Bryn

I don't think it's Jon Cook who talks out of his back passage, more likely to be a very bitter and twisted ex-member of the trackstaff at Purfleet whose services were dispensed with.

How can it be the BSPA's fault when the Polish authorities have withdrawn their permission for the rider in question to race in GB? Quite simply he cannot ride in this country without that permission.

Well I thoroughly enjoyed it, Klindt's gating prowess last night can only be admired, and that's the third last heat decider I've witnessed in my last four meetings the other two being on the "Sunshine Isle of Wight." Pity "Popsy," who prances about on the centre green whilst I do the easy job of announcing heat results etc from the box on the sunshine isle, was sunning himself in Ibiza and, no doubt has been downing the odd Sangria or three, wasn't there as he missed a good 'un! AN interesting stat perhaps was that Klindt was the only rider to win a race from gate 4 which he did in heat 12. Only slight niggle was a rather rotund fella sitting in the stand nearest the turnstiles yelling gutter language profusely because AJ and Eddie K had the temerity to find their respective ways through from behind to record a Hammers 5-1 in heat 10. But that shouldn't detract from what was a good night filled with some excellent action that was completed by Scunthorpe grabbing a sixth heat 5-1 to cement a 21-15 MDL victory over Long Eaton.

I believe you'll find that Wozniak has been recalled by his Polish club and his UK start permission rescinded, hence the granting of the r/r facility. Given that why blame the BSPA who surely have done the correct thing?

5pm RACEDAY WEATHER & TRAFFIC CHECK: Fine, bright,sunny & warm here at the stadium although best bring a jacket in case it gets nippy later.Traffic was flowing freely when we came through the Dartford Tunnel and seemed to be doing the same overthe bridge so see you later!

It would appear that the Belle Vue Colts intend to make team changes this morning as up to now, coming up to 8.30am Monday, they've been unable to provide their team for Thursday's match so Ferry crossings can be organised and the matchday programme completed. New averages also due out today?

Perhaps now those who do nothing but whine about Lakeside's track shape will firstly listen to someone who, like myself and others, travel to a great many tracks over the course of a season and secondly, agree with what many speedway top riders say which basically is "tracks of whatever shape and size have to be mastered if I'm going to reach the top," and secondly, if physically and financially able, tear themselves away from their computers, tablets (the Apple sort not drugs!), and visit different tracks for themselves! Congratulations to track curator Gerald Richter for once again preparing a racing circuit with shale/grip aplenty both inside and out that produced a heck of a lot of passing, albeit mainly from a rampant Vortex Hammers side.

Shortly going to shut the office and going to watch 6 junior races and main match. No rain here - road to pits bone dry as I look out of the window at 18.55

4.50pm Saturday Weather Check Am at Lakeside circuit where it's dry with a high light cloud cover. EL clash scheduled to start at 7.30pm. Six addtional junior races planned which I guess will start circa 6.30pm but no official confirmation of that as yet.

Firstly predictions anyone? Also and Hammers fans based in Kent / Sussex going to Brandon Friday via Dartford crossing with a spare seat in their vehicle I could nab? Full petrol contribution in return! Please PM me. Bryn

The Wightlink Warriors have only had three league matches so far JH, last night's, an emphatic home win over Stoke and defeat at Eastbourne on Saturday where in the space of the first five heats they lost the services of two of their seven riders through injury. That forced them to field just one rider in three races but were still just five points adrift with three heats to go. Given that, on what evidence do you base the first sentence of your quoted posting?

Certainly I would imagine that it was a much better fixture to open with for any genuine speedway fan rather than some old Banger meeting JH!

2.30pm here where I am in a Dartford postcode (DA8) and has been fine, bright, sunny and warm all day up to now and Mat Office tell us it's going to stay that way so no weather problems for tonight's match it seems. Do as I'm about to do (if you live within travelling distance of the stadium that is), set the record button on Sky and head over to enjoy the meeting live and chat between heats to like minded (even if they don't support your team!) Speedway fans! BRYN PS: Pity AS can't be there but you'll be back soon mate!)

Shads, go to the Wightlink Warriors website at: http://www.wightwarriors.co/ where, under the travel section updated details on travel arrangements put in place by the new duo in charge including a discount available if taking the car ferry over and a taxi service to and from the stadium if travelling to Ryde Pier on the catamaran foot passenger service.

You are totally wrong "iris123" I have NOT left this thread, in fact I'm reading what posts I haven't read before, after getting back here to Kent from King's Lynn where myself and three others left at 8.30am to act in various voluntary capacities to help run a Southern Track Riders Amateur meeting that comprised of 54 heats. I was asked in an earlier post on this thread if I planned to record replies and, perhaps take the matter further e.g. maybe conduct a survey to which I responded no as I literally don't have the time - you perhaps could?

No I'm not macca56 as I honestly haven't got the time to do so given my current commitments within the sport and various things I've got to pursue further and sort out that have nothing to do with the sport. Nothing though to stop yourself or anyone else doing such a thing and I'm sure all the current club promoters I know and the huge majority of those I've known in the past would / did welcome well thought constructive ideas for the future but for example, saying something like "get rid of such and such rider because he's useless" without suggesting a replacement who fits the bill, i.e.wants to ride here, is available to do so on a regular basis without other commitments be they on or off the track affecting that on many occasions, has the necessary equipment to do so etc etc is no good is it? I'll still look at what is posted on this thread of course but right now have to hit the sack right now as am being picked up early to go to today's STR Amateur meeting at King's Lynn starting at noon - see some of you there?

I've written something similar posing this sort of question elsewhere on a particular thread relating to one match but felt it ought to be asked on a general basis Judging by some people's comments on this forum and indeed on other speedway forums, I can't help but wonder just what people want/expect from a speedway match? Yes we all want to see our club win, that's only natural, but do some fans really prefer 74-16 or so home wins and circa 60-30 away ones as opposed to let's say meetings that ultimately go to last heat deciders and/or produce great racing with plenty of passing, or see their team make a comeback from being behind in a match after being behind in the early heats and seemingly heading for defeat? I'd really like to hear any comments.

I was not at last night's meeting so am in no position to pass comment on the racing that took place only to congratulate Coventry on them achieving what many others on this thread who, like myself weren't there, were convinced was the impossible task over overcoming a twelve point deficit, aided by an 8-1 tactical ride heat, to win by one in a last heat decider. Surely by doing so it would have generated much excitement for the folk who were at the meeting and hugely contrasting emotions for those in both camps - joy for Coventry, huge disappointment for Poole? I was at the Lakeside versus Poole match though earlier this month that was by far the best I've personally witnessed so far this season with the lead changing hands three times, a heck of a lot of passing manoeuvres some of which were breathtaking and drew many comments on this forum and elsewhere including from a neutral speedway fan who was there, Halifax Tiger, that included these words, "From a neutrals point of view, it was better than that . Cracking meeting with some brilliant racing, excellent presentation, no interval on a freezing night and all done in less than 90 minutes. Take a bow, Lakeside Speedway." Is it a coincidence that Poole have been the home club's opponents in both matches? Judging by some people's comments on this and other threads and indeed on other speedway forums, I can't help but wonder just what people want/expect from a speedway match? Yes we all want to see our club win, that's only natural but do some fans prefer 74-16 or so home wins and circa 60-30 away ones as opposed to last heat deciders? I'd really like to hear any comments.

Meeting has been POSTPONED - go to: http://www.lakesidehammers.com/

According to the appropriate Met Office website at http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/uk_forecast_weather.html the hour-by-hour forecast for Ryde basically says they forecast that NO rain will fall on Ryde today so, see you there?

As at 7.15pm today (Wednesday) looking at the Met Office hour-by-hour website section for Ryde tomorrow, their forecast is for NO rain all day/evening so all bodes well at this stage for the National Trophy match against Kent. Admission prices etc., including pre-meeting pit access period are available via the IOW club's official website. See you there?

No surprise it was called off as saw photo of track this morning on the internet and obvious that rain yesterday/overnight/first thing this morning had brought about meeting being postponed

Best link - go to: http://www.speedwaygb.co/homepage Then use drop down menus for Elite, Premier, National Leagues etc clicking on individual clubs.

Until (and it WILL take time) the excellent Youth Development agenda, on which Neil Vatcher is working so hard on and good luck to him and the Young 'uns at Glasgow today, starts to produce more young British riders which it will, we have to face reality and accept there's a shortage in numbers. However IF a three main league systems remains in years ahead how about this (with maybe some minor tweaks along the way) as something of a 'conveyor belt' in producing more British riders? "Have-a-go-yourself days' to depending on age YD, then to practice days and organised training schools then when good enough, MDL /NJL (not viable in south as Anglian Junior League demonstrated). When good enough NL, then to doubling up PL and NL, then PL reserve(s) and once good enough full time PL, then doubling ELFTR and PL 1to 5 and from there.... full time EL and eventually (you never know!) THE world! Sounds complicated I know but hope that makes sense of sorts and also hope you can see what I'm trying to get across! As far as I can see British riders of Adam's ability ideally should be doubling up with PL and EL berths in place but it's not an ideal world at the moment is it? Eastbourne have two British riders likely to sidelined for mid to long terms and there are others in the NL e.g. Brendan Johnson at the IOW and have to be replaced.

It's ON! Yes coming up to 1pm on Thursday (April 7) and the good news is that competitive speedway WILL return for the to Smallbrook stadium, Ashey Road, Ryde at 7pm tonight for the first time since the end of the 2013 season. Indeed the eight Wightlink Warriors will make their debuts tonight tonight in the Vince Mapley Memorial meeting, full details of which including raceday travel details and specially negotiated discounts can be found via the club's website at: http://www.wightwarriors.co/ where you can find admission prices for tonight and a brief programme of events including a specified 30min period you'll be allowed into the pits to look at the bikes and have your picture taking with all YOUR Wightlink Warriors. And there's much more detail to be obtained by clicking the menu logo in the top left corner. It's fitting that tonight's reopening meeting on the sunshine Isle should carry Vince's name and be dedicated to the memory of a remarkable man who always had a smile on his face who is missed by us all and although he won't be with us, he'll be smiling! Come on down and enjoy!