Great Central

The MDL needs several rule changes judging by tonights meeting at leicester where LE's team manger had to ride because he couldn't get find any more riders.

I thought that I had been at a different meeting to eveyone else until I read this posting. Atmosphere was great as always, and I thought the presentation was good, it was the lowest crowd ever in my opinion. With huge swathes of empty seats they couldn't even keep the 4 lap Mexican Wave going. I thought the racing was poor apart from maybe 4 or 5 races but the 2nd semi was probably one of the best races seen at Cardiff. Very poor track preparation for good racing to be seen. It may have come across better on television and hopefully I shall be watching it later to see if it did. Holder deserved the win. Best rider on the night but feel for Scottie who was leading his heat until Crumpie fell and missed the start in the re-run.

TMW was thinking about supporting Scunthorpe at Workington on Saturday night but I think that you may have blown that opportunity now.

Richard, I agree with your sentiments about giving the young lads track time but the rules are the rules as determned by the BSPA(this year) and deducting the points scored by the rider does not necessarily right the wrong eg Scunthorpe win a heat on a 5:1 and one of the riders is Danny Phillips who came 2nd so loses two points. The opposing team still lose 3:1 whereas it should be 3:3. No more debate from me on this one. Martin

Lawrence, Unless Scunthorpe NL team declare a new line up before the meeting on Wednesday, it is my understanding that Scunthorpe are tracking an illegal team for this meeting ie 2 NL riders which is against the rules of the MDL. Martin

Hope the wife doesn't see the bit about Gunwharf Quay Shopping Outlet -she is making her first trip to the IOW next Tuesday when Buxton are there. Shopping wasn't on the agenda.

Your stupid response has stifled any further response from me on this subject so it is now you that has stifled any further debate on this subject.

What are you doing back? I thought that you were banned from the BSF for your previous comments. Your current ones are no better. The winners, second and third place riders should all get trophies or medals. I know that it has probably been like this for ages but that doesn't make it right and if the BSPA had announced beforehand that trophies were only being given for 1st place, then I am sure suitable arrangements would have been made by genuine supporters to redress that error.

Laurence, Thanks have to go to the clubs as well. Well done to all who help out. It makes good reading especially when it appears in SS. Martin

I thought the track looked a bit iffy at the start but didn't prove to be, and was probably the best I have seen it. It produced some good racing and seemed so smooth. Mildenhall were so strong even with a weakened side - clearly the impact of so many ex riders being involved is having a positive effect.

Laurence, Top class reporting on all the MDL matches. It is good to see such comprehensive reports on the second half matches so thanks for all your good work. Looks like young Conor Dwyer has has a good few days. Martin Widman

The weather hasn't helped either with some NL fixture dates being hijacked for rained off EL meetings.

Good news about the cast coming off soon so that Michael can start on his road back to full recovery.

Not a problem. I think 60 points is too optimistic but it does look a more balanced side but only due unfortunate injuries to Michael Neal and Richard Andrews. Chris Widman knows he is only keeping Michaels "seat warm" until he recovers from his injury. Hopefully the Buxton supporters will have something to cheer about on Sunday if the weather forecast is to be believed..

The way this is written it looks like you think the match is at Rye. We were there two weeks ago so this one is at Buxton where home advantage can come into play.

Have just found time to review what was said about the meeting last night, I finally came across this great post amongst quite a lot of crap. Pure drivel most of it. Not sure what people want out of speedway but you couldn't get much better than last night. Superb track considering it was under water on Sunday morning, Buster did us proud again. GB were unlucky - Tai's chain breaking is something that does happen occasionally and it would certainly have been a new chain for last night, clutch burning out on Chris bike maybe shouldn't have happened but none of the "BSF experts" were there in the pits to understand why so shouldn't make judgements without the facts, and young Kingy going for a gap that he used to perfection in his previous ride but which closed up this time. His previous ride was outstanding and brave. The only thing that was wrong was the referee - so much rolling at the starts and not called back. Not sure about the Harris/Holder incident - maybe he was right to let it go under the rules since Harris falling was not a safety issue but having final race positions overturned is probably unique. Get real guys, that was some of the best speedway seen on television in ages.

Waco - no need to explain why Garrity withdrew himself. There is a "full" explanation in the Rye Press Release which all seems quite innocent. Machine problems!!!

So Garrity had to withdraw from the meeting due to what? machinery failure?? injury?? or as they say in politics, "his position became untenable"!! Why don't you spill the beans if YOU know the full story!! Of course I am mischief making and I wouldn't want you to expose the full story - leave that to the Sunday Sun.

Mike, Missed meeting up with you today due to the rain off. Looked like the right decision when viewing the webcam at Flash and then the rain cleared but I presume that the damage to the track had already been done. Forecast was not good either but who would be a promoter having to make the call? Glad that you enjoyed your trip into Derbyshire again but it would have been nice to see some racing. Martin

I think if you had been at the meeting, which I know you would have liked to have been, the statement about Garrity would have been phrased slightly differently!!

I think you know the answer on why Richard is riding for Rye - he does like the track but it will be for more money than Buxton would offer and that is probably the reason why Buxton can't attract any riders with higher averages.

The information was posted on the Mildenhall website this morning and I presume they got the information from Jayne. I do not know why Dean is not riding and as I understand it, Chris is only in until Michael is back to full fitness.

The team has been re-declared and Chris Widman steps into the team until Michael is fit again. Since Chris' average from last year is a fraction higher than that of Richard Andrews, Chris will take the No 2 spot and Richard will move down into the reserve berth. From the Mildenhall press release, it looks like Buxton are using R/R for Dean but the real winner could be the weather!!! You beat me to it!!

How unusual to see a Dudley supporter shouting at opposing fans!!!

You obviously know about the riders situation since you are making the phone calls, but in my experience there are quite a few riders out there willing to ride for what you can offer, but unfortunately they may not be riders on the averages that you probably need. Those are the ones who are seeing the higher pay rates paid by other clubs which clearly distorts rider availability. Also there is more to belonging to a club than how much per point and how much per mile you get, and I think that Buxton have always treated their riders well in other respects. The money is important but is not the "be all and end all" of riding in the NL. I don't know what went wrong on Sunday but the score didn't represent what the Buxton line up can achieve even against a strong Dudley team. Best wishes to Michael Neale for a speedy recovery.