Aries

That’s Emil in a nutshell tbh very philosophical. People should watch it again, huge amounts of shale was getting caught up in his machine and it was like putting the brakes on and off around the third and fourth bend. We all have a pair of eyes and we could all see the huge collection of dirt by the fence. Why people choose to deny it was an issue is mind boggling. The Holders themselves even admitted there was an issue there that needed rectifying.

We need to accept that meetings at nearly every track are not going to be thrill a minute with passing in almost every heat. Was it ever any different though? I’ve been watching speedway for over 40 years and despite people saying the entertainment isn’t what it was due to various reasons, I personally don’t think it’s any different now to what it’s ever been. We all know the NSS is a cut above in terms of racing, but after travelling up and down the country watching speedway the last few years, the rest all seem to be very similar in what they produce. Mostly processional with a few really good heats throw in. But again, it’s always been that way in my experience.

A convenient spot of amnesia there!

A few walking wounded today apparently after last night. Dan the biggest concern, has a bit of an issue with his left hand but all expected to ride on Monday.

Exactly this. After last year if people seriously think we’re all confident of winning the title at this stage of the season and even getting to the playoffs offs injury free, then they’re living in cloud cuckoo land. We’re only a couple of meetings in and look what happened last night at Oxford! Five of the seven were involved in crashes, Doyle’s was horrible and I feared the worst for a few minutes. It’s a bit of a lottery at this early stage.

And for the millionth time, we don’t!!! It’s fans of other clubs saying that.

Once again why the sarcasm? You seem very bitter for some bizarre reason. You had a sly dig on the Ipswich Belle Vue thread also. “So much can happen between now and September” Yes we know, we’ve all been saying exactly that ffs 🙄

I’ll ask again, who has said that? Don’t be so salty 🙄

He looked better and quicker on Jenkins bike than he did his own! 😂 Probably just goes to show it’s not the machine, but the rider.

It’s literally a truck with two water tanks on the back and then two hoses spurting out water without any kind of even spray! Like you say it just isn’t fit for purpose. Poor meeting, non existent grip and a lot of the riders on both sides were struggling to get any kind of speed. Riss was fantastic and knowing him as we do having watched him at Foxhall for a few years, that track was perfect for him. On a positive note, great to have Oxford back all the same. Job done and on to Birmingham Monday.

Track is absolutely dreadful. Dust city! Literally have to pin your front wheel on the kerb and you’re golden. Suits Riss down to a T. Drift out even mid track and you spin up and go backwards

I’d have said the same last year when we were a country mile ahead in the league. The best teams over two thirds of a season don’t always end up “winners”

Fair point. There’s plenty of youngsters still on the rising star list that would I’m sure be grateful of that experience. The more you think about it the more it makes sense.

All things being equal and every club finished this season with the same 1-7 in which they started, I’d be almost certain Ipswich would be winning both trophies because it IS the best side put together this year. I’m not downplaying that fact or pretending otherwise. But the reality is there are always so many twists and turns throughout a season that can and often do, change the picture. Doesn’t have to be as drastic as last season either injury wise, an injury to a lower order rider can change things. An injury to Dan Thompson before he gets his official average without his 25% reduction would be huge. Who could possible replace him on his three and half point reduced average? That would weaken us badly. Same with Jenkins, nobody left on the rising star list could get close to replacing him. The chances of getting to the play offs with all your septet still in place is a lottery. You then have others who will look different come play off time through strategic changes when riders suddenly become available when the GP’s and Poland winds down. It’s small margins that can end up being very decisive.

Gone a bit over my head there. You and AceBelle one and the same?

Great idea about a number 8. Far better than my idea of allowing the opposition to also swap their rising star. The only issue with that is having a rider travel with equipment whilst not likely to get a ride.

We were all hoping for a more positive update than that sadly but the tone is a sombre one. Fingers crossed we get something much more positive in the days and weeks to come. Come on Tai we’re all behind you.

Correct Dan Thompson was up in to the main body of the side and as per the rules, Rider Replacement became effective. There is an argument that the rising stars should be protected and stay at 7 all season regardless of how well they do or what average they attain. The “main” six swap places as and when, dictated by averages. The sooner they bin this rising star stuff off in the top flight the better. I’m not a fan and never have been. The whole thing is a mess, from a list that contains riders of different levels and potential, to nonsense priority picks based on previous seasons table finishings. Then you’ve got the 25% guff when a rider comes out of it and it’s all a huge pile of crap IMO. Bin it.

Think people are getting a bit carried away after the mauling of a pitiful Belle Vue. Who hits 60 away from home in reality? Ipswich only won by a superheat there last year when both teams had the majority of the same riders! They’ll get more from Tungate than the 4 he got against Lynn. Emil was untouchable in the second visit last year though, 18 max and won the superheat as well. 40-50

A lot of riders hold off Bewley with all due respect. Hume did it for Ipswich at Foxhall a couple of seasons ago, Jenkins last week etc. Bewley can be fast on big open tracks but he lacks a racing brain and can be a bit clueless when behind. My point stands, there are more experienced riders in your team that will suit the position better IMO. Cook needs to be riding in the middle order.

Feel a bit for Ben Cook. The fella is a decent enough little rider but he’s not and never will be, a number 1. The poor start looks as if it’s denting his confidence and the sooner he gets away from that position the better. None of the others are number 1 material either, but there’s a lot of experience in this team and a few of them would handle the position a lot better IMO. Mind you his brother Zach has started poorly also! Good win in his last ride though and an important one at an important time so that might get him going.

https://x.com/ipswichspeedway/status/1906987696880291977?s=46

This just isn’t right is it. I’ve no doubt Boughen was genuinely unfit to take his third ride but if this can happen then that just opens up the door to manipulation in the future. It’s accepted that Premiership teams have six Premiership standard riders, and one up and coming rising star each for the sole reason of mixing it with better riders to help their progression in the sport. Every rising star has to take three programmed rides, no advantage to either side. The fact a club can replace their rising star with let’s face it, a seasoned heat leader despite him riding at reserve, doesn’t sit well with me. You’ve basically just been handed a bonus tactical substitution that the other club won’t have. Okay Harris only got one point in that heat but that’s not the point. If a rising star can’t fulfil their programmed rides, then that club should run heats with only one rider. Unlucky for that club yes, but that’s the way it should be. The only other way around it, is by giving the opposing club the option of replacing their rising star with their senior reserve also. Unless the injured rising star was due in heat 14 which wouldn’t allow the opposition an opportunity to replace theirs, in which case you go with one rider.

You make this comment on every single thread about every single track bar the NSS. Why you continue to have an interest in British Speedway now Peterborough have sadly gone and worse still, continue to PAY to go to meetings when you seemingly hate the racing at nearly every track is beyond me.