AndyM

Good answer, though I still believe this is all the more reason for buying habits to be standardised to enable prices to be reduced. Bear in mind that selling by component actually makes the manufacturer more money than selling whole machines. And the more specialised those components, the higher the margin over equivalent components on road bikes. Can we use generic components to reduce costs?

Agreed. Last year was appalling - don't know who made the decision, but it seemed to be done by who owed who a favour. Since Simon Stead, David Howe and others have had a go in the past, how about giving an opportunity to the likes of James Wright? Never too soon to soak up the atmosphere of a GP.

How many engines are purchased over the course of a season? Even if the riders of one club got together and placed a single order with, say, Jawa, they should be able to negotiate a discount. The manufacturers have had things their own way for far too long. PS. I am a management consultant, so you couldn't expect me to think any other way. However, don't tell me that speedway is special and unique and that the rules applied to other businesses are irrelevant - cost savings can be achieved everywhere!

The first meetings I remember attending were at Belle Vue in 1972, but my dad took me to both Coventry and Belle Vue in 1971 - great years to be an Aces fan! The earliest programme I collected is for Coventry v Hackney match in 71, but sadly it's not completed. Does anybody have the scorers for this match?

Not if it was done as a competitive tender with a 12-month contract. If done professionally, it could save the speedway industry and absolute fortune. The alternative is for a much stricter machine specification to be issued to all (both) manufacturers and allow riders to select which label was on the box, but without the bulk purchasing element it could not achieve the same cost savings. Whether or not this is desirable is a different question! I think it would be.

One opinion. Mine is that Pedersen will be lucky to stay in the top 5 this year. More likely to be overtaken by middle-ranking riders as they gain more experience.

Would you have said that had he not joined Arena, though?

Bjerre won't win of course, but he's capable of throwing in the odd shock to a fancied runner! Steep learning curve in these GPs.

Offer riders in a race four identical bikes and let them choose one at random. Then it's pot luck which performs better or worse!

Whatever you say!

Obviously what I meant You don't need to uninvent technology to simplify or standardise it, as proven by F1. But the alternative is costs spiralling out of control, speedway becoming uneconomic and contracting still further. Or maybe that's what you'd prefer, because the costs certainly aren't reducing at the moment!

What of the Brits? Can't see either Nicholls or Richardson putting in the sort of consistency to win the series, though one of them might just pull off one GP victory this year. Still don't think either has what it takes to be world champ, but then I wouldn't necessarily have predicted Loram's victory either.

Yes, wouldn't be surprised to see an Adams revival, though I always thought his biggest hurdle was mental rather than his equipment. Sure he'll be very difficult to stop if he gets his nose in front, but Crumpie won't give up without a fight. In fact, if the younger generation is making progress, it could be one of the most open championships since Loram won the title without winning a single GP!

Think both of those two will need to pay their dues for some time yet before they can hope to reach the levels of consistency needed to win the GP series (nor Lindback for the same reason.) Winning one GP alone is not enough. Very few have the stamina, which is why you don't need to look too far beyond Crump, Ricko and Adams. Hancock is a bit long in the tooth, and I can't see Pedersen or Gollob mounting a credible threat again, though some people think the relative lack of temporary tracks plays into his hands.

Pablo, I've been saying for years that machinery should be standardised, slowed down and simplified to cut costs and make the kit more reliable and longer-lasting, all the more relevant in the light of what F1 is doing. There would of course be more benefits too - it might equalise the field, make for greater entertainment value, put the emphasis back on skill and teamwork rather than out-and-out speed and hopefully cut injuries in the process. The BSPA have had several opportunities to do this in the past, but have shied away every time. They did look into the idea of running a tender for the supply of all engines for a season from one factory (eg. Jawa or GM), but beat a hasty retreat when one (Jawa I think) threatened legal action. The bulk-buy standardisation should have been pursued, since it could have saved the sport an absolute fortune, but I can't see anyone taking it on now. In my estimation, it would not be at all difficult to provide a machine specification that is much cheaper to buy and maintain, if anyone has the courage to do so. Why is this not on the promoter's agenda?

...but flat!

Much though I like Copenhagen, Prague is a fantastic place to visit, drink beer, soak up the culture and atmosphere etc. Very old and unspoiled city, but pretty lively nightlife. Unfortunately I've seen speedway in neither city, so that may not be good enough for you!

As a veteran of 45 already, I can assure everyone that you feel no different to when you were 18, but your body can't quite keep up with your mind! Other times, you feel ready for the knacker's yard, but keep going regardless. It's a barrel of laughs, so keep smiling!

During the infamous run-off against Anders Michanek for the KO Cup at Hyde Road, in fact, where the riders passed and repassed on each bend for four laps before PC got the nod. He had the throttle and clutch on his left hand because he'd broken a wrist. As for genuinely left-handed riders, I expect most of them use right-handed throttles to this day. Don't know of any who have configured a bike the opposite way around.

Except that Gollob won't win, unless you're thinking of betting on him winning the Polish GP! Adams at 5-1 seems the most realistic prospect of earning some dosh, providing his can cure the mental hiccups that seem to prevent him repeating his league form on the top stage.

Unfortunately, on some tracks and weather conditions, you might just as well award the race before it's started because passing is almost an impossibility without mistakes. No matter how brilliant the handicapped rider, they can't take a short-cut or break the laws of physics!

Having seen various attempts at handicap racing, I've never been terribly impressed. When I saw the Olympique meeting, various riders are able to use the handicapping rules to their advantage, so they didn't appear to be trying too hard in some races. In a league context, it would be very difficult to apply without gross distortion. Perhaps we should take a leaf out of horseracing and strap weights to Crumpie, Trick and Adams?

Quite a number have UK passports anyway through British grandparents. That or they can lay claim to EC state ancestry. This surely stops only a relative trickle of antipodean newcomers?

Wouldn't have thought there was a lot of competition for Zagar out there. Don't think anyone else would cut it in EL.

So no race-off between the riders as an option? Even the toss of a coin would be better than (d)! Whoever devised these rules should be exposed to the real world - might be an eye-opener for them