Sir Sidney

It's a bit more nuanced than that typically. A rider could be enter the track with a second to spare as long as he is proceeding to the starting gate, under power, and without delay - but then he mustn't garden. However, the 2 minutes could have long gone. However, a rider who is at the gate can garden if any time of the 2 minutes is left. Do the refs enforce either? No 011.1.3 2 Minute Allowance The Referee must indicate the start of a 2 minute allowance by means of a warning horn or bell audible in the pit area together with the flashing amber lights if all of the riders are not in the starting area at the same time this warning shall apply to all riders and can be given only once. Except when the Referee considers that there are valid reasons for delaying the start of an ensuing heat, the interval between the finish of one heat and the start of the next shall not exceed 4 minutes including the 2 minute allowance. If a track has a countdown clock, that can be operated solely by the Referee, then it is compulsory for the clock to be used. Riders must, at the expiry of this time allowance, be on track, under power, proceeding without stopping towards the starting gate. If a rider is at the starting gate with sufficient time remaining of the 1 or 2 minute allowance they are permitted to prepare their starting gate area. They must remain in full, personal control of their motorcycle, have the cut out lanyard attached and with their motorcycle facing the direction of racing.

Can you explain how you think that works? The businessman would surely make a net loss on the deal

Don't I know it as a London Irish fan. I was simply making the point that the analogy was wrong. A rugby union Premiership side cannot just go out and sign who ever it likes if it can afford it

Rugby union has a salary cap, so not the right comparison

Obviously. He only has to say he aggravated it. Job done.

It's the SCB rather than Phil Morris who will check. For a guest to be allowed Kings Lynn will have had to produce a doctors certificate and proof that he was due to travel. Whether we believe the doctors certificate is another matter. Probably quite easy to convince the doc that your ankle is sore and that you might not be safe racing a bike

I can't see anything on the Speedway GBsite about the outcome. I can only find that on the riders own pages. An opportunity missed Still, the IOWs established version will be happening soon. You can guarantee that will have publicity and profile

From the regs - see b) the machine examiner should inspect the bikes to ensure they conform with the regs before each heat 02.2.6 Machine Examiner Is to both certify that all rider motorcycles and personal equipment conforms to the Regulations and is in a safe condition both before and during the Meeting. Specifically, the Machine Examiner must: a) be readily available in the pits area during the meeting b) inspect all motorcycles to confirm they comply with the Speedway Regulations: prior to the start of a meeting; immediately before the start of each heat; following an accident; if appropriate at the end of any heat; at other times upon the instruction of the Referee who may also order the Pits Marshal to keep a motorcycle on track by closing the pit gate c) sign the Technical Control Form, noting results of specific checks undertaken d) that tyres have been distributed according to the Regulations and mark the 2nd tyres being used a ‘spare’ confirming their compliance e) take possession of any rider’s motorcycle, equipment or helmet that is deemed unsafe or in violation of these Regulations. The straps on a helmet may be cut only with the permission of the rider, in which case it is returned to the rider, otherwise the helmet is passed to the Referee f) approve temporary repairs to rider clothing if damaged during the meeting g) assist an SCB Technical Steward to carry out such duties as

Thanks Steve. I see that. I'm just surprised that there is no specific regulation that lists it as a disqualification reason or lists as a starting offence - or even a cover all reg such as a non compliant bike is a reason for disqualification. Just me being a pedant!

Scott Nicholls was excluded from his first race for starting without a dirt deflector. Could any one tell me the specific regulation that covers that please? Thanks

Isn't IOW match on Thursday?

If plans had been submitted they would be on the Council Planning Web site

I suspect BSPL are just running it because they think they should. IOW are running the Women's Championship because they believe in it and are committed to it.

A potential loophole in SCB regs? Surely not

From the 2023 Regulations 010.3 TEAM DECLARATIONS Teams must be declared prior to the start of the season to the BSP Ltd office, to confirm it complies with the current regulations. Where the declaration or re-declaration complies with the current regulations it will be approved and confirmed in writing to the relevant Promotion. Should the declaration or re-declaration NOT comply with the regulations the reasons for rejection will be explained, in writing, to the relevant Promotion. Any appeal against the decision of the BSP Ltd office should be made to the SCB Co-Ordinator as per Chapter 19 of the Speedway Regulations Changes must be made at least 3 days before the start time of the meeting at which it is intended to be used. In any declaration where 2 or more riders hold an identical MA (cannot be determined by a 3rd or more decimal point) then the re-declaration must nominate the hierarchical order. Where riders have a previous MA, then the higher placed rider from the previous issue shall retain the higher position. In the Premiership and Championship Leagues a rider taken out of a team through injury cannot be re-declared in that team, within 28 days. 010.3.1 Cut Off Date No team changes will be allowed after 28th August with the effective date being 31st August. Except riders returning to the team after injury who can only replace their original replacement.

Exactly that. SCB now need to be absolutely clear on the basis on which they have fined Kent and revoked its licence ( suspended for a year), and I would suggest that they need to publish the evidence they have used and the advice they have relied on - and then how this is different to how they are treating other tracks.

Thanks Very interesting information. I don't have the Speedway Star article with Jim Lawrence in front of me, but from recollection it included 3 main points: 1 confirmation that riders could ride in NORA meetings if they chose to ( I suspect we all knew that) 2 clubs, such as Scunthorpe, had run meetings / practices under NORA in the past and had gotten away with it, but they were all under SCB now; and 3 there is a potential insurance risk to SCB if an incident happens at a NORA event on an SCB licenced track, confirmed by SCBs insurers ( who incidents are the same insurers as NORA uses. SCB could of course publish that advice for transparency, so we could all see it. It's interesting that you say Scunthorpe does allow other motorcycle events to take place on it's track 7nder NORA, as indeed does King's Lynn. I've no doubt SCB will be getting a number of emails from concerned fans about the issue. I'd encourage anyone doing so to be factual in their contact and follow it up if any response is not credible.

He's injured not sick isn't he? Unless you are saying that he is not actually injured then I don't see the problem.

Clubs don't normally have the backing of the Local Plan, and not one that is so specific. That's why the Club (or any prospective new promoter) needs to be working with the Council to ensure that the Local Plan is honoured. Given the scale of the prospective development the Developers will be well aware of the requirements of the Local Plan and will be able to well afford a replacement facility - in fact the Local Plan says that the Council should not grant planning approval without it

What's your evidence for saying that?

Actually, if Peterborough lost every meeting this season and that meant that the club had a future, possibly on a new facility, that might not be a terrible outcome. However, the club needs to be open and honest about the plan, how it might be achieved and how the fans can be a part of that. Alienating either side won't help.

Different to Swindon. As far as I know the Council has stuck to it's planning decision and restrictions at Swindon - the new stadium has to be built before any more houses are built. Terry Russell has given Gaming International the way out by saying speedway is not viable on the site - and that's why it is vital that the Panthers remain viable

Have a read of the Local Plan. It's not the Council that has to provide a new stadium, it's the prospective developer - and that's why people are waiting to see what the developer proposes.

There are plenty of links on Facebook groups about the meeting. I'm sure there will also be on other social media platforms. Get along to the meeting. I'm sure you will enjoy it

The team will put on a slick show for the supporters who I hope give it a chance and back it with support.