dublin duke

There are so many posts on this thread and I have to confess that I didn't read every one of them carefully, so apologies if I'm now repeating an observation that's already been made. It's my opinion that the reason the ref let it go was because of the TV schedule. One (I'm guessing unanticipated) extra race makes things tight enough, but to then have to re-run it? And with only two riders? When there's the "richest minute in motorsport" to fit in before 9 o'clock? No chance. I bet I'm right. This compliant approach to the commercial realities of the Speedway World Championship Series might also explain why this ref still gets selected to officiate at GPs. That's my theory, for what it's worth, anyway. Also, I would just like to add that I'm guessing that, at the beginning of the 2007 season, if Chris Harris had been offered the deal that he'd be in a run off for the final 2008 automatic qualification place, get knocked off by Scott, but be pretty much certain of a wild card anyway AND would win at Cardiff in the manner he did.....he'd have bitten your hand off!!! The most important thing, surely, is - as many people have said in this thread - that both of them are in the GP series next season. Good luck to both of them. And congrats to AJ....he has a great attitude (well, I think he does anyway).

This year my son and I are driving down to Cardiff from Birmingham Airport. Rather than attempting to drive into Cardiff (and then back out again afterwards!!!) I was thinking of using the park and ride facility. Can anyone give me advice or tips on where might be the best place to get this service please? Thanks.

Did anyone else notice that Jason Crump wasn't using the orange wheels on Saturday that he had in Cardiff? My son spotted it. I'm guessing that he may have decided they were unlucky after his experience in Cardiff and, therefore, have decided not to use them again. I hope not, as my son and I both thought they looked terrific on his bikes in Cardiff. Anyone know if there is a story behind this, or if the orange wheels might be back on Jason's bikes again in the future?

Apologies if I am repeating something which has been covered elsewhere on the forum, but I watched the Sky coverage on Sunday when I got home and - once again - was so impressed with everything about David Norris both performance and attitude. The interviews which Floppy gave to Sophie/Greenie demonstrated to me, once more, what a genuine guy the man is. His comments about all the other riders being "afraid" of riding against him at the beginning made me laugh out loud. And his attitude in the interview with Sophie following his fabulous heat win again demonstrated to me what an honest and genuine bloke he must be. His obvious delight at the adulation of the crowd is also fantastic to see. There are no airs and graces about him. He seems to me to be the most honest guy in the sport, and one who is always ready to be self critical if he believes himself to be at fault. I'm sure some of you guys on the forum must know him. Am I correct? As we were travelling over for the GP I asked my 12-year-old son who he thought would win "definitely Rickardsson, maybe Crump" he replied. When I asked him who he would like to win, without hesitation he replied "Norris". Says it all to me.

Both Hancock and Lindback will finish in the top 6. T. Rickardsson will be champion.

I guess the job of finding out more about Chapelizod should fall to me, seeing as it's my patch. I know that there were a few teams/tracks in Ireland (mainly Dublin) in the 1950's. There was one at Chapelizod (as you already know) which is a suburb of Dublin (3 or 4 miles outside of the city centre), there was one at Shelbourne Park (which is a 10 minute walk from the city centre), there was also one in a town called Drogheda (which is about 25/30 miles north of Dublin). Shelbourne Park is still a dog track today, and some of the 3rd and 4th turns of the speedway track is still there. I also think that someone once told me that there was a team in Harolds Cross (which, again, is a suburb of Dublin and is still a dog track) but I'm not 100% on that one. I'll see what I can find out about these teams/tracks and report back in the new year. Happy Christmas to you all.

...and FANTASTIC ones as well !!!!!

At The Shay around 67/68 on Saturday nights, I think I remember them always playing Mony Mony by Tommy James & The Shondells, Dizzy by Tommy Roe and Gimme Gimme Good Lovin' by Crazy Elephant (mind you I was only 6/7 years old at the time). Those songs coupled with "that smell" bring back fantstic memories.

There are a lot of comments on some of these threads which say that the ref "had a mare" on Saturday night, when the fact of the matter was that he didn't "have a mare" he was simply biased towards Team GB. I cannot think of any other sport which would allow a referee to officiate in a world final in which his/her own county's team were participating - it is a ridiculous situation. Surely a referee from Czech/Hungary/Italy/Australia could have been obtained for what is the WORLD CUP FINAL. I know it easier to say "the ref had a mare" than to actually come out and say he was biased, but imagine if you were a Swedish, Danish or Polsh fan sitting at home watching the meeting on Saturday night - what way would it have looked to you? It is my opinion that if anyone tainted this meeting it was the referee, not Hans Andersen. I also think that if you look back at some of the iffy decisions and what the situation would have been if they had been correctly awarded, it may well have been a 3 horse race, or even a 2 horse race between the Swedes and Danes. That said, I certainly do not wish to detract from a superb peformance by Team GB (believe it or not, I am a Brit myself), and what was a fantastic week of speedway. I just wanted to have my say.

How did it go?

I would just like to say that I think what Lee achieved on Saturday actually makes him the "Man of the Meeting". Norris was fantastic - no doubt. Scott did the best he could (I still believe he's not back to 100%), and Mark was Mark - a true racer and entertainer. However, Lee really came through for the crowd on Saturday. I thought that he handled the undoubted pressure extremely well (particularly after being excluded) and displayed the character of a true winner. The real star of 2004 so far for me is Lee Richardson. He has progressed from GP journeyman to genuine contender and he WILL win a GP this year. Congratulations Lee. And, thanks for giving us a great night and a great result.

My dad used to bring me & brother from '65 into the '70's (and to the "steam pigs" HRLFC). I remember one meeting where Reider Eide went over the fence and into the crowd (his bike didn't....just him). The Shay was the best. My dad is still a HRLFC season ticket holder at The "new" Shay. We moved to Ireland in the '70's - NO SPEEDWAY!!! So, I'm probably one of the very few (if not the only) serious speedway fans in Ireland. I make the pilgrimage to Cardiff every year with my own son and go to Sheffield when visiting my father who now lives in Huddersfield.

Bad loser or just ultra-competitive? Whatever anyone thinks about the way Jason conducted himself on Saturday, the fact remains that on the track he always gives 110% and the GP series would be much the poorer without him in it. As regards SKY, to be fair it is their job to offer a watchable and engaging product which I think is right to include "warts and all" both on and off the track. You couldn't actually hear what Jason said, and even if you could is f**k off really that shocking or offensive these days? I am sure that Jason himself would agree that in an ideal world he should have behaved in a manner more befitting a role model - but in that world we'd all be perfect wouldn't we?

Originally from Halifax - regular Dukes attender late 60's early 70's (with my Dad). Then moved away and lost touch. Re-born speedway fanatic following visit to ELRC in Bradford 1996. I am aware of Kenny Carter through fleeting mentions in articles etc. but don't know much about him. Without wishing to be insensitive or macabre, I would be grateful if someone could give an overview of KC's life and career.