False dawn

Please understand. Putting people off was last thing on my mind. This is a chance for the Coventry faithful, of which I'm one, to meet and celebrate the Bees rich heritage. I was just saying that for the second time this year, the weather looked like it might intervene. If the forecast is now more optimistic I'm delighted and will get all my yellow black gear out of the cupboard and look forward to spending some time with old friends, on and off the track.

I hate to say it, but the weather forecast does not look good.

Ah but, you're forgetting something. You'd need two wildcards then. Look at the trouble we had getting one there this year. Mind you. If they only have to do half a lap each, you could pick anyone.

Gate 3 Seats are unreserved. Only the middle tier is open

I have said before that I "believe" that the Welsh tourist board do put a significant chunk of money into the Cardiff GP on the understanding it remains the only GP in Britain. If people know the facts of this matter, one way or the other, can they tell us please?

Centre green announcer said on Saturday that Max James would be in the team next year. That doesn't mean he won't be this year, of course, but the annoucement did imply that. Or maybe the announcer doesn't know. I don't know why I started this post. I think it adds nothing to the sum total of human knowledge.

IMO it is the other way round. The British Final lost a lot of its importance and interest from the average fan when it stopped being on the route to the World Final. Ok, you still became British Champion (the best of British???) but so what?. We did see riders dropping out for little or no reason. The added incentive of going to Cardiff restored some of the interest for the average fan but increased the incentive for riders massively. The chance to ride in your home GP in the caldron that is The Principality Stadium when you're riding well is surely one, most riders find exciting. To split these two endeavours into two meetings would leave the British Final even less meaningful than it was before.

The plan to rerun the British Final after Cardiff seems a bit daft. There is some kudos in being British Champion but not a lot anymore, unfortunately. The real interest comes from the prize of going to Cardiff. This rerun will look like a bit of a dead rubber. And there has to be some logic in sending an in form rider to the British GP as the wildcard. Sending someone who was in form last year does not pass this test. A run off (best of three plus any super heats if necessary) at a neutral venue between the top 3 would surely be more satisfactory than going back to last year's meeting. At least it would be decided in a set of straight races rather than race times or drawing lots (heavens forbid). If the neutral track was streamed on BSN, there are commercial possibilities (barring any problems with Eurosport over the rights, of course). It just feels like we've ended up with a result that pleases no one (apart from Adam E, of course). I've got nothing against Adam. He was a deserved winner last year and it's a real shame that Cardiff didn't run. But I just feel empty in thinking about this decision.

You're right. But running it on 4 consecutive nights on the same track cannot be a good idea. At the very least, we lose the two day final. But the worst of it is that the track has to set up slick and hard to withstand the wear and tear and then it's a gate and go competition. France demonstrated this more certainly than any team last night. They were first or last depending on how good a gate they made. We can hope that more shale will be shipped in tomorrow for the senior final and we can then, hopefully, see some more competitive racing.

Phew!

They're giving big orange lollies as the top prizes. Hence the name, "The Jubbly Cup"

Max Clegg's gate and 1st and 2nd bend in heat 11 was top drawer. His blast around the outside was straight out of the Bomber play book. It truly stunned the crowd and we all watched in real surprise as he put 4 faultless laps together in the 6th fastest time of the night. Kyle wasn't covering his back or holding up Bomber. In fact the three were quite spread out by the end of the race. I've had my own doubts about this signing. But credit, where credit is due.

OR You could load them your stadium!

It reveals a lot about our minds that I had the exact same thought I'm sure it won't happen. On a serious note I don't have a problem with Connor guesting for Berwick today. If the roles were reversed, we'd be saying what a master stroke. It's actually an opportunity for Connor to show how he can perform at home in the Championship. Mind you, if he scores significantly in an away win, I won't be quite so happy.

The best deal was to wait for the July GSAs and do a one-for-one replacement. A redeclaration would have decimated the team. On this basis, a rider with an average up to 4.53 was needed. If people don't like Max, perhaps they could suggest alternatives within that average constraint?

I think it's "sun". But I need to get my coat

Decent each way bet, I guess

Sad news that Roger has passed away. Roger gave significant financial support to the Leicester Lion Cubs and was a proper speedway fan. Often seen at away fixtures despite his advancing years. Thanks, on behalf of many young, upcoming riders.

1 62.15 2 64.00 3 61.44 4 62.31 5 61.50 6 61.62 7 62.94 8 63.59 9 62.06 10 61.94 11 61.82 12 63.78 13 62.87 14 63.38 15 62.50

Let's hope that the rumoured relaxation of the "rules" in Poland comes to pass next year. Then maybe earning mega bucks there and riding in Britain won't be mutually exclusive.

There's no such thing as bad publicity.

I know what you mean. But we had the real pleasure of Tom as our guest at a recent meeting of the Nuneaton Speedway Supporters Club. He voiced a strong allegiance to British Speedway despite the obvious lure of "big bucks" in Poland.

I contacted Oxford direct, weeks ago, simply to get a start time so that I could plan my onward journey to Cardiff. I'm glad I didn't hold my breath. Edit: I see the meeting is listed on both the Oxford and BSPL websites as 7:30 start

Oh, there are many ups and downs when you (loyally) support "your" team. I've followed my team to league championships and to wooden spoons. Sometimes an odd unexpected win from a second string is all you get. But still you go. I'm currently doing missionary work in Leicester and I support them faithfully, even internationally (if you count Scotland). But I'm still a Bees fans, through and through.

He dislocated an ankle according to the BSPA website, which sounds very nasty. I hope we have a good turn out from the Oxford faithful tonight. The Cubs have a decent following and this is a top of the table local derby. A good away following is always welcome.