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I couldn't agree more. The super-fluous heat is an invention by or for TV. But then to use a race formula which means the race winner can end up on the losing side is debatable for the faithful and downright bemusing for new comers and prospective new fans. So we're using this arguably confusing mechanism to decide results and in part, to advertise our sport. I'm tempted to say that you couldn't make it up, but that's not true.

Hang on a minute, let’s not start taking the moral high ground about loyalty when UK sides are happy to slash riders from their line ups whenever they wish, move then on during the winter and frankly change riders at the drop of a hat when something better comes along. That’s no different to Woffinden, when he went off fully committed to Poland. Let’s not start pretending the UK teams are fully of loyalists.

Glad I am not the only one who thinks Superheats are just a waste of time and additional expense. We should have 3 points for each match, win 3, draw home team 1 and away team 2, lose 0. Let’s make it simple, their is nothing wrong with a draw.

I agree...another daft rule that only speedway could come up with.

A fantastic meeting - well done to Scunthorpe for producing such a brilliant race track. However...as an Oxford fan, I should be pleased with the outcome after the 'superheat'. But I just can't get used to the stupidity of the idea. For one thing, what's wrong with a draw? It would have been a fair result. But to have another heat - where the object of the 'race' is not to win, but to avoid coming last - is just absurd.

Also let's not forget that he was heavily involved in turning the Great Britain Speedway from also-rans to consitent medalists and World Champions!

One more go TB?

If a winner has to be the outcome I think that's a better option...never did like the 4 3 2 0 scoring system.

Back in the day you had numerous track racers too. Edit:racers not racers.

Oh the irony.. A plethora of guests available on a Friday night for Scunthorpe to use.... And not using any...

There is a lot of truth in your last paragraph. I've had this conversation with my mate, and if one of us doesn't go, the other probably won't unless we know there is going to be another of our dwindling group going. Little niggles, like tractor racing, not being able to hear the tannoy after being fobbed off for literally years , consistently making the track inconsistent for the first few heats, seeing the same away team 2 weeks on the trot, getting thrashed home and away,all these and more are sucking the fun out of going,to the point where I am starting to pick snd choose and I've been going to speedway since the early 70's.

If you could do the same job and get paid possibly 3 or 4 times more than you do in your current job would you turn it down? Whether you or I like it or not Poland is the place to be they pay the most and that will always attract the top riders. If the uk could pay what Poland does then they’d all be riding here. It is what it is… let’s just enjoy it while we can because in 10 years time we will be lucky if we have enough teams for league racing over here. Yes it wasn’t great that a 3 time world champion wasn’t riding in his home league but I don’t begrudge him that at all it’s a shambles in this country the majority of the tracks and stadia are poor and he used to carry us during the world cups. His choice he didn’t want to ride here and we have to accept that, yes it does look like he’s coming back probably because it suits him now and it tops his bank balance up blame the current regime for allowing it to happen imo.

Since when was Roynon assessed? He started the season on a 3.47/3.48 ish.

I've ordered my copy from e-bay.

“We knew the scoring was 4-3-2-0 in the Superheat and what we needed to do. Dougy was just Dougy and brilliant again tonight, but we knew we needed a rider who could score alongside him. I felt Jake may haven’t scored as many points as Simon in the meeting, but he was riding just as well. Simon took Heat 15 and then we gave Jake a go in the Superheat – we tried every avenue.” He must of watched a different meeting

How has he managed to wangle his way into a Polish team?

Gilkes flew out to Poland early Friday morning

Meeting of the British Speedway season - will be hard to top. Close meeting, superb racing and it came down to a Superheat. British Speedway bosses are often criticised, but this is a great innovation - and gives fans an extra exciting race for their money. Who would complain about that?

Thanks for the reply, I did hear something !!! Surely you can still visit the northside. arena as its well worth a visit, us comets fans don't bite

It'd be even more entertaining if each team had to nominate a Member of their Management team or Track Staff to do the race

Would not be better if you have a Super Heat for it to be a Match Race between 2 riders.The winner then wins it for his Team.

On a Friday night at Scunthorpe against the Oxford top three. I'd say most riders would turn it down unless you're offering stupid money guarantees.

Thank you both for your kind comments. '50 Days of Speedway, Sunderland in 1964' by Keith Corns and Georgia Smithson is available from various outlets in Sunderland, or via Speedway PMB (https://speedway-pmb.webador.co.uk/)

I didn't say Lambert shouldn't have been in heat 16, just offering a reason why he wasn't picked

Is was pretty common knowledge back in the day i believe that Tyson Nelson was a wrong un, im sure there was another Aussie who did a season or 2 over here and did reasonable well who had a bad reputation and never returned, can't remember his name but it's going back a few seasons now.

He wouldn't even be the biggest fish in this small pond if Bewley, Doyle, Emil, Holder and co remain next season.

As good a rider he is, I've always had the impression a lot of it is attention seeking on a personal front rather than for the good of the sport. Now he's not the top English rider in Poland, thanks to Bewley and Lambert, he wants to return to be a big fish in a little pond

Cant make them come

You need to show a little respect PAL & stop assuming. He/She might be with a heshe, none-binary thingamabob whatchamacallit it them person

God's country, up there? Beeky Chastard

Tomorrow we have the first meeting on the brand new speedway track in Veenoord. Photo's of the new track: https://www.facebook.com/speedway.veenoord/posts/pfbid029PNzTvsfTZhDShyznFnhUszAkiJzEZwz71ibkzQ9Zspoq22ZzRQnEdWQU2ewc6SUl Live updates: https://live.baansportfansite.nl/event/722/dutch-open-speedway-veenoord.html

All the above are replaceable with money. The real showstopper will be planning will have, or soon will expire and there is no hope in hell a new application would get through to enable bikes to come back to Brough Park. the day he announced he was staying for another year whilst banking the cash from the end of an era meeting, stupidly thinking he could make that much money every week with a rubbish team was really the end.That was 24 hrs after he was approached with a genuine offer to take it over.

Wasted talent,but just a total waste of space to get involved with now IMO.Probably just sees it an easy way to make some cash.Anybody refusing a drugs test says it all IMO.

Sorry, didn't mean to offend you, but the same applies for your boyfriend.

I don't have a girlfriend.

Paul called if off!! The power he has!

Yes in this weeks Speedway Star. Things looking a lot more positive

I must be honest Ben I think your coverage is superior to Eurosport

Hi SJA, This is not true. We at BSN work around the club and their own grading schedules. We don’t and never have dictated anything in regards to the running of a meeting - we are simply there to document it. We interview to fill time because there is a track grade or interval, not the opposite. Regards, Ben Duffill (BSN)

Worrall and Cook did well. Would Leicester swap Worrall for Harris I wonder

Charles Wright and the 3 who pick themselves... We have 3 of the worlds top 10, with two of them being absolutely top notch around their home track of Wroclaw at times this season.. Worrall would be my choice if at Vojens.. And Ellis seems to be having an injury impacted campaign... So why Wright? Wroclaw and the NSS are pretty similar in shape as both built around American Football pitches with wide, sweeping bends... And Charles does have that bit of "devil" in him when it all becomes "too close for comfort", he wont take any prisoners in those "clutch" moments of races... And you won't be passing him without having to take a risk or two. He will make sure of that. And if behind won't be scared of doing the odd "Bartek" across any of the apexes, and riding his opponent up the track... For me, it is a great opportunity to win in Poland's "backyard"... As long as we get "No 4" correct...

Tate practicing in Leszno today, wonder if we'll be seeing him in the championship next month

The front cover is to try and attract the attention of the younger generation, something we desperately need to keep the sport going. Jeff Davies who does the covers is one of the best photographers around and loves the natural image but has done a great job with moving with the times in this instance I think.

Why did you do it then?

I have been told the same. I hope this is the case as it would be my closest track as its only 20 miles away, failing that its 60ish to Oxford & Iwade or 90ish to Peterborough.

The lease agreement with the new landlords and council permission has still to be signed off I think, but certainly seems a lot more positive. The landlords have seemingly given up on their plan for football pitches and are going to put in for planning permission to restore the track. New landlords shot themselves in the foot by building without planning permission and ripping the track up without permission. A stop order was put on the land by the council so it hasn't been touched for a couple of years. They have put in a couple of planning applications but I don't think they've ever been heard. The council have been abysmal through the process anyway by waving through retrospective planning permission when they knocked the stand down and generally not being interested in the landlords breaking planning laws until they were threatened with legal action. Fair play to Steve Ribbons as it would have been artificial football pitches by now if not for him. Still a couple of hurdles to go though, but they want to run in the Championship in 2024 if all goes well.

Herts-based spectator sitting in front of me at Peterborough last night reckoned there is a good chance Rye House will reopen in 2024. Something to do with the stadium owner having to reinstate track and safety fence because his alterations didn't have planning permission. Is that right (these days, I never see Speedway Star)?

Most teams would love to have Poole's 1-7 at the moment!!!!!!!!

Him slotting in would certainly make us stronger in my own opinion.

Not dumped. He was helping out on a 28-day contract, which has ended. In this week's Speedway Star he explains, while getting on really well with Berwick staff, after two years with the Bullets he wanted a change -- and had a deal pre-season with another club, which sadly colllapsed. He confirmed he is looking to join another team. Ben's a nice guy, wish him well.