cyclone

I have sympathy for the Berwick Promotion, inasmuch that they appear to be severely restricted in reshaping the track within the present confines of Shielfield. Before the bikes became super-fast, imo, you used witness more opportunities for passing after bend 2 of the first lap. Must admit having watched the 2nd leg of the KO Cup on 30/6, it was one of the most boring meetings I have attended in the 55 years I have been following Speedway

As has been already stated, this arrangement has been in place for a few years now. The finish line is still in it's original position, but the starting gate was moved back, the reason being that the distance from the tapes to the first bend was considered too short, resulting in a greater likelihood of first bend pileups. I would add that all teams & riders are made aware of the this, and as most teams do a pre-meeting track walk, they should also recognise the set up. Wimbledon was the first stadium that I visited in the 1970's that had the starting gate located several yards behind the finishing line, but there may also have been other tracks who had a similar layout.

Think the difference in the second half of the meeting was that Monarchs gating improved and were going into the first bend alongside the visitors. Definitely their best performance of the Season, with only three last places. I had feared that Berwick would do us at reserve, but Andersson & Ruml stepped up to the plate. Although Max Ruml only scored 4 paid 6 from 3 rides, there were two quality third places in relegating Etheridge& Doolan to last. The inclusion of Palovaara (riding a bike borrowed from Andersson ) also gave the team a better balance. I still think the overall tie is still in the balance as Bandits already won by 25pts against Newcastle four weeks ago at home, and I expect Gappmaier will probably score double figures tomorrow to atone for his zero return tonight.

Even with Palovaara debuting for Monarchs (reportedly on borrowed machinery), Bandits will be favourites to progress to the semis on aggregate. IMO the weak link for Edinburgh will be the reserve pairing of Andersson & Ruml, who between them struggled to amass 2 points at Shielfield a fornight ago. Would expect Gappmaier & Pjiper at six & seven for the Bandits to heavily outscore their Monarchs counterparts, which will prove decisive in the final outcome. For Edinburgh to progress, they will probably have to produce another shock result like they did in the first round against the odds-on favourites, Glasgow, at Ashfield. Lineups now published on Official Monarchs website on 28/6, viz.: STAGGS BAR MONARCHS: Ricky Wells, Victor Palovaara, Josh Pickering, Mark Riss, Erik Riss (captain), Max Ruml, Joel Andersson. KLS BANDITS: Aaron Summers, Kevin Doolan (captain), Jye Etheridge, david Howe, Nikolai Busk Jakobsen, Dany Gappmaier, Theo Pijper.

The same applies to messrs Ruml & Andersson who should also be using after meeting practice time to try to improve their less than impressive home form.

As I asked someone else who was present, to corroborate that RC stated "hit a wet patch", how do you know that what he meant was "landed in a wet patch"?, given that kevlars (n.b. he was not wearing leathers ) will require to be cleaned if coming into contact with various track surfaces, irrespective of the degree of saturation.

I was at the Edinburgh match and after Erik Riss's spectacular fall, Roy Clarke did announce over the P.A. that he had hit "a wet patch". Not blaming track preparation, but instead of the accusations of "overly aggressive overtakes" and kamikaze rides by Erik, perhaps the "wet patch" was the determining factor in his accident.

Burton regularly featured as a star attraction in indvidual events, but was not a member of the Warrington team. In fact he rode for Rochdale in 1929. Their main men were Charlie Hornby, Tommy Hatch, George Milton & Alec McLachlan. Oliver Langton appeared for them latterly in 1930 just before they packed up.

To celebrate the 70th Anniversary(i.e. Platinum) of the start of the Monarchs in 1948 a special four team event is being held on Friday. The teams as per Official Edinburgh website are:- The John Somerville Collection Monarchs - 1: Sam Masters, 2: Mark Riss, 3: Mason Campton, 4: Josh Pickering. Cat's Monarchs - 1: Craig Cook, 2: Scott Nicholls, 3: William Lawson, 4: Coty Garcia. The Ewen Family Monarchs - 1: Rory Schlein, 2: Richie Worrall, 3: Lasse Fredriksen, 4: Max Ruml. The Staggs Bar Monarchs supported by Douglas Griffin - 1: Ricky Wells, 2: Paul Starke, 3: Matthew Wethers, 4: Joel Andersson. Craig Cook is a late replacement for Erik Riss who unfortunately will be sidelined from the match having suffered concussion during the Monarchs visit to Newcastle. An interesting mix of Armadale specialists and possibly others auditioning for a Monarchs team place

Above pictures of ht 4 were published today

When the race was stopped on lap 2, Kus was in 3rd place & Robson was in fourth place, albeit trying to remove himself & his bike from the track. Also your interpretation that "The rule is designed to penalise riders deliberately causing a race to be stopped" is not what is stated. As can been in the highlighted quote it states "causing the stoppage". (i.e. whether deliberate or not ).

Ronnie Allan was the ref last night and the Authorities (SCB or SGB?) are now able to permit, at their discretion, individuals over age 70 to continue refereeing, subject to an annual review.

If Lindgren, who had a decent first race, had matched his recent performances at the Dale, the Diamonds would have run out winners. With a couple of passengers at reserves, Monarchs look fragile at home, and if their lineup remains unchanged, I would fear that a quite a few home defeats will be on the cards. The slight positives tonight were the seven point returns of Pickering & Andersson in the main body of the home team, but Newcastle can hardly be classified as strong opposition. One quibble on the inconsistent interpretation of applying the 15m handicap in a re-run when a race is stopped when one side's riders are on a 5 - 1. When Robson fell in heat 15 & failed to clear the track, the race was stopped on the second lap, with the Monarchs comfortably leading Kus on a 5 - 1. Unfortunately for Edinburgh, the ref (Ronnie Allen?) did not put the Diamond on a 15m handicap in the re-run, which the rulebook appears to indicate should be the option used in such circumstances.

Teams as per Official Edinburgh website:- STAGGS BAR MONARCHS: Ricky Wells, Joel Andersson, Josh Pickering, Mark Riss, Erik Riss (capt.), Coty Garcia, Max Ruml. NEWCASTLE BOILER TECHNICAL SERVICES DIAMONDS: Ludvig Lindgren (capt.), Stuart Robson, Matej Kus, Ashley Morris, Tero Aarnio, Carl Wilkinson, Matthew Wethers. Based on results this Season, neither team will be considered as likely to be Play-Off contenders. With Monarchs weakness at 2 - 4 apparent, most visiting sides will fancy their chances round the Dale. Given this is one away track where Ludvig flourishes, and pairing him with Robson at no.2 should form a powerhouse opening pairing. Also having ex-Monarchs Morris & Wethers in their side should provide good support. Kus has had the odd race win here, but Aarnio has still to master the circuit and often misses this fixture for one reason or another. However with Matty at no.7, no doubt Geo English will not hesitate to give him an extra couple of rides in place of Kus & Aarnio, should they be struggling. With Ruml moving to reserve, it remains to be seen if he improves from hereon. Of course the downside is that Pickering cannot now be given extra rides as reserve replacement. Garcia has looked the part early on in meetings, but his "bag of nails" bike usually slows up after a couple of rides. Another close meeting looks on the cards.

Are you sure? When the Nicholls debate about CL eligibility was ongoing, iirc it was stated that the under 6 PL egiblity to enter the CL would not apply to those who rode in the 2016 CL. As Grajczonek rode for Sheffield in 2016, reckon he could still return to the CL, irrespective of his current PL GSA.

IMO the same thing is happening in Speedway with SGB Championship programmes now mainly costing between £2.50 - £3.00. With the Speedway Star running a rating feature on each track's programme, it appears that some Promotions have entered into a vanity contest to be top dog, with the result that larger, in terms of size and number of pages, are being produced, which in turn has resulted in the prices rocketing. If they reverted to producing a more compact & smaller sized version at about £1 - £1.50, I wonder if those who now print off a basic scoresheet to fill in, might be tempted to purchase a low cost Official programme instead?

Worky tonight showed why six of their riders are potential heat winners, whereas Monarchs weakness at 2 - 4 was apparent for all to see. No hard luck stories for either side, as on the night Comets were simply the better side, and to have been unbeaten throughout the Borders Group, thoroughly merited being overall winners of the Borders Group. If Klindt can maintain the level of performance he showed in his last 4 rides, imo Comets could be serious title contenders, although I still rate Lakeside as favourites. For Edinburgh, the gamble of going with two overseas newcomers has so far not proved to be a positive move, with both averaging well below their 5.2 starting GSA. Ruml in particular has regressed as the Season has progressed, and I am puzzled why, unlike the Riss brothers, who tonight when due to the early finish took the opportunity to put in some practice laps, Max did not do likewise, as he was in more need of further practice?

Teams as per Official Monarchs Website:- STAGGS BAR MONARCHS: Ricky Wells, Joel Andersson, Max Ruml, Mark Riss, Erik Riss (capt.), Coty Garcia, Josh Pickering. THOMAS ARMSTRONG COMETS: Rene Bach, Rasmus Jensen, Ty Proctor (capt.), Dan Bewley, Nicolai Klindt, Kyle Bickley, Mason Campton According to the above, both teams will be at full strength, which does not happen that frequently at the Dale. Whilst Monarchs are also-rans in the Borders Group, should Comets manage at least a draw, they would progress to the semis, at the expense of Glasgow who would also then not progress as the best runners-up. As Monarchs last competitive match was their away victory at Ashfield on 27th May when they knocked the Tigs out of the KO Cup, it might take them a few races to get up to speed. Expect a close match and plenty good racing As an added bonus, the introduction of a big LED screen to Armadale Stadium, believed to be the first in the SGB Championship, is expected to be running at full capacity on Friday. This will show live feeds and replays of the action.

Pity no one told Pearson tonight that it's Team GB not England, especially as the sponsors are a Glasgow (that's in Scotland btw for Nige & Kelv's benefit) based Company.

Interesting you do not comment on the why track preparation at Glasgow appears to be a problem as highlighted by previous posters who were there Are you not "someone in the know" who may be able to clarify to us all what the cause of the alleged poor track conditions are?

Summers for Nielsen & r/r for Worrall would probably be best option for Scunny As Riss has no further UK fixtures with Monarchs until 8/6 he might have gone home for a break. Re Worrall, is there a time limit on how long a Guest Facility is permitted if a temporary injury replacement has not been found?

Woo Hoo! Oh me of little faith

Eh? - I take it you were referring to the brilliant ht 12? Have a look at the video of ht 12 on the BSPA website & tell us all how Riss "was a bit naughty" with Vissing. Overall there was some good races, with Monarchs generally struggling to match Tigers gating prowess, adding to the entertainment. As I expected a 10pt duffing from the Mighty Tigers so to claw back an early 6pt deficit and end up winning on the night was a surprise. As the ref had announced, praise to both sides in completing the meeting super quick

Teams as per Edinburgh web site:- STAGGS BAR MONARCHS: Ricky Wells, Joel Andersson, Mark Riss, Max Ruml, Erik Riss (capt.), Coty Garcia, Josh Pickering. ALLIED VEHICLES TIGERS: Chris Harris (capt.), Lewis Kerr, Claus Vissing, Paul Starke, Richie Worrall, Jack Thomas, James Sarjeant. Having previously lost at home to the Tigers by seven in the Shield, imo Glasgow will be favourites again. Although they had a blip at home to Worky, their riders seem to have had a good week riding for their other teams, with Sarjeant in particular having an 8 pt return for Leicester on Monday. Monarchs will hope that Mark Riss can replicate his form in the Scottish Open, but I do not hold out much hope that Andersson will shake off his mediocre form. If Starke is fully fit, would not be surprised if Tigers post 50 points tomorrow

This was the best match of the season with plenty of quality racing & passing from Nicholls & Wells in particular. Scotty is such a class act and showed how to ride a "technical track" and gave Erik Riss a lesson on inside passing three times in four clashes. With Lunna offering good support, and MPT coming to the party late on, Panthers deserved their one match point. For the Monarchs the main plus point tonight was a vastly improved performance from Joel Andersson, whom I was told was given advice prior to the start on how to ride the Dale by a former exponent. I feel that Max Ruml would benefit from some after match on track coaching from either Wells/Erik Riss or Joel's tutor also, as imo, there is a talented rider urgently needing guidance to realise his potential.