waytogo28 2,054 Posted July 26, 2018 On 7/24/2018 at 7:45 PM, Icicle said: Note from info on this that the stadium has only a capacity of 2,500 only! Thought it was larger than that? So will they fill even that capacity with "local" fans? Not many will be travelling up from the deep south or even the Midlands. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Blobby 2,623 Posted July 26, 2018 2 hours ago, waytogo28 said: So will they fill even that capacity with "local" fans? Not many will be travelling up from the deep south or even the Midlands. It won’t be full with local fans. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Blobby 2,623 Posted July 26, 2018 17 hours ago, Eduds1 said: Great to see test matches again, but couldn't they have chosen a more Northern venue? Think it has more to do with allied being sponsors of team GB. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andout 649 Posted July 26, 2018 (edited) 23 hours ago, racers and royals said: You must be a lot younger than me 6 man teams(3 pairs of 2) the pairs raced the other pairs which is 9 heats and then they did it all again which made a 18 heat test match Edit exactly as this http://www.internationalspeedway.co.uk/engvden.htm Probably not younger......yes I realize there are six riders racing but there are two reserves and I guess they are not part of the team , the meeting you cite Kevin Smith and Sean Wilmot were the reserves but in this particular meeting they didn't ride, every other meeting the reserve (s) were used and for the USA series of the same year the reserves were top class reserves and used! .....Most, if not all of those programmes in the UK section on the International speedway website are from my own personal collection......shame the site is no longer active. Edited July 26, 2018 by andout addition Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andout 649 Posted July 26, 2018 16 hours ago, Sidney the robin said: 1968 Swindon Great Britain v Sweden. Hunter ,Luckhurst. - Lars Jansson B. Larsson all at number 7/8 6 man teams in a 18 heat format.. All those four number 7/8 rode in that meeting but I guess they were not part of the "team".....Hmmmm I know, probably being picky but to me they are part of the team and in some cases have won and lost test matches over the years. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sidney the robin 4,735 Posted July 26, 2018 18 minutes ago, andout said: All those four number 7/8 rode in that meeting but I guess they were not part of the "team".....Hmmmm I know, probably being picky but to me they are part of the team and in some cases have won and lost test matches over the years. Certainly right there the reserves are important a test match that always sticks in mind was in 1983 at Sheffield England v USA. Neil Collins who was a reserve got a very important 5.1( with Carter) over Schwartz/ Sigalos really turned the match. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
customhouseregular 1,651 Posted July 27, 2018 Great to see a test against Australia again. I always enjoyed the tests in the 60's and 70's. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Humphrey Appleby 13,901 Posted July 27, 2018 23 hours ago, andout said: All those four number 7/8 rode in that meeting but I guess they were not part of the "team".....Hmmmm I know, probably being picky but to me they are part of the team and in some cases have won and lost test matches over the years. Test matches variously had 7 or 8 rider teams. 6 riders had programmed heats, and there were one or two non-programmed reserves who could be used as required. I'd say the reserves were part of the team. However, I also seem to recall 'tests' between National League teams and the likes of Russia that ran with 7-rider teams under the 16-heat format that was used at the time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bavarian 763 Posted July 27, 2018 (edited) Great News about this GB v AUS test match, I am really looking forward to this! One question though, why would this be the first official test match for a Great Britain team since they rode against Sweden at Poole in 2002, when in fact Great Britain has met Australia several times since then (even discounting the second division level Premier League test series of 2013) The most recent full international between Great Britain and Australia dates August 1, 2012, at Poole. Here is the link to find all of the recently held Great Britain v Australia Speedway Test Matches http://www.internationalspeedway.co.uk/gbvaus.htm Edited July 27, 2018 by Bavarian Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
uk_martin 1,606 Posted July 27, 2018 Great to see this happening...although having it in Scotland is a little ironic...Almost a neutral venue. The other irony of course will be Craig Cook. Last time there was a test match against Australia, he withdrew from the GB team, citing not being able to afford the fuel for his van to get to Ipswich. He'll be clean out of excuses this time. Just watch him top-score in his own back yard now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
racers and royals 8,696 Posted July 27, 2018 (edited) 15 minutes ago, uk_martin said: Great to see this happening...although having it in Scotland is a little ironic...Almost a neutral venue. The other irony of course will be Craig Cook. Last time there was a test match against Australia, he withdrew from the GB team, citing not being able to afford the fuel for his van to get to Ipswich. He'll be clean out of excuses this time. Just watch him top-score in his own back yard now. He might be skint again by then as he is facing a big fine from the Polish authorities for not arriving in time for the Nice Polska league riders championship on Sunday July 8th. Edited July 27, 2018 by racers and royals Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark 1,497 Posted July 27, 2018 2 hours ago, uk_martin said: Great to see this happening...although having it in Scotland is a little ironic...Almost a neutral venue. The other irony of course will be Craig Cook. Last time there was a test match against Australia, he withdrew from the GB team, citing not being able to afford the fuel for his van to get to Ipswich. He'll be clean out of excuses this time. Just watch him top-score in his own back yard now. The riders will be well paid for this meeting I hope. Rerpresenting your country should be well paid. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
screm 7,987 Posted July 28, 2018 Tai Woffinden and Craig Cook are the first two names on the Team GB team sheet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Shovlar 10,424 Posted July 28, 2018 (edited) Is it televised? So remote for most fans to consider attending. Perhaps Pay per view should be set up. Edited July 28, 2018 by Steve Shovlar Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andout 649 Posted July 28, 2018 22 hours ago, Bavarian said: Great News about this GB v AUS test match, I am really looking forward to this! One question though, why would this be the first official test match for a Great Britain team since they rode against Sweden at Poole in 2002, when in fact Great Britain has met Australia several times since then (even discounting the second division level Premier League test series of 2013) The most recent full international between Great Britain and Australia dates August 1, 2012, at Poole. Here is the link to find all of the recently held Great Britain v Australia Speedway Test Matches http://www.internationalspeedway.co.uk/gbvaus.htm Its so long since a real test match has taken place I'm not surprised you are confused.....When someone says first official test match it means "of that year"! For example, when test matches used to be every year (usually five of them) each year had a first official test match.......and a second, third, fourth and fifth official. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites