False dawn

They could, of course, upgrade to Windows Pen and Paper or speak to me

Mine is

4 guests and rider replacement? We've plumbed new depths.

Am I the only one (regardless of what happened last night) who thinks that 2 meetings between the same 2 clubs on the same night is fundamentally wrong? Silly, at best. You might as well have one meeting and double the result. Surely the appeal of racing the same club twice at home on different nights (different halves of the season even) is that of anticipation. "They beat us last time, but we've signed a new heat leader or reserve (or both at the same time if you're Rye) since". "Our no.1 was carrying an injury last time, this time we're all fit". The chances of 14 riders remaining 100% fit and having 100% reliable machinery over 2 consequetive meetings is small. Did I say 14? Of course, when you start with less, the odds are already against you. And in case you think hindsight is a wonderful thing, I did post about the dangers of using RR yesterday. This is fixture planning (planning?) at it's worst. Double headers are of dubious value. To the club, to the riders and last of all (as always) the fans.

Returning to an earlier tangential splinter in this thread. Did Josh Auty set a new record tonight, albeit in unusual circumstances? He scored 13 out of his team's total of 21 (or 11 out of 19 if we ignore the TR double). 62% (or 58%). Maybe not one to shout about eh?

And what about Nicki? You've all written him off. But should he get fit and come back fighting, does he deserve a wildcard? Aren't you glad you're not the one dishing out these discretionary places in next year's World Championship?

I'm curious. Wolves running rider replacement looks risky over 30 heats to me. A poor run by a couple of riders, worse still an injury and it could be disastrous.

So that will have to be the away leg then. Unless the Swindon riders are doubling up as greyhounds as well.

A sign of things to come? 2018 SGP ?

You mustn't be so shy. Tell us what you really think.

Your's was a gentle challenge to tell us when another rider has done this. I'll go further. This might be unique. Bloody good, anyway.

Finishing order: Przemyslaw Pawlick Artem Laguta Patryk Dudek Craig Cook Michael Jepsen Jensen Piotr Pawlicki Peter Kildemand Vaclav Milik Kai Huckenbeck Leon Madsen Mateusz Szczepaniak Matej Zagar Gleb Chugunov Martin Smolinsk Andrei Kudriashov Roman Lakhbaum Martin Vaculik If I'd have been Craig in that line up, I might have crumbled. The number of big names is overwhelming. And did I get it right that Craig posted a zero in his first ride? To finish 4th is outstanding. You are on the verge my boy. The Dude won't finish out of the top 8. You have a chance to be our next hero. Line up those sponsors. Get the tuner you like. This is it. A top 8 finish next year, and the World's your lobster.

I think I've issued more "Nerd Alerts" than most. I look up averages, I try to work out guest and rider replacement eligibility. Hell, I can tell you which gate is most advantageous in each half of a meeting. I love all things mathematical and I love this sport. So I am so pleased that GSA's, team declarations, inter league average calculations and even riders coming in from abroad are easily subject to my spreadsheet analysis. Give me the data and I'll tell you what's permissible, acceptable, or even a bit dodgy. Given that I've spent the last n months trying to get ahead of this process, I have to tell you. I'm obviously too old, suffering from early dementia or simply too thick. I guess I'l have to take future pronouncements on trust. Not a comfortable position for me at least. Are you okay with this?

Well get used to him. He is going to be World Champion. This year. (you heard it here first)

"DAN'S THE MAN FOR KINGS" according to their website. Would love to see Dan have a decent run and move on in the sport (not that I biased of course, having been a Storm supporter).

I kind of get where you're coming from and I respect your opinion (really, no sarcasm). But who's loss is it that Tai doesn't ride for Team GB? I'm old school and believe that any rider should be knocked out to be picked to ride for the National side. I like Tai (even the tats!) and want him to do well. But if he was my lad I'd kicked his a**e from here to next Wednesday for turning his back on the National side. Oh I don't know. Having read what I've just typed, I'm on both sides of this argument. Am I alone?

Emil for the win then! Penelope Pitstop ?

right There's a meeting at BV 14th October. 4th round of the British championship. I'll introduce you to the main players

turn left Krzysztof

NKI had memories of that run off with Lebedevs in the SWC !

Well I'll be the first to hold my hand up. I thought the idea of signing a no.1 on a silly high average was suicidal given the strength in depth other teams were building. At the very least I foresaw significant team changes after a few weeks as we saw at Wolverhampton (who's changes I thought were astute btw). But no, Swindon have done the business, even doing without JD during their recent run of success. They are real championship (small c) material.

Some will say that Craig, or any other Brit (other than Tai) ain't good enough to compete on the World stage. Well I say, that's a bit chicken and egg. Get our boys out there and some of them will rise to the challenge. Look at the mountain it is to get into the GPs and then stay there. The GP challenge route is tough by anyone's standard. Then clawing your way into the top 8 and staying there, bloody heroic. Let's salute Craig for getting this far. If he qualifies, let's celebrate. Oh I know he rides for some clubs up north. But who cares? He's one of ours and we should be proud.

I love the report on this match on the speedwaygb site and their explanation of the members of the Perterborough team..... "....with Jack Holder also absent." Is that what's called diplomatic?

Could be more interesting..... We hear you've been banned in the UK. Can you tell us what that's all about?

Rosco described the current situation as an engine tuner merry go round. Speedway riders without a sense of loyalty? Whatever next?