mikec

Thanks Sidney, couldn't agree with you more. The Belle Vue track looked in terrific condition last night at the Shakedown, despite a very wet March here in Manchester. With the Aces lineup looking very competitive & the Colts side full of promising young talent, there's a really positive vibe amongst us fans right now. Regardless of whether this season ends with silverware or not, it looks set to be an exciting ride!

I went down to the stadium last Saturday, to get an exchange for my unused Peter Craven Meeting ticket. I saw people there who, like you, had sent their tickets in last year. The staff there had a large A4 box file containing letters (with tickets/photocopies attached). All those people were due to have received a refund cheque from the previous BV company in October last year, sometime around Oct 10th. It would seem that none of those refunds happened. Hopefully your letter will be in there, however they do have some computer records from last year's ticket sales too. In short, if you wish to exchange, they can action that for you. If you want a cash refund from the previous promotion however, I believe that you shall need to chase this with the liquidator dealing with the previous BV group of companies. Like Aces51 has suggested, I would definitely email Adrian Smith about it directly. A good friend of mine emailed him at 9pm on a Thursday & had a response from him before 10pm the same evening!

Prem: Shanes (Poole) & Allen (Somerset) Champ: Douglas (Scunny), Berge (Berwick) NL: JPB (Brum), Brennan (Eastbourne)

Like other Aces fans on here, feel desperately sad for Bees fans everywhere. The loss of an iconic name & iconic speedway track is terrible news, have many great memories of our battles with Coventry down the years, including some cracking matches last season at home & at Brandon. Hope you're back on track somehow, somewhere, just as soon as possible.

To be fair to Phil the Ace, he called it on Twitter when announcement about the previous promotion's implosion was about to be made public. And again called it correctly when the news about the new management team was about to be announced earlier in the week. I'd be tempted to take him at his word on this particular subject, each to their own view of course. And for the record I only know Phil by sight, I'm not his agent! He does speak to riders & management, not pretend like some of the keyboard dreamers on here - we all know who they are... That aside, really hoping Lemo & big George are involved in some way with the new management team. George's involvement with the Colts last season in particular was hugely positive in my opinion. With the prospect of an exciting (& very young) Colts side in 2017 I'd be massively disappointed if he isn't involved.

Not the worst team, respect Schlein for coming back from dreadful injuries & he would bring experience to the side. However I'd like to see Berge given a go, imo he'd be a handful for anyone round the NSS, away who knows, would be interesting to find out.

Seen a fair bit of Branford racing at the NSS in 2016, I was pretty impressed with what I saw. Think he's improving & surrounded by experienced heads in the Rye pits I'd expect him to kick on again.

Main difference I've noticed is that Andy at 17 was exciting to watch, but occasionally had my heart in my mouth at times that he was gonna hit the fence some time v soon. Not a criticism by the way, Andy was one of my first Aces heroes! With Jack, seems more in control at same age. He's quick, brave as a lion & happy out in the deep dirt on the outside. Would love to see Jack in BV colours once the club's issues are (hopefully) resolved.

That's a pity. A no doubt quality field nullified by a track that is so notoriously difficult to pass on (unless someone makes a mistake). Shame really, as Gdansk is a really enjoyable city to visit & the stadium is only a 15 minute walk into the old town.

Hope James Shanes gets an injury free run & that the Pirates stick with him for the full season, despite any minor knocks or dips in form that he (or any other young rider) may well encounter stepping up a level. For anyone who hasn't seen him race, he has a cracking racing style & was one of the two most exciting young away prospects I saw in NL action at Belle Vue earlier this year (Jack Smith being the other). He won't be scared of that dirt line inches from the fence at Wimborne Road either, shall watch his progress with interest.

Sad to hear that Ryan Blacklock's called it a day. Watched him a few times this year, a real trier, wish him well in the future. Pleased that the Hitmen rounded off their nightmare season with a win. Hopefully they can track a competitive side in 2017.

Don't think young Joe will be short on offers for a NL spot in 2017. He dropped out of the Colts mid season, think he was having mechanical issues affecting his confidence. Clearly he has ability,though if you watch his mannerisms he seems a kid who's quite hard on himself. Wherever he races in 2017 he'll do a good job.

Scotty would be a great signing for the Hammers. He's mentioned previously his struggles with finding the speed/set up needed round the NSS, & did so again last night in the post match rider interviews on the centre green. That said, he's been a brilliant racer & captain for the Aces, really good interacting with the fans too - just wish we'd signed him as a joint spearhead with Crumpy when he was a bit younger! Always gives 100% whether scoring 4 or 14, can't praise him enough.

First up, congratulations to Wolves, the better team over the two legs. And all the best to PK, a class act over the years, rode well in both legs too. Thrilling racing, big crowd, great atmosphere, a gallant effort from the Aces who'd left too much to do from Monday. No-one present at Belle Vue tonight will forget that meeting in a hurry - what a night!

Back from Monmore, really disappointed, most of the lads didn't do themselves justice, frustrating! Cookie was excellent, that heat 15 summed him up, real fight (despite some plum in Gdańsk yesterday assuring me Cook is a gating tart?!). Credit to Wolves, Howarth was really good,they deserve their 18 point lead. Aces huge outsiders Weds, I give em no more than a 1 in 10 chance of pulling out an aggregate win. As Stevie Worrall said tonight, the fat lady's clearing her throat, but she ain't singing yet. Win or lose, gonna be some brilliant racing Weds night.

3 hours to tapes up & happy to report it's a lovely sunny afternoon here in Gdansk. The start line girls were wandering the Old Town earlier with baskets containing meeting promo leaflets & wristbands, posing with their (many) admirers for selfies etc. All excellent PR. Plenty of fans have made the trip north after last night's action in Torun, hopefully a big crowd tonight with bags of atmosphere & some exciting racing.

Hope BV do find a date before end of October for the Colts v Brummies, look forward to that. Can't make Buxton on Sunday but want to get over for the double header the following week. Is it still definitely a 3pm start? Back on topic, good luck to the Hitmen on Sunday.

Early start for me too, Manchester to Torun via Gdansk, not been to the Grand Prix there for a couple of years, fun place, really looking forward to it.

Lindgren been one of the best visiting riders seen at BV this season, Woffinden's SWC heroics well documented. Thorssell, PK & Masters have all won races there too. With Belle Vue's liking for Monmore, a Grand Final where both legs are away wins wouldn't surprise me.

You're spot on, some brilliant racing tonight. Thought Lewis Bridger's battle with both Worralls in heat 5 was the pick, fantastic race, deserved his win. Hope that you enjoy next week's match FH, judging by the queues outside the Aces ticket office after 10pm tonight,next Weds will be a sellout crowd.

So tough to call this one, the Aces like the Monmore track, Wolves really dangerous round our place. Got all the ingredients of a fantastic final. If you love speedway, whoever you support, these are 2 matches not to miss - win or lose I can't wait!

Only saw a few of the races as I was at Belle Vue tonight but credit Kyle Newman, he was outstanding, saw 3 of his races. Seems a decent bloke too, as shown in last year's Grand Final having the banter with the Aces fans with the goggles. Also thought the call on Ellis when PK locked up was really harsh.

Looking forward to watching young Lambert tomorrow night. He was quality last time with KL & enjoys our track, looked quick in the u21 meet too.

If it was a run of the mill home league match then RR would be a live option, but in a POSF 2nd leg it'd be too risky for me, would go for quality guest every time. Hougaard or similar round the NSS for me all the way.

Think train takes between 2.5 & 3 hours from Torun to Gdansk. Polski Bus is slightly quicker, 2 hours 20 mins. I've booked tickets in advance for bus but when using trains I've just bought them at the station. It's handy to have destination, class & time of journey written on a piece of paper. English really widely spoken in Poland, however less so at train stations.