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This format really is rubbish. Bring back the World Cup.

I bet if the all of a sudden wanted to run a GP at Eastbourne and he was offered a wild card he would be fit as a flea and up for it........

Woffinden been exceptional each time Charlie has interviewed him tonight, no smug replies, just explaining things clearly, fair play to him. Great ride from Luke Becker, worked hard tonight.

Getting a 2 pointer to travel this far North is as big a problem as getting one that is capable , this was probably the main reason Chessell decided to stand down. The governing body made this mess with the points limit and it is the Clubs that need to bear the brunt of there decision. I have said this before but offering team places to 2 point novices based on there average as it fits as the only criteria is a ludicrous position for some clubs to be in.

As Swindon do not appear to be using it, why not get a few trucks, go to Wales and pick up a prefab stadium?

Hugely impressed with Becker.

Are BT in control of the cameras this evening? Constant switching of angles, filling the frame with one rider - makes it almost impossible to follow the race.

I think Jake needs to invest in a set of golf clubs!

Our league has been sacrificed to make the big league look better. In reality most of this years Premier teams would have been Championship teams last season. The legacy of that is a ridiculously low points limit and the return of 2 pointers. This was largely a disaster in previous years with the odd exception.

Btw Kelvin Tatum who's James Shens

You have a very weird chip on your shoulder We was talking about last nights meeting Has Worrall been poor? Do you think Covatti should be doing better? Were Ipswich unlucky? These are debating points but you seem to have your own strange agenda Didn’t see you comment when I said that Kurtz looked like he had turned a corner .... or when I said Holder was getting better.... or when I said Klindt had done well so far this season or when I congratulated Poole on the comeback at Belle Vue You are very strange at times I now must remember when commenting on a Poole meeting that I must say all the positive aspects first before highlighting anything else I was at Ipswich the other and was moaning how bad Harris was.... funnily enough no other fan had a go at me for not mentioning how good Bellego and Lawson were in the same meetimg Some funny folk down Dorset way

Same reason why the FA Cup final isn't held at Accrington Stanley ...

along with a lot more serious injuries on the Polish tracks!"!!

SoN was supposed to make it easier for "lesser ability " teams to take part in a significant way. Can't see that as more often than not (except in a few rare cases ) they are cannon fodder at worst or no-hopers at best. Bit pointless really these "qualifiers". And no, I am not a Smiths fan.

Yes, this is also the 60th anniversary of the Canadian Speedway revival and sad to say Speedway is "DEAD" here once again! There are many reasons for the decline, lack of sponsorship monies (only go to the major sports in North America), kids just aren't interested in a sport where you can use a now, expensive motorcycle in one place and maybe once or twice a week. Dirt bikes are more popular but even that is on a decline. Americans seem to have a knack of keeping the sport alive though, even in New York state where there is only one track (Owego), it survives. It certainly would be nice to have the colourful characters of the 80's back......that could be a while. Just my opinion of course.

At long last could there be some light at the end of the tunnel and well done to the campaigning to all those involved. Speedway needs teams of the stature of Coventy, Exeter, Cradley etc. Regarding the state of Brandon, perhaps it may be best to start from the ground up. Remembering the size of the land Brandon is on would it not be possible to do some tie up with a commercial partner who would build a Grandstand that had facilities incorporated that could be used throughout the week, i.e, Conference/Wedding venue, Gym, etc. It may result in Brandon looking different from the facility that closed but going forward Coventry fans would have a stadium more suited to this century than the last one. Most importantly Bees fans would have a team on there own track to support.

Which one? One hasn't turned a wheel yet, and the other was top of the averages a few days ago ...

Difficult decision for the promoters with several different forecasts for the evening. Being so far "out on a limb" and running on a Friday night with all the visitors who use the road down I can totally understand the reasons for an early "call off". Dammed if you do and dammed if you don't. The season just hasn't got going but we've still managed three fairly bad injuries. Using R?R isn't going to cut it, we did that for long periods last year. It brings a lot of disappointment to the supporters. Now we hear that Nathan Stoneman has signed for Birmingham as well and that they will have first call on him, at least 3 meetings with a clash. No blame on him, he's been our most exciting rider in both the one home and the away meetings and he has to earn a living but that the rules allow it is not great for the supporters who pay their money at the gate. The control board is killing speedway with the rules they bring in. I love my speedway, I love the track at Plymouth, dust and all, some of the racing is fantastic. I watch the GP's on BT Sport and sometimes give up because it's just a procession even at that level, also the top league fixtures they show at the tail end of the season, boring, I don't know any of the answers. I do know some new blood needs to come into the control board though with some new ideas before it's too late.

He last rode Extraliga 14 years ago as a young lad. Has admitted equipment has been a downfall over the years but invested heavily over the winter. It's paying off handsomely so far as he has been outstanding.

With Leicester racing Saturdays, and Leon Flint doubling up for Berwick, he was pretty much always going to miss the trip to Leicester whatever the date. Kyle Bickley would have been available when Belle Vue took the fixture. But since the fixture was agreed, Workington closed, Joe Lawlor set fire to a hotel, and Bickley switched to Glasgow to replace Lawlor, meaning he now misses going to Leicester too. Belle Vue can ask to change the fixture (and no doubt they will have done) but they can't demand a change. All the power is with the staging club, and Leicester presumably prefer to meet one of the top sides at their weakest to take the easy 3 points.

BV would have agreed as they are the away team and therefore minimal impact to their business... You very rarely see a team run at home missing key riders do you? It always seems to be the away team who arrive with a missing 'No1', wonder why? The reality is this.. Leicester will see it as a much better opportunity to win so will want the meeting to take place.. Belle Vue will see it as having no impact to their business so will want the meeting to take place as it ticks another fixture off.. Fitting fixtures in with so many shared riders must be a nightmare so the plan will be to run them if 'most' are there I would think as getting 'all' of them available, particularly as the season progresses and teams make changes, simply logistically won't be possible.. Let's be honest though, it doesn't really matter does it? Winning the Premiership has zero kudos, therefore winning the NL doesn't matter one jot either.. Speedway now is simply geared up to give lads the chance to justify their outlay on machinery, riding in as many meetings as possible to try and earn as much as they can.. The 14 on show are pretty much interchangeable on any given night due to various circumstances.. Promoters have long since stopped worrying about the credibility of what's often on offer, so no point expecting anything else but what we have now I would suggest..

THE Campaign to Save Coventry Speedway and Stox has been given a double boost in the space of less than a week. Rugby Borough Council announced yesterday (May 7) that their Local Plan had been given the green light by the Government Inspector, and this follows a referendum on the Brandon and Bretford Neighbourhood Plan last Thursday (May 2). Crucially, the Inspector’s final report into the Rugby Local Plan will lead to a significant amendment which will further protect Brandon Stadium against development. We are delighted to report that the Government Inspector recognised the importance of Brandon Stadium for both speedway and stock car racing, and that the lack of protection against the loss of sports facilities made the Local Plan initially ‘unsound’ requiring an amendment to be made. The Inspector stated that there was a key omission in Policy HS4, referring to “the absence of any protection against the existing built sports facilities, which is necessary to ensure provision in the borough is not diminished over time. “Paragraph 74 of the NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework) expects that existing open space, sports and recreational buildings and land should not be built on unless they are surplus to requirements, or would be replaced elsewhere by equivalent provision or by alternative sports and recreational provision. “Policy HS4 as submitted includes these provisions for open space but not for built sports and recreational facilities.” The Inspector then refers directly to Brandon Stadium and concludes that changes to the wording of Policy HS4 are required in order to be consistent with national policy for sports and recreational buildings in general. He says: “Although many sports facilities are in public ownership, some are privately owned and therefore vulnerable to closure and redevelopment for alternative uses. “I heard evidence at the hearings about the proposals for the residential redevelopment of the Brandon or Coventry Stadium, which was until recently in active use for speedway and stock car racing. “The Plan would not be unsound without a specific policy to protect or allocate the stadium. “However, the absence of a policy to safeguard existing sports and recreational buildings generally in the borough from being built on unless surplus to requirements or replaced elsewhere, in line with paragraph 74 of the NPPF, does render the Plan unsound.” The Inspector has confirmed the revised wording published by RBC as draft modifications. For completeness, the relevant changes made to Policy HS4 of the plan are as follows, shown in bold and underlined: Policy HS4: Open space, sports facilities and recreation C. Public open space, sports and recreational buildings and land, including playing fields (REMOVED: assets identified) within the Open Space Audit evidence and/or defined on the (REMOVED: Proposals) Policies Map and/or last in sporting or recreational use (REMOVED: will be protected from development) should not be built upon unless: • An assessment has been undertaken which has clearly shown the open space, building or land to be surplus to requirements; or • it can be demonstrated that the loss resulting from the proposed development would be replaced by equivalent or better provision in terms of quantity and quality in a suitable location; or • the development is for alternative sports and recreational provision, the needs for which clearly outweigh the loss. The Inspectors’ Report recognises the case made by the Campaign Group at the Public Examination held last year and the time and effort taken. It marks a significant milestone and should now allow the Campaign to move on as well as enabling the Council to consider – and hopefully reject – Brandon Estates’ planning application for housing redevelopment on the stadium site. We currently await the report of the Independent Consultant appointed by Rugby Council to assess discrepancies between the planning documentation and the material provided by ourselves. But this is perhaps an appropriate time to review the weight of evidence which is now stacked AGAINST the speculative Planning Application: *Changes to the Rugby Local Plan instigated by a Government Inspector, who conducted his own site visit, resulting in the fact that the Plan now offers protection to existing sporting facilities where there is clear ongoing need. *The Brandon and Bretford Parish Neighbourhood Plan, which was adopted at last week’s referendum, which clearly states that it is the wish of the community for the Brandon Stadium site to remain as a sports venue. *A submission from 11 MPs/Lords, including four from the local area, urging Rugby Council to reject the Planning Application and support efforts to bring the sports back. This letter was drafted by MP for Rugby Mark Pawsey and other local MPs to sign were Colleen Fletcher, Jim Cunningham and Marcus Jones. *Public consultation to the Planning Application resulted in an unprecedented response of over 1,800 letters and e-mails, all but seven of which called for the rejection of the planning application. *The response included submissions from speedway riders and stock car drivers past and present, including World Champions, locally, nationally and internationally – as well as from the vast majority of local residents who view the iconic stadium as a much-loved local facility. *A local newspaper poll in mid-2018 resulted in 96% of over 2,000 votes supporting the return of the sports to Brandon – fully endorsing the public consultation. *Official bodies of both sports, including the BSPA, SCB, ACU, BriSCA and the BSCDA have all voiced their opposition to the plans. *These comments were noted by Sport England, who raised a number of concerns with the applicant’s Viability Statement. *The Campaign Group have made several significant submissions in response to planning material, highlighting with evidence an astounding number of errors, inaccuracies and untruths. *Planning consultants Framptons have already been forced to withdraw a section of their Needs Assessment under threat of action from the former site owners as their account of the events of 2016 was found to be unsatisfactory. Two-and-a-half years after speedway and stock cars were ejected from the stadium, with no serious consideration given to their future, the determination to see them return is stronger than ever. The latest developments in the Rugby Local Plan and the Neighbourhood Plan add further weight towards the need for the rightful outcome to be reached in the speediest possible time. As to what happens next, we believe that once the Independent Consultant’s report is received, it will enable the senior Planning Officer Erica Buchanan to complete her own report and recommendation for consideration by the Planning Committee. Though we have not had confirmation, we would reasonably expect that to take place in June or July of this year.

Wasn't a great meeting, racing wasn't much good until a couple of bits later on. The format just doesn't work, never will for me. GB qualified easily and we're stood watching France v America in which nobody cares who goes through. Please bring back the World Cup.

Tai used this as a testing/set up meeting knowing top 3 qualified?

and Broc Nicol also .. seeing 2 young americans out front brought back some memories for sure

Well done Craig, always under pressure but held his nerve with Lebedevs crawling all over him.

Was impressed with him at Belle Vue few weeks ago and even better tonight. Unusual for a young American to do well on these big tracks.

The cameramen, or director, are clearly not used to the fast speed of the bikes and who to follow. If there is a run in to the line for minor places they might not get it.

No idea what you’re talking about

I wouldn’t have used Cook. Lambert needs a run out! Hope Cook proves me wrong.....

He wouldn`t have passed Lahti- because he`s injured and is finnish not French

Nothing. Madsen not ready then rider in gate 4 looked across.

Must be the same van!!

i take it Jason is watching the S.O.N. @ belle Vue then .

30 miles north of Newcastle is about Rothbury. Try about 60 miles to be speaking with a Scottish accent.

Thirty miles in weather terms is quite a way,30 miles north of Newcastle and you would be speaking with a Scottish accent instead of Geordie.

I am approx. 2 miles from the track. we had a light shower a couple of hours ago and now it is blue sky with a nice breeze and feels warm. forecast is good for tomorrow so cant see any problems. should be a good match and look forward to seeing joe Lawlor in action again. he reminds me of danny ayres with his no nonsense style. come on the potters do us proud.

If it is a squid it'll definitely be damp, since all squid live in water. As long as it's not a damp squib, we'll be OK.

I am as it happens. Heaven knows I'm miserable now is a beast of a tune. As it goes I'm generally a positive person, unfortunately what I've said above is pretty accurate.

Not sure how tonight will pan out. Rob is out of sorts and out of form whilst Craig has been coasting through the CL without so much as a challenge. That the field is so poor outside of the top 3 and that we have tai will ensure we go through. I hope the racing is better than the start of the season at the NSS because it's not been great and these types of fields with such gaping chasms never help the spectacle.

Dont need changes best to stick with what we got all doing there job

I think the cup format doesn't really suit us especially if a couple of riders aren't performing but i don't think now is the time to change the team, it is too early and i think the underperformers will come good.

According to the Nigel Pearson, Jacob doesn't yet feel ready for the "demanding and technical tracks in the UK".And Nick Morris is a couple of weeks away.

HYPOCRITE ALERT suggesting i am thick and do not understand simple terms ? that is the only insult i can see so i take it that is your way of admitting you lost . Well good on you its hard to admit you are wrong sometimes. Why do you always play the victim instead of attempting to engage with people ?

Good result for The Bears tonight, especially as, according to Garry May, we look vunerable at home!

There is badges on order

Great ride from Vaculik in ht15..Don't know whats up with AJ he was pretty dire tonight

Always was a strange choice by Glasgow to take on Chessell after such a long injury lay-off. Even stranger for Stoke to keep saying he’s taking a break from the sport, when he’s not he’s just on a 28 day ban!

Won't it be nice to see a genuine Brit in the series again ,

BT and BSI have announced a new 3 year contract covering 2019,20 and 2021 for BT Sport to show the GP`s and the SON