Steve Shovlar

Whats that? Overlock?

Now all the lineups are in I can't see past Poole romping it this season. Baring injuries its ours to lose. No weak links, riders who go well around big and small tracks. Belle Vue our main opposition and expect them to put up a fight with Craig Cook having a breakthrough season. However i am confident we will be strong enough, and have the overall experience to see B V off. BV choked last season and would have learnt from the occassion, but if it comes down to the. Same two teams we have bug track riders to nullify BV home advantage.

Now looking at the lineups we should squash the Bees tomorrow night. Cant wait to put it to 'em! Seriously I hope for some good racing, plenty of battles and no injuries. Roll on 24 hours.

For those that are interested here is some of the footage I shot today from Pooles P&P https://www.periscope.tv/w/abXLBDFtTUVQZVdxTm1RR2J8MVlxS0RhZGJlekRHVn6-AIQDwG_wJwB_9vuUyUTq-ruGhnLk27WBZlMJVjs- https://www.periscope.tv/w/abXLnzFtTUVQZVdxTm1RR2J8MW5BS0VqUmtqbVhHTAMFqm7GELFht4QJmKij1AdQb6-7qEObD5LdTdFBOf84

Live filming right now.

I will get there at 2 pm but will post a link on here as soon as i start filming for those that want to watch. If we have to wait for the schools to finish so be it.

No the main stand needs demolishing and a new, bigger stand built in its place. The current stand was built in 1960 and is litterally not far off condemned. The back straight stand, whilst fine for dogs is next to useless for watching speedway and it was a sad day when the old zig zagged roofed stand came down, though it was a relic. There are plans for a new stadium but the guy who wants to do it wants to bring back Poole Town, which would mean a full sized football pitch in the middle which doesnt help speedway, plus built over 100 houses on the car park. Poole Stadium has some protection as it was left to the council on the understanding it would always be a sports venue. Just wish they could cough up but its on a long term lease to the greyhound people. Something like BV new stadium would be very nice but how much has this new stadium actually cost?

A beautiful if somewhat chilly day in Poole for press and practice today. Kicks off at lunchtime with introduction of the riders and press photos, followed by the riders taking to the track for practice before Wednesdays crunch tie against the Coventry Bees. For thos starved of their speedway fix, I shall be there from 2 pm to catch the riders taking a spin and will stream some of it live from the track via periscope app. I can be found on periscope by @stephenshovlar, or zoom in on the map to Poole and click on the red dot where the stadium is. If you miss the live feed, the footage will be avaialble to view for 24 hours on my account so you can catch it later. If you watch live I can answer type in questions as they come in on the feed.

So plenty for speedway fans to see tomorrow online then!

u Excellent photos. Now see it is more advanced than I originally imagined. As for jealousy, I cant believe anyone would be jealous. They, like me, should be very pleased for such a stadium in the EL. Wish Poole Council had the funds to do the same for Wimborne Road. So envious of your great looking stadium, yes. Cant wait to come up in a couple of weeks time to see it myself. And pick up the points.

Looking at those photos they have done a lot of work in a short space of time, but there still seems loads to do to finish the track. And what about all that unsightly pile of earth. Is that going to still be there when the stadium opens? Looks like they are a month or two behind schedule because theres no way they should be cutting it this fine. And I would say again that it is paramount that the track needs to be tested thoroughly before the meeting. Why take undue risks?

For those that are interested I hope to do a live Periscope broadcast on Monday afternoon from the track with the riders going around practising. As I am not a season ticket holder I wont be in the rider meets and among the guest and media, but the stadium is open for us mere fans to watch the riders take a spin and this is what I shall hope to broadcast. You will need the periscope app from the appstore or where ever non apple user find their apps. Its free. My account to find me is @stephenshovlar, or click on the map and zoom in to Poole and click on the red dot which will probably be me when there is a live broardcast taking place. Dont expect Sky broadcast quality footage! Not sure just yet what timenthe riders will take to the track. Perhaps someone else on here will know?

Last thing I want. I am hoping the whole move and new stadium will be a massive success and BV will revive to big crowds and a strong club again. But I also think it absolutely ludicrous that theysre risking completely avoidable ridicule if the track dieznt hold together and causes huge problems for the riders. It needs laps from experienced riders to make sure its going to hold up. Look at the disasters at GP level a In Sweden and Poland. We dont want a repeat. What the BV management are doing, by no riders on the track until heat one, is in my opinion highly risky as it could undo a lot of goodwill coming their way. I hope my worries are unfounded and the track rides well. But a risk they dont need to take imo.

Coming up to Brandon for the return next Friday. Going to stay over as I am attending an auction in Banbury the next day. Hope this long spell of dry weather holds true otherwise it will mess up my plans. Anyone know the lineups? I am guessing Poole will be full strength.

Has there been some behind closed door practice to make sure the track rides ok? This is a sitting duck for a sold out stadium, biggest crowd in decades only to discover a Warsaw gp type track or worse. The track needs to be perfect from the first heat with no nails in coffins or shots through feet.

Well here we go withour first meeting of the season, weather permitting. Should be a very interesting meeting to start the season and a good time to throw down a marker of intention. Hoping for an 8 point lead to take to Brandon. Thoughts?

To be honest I dont care how much it is to get in as long as its not rained off. A long way to go to watch the BV v Poole meeting but looking firward to the visit and four big fat juicy points.

Is he a Lions fan? Thought he was from Coventry.

Well I am glad the season didnt start a week earlier because with the huge amount of rain we have had the track is probably underwater!

I already have both thise addons thanks. Its simply human nature to try and get something for nothing. But of course you are correct.

Only thing I havent yet got is the Polish sports channels for Sunday speedway live. Anyone have any ideas which app would cover it?

From what I can gather Darcys spinal cord was completely severed, meaning unlike Cegeilski whose column was crushed, there is no chance of ever being able to walk again.

Belle Vue the most costly place in the UK to watch EL speedway. £23 is a lot. I could understand £20 as its a new stadium but its £6 less to watch the triple champs and sit front and centre.

Very easy. I advise going to YouTube and subscribe to jasonmoore85. Watch his vids and you will have all you want. He shows in simple terms how to do it.

Of course it goes without saying that there are thousands of people who could benefit from this new surgery if it proves to be successful.