lucifer sam

Phil, surely a great racetrack has to be the prime consideration. The Prague track is always very poor. They've been given enough chances to improve it. Why not instead award it to Pardubice for say, three years, therefore giving them the chance to invest in improving facilties. The Czech Golden Helmet is also a great weekend; Prague is not the only nice city in the Czech Republic. All the best Rob

Good luck with getting this meeting on tonight. All the best Rob

And unless Gustix is around 90 years old, how does he know? Vic Duggan was at his peak 65 years ago, Ron Johnson was at his peak even before that. Woffinden does appeal to the younger generation - he's in with the current trends. And for the older generations, he's a polite and well-spoken young man. I think he has the potential to make a very good World Champion. All the best Rob

Blimey, we've got a British World Champion and Gustix still isn't happy. All the best Rob

Who made you judge and jury? Maybe you could wait to see if he's guilty, before condemning the man. All the best Rob

How about: 1. Chris Holder 2. Tomasz Gollob 3. Antonio Lindback 4. Grigory Laguta I would rather have Lindback in the series than Lindgren or Jonsson any day, as long as he has overcome his health issues. All the best Rob

Rob G flew out of the gate, while Hoggy stalled the bike. Hoggy got a push start to get going, by this time Rob had half a lap lead. Rob slowed down to let Hoggy catch back up and they were level with a lap to go. Hoggy looked at the outside line, but as Rob headed wide towards him, Hoggy thought the better of it and backed out of the move. Rob then well ahead again, and slowed down coming off the final bend, trying to pull a wheelie. He won with a mini-wheelie over the line! All the best Rob

This fixture is being held too late for my liking - this was the weekend set aside for the final. I hope the weather is fine for it. All the best Rob

I think the idea of having the final meeting on a Sunday afternoon actually worked well. It meant it wasn't dark and cold. The majority of the crowd stayed behind for the Godfrey v Hoggart match-race, etc, when on a Friday night they'd have been heading for the exit to get home in the warm. All the best Rob

A bit one-sided, although the Scunny boys did make fine passes in a number of races, including a last to first burst by Josh in Heat 12. Josh was at his best, didn't matter id he gated or not, while nice to see a paid max for Ryan. Solid scoring all the way down for the Scorpions. Sheffield were poor. I thought the second half was going to be a highlight and it was, as the four Scunny boys did battle, with Josh passing Nicolai to win the race, and not far behind them, the battle for third. Meeting had a nice, end-of-season feel to it. All the best Rob

SCORPIONS BADE FAREWELL TO 2013 HENDERSON INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions will take part in their last meeting of the season at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Sunday afternoon (3pm), as they take on local rivals Sheffield Tigers in the second leg of the Retro Cup. The Scorpions have a 42-36 lead, after a win in the first leg at Sheffield on Thursday. It is a meeting styled on how speedway was run on the sixties, seventies and eighties, thought by many to be a Golden Age for British Speedway. The Retro Cup sees the reintroduction of: • The old 13-heat format that that was used in British Speedway between 1969 and 1987 and coined the phrase that “happiness is 40-38”. The 1-5 in each team have four programmed rides, while the 6 & 7 (reserves) have three programmed rides. • Tactical substitutes, where one rider can replace another (or indeed two riders can replace two others!), once a team is six points or more in arrears at any stage after Heat 4. The tactical substitute served speedway from 1955 to 2003, but was replaced by the somewhat controversial tactical ride (programmed riders going for double points) in 2004. Tactical substitutes are for regular points. • The Champion Of The Afternoon competition in the second half, sponsored by Peacock & Binnington (one of the premier agricultural machinery dealers in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire, with branches at Brigg, Louth, Corringham and Selby). Such second halves were the norm in British Speedway from the early days of the sport to around 1984. Sunday’s second half sees three qualifying heats, with the winner of each race progressing to the final, along with the fastest second-placed rider, so times are all-important! Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “It’s a challenge match, but one with an interesting twist that will interest a lot of people. “A lot of the longer-term fans are always saying we should go back to the way we used to run meetings, so for one meeting, we are! We’ll see how it goes. “There’s been a lot of recent discussion of how speedway can move itself forward. I started some of it myself with a request to hear the views of supporters in the ‘Speedway Star’, speedway’s top weekly magazine. “Sometimes it’s necessary to look how you used to do things, and work out if some of those things were actually better. So it will be interesting to see how everything goes on Sunday afternoon. “It’ll be a great afternoon for the fans who went to Scunthorpe Speedway at Quibell Park and Ashby Ville in the 70s and 80s, who pine for the days of 13 heats, tactical subs and second halves. And, for newer supporters, it’s a chance to see how we used to do things.” It is the sixth clash between local rivals Scunthorpe and Sheffield in 2013. The current score stands at four Scunthorpe victories to Sheffield’s solitary one. Godfrey added: “Sunday gives us a chance to welcome Sheffield promoters Neil Machin & David Hoggart plus the Tigers team here once more this season. “It might be Neil’s last-ever meeting as Sheffield promoter after 21 years in charge. “I sincerely hope that it’s not, because while the two clubs are rivals on the track, Neil has been a good friend to Scunthorpe – on hand with advice and someone I’ve been able to turn to if we’ve had a problem. “He’s too good a promoter to lose to British Speedway. “Although we have a six-point lead from the first leg, Sheffield are determined to turn the tables on us on Sunday. I believe they’ve booked two track specialists in Richard Lawson and Hugh Skidmore as their guests, so they are going all out to win what could be Neil’s final meeting in charge. “It should be a great contest, although I’d love to force the Tigers to use some tactical subs!” Godfrey also clarified why the Scorpions have opted to use rider replacement in these two meetings. “It’s because the reserves only have three programmed rides under the 13-heat-format”, he explained. “I want to use rider replacement to give Lewis (Blackbird) and Ryan (Douglas) more scoring opportunities and therefore the opportunity to earn more money. “The reserves in a team tend to be on less money per point than say the heat leaders, so it’s not fair to give them less rides as well. “It’s the least that Lewis & Ryan deserve after the way they’ve rode for us in the second half of this season. So often those two lads have been our match-winners.” Sunday’s meeting also comes complete with a full second half. Godfrey enthused: “The second half will be interesting, because it’s not often our riders race each other at the Eddie Wright Raceway. “It’ll be interesting to see comes out on top and becomes Champion Of The Afternoon. “Will it be Josh (Auty), Nicolai (Klindt) or Tommy The Gun (Thomas Jørgensen), or our guest the Crazy Frog (David Bellego), or maybe one of our reserves - Ryan (Douglas) or Lewis (Blackbird) – will scoop the prize, or will one of the Sheffield lads end up winning it? “In the second half, we’re also planning to have some mechanics’ races and stuff like that, to mark the end of the season. “We’ve missed out on this kind of stuff over the last couple of years, because when you’re in play-offs, you’re never quite sure when the season is over. This year, the pressure is off and we can have a fun end to the season. “Sheffield co-promoter David Hoggart has challenged me to a race, so that should provide a bit of entertainment!” Scunthorpe will be holding a collection for the injured Ashley Birks on Sunday. The Scorpions’ skipper suffered a broken back in two places at Plymouth last Friday in the Westernapolis individual event. He underway a lengthy operation (in excess of seven hours) on his back on Monday, and the latest twitter updates from Ash indicate he also suffered two broken ribs and a broken collarbone. Godfrey said: “Poor Ash really had a really bad one at Plymouth. I’m sure the supporters will give generously to his collection on Sunday. “He’s a popular rider at the Eddie Wright Raceway. He’s passionate about the club and about winning; and the fans like that. He’s also been a very good captain of the side. “One of his ambitions is to be No 1 at Scunthorpe. According to our figures, he’s achieved that and will finish the season top of our Green Sheet averages. “We hope we can raise a bumper collection for Ash on Sunday, and we hope he is on the mend soon.” Admission Prices for Sunday: Adult: £14.00 Student/OAP: £12.00 Child (10 - 16): £5.00 Child (0 - 9) Free (accompanied by paying adult) Family Ticket £33 (2 adults, 2 Children 10-16) Match Programme: £1.00 Expected teams for Sunday: Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Josh Auty, 2. Ashley Birks R/R, 3. Nicolai Klindt (Denmark), 4. David Bellego (France – guest), 5. Thomas Jørgensen (Denmark), 6. Ryan Douglas (Australia), 7. Lewis Blackbird. Sheffield Tigers: 1. Richard Lawson (guest), 2. Andre Compton, 3. Ricky Wells (United States), 4. Danny Maassen (Germany), 5. Hugh Skidmore (Australia - guest), 6. Damien Koppe (Australia), 7. Facundo Albin (Argentina). Scorpions Info Josh Auty has become the first rider to score over 1000 points at the EWR, both for and against the club (1001 to date). Thomas Jørgensen has now scored over 800 points for the club (812 to date). Ryan Douglas has now scored over 200 points for the club (206 to date). Sheffield Tigers at EWR Ave Ave Best Name Lge M R Pts BP (no BP) (w BP) Performance Facundo Albin PL 2 7 5 1 2.86 3.43 4 + 1 from 4 rides (2013) Andre Compton PL 10 45 80 7 7.11 7.73 13 from 5 rides (2005) Damien Koppe PL 2 8 4 0 2.00 2.00 4 from 4 rides (2013) Danny Maassen DEBUT PL MEETING @ EWR Ricky Wells PL 9 40 57 7 5.70 6.40 8 + 3 from 5 rides (2012) Other Notes Facundo Albin 2011 Argentinean Champion. Competed in the 2012 World Under-21 Championship as a wildcard in 2 rounds. Andre Compton 2004 Premier League Riders' Champion. Member of Sheffield's 1999 and 2001 Premier League Championship Winning Teams. Member of Sheffield's Premier League Four-Team Championship Winning Team in 1999. Member of Workington's Young Shield Winning Team in 2009. Damien Koppe Finished second to Steve Jones in an Amateur Meeting held in October 2012 at EWR. Won his first PL race at the EWR in April's League Cup match between the sides. Danny Maassen A German Under-21 international who was signed last month to replace the retired Joe Haines. 2011 German Under-21 Champion. Has the quickest winning time for a visiting rider this season at the EWR (56.48). Ricky Wells 2009 US National Champion. Twice USA Under-21 Champion (2007 and 2008). Member of Wolverhampton's Elite Shield Winning Team in 2011. Named as a 'doubling-up' rider with Wolverhampton for the 2013 Elite League season. Represented his country in this season's World Cup. Sheffield Tigers' Results at Owlerton 20 March 2008 PT W Sheffield 57 Scunthorpe 36 10 April 2008 KOC W Sheffield 55 Scunthorpe 36 18 September 2008 PL W Sheffield 52 Scunthorpe 38 22 March 2009 CH W Sheffield 50 Scunthorpe 40 25 June 2009 PL W Sheffield 52 Scunthorpe 38 08 April 2010 PT W Sheffield 49 Scunthorpe 43 15 July 2010 PL W Sheffield 61 Scunthorpe 32 24 March 2011 CH W Sheffield 59 Scunthorpe 35 14 July 2011 PL W Sheffield 55 Scunthorpe 39 25 June 2012 LC W Sheffield 54 Scunthorpe 39 12 July 2012 PL L Sheffield 43 Scunthorpe 47 04 April 2013 LC W Sheffield 51 Scunthorpe 41 22 August 2013 PL L Sheffield 44 Scunthorpe 46 26 September 2013 Retro Cup L Sheffield 36 Scunthorpe 42 Sheffield Tigers' Results at EWR 23 October 2005 CH L Scunthorpe 47 Sheffield 43 30 October 2007 CH W Scunthorpe 44 Sheffield 45 21 March 2008 PT W Scunthorpe 41 Sheffield 48 11 April 2008 KOC W Scunthorpe 44 Sheffield 48 15 August 2008 PL W Scunthorpe 43 Sheffield 47 20 March 2009 CH L Scunthorpe 60 Sheffield 32 05 May 2009 PL L Scunthorpe 57 Sheffield 38 19 March 2010 PT L Scunthorpe 43 Sheffield 33 30 August 2010 PL W Scunthorpe 41 Sheffield 51 18 March 2011 CH W Scunthorpe 43 Sheffield 47 10 June 2011 PL L Scunthorpe 46 Sheffield 43 04 June 2012 LC W Scunthorpe 40 Sheffield 50 17 August 2012 PL L Scunthorpe 51 Sheffield 42 05 April 2013 LC L Scunthorpe 50 Sheffield 38 21 June 2013 PL L Scunthorpe 63 Sheffield 31 (stats courtesy of John Eyre)

Don't forget there's also a second half for the Retro Cup meetings. You actually get more racing for your money, not less. All the best Rob

Socrates definitely existed. He played for Brazil in the 1982 World Cup. All the best Rob

TWK, this statement makes no sense. The Premier League play-offs are NOT televised. There are play-offs in the Premier League, because the Premier League promoters want them, because they are good for business. All the best Rob

It would appear this is the offending article: http://www.speedwaygp.com/news/article/2874/woffy-catch-me-if-you The headline has been changed, but the link has not. Keep focused Tai. All the best Rob

RIP Peter Craven - my dad's favourite speedway rider. All the best Rob

I think there's four legs - didn't it go to a replay? All the best Rob

I don't quite see that. There's not tons of fixtures this season. No way the League Cup shouldn't be have done and dusted months ago, for example. That's down to all clubs really, just not the finalists, because they were reserved dates for the semi-finals and they should have been stuck to. League Cup Final should be in June. Maybe the PLRC needs to be in early September as well. Leave the deck clear for the play-off matches to take place as soon as possible. All the best Rob

I just hope there's no rain offs, because the final in the last week of the season is cutting things just too fine. All the best Rob

I do feel for any teams caught like this. My team (Oxford) were the first-ever victims in 2002 - it was a Peterborough v Oxford match not held in time, and by not holding the meeting, Peterborough progressed to the play-offs! Last season was slightly different in that Scunthorpe got on and held all their meetings, didn’t turn down any dates, put themselves in a strong position, but were then left twiddling their thumbs waiting for the other two clubs to complete the group. Scunthorpe were rained off at Edinburgh on September 28th, and rather surprised to find October 5th free for the re-staging, as it was assumed Workington would be at Armadale that Friday. It wasn’t ideal for Scunny but they took it. I really don’t know why the Edinburgh v Workington meeting was left so late, it was almost tempting fate. October 5th was originally free, not sure why the Comets weren’t booked in that night; I think Edinburgh wanted them there. It wasn’t nice for the Comets’ riders and fans to see their season end like that. Previous form at Armadale suggests the Comets would not have done it, but in speedway, anything can happen. This year’s new and fresh Workington promotion are very different – they seem really keen to get on with their matches in the same way that Scunny were last season. I’m just slightly concerned to see a Newcastle v Somerset match earmarked for October 13th – just a little too late in my opinion. But I hope we have a fine October and the PL play-offs are completed in good time. All the best Rob

How about American Football? And baseball? And British Rugby? And a host of other sports? In fact, these days more sports have play-offs to decide the championship, than those who do not. And Championship Football is slightly different in that (due to the sheer amount of cash on offer), promotion to the Premier League is a bigger deal than winning the league. So the biggest game of the Championship season is the play-off final to decide the 20th and final Premier League place. The game has even replaced the FA Cup Final as the final game of the season. Play-offs are big occasions; if anything speedway has been too late in coming to the party. All the best Rob

The Championship is football’s second tier. It has play-offs. The Premier League is speedway’s second tier. It has play-offs. Massive American sports have almost always had play-offs to decide the league winners. I was in two minds about play-offs, until seeing both legs of last year’s final, which were the best two meetings I saw last year – the excitement running throughout the final just grew and grew. I was then a convert and realised that these days, with so many counter-attractions, why play-offs are necessary. It’s exciting, it’s dramatic and it creates media interest. Also it means most teams still have something to strive for until August or September. If finishing top of the league decided who became champions, the season is over for half of the teams by the end of April. And to those who say the PL only has play-offs because of Sky’s involvement, I think they’ll living in a different world to me, because I can’t remember Sky ever televising a PL play-off match. The PL play-offs are there because it’s the best thing for the Premier League. I do have a slight concern that a Newcastle v Somerset play-off match is not being held until Sunday, October 13 (just a little too late in my opinion, and partially caused by the fact that the League Cup – the start of the season competition – has not yet been concluded), but I hope the weather doesn’t intervene and we have a cracking conclusion to the Premier League for a second season in succession. Maybe with an exciting final played out in front of TWK’s eyes – so he can, like I did last year, cast aside any scepticism about play-offs and learn to embrace them as the way forward for speedway. All the best Rob

I thought Newcastle could run on Mondays. Didn't they run this Monday? Last years's play-offs were nearly screwed up due to the Edinburgh v Workington match not being attempted to be held until October 19th (and was then rained off). It was far too late. It not only led to Workington's slight hope of qualifying being ended by an off-track decision, but it also pushed the final back a week until the very final weekend of the season. If the Scunthorpe track staff had not performed something of a miracle (they'd had heavy rain in the afternoon; the pits were flooded) to stage their leg on Monday October 29th (it had already been rained off on October 28th), the whole season could have ended in farce. I would hope there's a cut-off point in place this year for the group matches to avoid a similiar near disaster; Monday, October 7th would make a lot of sense. All the best Rob

Best wishes Bryn. Don't worry - the IOW have called off tonight's meeting for you! All the best Rob

Nice to see Workington scheduling all their matches by end of September (weather permitting). Let's hope the other teams follow and the last group match is on October 5th at the latest, and we end up with the final being staged in the second week of October, rather than struggling to get it in, in the final week of October. All the best Rob