Bitza

Well that's a shame but understandable in the circumstances. So it'll be two Cheetahs and five guests not the kind of contest anyone wanted, but just hoping that there will be some interesting racing. It's the last meeting of the season whatever, so let's just have a bit of fun and enjoy.

All this over the word "interesting", take a deep breath, move on and keep a bit of dignity.

Went via Bing to check out Oxford Speedway website, on the summary bit for OS it shows a picture of Wimborne Rd bit odd, their favourite track maybe? The other odd thing is that there is no preview for the KO 2nd leg on their website.

Re Luke's fitness, the earliest he could have a 12 day medical is tomorrow surely, bearing in mind his off was in the evening. So he can't be feeling too bright.

Heard the result of the pairs final UK bronze congratulations to the young trio, mind you the heavy lifting was by our(till Wednesday anyway) Tom Brennan. Well it made me think how lucky we've been having him as a Pirate for 2024. The top people in any sport are always two steps up on the people who are just very good, and Tom has the potential to be a top rider. I guess what I'm saying is that winning the triple this year would be a great achievement, but winning the triple in 2025 with Kerr or Thompson would be an even greater achievement.

So what was the result?

Yup I'd go with that, Kerrs and Thompson pretty comparable although the latter has more potential I'm thinking.

For An other hopefully read Dan Thompson.

Not so sure about Kerrs, personally I would like to see Dan Thompson at Poole.

I haven't seen any mention of Tobias Thomsen yet on this thread, but he is definitely coming good (since I got him a proper big flag), he represents good value per his average and would give a bit of continuanuity going into 2025. Tonight he couldn't have done much more.

VF big step up this evening, somebody's been having a word in his ear I'm thinking, and to his credit he's been taking notice. Hold that thought VF and the future looks good.

Have resisted posting on this thread till now but..... VF does ride like he stole it, does look like he's on the ragged edge, and does witness quite a few offs from close up. But he is a highly entertaining rider, I'm not a great fan of his reactions to opposition fans but can see where it comes from. He will improve with time/experience, and referees will be well aware of his reputation. But the real question is "can he afford to carry on racing" at the rate he currently wrecks his bikes (he reminds me of the early years of The Who).

Thanks for that clarification. Any thoughts on where to find rider averages relevant to next season? and or what the team total will be?

When I looked at the British Speedway site, under rider statistics it says 8 meetings for an official GSA, can anyone clarify? Also where are the rider averages relevant for next season published?

All down to whether he's fit or not, anyone have any updates on his fitness?

Well Killeen riding doesn't make the job of winning the KO Cup any easier granted, but I have faith in the Pirates having the quality to win whatever, but they would need ride like they want it. Take a few risks and don't pay the top riders too much respect.

Current weather forecasts suggest Wednesday fixture off & Thursday fixture could go ahead. If Poole fixture is put back a week, there is a chance of Killeen being fit and being able to take part in one leg at least.

Yes the freeze frame parts made the incidents alot easier to understand, I was at the apex of 1/2 and in h8 you could see there was an issue long before they ploughed into the corner but didn't really know what had happened. The interview made me alot more sympathetic to our Vinnie, because I have had my doubts about his riding skill, although never his commitment. Also think it's a shame not to be competing against a full Oxford team, but that's speedway I guess. Mind you beware of the wounded beast!

It's just a mix of testosterone and adrenaline, what the Pirates could have done with on Saturday night. The advantage was for the Cheetahs tonight, I guess they didn't want it as much. A great night all in all. Particularly enjoyed heat four watching Tom giving Nicholls the minimum of room around turns 1/2 quite different to heat four on Saturday. Great result well deserved.

Well I was thinking game on tomorrow, but now you mention bouncy rain I'm not so sure.

Yup I would go with that, we've had quite a bit of rain but nothing that won't dry off by tomorrow night. Game on tomorrow I think.

OK so Middleditch has a bad oyster and erupts into a fountain of effluent, so you ending up getting the call. "seen your comments on the forum and you obviously know what you're on about, so would you stand in to manage the Pirates. So what do you say to the riders? Me.. I'd say to Sam & Tobias up the risk level, better to touch the tapes than trail around at the back for 4 laps, if you're at the back by turn 1 look for the cut back straight away, to Vinnie ignore everything I've just said just carry on as you are, to the top four don't give Masters & Nicholls too much respect if anyone is going to do any leaning-on make sure it's you not them. This is just a game. Hi

This is the rose tinted scenario, just hope it turns out that way.

Well that would be good news if Giles and Heeps perform like they did last time out at Wimborne Road. Getting the better of Masters, Nicholls and Killeen a more tricky issue.

In most forms of motorsport when the rider/driver on the racing line in "ridden into" then the perpetrator is deemed guilty, simple. The trouble is with Speedway is that there are any number of racing lines, making it such a great sport to watch. Giving the rider in front priority seems fair to me, although to riders excluded it will sometimes feel harsh.