HGould

I've never been a big Rory fan but this is sad news. I'd imagine that having retired once and come back, this may be career ending definitely season ending. With the exception of possibly R Worrall there would be very few replacements available, a fact that is overlooked in my opinion. It's all very well to hope for new clubs or returning clubs but where are the riders at heat leader level especially but also second string and credible reserves to staff them. Further reduction of second tier points limit or advent of six man teams would appear to be the only logical solution.

With all due respect Sonny Springer and Vinnie Foord have nowhere near the Youth pedigree of Max. Springer is too young anyway, Foord is very fast but still very wild. They are more for 2026 at earliest I'd say. Let's not forget the terrible crash that Max had last Autumn. He deserves patience and respect.

Brennan is the shining light of the season for me. He's gone up a notch from the Kemps, Flints etc, He's out scoring the likes of Worrall, Lawson, Wright, and other established British riders in the PL He's not in the Bewdley, Lambert level yet, no where near, but he's got to target the scoring prowess of Bomber and Scott by season end PL season and then consolidate at that level.

We'll wait for the.. Andy Street (former Mayor) promised me he'd sort it as he's a Speedway fan" Excuse...

Left field suggestion Jan Kvech Untried in UK but very solid year on year progress through age groups and in Poland Not sure if he'd come in on a 6 point average? Might allow wriggle room lower down.

Oh right.. Thanks for clarifying.

Rearranged at insistence of BSPL No Guest allowed for Newman who is getting married. Do you suggest he cancels wedding. Covatti is ready to ride and has tried, likely back in a few weeks. Better to give all team extra rides than fork out a 4 figure sum on a mercenary like Batchelor. Longevity far more likely by keeping costs down than splashing money they haven't got. Losing less money is as important than trying to make some. No big earners in that team and have already won away and at home. They'll probably outlive my Brummies, where Crowds are nowhere near better enough to pay for overseas riders we've signed and that's before Lindgren Sport can't afford to lose any more tracks as it is.

The point is, far narrower, bigger and faster tracks existed in the past. The bikes of that time and the riders of the time who had far more throttle control mastered them because they had the ability to ride in all kinds of conditions with steel or wooden fences awaiting them not air fences. No social media, no 24 hours news, no mobile phones, if you were lucky Steve Wright or Diddy David Hamilton may announce on mid afternoon radio 2 a meeting was off. Otherwise they turned up and far more often than not got the sawdust down, overalls to protect leathers and just got on with it. Men not petal dicks

Excellent point lost in the midst of whining about track width. Look back at tracks like The Boulevard, The Shay, Somerton Park, Sydney Showground on Oz and ahem dare I say Derwent Park... Narrower than Plymouth and far bigger higher speeds. 2 valve and 4 valve uprights, harder to ride needing more skill and more throttle control. Modern bike rev far too high and almost all riders (a few notable older exceptions) moaning about tracks when the issue is bikes and their ability to adapt.

Tracks develop over time. It's not as simple as throwing tons of shale on. As others have said, it's been a record breaking wet winter. That track will need to develop. If you just throw shale on you'll also create a massive, and dangerous berm, that will make it more inside line than ever. It probably needs continued dry weather, tyre packing, several more meetings and then a very delicate harrowing out wide to start to deliver what they hope it will. For sure it'll be better and better as weeks go on. Massive credit to all involved and ignore the moaners who probably couldn't distinguish shale from cat litter.

Sounds suspiciously to me as if there may be rat(S) at the Track nibbling the wiring.

There really is no excuse especially at dog tracks like Oxford where photo finish equipment is already installed and can be very quickly interpreted. As a dog race tends to do a lap and a bit the beam is switched on for the finish and provides a mirror image down to one pixel or less. Not rocket science is it, technology us decades old.

The answer has been given. Extortionate amounts asked for and guarantees. That'll be 4 figure, or near 4 figure sums and a minimum guarantee that's more PL level than CL. That's a problem that has been there for years, Heat Leaders used to money the Sport can't afford any more and massive credit to Plymouth for not taking the sort of risks that have seen other clubs fall by the wayside. Hopefully Plymouth can start their season enxt week after a drier spell and at least start getting some Home Match receipts in to their coffers.

It's the High Spring Tides stupid!

Many will remember your Club as a bit of a joke until Ben Duffil came in and transformed it in to the progressive Club it is today. Your vendetta is puerile and just emphasises how apt your name tag is.

When you have a year's rainfall in 3 months it's no surprise. If they'd just left track as it was and done no changes it would still be off. Going to be more off than on if weekend forecasts are right. Needs a week of dry some sun and some high winds everywhere. Like March used to be.

If the average last year was about 500 it was at least double that. I am sure he needed 1000 last year to break even and I'd say it was more than that. Based on what was outside and what was I was told a much bigger than average inside, I'd say around 1300 to 1500 last night. I would think his break even is not massively higher as he gets substantial tv money you don't get in the CL. So he may even have made a few quid. I have rarely seen great racing in March so am sure the racing will get better.

I saw on Countryfile that South West eg Devon and Cornwall had 300% of average winter rainfall from 1 December to 29 February. I cancelled a week in mates cottage from Thursday for a week on basis of forecast down there next 10 days last weekend. Off to Portugal tomorrow. Plymouth rain off won't be because of this week it'll be past 3 months. Hopefully they can sign someone for a month as they seem confident Covatti will be back on early May. We'll done them for not paying 4 figure sums especially after Crump did them over big time

It surely begs a far more serious question that is at the heart of the long term growth and future of the sport. Are the BSPL effectively "closing the shop at 15 or 16 Clubs in the professional leagues.?? Where are the riders to fill Wolverhampton, Peterborough, Swindon, Rye House, Coventry and any others who may be seeking a way back in to the sport?? 6 man teams may create 2 new teams across a league each but that's assuming an increasing number of over 35s can be adequately replaced. It's a terrifying scenario to consider.

Won't he be tagged for 5 months or similar. I know a few footballers have played with tags but can't see someone who has such serious crimes been allowed to break curfew.

Kennett said in today's Star that he was asked but can't do due to work commitments

Birmingham have g got a Guest facility for a newly injured rider. Id imagine Plymouth may seek the same if they can evidence Covatti can be back by May. Guests far better than RR for a month in my opinion. Having said that, I vecjust cancelled an Easter week break in Exmouth as weather forecast next week is dire. Late Booking to Portugal is safer weather wise and not much more expensive.

If Riss could ride Tuesdays, and occasional Saturday, might be worth amending fixtures to accommodate him. So few alternatives of his quality available. Surely 7 men better than RR or weaker team.

Interview with one of the bravest of the brave. Incredible details I wasn't aware of. If it doesn't make you cry then I doubt you have any emotion. Ultimately though a story of incredible bravery, hope, determination and fortitude over the most awful injuries. Respect for all concerned.

Maybe they could do a Kenny Carter. With 2 legs in plaster he was carried to his bike nd won the British semi final at Oxford in 1984. Remarkable.