SHEFFIELD skipper Josh Pickering has spoken on behalf of the riders following Thursday’s home postponement against Ipswich.

The top two were set to meet at Owlerton but a heavy downpour began at around 6pm.

The event was originally delayed until 8pm before SCB Referee Willie Dishington stepped in 20 minutes later after speaking to riders to call the clash off, still unhappy with the race surface despite remedial work continuing.

“The track staff have done all they can in the time they had and I’m just sorry the meeting couldn’t go ahead,” Pickering said.

“We’ve raced all year to get into a position where both our teams are safely in the play-offs.

“Yes the Sheffield track is big and yes it did look a hell of a lot better than it did when we originally went out there together.

“But unfortunately the track still had some issues in the entrance to the corners and when you’re racing bikes with no brakes, it’s going to make a lot of inconsistent lines and for the safety of the riders the decision was made.

“I do think they were getting somewhere with the track but the decision did come from the referee after hearing some of the concerns from riders on both teams.

“We’ve definitely all ridden much worse tracks at some stage in our careers but if we’re not all in agreement there’s not much more I can do unfortunately.”

Discussions will take place with Ipswich regarding a restaging date in due course.

Thursday’s re-admission tickets are only valid for the corresponding meeting.

If anyone has difficulty in attending the restaging date, supporters should e-mail re-admission ticket details and bank details to office@sheffield-speedway.com and refunds will be issued once it is confirmed and announced.