1 hour 20 minutes for 8 heats tonight, well done, super slick as ever.

If I'm not mistaken Campbell & Harkess took over in 1986 - so 17 years before they managed to win their first league championship. I have a feeling that the Facennas will do it a bit quicker than that.

Couldn't agree more - dread to think how this could have turned out if there was no air fence. Clean pass by Worrall on the inside but Wethers seemed to pick up some unwanted drive - racing accident IMHO. Matt certainly shut the door coming out of turn 4 on the previous lap but didn't look to be anything malicious either.

Good on you for focussing on a positive ie 'friendly fans' - everyone knows what to expect when it comes to the racing...

You don't go if R/R is being used, really?! It's part and parcel of speedway and has been for a long time - do you have a better system that you would like to share with everyone? I'm guessing that being banned from at least one speedway venue is another reason why you don't attend?

He is ineligible to ride on Sunday as a result of missing tomorrow night - Glasgow will do well to find a guest who rides Ashfield as well as Lawson.

According to Twitter, Richard Lawson will miss Friday due to flu, Ricky Wells to guest in his place.