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Photos don't tell the whole story. I've been going physically on a daily basis, keeping an eye on developments, for the last 3 weeks. The mound of earth your talking about is literally all that is left. It's a days work, that will be gone by tomorrow. After that it's speedway related, nothing to do with the build. So the air fence will need installing, and there is a top surface of shale to be laid. The track apart from that is down. They will tyre pack for the next week, and there is no rain forecast for about 10 days. It's always Poole fans. It genuinely is. I've tried sitting on the fence in my mind with it, to be reasonable, but the reality is that it's essentially those from the south coast with all the negativity. My apologies for calling it out, but I think it's jealousy. I really do.

With a full maximum as well. I have a good feeling about Craig this year. Stepping out of the PL has given him the motivation to prove himself. He finished last season like a train, all he needs is to carry that on. I think is the year he will finally see his full potential.

The weather has seen to that I'm afraid. It's been the wettest winter for years. They've had to prioritise other parts of the build whilst it's been like it has. The track would have been the priority I'm sure, but it simply hasn't been possible. I think it's been an achievement getting it done at all with what they've had to face. The saving grace will be the shape of the track. It's an incredible shape. Great banking all the way round, it really is perfect for speedway. As long as it doesn't cut up, it will lend itself to top quality racing. The amount of thought has been brilliant. Even if the surface isn't perfect, I still think we will see good racing even whilst it beds down

They want it to bed down properly. I can see the logic. At first I thought it would have been a decent idea to have a few bikes round to weed out any problems but that could actually be counter productive. The tech in building tracks is different now. I just hope that the knowledge is there to make it right

There will be no practice. It's a slight concern for me I have to be honest. I'd say 75% of the track has been laid for a good 2-3 weeks. However bends 3 and 4 were the site entrance and that was still being laid this afternoon. From what I could see, the entire track shoukd be laid and finished tomorrow. However there are still bits of minor construction left, like installing the fence on bends 3-4, so if I'm being honest I can't see any bikes on there for a good few days. I'd say Tuesday at the very earliest. Even if it's only 2 days I'd have the lads down breaking it in.

Woffinden Harris Nicholls Cook That is a no brainer. England's 4 best rider, 2 of which will have home track knowledge by the time it comes around. Like Scott said, this will be our best chance for many a year

Read it also. Whilst I aknowledge that it may be slightly biased to support his opinion, I have to say that Lakeside haven't come out of this very nicely. Combined, if true, with what Tatum said then it sounds as though Lakeside have dumped him for not a lot of reason. I have a feeling they have gone into this squad thing very much like a bull in a china shop and simply had themselves too many riders.

Capacity is 5000 without temp stands I think. Supply and demand I suppose. I think they could have erected the stand and probably sold it.

Covers will be on up until 6 give or take I think. There isn't reason to take them off any sooner. At the old place we had no access until 5:30. It's more than enough time. Any chance of a rain off has to be minimised with these covers

Yep the amount of meetings lost at home last year due to rain in the day was a fair few. Loads the year before. Only one meeting last season, if I recall, was lost to rain occurring during the meeting/just before. The drainage and track covers will make a massive difference. Remember also that the track itself will be able to stand a lot more water than the old place could. That was down to the bricks and a short shower was enough. The new will probably take a few more heats

Poole will enjoy this new track. Of that I have no doubt. A lot of your team are big track riders. That will be BVs biggest challenge. It will take time to settle in either way but we have a team built to ride smaller tracks. Zagar and Nicholls will adapt faster but I think the rest are going to take a while. We will need to up our game on the road this year to compensate and given the strength of the league I don't think that will be an issue

Absolutely and that has to be answered. I don't think preparation has changed a great deal but the bikes certainly have. It literally has to be perfect of terms of prep and I don't think you can hold tracks entirely responsible. However, holes/ruts and tracks being down to the concrete base can't be excused. That is simply poor preparation/not caring

Tbf the Poole track has been poor for a while. It's become common knowledge after the misconception that it was one of the best in the country. Equally, the old BV track was just as bad. Both tracks had the blue line and several holes. That's not stirring the pot, it's just a common fact.

I have to say, as a BV fan, my enthusiasm has been rekindled. You'll probably notice I barely post on here these days, but I've been on here a fair bit over the last few days. I've always been very much involved in speedway but this year, with a new national Stadium, and big meetings coming back to these shores, has certainly wet my appetite. I've around 50 odd meetings pencilled in this year. Can't wait for tapes up now and the beautiful smell of methanol

In terms of drainage, remember the entire track is banked. Even the straights. The corners are at the maximum bank I think. The latest drainage system and covers also in place. All things combined, the only scenario that would force a rain off is it raining during the actual meeting.

I see this has become another Starman/Poole thread. Belle Vue need only keep their counsel like they have for 9 years, and it will pay off eventually. In fact it's already starting

That's just incredibly rude and sums you up perfectly.

There are periods over time where clubs are successful and then periods where it falls away. When I hear people talk about BV being 'speedway', basically the name everyone knows, the club that non speedway fans can relate to, I always think of Liverpool FC. I'm not taking anything away from a clubs history, but quite honestly it doesn't matter in the present, in the here and now. The reality is that BVs success was a long time ago now, we have been poorly promoted and poorly operated in the years since. It's ironic, that, in a time where speedway is probably at its lowest point, the club the led the sport during its prominence is going to be the one that rescues it. It is indeed the awakening of a sleeping giant. I've just got back from a visit to the stadium and it absolutely blows me away. Every time I've been. What has been achieved is a huge testament to the club and the people that operate it. We are now the professional example that some others should be looking at. If the training schools etc kick off, this stadium could be what saves British Speedway.

Still is ;-)

Stadium now been awarded the British final. Not a great surprise. I guess this will be Craig's best ever chance, he'll have a heads up on the track. Wolves has been a great venue with some super racing, but it's a small track and hasn't helped the younger Brits develop. I think moving to a big fast track will have a big impact, and may open the field up as well Just wish it was a Saturday. Instead it's monday to suit sky and missing out on a big crowd

Poole Belle Vue Coventry Swindon Kings Lynn Lakeside Wolverhampton Leicester Have to disagree with lion king. BV will have more than enough. Even with a lack of home advantage early on, the league is so poor this year, I'd fully expect us to be taking decent points on the road.

Friday traffic is generally less than any other working day of the week. Remember most people finish at lunch time, and whilst you used other roads as an example, if I could just point out the part about the M25. Lakeside are the only EL team within this vicinity and they've ran Friday's without an issue for a number of years. Indeed, they tested the water on a Wednesday and the crowds dropped massively. The biggest issue with Friday is Poland may now want to use it. In respect of Sunday, this has long been Polands day. If it became regular on these shores for whatever reason, then it would take off once the idea had settled. Of course there are many permutations to any chosen day, finding common ground isn't going to be easy.

I wouldn't apply for something that wasn't viable. So for those PL teams that haven't, I'd argue it's not currently something that would work for their particular circumstances. However that argument isn't relevant, or won't be, if the EL gets its act together in respect of race night, no doubling up clashes etc etc. I could go on. If the product and stepping up becomes viable then you'd do it. The landscape next season will be completely different if what needs to be done, is done.

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised what continuity will bring. A fixed race night with the EL being elite once more, by that I mean the best riders in the world, then the crowds will come. Absolutely they will come. Why wouldn't they? Why wouldn't any speedway fan turn up on a fixed night to watch the sport they love with the best riders? We undersell ourselves. The product is good, but the way it's organised and promoted is horrific and that is what has stopped people from showing up.

If Friday is viable in Poland then why wouldn't it have been viable in the UK? The issue now is that Poland are testing the water with this and if satisfied then it will rule it out for the UK next season Personally I don't like the conflict of 2 days it should be one if we can achieve it. Monday is ideal in terms of planning for the riders and will attract pretty much all of them back. If certain clubs can't do it then they should drop down, those who want to step up can do if they fancy a crack at the EL. I actually think we would get away with 7 teams so it gives a little scope But the absolute priority has to be a common goal between every club and that is where it always falls flat on its arse. Too many promoters are self obsessed and cannot grasp the idea of a future and what that looks like