tocha

This is going to be a management problem as each Tuesday there will be only three fixtures with one club having to sit it out. Six home meetings isn't enough for a season and I am guessing clubs in turn will have gaps of three weeks between home meetings. It has been suggested teams ride against each other three times during the season then have a reduced play-off competition involving only the top four.

What is happening on the 9th?

Should be earlier than that. Newcastle have just seen off Glasgow whilst Edinburgh's, their semi-final opponents, reserve date for the KO Cup is next Friday, 3rd October. Newcastle are out of the play-offs so should be able to run the second leg the following Sunday. This leaves the way clear for the Ipswich leg in the final for Thursday, 9th October.

I have no idea if they are the worst. However, the majority don't seem to be fully included in a meeting. What I mean by this is that there is no attempt to engage fans who are in the first and second bends and many sitting in the stands along the back straight who do so because the viewing is so good. But, the PA system is poor so no-one can hear the interviews with Kevin and he makes no attempt to venture away from the home straight area. A few seasons ago this was addressed, partially, by locating the rider presentations at these different parts of the circuit. At least, it had the feeling that more fans felt included in the proceedings. Perhaps the start should be relocated to the existing back straight. It might prevent riders continually walking out from the pits to build their next start!

I take it that here is no restriction in running during the day so what about Saturday afternoons. I know this will clash against local football, Gillingham in league one and Dartford plus Dover in the conference but they don't play at home every Saturday and not extensively throughout the Summer months. It is possible that more spectator support could be gained than lost. A four team tournament over a weekend is even feasible, Lakeside Friday evening, Kent Saturday afternoon, Eastbourne in the evening and finally Mildenhall on the Sunday.

Dudek's ban, or suspension as described in this week's Star, has been backdated meaning the points he scored in the Polish Extraleague, subsequently, have been removed and the table amended. If the same stance were to be taken here it would have similar implications. Ward rode for Poole twice following the positive test, both against Leicester, drawing the away match in which he scored five points. Poole's two point draw becomes a one point defeat leaving King's Lynn now topping the EL giving them first pick of play-off opponent. Theoretical, of course, unless the verdict is made before Monday.

Now that Jason Doyle has qualified through the GP Challenge it is highly unlikely that he would l get a wildcard anyway. Even if Chris Holder falls out the top eight he, as a former World Champion, would be preferred.

You might see if you can edit the thread title. 12th September is Friday, the meeting is tomorrow.

Bunny was riding as a guest reserve for Glasgow at Workington last night. Scored 14 +2 from six rides. Why can't he put in that sort of performance for Rye House?

Don't forget that tomorrow is the annual staging of the 'Donut' event at Latchingdon. Details: http://www.southenddmcc.org.uk/

Hope he keeps that form when we ride against Poole Friday week.

I dare say he will be, won't have missed a GP round and still in contention for his seventh championship by then!

MIchelsen didn't ride for Smerderna tonight and was replaced by Davey Watt who also didn't 'ride' either.

He has even a darker side. Apart from a guest he has never ridden for us at Lakeside but we are still holding out hope. Come on Scotty. You don't want to keep commuting to Manchester each week when you can have a short drive to Purfleet.

Speaking of sponsors, Rye are the only club I have come across who have no heat sponsors. A few years ago there was Sally Thompson who sponsored heat one followed by 14 blank spaces. Since she pulled out that column in the programme has been removed altogether allowing more space to write heat times!

Mason Campton hasn't ridden for Glasgow since 2012. He remained in Australia for the whole of 2013, visa problem I expect, then signed by Workington at the beginning of this season

All, apart from Mason Campton, have other clubs to ride for on a regular basis.

I mentioned a possible clash several days ago. The possibility of England progressing would have resulted in a fixture either Saturday at 9pm or today same time. If Rye's fixture had been put back to this afternoon, there would have been no clash, nor one against the Danish GP and would have gone ahead due to better weather conditions.

Once upon a time Len was proactive. Now he is reactive.

No-one has mentioned the performance of Ben Morley. How can a rider score so well for us (Lakeside) yet so poorly for you? Last night he achieved 8+2 from four completed outings. Also I want to know who is Dr. Evadne and who is Dame Hilda. I always thought John Sampford was Foggy Dewhurst anyway!

Somehow I don't think Edinburgh's winning run is at risk!

I didn't get back until 10.30 yesterday evening. I toyed with the idea of watching England v Italy but went for the recording of the GP instead. Great win Tai and great decision me!

I had been out all day so didn't get home until 10.30. Toyed with the idea of watching the England v Italy match but, in the end, decided to watch the GP. Glad I made the right choice.

GP not being broadcast live. Instead, the whole recording will be shown at 8.30am on Sunday morning then highlights at 9.30pm.

On the subject of clashes, Rye House are scheduled to ride at home against Redcar on 28th June. This is part of the same weekend as the quarter-finals involving teams who progress from Group D ie., England's group. If they do qualify as runners-up (more likely if, indeed, they get through at all) the match will be played on Saturday evening, 9pm. Should they top the group, however, it will take place the same time on Sunday. Would it not make sense to see if this fixture can be re-arranged for Sunday afternoon?