Wee Eck

It was my opinion, maybe badly phrased, that, although James was top scorer, it was the whole team that came through on the night. The expectation was that Newcastle would struggle at Armadale but they produced a great result. If you look at the headline numbers, it could be taken that the reason why Newcastle did so well was because of James, but actually, James simply did his job well. He didn’t beat either of Edinburgh’s top two, but managed to get amongst the points by beating riders who simply didn’t perform. Anyway, it’s looking as if the teams collective efforts on Friday will come to nothing as the Monarchs have come out with all guns blazing this afternoon….

Just my view. James Wright is a former Premier League Riders Champion and former Scottish Open Champion so, although coming back from retirement, he’s no novice. Edinburgh last night were two heat leaders, four also rans and a non-scoring reserve. Wright beat non scoring Wooler twice, Greaves once, was 1-1 with Thomson, 2-1 against Lawson, who often tails off as the meeting goes on and 2-0 against Pickering, one being when Pickering fell. So that’s really just once. James was in good form on a track he knew well, so should have been expected to do well when 4 of the Monarchs were struggling. Had they ridden to previous form, he wouldn’t have done so well, in my view, hence my conclusion that seems to have upset you. The second leg will be interesting. If these four Monarchs race according to normal form, I doubt James will do as well. But that’s only my opinion.

Not sure what went wrong for Edinburgh tonight but just as well Kyle Howarth was a poor guest for Newcastle. At 36-36 after heat 12, Edinburgh were unlikely to lose as they should power to 5-1s at home in 13 and 15, which proved the case. The score that really shows what happened is the last places: Edinburgh won that 10-5. James Wright might have been top scorer for Newcastle, but he didn’t really beat anyone that he shouldn’t have. It was the strong overall scoring by Newcastle that kept this close with a special mention due to Adam Roynon on what I’d guess was his first meeting at Armadale for a very long time. Edinburgh management will have expressed their disappointment at the performance of some of the team so the return leg is likely to be a different story. I’d expect an aggregate Edinburgh win unless Newcastle can field a competitive number one. Even then, it’s likely to be close.

Well, that’s almost as short a retirement as Josh Auty’s

Retired

Clearly, you didn’t read my reply….. and I spotted my mistake as soon as I posted but it doesn’t actually change anything. I’ve never heard of Smart DNS nor Smart DND but am happy that my life is not diminished because of that. But I guess my bank balance will be better off. For the record, I watched British speedway tonight live on Eurosport. On channel 411 on my tv. I’m not sure if that makes me a Smart anything, perhaps just a viewer.

I’m clearly not “most people” then and, by your definition, I suspect most people on here are not “most people”. I’ve heard of a VPN, but would have to look up Smart DND or Streamlocater. I assume they are all available at a cost.

I thought Fanseat was for non-UK viewers? Did the press release not say that UK meetings wouldn’t be viewable on Fanseat in UK?

To me, the cost wasn’t the issue. It was the coverage

I agree with this as I’m in the same position - subscribed last year, haven’t for this. One of the problems was that Premier Sports were taking the feed from a local TV company, Polish or Swedish, and when they went for a break or interviews, then the English commentator, Dave Goddard had to fill in as best he could. I thought he did a decent job under the circumstances but I found watching it just got tedious. Added to that, there were often replays of events, without explanation, when live meetings had been scheduled.

And yet, I do.....

I would define “pay” as meaning covering the costs rather than just contributing to them. You wouldn’t say that Monster pays for the GPs but, like Visit Wales, their sponsorship contributes to the costs.

I doubt the Welsh Government pay for the GP to be held there. They are one of the sponsors, for sure, but that’s not the same thing

I don’t know, tbh. But looking at Google Earth, I think most, but not all, of the spectators would stay dry, but, if you could fit one in, and if the FA permitted its use (neither of which seems likely to me) then the track would be completely uncovered. It surprised me that Wembley didn’t include a roof especially as it cost nearly £800m. By way of contrast, Cardif “only” cost £121m including the roof.

In my view, Cardiff succeeds for several reasons like it has a roof, it has a very large capacity, it’s in a city centre so is accessible by public transport as well as having plentiful accommodation (at an inflated price). Is there any other stadium in UK that does all of that?

That would be good! One or more a double header? BSI say 11 GPs, and Togliatti has to be nailed on, hence my 5 x 2 guess. So maybe same as 2020, Prague, Gorzow, Wroclaw, Toruń x 2 each plus Malilla, Vojens and Togliatti, starting at the end of July?

If NSS had the capacity and if PZM allowed their riders to travel and if UK granted the riders visas and allowed them in without having to quarantine, then maybe. But too many ifs for me. I think we are looking at 5 x 2 Polish GPs plus Togliatti which has strong local political backing. Toruń, Gorzow and Wroclaw seem definites, plus maybe Bydgoszcz and one other

That’s very sad. Did you at least get your lollipop for being brave?

I agree with much of what you say. He certainly was box office but as much for his whining and moaning as his on track performances, which were legendary. His achievements were substantial, twice BLRC winner, twice British Champion, World Pairs Champion and all by the time he was 25. But away tracks booed him because they bored of his histrionics. Remembering and acknowledging his performances is a given. Still referring to him as “#kingkenny” is not and I’m pleased the tweet has now been removed.

Regardless of his talents on a speedway bike, for Speedway GB’s press office to eulogise a man who murdered his wife, then orphaned his children by killing himself is, in my opinion, the height of bad taste. And what sort of “kind wishes” are they expressing?

If I could have reproduced the tweet - I couldn’t get it to copy over - perhaps you’d understand. I’ll try again

I was trying to post a tweet from the speedway press office saying “Remembering Kenny Carter on his 60th birthday” and saying “We remember him and extend our kind wishes to Kenny and Pam’s family today” I don’t get offended, but I do get disgusted. And this tweet is, in my view, disgraceful

The “boat” is defined in the speedway regulations. The 2020 regs - probably also the 2021 regs too - at 10.2.3c) say that a rider who has been or is eligible to ride in the NDL and has not represented an international body other than the ACU is eligible for a 2.5% reduction. So my reading is: Bunyan doesn’t count as he’s retired No to Wells, Campos and Schlein If BWD or Terry-Daley have ever ridden for Motorcycling New Zealand (or any governing body other than ACU) then they won’t get a discount.

I have my doubts above BV lacking home track advantage. If my research is correct (probably not!) the two play off finals were 2015 and 2016. 2015 was at Kirky Lane which definitely had home track advantage. 2016 was the first year at the NSS and BV topped the league perhaps because of home track advantage? Whatever the reason, I would still say that Peter Adams can outfox Mark Lemon. For now......

Fair enough. But flying in and out of WA? Or the QLD mines? It’s a long old haul to get to Kalgoorlie