Steve Shovlar

Have to say well done to Swindon on their gating show. Left us for dead at the tapes and on a track not fit for purpose it was game over by the second bend. It got so bad riders were disappearing from sight viewing from the main grandstand. Possibly the worst meeting I have attended in the last ten years, and I have seen some rubbish in that period including 62-28 drubbings at Arena! why did the bowser only come out once before heat one? It should have been out every few heats. What’s the excuse? Glad no rider got injured. In the last few heats riders were pulling up as they couldn’t see where they were going. If we now don’t have the track staff to prepare a racing track for a mid day meeting, why not move it to ~good Friday evening? I am sure the crowd would still be big and conditions much better.

Track is smoother but today vastly underwatered. No vision for riders behind. Swindon track much improved but a dip off bend two needs filling. No big deal.

Most important that no rider gets injured in the remaining two heats.

Really? I said Swindons track was fine last night. This should be called off. Dangerous to riders. Kurtz just took a perler and Klindt pulled up with no vision.

Yep. Well I think so if I can make out whats happening in the billowing dust!

Wheres the bowser? Seven races seven Swindon wins. Heading for a stroll for the gating robins. And deservedly.

Gaters paradise and going to be very dusty. Swindon boys leaving us for dead plus have reserve who can score.

More track watering going on.

Big crowd here still queuing to get in.

Track is much better shape. It will take time to settle and needs some attention off the second bend but is wide allowing passing.

Yes. Never known him to favour any team.

Just got back. Ended up a good meeting but with this format, it suits teams with top heavy built sides and not sides built with strength in depth. No t/r or reserve changes meant Poole couldn’t take advantage of bringing in a scoring reserve for the struggling Worrall or Klindt. If they had Pirates would have come away with the victory. Poole were clearly the better of the two teams with balance. Swindon relying on Doyle and Batchelor backed up with Musiliak. The track settled quickly and Kurtz enjoyed the place, taking the track record, which won’t last long. Doyle was untouchable and a class above, until he had a rush of blood and knocked off Covatti who was attempting to go around him. Ref called it spot on, though I have seen such calls favour the number one. The way the format works is the old 70’s/80’s 13 heat format, meaning they had 1 and 3 in heats 12 and 13. Then they won the toss in heat 14 and chose 1 and 3 again. Gave them the best gates in 3 of the last 4 races. Why not have it even for both teams? Two 1 and 3 for each team in the last 4 heats? In heat 15 Ellis should have been excluded as both his wheel crossed the line off bend two second lap, when coming up the inside of Klindt. Ref would have not have spotted it but many on the back straight did. Poole’s reserves in another league to Swindons. Another point. With the nominated heat 14, managers have to be savvy. They pick four riders and the fans vote. Middlo said Kurtz, then Rosco chose Doyle, then Middlo chosen] the next rider etc. Fans voting always vote for the top rider. Kurtz ride was instantly neutralised in heat 14 when Rosco announced Doyle. (Though we got away with it) Better for Middlo not to chose Kurtz in the 4 and save him for heat 15, so avoiding the oppositions likely number 1. For a change a good meeting at Swindon. When the track settles it should get even better.

Track has been fine. Lambrt ex as he was too far back and Shanes was in front of him in third.

No passing as such just yet. Race to first bend. Hopefully it will improve. Coming out of second bend the track dips. Brady says track is good and will be a good race track once it’s sorted.

Heat two rode OK. Think it will be fine. Riders tending to left off bend two but nothing serious.

Lampart ex fell. Bend one. Bikes hard to turn all riders tentative.

I was standing in front of the pits listening to the guys after their track walks!

No it doesn’t!

Hoping track rides better than it looks. Big crowd gathering.

Track grader has broken down and stuck left in mid field.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ddhuDfv2zBW3Fsku8

It has now been decided to move the inside line out a few feet as the bend is very spongy and could cause a rider to straighten and hit others.

Lots of head shaking and riders laughing at track. Both sides don’t look over impressed. Guess we will just have to wait and see.

Big dip in middle of first and second bend. Should be fun!

Oh dear....Swindon riders concerned over track. Ellis falls in practice....Batchelor declines to ride it. https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/speedway/17582173.swindon-robins-set-to-cut-the-ribbon-on-their-new-track-against-poole-pirates-tonight-despite-riders-concern/?ref=rss