Halifordukesfan

Easy enough to count between a race or two.

Why does every team have Owlerton track specialists, apart from Sheffield ?

I think this meeting will run as long as it's not actually raining during the meeting, yes the track will be wet and crap, they usually call it off, blaming a waterlogged track, after half an hour of rain, we've had days of incessant rain this time so it should be under 3 feet of water by now, unless the drainage has miraculously started working. If it does run tonight it will be a case of getting out of the gate and to the first bend in front, adapting to the conditions, it will be the same for both teams, the winners will be the team that wants it most.

Worst rip-off is the non refundable £2 car park fee, the management really ought to sort this, they could at least offer a free programme for the following week on production of the car park ticket

Hall for Lanham ?

Who's Dick Barrie ? and while we're on the subject of talking to the fans, why did Shaun Leigh leave it till after the announcement that the meeting was off, to introduce Ty Proctor to the fans, When will he learn to fill in the long periods of delays, by talking to the riders ? Once the meeting was postponed I was off, I'm not waiting in the car park queues to exit the stadium, even though the queues would have been shorter last night due to the abysmal crowd.

I should go on holiday more often, went in March, returned to find Hoggy gone, away last week, return to find Roynon replaced by Proctor. I cannot understand most of the forum negativity on these moves, we want success at Sheffield, the new promotion are doing their utmost to provide it, getting rid of people is never easy or popular, but that's why Sheffield was in the s--t these last 2 years. I for one am delighted to see Proctor in the team and his inclusion will probably mean I will see the season out, again unlike 2012/13.

Sheffield must be favoured at home with Richard Hall's absence.

Normal service resumed, perfect weather for track preparation, nope, leave it to the weather from now on and ban those f-----g tractors, the crowd level was excellent but many will already be lost, again, due to the shambolic track, delays and poor team performance, I look forward to the excuses in the press tomorrow, it's only the second competitive home meeting and I've already come away thinking why do I bother parting with my hard earned cash.

Didn't even get a programme, they had run out. Excellent meeting considering the conditions, hats off to riders and promotion for persevering. Some encouraging signs from the riders, all impressed, Josh was unlucky in his 1st two, also the tactics used in heat 11 to avoid going 10 points up, thus allowing Newcastle to use black/white in heat 12, which they were already assuming, as Robson came out with it already on, but told to remove it, a master stroke by Screen I assume, good to have a team manager at last.

Agree entirely, why penalise a rider who's done his gardening effectively.

Hopefully Sheffields parade presentation will improve now we've got some new blood running the club, simply having the riders walk from the pits to the start line, thereby missing the biggest proportion of the crowd, and worst of all, can't wait to get their helmets on, often even before their name has been announced, it doesn't happen at other tracks so why should it at Sheffield, the riders have to be seen and have to interact with the paying public.

Can't even understand why they need security at Owlerton, other than to tell people (usually first-timers or visiting team supporters) they can't stand in the yellow box area, what a welcome, just put some signs up and save the money paid to security.

Air fence should eradicate a lot of the 'fence repair/thank-you for your patience' delays we've become accustomed to these last few years.

'Racecard included' in normal weekly admission has now been removed from admission and ticket details page, on sheffield website,so there's our official confirmation (& apology) Good, but they need to be SOLD, unlike the weak efforts that were made in the past,take the modern retail approach, offer them at turnstyle with admission.eg, go to Morrisons checkouts & you are asked if you want to buy savings stamps, go to Wilkinsons, you are asked if you want stamps or phone top-ups, etc,etc. They could even have the selection of prizes on show behind the turnstyles, nothing like the goods on show to tempt you, eh.

Excellent idea including a raffle number, the raffle was something that just quietly disappeared last season, so surely it has to be an added incentive to buy a programme.

Compton & a new face ?

Compton + Albin would potentially waste 1.23 points available to us Compton + Koppe would potentially waste 1.85 points available to us. Only Newcastle have come close to these figures, having 1.37 unused. All depends on whether Albin or Koppe could improve to make up the shortfall, personally, I'd prefer another fresh face in the team.

I disagree on Compton, he will be much better than his average at home and on or a little above away. He came in late last season, un-prepared, probably unfit and under financed, to plug a gaping hole in a sinking ship.Compton over Albin anyday, even though he was one of the brighter elements of last season, if not on points, certainly on effort & never give up attitude.

This is fun !

Loram would make my day

Don't fancy elite opposition for the opener, as hinted at in todays Star, we need to start the season on a positive note, with a genuine win.

If we don't get another big hitter and then either Stead gets injured again or Roynon doesn't reach or consistantly maintain his average, we'll be in the 2012/13 doodah again.

Assuming Koppe finished last season on 3.00, total for these 3 is 10.98, leaving 14.38 for the remaining two places.

How many riders left fighting for the remaining 8 places in the premier league ?