CheetahJake

Hmmmmmmmmm! let me see now. You are ENGLISH from England which stems from Angle Land, (i.e. Anglia (East Anglia)) which as Anglo Saxon is equally associated with the Saxons (from Saxony, a region of Northern Germany). Hmmmmmmmmmmm! I'd say that probably makes you European doesn't it? I know, let's get even more parochial about it. I was born in Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire (as it was then placed), but moved from there when I was 20 months old to my father's county of Oxfordshire where I was brought up and remained until voluntarily joining the armed forces just prior to my 18th birthday. I now live in Kent and have done so since 1984. My nearest track, apart from Iwade (Sittingbourne) is Lakeside. However, despite there being no current promotion there, I still consider myself to be an Oxford Cheetahs supporter. Should I call myself a 'fringe Brummie' or a British European? Of course, going back in history, there could be a trace of Irish, Scottish or Welsh in the family - who knows? I think I'll just stick with British with immediate English ancestory and with the flag of St. George incorporated into the Union flag, I'm happy to fly to Union Jack and support Team GB, or even Team UK. To use the recently overused adage, "Simples".

I don't wish to appear offensive, and I really do appreciate the fact that you are entitled to your views as well as the ability to express them, but, now how can I put this? You are now really beginning to bore me. Can you not simply accept the fact that you cannot build a team for the future using yesterday's heroes? Rob Lyon did not cost us a place in the final, but he did have the balls to lay the foundations for the future. Note also his wisdom in appointing the right rider in the right heat to successfully use the Joker - somewhat different to the complete and utter wastage of the facility last year by Jim Lynch. Not only do I think our young squad has a successful future to look forward to, I believe their Team Manager likewise has such a future - at long last.

I agree with you wholeheartedly. Now is the time for a vision for the future. From some of the comments I've read on here, there are those who cannot see beyond their own noses. Stick with the TEAM of the future and look to generating even more young British talent. Rob may have the National Team Manager's job, but it is the responsibility of all British Promoters/Managers to develop young British talent. We had the Middlo years when the National Team Manager complained that there were too few British riders to pick from, but nonetheless managed a British Elite League team consisting of not one British rider. Wake up you British Promoters and Managers, if you are not prepared to commit to a solution, you yourselves are in fact the problem.

Couldn't agree more. In fact, I would go even further. As the objective for this year's Team GB is to gain experience at this level, I would be inclined to leave the team unchanged for the play-offs. On the basis of this years British Championship, Bomber is our Number 1 and Eddie is our Number 2. Furthermore, he beat LR for the coveted British GP Wildcard. One "iffy" meeting should not be looked upon in isolation in my view. His form this season has overall been very good, and I understand that Bees supporters are more than happy to have him on board. He used not to like the Coventry track, but seems now to have mastered it. Who's to say that after Peterborough (apparently the designated Polish track is not too dissimilar), he won't put in a cracking performance. Either way, it will be a further building block in the development of a young and forward looking team, which let's face it, we are in desparate need of. On another note, I wish I'd taken a hat with me last night, for I am sure I brought half the Peterborough track home in my hair. Worth it though. What an absolutely cracking meeting. For years now, I have been praying for dirt on the track. I remember when Oxford had a deep track and the fantastic racing it used to produce. What is 'track-craft' without a TRACK worthy of being called a speedway track? I agree with all of those calling for Mr. Olsen to keep his oar out forthwith, regarding the matter of track preparation. Many more meetings like last night's and the terraces will start to fill up once more.

Couldn'tg agree more.

I like it - bang on. I was always mystified when as Team GB Manager, Middlo constantly complained about the limited resources he had with regard to whom to pick to represent Team GB, when there was clearly no attempt made by Poole to nurture and develop young British riders. They sure knew how to develop young Poles and Scandinavians though. Maybe that's why most of the world's best riders now come from beyond our shores. I too think it was shameful that the National Anthem was not played. Bomber had the opportunity, as a result of his own efforts, to demonstrate his absolute pride in being the British Champion. None of us had the opportunity to demonstrate our pride in being British. Oh! and by the way, where were the fireworks at the conclusion of the meeting?

No ill feelings Pantostar, and thanks for responding. I have to say it is a toss-up between Gordon and Martin, both of whom were heroes of mine at Oxford, but I think I have to agree with you, Gordon has it. Kind regards.

Gordon's first ride was 61.9 seconds and his second was 62.46. Third ride as you know was awarded and thus no time given. Absolute treat to watch though, and I can't help thinking that on an upright, he might even have been faster, afterall, laydowns hadn't been invented in his day. Had a chat with him after the meeting, and what a gent. For me, that was worth the trip to Arlington in itself. As a Cheetahs supporter for ever and ever, Gordon has long since been one of my all time speedway heroes, along with Ronnie Genz, Martin Dugard and Hans Neilsen, although during Gordon's time with us, we were known as the Oxford Rebels. When I asked Gordon if he knew why Eddie wasn't riding (a great disappointment to my grandson who hero-worships him) Gordon simply replied, "The management". Draw what you will from that. Have to agree though, a great day out, and hey! great to see Floppy win the first heat of the day in style. Julie, my other half, was delighted at having the opportunity to speak with Deano, whom she has adored since I first introduced her to speedway some 10 years ago.

The first meetings of the season and the bitching has started already. Until you know your facts, and until you can cock your leg confidently over a speedway bike and put your money where your mouth is, I suggest you button it buster.

COVENTRY, LONDON, BRISTOL, SOUTHAMPTON, PLYMOUTH - No, I'm not talking of their speedway teams, I'm talking of them as cities devastated by the Luftwaffe. Bomber Command lost the highest numbers of men in percentage terms than any of the other branches of the armed forces. Bomber Harris had a job to do which neither he, nor any other right-minded person would have relished doing, not least of all, knowingly sending so very many crews potentially to their deaths. There was a job to do, without which neither you nor I might ever have seen the light of day. Somebody had to do it. What he didn't do was to send without just cause, millions to concentration and extermination camps because of their political views, their religion or ethnicity. I am surprised that someone of your age (only 3 years younger than myself) should express such views that are distorted and not within the appropriate context, either in relation to Chris Harris, nor indeed, on the day that fell between Remembrance Sunday and the actual 90th Anniversary of Armistice Day. Shame on you.

Forgive me, but I can't help but notice a slightly unpatriotic trend running through your posts. You also appear to completely discount any value that there might be in having a sense of pride. Clearly you have never served in any of the armed forces, otherwise you would appreciate rather more fully the significant importance in having a sense of pride, whether that be standing for, if not actually singing, the National Anthem, and/or actually representing your country in whatever international arena. It is a case of going beyond SELF. Clearly, there were certain individuals within the so-called Team GB who also do not appreciate such values. There is no escaping the fact that the likes of Denmark are were absolutely oozing with pride and team-spirit, with a justifiable outcome. During highly intensive training, should one fall to one's knees and utter the words, "I can't go on" or similar, the SAS will kick them out there and then. However, if before reaching the very end of the exercise, the individual collapses into unconciousness, the SAS will take the view that he needs strengthening-up physically, because he gave 100% and had not the breath to say, I can't go on. It's all down to attitude. You can teach the skills, you can provide the equipment, but you cannot teach the right attitude. That can only come from within, and quite frankly, that is a great part of what is missing.

I have never ridden (driven) a motor cycle of any description, but I have been a speedway supporter since the mid-1950's and by golly, after reading this, I want to get aboard a bike and don the racing bib and get cracking. Seriously though, you could not be more right. The biggest element involved in reaching that finishing line first is the absolute determination in the head to do so, whether as an individual or as a team. More especially as a team, because as with an INDIVIDUAL, the TEAM has to be AS ONE. They need to be individualy and collectively focused and yes, just as you say, they should be coming in and advising their team mates as to what to look out for and even who to look out for. The Team MANAGER should be collating all of this information and gathering his team about him to ensure they are all singing from the same songsheet. He should be praising and motivating them and they should all be praising and motivating each other. I for one am sick to death of hearing the likes of Scottie coming out with the same old "yea well we're all up for it and we'll give it our best shot". SORRY!!!! that just is not good enough. Think back to when Floppy was in the team and being interviewed after his heats. His voice was all of a tremble with the passion and determination that was quite literally welling up inside him and overflowing, " Yea man, this is what it's all about, to get out there and wear this Unon Jack with pride and ride to win. I can't wait for my next heat. The boys are all giving it everything man. We're gonna get there and no mistake". I may be paraphrasing, but if you saw him being interviewed, oh! what a difference to, "yea, well we're all up for it and we'll give it our best shot". It's almost as if Scottie has a "Common Phrase Book" from which worn out and meaningless and uninspiring comments and phrases are drawn in response to the same mundane interviewer's questions, another one such being, "yea well, what can I say?" Why not try telling the truth and facing the facts of the situation? Again, referring to Floppy on other occasions when having been interviewed after a not so good a heat, he has actually said, " I can't believe that. I just rode that race like a complete and utter pratt, an absolute novice could have ridden better than I just did out there". He didn't blame the track and he did not blame his bike - no! he told it as it was and thus as well as for his true riding ability over the years, I have such admiration for the man. Perhaps part of the support system for our Team GB should be a psychologist, for it is my belief that it's their heads that need sorting out, including the Team Manager's.

With you Spook, all the way. I was not only saddened last night, but I was also very angry. I have been saying much the same as you for quite a few years now. Unless the powers that be actually wake up and become aware of what has been happening for so many years now, the sport will die in the UK. As it is, it is now like a walking skeleton from whichever way you look at it. It needs feeding and nurturing from the grass roots up, even if it means going 5 years without any overpaid and highly skilled and motivated foreign riders within each of our leagues. Spend the money saved in air fares and develop a BRITISH PRODUCT. Remember Middlo going on about the shortage of British talent for the National Team, and then with the promoters (ahem!!) at his club, splashing out on Poles with low averages to then bring them on and develop them, whilst our youngsters didn't know if they were on foot or horseback. And yes, fans are equally to blame for not demanding to see more home produced talent. And when we do get someone like TW, so many pick holes in whether he considers himself to be an Aussie or a Brit instead of accepting the fact that he rides as a Brit and is packed-full of talent. Remember the days when Ronnie Moore and Barry Briggs and Ivan Mauger rode as Brits, even though they were all New Zealanders? No-one quibbled then. I am not suggesting that today's batch of antipodeans should ride under the Union Jack, but what I am saying is don't take your eye off the ball and accept and encourage the likes of TW and EK etc, 'cos we need 'em and more besides if we are to move forward.

BULL!!!!

Yea! and the top-scorer failing to get onto the rostrum. Eddie fought for his 9 points, and fought with absolue determination to win his semi-final. He also fought damned hard for his second placing on the rostrum, as indeed did Bomber fight in the final. Each and every one of them win some and lose some. That's the name of the game. Remember Mark Loram winning the world championship without winning one single round of the Grand Prix? ACCEPT IT and for crying out loud, SUPPORT OUR BRITS, they need it.