speedybee

He was certainly flying tonight, riding the fence in Heat 15. Another cracking meeting at the Colosseum.

We were very surprised that Keleher was chucked out for the last bend incident in Heat 3. Being on the apex of bends 3 /4 we were directly in line with a front-on view. No doubt in our opinion that Shanes barged his way through, taking ZK's line and caused Zane to fall. Otherwise, a thoroughly entertaining meeting with no shortage of passing. So good to see a sizeable crowd on a sunny evening (around 1000 I'd guess, given the promoters comments recently about having a hard-core of 700-800.. there were many more than usual). Excellent summer of racing at the Boniface Colosseum.

No live Premiership now on Eurosports for month! Anyone know what’s going on? I paid my subscription in good faith expecting something close to a weekly televised meeting…

That isn't actually true, according to John Harrhy himself. When I interviewed him around three years ago up at his golf complex I asked him, as part of a long extensive interview, whether his injuries still troubled him and he said no. here is the entire interview https://campfireconvention.uk/bugle/features/john-harrhy-70s-speedway-star

Any tactic to stay on top...

Whilst Wright may not be 'good value' in an average sense, I'd suggest that his value in an entertainment sense in almost immeasurable. He's clearly loved by many Rebels fans and he'd doubtless bring in more wavering fans - such as me. The British Champion tag wouldn't do any harm either. Surely Redcar aren't that flushed with cash that they can outbid a decently supported club like Somerset?

Congrats Charles Wright - still the true Somerset No1 in many fans eyes

Fantastic to see Charles Wright take this and not altogether unexpected for those of us who have rated him so highly for a while now. After Coventry closed I moved to Somerset and have been watching the Rebels whenever I can and Wright stood out for me during the first two years of seeing him tackle the Oak Tree Arena as a truly exciting rider, a bit hit and miss at times, but when on his game, usually very exciting to watch. Pure box office. I greatly regretted Rebels not being able to tempt him back for whatever reason and as a result, supporting the team has been less exciting as a result - a bit like winning the clock back a decade or so to golden days at Brandon with the two veterans Harris and Schlein now leading the team in their twilight years but missing the true excitement of an up and coming hero such as Wright in the ranks. I wonder what the management are currently thinking after this triumph.

Fantastic to see Charles Wright back at OTA and in full flight - Heat 15 (and 13) both amazing to watch

No interest in this meeting at all for me, so I stayed away. I went to the Eastbourne match but didn't enjoy the racing up to usual standard as very little outside line then. I'm not a fan of the composition of the Somerset side this year.

That was one of the most boring meetings I have ever seen. First visit to Arlington in about five years. Good to see a very decent crowd there though. Hope they come back!

It does seem odd that the team who won the KO Cup and could have easily won the league have been gazumped by high and mighty Redcar for the rider who many fans wanted signed above all others and who was majorly hyped at the end of last season and who still has his best years ahead of him. Let’s hope next season is a different story. For now let’s get behind the OTA old guard.

A bit gutted that none of my three must-watch riders are back - Wright, BWD and Allen. At least we have Covatti - but no longer will getting to Oak Tree Arena be a priority given how many demands are being made on what has become a busy life for me.

I'm a bit nonplussed with this line up, despite my heritage as a Coventry fan. Bomber and Schlein were the essence of Coventry - but around 2005-2007 and of course Bomber gave great service after that to Bees. I was attracted to Somerset last year by the riding of the younger brigade, especially Wilson-Dean, Allen, and also the spectacle of seeing Wright and Covatti. This all seems a bit backward looking to me...

Does this mean he's signing for someone else?

Yes, great post. Huge 'feel good factor' at Oak Tree Arena for most of this year (at least, once they got the track sorted out) and I hope that, whatever league they are in, this continues. Like Jamie, I am an exiled Bees fan, just moved to Somerset and the club has certainly rekindled my passion for speedway. A lot of that is down to the racers in the team and especially Charles Wright.

Looking at the pluses this could be very good. I was getting bored to tears seeing the same old teams visiting and this will be fresh, even if it makes away traveling much harder! Would love to see Charles Wright, Jake Allen, Bradley Wilson-Dean and Nico Covatti at OTA, who were my favourite four riders to watch there this year.

Gutted. Nearest away track is Leicester :/

Great review. Enjoyed reading!

I can go one better than a picture

That would make a great team of racers, though not to totally discount a Holder / Bomber switch? Interesting to read in the club's Facebook post today the quote from Garry May ... "and Bomber too, who I came very close to signing this season..."

The Wright stuff. Had to put this little video together to make up for how much I've missed the spectacle of Charles flying around the boards at the Oak Tree Arena since June. Enjoy! (with added soundtrack by another Charles Wright!)

Would love to see a last blast from Charles Wright before the season finishes...

So stultifyingly boring in its predictability that I even forgot it was on tonight until 8.45 and was happily listening to the Folk show on Radio 2 until I remembered there was speedway on. Hardly worth the bother of opening the app. And that’s the supposed climax of the season. How badly does speedway need a makeover!

Feeling very flat and bored with the dull predictability of it all