MD

We've debated that to death on here and elsewhere, its bollocks but the lack of fixtures isn't going to change!

True but Nowak and Tarasenko were. There is just no knowing how it will go. After Worky next Friday we have four away matches before our next home meeting. If we are to keep the current 1-7 we need to work with them and not assume they can turn up on the day of the meeting after a 4 week break and outperform what they have shown so far. We could also help ourselves by prepping the track to suit our riders. Im not sure that has really been happening.

Repeat post

We need to decide shortly if Mario stays or goes. He was awful in ht1, gifted a point in ht6 then matched Harris for speed in ht10 running the inside line. He doesnt seem to like running high up the boards and hasnt been much of a gater so far. He might come good but also might not. Making changes doesnt always guarantee making improvements.

He is often tentative at the start line, and takes time to settle, even in ht2. Never a good sign. Now that the team is openly struggling it places more pressure on the under performers. There is no hiding place in a struggling team, we don't have half a season to carry FH this year until he wakes up.

We had 6 heat winners all afternoon and none in the last 4 heats. With the reserves cancelling each other out, our very soft middle left us toiling. We've been here before with Sunday afternoon racing, its not like we are struggling for blank Fridays, there are plenty of them coming up with a 4 week break from mid May. We were beaten by the better team today that just happened to be them. I thought it would be Plymouth this Friday, being back for their second visit. Maybe it will!

Hagon was decent value. King was the difference tonight, he hasnt ridden Ashfield that well in years. I'd suggest our KOC ends tomorrow.

Ht11 looked a very good gate from Morris off the smooth gate 1, exceptionally good. Other than that we were worked hard and beaten by the better team. An interesting season ahead.

Proper speedway, done and dusted by 9.05pm to try and avoid the advancing rain. Minimal tractor grading, lets have this every week.

Ht7 the wind blows the tapes into Flint's front wheel despite him not moving, Flint excluded! Was it Willie Dishington tonight?

Ht7 the wind blows the tapes into Flint's front wheel despite him not moving, Flint excluded! Was it Willie Dishington tonight?

Heat leaders perhaps, the rest if doing Championship only, I severely doubt it. Its a hobby they are good at, and enjoy, certainly not a living. If most teams started their season now they could be done by late June if they ran their meetings consistently week to week. If the returns on that basis were so good it would attract far more riders to the sport and from other motorcycle disciplines, increasing competition for team places and driving up the standard. It doesn't.

With only 8 home league meetings in the Championship and a scattering of others you'll be lucky if many riders break even if they aren't doing both leagues or riding abroad. Riders can't afford to be so charitable anymore.

And we wanted him back. It should be personal choice how a team structures their line up.

Assumes those riders want to ride at the tracks who missed out on them and that those tracks can financially afford those riders.