Should Have Gone to Spec-Savers ?

The record attendance at the British GP certainly had a lot to talk about. The referee well that’s a start. Interesting decisions – well at least he was consistent. That can’t be said about the referee in some matches. But were his decisions to exclude Leigh Adams and Bjarne Pedersen correct. He could have taken the easy option and put all four back. Would that have been right? Clearly the rider on the inside in both cases moved away from the line to take the corner, equally Nicki Pedersen on the outside scythed across the field from the outside. Who made the illegal move? Well what is an illegal move anyway? What guidance do ref’s get? The rule book doesn’t seem to say. There’s the unwritten rider in front can choose his line rule but on the other hand it’s sometimes said that the rider in front has to leave room for other riders to race.

The classic Penhall/Carter incident some years ago where the rider behind has the choice of shut off or hit the fence can be read either way. I’ve seen an similar incident some years ago where the rider in front was excluded. The ref’s exact words were I know he didn’t touch him – but he should have left room to him to race. This incident occurred on the last lap of the race when it was perfectly clear which line the leading rider would take – he was using the same line on the three previous laps! The following rider may well have won the race if he had used his head rather than just the throttle!

Going back to the GP, the ref apparently warned the riders that there would be exclusions rather than having all four back for first bend incidents. He may have done this in an attempt to prevent gamesmanship – but really the rules allow all four back so how can he go against that? In these two incidents it probably would have been the only sensible decision. Anything else not only deprives the riders concerned but also the fans. However how do you spot the professional foul – getting off the bike on the low side is just laying it down, like all riders can do pretty safely and if you’re going to get a re-run out of it well……..hmm.

In which case the ref may have excluded the wrong one !

The whole point is there needs to be more guidance on what is and is not acceptable riding behaviour. Clearly certain incidents are easy to call but what about the others. Riders who manage to only just about stay on following a strong challenge when a lesser rider may well have fallen off - it seems in these circumstances your ability actually goes against you. The old chestnut about the 30yd marker (which has now gone) and not breaking out of lanes before it, still seems to raise its head and it was never for that !

How acceptable is it for a rider to come straight across the field from the outside gate at the start anyway. Clearly if no other rider is hit or falls off its ok but if another rider has to take evasive action and is impeded is that ok ?

One more thing - what makes a start unsatisfactory ? Clearly if someone is moving or touches the tapes – no problem, but it seems you can be penalised purely by being quickest out of the start. This happens numerous times but was again a talking point at the GP. If someone anticipates the start or if a rider moves but gets no advantage as far as I can see it isn’t a problem the ref really needs to vary the timing between the green light and the gate release.

It’s all very well for there to be a certain amount of controversy within any sport but it’s about the decision made by the ref on the night. In football for instance the off side rule may mean a ref disallows a goal and because he couldn’t see it from the angle the camera could, he makes a mistake. There’s no going back and that’s it. In speedway however the ref can look at the video and see exactly what went on, but as there are no rules as such he has to make a judgement based on his own view. How can this be explained to outsiders ? It looks like a lottery. In domestic speedway results have even been changed because refs can’t even be sure of rider’s eligibility to be included in a team.

So much for advising the ref to go to spec savers – there’s no denying he could see the incident clearly enough – he just needs to know how to deal with it.

Full marks to Birmingham – I saw their spot on BBC Midlands Today where they have employed a psychic to help them through their injury crisis. All very tongue in cheek and quite light hearted even down to the ketchup on the bandage – but still a good publicity stunt from the Brummies – it’s not very often that speedway rates a mention on the beeb – nice one !

I wish the same could be said of the England team. The debacle at Coventry was unforgivable. To say they had trouble with their bikes is just not on – and this is a track that at least three of the riders should know inside out. Riders from other countries seem to step a gear when riding for their Country why can’t ours – in the words of the pub landlord –

SHAME ON YOU !!!

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