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It's because Poole understand that speedway is a team sport and winning is important. People who say that speedway should be about the excitement of 4 people riding bikes with no brakes and it's all about the quality of racing are missing the point. Yes, people like to see good racing, but what gets people through the turnstiles is having a winning team, and Poole strive to get one every year whichever league they are in. It's the reason so many people like to slag them off, and also the reason why their own fans continue to support them. Plus, winning teams create an atmosphere, and a good atmosphere encourages people to come back. A plethora of old folk sat in deckchairs, quietly filling in programmes and counting marking the number of passes on a sheet of paper doesn't. They also ride in a decent stadium and know how to promote the sport. If more clubs were run like Poole, the sport would be in a much healthier situation. On the subject of last night's match, I'm generally not really a fan of the bonus point and prefer the old system where points were awarded for getting within 6 points, but there's no denying that the aggregate bonus point was what kept it interesting on this occasion. Good to see Anders Rowe going so well.

This topic seems to have moved away from "we like (or don't like!) Poole, but I've been reading through it with interest. My opinion is that although there is a certain amount of envy over Poole's lengthy success, one of the reasons why the club is unpopular is the way that some of their supporters (not all of them of course, but a vocal minority) instantly over-react to any form of criticism whether it be about their track, their management or their team manager etc. In many ways, Poole are a great example to other clubs, and I certainly don't begrudge them their success which is obviously good for Poole fans, although I feel it isn't good for the sport overall, to have one team dominating all the competitions year after year. Perhaps if some of the more touchy Poole fans would let the criticism ride over them, and not feel that they must reply to it, things would settle a bit?

Basso on instagram, is saying its the worst track he's ridden this season

#BusterGate provided both openness and transparency: apparently there was no "openness" for the pit gate, and we could all see through the excuses ...

Still, after 25 years, about not being able to find set ups.

After the excellent away win a Leicester they followed it up with two superb wins at tricky Kings Lynn & Peterborough. Both these latter two meetings really show off the Witches title winning credentials, especially the last heat decider against the Panthers. If they beat Kings Lynn next week then I’d say they’ve one hand on the trophy.

I think this hits the nail on the head. I suspect the owners prefer pounds in the bank to passes on the track and the fans preference is for points on the board. One of my first meetings there was vs Swindon when Leigh Adams was their number one and every heat was effectively over by the second bend on the first lap - but the packed crowd were ecstatic with the overall win. It still has to be close to the best attended track, possibly being beaten by Oxford, so the business model is successful and sustainable, and also Poole is the most successful team in terms of league positions and cup wins this century. The snippy comments of supporters of others tracks, and none, just makes it all the better if you’re a Poole supporter. There’s nothing better than beating a bad loser. Mind you, a few Poole supporters - and we all know who they are - go over the top in winding up the rivals, but then some of the anti-Poole brigade follow suit. And although the exchanges might rile some people (on both sides) that has to be healthy for the business and survival of speedway

Why waste the tactical in a guaranteed 3-3 race with Emil, odd team management from Lynn.

No.but I've seen couple of pheasants and a woodpecker

Is he really....what's his average then?..he is one of the only things left that I like in British Speedway and I would pay to watch him so you lot can speak for yourselves..if only there were more like him then this league would be more exciting.

Worrall away, has averaged 6.09 for the Panthers, and Bomber 5.83 for the Lions.

They don’t need too if there is constant flow of them during the summer months when there is speedway.A lot of jealousy regarding crowd levels at Poole.IMO.

Another fantastic win by the Pirates this time over table topping Cheetahs. The win was NID but the bonus point......what a valiant effort by the Boyzzzzz being 16pts up on 4 occasions only to av it snatched away in a last heat decider. Poor old Ben in heat 9 with an ef when leading Nicholls & Masters turned out to be a crucial blow when it came to the bonus point. Luck came our way though with Nicholls early engine troubles. Special mention to Nathan Ablitt.......well done lad you are on the way after your apprenticeship last season as a Pirate. The confidence in your riding is there for all to see and you took a well deserved lap of honour after heat 2. You've come a long way and you will go a lot further in your career. C'mon the Boyzzzzz

Really disagree with your two man team assessment, like said elsewhere Kerr is averaging over 8 and Atkins was scoring well at reserve .Jordan Jenkins has been very solid no less than Anders Rowe for Poole plus Heeps was solid enough at 2 previously this season. I would say Killeen is going to remain carried but no different to Ablitt for Pirates last season, Oxford are a good solid side who as a unit score solidly at most away tracks.

Well... They did say Jehovah

If he didn't dangle his leg off the footrest mid bend every time he may find it more stable. Adapt your riding!

Nicholls and Greaves in cup final....

Tbf I don't really know. Don't really look into BV much. I just remember the 2-4 points he used to get as a no1 and still was in H13, used to wind me right up haha.

Updates saying hagon and him tangled in heat 2. Wrist injury possibly

My opinion but, sometimes, passing in every race isn’t always all that makes a meeting. To a newbie it means a lot to see riders going wheel to wheel and swapping positions.. or simply overtaking. That is Speedway in its most simplistic essence and, yes we all love that. In reality, these days, it is a little rarer and, so, is much appreciated when it happens… However, I like to think there are many more layers to a meeting. For those of us that appreciate the finer points, there is as much excitement on a close scoreline where heat by heat the match can hang on the result of the next four laps. Last night the Pirates were chasing the bonus point and it was tense to see them real in the 14 point advantage and then to see it snap back and forth once it became within two points! And, most importantly, the bit that the uninitiated will never see (obviously) is when a lesser rated rider goes on a giant killing expedition such as Anders Rowe leading Sam Masters for 4 laps which kept people on the edge of their seat for the whole of heat 11 .. a huge ovation for his effort adding to the atmosphere but likely to go over the heads of a newbie. Similar for Ben Cook seeing off Sam (on a tactical) and Scott for three and a half laps before his engine gave way in heat nine. High drama. The final result (for the bonus point) went to a last heat decider so despite a pretty dominant Pirates’ performance which might otherwise have been regarded ‘one-sided’ there was much to entertain and, even though my team lost out in the last one, I, for one, was entertained. ”yes”, I’d love to see some wheel to wheel action but my heart rate never dropped much throughout!….. it’s a little bit like that brilliant TV series you tell your friends to watch…. Until they get comfortable with the various characters, they probably don’t get what you see in it …..at first?

That someone on here started the rumour and many went along with it.People love all the negativity. Would have been nice to see A.Boughen given a chance tonight instead of Hagon,just to see how he goes in the PL.One for the future by the looks of things.

Have Leicester now discovered some available dates then?

Trackrat

It's hardly "talent spotting" when another club takes the plunge on a rider and once successful you sign them then is it? Especially in those days when Aussies came in on a 9 then a 7

No problem with that... if the sport wants any kind of loyalty they need to salary the riders, like Football does. He can't have it both ways though... I'm not sure what his beef is to be honest

Lebedevs moves from wildcard to replace Holder and new wildcard is Francis Gusts. Ansviesulis moves to 17 and Majtusonaks comes in at 18

It's an interesting one isn't it... a rider who has shown zero loyalty to any club he's ridden for over the last few years, has become a running joke in the sport, gets his knickers in a twist because all of a sudden a club decide to do exactly what he's done. His loyalty to British Speedway is not in doubt, be he has absolutely no problem in riding for which ever club calls him up on any given day even if the result of the match may effect the club he is contracted to and captain of

Not sure Oxford will finish top now to be honest. If Oxford and Poole both win all their home meetings, it will come down to if Oxford can get away wins at Edinburgh and Glasgow, and if Poole can win away at Edinburgh and Scunthorpe. If Poole win both away matches (which is entirely possibly), it means Oxford would have to win both of theirs - and not sure they will at Glasgow. Therefore the final points totals could be Poole 35 and Oxford 34. Of course the good old super heat could add some confusion into the mix.

Maybe if he knew who they were....

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/perry-barr-birmingham-brummies-speedway-27495331?fbclid=IwAR3vTn-FZN-MQto3SVJtEP6INDPGD9sJPiq8sdwPEmrQ19B64EMGSnQ_1m8

Were you there....? Going fast is not just 100% throttle, its about body positioning and track craft. Something the new track record holder has in abundance. Whilst other riders rely on a quick bike to win races

Had 2 attempts at fencing King Tm for Lynn.... hahaha why are u putting in klindt as a ts in a 3 rider heat vs emil. Then tries to.put in Mountain as a rr in next

Thanks for all the info.

Think Poole were financially involved in a lot of these moves.

I would say its talent spotting when a club (eg Poole) pays for the rider to come over from Oz in the first place and then loans him out (eg IOW etc) to gain experience! Its happened many times.

When Mervyn Stewkesbury and Pete Ansell moved speedway from Weymouth to Poole in the 80s, they also had Neil Street as Team Manager and therein started the Poole Aussie influx on Streetie's recommendations. Those Aussie connections have continued of course with the likes of Boycie, Darcy, Davey Watt and others bringing through more young Aussies eg the Cooks being the latest. (NB. Those reading the programme notes last night will see the interview with Matt Ford when he named another young Aussie that Boycie brought over to Sweden recently - no names on here yet. Watch this space) In addition, Poole's successes in the Elite League (and Matt's time on the BSPA board) allowed Matt to establish contacts in Europe. One recent example being getting Artem Laguta for Steve Worrall's testimonial! He may be based in France - at least for now - but his finger is still very much on the speedway pulse. Maybe not liked - even 'hated' - by many opposition fans, but very much respected by all Promoters/Managers and sponsors!. If only Poole Speedway owned their own stadium..........................

You did. First you said “wouldn’t go to Poole if you paid my entrance……dump” then said “Obviously been there before, hated it”. Or are you now saying you didn’t mind the stadium but the track was a “dump”? (I’ve read tracks being called many things before but never a dump”.

How long ago? I know it doesn’t say much for the state of other stadia but Poole is hardly a dump. In terms of viewing and facilities only Belle Vue better (and it’s the best of course) - can’t think of any others though I can think of a few, like Oxford Glasgow and maybe Sheffield that are as good.

In front of another massive crowd, they keep coming, obviously like what they see

If this is true then they should be banned from the stadium for life. I would call over security and point them out.

Only thing you can do as far as this evening is concerned, is forget about the result and just hope for some good racing if Laguta is there. Laguta vs Emil and Doyle is something we haven’t seen much of calibre wise in recent years. We SHOULD know by time anyone has to set off from Norfolk if Artem isn’t going to be there or not. I did say when I started this thread I’ll be giving this one a miss, but if Laguta is riding then I’ll change my mind! Weather helps, cracking day today.

so you're just chatting absolute crap then

Watched the meeting back tonight and how many times did kelv state the Aces were under pressure to win as they were level with Ipswich, he said it 4 or 5 times, surely someone from the crew should of corrected him after the second time.

They tried limiting the number of transfers & using a transfer window last season. That rule lasted ONE SEASON! Probably because it was poorly written out & "abused" (in the opinion of many)

Pipe dream... The sport is a hobby for most promoters and, off the back of that, set up solely for most riders to race as much as they can so they can be "professional"... That won't change, because it cannot.. Riders won't suddenly ride for less and guesting is a "nice little earner" as once described to me by a lad who did a fair few....

If the rumour on the Leicester page comes to fruition (Robert Lambert in for Richard Lawson) that strengthens that team up. Hopefully the Sheffield promotion are on the look out to strengthen our third heat leader position as it’s becoming more and more obvious that Adam Ellis’ form is continuing to drop, since start of 2022 season a 1.92 point drop in his average

It’s not the Premiership Riders Championship, though!

Whatever the rights and wrongs of last night one thing is clear. Back in the 2 valve and upright era that Track would not be considered unsafe. Those days had no air fences and rain offs were far less prevelant. They'd put sawdust down and get on with it. Those were men not petaldicks, and they'd ride the bike and gear it according to the conditions. If they had a 2 wheel in and slide out for a few races they would. I've seen Mauger, Briggo, Collins, Olsen all do it, pictures of riders looking like they have just come from down the pit with only eyes visible were commonplace. Too many of this era can't ride bikes that rev too high and lack throttle control. Maybe the real reason they didn't want Barker to ride it was he'd have leg trailed round the fence and broken the track record. Time to consider the reason and not the cause. ..

It's an extremely sad situation, for both sets of fans to be fair. These were the meetings we looked forward to when the fixtures came out. Buzzing for it. Roll on 20yrs it doesn't even feel like a derby. I know I've been moaning like a little b!+ch about King's Lynn for around 5yrs now but it's because I bloody care. Now many many more fans are finally seeing it. Our crowd levels have been evident of that. The situation at Peterborough my have opened the eyes of King's Lynn fans too with regards to our owner, could you imagine had he got Ipswich too The troubles at King's Lynn & fraudulent treatment of fans & other clubs this season in terms of dodgy call-offs & missing rider's make these fixtures meaningless. These threads should be banter central, forum fisty cuffs. It's just dead, great shame

I'm kind of thankful that i have been able to watch another 30+ years of speedway at Lynn.Had it not been for Buster we would have probably been long lost to speedway long before the likes of Coventry,Lakeside,Swindon and many more.Yes we have had some very poor sides but we have had speedway. The speedway promoters need to come together as a collective and not just do what is in the best interests for their own clubs to sort the huge mess British speedway is in.They all have self interest,not just Buster as you would like it to be.