Roger Jacobs

I think it floats the Belle Vue fans' boat, because they get good racing irrespective of the result. The Witches weren't below par, just beaten by a superior team. Poole fans have always taken great delight in seeing the Pirates thrash the opposition, and that's irrespective of the racing. Overall, a winning home team will get more fans interested.

And so British Speedway trundles on in it's minimal existence.

Interestingly, Sheffield's own preview of their match with KL indicates they're pleased there's no live coverage, and encouraging everyone to get along to Owlerton. No doubt whatsoever that cash flow from paying customers is more important than its ever been, especially with such a patchy fixture list.

That makes some sense, but not what Ipswich have indicated on their website, press releases. As you say, it would be handy if they made it clear - especially for Belle Vue (IRR … LOL!).

Tungate signed as an Injury Replacement, which means that Riss could return if declared fit.

I was thinking of going on Thursday - looks like I will definitely be there.

Not guesting at Scunthorpe - they've signed him as a replacement for Kennedy. Kennedy's crash last week was horrendous! Reminded me a little bit of when Tony Davey hit the back straight fence at Leicester and somersaulted down the track - one of those moments when everything goes silent ...

Not just two riders scoring zero - they also won with the minority of the heat winners (7 of 15), which was always one of Bryan Seery's Statistics in the Speedway Star.

It's very confusing how Rowe can ride as a replacement for Barker (the line-up show him with Barker's average, so he's a guest?). He has remained in the Witches declared line-up all season as the #7 Rising Star. Have the BSPA/L now decided that #7 and #8 are interchangeable, and they can replace another rider in a team, irrespective of their average?

He must be - the line-up shows him with Barker's average.

Rowe must be riding as a guest*. He is still listed as RS7 in the Green Sheets, and his August average is lower than Hume's. * Indeed, Rowe must be a guest, because he's showing in the Ipswich preview with Barker's average.

Mountain confirmed at #1, with Kemp and Simon Lambert now the reserves.

20 fixtures? With the League Cup, the League and the Pairs, it’s 13 to be squeezed in at home …

Speedway can't be considered as a major sport.

Innocent until proven guilty. A "non-negative" result on the night, which has to be tested in an official laboratory.

McDonalds have a standard set of plans, and also set the expected timescale. They do it all over the world.

Starke is riding again. He will be at reserve in August, so should be able to score a few points. Batchelor, Barker*, Starke & Hume will be able to take R/R rides for Riss. *Barker was unbeaten at Plymouth on Tuesday night, but withdrew before their meeting at Oxford on Wednesday as "unfit to ride" ...

Whether it's the League or the League Cup, the winners get sod all ...

The info posted by Ipswich says a broken left ankle, and no operation until Thursday (because of swelling?), so no prognosis until after the op ... The fibula near the ankle is very important to the stability of the ankle joint.

Not everyone is affected the same way. Thankfully, due to vaccinations, the impact is greatly reduced (same as for the flu). Some people have health vulnerabilities, so for those in their family or close friends, it's important to be aware if you've got Covid because passing it on could still have serious consequences.

Certainly looks like it. Worth noting that for August the number of matches will reduce to 14, so the two oldest counting scores for most of the Panthers will be removed, which *could* have an impact ... although, to be fair, it would require a 0.53 swing for Andersen and Nicholls to swap.

They've always named the riders who have "qualified", and then waited for withdrawals ...

The Pairs continues to be a well-guarded secret, although Ipswich have ruined it by admitting there is a meeting very soon: https://ipswichwitches.co/raceday-preview-premiership-pairs-round-4/

Qualification via averages ...

Thanks