Speedway28

I'm all for getting behind the sport but when a promotion is making mistakes week after week, I feel that my comments are more than acceptable.

The simple reason why this has happened here isn't the money, it's that there aren't enough riders to go round at this level.

Huge shame to see that Hampshire has taken a break. Looked to have a huge amount of promise near the end of last year but just hadn't happened for him this time out, was hardly riding his bike on Sunday. Hopefully he can return soon. I wonder if Sam Bebee's awful accident had an effect on him, they're clearly very good friends.

The issue of him replacing Mason isn't really a problem when you consider their ages. However, why he wants to come back after the serious injuries he has sustained previously is incredible.

It's a real shame because they have the perfect setting for a brilliant race track and off the track, it seems to be a very well run club. If they don't sort it out they will start to lose numbers on the gate, that's a certainty.

Wasn't the greatest watch today, some decent races but better meetings so far this season. The track really needs to be sorted out, the only rider who looked entirely comfortable today was Jon Armstrong. It's really not good enough and I'm sure I'm not the only one who's patience is beginning to wear thin.

Does Ayres fit for Hume? Think Shanes is most likely if he can commit, can't see anyone else from the NL who's even close to being ready.

I've been critical on here recently about the track but as I've said previously in the topic, certainly nothing wrong with it this week. There won't be many better races at West Row this year than the one between Ayres and Wood.

There was nothing wrong with that track on Sunday. And regardless, same for both teams.

Ruddick won both of his races fairly comfortably. Ayres did help but he was quite far ahead. Armstrong did well with Verge a couple of times.

What's happened to Kelsey Dugard? Looked promising when he first started but just looks like he's going backwards now. The used tyre didn't seem to affect Brennan that much!

Very impressed with Mildenhall today, Eastbourne less so. Delighted to see Luke Ruddick do so well, hopefully that continues. Jenkins really is a class act, he looks like he'll go far in the sport if he stays fit. Sam Woods looks like a solid reserve, gradually improving week on week. Eastbourne will struggle to get in the play offs with that side all year. They need a proper heat leader away from home, Baseby and Wood just don't cut it. It's obvious Plymouth will struggle this year so I wouldn't read much into Friday. Parkinson-Blackburn looked to have bike problems today which was a shame. Tom Brennan looks a great prospect, struggled a bit on his first few laps but quickly worked it out. Beating Armstrong around Mildenhall on your visit is a great effort. Enjoyable meeting overall considering the score line, some decent races. Also impressed with young Drew Kemp before the start, he'll be being tapped up by a few sides already I'm sure.

Totally agree. Chill out SCB, some of us don't know every rule inside out.

Kurtz not allowed to ride. 7 day rule applied?

I don't dispute that he's giving it his best but I just don't think he'll cut it at Peterborough. Different tracks would suit him better. He wasn't anywhere near to Mountain or Hume last week and although they're both doing ok, they're not setting the world alight.

Would guess that's at least two months out for Covatti. Any suggestions for who comes in?

From what I've seen on Bacon this year, albeit only twice it just doesn't look to me like the Showground suits him. However, as been mentioned it's difficult to find a suitable replacement. I thought Nathan Greaves looked good in the Under 21's, I think he'd be worth a go.

A decent meeting after a slow start. Holder- Superb performance, best I've seen him. Rode similarly to last year in the Fours. The sponsors choice of man of the match was ridiculous, Holder won that meeting for Peterborough. Lambert- Struggled, doesn't look confident and would be expected to beat Mountain at the Showground. Bjerre- Brilliant to watch, albeit his wild style may have cost him a few points. Good value. Ostergaard- Did his job, felt he should've been in 15 instead of Bjerre, however guessing his injuries contributed to the decision. Wilson-Dean- Did well but will have better meetings. Impressed with his start to the season. Bacon- Feel for him, think he may be able to cut it at this level but just don't think the Showground suits him. Hope he's given a chance to improve. King- Struggled early on, good before heat 15 which he should never have been in. Think the close friendship between Danny and Ritchie may have prevented the right decision here. The fact that he isn't fully fit makes the decision seems even more mystifying. Sarjeant- Flew out to lead one race but not enough pace and was last by bend three. No questions about him keeping a place in the side when Newman returns. Covatti- Nothing special today but a good ride late on. Good to watch. Heeps- Fantastic performance by Cameron. No one was catching him when he gated so amazed Hawkins didn't just risk him in heat 15 and throw him in. Schlein- Very impressed with Rory. Looks fit and strong, no doubt he'll be back in the Premiership soon too. Cracking ride in 15, just couldn't get there. Hume- Did what was expected by beating Bacon. Looks good, wasn't out of contention in any races. Mountain- Very impressive today, looks better every time I see him. Ipswich will be delighted to have him and Hume at reserve this year, if both stay fit, they'll improve quickly. Surely this is the whole point of the forum? Discussions are what it's for and it's always interesting to read how people see meetings.

I accept that there's always going to be slight issues when it's as hot as it was yesterday but the track never seems to change. I understand that having too much shale on the track isn't beneficial for the inexperienced but a huge blue groove can't be preparing them very well either. Good to see Kevin Jolly saying they'll work on the track this week, he seems like a really decent man who deserves success at Mildenhall for the all the work he's putting in. Just to say, the track is the only issue at Mildenhall in my opinion. It's a nice club with nice people involved and once the track is sorted, more larger crowds like yesterday will be seen. I do enjoy my speedway there and have done since going to Mildenhall as a boy in the 1980's. I don't want my opinions to be seen negatively, it's just my opinion that these improvements will give the club opportunity to gain larger crowds.

Agreed. Very disappointed with the track. The standard response of blaming the heat will be the club's excuse but it is reasonable as a paying spectator to expect to not see a blue groove after six heats every meeting. I'll give it a couple more attempts but if the track doesn't improve, Sunday's could be spent at Peterborough instead.

Observations on today's season opener... Hard to judge off the first meeting but once Jenkins moves up into the top five, could be difficult against the best sides. Saying that, Verge, Ruddick (after first two races) and Woods all looked steady. Hopefully they'll improve throughout the year. Jenkins looks a class act, defeating Stoneman twice, I think he'll average around 7.50-8.00 this year. Halsey looks good, Armstrong and Mountain down on pace but sure that'll come. Good to see Mountain back and hope he's not feeling too sore after the bang to the back he received in his fall.

Any ideas on the wildcard for this GP yet? Guess it won't be announced for a couple of weeks but anyone expected to be given the opportunity?

Who has Heeps replaced in this meeting?

Please enlighten me on how any of my comments were about anything relating to Simon Lambert off the track? I feel my analysis of him on track is pretty accurate but please, feel free to show me the last time he got one or two points or went unbeaten at the Showground.

It was hardly meant offensively. I simply meant that you know what you're getting with him, a solid five or six point return most meetings. He's not going to turn up and go unbeaten and he's rarely going to score one or two.