Wee Eck

Talk about entitled. Does he really think that the views of a top league second string and lower league third ranked heat leader will make the sports authorities change what has been for donkey’s years a one off event, albeit some years had qualifiers? And why leave it until four days before the event to make his grand gesture? The days of vast numbers turning out regularly for individual events are long gone so he must either be making too much money to be in need of an extra pay day or else has something else on and is trying to weasel out of this commitment in a way that masks the reality - he’s letting Leicester and Plymouth supporters down.

Perhaps Buster’s need to reduce rider costs has impacted on Artem’s performance?

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”.

There’s a bit of truth in both of these. First of all, it was Mike Golding and Matt Ford who bought Poole in the late 1990s (I think). It has been well supported over the years but that hasn’t stopped promotions going bust (ask Reg Fearman/Neil Middleditch) I have no knowledge of Mike Golding’s talent spotting but am happy to take your word, However, he stepped down as a promoter in 2007 or 2008 so the current “talent” spotting has to be down to Matt Ford. Would Poole have been as successful with any other promoters? Who knows.

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.

How do you know it’s a dump if you wouldn’t go?

Never return to Poole on holiday? Lots of people don’t return to the same holiday location

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

Ah. That explains it!

If doubling up is done away with, two things will happen - there won’t be enough riders to go round and riders will ride more in Europe to make up their wages. They’ll still be “doubling up” (or down) just not in UK. The lower league has always been a home for older riders still capable but past their best. Just think of those that have graced it like Zorro, Shane Parker, George Stancl, Freddie Schott, Havvy, Carl Stonehewer, Joe Screen for starters. And there’s loads more

I know that Nicki Pedersen shared TM duties with Henrik Moller at Wrocław because he was riding, but why isn’t he TM for this? Maybe riding for his Polish team suggesting he shouldn’t have taken on the TM role?

From what I’ve read so far, the accident didn’t occur in the spectator area, but I’m not sure what exemptions apply to photographers and camera operators who are standing in what is usually a no go area

My goodness, some people don’t half hold a grudge. Mrs Thatcher was only Prime Minister for 11 years and stepped down over 30 years ago. Was she that powerful that she’s still having an impact? Next you’ll be saying that one of her successors, Tony Blair (PM for nearly as long) did no harm.

Another belter from Lewy.

https://glasgowtigers.co.uk/new-exciting-era-for-tigers/?fbclid=IwAR3GxyzN3Zh98gYI_qPjJ7dfcbJyvJI1ghZN2frCHgVZg7_-QZodZNVO28o Makes a change for speedway to be the winner

Thank you. Next question is will be if GB’s best under 21 rider continue to be overlooked? And if so, I wonder why?

This one seems to have slipped under the radar. Do I take it there’s a GB team involved?

Duplicate thread. Please ignore/delete

Or to rewrite what you are saying, an unknown person entered a competitor’s only area and was quickly suppressed by one of the competitors before being removed by security. A spokesman said “Although it appears that the intruder was merely a rival fan intent on gloating at the visiting team, that may not have been the case and the competitor is to be commended for his swift action which could well have avoided a much more serious incident”

I think you’re right, Paul. Yours is another dumb post.

It’s probably splitting hairs but it looks like the promoting company, Glasgow Tigers Speedway Limited does not own Ashfield Stadium. I suspect you’re correct that ownership lies somewhere within the Allied group

I think that Australia should replace Fricke. He only scored 4 after all. Any country with a rider who can only score 4 should replace him straight away. Does Chris Harris have any Aussie ancestry as GB don’t seem to want him

The change in the GB set up from beer and pizzas to the current professionalism has shown it’s value. We struggled for so long as a nation to provide any impact and now we have eclipsed Sweden and may well also eclipse Australia and Denmark. Although Adam Ellis’s score was less than some wanted, (though few expected different) his heat 1 win against the current World’s second best rider set GB up for a positive night when we were never headed. I am sure he’s already analysed what went wrong and is working within the team - fellow riders, team managers, sports specialists and engine tuner to help him improve on Saturday. Flying in a substitute rider now, whoever that might be, has the potential to undermine the whole team on the grounds of “we don’t believe the group of people who have got GB to the final are the right group, so need to make a change” I don’t believe for one moment that dropping Adam and bringing in a replacement will suddenly make GB a gold medal team. Time will tell…..

Is it Stead that makes the decisions? I thought it was Ollie Allen with Simon as back up?

I think you have got lost in your own argument, with your well known anti-Middlo feeling and by using provocative language. Most teams ask their track curator to prepare - not doctor - the starts to suit the home riders. Note, the starts, not the gates. In the same way, the whole track will be prepared - not doctored - to suit the home riders. There is surely nothing wrong in that? Indeed, it would be crazy to prepare the starts and the track in a way that didn’t suit the home riders.