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The blame game has started I see. Shocking accidents happen all around the world in speedway so see no need for people to be saying "Poland again" or words along those lines like I have read elsewhere on the forum and social media. Garry Stead and Lawrence Hare both had nasty accidents which left them in wheelchairs in the UK and there are many more. Its a dangerous sport and accidents will happen. Main thing is Woffy makes a full recovery. The way they went into the fence, I would be amazed if the outcome would be different on any track in any country.

Taken off Sheffield's Facebook page: REQUEST TO SUPPORTERS Thursday night is our opening fixture of the 2025 season. We know it has been a tough week for all connected to the club, but we politely request that supporters do not approach riders and ask any questions regarding Tai Woffinden. Your Tigers’ representatives are individually and collectively focussed on the task in hand, ready to go, and would appreciate no distractions. As ever they will be going out there and giving it their all to earn victory - so let’s cheer the boys on loud and proud from the terraces and give them another night, and season, of outstanding support in both volume and numbers!

Not that i think anyone's surprised in the slightest but once again the fans are left in the dark and treated like idiots. I understand with what happened with Rory and now Cook is completely beyond their control, but just bloody communicate with the fans.

Ok, happy to be corrected!

Fans were worried 2 weeks ago, I’ve been worried since the day he signed, it’s over now. It’s easier to just try and forget he ever signed.

I’ll throw my hat in the ring to the “best rider never to win the world championship”. Dennis Sigalos. When Penhall retired he was THE biggest threat to the Danish dominance. beat Nielsen in the 82 British Open run off for the biggest financial pay out in history at the time. Was a world class field reminiscent of the world final. Topped the British averages just shy of 11.00 in 83 and had the world at his feet. A fantastic write up here of Siggy. A crying shame that ankle injury ended his career and of course, we’ll never know. In my childhood eyes in the early 80’s though, the 🐐 https://vojensspeedwaycenter.dk/en/speedway-legenderne-dennis-sigalos/

What are we doing here?? So because it hasn't happened it should be ignored?? It's a massive massive loophole someone CAN (and I would as a team manager) take advantage of in a very important situation i.e. the Play-Off Final as an example.

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.

You are really embarrassing yourself. Calling yourself a wakner tops the lot. This is not a thread for controversy. There is a guy in a hospital bed with very serious injuries with a mother and wife praying for every positive moment in hope for their boy. Pinny pretty much sums it up.

Paid max for Anders Rowe tonight at Sheffield.

That went well GuaB 😁.

LOL no. Seems I wasted all those years studying physics, back in the day. Not to mention the 50 years of watching speedway from both sides of the fence. Going to have to recondition my brain now, so that it thinks all those riders that I've seen hitting the kerb and picking up from the excess drive, never happened.

Although it seems extremely unlikely, maybe Cook is unavailable for pairs but will be ready for start of season!!!!. It seems very unfair to fans who booked a bus to the pairs expecting to see Kildemand (can't predict injuries) and Cook (whose participation has apparently been iffy for weeks or maybe months) riding. Without knowing all the facts, for the club to issue a statement regarding rider participation and without much clarity only 2 days before the event seems pretty pathetic and disrespectful to the fans. Maybe it's to do with legal reasons or maybe they genuinely haven't a clue what's happening. Either way it just looks bad. Anybody put their season ticket up for sale on ebay yet?

So a speedway bike sliding on shale, suddenly hitting a solid concrete kerb with the back wheel wouldn't pick up traction and be driven forward in a straight line? Well you live and learn eh?

Agreed. Stop with the stirring, witch-hunting and constant negativity that gives this place its bad name and let's concentrate on sending positive vibes to Tai and family.

Perhaps you could take a f off pill

Worrying why? It's been on the cards for weeks reference Cookie. Fans are always an afterthought.

Just saw that on Instagram. Frustrating for all parties involved, but the paying fans especially. Berwick have found themselves in a difficult situation, but as a fan, I can’t help but feel disappointed by the explanation of ”unavailable”.

Because they will want to win the meeting particularly at home against their biggest rivals who have had the Indian sign over them last few years. Pretty straightforward really. Also, what's point in having a strong reserve and not using him 🤷🏼‍♂️

Dave Jessop was 2-3 engine failures from being a multiple world champion wasn’t he? Before my time but that’s the story me old chap told me

Think the Stadium will look very well on Saturday and I hope the fans will be suitably impressed with what has taken place in the last 3months. It is a work in progress but is coming along nicely. I'm sure the fans will see some top speedway on what is forecast to be a nice day. Should be a great start to a weekend festival of Championship Speedway, can't wait. 👍

Of course you do, ignore him. Have experienced that myself at both reading and Mildenhall, bike took off!

Riss is class act.Illness and injury have held him back.IMO

Recent weather has been perfect to enable prep of a tip top track - really poor effort Water in wrong places at the wrong time??

"Your"??? Who's embarrassing himself? 🤣

Birmingham could still turn this one around 👀

Birmingham going all out to score less than belle vue at Ipswich last week

You obviously not seen him much at Shielfield over the years.Touring round at the back when he misses the gate.

His results at Berwick speak for themselves: 2024 - 2 from 1 (Withdrawn) and 4 from 4 2023 - 3+1 from 4 2022 - 2 from 3 2021 - 5+1 from 4 His average mainly comes from superb home form at Scunthorpe etc.

Probably fair to say Berwick not one of his favourite tracks over the years

Think we might just shade this 60-30.

Has to be the worst line up I have seen Edinburgh start the season with in at least 25 years. Can see Glasgow winning this by 20 points despite how weak their reserves look.

I'm not too sure. I first head it was signal issues but you get 5G up there no bother. It could be card processing fees? I don't know. Maybe someone else can chip in and provide an explanation.

No need to reassure I don’t think we’ll win, Glasgow have more than enough firepower to get the job done, would be a surprise if they didn’t.

Oxford was another one but yeah battered was a harsh word to use.

Sheffield are there for the taking !

Thank you. Yes, that's definitely heavily outscoriing, or is for me anyway, but I think you underestimate the Glasgow reserves (as have others).

Live stream can be found on Oxford speedway website, register and it’s about £13

Unfortunately looks to be a bad injury, but Tai has done little for the Ben fund who help out all riders, so why make a special case, it happened in Poland, let them do the fund raising. You may not agree with my opinion, but other people maybe thinking the same

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?

I reckon you could make it work by giving the two number eights some match races before/during/after the meeting and the experience of them being around some world class riders in the pits and on the track walk for the evening would be invaluable. It wouldn't even necessarily need to be the same number 8 every week, could just be two local nominated riders. It's got to be better than the alternatives.

As an assessed rider I know he can't guest for anyone until he obtains an official average, does that work the other way too?

Hoping for a Tigers’ win, but Armadale is such a tight track, who knows? It might only be the Scottish Cup which is in essence a friendly, but it’s a huge opportunity to lay down an immediate marker after last season’s disappointment. From what I’ve read, those who have appearances under their belt have done well, so long may that continue. I have to say, for all I’ll criticise Edinburgh as our rival, I love a trip to Armadale and I’m delighted speedway continues there.

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.

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...

Actually this stage of the season is when Witches can be complacent, just don't do it in the play-offs lol!

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

Marc himself

I actually feel like the absence of the Russians makes it more of a competition, that it gives most of the top westerners a reasonable chance. That said, the champion stretched his legs on Sunday and looked fairly unbeatable. I loved being at Inzell, the atmosphere is awesome and I can't wait to get back next year. Even booked ridiculously expensive flights to go to Sunday at Heerenveen to see the finale. Like you say, Jasper Iwema was great on Sunday. I always used to feel he just didn't have it, but a couple of machine issues aside early Saturday, he was brilliant. Totally delighted for him. Anyone know of any other ice speedway forums with a bit more chat than this one? Like getting blood out a stone most of the time here!!

Speedway Star has been an absolute bargain for 15yrs. See them in Tesco's & read them there & then. Took it in the cafe a few times for breakfast & then pop it back on the shelf. I do the same with newspapers too