Uluru

I think he's always raced as a Brit -- didn't he win their U-21 Title a couple of years back? His dad is Aussie, his mum is a Brit. His choice to go with mum's lot.

Only three Aussies? Not good enough, you'd think we hadn't had three different World Champs since the millennium. I guess I can accept six Poles, Swedes and Danes and even five Brits......... Who will those five Brits be, though -- top five in Brit Final, or some sly seeding for the favoured ones?

Don't be surprised if there's another Aussie at the OTA in 2019. By the way, what's the difficulty in understanding how many meetings you'll be getting? In the so-called 'big league' you are guaranteed a minimum of 13 matches. 12 league and 1 cup. In the preferable (as I see it) Championship you are guaranteed a minimum of 15 matches. 11 league, 3 Shield and 1 cup. How difficult is that to grasp, even for Poms?

Here's a thought, how come at least half, probably more, of the British Elite ice hockey teams are staffed by foreign, mostly Canadian or American, journeyman players? How do they get the visas that are denied to kids like Jaimon Lidsey?

Where Mick Horton has passed, nothing every grows again........

Every rider I know at that level will tell you they don't trust Leon Madsen after he was caught cheating. He won't get many favours -- speedway riders have memories like elephants.

The golden heat thing is for minor competitions, mate. This was for the Scottish Cup!

What would have been really funny, and replayed forever, would have been if the fat boy had gone over when he was shoved. Like the referee Di Canio pushed. In ice hockey, if two players have a spat and drop their gloves, it's no big deal -- two minutes off the ice. But if a third party joins in, that party get a red card for the rest of the match! So speedway handbags should maybe be condoned between two riders in the interest of crowd entertainment (they are protected by helmets, gloves and padded suits after all) but any other riders, hangers-on or worse, team managers, who try to jump in should be banned from the pits immediately.

Mark Riss has 'returned to Germany' and Belle Vue can now use horses for courses at reserve. Dodgy.

Pretty convenient for Belle Vue, they can use horses for courses instead of the deadhead squarehead.

Not bitter, then?

It's about the money. Big attendances. As was said, no-one would want to finish on top. Speedway is still a business first, then an entertainment, then a sport. Always has been.

No gripe about Dan Bewley, who is clearly a special rider and nice lad. Although he was riding for Workington when hurt, there are of course precedents for a collection tomorrow at Belle Vue ---- but might this latest trend of crowdfunding pages for an injured rider, in addition to his regular speedway insurances and a crowd collection be a little bit over the top? What is the BenFund for? (I realise there will be loud cries of outraged indignation over this post, but just saying)

What does anyone know about Jason's situation? Did he crash? In a meeting? At practice? Was he injured?

Let's get back to Somerset. The Rebels have just qualified for the big-league playoffs, and are in the semi-finals of the Cup. Let's talk about their success and leave obscure non-teams to a topic of their own.

If Lasse Bjerre has been replaced on the cut-off weekend, it means he won't be allowed to sign up elsewhere. This is the flaw in the cut-off system. Sedgy, Batchelor and Holder were stranded last season -- any rider dumped this weekend will be in the same situation.

Go on you Aussie Rebels! Somerset have four of us, Pirates only two. No contest.

Fixed race nights. Can't beat 'em!

Dunno how many, but stadium seemed pretty full all around, stands were full. back straight area jammed. Well done to local promotion, well done to fans who came and WELL DONE YOU AUSSIES!

Mate, it is a big thing. Every single clash between us and your lot is a big thing. As someone said before, if it wasn't an official international, Chris Holder wouldn't get a visa to ride in it. I'm in Glasgow now, nice city. Bring it bloody on!

I think we're all satisfied with the Aussie line-up. Doyley and Nick Morris are injured, but Lemo was still spoiled for choice. The team would be no weaker, no stronger if Batch, Josh G or Proctor were included, but he's gone for younger riders behind Chris. Go Aussie, go!

Averages? In a Test Match?

What's naughty? Glasgow learn this morning -- presumably Jason Doyle notified MA of his unavailability before, or at the same time as he tweeted -- and have it on their Facebook early this morning that he won't be fit. Presumably having waited for MA to confirm it. Now we need three more Aussies to fill our roster and whup youse Poms.

A friendly? Ya stupid Pom -- we don't do friendlies against your lot. Never have, never will. This is a Test Match, long overdue -- and Australia are going to humiliate England, just like always.

As Jason was a Peterboro' rider when he was sixteen, how did they need to buy him?