bellevueace

Well the rain came just before the start time and we had a torrential downpour with water standing on the track, start time was put back to 8pm to give the track a chance. Once the rain had stopped the track did start to drain fairly quickly and the riders came out to give it a go, predictably the Colts got into their stride from the word go but the Heathens riders started to find their way as the track dried out, there were a few heavy showers during the meeting and conditions were difficult. Smith, Shuttleworth, and Bickley all rode well ably backed by the lower end. For the Heathens Hall was involved in a couple of good races and rode well but I was very impressed with Carr, he rode superbly all night and was more than a match for the home riders. Overall some good racing in very tricky conditions, wonder what some of the seniors would have made of those conditions? You wouldn't have seen the likes of Holder for dust, just a pity both sides were not at full strength.

I bet the riders would prefer to ride in one league than join the rest of us doing mundane jobs putting in 10 or 12 hour days day after day.

Ive thought for a while Lambert would move on next season, it could be only riders threatened of being left out when teams are completing their line ups would ride for Chapman. Last port in a storm and all that. I hope the club gets sorted along with the track Lynn was always one of my favourite away days. Not been for a few seasons now though.

Will Newman put in an appearance? Will Starke come down with a mystery illness? . Seriously a lot depends on how BWD comes back and if Bellego has overcome his recent dip. Its possible Swindon could have peaked too soon and struggle. Im going for a comfy Poole win and to go through on aggregate.

Swindons dominant run had to end sometime they just have to hope that they didnt peak too early, with doubts over the fitness of Fricke and Bewley and most probably carrying Smith I don't see us getting past Wolves, I'm taking them to win the title beating Poole in the final.

That Poole lost five on the bounce including a 30-60 highlights the weakness of the league nowadays rather than any resilience.

That's true but last season especially with our away form you could have said the same thing, I also think Wolves will be a completely different proposition at the NSS where we generally make things harder than they should be, Lindgren, Thorrsell, and Masters if hes fully recovered can do some serious damage at our place. Just have a feeling you could come through again, we have a habit of losing these play off things.

The doubts i have about Belle Vue are how Fricke will return after his injury and more than likely only having one scoring reserve, Wolves will also need Masters to overcome his recent injury but i see them as the team most likely not to give as much away on their own track wheras we can make hard work of it at the NSS, Wolves for me will do enough on home shale to carry them through two legged meetings, we do tend to go well round there but capitulated last season when it mattered the most. Wolves for me I'm afraid.

I can see Wolves doing enough damage at Monmore to see them through the two legged play off matches.

Was disappointed with the Stars as i thought at least four of their riders would have gone really well on this track, Huckenbeck was a big disappointment, but Palm Toft was his usual value for money self and Auty put in a good effort.

As the play offs were supposed to eradicate meaningless meetings weve had quite a few over the past month having already qualified for the end of season ko stage, and yet again we see a meeting riddled with r/r and guests. I wonder how many meetings this season have been run with teams fielding their original 1-7 line ups? Injuries are unavoidable but this season with all the doubling up its been a total farce.

If PC had not suffered that horrendous accident at Hyde Road just before the 1977 world final there is no doubt he would have retained his title at Gothenburg, in fact only a re-run heat when Muller I think it was came off stopped him and he eventually finished second, I was at that meeting and he had to be lifted on and off his bike, that with a broken leg and over 300 stirches. At the time Peter was at his peak and nigh on unbeatable and I think only for that accident he could have gone on to equal Maugers three in a row. You cant just measure who was the greatest ever by titles alone as good/bad luck often plays a major part. Woofinden in no way comes close to PC,s outstanding ability on a bike and I would also put Lee, Craven, and depending how far you want to go back Parker way above, Jessup could have had a couple of titles only for ef,s for example. And lets not forget these riders had to navigate many difficult qualifying rounds to get to a world final where one bad ride e/f or exclusion meant you were finished for another year. If the GP had existed then PC for example would definitely have had more than one title and Mauger with his tremendous consistency would have had many more than the six he won he would have been in double figures. Titles don't actually tell the whole story, especially not today when riders have 12 meetings to be able to overcome injury problems, engine problems, exclusions, etc.

Rye appeared to enjoy Wimborne Road though.

I enjoyed that some good racing and a strong performance overall from the Rockets, Poole did threaten a mid meeting revival but the 5-0 was the final straw for them. Harris and Nicholls were superb as was Wells and Barker always gives 100%. Great looking start line girls too

Very poor from Bjerre if he is not injured, what other promoter would take a gamble booking him now?

I agree i think Swindon could well choose us come play off time, we have looked vulnrable at home throughout the season and i dont see us doing enough at the NSS to go through over a two legged meeting despite being pretty decent away.

Well done Leicester cant begrudge them their deserved win considering the bad luck they have had this season. We were never going to win this one given the shortfall at reserve and the main body of the side showing inconsistency, with our home form I cant see us beating any side over two legs come play off time. This meeting highlighted how important the reserve positions are.

Leicester are far stronger at reserve and apart from the Wolves meeting Tungate really hasnt been banging in the scores as some expected he would before his injury, coming back after a lay off we could be vulnrable here.

The article was an amusing read really enjoyed it. The bloke must have something seriously wrong to come out with all the deluded nonsense that he has, what is more worrying is that Neil Macfarlane appears to have swallowed it hook, line, and sinker, thats more unbelievable than Totos tall tales.

Wow you come across as having a chip on your shoulder, envy?? As for the walloping hahaha dream on.

Could have seen Dan bang in a maximum against that Warriors side and Jack wouldnt have been too far behind so not strengthened a great deal if at all. As for having no facility for them well not having two good guests would no doubt have reduced the quality of the meeting for the Warriors fans but they would have got something from the meeting so its what you prefer. Shuttleworth and Payne have both missed quite a chunk of matches for us, Rob came back with a bang but having an ever present side i think the Colts would be untouchable anyway. Having said that you have to feel for the islanders promotion as they do a great job. I would like to see the Warriors succeed, always had a bit of a soft spot for them.

A very good crowd pity the racing was so poor as many wouldnt be eager to return after so many processions and stoppages. KL put up a better performance than i was expecting, after getting rid of the prima donnas they at least have a team who go out to give the maximun effort. I wish Pearson would stop his "another brilliant meeting" when its anything but. The decision makers could think to themselves if thats brilliant then we dont need it. Hopefully the standard of the GP racing will secure a continued tv deal.

I would expect us to lay the bogey this time, latest forecast giving rain between 1700-2000 last 2 hours heavy so will have to see how that pans out.

Well done Cookie, a great performance and being totally honest not one i was really expecting. He deserves a crack at the GP,s

On better machinery he looked pretty decent last season, last night whatever he was riding certainly wasn't fit for purpose. Thought Carr rode well was fairly consistant, the track was heavy but rode well, think there would have been a few Premiership prima donnas baulking at riding the conditions, the young lads just got stuck in.