Steve Shovlar

All teams now complete.

Wow there’s a suprise!

No I saw it all though. I was on the apex of the third and 4th bends. The track was underwatered and dusty and some fans took it on themselves to water the track, on the first bend if I recall. I was only a 16 year old young lad and it would have been beyond my comprehension at the time to consider doing such a thing.

I see he is riding in the 70th anniversary meeting.

Whilst the Loram v Louis was a good race, no doubt about it, in the scheme of things it is insignificant compared to the 1975 British Final runoff. What we had in 1975, and really have never had since, was British dominance the same way as the Poles are dominating the sport today. The race meant so much. Speedway had big crowds, Brandon was packed, and I mean packed, not busy, and the winner of this race went straight through to the World Final at Wembley in front of 92,000 fans. Ashby had started well but had dropped points to Collins and Simmo, won his next before heat 19 needing a second, but beaten by max man Louis but cruscially by Wilson, tying both on 11 points. The runoff was extremely tense. Wilson gating but Ashby sticking to the inside and getting closer with every lap. Lap four and Ashby gets by up the inside but allows Wilson racing room to come around the outside to win by a wheel. Ashby at the time was at his peak. Ten plus average. He was reserve at Wemble but didn’t get to ride. Wilson scored a disappointing 5 points. I was there and it was a breeze on the night for Olsen who was virtually untroubled. A poor track that night as well. (Wembley)

What do you mean by that?

Cow&Gate?

A very good night down at the stadium with an excellent turnout for the quiz with Linus signing cards and being interviewed. Matt was also interviewed and said the Gala evening is now sold out. Also the club are not only having a 70th anniversary meeting next Month, but having another in April on the exact date 70 years after the first ever meeting against Yarmouth. A fun evening, cheap admission and gates opening at 4.30 for fans to view historic memorabilia. He took the Pee out of Gary May who was preent, saying about an illegal approach from Somerset and May having the audacity to be present this evening. Light hearted. James Shanes was interviewed and said he was the fittest he has ever been and was looking forward to riding up to 4 times a week. He has sponsors in Meridian Lifts and Wessex Marine. Is vry keen to get started. Said he was disappointed in his scoring last season. Also, next week sees heavy plant at the track for 5 days where contractors are working on smoothing out the bends. Going to be like a billiards table.

Thanks. Its exactly as it’s etched in my brain.

Ashby could have been more ruthless on Wilson but gave him room to race.

The problem is not so much The council who I believe will throw out the application. I think the main problem will come when its appealed and decisions are not taken on a local level but national. With the government wanting to build thousands of new homes it could come down to some box ticker in London who makes the call, with no local knowledge, no affinity to sport and wanting to relieve the housing crisis. This is going to be a long process and one that needs many, many Coventry fans to make a noise, not just a few on here. what I don’t understand is the local Coventry paper, who seem to want to remain neutral in all this. Why on earth haven’t they started a campaign, or joined in the current one. Their voice could shout loud from the rooftops but they just report and little else.

No it wasn’t. It devastated me. Haven’t seen the race since that fateful night but it’s etched in my brain. Left the stadium in tears. A young lad absolutely gutted. is there any footage of the race online?

Fixed.

Poole council own Poole stadium. It’s leased to the dogs. If it’s upgraded it will be by the council.

Done.

No. Both will do very well and help bring home the bacon.

Don’t forget The speedway quiz night on Wednesday at the stadium. Always very well supported, and this week we have an interview with Linus Sundstrom who will be there.

In years to come. Not there yet.

I don’t know. the British Speedway Premiership, sponsored by The Co-op Funeral service has a nice ring to it with all the old fogies who attend the sport up and down the country.

Lets hope the bt speedway season doesn’t start in july.

When Poole are in town fans will need to get there at 6 pm for a parking space. And what are Poole fans, or any away fans for that matter, going to do when the car park full signs go up 10 mins before tapes up. The local estates ate going to be swamped, local residents up in arms. The solution is quite simple. Build a multi storey car park.

A lack of pressure means the rider is riding below his maximum best. The rider should put maximun pressure on himself and the club will always expect maximun effort.

There certainly will be lots of pressure on him. He knows he has a big job to do and if he doesn’t score he will soon discover he will only be getting three rides. And replacements will be waiting in the wings for their chance. James will have his own inbuilt pressure and the will to succeed, and I am sure he will progress further in 2018 with his second season in the top flight and the added advantage this time around of extra meetings from the championship to help bring him on. Think it could be a very good year for thelad.

http://www.poolepirates.co/news/2018-02-01-popular-demand-means-shanes-remain.html Shanes takes the number 7 berth to complete the team.

See that Matt Ford in todays Echo has offered the number 7 berth to James Shanes. If Shanes says no Josh Pickering will fit.