Dickie Head

Entertaining meeting. Vicentin looked competitive and I would compare to Groubar standard. Cook also tried hard and looks to have potential if given time to settle in somewhere. After getting sorted out Barker proved he can still deliver so don’t think he will be clubless for long. Given the threat of rain, Chris Durno pushed the meeting along. Helped to make it a slick, well presented evening (I was told that the Isle of Wight presenter Rob............filled in for the usual guy) in front of for a crowd of about 350.

Stoke’s press release ahead of tomorrow’s match implies Henry Atkins is soon to join the Gladiators. Can anyone throw any light on this?

Afraid the plucky Islanders are going to get well and truly plucked. Easy home win. Think Jordan misses this one for exams.

So if I told you Adam Ellis was guesting for Klindt you’d laugh............oh hold on. And Paul Starke for NBJ. Cover for Kurtz, decision pending.

What’s happened to Chris Widman. That’s another poor home meeting. Not matching a 3 point average. He’s been slipping over the last couple of seasons. For the good of the team they need to be brave enough to show him the door even though he’s the promoters son.

So we take 2 on this anniversary challenge and if I read the fixtures correctly Groubauer will be on the continent so presumably a guest will be used. Josh Bates is in pretty good nick and might be worth a punt. Being a Wednesday Busk Jakobsen will be needed in Denmark, but no fixture clash for Klindt. Assuming Covatti will be a Rebel then Poole will need two reserves. Paul Starke looks an obvious choice for one place and maybe try Kemp or Thomas in the other. Won’t be much in it for sure.

Every Good Friday morning meeting at Poole has suffered serious dust problems. I know that a Good Friday meeting is one of the best income generators and Matt Ford fought tooth and nail to run off the fixed race night this season, but why start at 11.30 when identical line ups could have been on track at 7.30 thus allow normal prep. time? In fact racing didn’t start until 11.57 because of additional watering compounded by the late arrival of the paramedic. Apart from an inaudible sound system, the rest has been fully reported above and the whole event was put into perspective / shame by Somerset who staged a very competitive Under 21 Semi Final that night without a hitch.

Travelling by road from Poole to Redcar on a bank holiday afternoon for an evening meeting just doesn’t bear thinking about. I see Zach and James have to go to Eastbourne for a 3.00 start so Sarjeant and Berge will guest for the Robins.

As stated, he’s at Redcar. Klindt, Covatti and Busk-Jakobsen can take the RR rides.

Two Swindon wins for me, especially with Poole missing Worrall on Good Friday (seems Leicester have priority).

Poor old Sam Bebee. Injured during practise yesterday and kept in hospital overnight with vertebrae and lung problems. Looks like Mildy will need a temporary replacement but who?

Did young Harry McGurk have a nasty fall in the Ben Fund meeting at the weekend? Anyone know? Hope he’s ok and will be able to start the season.

I’ve just seen on Facebook and now in the Speedway Star about Stewart Kellie stepping down as co-promoter as he can’t commit to Friday nights. He’s only been there for a season or so and I thought I had read he was doing a good job generating new blood. Anyway good luck to the bloke and it opens the door for Matt Bates to pick up the roll. And in other Devon news, Speedway Star are also reporting a fall out between Alan Spencer and Robert Doran about the MSDL team which will see the Exeter name dropped in favour of Plymouth Cobras. Lots going on way out west.

Planning information: https://pa.midkent.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=PJJ0SNTYFN400

Thank you.

Sorry. I’m interested in Saturday 27th.

Could anyone advise the meetings scheduled for this date please.

How true is it that the BSPA committee are currently refusing to ratify our proposed line up? Honest question arising from pit comments at Undera yesterday. Perhaps Neil Watson could comment please.

My understanding is that the idea of a live draw was put forward at the NL AGM by Barry Bishop following the success of similar live draws for his club events. Unfortunately the actual draw came across as rather hap-hazard, however a step forward with plenty of learnings for next time.

Not an option if your still planning on Saturday’s as it would clash with his rides for Eastbourne.

Is it true the council have blocked the switch to Saturday night?

Will Brennan, Wood and Bowtell also race in the NL?

That looks good and would please the Warrior faithful.

So far the Warriors have got everything right with the exception of the team but now have an opportunity to get that sorted as well. Like others, I think Verge, Bursill and Wirzfeld are certs. Regrettably Campos, Widman and Tedham are stale and should be set aside. Which opens the door to a link with Eastbourne who could use the Island as an academy for their promising youngsters. If Taylor Hampshire could also be accommodated then that would be an entertaining and potentially successful side.

So if the NL points limit is set at say 34, I can’t see The Brummies retaining enough supporter interest so maybe a step up to the Championship is the right move.