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From reading the Police statement it doesn't say he brutally attacked anybody, he burgled one person and robbed another at knife point. He's used threatening behaviour yes but he hasn't actually physically attacked anybody in this case (from what I've read). I am in no way defending or condoning his actions, I totally condemn them, just pointing out the known facts.

My generation would view holding a knife to a pensioners as brutal and nasty . It's the act of a dangerous criminal and a coward.

Multi-drug saliva test kits are available for around £4 each, purchased in bulk much less no doubt; so 14 tests would cost less than £50. Why not test every rider at every meeting?

I always used to put a drop of Castrol R in the fuel tank of my road bikes. Didn't do them any harm & smelt lovely.

You mean he didn't come first every time?

Thought you had the threads originator on ignore, so how do you know ?

In ian thomas book he tells the storey of a comets rider getting worried about taking a test after being promised a night to remember by a local lass and he took some "pills" to help him on his way

Late 60s Mike Broadbank captained The Robins with World Champ Briggo at 1.

Can't see how at least a certain amount of juggling with team strengths can be avoided myself. Some overseas riders probably won't return and Brexit is certain to have some effect on rider availability as well. In theory, things should stay as they are, but in practice, this seems unlikely.

Think it was 76...

And one of the best!

Roger Johns was captain at Wimbledon i think

Yep, I remember that too, Good Friday 1999. Bunyan and Woodifield ended up pulling them to the ground long after any home fans cared any more.

That reminds of that wonderful day at Compost Corner with the Witches effigies all set up to be 'blown up' by a home 5-1

That's a little harsh, John, considering the amount of spelling mistakes you made on your speedway books thread. Have you found the question here, yet?

Don’t think people on here are exaggerating regarding his behaviour and missing meetings.He done some pretty strange things IMO.Cant remember the rider but I was at a meeting where he “injured his back “ unloading his bike in similar circumstances.

And that surprises you?

I believe its the Championship league that intends to run 2021with the same 2020 1-7s. Not sure thats been agreed at Premiership level?

You don't have to be thick to commit his crimes though - just a despicable scumbag with no thought for others.

Jesper B Jensen, 11th July 2007

A reasonable question, which could also be asked of the official random testing and of any other organisation using such kits. I believe the deterrent factor of knowing you will be tested at every single meeting, with all your peers, would be significant.

Don't in any way condone the use of drugs, recreational or more serious. I don't think drug use should excuse Garrity though, he carried out a brutal nasty attack on vulnerable pensioners. That's not excused by drug taking or drug abuse. He is a violent criminal. We all know or have heard of riders through the decades, right up to the current day who have had issues with recreational drug taking, some have been found guilty of dealing. Many are / were well liked and respected, their drug issues understood and sympathised with, because aside from that they were decent. Why were they on the scale of "acceptability" - I'd suggest because at heart they were basically honest, young men with an issue, not a brutal thug like Garrity. A lot of very good people in Speedway have tried to help Garrity, right up to last season, they did all they could to give him a "final chance". He needs to rot for 7 years and hopefully learn and understand the errors of his ways.

Exactly. The stroke is determined by the offset of the crankshaft so the only way to increase capacity would be to use the bottom end of a long stroke engine with a barrel & piston of a short stroke. I would have thought that the barrel of the short stroke would be a different length though to that of a long stroke? If so it would have to be a bored out long stroke barrel but that would be easy to spot. Maybe they are the same length but use different length con rods? Long strokes were about in speedway till more recently though. My lads Jawa 884 laydown engine which he bought 10 or so years ago was long stroke and that had been used in what is now the championship league by its previous owner. Nobody uses them now though. I've got an upright Jawa 898 which is long stroke too. Maybe longer stroke versions of the modern speedway engines are produced for different disciplines. Grass track or long track etc. providing swappable parts? I'm a bit out of touch these days.

The SCB used to issue referees with a crude homemade t-shaped device which was the same as the diameter of the carb.

I think you are right about the engine going away to be tested as I have heard of riders complaining about the waiting for them to be returned. Certainly I saw them being removed from the frame. Testing carbs can be carried out in the frame and machine examiners are issued with an appropriate circular gauge for testing.

Thanks for bumping Lynn is more classy we have a history of burning Witches at the stake *whistles innocently *

You can't help but wonder if the tests could be made slightly less random. Surely if a rider is a persistent drug user, such knowledge will become well known in a tight knit community. It wouldn't be difficult to "arrange" a test. In fact, evidence of drug taking should be treated in just the same way as a rider smelling of alcohol. There must be provision in the rules for the Clerk of the Course to prevent a rider from riding.

Blimey, having to choose between King's Lynn and Liverpool! It's like being asked if you'd rather be shot or hung!

I’m sure his victims have a tale to tell, especially the pensioners.

A good read in this week's Speedway Star - Part one of an interview with former (Pirates and Rebels) promoter Mike Golding. Part two next week. Also a feature on Stefan Neilsen.

also put some white tape across the the opening of the tv room and when someone comes into the room and breaks the tapes you will have two mins to make a fresh brew ! have you tried eating a pie and farting while you are watching the TV ?

With a straight through pipe no doubt? Double bonus. Authentic smell and sound.

Buy a bike ,and a Tin of Castrol R run it in the living room while watching speedway,satisfaction .

And SON.. And maybe go through the GP Qualifications too? I am sure he will want to give himself the maximum opportunity to stay at the 'top table' now he has deservedly put himself in and around that level.. A key year in his long term development next season, building on what has been an excellent season for him just gone.. He is now delivering the level that the 'potential' alluded to, however many have had that potential and not reached where he is now.. Maybe he will feel that not riding in the UK this year, has helped that development and will try more of the same blueprint next? Can't knock the lad if that is what he decides..