SPEEDY69

Well, Sheffield deserved that. They looked hungrier and way happier on the very slick track than Ipswich. King was awful in his first two rides, Thompson has gone backwards at Foxhall and Edwards is not at this level. Hawkins howler not putting Ellis in in place of Edwards, Ht 12 I think. Holder made some good starts near the end Gate 2 was seemingly best. Ipswich will be nervous heading into next week.

I don't think it'd make a blind bit of difference to crowd levels, that's down to marketing and the entertainment at the event, not the rules.

A few years ago many people said the same for October, it'll be August next! Rain can happen at any time of year.

Clever wording there though, because 2nd/3rd isn't certain to be decided by Thursday's fixtures, just that they'll base the order on the positions after that. I think the rules say there should be coin toss surely🤣

There'd never be a wet meeting run with the Holders in town 😁

This seems good - I much prefer people who qualify for the series than wildcards.

And has done better that Vaculik, who some seem to want in the series again.

My old 897 may stand a chance then, happy days!

It's not necessarily that it no longer appeals - I lost touch with it as soon as it disappeared from BBC as it was something to watch in the school holidays and the sunday league game. Now I couldn't tell you who any of the players are or where to watch it and all this choice for TV I think has played a part in its downfall.

If so, he must've got something on those in charge 🙈

Money of course. The SCB charge an awful lot and you are forced to have their products (insurance/licences etc.) and these are not 'better' just more expensive.

My memory of those meetings was on the way back from the morning meeting at Lynn being passed by rider cars/vans on the A134/1088 doing a little over the speed limit!

With Lambert's dip in form it's no certainty that GB will get to the final - I'm hoping they do as we're travelling to support them Sat night!

The shale seems to be very powdery so when wet it will be very slick - even slicker than normal which is saying something. Chris called it right, on these types of track the speed of the bike is the biggest factor in race wins because everyone rides them full throttle - now that might sound obvious but it's not always been that way. Looking at older races from yesteryear the tracks generally were much bumpier and the outside was for the bravest only as most riders would get into difficulty with the heavy shale. It's got too fast for its own good and the engine builders/tuners haven't helped. Nowadays if someone falls off because they 'took off' when hitting the grip near the fence, the solution, instead of riders avoiding that, is to slicken the track and make it easier to ride so it continues to be slicker and slicker.

I reckon 51-39 to Sheffield

I seem to remember he didn't do very well in that position earlier on in the season

Simply because things do happen. At Foxhall recently I could have easily seen the Aces get a 5-1 in Ht13 rather than the other way around. Thompson showed he can register a poor score as can others and I think Aces can beat Ipswich at their place and bring a few points in hand. I'd have put £20 on the Witches reserves outscoring the Aces reserves but they didn't. Speedway can be unpredictable - I though Redcar would muller Plymouth on Saturday but far from it, they nearly lost!

Quite. If the Witches face the Aces in the semi I can see them being beaten over two legs - past performance is no guarantee of future return!

Just caught up with the meeting stream. Congratulations to Plymouth for getting so close to winning with such a patched up and below strength side. Redcar should feel disappointed they only won by two. Thomsen was doing well until his falls. Barker will be out for a while so more guests needed for future meetings. Looks to be a great atmosphere and well fun club down there, seemed to be plenty of fans in, well done!

I think their riders were not pleased about that.

What he doesn't do is order enough programmes! Second week running they've run out. Seller said they ordered 1000 for tonight but that's clearly not enough.

Flint is a good guest, riding well this season.

I think that's a good call, get a US rider back in the series! Vaculik has been dreadful so far this season and has been in the series many years, failed to qualify and to me doesn't deserve to be in next year ahead of others. If Emil and Artem get wildcards that would also be great.

Two out of three ain't bad

Agreed, he impressed me at Foxhall last week