Home Straight Steve

If the track is grippy I will go for either Osterguaad or Compton If the track is slick I will go for Doolan Either way expect a strong challange from Woffinden and Lyons For a good outside bet - Jason King who is a joy to watch

What a fantastic meeting this was with loads off passing lines and riders prepared to use them. Congratulations to Somerset in in creating was has to be as good a track in surface and shape as anywhere in the country Personally I was not disappointed with Sheffield reaching the semi final and the 3rd final run off give us a titanic battle between Compton and Osterguaard (who was clearly the best rider of the night) On the Lemon/Doyle race - I was on the top bend and in no position to tell but the the best way to determine the result is the riders body language after the race. Lemon was punching the air with glee and Doyle was head down back to the pits. The riders always know and it was obvious to all No one could fail to be entertained at this meeting and the only unhappy people would be Reading fans at the injustice of it all

Like many others I am looking forward to this and then onto Cardiff. (then Rye House on Sunday) A few of the usual super 7 problems but it will not detract too much when the tapes go up Expecting a much improved performance from Andre and Ricky after last years debacle but the field looks a bit too strong for them. A semi final would be a result. Ricky is back on form but Andre seems to lack his usual pace this season My tip - The Brummies because you simply can not see Lyons or Wato running a last place Anyone who fancies a chat with a couple of down to earth Tykes, sound us out. I'm 6'5" and my son Dave is 6'6" (we don't get a lot of bother)

If the team is :- SPEEDWAY WORLD CUP 2007 Event 2 16 July 2007, Coventry Great Britain Team: Great Britain 1 Lee Richardson 2 Simon Stead 3 Edward Kennett 4 Chris Harris 5 Scott Nicholls (Capt.) Stand-by reserve David Howe I am surprised by the inclusion of Steady I am a big fan of him but he was poor at the British Final, has struggled this season and is just back from injury On current form I would put Howe and King above him, possibly Allen as the meeting is at Brandon That said the team named should be strong enough for a final place.

Finally got round to adding my congratulations to Chris Harris In all my years of watching speedway I wonder if it can actualy get much better than this. The atmosphere was electric and with a last heat, last bend Brit winner Quote of the day from a lady sat behind me with a soft Edinburgh accent talking about Chris Harris after the final race At the start of the race I would have given him one in four After the first bend I would have given in one in twenty At the finish I would have given him one

We MUST be told the correct reason for the switch. "Technical reasons" is an insult to the paying public on which the survival of the sport relies This event has been the talk of Owlerton for some time and is a slap in the face to all of us

Now I'm just a simple man - but - Would it not be better to have quailifying events and prevent any arguing about who should and should not be there Message to the BSPA - the simplest ideas are the best

I am posting these comments to express my dissatisfaction at the omission of Sheffield from the PL fours. I know a few of you may shout “sour grapes” but that is your right I have been a long time advocate of a qualifying series of meetings for the right to be at the finals just like it used to be prior to 2000 Failing that the top 8 qualifiers from the averages should contest the final. This seasons ruling is the top 7 plus a seeded team What are the criteria for selecting the seeded team. I would suggest the follow be considered • The team with the 8th highest average • The most successful team over say the last 10 years • The team with good away support • The team that has consistently been high profile I could go on but you get the point I am making in that I am amazed Sheffield are not that 8th team This is in no way anti-Birmingham as I am delighted they are back and had a super evening at Perry bar on Good Friday. I base my arguments on simple fair play I also would like to express concern over the management of our sport. I first attended Owlerton to see a Provincial League fixture in 1962. Since then there have been huge advances in machines, tracks, safety, promotions etc that have added to the sport. Sadly the management has not followed with a whole raft of rules that and based on image, TV and commerce and sadly not fair play • Is it too much to ask that the team that gets most points wins the league • Is it too much to ask that the rider winning a race gets just 3 points • Is it too much too ask that the 8 on merit go to the 4’s final • I could go on The BSPA ask the following questions before any decision is taken 1 Is it fair 2 Is it what the supporter wants 3 Is it about image 4 Is it about commerce (usually TV) The answers should be Yes, Yes, No and No. Then and only then do we get the decisions that most people believe are right for the sport

Perfect Venue - The fours returning to its rightfull home Not sure about the qualification process - I would much rather see qualifiers and you can bet your life there will be arguements about who gets seeded

Could not let this thread go without mentioning the late great Arnie Haley. This was a guy who loved life, was a great entertainer both on and off the track and worth the admission alone His attitude to speedway was turn up sit in the bike and race then off to the pub Had he been more professional with his preparation and his bikes he could have been a world champ But then he would have been an Ivan and not an Arnie

Anyone who missed this missed a treat. The young lads put on a super performance that got better as the meeting went on and they got used to the track The final was a bit special with Auty and Thompson changing places half a dozon times and at one point on lap 2 bend 2 three riders in a line coming off the bend Names for the future - Mark Jones and Tom Hedley The guy who will really set speedway alight is Josh Auty, is he really only 15. lets not forget he has won the British U15 title for the last 2 years beeting Bridger on the way I have followed Simon Stead throughout his career and I believe Auty to be a better prospect