Aces51

It really is sad to see. We must hope that permission is not granted at least until a new site is found and approved for a new home for the Bees. You make me feel old . I first went to Brandon in the early 1960's and have many happy memories of British Finals and and Aces visits over the last 50 or so years.

Wolves were unlucky with injuries and it was good to hear that Lindgren is progressing well and may go home this week and that Thorssell is due to take his first steps today following his surgery. However, let's not forget that Belle Vue were without their second and third heat leaders who, combined, were likely to score as many points as Wolves three injured riders. Wolves had the best guest, they gained a lucky 3-3 when Worrall's chained snapped when we were on a definite 5-1 and Bewley was unable to take his last ride after his fall in heat 12. The pleasing thing last night, as well as winning the Cup, was that every rider gave his all. Smith and Greaves didn't score many points but they had 100% determination and commitment, just like everyone else.

It's not likely to be 19-5 after four races with Mellish being replaced but I know what you mean. To win the three heat leaders and Bickley are going to have to score about 48. Possible but not by any means easy.

Mellish could have been good for 6 points whereas his replacement is unlikely to score. That's a 12 point swing and likely to have a significant affect on the result. Kemp rode very well in the British Youth Championship at the NSS, Knight won his last two races on his last visit and Wood scored 10. It's going to be tough but can be done if Bewley, Smith and Shuttleworth are at their best.

Good to see a couple of Poole fans offering their congratulations on Facebook. For those who don't consider the Cup as an important trophy just remember who we beat to win it, Swindon, Wolves and Poole.

Some excellent races, good crowd and a good atmosphere. Lawson was the pick of the guests, not much to choose between the other 3 in terms of points scored. Wolves fought hard, they were fortunate that Steve Worrall's chain snapping turned a definite 5-1 into a 3-3 but a 5-1 for them in the last race would have taken it to Golden Heats. Both teams were determined to win, which shows how wrong those are who try to belittle the competition. It may literally not be in the same league as the league title but it is still an important trophy to win. Commiseration to Wolves, as Per Adams said, neither team deserve to end the season without a trophy to show for their efforts. Bewley, a rider with less than 2 seasons racing experience, is a rare talent. His win over Nichols, Harris and Lawson in heat 11 is a race that will long be remembered. For anyone interested Craig Cook has put a statement on his website concerning his health issues. http://cc111.co.uk/craig-makes-a-statement-regarding-his-health/ That should satisfy those who have been making silly comments but I doubt it will.

It was said yesterday that Cook had been ill for a couple of days. https://twitter.com/OfficialComets It is an automatic 7 day ban for an illness that is not a Speedway injury. The BSPA Management Committee can give permission to allow a rider who produces a medical certificate within 48 hours to race within that 7 days. A rider who doesn't produce a medical certificate is banned from his next home meeting and the MC cannot change that. According to the press release this is a 7 day ban so presumably a medical certificate was produced. We may know more from the press release tomorrow.

If true would mean we missing or second and third heat leaders so not necessarily easy at all. Could very much depend on who the guests are. Just seen the teams. Lawson and Worrall could score well, Lawson will gate first in at least a couple of races and Richie seems to be on form at the moment. Nicholls and Harris haven't impressed at the NSS and could cancel each other out. I think we will win but not sure we will by the 11 points we need.

He was listed to ride in the PLR Final. He was again said to be injured but rode in Germany on the Friday and Poland on the Sunday.

If that is correct it seems very strange as he is Newcastle's top rider according to the official averages. My understanding is that the top rider from every club qualifies for the event. Was he given special dispensation not to be included and if so, on what basis?

He was ill and apparently has been for a few days. The 7 day ban is automatic but the Management Committee can give him permission to ride. Be interesting to see what they do about Lambert who apparently missed the CLR Final due to injury but rode in Poland. Perhaps Cook hasn't got the same connections.

He guested for Belle Vue against King's Lynn and scored 7 from 5 rides and in the British Final scored 9 from 5 rides. Both better than his performance for Poole.

Chris Holder has struggled for a few years now and I am not convinced that his current average is a bargain. I hope that he can regain the form he once had before his serious injuries, the affect of Darcy's accident and his personal issues but I'm not sure he will.

Most riders who have not ridden in the UK this year but have a recent EL average. They are potential bargains if they can be brought in next year without that average being weighted to allow for the current lower standard of the Premiership.

CVS has done a good job for Wolves over a long period. He has not only brought success to the club but ensured it's survival through difficult times for the sport. If he does retire I wish him well. I hope he overcomes his health problem and has a deserved long and happy retirement. I would be hypocritical if I didn't say that I have been less impressed during his various periods in positions of authority within the BSPA. I am sorry to say that I regard him as one of those who must share responsibility for the present state of the sport.

The track staff did a brilliant job after the heavy rain during the afternoon and then more heavy rain at 6.30 after the track had been prepared. They started all over again and produced a track which was not just rideable but raceable. You had to feel for them when the unforecast heavy shower arrived after heat 6. There were some decent races and Jack Smith's win was brilliant. I was really pleased for him after all the effort he has put in this year. It's a shame that people who weren't there and have no idea what they are talking about feel the need to criticise. They just make themselves look silly. The forecast for Monday is good and we start all over again. Will Howarth be fit by then? Be good for Wolves to have him back.

It depends how you define top riders. Top 3 in the world, top 5, top 20 etc.He qualified as of right for the GP's, no wild card necessary, riding on foreign tracks and beating many top riders to do so. He has earned his place amongst arguably the top 15 riders in the world. That in my book makes him a top rider and is a valid opinion supported by the facts. I have never heard Cook claim to be in the same class as the absolute cream but he has the belief in his ability and the ambition to get there. Nothing whatsoever wrong with that.

Two year contracts are meaningless and wasn't he saying he might not be back without fixed nights. However, I do hope he is back, he's a great rudder to watch and hopefully, it will be good to have the World Champion riding in the UK.

Don't be silly. You won't find him ever having claimed to be as good now as Woffy. I don't approve of it but Woffinden got the continued abuse last year because of the disgraceful and abusive way he reacted.

I don't know where you get that from, he is often critical and realistic about his own performances. I thought people meant he isn't like Woffy because he takes pride in riding for Team GB and give his all for his team.

Been involved in two Belle Vue 5-1's?

Tonight may not be a good guide as I suspect the weather will put off many. The problem with the KO Cup is that this year and in the more recent years before it was taken out of the calendar, the BSPA have treated it with a degree of contempt, leaving the final and sometimes the semi finals, to be fitted in at the tail end of the season when it could have been finished much earlier. The same applies to the League Riders Final, which has been discredited by the many late changes, although the Premiership meeting this year was almost as programmed. The BSPA need to ensure that both competitions are shown to be important official competitions and treat them accordingly. It will take time but more fans are then likely to support them.

The 50 point team building limit took account of the average loading for all riders who only had an Elite League average to make it directly comparable to the Premier League averages. Many think that there should still be a smaller loading on riders coming in on old EL averages simply because it is obvious that those averages were gained in a higher quality league. However, hasn't the precedent now been set by Jonasson and Musielak coming in on their old EL average.

Very strange choice of guests for the second leg. I can't see Nicholls or E Riss scoring more than 6-8 points and could be a few less. Lawson doesn't do well at the NSS but he is a good gater and if it's wet he could get a few wins. Wells also doesn't score a lot at the NSS so I don't think he would have done any better. Peter Adams is an excellent team manager and so often gets the best out of riders so maybe he knows something and all of the guests will be outstanding. The forecast is still poor although not quite as bad. Could be heavy rain throughout the day until about 4/5pm, although it is possible that it may miss the NSS. I understand those complaining about the number of guests and r/r but in this instance the BSPA and their rules are not to blame. Injuries happen and it is just very unfortunate that Wolves have so many riders on the injured list.

31 points from the three guests was ok for Wolves. 10 points is doable but not easy. Do we know if it's the same teams tomorrow? I assume it will be. The weather forecast is still dire, let's hope it improves overnight.