Bitza

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.

I'm a relatively recent convert speedway spectator, and just love it. I have been watching Poole at Wimborne Road. Until last night when I made the trip up to Sandy Lane to watch the Grand Final. My question is how much do track surfaces vary and how does it effect what it's like to race on? I noticed that the Sandy Lane track looked like a finner material compared to Poole's, and that it's prepared to be drier. I'm really just guessing but it appeared that the drier/finner surface was harder to ride but if you get it right gives you a faster race. Maybe I'm way off the mark, but I'd be interested to hear any insight ex racers might have to offer.

A fair resume of the night.

There sure is winning that always gets to opposing fans.

Well that didn't go according to plan, reminded me of when Oxford came to Wimborne Rd. Even if you are right behind the Pirates you have to acknowledge that Masters and Nicholls are a class act, heats 13 & 15 we're pretty painful to watch. However the Pirates are a quality team that hasn't changed, so overturning the 12 points is doable. But 1-7 will have to show their hunger to succeed on Wednesday.

Sorry

Last minute decision I've decided to drive up to Sandy Lane in car. So if anyone wants a lift there & back let me know sharpish. I'll be leaving Central Poole around 4:30 .

Easy I've obviously got a talent with errors. Just wasn't very familiar with Gilkes (alias Wilkes) and Scott. I see they both did a fair ish job in the KO semi at Sandy Road. I'm thinking the lower order could make all the difference tonight. Toying with the idea of riding up there, but don't really fancy getting soaked on the way back home.

So Dan Wilkes and Jody Scott as guests for the Cheetahs, good or bad?

Makes sense, as wasn't it issues with race days that led Poole relegated themselves in the first place.

Well he's not my dad, a long lost son maybe.

My ignorance, obviously still learning the rules. A pity though because their averages are getting pretty close, and I think they would work better back in the original positions.

Well first off "well done" to the Pirates in the BSN, but now it's back to the Grand Final and a far bigger challenge with the Cheetahs to overcome. Time for all the Pirates to up their game I'm thinking. Seems to me that it might be a shrewd move to swap Sam around with Tobias in the 2 and 6 positions?

Wrong mate, Sam had him down. I was stood at the apex of 1/2 and had a clear view.

Why? I don't know what it is about.

Oops sorry for the above is old news, it's also on Pirates website now.

I've just read an article in Bournemouth Echo (2hrs ago), that suggests Ben Cook may well ride. Also that Luke Harrison will not because he has the FIM U19 match in Germany on Thursday, to be replaced by Paul Starkey.

If Ben is going to ride for Belle Vue on Thursday, he's obviously passed the medical which is great. Using that fixture as a "warm up" is surely fine, the Pirates are more than capable of successfully finishing off the BSN without him. On a technical matter if Poole chose to use RR instead of a guest who is eligible to ride in Ben's place?

I think that's a definite possibility.

I can see where you are coming from, but two things first I think Paul may well flourish, and the second is that Vinnie seems to be on the ragged edge alot of the time (great to watch) but how much more he has to give I question. There is also the question of what number you would have him, because at an average of nigh on 4 that is likely to be No2, a bit different to being No7 don't you think?

Well thanks for the "knowledge" Steve. So if Ben doesn't recover and guests are required. My preferences based on my new found understanding of the rules would be:- Dan Thompson for the away leg (good record this season at Oxford 15 & 11+1), and Danny King for the home leg.

So hopefully Ben will be fit for the rescheduled Grand final legs, away 5th & home 9th. But if not it's all change with the new GSAs. Can anyone out there clarify the averages bit. I'm thinking that a guest average can be no more than +5% of the rider to be substituted average. But is it the overall GSA, or the home/away ones?