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It's poor that the Poles keep releasing information when they've been asked to not make everything public yet. I'm sure most people would like to know but ultimately it's none of our business really, his family should be able to do that when they're ready. Best wishes to Tai for a full recovery.

What a horrible situation. I was gutted when I heard what happened. His wife and kids - with whom he seems to share a loving life with, based on social media - must be in bits. My heart goes out to them. After last year’s season ending elbow injury, how can someone be so unlucky? He’s achieved everything and more in the sport, so naturally, you think of retirement, but I get the impression us mere mortals will never understand the resilience and determination of a speedway rider. All the best Tai.

I have read it and sounds like a very long road back, honestly can't see him ever riding again but the main thing now is getting back to being able to live a normal life which we all hope for.

We were all hoping for a more positive update than that sadly but the tone is a sombre one. Fingers crossed we get something much more positive in the days and weeks to come. Come on Tai we’re all behind you.

You can't say "definitely" - because we will never know. Billy Sanders would definitely have won the World Championship if he hadn't lost one race to Egon Muller - and there are so many examples of what could definitely have happened.

For a fairly prolific poster you don't seem to be very clued up on what's happening.

The air fences used in BSB and Moto GP don't lift, their bikes are heavier and faster.

Friday, I believe before they head to Armadale

With Brennan, Ipswich have two "number 5's" and with Ellis and King they have two more "number 3's" rather than having second strings... A fantastically well put together team, even more so when you look at their excellent reserve strength where you have a "second string" level rider and a top level RS... If they don't win the league this year, they never will...

The condition would not be disclosed and the support mechanic has already been stated in two press released which were approved by the family before release.

Amongst all the garbage on this thread a very good point was raised about a Rising Star withdrawing through injury. As has been said its ripe for manipulation, I'd have thought the best solution would be to have a number 8 on hand to take any remaining rides of the minimum three that the RS would have had to take including the obligatory heat 8. I don't think it's fair for the other reserve to take heat 8 really.

From Faye Woffinden https://www.instagram.com/p/DH7mKViKzsh/?igsh=bDJ3ZGV6bm9kaHk1

Bloody rules!!!..... Surely on this occasion though it would be "in the interests of Speedway" to allow Bomber to ride? In fact, every time Ipswich race it would be worth letting Bomber ride at reserve against them... 30 - 60 is my prediction...

Jen has asked me to see if you want to pop along to the stadium so she can explain how the club is supporting Dave through his illness. Can you suggest a time and date that works best for you?

Harris was at Reserve in July 2021: https://speedwayupdates.proboards.com/thread/20242/belle-vue-premiership-19-2021 It turns out the Panthers only rode a couple of matches that month - the other one was at Sheffield, and Harris scored 16+1 from 7 rides (including a Retirement in his second ride).

Well yeah, but that’s why he is a high scoring reserve right now. I thought as much as well.

I'm not a fan of the extra 5% rule tbh. It's supposed to help the home team as most riders are better at home, I don't see why that's necessary. Like you say, why have so many complications to the rulebook?

You could just continue the discussion by answering some simple questions instead of being so narky

Poznan have signed Francis Gusts on loan from Wroclaw

Feels very much like they’re on damage control and trying to control the narrative to suit and cover themselves. Especially after the Rzeszow statement about legal ramifications.

I think back in 1999 you had the Premier Trophy matches and challenges before the league started and I am sure Bentley at Glasgow averaged around 11 from the opening 5/6 meetings but could be wrong. It was very rare to have a week without a meeting at home back then - early March right up until the end of October. You had the 4tt qualis then as well. Could never understand why they scrapped them, they were a brilliant idea and ensured that the teams that qualified got there by right.

Just had a quick google search and seen that Carillo done OK. 2004..Glasgow..27..139..183..23..5.93 I remember Bentley was top of the averages in my first season watching the sport. 1999. Every week in the SStar, he was top of the averages with a 10/11 point average from his first few meetings before getting injured. I remember seeing him ride for the first time and wondering how on earth he managed to get an average so high, albeit only after a few meetings. Great days.

If your biggest complaint is that the barcode doesn't work in asda, the magazine must be fantastic?

A new article is available on Sportowefakty in regards to Tai's condition / health for those of you who want to read it. I will not be posting it on here due to the fact that I fully respect the wishes of Tai's family and the fact that the Sportowefakty article has likely been posted without their consent. Just like the Speedway World, My thoughts and prayers are fully with Tai and his loved ones.

Terrible to hear about this, hoping we hear something positive very soon! Speedway the greatest sport in the world but can also be horrendous in a split second. Thinking of Tai and all his family

272 left for Saturday 😁

Heat 8 started with four riders.

I think Ipswich have that, Oxford don't or they would have built a better team and r/r would be cheaper so another reason not to use a guest.

Robert Lambert guested for Sheffield in 2023 as an assessed rider so it must be ok now. Assessed riders do not get the 5% up lift on their home average. Fingers crossed for a big big witches win here.

W9 LionStalker... He'll be quite a signing for the team that gets him... has worked under Mr Dickson before... quite successfully 🏆 I'm a bit surprised that Oxford didn't wait for him, especially in a league play off system where you don't need to operate at 100% for a full season.

Thanks for sharing, @IainB. I’m in no doubt that Leigh Adams is one of the best riders not to have been world champion. As someone else said, he achieved averages of over 9 and 10 across three leagues in the UK, Poland and Sweden for over a decade. A remarkable achievement of high level consistency and not only a testament to his ability, but his professionalism too. It would be easy to suggest his shortcomings on the world stage were down to a lack of ruthlessness or risk taking, but the GP that Leigh Adams rode in was very different from the one we see today. No disrespect to today’s field, but GPs from 1995 - 2005 in particular were littered with number ones, all capable of winning a GP. I met him by his van after a meeting at Oxford in 2001 and he was so pleasant.

What's the deal with Scott Nicholls? Is he: a) retired? b) not "starting" the season due to injury? c) "out" for the season due to injury? Could he be an option with R/R to start the season. Because if Cook does by some miracle start the season there's not a snowball in hell's chance he'll finish it.

Seriously, why?

Great idea about a number 8. Far better than my idea of allowing the opposition to also swap their rising star. The only issue with that is having a rider travel with equipment whilst not likely to get a ride.

From Faye Woffinden https://www.instagram.com/p/DH7mKViKzsh/?igsh=bDJ3ZGV6bm9kaHk1

A bit more than that.

Breaking News: EU Regulations Force Speedway Bikes to Have Brakes! In a shocking turn of events, the European Union has announced new safety regulations requiring all speedway bikes to be fitted with brakes. The decision, aimed at improving rider safety, has sent shockwaves through the speedway world, where brakeless racing has been a fundamental part of the sport since its inception. The EU Commissioner for Motorsport Safety defended the move, stating: "It's 2025. We can't allow motorcycles to be ridden at high speeds without any means of stopping. It's a matter of public safety, common sense, and European unity." The regulation mandates that all bikes must be fitted with front and rear disc brakes, ABS, and—most controversially—an emergency handbrake system modelled after those found in cars. Riders caught competing without these features will face heavy fines, suspension of their racing licenses, and, in extreme cases, mandatory enrolment in a defensive riding course. The speedway community has reacted with outrage. A former world champion called the move "a disaster for the sport," adding, "Next they'll be making us race in reverse to lower speeds!" Meanwhile, a British Speedway spokesperson was equally unimpressed: "Speedway with brakes? What's next, traffic lights at the start line?", adding, “Even though the UK is no longer in the EU it will have to comply with the new rules to save riders competing with different equipment.” Manufacturers have scrambled to comply, with one company already trialling an experimental system where the brakes are automatically engaged if a rider leans too aggressively into a corner. Reports suggest that initial testing resulted in one rider performing an unexpected front flip over his handlebars. Despite the uproar, the EU remains firm, with the EU Commissioner insisting: "If Formula 1 and MotoGP can have brakes, so can speedway. Riders will just have to adapt!" The first "brake-friendly" speedway event is set to take place soon in Poland once testing is complete, with new bike designs rumoured to feature brake lights, indicators, and even a horn. Critics argue that these changes will ruin the spectacle, but EU officials have assured fans that "it will only make the racing more strategic and pedestrian-friendly." For now, the sport holds its breath (and brakes) as it hurtles toward a slower, safer future.

Harris rode twice at no 7 in July 2021 once at home and once away at Sheffield where he scored paid 17.

I make comments on tracks based on racing, entertainment and the ability or chance to overtake and being honest most of the Premiership tracks don’t provide much in respect of decent racing or more than the odd chance of passing. The NSS is thankfully one that is generally allows for numerous different racing lines, sadly not many in the Premiership do and after watching speedway in excess of 50 years I feel well able to know the difference between gate and go tracks and proper racing tracks. This sport is in a real mess because of the lack of decent racing and entertainment and I make no apologies for highlighting it. Perhaps I was spoilt in my time at Peterborough because it was one of the best racing tracks in the UK.

Think there's a misunderstanding of what Aries is saying. Harris is just an example. The point being, if a 'Rising Star' gets injured, should the No6 be allowed to take the remaining rides? Take this as an example. King's Lynn make the Play-Off Final and are 10-12 points down after the first leg. I'd take a tactical fall from the No7 in heat 2 & withdraw them, which allows the No6 to have 7 rides. Is it right that the No6 could score 9 points from the No7 rides under the current 'Rising Star' format? For me, either have a No8 available, or go with 3 riders only for 1 or 2 heats. The reserve position is wide open to some serious manipulation.

As they absolutely should. That should also be allowed to be extended. Fingers crossed on some good news soon regarding Woffinden 🤞🏻

I think you will find Poole are one of the most famous clubs in speedway, certainly the most hated and talked about

They may well have asked, but it doesn't get over the problem that he is not eligible.

🙄 nice try

Tune in tomorrow for Ticket Watch 📺😂

Marc himself

But dont the same riders have meeting in both NL leagues? so how can it be a lower standard. Season ticket holder at Brummies so it costs me £10.

Just name each rider once please.

Absolutely dreadful crash, yet again the serious ones are always in Poland?? Cant help but feel for Tai, the season hasn’t even really turned many spokes yet. thoughts are with his family.

After complaining numerous times about pricing and entertainment value, I think with what is on offer at Perry Bar at this fixture it is reasonably priced. Not only are Birmingham Bulls riding against Leicester Fox Cubs in the inaugural National Development Trophy meeting, additionally Birmingham Buffaloes are racing against Wolverhampton Wolf Cubs in the Midland Development League. 21 Heats with the future stars of British Speedway on show, what's not to like?