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Agreed. The irony is he made mention of this mistake in the BSN interview before the superheat, but then compounded it by putting Masters off 1 in that race, when finishing second and third was more important than the heat win! Surely give Heeps the best chance to get a decent start, then have your fastest rider (Masters) coming through to join him?

Can I suggest, if you don't have time to compose an email, that you use an AI to compose one for you, the results are quite remarkable! I've used Google Gemini (you'll need a Google account to use this) and entered: "create an email to Rugby Council in support of the restoration of Coventry Stadium, Brandon for speedway and stock car racing and other motor sports together with other community uses in the new Rugby Local Plan. Planning permission should not be granted for development proposals which would conflict with these objectives. Also include the need for leisure activities for local and national people". The text in bold is taken from the Save Coventry Speedway website and I've just added a bit to the end, you may want to replace with your own thoughts for a different text, the more you put in, the more you'll get out. The result: Dear Rugby Council, Subject: Restoration of Coventry Stadium, Brandon, and the Rugby Local Plan I am writing to express my strong support for the restoration of Coventry Stadium, Brandon, for the purpose of speedway, stock car racing, and other motorsports, alongside diverse community uses. I urge the council to ensure that the new Rugby Local Plan supports this objective and to reject any planning applications that conflict with it. The restoration of Coventry Stadium holds immense value for several reasons: Preservation of Heritage: The stadium is a historic venue for motorsports, holding a special place in the hearts of many local and national enthusiasts. Boost to Local Economy: Restoring the stadium would attract visitors from across the country, stimulating the local economy and supporting businesses. Community Benefits: The stadium can serve as a hub for a variety of community activities, providing valuable leisure and recreational opportunities for residents of all ages. There is a need for leisure activities for local and national people. Tourism: The stadium has the potential to attract national and international tourists. Granting planning permission for development proposals that would hinder the restoration of the stadium would be a great loss for the community and for the future of motorsports in the region. It is crucial that the Rugby Local Plan reflects the importance of this facility. I urge you to consider the significant benefits of restoring Coventry Stadium, to ensure its inclusion and support within the Rugby Local Plan, and to guarantee that all planning decisions align with the best interests of the community. Thank you for your time and consideration of this important matter. Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Address] [Your Email] [Your Phone Number (Optional)] Obviously, give it a proof read and tweak if necessary and send to localplan@rugby.gov.uk

Bugger it!

Great managing from Oxford as usual, surely you put masters off gate 1 in heat 15 win the race and get the win.

Pirates can do better than that. Yes it’s the first match but dropped points from an EF when leading for Kerr, Stark on a 5-1 and finishing last because he rode around the middle of the track, Rowe gating and then drifting wide to give away a 5-1. On the good side is Lawson sorting his bike issues and being his usual aggressive self, and Zack continuing his march to becoming a very decent rider. Tobias again did his job. Such a shame Matt didn’t go all out to get Vinnie Foord back. Fans favourite and 100% effort.

Masters should of been off gate 1 in ht 15,Oxford manager is a clown.

I’m fully confident in the team we have no concerns here give the lads some time to get some meetings in as a team and we will see the results our reserve imo are very strong possibly the best in the league. Can’t wait for this weekend to get things started yes we all know Edinburgh isn’t a happy place for us (or most teams) but let’s get behind them!

Bit of a memory issue? Both Adam and Jason have been part of title winning teams with Swindon!

I don't know who you are fromafar but pull your head in about Jye I bet you have never ridden a speedway bike you f... W..

I'm really surprised Dan Gilkes was overlooked at the start of the season. Surely Leicester or Kings Lynn will sign him sooner rather than later. I don't think it is Hagon or Boughen's fault that they are struggling. In the cold day of light neither should be anywhere near the top league. How can Hagon a 2nd division reserve be expected to score pts in the top league! When you look at the rising stars in general. The two Ipswich boys are head and shoulders above the rest. Maybe Kemp on his good days would be a match, but as last night proved. If he isn't in the mood he can really be woeful.

I don't understand what Wright was getting upset about, pretty embarrassing to see a professional sportsman acting like a toddler imo

Indeed, I think we may be better served with Dan T going out at No4, with Leon at 3, giving us a stronger run in to the end of the meeting.

Come on you Cheetahs... ABP!

some people moan about lack of characters and confrontation compared to the 70s though so maybe we should embrace a bit of needle and hoo haa a little bit of jostling and finger wagging all adds to the atmosphere maybe it should be encouraged and riders not hammered for getting a bit wound up its a highly charged sport after all

There was a good interview with Jason Doyle in the Speedway Star and he mentioned how some riders are basically "starving themselves" up to three days before meetings to drop weight.. Tai, and others, have mentioned in the past how much of an advantage being "lightweight" can be on the big circuits where speed is key.. When the tracks were deeper, maybe a bit of weight helped drive the back wheel into the grip, but on today's wide, big, fast, slick circuits, getting off the start line and riding full gas has never been so important given the straight line "rocket ships" they race on.. Bikes get checked for weight, so maybe both man and machine should have a minimum combined weight too? Doyle suggested that the weight loss can be draining and weaken the strength of the riders, which obviously means a potential safety issue could exist... They changed the weigh in time in Boxing due to fighters "boiling down" and losing weight right up to the morning of the weigh in, the day before a fight, meaning so much strength and endurance had been lost come fight night, even after trying to pile pounds back on in 24 hours.. Would a "minimum weight" for rider and bike even up the playing field?

Gilkes wasn't great for Sheffield last year, so while he was an option, I wouldn't say it's shocking he didn't get picked. Boughen is on a par with Gilkes in the Champ, so Lynn could (rightly imo) think no point in swapping Boughen for Gilkes. Hagon is only a reserve because 1) he has a British reduction, 2) because Berwick have built their team to have a strong reserve. For example Hagon has a higher average than fellow "rising star" Mulford who is in Redcar's top 5. Gilkes may come into contention at some point, but I wouldn't expect any Prem side to change their RS this early in the season.

Bit early to say that after only ONE match imo Also, let's see how Marson does against his fellow 2.00 opponents. Not expecting much from him in general, but Oxford have a good looking bottom end, so not fair to judge him on this meeting.

Yes indeed. With only two points needed from Sam for victory it seemed to be a no-brainer.

Can’t wait to see the new look Bandits in action this weekend, no matter the results it’s sure to be all action against the Tiggers. The promotion really have worked wonders with this 1-7 and they looked fantastic in the new race suits at the press and practice.

I’d argue it’s the complete opposite, it’s much harder to replace a number 1 with an average over 9 than it is a rider who has an average around 6

Some Berwick fans astound me, the guy gave us nothing but loyal service and yes he may have had a disappointing year by his standards last year but can you not just wish him well for the future. Berwicks loss is most certainly Workingtons gain.

😂😂

How was you misfiring? What a moronic quote …. Cook rode above himself … Kerr didn’t … the rest scored as expected

Did Sam Masters not know the superheat scoring system? Most bizarre he just raced off, then waved to the crowd as if to celebrate!

If there was somebody out there on the right average who could step in for a month or so then I'd say yes but it would need to be an 'oven ready' signing rather than a newcomer or one for the future. It would definitely save the ball ache of guests if he drops to reserve for May.

He has to retire surely? He's lucky not to be another wheelchair case. Certain to have a career in punditry so that he can earn going forward. Not sure about the 'music'.

I used to hear the argument with pre 65 trials bikes, people were spending £12,000 building trick Ariel HT5's which got the weight down to around 210Lbs for a 500cc bike which would normally weigh above 300Lbs, alloy rims, alloy replica Whitton Bantam hubs with plated brake surface, tubeless tyres, modern lightweight fork internals in Norton sliders, PVL ignition, 350cc flywheels, carbon fibre primary cases, sintered alloy barrel with chrome liner and Yamaha XT 350 piston, alloy guards/levers/bars, NEB clutch foam pad seat etc. etc. Then saddle it with a 14 stone rider !, sometimes the cheapest option would be to lose 3 stone off the rider ?

Not sure...

We will make up for it! Hope it is a good meeting, don't expect to win but should be close. Neither Lawson or Masters on top form currently and we have new superstar Matt Marson!

Barely... and there's quite a drying wind with strong sunshine today, the track is going to need to take some watering!

He isn’t though? If anything Wrights machine is nearer to the dividing line than Ellis’ is so if anyone should have been moved over it’s him!

a villian is needed at times, good race in my view however

That's brilliant, I'd already sent my email using the "old fashioned method"😄 . Every message to the council will count . i am just getting the impression that we could see Brandon back up & running again in the not too distant future, fingers crossed.

Yep, was also at Oxford's.

He was at pretty much everyone’s press and practice day in both leagues. Spent several hours under the guidance of Chris Louis at Ipswich for press day also.

Once Ashton gets comfortable again I think Flint would be better at 2, be similar to the end of 2023 with Tom and Bomber and puts less pressure on Flint and lets him ride to his potential like he is at Sheffield at the moment. It was only for one race they were together but Leon and Dan looked to want similar bits of track while I think Boughen and Dan will be a bit more seperate.

Kinda ironic that Poole seems to do the very least when it comes to youth development, only started running NDL individuals because they had to, but could end up signing two of the most promising young Brits

How much of a difference does that make? If you're stronger in 14, then you're weaker in 12. I rather move the riders around based on the opposition, when a team has a stronger rider at 4, put Dan T or Howarth at 4, otherwise have Flint at 4?

Wasn't he at the Poole p+p day?

Wokey Toady is in da house...

which other clubs would sign King & Ellis ??? asking for a friend ??

How about we all turn the TV off after heat 20 and just keep our own scorecards? Whatever goes on after heat 20 is their own circus 🤔

Incite is a very strong word with the Cambridge dictionary defining it as ‘to encourage someone to do or feel something unpleasant or violent’. I would say that the Presenter encouraged some gentle mickey taking….😀

I’m guessing reading isn’t your strong point and certainly a lack of knowledge of what a troll is …. Where has any Ipswich fan took credit for Tom Brennans progress? Lies my friend to fit your anti Ipswich agenda And if you want to compare apples and oranges then go ahead … Lidsey is a heat leader …. King and Ellis are not so you may as well compare Lidseys average with Thompsons to suit your narrative Lidsey is a good steady rider who can beat the best at home …. But ask most fans who they would prefer as a third heat leader and I’m sure they would go Tom I ask you again and this time try and answer like an adult…. How many teams would sign Lidsey and Blordorn? Not many on my opinion

if there are two changes then i imagine the 5 point rider would be Kerr.

Fact alert to drive the trolls mad. Insults incoming no doubt. With the amount of guests this league uses the best way of judging performance at home is by using the stats excellently compiled on the BSPL website. 2024 home. Aces 46.82 Witches 48.74 One is higher than the other. Aces must be a team of one track throttle jockeys as they averaged a poor 9.32 less away last season whereas Ipswich brilliantly only averaged 9.24 less away.

I Would believe Millions given the number of years at Top Level.Signing On fees would hefty and points money very decent.Anyway wish him full recovery , not sure he should continue in the sport though.

Yes @Ray Stadia @RoundTheBoards @SPEEDY69 you're all correct. As everyone knows, a bike leaving the shale and hitting the concrete kerb with the back wheel is liable to take-off. I think someone has maybe had a drink and meant to actually type: "Best wishes to Tai for a full and speedy recovery"

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?