Steve Shovlar

Great meeting last night a ton of passing. Ouch just trolling.

I dont use twitter or facebook so was amazed I had over 500 watching through periscope last night, including Nicki Pedersen, Monster Joe, Bratters plus others. How did they all find out about me stading there filming on my iphone? Thought the whole event went well even though there was a couple of hickups like mic feedback. I know the guy in the audience who stood and talked about discovering the sport because of Darcy and Holder, but its not good to talk about being gutted for Darcy and his injury. What has happened is done. Darcy I am sure doesn't want to hear how gutted someone or all of us are. Rather think forward to all the positives in life like driving again, gaining independence and perhaps becoming a father in future years. He said in this field of injury advances are being made very quickly and he hoped to be back on his feet in ten years time. He has an absolute diamond in his girlfriend. She seems unfazed by the issues. Darcy is one lucky fellow.

Poole can still finish top. A win tonight and next week, then we have to win at Kings Lynn. But the main point in finishing top is to win the two away meetings at Belle Vue, which can be done. Our team of racers in Holder, Hans, Buck, Kurtz and Ellis will thrive in the wide open spaces. Bjarne and Newman no slouches either. Belle Vue have avoided re-arranging the rained off meeting so far for fear of being turned over. The battle for top spot is not over by a margin.

Bound to be someperformance caveat built into the contract.

Its Michael Palm Toft in place of Bjarne. Not sure what Swindon riding on a Thursday has to do with Poole riding on a Thursday. We are 70 miles apart.

Was woeful tonight at Poole.

Looks like Belle Vue are dialled in on their track now. Perhaps they might now risk riding against Poole. How about arranging that A fixture rained off months ago?

An entertaining meeting tonight played out in front of a large crowd. Racing was very good with some hard tussles. Some daredevil passing maneouvres and the right result in the end. Both teams weaker through the loss of Kylmakorpi and Bjarne, so pretty much evened itself out. For Poole. Holder was good value. Must have been frustrated with Hans in one heat when Masters gated. Both Poole riders were climbing all over him but every time Holder went to swoop around the outside Hans back wheel got in the way. Newman excellent. First heat missed the start but had some superb and hard battles. Always in the mix. Buckowski started slow but got better as the night went on. Kurtz night went the other way. After a great first win he made errors which cost him positions. Hans is looking like a journeyman. Just pick up points along the way and don't take risks. Said he was not happy with his performance but we have seen similar all season. Wright did a job. Didn't let himself or the team down. Ellis motm. Spectacular racing and passing. Made one silly error allowing Thorsell through after he had done all the hard work. Improving by the week. Big future in this sport imo. Wolves. Lindgren was mostly very good and an improvement on recent visits. Pk did a job of no last places. Masters started well but faded. Thorsell was ok Schlein was poor. Only scored by forcing Newman to throttle off. Not the rider he once was. Clegg was out of his depth. Howarth battled. Got a massive flyer in one. Heat which should have been called back. So three points to Poole to shrink the gap at the top. And hopefully three more tomorrow against Leicester, when it is only a tenner to come in.

https://www.periscope.tv/w/anEbrDFtTUVQZVdxTm1RR2J8MXlvS01sa0RvQWt4UVrsUPJ8IW9CLozYwZFaVy1RK1-DBbfJw3DJiRdvSZS7 Had over 500 fans from around the world tuned in live to watch this as well as several hundred packed in the room. Video lasts 80 minutes and is well worth watching. Talks about his life, what he is up to, where he is going and his future plans. For those that would like a bit of adventure themselves, the first 43 people to sign up from around the world are going to do a sponsored tandem parachute jump from Dunkerswell airfield. Price is £395 with approx £150 of it going to Darcy to help continue his rehab. Seemed there were quite a few in the room willing to do it. He is in Swindon for tomorrows meeting.

About to start periscope

Talking about the Darcy event after the meeting.

Would anyone be interested if I periscoped it?

Massive crowd tonight. Delayed start by a few mins

I told you a couple of weeks ago to read my posts correctly. I said Bjarne was slow on a bike, which he has been. Fast out of the gate then no speed about him. You must have seen this yourself at Brandon a couple or so weeks back. I never once said he wasn't on good form and that's why his average has dropped so low. You are making up rubbish. I said he was at reserve because the reserves have scored so well to relegate Bjarne to reserve. He hasn't let us down once yet, bar one dodgy away meeting at the start. Try reading posts rather than make up a load of guff to suit your argument.

Well with Bjarnes mum passing away it is fully understandable he thoughts are elsewhere, and rightly he should be with close family at this time. Clearly we can't cover for him so are vunerable tonight and tomorrow. It's just unfortunate we can't get a quality replacement. Big chance for Wolves to get a result out of this.

What about government funding? Has it ever been applied for? The Sports Council gives tens of millions a year to football, the richest sport of them all. Millions to rugby, athletics, even two bob sports like archery and sycronised swimming. Surely putting together a very good synopsis of what would be attained with the funding could put speedway in a position where a few hundred thousand could come our way?

Looks like a special deal for fans coming to the Wolves meeting. Trouble is with such short notice its quite difficult to make arrangements.

Doyle was rightly excluded. The question is, would Pawlicki have stayed on the bike if not hit by Doyle? The answer is yes, he would have stayed on the bike. Therefore Doyle excluded for causing the stoppage.

I would just like to say what a tremendous gift Woffy gave that little girl by pulling her out of the crowd to be part of the award ceremony and to give her his silver medal. That memory will stay with her and her family forever, and as Woffy said it would have probably have just been chucked under the stairs. I have certainly been vocal about him this year, with his snub of his home country's league as well as other issues, but credit where it is due. I am not myself a Tai hater, just angry with some of his decisions, but here he deserves to be applauded for making a little girls day. https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/motorsport/1532878/speedway-world-cup-final-tai-woffinden-inspires-great-britain-to-second-place-then-gives-his-medal-to-girl-in-the-crowd/

With rain setting in mid afternoon for the remainder of the day I guess its only a matter of time before we get the news its off, unless by some fluke the clouds devide. With todays technology we can see exactly what's coming on the rainfall radar.

Josh Bates or Adam Ellis? Lets hope both have improved so they can be included next year. I have spoken to Adam on a few ocassions this year and find him to be a very friendly and approachable guy who is happy to chat if the time is right. Clearly he loves the sport and is having the time of his life. That will hold him in good stead when it comes to sponsorship in future years. He looked chuffed to bits to be included in TeamGB even though he didn't get a chance on track. That experience alone will give him a confidence boost going into the remainder of the season. As for Bates, I have never spoken to him so can't make the same opinion Skidder has. What absolutely essential though is to be professional at all times and not come across as some type of lout. Just one look in the direction of Poland and its youngsters like Predpelski is all that is needed. Whilst it would be almost impossible to have the same sponsorship, the way he is presented can be emulated.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/b017prclk1t1vzc/Photo%2030-07-2016%2C%2018%2040%2035.jpg?dl=0

Rather see a GB speedway revolution with our own riders getting team berths than jonny foreigner.

Just got back to Poole and have to say it was much better coming back than going by 3 hours! Superb performance from Woffinden who led from the front. King eventually came to the party as did Cook. Lambert found out what hard first bends were but the experience did him good. Rosco spot on with his tac moves. Silver is a fantastic result considering Sweden and Australia looked stronger. Great crowd, great racing, great result, farcical light show. Needed some fireworks. A joke health and safety said no. Well done to Poland who deserved their crown. Off to get some zzzzzzzzzz. Happy days.

Brilliant teamgb. Just brilliant.