Steve Shovlar

Just spoke to Danyon who said the track was diabolical on Wednesday at Brum. He should know he used to ride there.

Poole track has been completely resurfaced in the last two days. Riders said they were very happy on it. We’ll see for ourselves tonight. But Poole wasn’t the only track with issues. Birmingham on Wednesday was far from good and at Sheffield last night the racing was dire by all accounts.

Cook likes the Poole track. A proper racers track and he has scored double figures on numerous occassions. I expect he will do similar tonight.

Give me the Poole track over Wolverhampton any day of the decade. A proper speedway track not some little training track.

He isn’t available.

Thanks. Surely got to be a nice Pirates win. Not being able to use Alfie Bowtell for Stefan is ridiculous but those the rules.

So what is the Glasgow 1-7?

That, with due respect, shows how much we are going to miss Stefan.

Sounds fair to me.

It’s there to stop riders strengthening for the playoffs. Teams in the past had pilfered riders from other teams to give them a boost in the playoffs. However, if a rider picks up an obvious season ending injury, it is surely better that he is replaced than using guests every meeting. Poole can use horses for courses guests but it’s not the same. Stefan is clearly out for the season.

It has passed the official cutoff of aug 28th to replace riders. However there might be special dispensation available to replace riders who have season ending injuries. Neil Watson might know?

No.

He went to reserve because others have done better but he is easily worth 7 at home. Not replaceable though Poole could ask to bring in a permanent replacement even though the cut off has passed as the rider is out for the season.

Shows how much weaker it makes us. Gives other clubs a sniff at the title now.

Would not advise bringing a camping chair in unless you arrive early to get front row on the bends. Better to go in the grandstand if you are there when gates open. Better view as well. It should be a very good meeting.

Big meeting tomorrow at Wimborne Road with depleted Pirates taking on title challengers Glasgow. Poole are weakened by the loss of Stefan Neilsen with broken ribs, collarbone and punctured lung. Probably season ending for the rider who has had a very good season with us. Wishing him a speedy recovery. As the averages changed Stefan went to reserve where he would probably have cleaned up. It couldn’t have happened at a worse time as we cannot bring in a replacement for him for the rest of the season, meaning guests all the way from now on. Yesterday 60 tons of fresh shale were delivered to the stadium from Edinburgh. This is being mixed with clay. You cannot buy ready mixed shale and clay anymore. The top surface of the track is being removed and the new surface put down. It is hoped that the job will be finished today. Fingers crossed it binds with the current surface. Expect a very different track tomorrow night. Hopefully the riders will be able to practice on it tomorrow afternoon. Awaiting news of reserve guest.

Just got back to Poole and wondered why I bothered. Awful meeting devoid of any real racing other than Danny King. First of all, and most importantly, get well soon to Stefan who I have heard is suffering from broken ribs, a punctured lung and a broken collarbone. Stefan has been a major player in this Pirates side and will no doubt be sadly missed for the remainder of the season. Get well soon and I for one would like to see him back with us next season. A nasty tumble along with Grobauer into the 4th bend fence. I thought the track was bumpy, wavy someone else called it. Riders were gating, going out wide and that was it. No passing all meeting. Riders who failed to make the gate, forget it. Gate and go. Very, very boring. It didn’t help that our number one was appalling tonight and cost us a win. Already down Ben Basso and before the first lap of heat one Stefan, Rory rode very much within himself. Beaten by Shanes and Morris with ease is not good enough. 5-1’d twice with ease. Looked disinterested. Is he under orders from Peter Adams to ride within himself? After being reduced to a 5 man team and only having one rider out in two heats, it became apparent that tonight wasn’t going to be our night but really we deserved a point, and even that eluded us. No faulting Danny King and Steve Worrall. Cook tried but is not a gater and neither is Danyon, who tried all night but just couldn’t get out of the starts. The Brum riders are dialled in and with track conditions as they were, there was no catching once they gated. The man o the tannoy was shouting how wonderful it was to send Poole home with no points. That may be so but one is in hospital in a poor state. He said that Brum can still make the playoffs. I hope they do do we can pick them. A decent crowd I thought. But no atmosphere to speak of. And other than the result they can’t have gone home thrilled.

King made a great pass. In heat 9. Very gate and go. Pirates look like coming up short due to Stefan and Rory riding like a donkey.

8 heats and all from the gate.

No kidding. Track is bumpy as hell. Seriously.

Track is ok. Should be racing as soon as doctor is free.

Stefan at 6

Track inspection with ref.