Arch Stanton

Yep, although Andersen for Starke less so. Starke was the match winner here last year with paid 16. Doesn’t really matter either way I’d have put him in for Starke personally instead of drafting in a guest. Why not give him the rides?

R/R for Heeps, and Kasper Andersen guests for Starke.

Surely it’s 25% of the fixtures of the team that wants to make the change? Wouldn’t make a jot of sense otherwise.

The race in question.

Yeah, that’s the change, Zagar for Allen. Phil was hinting there was more than one change, that isn’t possible under the current rules.

Wouldn’t read too much in to comments made by riders when they don’t get rides at other clubs. When I spoke to him at the end of last year he seemed very happy and was hoping to return. If we’d have stuck a contract under his nose early doors who knows? Wasn’t all about him anyway was it. Wasn’t a case of Cook and being bang on the points limit, or no Cook and being 2.10 under. Back to this meeting, what a wasted opportunity. Such a healthy crowd, the biggest non bank holiday crowd I can remember for many a year. Such a shame we couldn’t put on a performance to entice the majority back. Let’s hope the limp performance and poor track conditions haven’t done too much damage.

That’s the only change you’re allowed to make Phil. Unless they’ve already scrapped the new 25% league fixtures rule..

Belle Vue have been looking for a heatleader all winter and have more than likely missed a number of targets because they were hoping and waiting for Bewley to become available which backfired. We already had Cook so IF we wanted him, I’d have thought we would have been favourites as he was already here. Was he even asked? Perhaps he didn’t fit with Hawkins’ “riders I want to work with” policy for this year. Timo Lahti? Last average was 6.47 for Poole in 2017. I’m not saying it’s simple putting a team together in fact it must be a nightmare. Hundreds of phone calls are probably made, half of the riders probably won’t even bother picking up the phone, the majority of others would no doubt be asking for ridiculous sums of money so you’re probably left with a pretty small pool of riders to choose from. But that’s the same for every other club too and as has been said, we’ve the added advantage over most clubs by having a very good financial backer. All the riders that have signed for others were all available before they signed contracts with those clubs, maybe plan and move a little quicker? Whichever way you slice it, there is no justifiable excuse for building a team over 2 points under the team building limit and that’s a hill I’m prepared to die on.

Such a shame for Lynn that Iversen isn’t going to hang around (as yet anyway). With him there, Lynn look a very good side. Strong top end with Iversen, Lawson and Pickering all potential double figure scorers, and a powerhouse reserve. That adds up to a very dangerous side. The fly in the ointment is obviously the Iversen/Kildermand situation.

The “5 pointer” was hypothetical and a loose example. I think you know what I was getting at. The basic point remains, they should be allowed to make more than one change if they can’t find an adequate replacement, and they feel a couple of changes would get the overall team strength closer to the strength they originally declared. I accept it’s more tricky for Lynn than others because of the way they’ve built their side with a strong reserve already at the bottom end of the team.

What the hell is hypocritical about not particularly liking his style of commentary whilst he was alive, and also being shocked, saddened and sending genuine condolences about the poor man’s death? So if at any time in the past, you’ve commented on here that you’re not a fan of his commentary, you shouldn’t then come on here and send your condolences for the man’s sudden passing because it’s “hypocritical”, or as Diamondboy was implying, some are shedding crocodile tears because obviously they don’t care the man is dead because they’ve been on here criticising his style of commentating in the past? What a pathetic and pretty crass point of view.

Not sure there’s many (if any) reliable heatleaders around. Belle Vue have struggled all winter to find one. This is where this new rule of not being able to make changes until 25% of league fixtures have been completed doesn’t work. If Lynn can only find a 5 pointer, are they supposed to struggle for a quarter of the season before they can make more changes? If PK doesn’t come, then Lynn might need to make a couple of changes to remain competitive.

Stop being a complete pr!ck ffs

Agree.

Crikey what a terrible shock. So very sad the man loved his Speedway and sport in general. RIP

I don’t think that’s the case personally. I genuinely believe Louis wants to win as much as any of us fans. Born and bred in Ipswich and despite being told many times to move to a different club to further his career during his riding years, couldn’t bring himself to ride for anyone else. I think he tries his best, but unfortunately just hasn’t found the winning formula and has at times made some baffling decisions from the outside. No major trophy on his watch since taking over from Tiger despite being well backed financially, is something he has to take on the chin.

Nothing from anyone official, but the rumour is sadly gathering pace

As BCD pointed out the other day, new rule means we’re stuck with the current septet for the foreseeable so just got to hope they get in to the groove pretty quickly. Heeps has concerned me already. I’ve been a fan because of the entertainment he brings at Foxhall over the years but that wasn’t the usual Heeps we saw at the beginning of last year before he was axed, and last night looked like nothing had changed over the winter. Very slow. He’s not known for his gating abilities but has actually made some good starts both last night and at Peterborough, but has very quickly been reeled in and passed. Looks a complete busted flush unfortunately.

Said it many times since the team was announced, it had to be one or the other, not both. Especially with over 2 points left to play with. It was a baffling decision that hasn’t been explained. Louis also needs to stop listening to Hawkins and put together a team that HE wants, not what the manager “wants to work with”. If you’re gonna start listening to Hawkins then we’ll always have problems as let’s be brutally honest, he isn’t the sharpest tool in the box is he?

And they’d be right. Track was dreadful. I’ve more of an issue with some of our brain dead riders though, King in particular. He’d already had a couple of rides and he must have known because everyone there knew, the outside wasn’t working. Every time he was out there he went backwards and got passed by the Peterborough boys up the inside. So what does he do in his next ride? And the one after that? Yep, get his nose in front and instead of then sticking to the white line, he stays by the fence and gets passed again and again. Like I said, brain dead. Fair play to Peterborough though, they were superb again.

I’ve tried every area of Foxhall over many years, and have always gone back to standing where the old garden bar used to be. Fantastic view as riders enter first bend.

Changed my mind. Witches by 12.

Well that’s made me look a prat! I even looked on the speedworth website as well to check the fixtures before I posted. Specsavers for me!

Was going to say myself that I’m not sure how big a crowd they’d get in once they saw how many guests and R/R being on show. Separating race days/nights between the 2 leagues is a necessary evil at the moment unfortunately with the amount of riders riding in both leagues. Mind you, not sure why this fixture couldn’t have been moved to Monday afternoon? Doesn’t seem to be a stocks meeting coming up

Miss the good Friday afternoon meetings tbh. Witches by 10 here.