coldace

What about Ryan Douglas. Has some experience and can ride bigger, faster tracks.

What average would Rasmus Jensen come in on? Would we be able to it him in if we looked at changing Wells and Berge? We need to make sure we have real cover in Ht 14, we are weak there now.

Our reserves will need to be in the points tomorrow. Can see Jacobsen being a big danger for Poole.

Good spot, that'll teach me not to post before checking!

There certainly was not enough dust to obscure anyone's view, I sit in the grandstand and could see perfectly. It is ridiculous to suggest that riders could not see coming out of bed four, simply ridiculous. Really can't understand your comments.

Plenty making the effort. The Grandstand has been virtually sold out for a week at least.

Yes, it was a little longer than normal and longer than the Colts meeting on Friday. But the only 'dead' time was that between heats 14 and 15. There was brief announcement suggesting some confusion/disagreement on who could ride in heat 15 but that was not explained. Other than that thought the meeting flowed well and I find it perfectly acceptable for a short delay between some heats for the water bowser to do it's job. All-in-all a good meeting with some decent racing and really nice to see Ricky Wells in the thick of it especially Ht 5 when he wouldn't be intimidated by Masters. It's been a good Easter at the NSS.

Is it R/R for Morris? The BV site lists him as riding. They are stronger with him riding in my opinion. Could be tight but if Dan can score 8 or 9 and Jaimon 6 or 7 I feel we will be ok. Looks like it will be a big crowd.

It is clearly quite possible to prepare a track for decent speedway whatever the weather. I haven't been to Poole for many years but have noticed how frequently the Poole track has been criticised over the past few years and I recall watching a televised meeting where BV won and the track was awful. So maybe those in charge at the self-anointed 'Manchester United of Speedway' send someone up to Manchester to learn how to do it; seriously. We all have an interest in having tracks where close exciting racing is possible.

They manage to prepare a track at NSS on the hottest of days that doesn't produce dust. They also regularly water with the bowser during the meeting and it doesn't appear that the riders complain. Yesterday was an example, extremely hot (for Manchester), watered every two or three heats and no dust. Andy Meredith and his team do an excellent job but then the management have invested in ensuring that they can.

Yes he really was poor. Wonder how long he will be with Glasgow? Young Joe Alcock looked very promising though. Ben Rathbone surprised me most, looked neat and in control. Looking forward to following the Colts this year.

As normal a fair and unbiased view from HT. Would a agree that it was a very satisfying meeting and the Colts will do well this year.

Is the stand on the home straight still in position? Can anyone tell whether it possible to just to continue as before or have changes already been made to the stadium or pits to prevent this? I must say it sounds worrying and I'd hate to see Swindon lost to the sport.

Worrying about the lack of any progress. Is the track and pits as they were at the end of last season still? Is it possible for Swindon to merely carry on as before or does some new work need to be done?

Good point. I was wondering why no Joe. He made real progress last year and great to watch. Would have preferred him to Phillips

Not good around the NSS I'm afraid

What's the problem Phil, is it the club who aren't offering a contract or the rider who want's away? Sad if he does go but that will be tempered by who replaces him.

I'm really sad that Tungate won't be back. Watching him come from behind was a real treat. I also think the way he and Bewley rode together was worth the price of admission some weeks, they obviously enjoyed being paired. The only consolation for me would be if it allowed for either of Bjerre or Batchelor to be included. If they were, we'd not lose too much at home and probably benefit away a bit more. Sadly though, I feel that this is probably unlikely. There will be a lot resting on Dan Bewley making a decent recovery next year I think.

You are dead right, we've become so used to the fabulous racing at the NSS that what was a pretty ordinary meeting racing-wise didn't excite. Given that the Ht13s at both previous matches were classics it makes us hard to please. After the years of standing in the cold at the dog track up the road not knowing what sort of track to expect though means we really appreciate what we have. The crowds have improved a great deal since the move and if we can get back to Fridays, I'm sure they will again.

I agree, this week's Ht 13 was a little better than the previous one. Seeing Cook move Doyle off the line was a treat. So if Fricke doesn't get them on the outside Cook will on the inside! Also very nice to see Cook back at his best, not only fast again but appearing so much more confident. As for next year, who knows. Will he be up the road at Glasgow if they move up? Hope KL have been watching, they can't take an aggregate victory over us for granted especially if we have Etheridge supporting Berge at reserve as has been suggested. Time to order your season ticket?

Deluded

With the professionalism of this promotion I do think that we will start winning things, don't forget the cup last season! Agree with you about crowds but last year they increased over the season. Since being forced off Fridays it's gone backwards a bit. Racing on a Friday or Saturday makes a big difference in Manchester. However, all teams in large cities struggle as there is so much else to do. London can't support a team any more, Birmingham don't really pull them in. Smaller places like Poole, Kings Lynn, Swindon have a bigger share of the entertainment budget I think. In the halcyon days at Hyde Rd as I recall, they started bang on 7pm and pushed the meeting through so that all was done before 9pm. That meant people could still go out for the evening. Such efficiency is sadly lacking now with the constant gardening and returning to the pit gate after a false start. Having said that, the Colts meetings are run really well, without all of the messing about, so it is possible.

Very pleased that at last something positive coming out of Swindon concerning a new track. I really hope it all comes together. The frustrations and constant doubts will be worth it if it does eventuate. It's reminiscent of what we went though before the NSS emerged. I hope Swindon fans enjoy such a good result as that and really, all the backbiting isn't worth it.

Agree with you Halifaxtiger. Last year we saw attendances steadily build but Mondays just don't work for many. I'd imagine the promotion will be doing everything to get back to Fridays in 2019 and with Friday nights, a track as good as the NSS and, don't forget, the team that prepare it so well, attendances will be on the upturn again. As a season ticket holder for the last two years, I'd really welcome you joining us. Incidentally, one of the benefits of being a season ticket holder this year has been a pre-meeting visit to the pits and the opportunity to watch three heats for the centre green. A really wonderful experience and so much credit to Andy Mellish and his wife for conducting the tours, explaining the whole pre-meeting procedure and answering countless questions. He has been so good in this role; intelligent, respectful and really interesting insights to what is going on. Hats of to Adrian Smith and his team for introducing such innovations, in the many, many years of watching speedway, I can't remember too many more professional approaches to promoting the sport.

Those of us who have watched Dan progress so quickly over the past three years have taken so much pleasure from watching him ride that I'm sure we will contribute both to the track collection and on line. Nobody has to, but I'm sure they will want to. For me hardly over the top but well deserved.