mikebv

There are lots of things that mean you can't take UK League Speedway seriously... And only allowing you to keep your initial team would definitely be another one of them if that was the rule.. Especially in UK Speedway where any adhoc "one night only" team can be put together which is far and away different from the septet registered at the start of the year. A septet who could all return the night later after the wholesale changes the night before.. The very essence of sport is to improve yourself so being allowed to change your team as and when you need to is fundamental to that... All sports change personnel during the year, even the successful teams, to ensure they keep competitive.. Unfortunately, as usual, Speedway has made the transfer window rule less than clear which then leads to confusion and conspiracy theories.. Does the League Cup count? (It is a League then a Cup).. Is it 25% to 75% of all meetings? Or is it 25% to 75% of an individual clubs' meetings? Depending on your schedule/rain offs that could be significant.. Overall though it is a good idea, as clubs who struggle are bad for the overall business and brand, so the more competitive every team is, then the better the product is to sell..

I get that.. But they way you ride it lends itself to be described a "trick track"... ie back the arse end sideways (almost backwards), in to scrub off speed and to keep the bike virtually on the kerb to get the advantage of being "shot" out of the turn.. Other tracks dont lock up as much and keep speed around the bends which adds to the spectacle.. If Monmore could use all the width of their bends then the racing would be immeasurably better. Wouldnt take too much to sort I would think, however "home track advantage" will always be the mantra.. And will override "entertainment"... Seen some excellent Speedway at Monmore over the years when more than one line was available..

If they prepared the track to not allow the inside to provide you with the most grip you would still have decent racing... When you get to Ht 15 and riding the white line still pretty much guarantees you victory then you are going to struggle to have entertaining races...

The difference is though that other countries dont need a plethora of regs and sub regs around uniquely quirks of the UK, eg guesting.. Who can guest? When can they guest? Do they get a five percent allowance? Etc.. Most other countries run their Speedway like other "proper sports" run theirs...

Or no diesel in the jenny?

Translated it earlier.. They asked him "Who are going to finish bottom of the league in the UK?"...

To be fair... He does ride more than anyone as well....

Can't believe Ipswich have been allowed to do this... Nowhere near 25% of matches completed... No point having rules... (Or indeed, regulations)... Is there? Might as well as give them the title now.... I blame Poole...

Not much of a secret is it? However.. That it exists means the racing will never be much cop.... Towards the end of the meeting, riders in front should have to ride mid track to keep up momentum, meaning the riders behind have options to pass... Instead it is "get in front and ride the white line", keeping as close to it as you can, even in Ht 15... Safe in the knowledge that the rider turning himself in and out behind you to try and find drive on the outside, will actually lose ground to you, and even risk losing that place as he is vulnerable to a pass underneath.. Therefore the rider behind might as well just "follow the leader" on the white line and hope that when the leader locks up to scrub most of his speed off, as you do at Monmore, that he hits some extra drive and goes towards the fence, giving the lad behind a free pass... Hopefully Eurosport will give it a swerve now for a few months...

In the 'days of yore'... When the inside went slick at Wolves the outside (mid track to fence) used to become fairly deep which allowed those riders with the most ability to hit the bends hard and use the dirt to propel themselves around opponents taking the easier, smoother ride around the inside.. Now the inside stays the line to ride for virtually all of the meeting, even though it looks slick, whilst riding the outside just loses you yards if you go out there.. Used to be quite a decent track even if somewhat "different" to the bigger, faster more rounded circuits, which seem to be more suited to the modern machinery, and riding styles of todays riders.. Still, Wolves won so their fans will be happy... 3/10 for overall entertainment though I would say...

When you can ride the white line in the latter races of a meeting and get miles more grip than those who go wide, the racing is never going to be much good...

Bet Sam has a "Castrol GTX" jacket...

I have twice so far nearly switched over to watch United.. It really is THAT bad...

Might just be a 24 hour bug...

You watching the snooker?

God. This racetrack is crap.... Back it in... Bring the arse end round... Virtually stop... Get wheels in line.... Ride down the straight... Back it in... Etc etc etc Rinse and repeat... Edit: Apologies. Just remembered. You have to ride these kind of tracks to become a World Champion...

Maybe they are doubling up as a parenting skills documentary too...

Maybe bring Dave Goddard in from Premier? Or Dave Rowe who is much better when he doesnt have to face the camera..

You would think that when a competitor withdraws that someone would at least get some detail to inform the viewing public with wouldnt you?

Just discussed the same with my lad . Nigel will be sadly missed.....

Anyone down the "straightaway" tonight?

Is there any bike noise? Its like watching the Premier coverage of Sweden and Poland... A world away from watching the actual Swedish and Polish coverage.. Like listening to E-Speedway...

Indeed.. I suppose you cant say "for those watching Speedway for the first time it isnt usually this boring, and there are a fair few tracks that deliver much better racing".. Not many would pick Wolves to do an "advert" for the sport would they?

Is there any crowd noise coming over on the broadcast? Or, is there simply no crowd noise?

When it is a bit damp it is usually better as the inside slickens quickly... Here's hoping.