British Speedway has shot itself in the foot once again with yet another change in the tyre regulations.

There was controversy in 1997 when hard compound tyres were introduced. This was supposed to produce better racing by slowing things down. Many riders did not like them and complained about it affecting their bike set-up. Some riders could not get out of the gate as fast and their averages slumped accordingly. Equally many others found that the new tyres helped. Edinburgh's Peter Carr made dramatic improvements in his average which he partially attributed to the hard compound tyres.

One Cup Qualifying match at Armadale was awarded to the Monarchs after a tyre infringement. Newcastle's Glyn Taylor had borrowed a rear wheel from one of his junior teammates and used it for for his last two rides. He was unaware that it was had an illegal (soft compound) tyre. Glyn's last two rides were disregarded by the authorities when this came out. The match result of 45-45 was hence amended to 47-43 to the Monarchs.

For 1998, the Premier League reverted to the soft compound tyres. This left a huge pile of unsold hard compound tyres. Dunlop tried to get rid of them by sponsoring the Youth Development League and stipulate their use. They proved unpopular with many junior riders since they had less grip and most YDL matches were held late in the day when tracks were slick. Many riders flouted the tyre regulations leading to some farcical meetings.

Then, this year, 24 hours before the season was due to start it was announced that due to 'production difficulties' at Dunlop, the hard compound tyres would be used once more. That was after the riders had already set the bikes up for the soft compound tyres. Indeed, James Grieves had already purchased a full season's supply of the soft tyres. No indication of how long the hard compound tyres would have to be used but it is assumed that it will be for the full season.

It emerged that two brands of tyres were allowed. There were the British made Dunlops and the Czech Barum tyres. While Monarchs initially opted for the Dunlops, both opponents to date, Workington and Newcastle, were shod on Barums.

It became increasingly clear that the Barum tyres were much quicker out of the gate. Needless to say, the Monarchs team are changing to Barum tyres for this Friday's match against Berwick.

There are scurilous rumours circulating that the 'unavailability' of the soft compound tyres is a ploy by Dunlop to shift the 'tyre mountain' of the hard compound varity. If this is true, it seems unlikely to achieve its objective!