IainB

The main stand is far from full!

While qualifying is infinitely more interesting to watch than the old practice sessions I do think they should make a tweak to it and just say riders have 3 timed laps instead of starting a clock you can't see randomly when the pit gate closes.

It sounds very much like Tatum & Louis aren't even at Belle Vue!!

Were they ever "sold"? I assume you don't get a refund if you change your mind.

You've hit the nail on the head there. I was looking at Magic's score of 7, which ain't bad for a number 2... he ain't a number 2 though, should be 1 the way he finished last season with his experience.

Cook and Killeen I'm afraid, 1 point from 2 home riders, just not good enough

That was a shocking performance by Oxford, a team of 6/7 pointers at home should not be losing to a team of 7 pointers by 14 points! Some decent racing on a slick and dusty track though.

WHAT A MOVE! Bomber 😮💣

Yes it is and yes they are. 012.1.14Foul, Unfair or Dangerous Riding The Referee shall immediately disqualify any rider who they consider indulges in foul, unfair or dangerous riding. If, in the opinion of the Referee, such conduct produces an advantage to the rider involved or affects the chances of one or more riders, the Referee may stop the heat and order a re-run.

Ah... the "Briggo" Bowser

No!

Is "unfair riding" still a rule? Tungate was a little unfair in that last one Oxford are dire!

Gemini AI when asked what the value would be for CPO purposes says: This is where it gets highly speculative, as CPO valuations are the subject of intense negotiation and often end up in tribunal. However, based on the information available and the legal principles: My Estimation (with significant caveats): I would estimate the value of Brandon Stadium for a compulsory purchase order, under the specific circumstances of Rugby Borough Council seeking to restore it for motorsports, to be in the range of £1 million to £3 million. Here's the reasoning behind that estimation and why it's so difficult to be precise: Why it's not a huge multi-million pound figure (like residential land): * No Planning Permission for Housing: This is the most critical factor. Brandon Estates has repeatedly failed to secure planning permission for residential development. The Planning Inspectorate has been unequivocal that the site is not surplus to requirements for sports, and the new Rugby Local Plan explicitly aims to protect it for motorsports. This means any "hope value" for residential development is severely diminished, if not entirely removed, by the Levelling-up Act's provisions. * Derelict State and Remediation Costs: The site is derelict. It requires significant capital expenditure to bring it back into a usable state for motorsports or any other purpose. Estimates from 2016/2017 suggested over £1 million for "full reinstatement." Any CPO valuation would implicitly (or explicitly) consider the cost to cure these issues, reducing the "as is" value. * Public/Community Benefit: If the CPO is for the explicit purpose of restoring it for community and sporting use, the "public interest" argument for limiting compensation to the actual use value (and not speculative residential value) would be strong. Why it's not a negligible figure: * Land Value: Even derelict land in a strategic location has some inherent value. * Potential for Sporting Use: While not a massive profit generator, there is a proven market for speedway and stock car racing, and a consortium is actively trying to purchase it for this purpose. The value would reflect its potential as a functioning (albeit perhaps low-margin) sports venue. * "No Better, No Worse" Principle: The owner must be compensated for the value of their interest. Even if they haven't been able to develop it, they still own the land. * Other CPO Compensation Elements: The £1-3 million is primarily for the land itself. On top of this, Brandon Estates would be entitled to compensation for professional fees (legal, surveying), and potentially a "basic loss payment," which is a statutory payment calculated as a percentage of the land value (up to a cap). These "other losses" could add several hundreds of thousands of pounds. Factors that would heavily influence the final figure (and why my estimate is broad): * Detailed Independent Valuations: Both the acquiring authority and Brandon Estates would commission their own expert valuations, which would then be negotiated. * Negotiation Skills: The skill of the negotiators on both sides would play a role. * Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) Decision: If no agreement is reached, the Tribunal would make the final decision. Their assessment would consider all evidence, including the impact of planning policy, the site's condition, and the "no scheme principle." * Specifics of the "Hope Value" Removal under the Levelling-up Act: The precise application and judicial interpretation of these new powers would be crucial. In essence: The valuation for a CPO would likely be based on the stadium's value as a site for future sporting use, discounted by the cost of its current derelict state, and significantly reduced by the lack of any viable planning permission for residential development and the ability of the acquiring authority to remove "hope value" for such uses. It would be a contentious figure, but far less than what it might be if residential development were a genuine, permissible option.

He has a glass of water 😂

Always good to see a track being watered with a hosepipe!

Yep, can't disagree with anything you say... but then I'm not a fan of the RS system in the PL anyway... and now with the removal of the asset system it makes it even less likely

Link?

Think I'd rather watch Leon Madsen on current form

Decent comeback from Redcar to stem the flow... they could easily have been sunk without a trace after those first 2 heats.

Lawson looks very high on confidence... Edwards is a big miss for the Bears

Not compared to how it used to be... remember the big hole going into turn 3 🕳😁

I can understand his mechanic was with him on track at the time... but for Joe Thompson to supply the replacement 🤔 🤷‍♂️

Looks like Riss only has one bike also... why was it left to the junior guest to provide Riss with a replacement bike! Not a great look. Just seen Riss has got 2 bikes in the pits, the other one obviously not ready to go.