Old Saint

For the first time I was really disappointed with the whole thing. For some reason it all seemed a bit flat - very little in the way of atmosphere, not the best racing and as for the "entertainment", least said the better. In fact, the only enjoyable part of the day (for me) was listening to the Magoos in the Fanzone. If you want decent pre meeting entertainment BSI, I suggest you look at bringing in this group from the Fanzone. I have seen every Cardiff GP except the first and for the first time am seriously considering whether I want to go again. This indecision is nothing to do with Cardiff itself but with the way that last night's meeting was presented and the general poor standard of racing. There are many who have said, and will continue to say, that you are going to watch speedway and not the "entertainment" and in a small way they are correct. Speedway itself was designed as a new form of entertainment and not as a sport - as such, it achieved a great deal of success but then it started to take itself seriously and that, IMO, is when the rot started. However, returning to the pre match entertainment, there are many who do not wish to sit in pubs until the last minute, those with children and those who just prefer to be in the stadium early to avoid a crush. Should these people have to sit around for an hour or more twiddling their thumbs purely because they do not, or cannot, drink themselves thionk in a crowded bar? Lastly I shall upset the "our Armed forces are wonderful" brigade. I was offended and worried that members of the armed forces were on parade. Forces representing violence should have no place in peace time entertainment other than in specific military shows. My fear is that with the increased use of military personnel in uniform, it will be more usual to them on the streets patrolling than police officers. By all means call me stupid, and I know there those who will, but I am concerned that this is the beginning of a militarisation of everyday life.

Almost any race involving two or more of those was an excellent race

Last Sunday - Dan Wheldon, this Sunday - Marco Simoncelli. I sincerely hope that next Sunday will break the sequence.

A while ago I did a comparison of race speeds from around fifty years ago and today. The results showed very little difference despite the "advances" in technology etc.

"Super Dave" would seem to think something along those lines

I must apologise, it is probably my age, but I cannot understand what it is you are trying to say. Captain Marvel, I am not seeking to defend anyone but the Madsen affair has absolutely no relevance. Anyone resurrecting it in connection with the current case is merely attempting to distract or, as I said above, trying to score cheap shots. It is also wrong to aim any criticism at any club. It is purely the rider who is guilty unless it can be categorically proven that a club condoned the attempt to gain an unfair advantage. If anyone so much as suggests that a club is guilty of without the requisite proof, they are laying themselves open to legal action and that COULD result in the closure of the BSF. My advice is to leave well alone.

I would respectfully say to yourself and anyone else dragging up the Leon Madsen affair that you are very wrong so to do. That affair has been dealt with and should not be dragged up in an attempt to score cheap shots. It is also not pertinent to the discussion currently taking place.

I agree with those who say that removing all of Edward Kennett's points in unreasonable - it is also completely unpractical in my opinion. Unfortunately you are incorrect in your second statement. In English law there are statutory offences in which no defence can be offered, only mitigation. An example of such an offence is serving an uniformed police officer with an alcoholic drink but there are many more. Another is driving a motor vehicle with more than the legally permitted amount of alcohol in one's bloodstream. Guilt is not an issue - it is automatic once a charge has been preferred. In the case of Edward Kennett, the regulations say that a bike must meet certain conditions, therefore anything outside of those conditions is deemed to be illegal and the rider, who is personally responsible for the condition of the bike he rides, is committing an offence. Whatever your personal opinion of the integrity of Edward Kennett, he is guilty and can only seek to mitigate that with regard to any punishment. If I were being my normal cynical self, I would say that the presumption of innocence in law no longer exists in this country.

Done.

It may be a "wind up" and "banter" but it was, IMHO, uncalled for and very strong language to use. I am afraid that it did not read like either a wind up or banter but as an attack on several individuals alleging knowingly condoning or taking part in, wrongdoing. This opinion is reinforced by the rather grudging apology. I would stress that this is not intended to be an attack on the original poster but it does serve to warn posters to think before they speak.

The same applies to those who enjoy a cigarette while watching. What really annoys me, and it happens year after year, is suddenly finding your feet are in a puddle of beer spilt by people sitting behind.

Then the staff at the gate should refuse entry. It will cause problems at first but once the word gets around that entry is being refused, problem solved. I don't think that the law regarding being drunk in a public place has been repealed and should be strictly enforced. If speedway wants to keep its "family" image, there can be no place for the drunks.

Much, but not all, of the trouble at events like this is caused by alcohol. Surely the answer is simple, do not sell alcohol within the Stadium and refuse entry to anyone who is drunk. Laws relating to smoking are rigorously enforced because of the "dangers" of passive smoking but the laws regarding alcohol, a far more widespread menace, are largely ignored. There are those who will say to smokers that they should be able to get through a few hours without smoking, the same applies to drinking.

Can't help regarding the email but I can tell you that Seetickets do have a customer service department however, it is not on the phone! Apparently they only have an outgoing line so that they can ring you but not the other way round. Their general number is the only one to use - lengthy menu system though. I normally buy my tickets online through Seetickets but I am so fed up with them this year, I shall think again for next year.

I tried to complain to See Tickets about their courier service. DX Secure left one of the "unable to deliver, please call" cards and the options they gave were restrictive to say the least. An alternative offered was to collect from their depot - a train ride and £15 return fare away! See Tickets said that they had a customer service department but that it was not on the telephone! Hope that next year they revert to Post Office special delivery, at least then I can always collect the tickets from the post office on my way to work.