FOR the second time in the space of a month, the Swindon Robins were reminded of the most frustrating logistical demons British speedway can throw up as their trip to the Belle Vue Aces tonight was postponed.

Alun Rossiter’s Robins completed the arduous trip to Manchester, only for their meeting against the Aces at the National Speedway Stadium to be abandoned before a heat could be raced.

It was to prove a second farcical call-off in the space of 30 days, with the Robins also left frustrated on July 20 when their fixture at the King’s Lynn Stars was called off after four heats, more than two hours after the scheduled start time.

Traffic problems across the country meant that British and international riders from both teams, who are based far and wide, struggled to make the trip to the North West for a meeting due to at 7.30pm, with many arriving late.

Meanwhile, despite heavy rainfall battering their Kirkmanshulme Lane home throughout the day, the Aces chose not to issue an early postponement.

That inclement weather did clear up midway through the afternoon but by the time both teams were ready to race, they were left looking at a track that more-closely resembled a cabbage patch and just past 8.30pm, the fixture was shelved.

Robins team manager Rossiter was understandably disappointed that his troops were denied the chance to build on their 51-41 triumph at King’s Lynn on Thursday – the rearrangement of last month’s abandoned fixture – but felt most deeply for the fans that had turned up expecting to enjoy some Friday night racing.

“In fairness to them, normally this track does drain well but I think the solid rain that they’ve had all day; I think maybe they should have gone on a bit earlier and tried to do something, and maybe we could have got somewhere,” said Rossiter.

“Unfortunately, it’s just one of those things and it is what it is. I’d been sitting in the traffic for six-and-a-half hours, so if anybody wanted it on, it was me.

“We would have been well up for it but it’s just one of those things – you can’t change it.

“I think it’s just frustrating for the fans more than anybody else.”

Robins reserve Stefan Nielsen, who was injured but still travelled to support his team during last month’s King’s Lynn abandonment, was also forced to pack up his gear and head back the way he had came.

The 21-year-old said: “It’s a pain in the backside and it’s very tough to take but you can’t help the weather.

“A lot of the riders were late. My bike and my mechanic were late as well and Scott Nicholls (Belle Vue skipper) turned up at about 10 to eight and the meeting was supposed to have started.

“It was just gridlock. I think Manchester United had their first home match of the season as well, so it’s just all jammed everywhere and the traffic has been really difficult.

“We were all keen to come and give it a good go. We had a bit of positivity on (Thursday) night and had a good meeting, and we were hoping for the same.”

“It was always going to clear up at 5pm, which it did, but the track was still a little bit worse for wear.”

The Robins are next due in action when they host reigning Elite League champions Poole Pirates at the Abbey Stadium on Monday.