Steve Shovlar

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

Poole is a morning meeting. Redcar evening. He can do both. 5 hours 20 mins to Redcar. Has time to spare and could stop for a quick break en route.

Why have you got r/r for Worrall?

He didn’t turn left. Wilson Dean seemed determined to go up the inside when Jakobsen was already there. Showed good ability by Jakobsen to not yield. Peterboroughs a great race track but when your promotion limit it to one line this is what happens.

Track was a bit from the gate last night. Outside wasn’t working hence Andersen cutting under in a couple and Wilson Dean coming a cropper trying to smash Jakobsen out of the way on bend four, twice in the same heat, and coming a cropper.

Bloody roadworks and closed motorways meant I didn’t get back till the early hours. A decent crowd, though little atmosphere. Seems Peterborough fans on the whole just sit there and clap politely after every heat, regardless of the score. Need someone there to whip up the crowd. Racing wise, the track was grippy and fast. Brady broke the track record in heat 4. Passing was at a premium and although the riders were close together, it came down to a gating competition. 1 and 3 a big advantage all night with only Klindt managing a win off gate 4. Heat 14 was always going to be an issue. Gate 1 was good but we had Worrall on it and as predicted he didn’t get off the start, which in the end cost us. Well done to Panthers.