Tim Templeton

My thoughts on the Zmarzlik situation. I think everyone reasonable would agree that the rules should apply to all equally. All concerned should be responsible for their responsibilities and actions, whether they be failings or not. And this must include those responsible for ensuring the rules are being adhered to, namely Zmarzlik, Morris, Olsson, Ackroyd, & Hanne Thomsen. This did not happen, but only Zmarzlik has been penalized. The FIM jury fell short of their responsibilities as well, and apologised, but have not been held accountable for their failure to ensure the regulations were being complied with. In today's Speedway Star it says "Under section 12.3 of the SGP regulations, riders CAN be fined and disqualified.....................". The critical point is that the regulation is quoted as "CAN", which infers discretion, as it does not say "MUST". Morris states that the only sanction listed for the offence in the rulebook is disqualification, plus fine. Both of those interpretations are diametrically opposed, and cannot both be correct. Everyone has accepted that the rules have been broken, so the only debate is whether the punishment of disqualification was non negotiable by any of the persons involved, or not. "CAN" and "MUST" mean different things. Which was it? Just to muddy the waters further, the regulations further state "The sanction must be proportionate to the offence, and to circumstances................." That again is at loggerheads with Morris's saying there was no option but to disqualify & fine, meaning that being able to be "proportionate" in any way was not an option.

The annual reunion is on Sunday 10 September, 2023, 11am until 4pm. California Country Park, Nine Mile Ride, Finchampstead, Wokingham, RG40 4HT. Toilets and Cafe available on site. All welcome.

Looking to set up my Sky box to record this weekends SGP from Germany, and it's not listed on my onscreen planner for Eurosport 2 (CH411). I consulted my Total TV paper, and no listing there as well. Any ideas as to why this is?

Dick was one of my earliest heroes in his Southampton days. I was lucky enough to meet up with him at the Speedway Bash at Sammy Miller's Museum in New Milton in 2008. What a fantastic age. You will be remembered with fondness.

Frank Evans rode at Knowle Stadium, Bristol, in 1960 (Provincial League), with an "F" on the back of his race jacket. He had a motorcycle shop in Bedminster (Bristol). , with his bike on show there. His son Richard? also rode a bit, and was involved in the running of Swindon some years ago. I think Frank rode mainly in second halves, with an occasional team appearance.

Turning on or off the primary chain oiler.

It's been the same for ages. That's why I stopped going two years ago after years of supporting the team and promotion. They have just never address the problems.They only have themselves to blame. Such a crying shame.

I have Leigh Adams 1993 Owen Bros/Jawa kevlars hanging in the garage. They are one of my favourites. I did have one of his 1993 Jawas bikes (engine named "Vinnie"), but since sold. I still have a spare set of covers for this machine. I think the most impressive I've seen for a long time, are the Glasgow team kevlars illustrated in this weeks Speedway Star. Just about the perfect team image, not like my local team (Poole).

This is one of the best I've read. Most entertaining.

It's free all the time now. Asda say stay is limited to 3 hours. But when they did charge a couple of years ago, it was free after 6pm. I've never witnessed anyone checking for ages, I'm sure you'll have no issues whenever you park. You can walk under the subway from there to the Stadium.

I've been a Poole supporter since the Sixties. I read this forum quite often, and get cheesed off at some attacking the poster. Gavan always comes in for a lot of criticism, as he chooses to make his opinions known about Poole. That is his choice, and I respect that. A "forum" means discussion. He raises many valid points, the majority of which have merit. If he gets his facts wrong, he admits it. I value his contributions, although it is apparent that many don't. As for Matt Ford Fan, I don't care who he is. I am interested in his contributions. Similarly, he raises many valuable points that I find worthy of discussion. gav

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p009y2z0

I did this for Poole Speedway every Tuesday Bike Night for seven years. I would take my van, logo-ed for Poole Speedway, sponsored by Rias & Castle Cover. I would take four bikes, such as 1952 JAP, and current ones of Adams, Lindback & Rickardsson (or others that may have been of interest). I showed action DVD's on a flat screen, (powered by a Honda generator), under a gazebo. I had leaflets with map and other relevant details, again sponsored, plus an "A" board with the following nights fixture, and admission charges. It was great, because there were always holiday makers there, looking to spend money, and I saw many the following evening at the Stadium over the years. I also used to visit many schools in the area, as well as various fetes etc, not only locally, but further afield at times. I also had many displays in the Dolphin Centre over the years. I'm sure it helped speedway in general, and Poole Speedway in particular. C:\Users\Tim\Pictures\2007_07_10\IMG_1562.JPG

I seem to remember it was quoted as "a split watermain" as a newsflash on Wogan, which prompted Wogan to refer "a well known speedway rider".

Rosco is right to select those who wish to represent Team GB, and no one else If Woffinden does not wish to be part of the SWC, for whatever reason, so be it. I'm amazed that he then expects to get the nod for the World Games. The choice Alun has made is the only one that any reasonable person would make. You cannot have any rider calling the shots. Any other decision would be a betrayal of those who wished to represent Team GB.

I was told 115 in total.

Just to confirm at the Celebration of Speedway this Sunday, I will be displaying race jackets signed by every living World Champion, and additionally showing Darcy Ward's machine, plus one of Chris Holder's, and one other modern laydown yet to be decided. Hope to see you there. Tim.

I have a fairly basic Sky package + Knowledge which costs £39 (inc £10 for HD). I previously had Sky Sports, but was not bothered about the Elite League after a time with multiple guests, double pointers etc, so got rid of Sky Sports. Eurosport was included, so I had Sweden plus GP's. As the World Championship is my main interest, I rang BT Sport yesterday, explaining that I had no BT phone line, or broadband, and asked how much for BT Sport covering the GP's. I was told £24.99 monthly on top of anything else I was already paying!!

I think it is unfair to suggest that Rosco has a conflict of interests between his roles as GB and Swindon. As the GB boss he has pretty much a free hand, and I think his choices have been well thought out with his limited options. The job was a poisoned chalice from the outset, with a lack of strength in depth, but he took it on regardless. Huge credit to him for that. With his Swindon hat on, he does not have a free hand. He has to be part of a group that has a different agenda, namely to put out a competitive team, within financial constraints, availability within the system, and perhaps differing opinions within as to the proposed make up of the team. How can anyone suggest that the thing Alun wants is not total success for Swindon. If the bulk are all Aussies to achieve that, then so be it. He has made the correct decisions for Swindon speedway.

It's on Sunday 21st February, 1100 - 1600. Entry is a minimum donation of £5, but as usual, includes entry to the Wildlife Park. Fingers crossed for a sunny day!

As a guide to the date of upright and laydown engines, in the last one off World Final at Vojens in 1994, Jason Crump was on an upright, and Tony Rickardsson, winner, was on a laydown. Hope this helps.

It's happening this coming Sunday, 15th February, from 11am to 4pm. Suggested minimum donation is £5, which covers all of the Wildlife Park, including the National Speedway Museum. The address for first timers is: Paradise Wildlife Park, White Stubbs Lane, Broxbourne, Herts EN10 7QA. I will be showing my collection of race jackets signed by every living World Champion, plus machines of Tomasz Gollob, Emil Sayfutdinov and Greg Hancock. It's a great day out, so come along and enjoy Park.

I'm a seasoned supporter from the early '50's, and I've watched countless good ones over the years. I've watched Lewis Bridger at Poole this year each time he has appeared, and his performances have been simply jaw dropping, quite stunning. We are used to good performers here at Wimborne Road, but Lewis Bridger's have been some of the best, acknowledged by many who are not usually that forthcoming in their praise over speedway's "characters". I think he has explained his thoughts and feelings very well, and I think he is dead right in taking his proposed course of action. It needs to be done for him. From a purely personal perspective, for my own gratification, I sincerely hope he comes back, to give us the opportunity to witness more of his breathtaking ability.

Very sorry to hear of Eric's passing. Bob Andrews in New Zealand informed me. Both he, Eric and I met up at the recent California-in-England reunion recently when Bob was over for a few weeks. I do have a picture of Eric, together with Bob Andrews and Eric Hockaday at the reunion, but I don't have a clue as to how to attach it here. If anyone wants to see it, they can email me at tim@poolepirates.net and I will forward it. Tim.

I think the current set up is pretty much spot on. The one gripe I do have, is that we are told that there can be no dead heats, even if there is one. Try giving a logical argument to that.