Roger Jacobs

BSN might not cover the restaging - they can only confirm that they'll cover another league meeting at Oxford.

The sort of humour that people with a football mentality, such a Shano101, clearly can't comprehend.

Not a lot of genuine racing, with the grippy inside line providing the quickest option - as proven by random heat winners and last places. Gate 4 was the veritable graveyard, with Nicholls (Heat 3), Howarth (8), C.Holder (10), Woffinden (13), and Ellis (14) the only riders to defeat an opponent - Ellis the only one to beat both opposition riders. Sayfutdinov and Jenkins were ahead of Gilkes when Woffinden fell in Heat 4, and then Gilkes rode four solid laps to defeat Sayfutdinov in the rerun. 12+2 points in total for Gate 4, and no heat wins. 34+2 for Gate 1, including 9 heat wins. Some good riding to manoeuvre for position on the first lap, and good defensive riding - although anyone behind had to work really hard to stay on the rider ahead and mount any sort of challenge. Pickering's round the outside effort for most of Heat 14 was entertaining - I've seen videos of him doing that at Armadale with much more success. Sayfutdinov forcing his way under Howarth off bend 2, lap 3 was the only pass beyond the first lap that I recorded - although I'm one of many who thought Harris had caught Woffinden asleep on the run to the line in Heat 6. It was Sayfutdinov who took Woffinden wide on bend 4 of the final heat, with Woffinden then slowing down, shaking his left hand - so they must have clonked handlebars. Very interesting to hear Woffinden say the track was "absolutely mint" - from an entertainment point of view it was not. A good and satisfying win for the patched-up and recovering Witches.

You clearly can't imagine that saying the above means what people are now thinking about you ...

It was not funny when Woffinden fell off ... very few falls are. He picked up some grip and did well to dump his bike into the last bit of air fence on the 4th bend. British Speedway has been crying out for some personalities and, dare I say it, "baddies", but now Woffinden is fulfilling that sort of role, people start moaning! Before the meeting, Woffinden was the only rider I saw who stopped and talked to fans, posing for numerous photos/selfies, before going into the pits.

Radio coverage is available on BBC WM online from 7:30pm - www.bbc.co.uk/sport/motorsport/live/c1eelk1k3zjt#player Live updates: https://speedwayupdates.proboards.com/thread/22588/ipswich-birmingham-premiership-cup-leg?page=1

You said: "Who else is he supposed to get in other than Lawson for Musie" which made it sound like he was the only choice.

Foxhall 285 metres, Leszno 346 metres

The problem with Laguta last season was that he might have "graced us with his presence", but in some matches it wasn't obvious.

Douglas, Tungate, Lidsey ... ?

It appears that the #8, now known officially as the "Additional Rider" cannot be used as a reserve. "011.4.3 AdditionalRider(AR) An AR can only be utilised if a team is operating RR. An AR is not a 3rd reserve. " Corrected my error from earlier, which quoted the NDL version of the Reg! However: "011.4.4 Rider Replacement (RR) Facility allows the absent rider’s programmed rides to be shared out between other team members (including any Guest riders), subject to: <snip> f) A rider nominated as an AR may, at the Team Managers discretion, take any ride at any time in heats 1-14, (apart from the protected riders position in heats 2 and 8 in the Premiership League). Whilst the minimum ride rule does not apply, the maximum number of rides is 7. The AR is not permitted to cover starting offences." All of that wording is very confusing! (the bit in bold is as printed in the Regs)

It's punishment enough for any team that a Rising Star has to move into the top 5 if their average means it's possible - they should stay at reserve all season, as do the youngsters in Poland. Anyway, Ipswich have got an RS, it's Dan Thompson - he is still in the declared 1-7 and is named in the team to face Birmingham, but with R/R to cover his unfortunate absence. The other problem with the Regulations is that they "only" allow R/R or another RS for a rider who is clearly riding well - better than any current RS, and - using your yardstick - better than an ExtraLiga rider.

Visa problems - they thought they could bring him in on an "Invitational Visa" ... but, for undisclosed reasons, it's not possible.

As confirmed by Witches1998, Doyle's replacement only has to have a lower average - they must not exceed 41.00. Ref: SCB Reg 011.2 TEAM COMPOSITION.

Doyle has got a 9.36 average - why would wiggle room be needed?

The 8 day rule applies to consecutive meetings at the same track, so Nicholls can't ride at Foxhall on Thursday.

Although, of course, Lawson conceded the match changing 1-5 in Heat 8 against Thompson & Jenkins ...

Hilarious headline on the Leicester Facebook page:

I think Bagpuss meant that facilities to replace riders are available is not a valid reason to stage the meeting - just another BSPL excuse.

Corrected

KOC-Up, unless Leicester win on aggregate on Thursday night, then it's another Prem match!

It says Lovey … Arch has sussed me out, even though I have no idea who s/he is. At least I keep up with the news from Aus ;-)

No - he was riding in Aus in the winter and damaged a shoulder. I’m sure I read that he also had an operation in a shoulder last year …

Ellis dislocated a shoulder riding in Aus ...

http://www.sheffield-speedway.com/news.php?extend.3506