Steve Shovlar

Didn’t CVS also say P Pawlicki was going to sign for Wolves as well, yet he is lined up at Poole should one of our riders fail to do their job? I don’t believe there’s a single bit of truth of Woffinden wanting to ride in this country in 2018.

Looking forward to seeing him ride, but I don’t think he will find it very easy. If he maintains his starting average he will have done well.

Yes its very strange that Woffinden, one who likes to use social media, hasn’t once mentioned that he wanted to come back. Or that he hasn’t been offered a berth anywhere. Perhaps thats because he has no intention of riding here. He would have been snapped up by one team had he really been available.

Whats illegal about the Rye House team?

I am not so much writing about them racing each other but over the course of a whole season against all teams. James Shanes beat Thorsell from the back at Poole last season. Doesn’t make him the better rider.

No comparison between last years lineup and this years. Kurtz 8.08 v Chris Harris. 7.63. Kurtz every single time. Brady improving whiles Harris, a rider I do like has been slowly slipping over the last couple of seasons. Kacper Woryna 4.65 v Ben Barker 6.0. A world of difference between the two. Barker is more dialled into UK tracks but Woryna is going to be GP class. Woryna will finish the season with a higher average of the two. Josh Grajczonek 7.34 V Scott Nicholls 7.48. Not much now between them though Nicholls has had an excellent career and was a top British rider for a while. Of the two Nicholls probably has the edge but its not guarenteed to be so. Linus Sundstrom 7.22 v Krzysztof Kasprzak 6.86. If KK brings his A game he should score more than Linus but if he goes into a sulk......... Chris Holder 7.16 v Eddie Kennett 6.39. Really its Holder all the way. And I like Eddie. Mateusz Szczepaniak 4.54 v Stuart Robson 5.72. One on the form of his career and the other a good English journeyman. Spanner is in a different league. James Shanes 2.88 V Max Clegg 2.00. Again Shansey all the way. I make that 5/2 Poole. Just could be 6/1 if Josh ups his game slightly and Nicholls doesn’t maintain. I give KK over Sundstrom id his head is right. I do expect Rye to be unbeaten at home but away, where is the individual improvement going to come from?

Rubbish. If he had wanted to return there’s no way cvs would have chosen Thorsel over Woffinden. Woffinden is not interested in supporting either the league that taught him to ride, or his country. Only interest he has is money all the way. No loyalty whatsoever to anything to do with the UK. I really hope the BSPA only conider British riders who are riding in the Premier league when making their choices for the world pairs this season.

You have said that since the begining but you won’t get a chance of saying “I told you so”. The Poole team is head and shoulders above last years lineup and baring injuries is going to kick some arse. Rye may go through the season unbeaten at home, but Dads Army won’t be challenging for honors in 2018.

Lindgren was 100% at fault. Take the blinkers off.

Ringer for an injured rider? How did bringing in Lindback make us stronger than Hans? Really, don’t be so ridiculous.

I don’t remember receiving any sympathy from you when Poole had to go to Monmore in the playoff semis with a heat leader missing (Lindback) two seasons ago.

All done and tidied up.

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.