Happy Hunter

Like it!

It was probably the nearest he could get from his local Charity Shop.

Nicholls wearing a Pirates shirt on BT Sport tonight!

The last time something like this happened people were surprised by the number of retired riders (of various ages and for various reasons) who came back to ride.

Charles Wright injured last night. Not riding for Sheffield at Scunthorpe tonight!

Having read various comments about Poole on here over the years I thought they were already in a league of their own!

I think that the track was better prepared when Glyn was curator. It's got worse since they got rid of him and he was the one who did his best to improve the racing by carrying out the alterations to all four bends. As far as the pits are concerned I agree that it would be better to be able to see what's going on but planning and environmental concerns meant that the City Council insisted on the current layout. If funds ran to it an alternative would be a big screen on the 3/4th bends (back to sun) showing what is going on in the pits and, possibly, a re-run of each race.

Further to my post a few days ago a bit more information for those interested. First the figures are for league and cup meetings. Second you need to bear in mind that the winning percentages are likely to go down as the Lions have only ridden 3 away matches compared to 6 at home. Third a bit more information: Winning percentages home & away: Andersen H 50% A 20% T 32% Bjerre H 33% A 17% T 27% Pieszczek H 48% A 7% T 34% King H 25% A 13% T 21% Newman H 16% A 13% T 15% Serjeant H 14% A 0% T 9% Kurtz H 12% A 10% T 11% Last place percentages home & away Andersen H 0% A 20% T 6% Bjerre H 25% A 33% T 27% Pieszczek H 19% A 29% T 24% King H 13% A 50% T 25% Newman H 20% A 40% T 28% Serjeant H 36% A 64% T 45% Kurtz H 36% A 60% T 43%

One of the Lion's problems is that the no.1 and no.5 riders are not winning as many races as they should. Bjerre has only won 30% and Andersen 41%. I think you should expect them to win at least 50%. Pieszczek has won 34% of his. In addition there are problems at the other end of the team that others have mentioned. Has anyone any idea when or if Bates will ride?

Due in to EM at 19.50.

On a completely different tack - does anyone know what gizmo Hans Andersen was using on his bike on Monday? On the left hand side underneath the saddle I could see two orange lights on some sort of box. Never seen anything like that on any other rider's bike. Looked a bit like Blackpool Illuminations! Do the lights come in different colours - could they be the same as the helmet colours?

They didn't when they started on concrete! Anyone else remember that?.

Always been known as a family sport.

We really should not have to rely on another club's web site to find out the make up of the Lion's team!

Over the Easter Holiday weekend tens of thousands of people will visit the Beaumont Leys Shopping Centre. I bet that only a tiny proportion knows that there is a speedway track virtually next door. If I was the promoter I would ask the Supporters Club to ask members if they could spend a few hours over next weekend giving out flyers giving brief details about speedway, the Lion’s fixture list, a map of where the track is and an offer of a couple of quid off the admission price on production of a flyer. If the Thompson Twins in their gear could help out that would be even better. No doubt the owners of the Centre would need to give permission but I would not think that would be a problem as Speedway fans must generate some extra income for their tenants even if it’s just visiting MacDonalds or the pub or filling up with cheap petrol like I do. If the owners do not give permission then I would arrange for cars plastered with speedway posters to be parked in the car park for the permitted four hours whilst the car drivers did their shopping or had something to eat and drink. Two four hour sessions a day over the four days of the holiday would only need eight different cars and drivers. What are the chances of something like this happening? Zilch!

Couldn't agree more! The promotion must have decided ages ago what they are going to do. On Monday the sensible thing would be rider replacement so that those riders who can take the extra rides get a bit more track time. Then they should come out and say if they are going to replace Josh or use guests/RR (not sure which they can do) until he is fit. One thing that promoters should do is try to build a good relationship with their fans. Not letting them know until the last minute who will be in the team doesn't help to do that!

Not every track has a pit gate that can be closed!

Calling all anoraks - these have now been published - http://www.britishspeedway.co/2018_speedway_regulations_online.pdf

Before 12 noon?

Yes. You would think he would know better.

Because, like it or not, the Bees are not in the Premiership League this season!

Well at least he won't be managing both teams in a relegation/promotion play off!

Does anyone know when the fixtures are due to be published?

Like most people I think that the Lions have put together a good team but I don't think we should be over optimistic. According to the rider's profiles on the Lion's web site Vaculik and Pieszczek have never ridden in Britain so we can expect that it will take some time for them to become accustomed to British tracks. Look at Wosniak for example - after two seasons he was ok at Beaumont Park but did not do as well away from home and Lions will need to pick up some away points if they are to get into the playoffs. There must also be a question mark over Bates - the last rider we signed who had had/was having personal problems was Davy Watt and look what happened to him. I think that, after the first set of Green Sheet averages come out, there could well be a change or two. Perhaps even a return of others from last season. To sum up - I am cautiously optimistic!

Come on flagrag - stop teasing!