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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.

I've ordered my copy from e-bay.

tyretrax, my condition seems to have got worse since my original planned trip and could have met THJ whilst sitting in my warm car but when he said he was not going to any meetings in the future, that made me decide not to bother making the trip over. No matter how good the set up is at Workington, it sadly will join the Redcar's new track that I've also not been to and get with other things. Bob

“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?

You could, also, say Allen lost a lot of points too & Jenkins gained a few but that is the nature of our track. Multi racing lines, not many "ftg" races & no need to fill in your programme after the first 2 bends. As many have complained about the coverage by Eurosport in that the cameras only seem to follow the leader, it would be a waste of time them coming to the EWR as you need to follow ALL of the racing. It is not about winning races but the lower places can be decisive too.

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

Cracking meeting with both teams taking points, which both deserved IMO. No 'victory' parade after the super heat thou, disappointing for fans of both teams As an Oxford fan, was happy to see Allen selected over Lambert in the super heat.

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.

I'm certainly hoping that part was tongue in cheek, if it was real suggestion I fear for humanity lol!

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

Yes

Cant make them come

God's country, up there? Beeky Chastard

Yes, always wanted him to ride for us, seemed to like our track.

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

Wright would do for me,I’m sure Polish track would suit him. also would have Lawson before Ellis.

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.

This book is excellent. It really is a fascinating read. Proves my point 100% as to why we closed in 1964 - it had nothing to do with the weather or attendances - the reasons given by the Promoters. There are a lot of very shady things went on when Sunderland opened in 1964. A lot has come out in this book that I never new about. A decent social history of Sunderland too. The Author is to be congratulated on some superb research.

I think a blind person could offer the Eurosport Speedway editor advice on which camera to show. Why show the rider 40 metres in the lead when you could "throw an Army blanket" over the other three Completely clueless.

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

Paul called if off!! The power he has!

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

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)?

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