DukesGreg

Tricky one... Why would Batchelor actually 'mix it up', pass somebody.. then do a 180 degree spin... he could have just tucked in behind on the inside (I've seen more dirt at the bottom of the kids rabbit hutch) and not passed if he had tried. Why mix it up on the 1st and 2nd bends?? Unless he was disgusted to have been asked to throw it, and made it look obvious to embarrass his coach into looking like a cheat. As for the comments that he's better than Woffinden. That's a poor shout, in my opinion. I couldn't see Batchelor rattling up a 15 points max in the British Final, however decent a rider is. As for Ward being cocky. Fair enough.. he can be. But after seeing the kid ride the wall of death round the boards for laps trying to pick up some dirt to gain another point, with maximum effort, flat out and fearless, I do admit to liking the kid. With an earlier Joker when Holder and Ward were racing possible, the Aussies could have grabbed this, and it would have let Batchelor go flat out for the two points in that race with the spin. Terrible team management, you take every opportunity for points available to you... and they didn't. Ridiculous. Now we have a hungry Aussie side in the Play-Off meet, who will be VERY difficult to beat. Especially if managed correctly. As for Ward and the GP's, I'd welcome him anytime. Like him or not... I personally like him... he's what speedway is all about. And a couple of U21 wins, with a third possible, for me entitles him to an invite anyway. He is world class. Greg.

Leave it out... I've already declared I had a ball!!!

One very unfortunate incident in a history of a great event. This can happen anywhere too, I've saw trouble at Halifax at one match in the early 80's, as a teenager, aged 14. It's a shame, as Cradley Heathens were a superb speedway team too, possibly the best I've seen. I wouldn't let one incident mar my enjoyement of a regular thing like the GP. Greg.

I bought a programme too, but also didn't receive any headphones or draw-card to help me. Luckily I'd downloaded a racecard off of here put up kindly by Manchester Paul, which saved me. Otherwise I'd have had to shove them in ad hoc.. It wouldn't hurt to override the scoreboards for ten minutes, with an announcement saying so, and have the line up of 1-18 sat there in a static fashion for all to copy. Or put one on each seat for when you enter.

Seconded. Or at least PM all enquirers!!!! I don't wanna cheer on anyone who snubs child fans!! Booooo!!!

Aye... you got me. That indeed, I've also said elsewhere today. One fenced, two escaped. Joking aside, he did have to take it wide, to make an even playing field, from that hideous grid one. However, there's going wide to mix it up, and there's attempting the fairground 'wall of death' when there's actually two riders in between you and the fence. If you watch it again, he doesn't just move wide... he runs it, and runs it, and runs it. Everone knows what's acceptable.. and what isn't, however, Greg Hancock has Nicki to thank, he wasn't performing a pre-meditated pass of any riders, he was just saving his backside and found the gap and wound it on. The best thing?? We're still debating it here.. never a dull moment, and all that. Greg.

Well.. I disagree with that. The GP wasn't about him, it was about 16 riders, all entertaining. However, as much as Pedersen winds me up, he is theatre and box-office. And whatever he is, I refuse to accept some people's sentiments that he is simply a cheat and not a great rider. I don't see him a the ultimate sportsman, what I'll say about Nicki is that you don't fluke 3 World Titles, his record in speedway is very good, and he is a talented rider. He also took his cap off for the American national anthem, and put it back on at the end. He does have his graces, you may have misjudged me on my stance towards him. I do get Nicki Pedersen. You can read him like a book. Though he did try and ride EVERYONE into the fence, and then make light of it at the end. We see it every week, we know the drill.

The program or the cost means nothing to me mate. I'll take it or leave it. If I buy one, I buy one, if I don't.. I don't. My wife's mate went to go see Take That at Manchester, a program was £20. The price of everything goes up every year. And before you say, that doesn't make it right, I accept that. It's how it is. I agreed with SCB in principle. That it's a great spectacle anyway. However, I did go on to state that I found the racing to be good (which deviated from that sentiment). I find it impossible to compare one meeting to another. It's like seeing the best meeting you've ever been to, then saying the week after 'that wasn't as good as last weeks.' Last years meeting was possibly better, I'm not even looking back at that. All I am saying is, that, on face value, yesterdays GP was good, had some great racing, saw nobody dominant (highest qualifying score of 12 points) and was the same for all. I've watched it back over, seen some great races, some good races, some duff races. All in all, a good meeting. I used the comparison with Wembley 81 because people hark back to that and say it was a classic. Races last night made that meeting look rubbish. We all sometimes expect classics. And sometimes, a meeting can become lower than an individuals expectations, but still be a good meeting in general. As for gate one mate. Same for everyone. And I found last night a good meeting, with some great races, drama (even in the Final), and a decent and worthy ending. The highest scorer won.

Pedersen comments after the event of the Final. He said: “It was a good night and nearly a great one. In the final it was a tough first corner and I’m glad we all managed to stay on but in the end it was a great race and a good way to finish." He meant: "It was a great night, almost a disappointing one.. in spite of my efforts of deciding not to turn left at the bend, but ride out as far as the fence, and therefore taking all and sundry with me (it worked in binning Sayfutdinov, but sadly lightning never strikes twice in the same place) a fair and honest winner crossed the line first, and therefore didn't ruin everyone's night." “I was gating good, I had the speed but I threw it away myself, not having first choice of gate but I was the only rider to be with them in the first corner from gate one. In the semi final I got third pick because I’d touched the tapes and that was my own fault.” "I had a game plan. A few of the boys all night had equal speed off gate one, but took the turn fairly and honestly, therefore struggling to hold the lead down the back straight as other riders from the wider gates had the dirtwall for drive on the banking to use to get drive and overtake fairly. So to be with them on the first corner, I just rode up... up... up... and left nobody any room at all. Sayfutdinov crashed, but hey, it mean I got a rostrum place. The referee was a mug and let me off. So guess what. I did it again.. what all the other riders didn't do all night.. and drove it wide and nearly rode Chris and Greg into the fence. I got second, but everyone will say it is racing and the GP, and a place for men, so I can hide behind this and get away with it. As only I ever do. Oh.. and I can be really sporting at the end, shake everyones hand like mad, and look like a great sportsman and say "what a race boys... what a race!" But mark my words. There's a fence with their name written on it in the next meeting. For sure!" Or I could be wrong.. and a wee bit cynical.

:lol: :lol: Aye. Good call.

We had that. He touched the tapes in his last race then rode through them like a baby, rode everyone out wide in the Final, causing one to crash.. and ridiculously.. get excluded. Only to do the same in the re-run (were you watching ref), upset the parity of other riders, and finish second. Good suggestions in general though mate. And can somebody tell the world that Amarillo was annoying as heck two weeks after release, yet alone three blinking years later? Good job that they don't cover the interval, we'd lose more fans than gain them.

12 of you?? No, you're alright, I'll give it a miss then thanks fella. Though I know Halesowen very well, if any of you are stuck.

Agreed. It was loud, and the upper tiers on the back straight, which generally cost less, were absolutely heaving. I sat there last year, and there were many gaps. This year I sat on turns 3 and 4, and, looking around the arena, appreciated how choca-block these areas were. You hear it mentioned annually how the attendance is the highest yet. Something which I always joke about. However.. you really could see it this year. Camera shots / tickets pricing don't help, the sparsely occupied seats on the home straight create the illusion of emptiness. But it was definitely fuller. And seeing it on TV today confirmed that. I think with pricing tweaking, it could get many more in. But there you go.

I sir, have passed my NVQ and BTEC Level 2 in Passenger transportation / Chauffering. I'd happily pick you up en route next year, in the West Midlands, take you to Cardiff, (I'll be attending), meet you after the event and take you home for a signficantly less amount than £153!! :wink: speedway-forum.co.uk... the gift that keeps on touting!!

Of course Phil, fully agreed.. speedway is an annual thing there, and along with your thinking, I'm sure that they appreciate that the relationship with the British GP is worth much more than just a lucrative 'one off' deal to host football with probably the last ever Olympics to be held.. in.. erm.. England! To peev the speedway people off would be an error, agreed. And not only is it a big sporting event, I'm sure that the Cardiff people appreciate how LITTLE the speedway needs policing. We're a well behaved bunch in general, and it won't go un-noticed (hopefully) by the powers-that-be.

We should let Ole Olsen set them up again if we're not chuffed with them. Just watched the meeting back for a second time... Did Pearson REALLY suggest... and mean... that Ben Barker was going to ride in a Semi-Final, which could have had an effect on the result in a first bend situation... after the tapes situation??? Please... tell me he was pulling my leg.

Was mentioned as a potential venue prior to the Odsal decision in 1985, for the one-off World Finals. However, it would give a distinct advantage to people like Nicki Pedersen and that Kenneth Beer (sic) gadger, surely something that nobody on here would like... unfair indeed. :cheers:

Correct. I'm not driving behind a tractor for 8 hours at 12mph without the ignorant grass chewing git waving me past to get to a meeting that's rained off!! Not happening!

No it wouldn't. We'd all get swamped by insects like at the international meeting last year. Logistical nightmare too. Unless you live in East Anglia... of course!!

Well for me, good racing equals a good track. Hancock won the Final, and was the top scorer... with a low 12 points for this kind of event. He dropped 3 points along the way, so it's genuinely, in my opinion, a good and fair track. To drop 3 points and finish top, and see overtaking on both inside and out... that will do for me.

Fair comments, totally agreed. However, I don't know what some of the people on here expect from a speedway meeting. Once the track had bedded down, there were some great races. Somebody has complained about passing on the inside... but isn't that good???? Riders were passing after going on the outside, and riders were nipping in to pass on the inside. So.. if there was passing on BOTH inside AND outside... isn't that, in general.. a good track?? People expect GP's and World Finals to have 20 superb races. They don't. I remember Wembley 81 being dubbed as one of the best meetings ever. If you watch the races on youtube, or the dvd... yes... they're good. However, there were 6 or so TOP CLASS TOP DRAWER races last night.. along with some other DECENT ones after the first few heats... and people are still moaning. With nostalgia (olden days) comes some degree of sugar coating. Last night was a great night out. I drove 240 miles home with my family, a 480 mile drive in a day, knowing full well that I'll never miss one again.. cash and circumstances permitting. The racing was good (to deny it is rubbish), the stadium is amazing, the colours are amazing, the crowd numbers creep up every year, the noise is (happily) deafening, the roof is on, the Poles are loud (and really help make the atmosphere great), we had drama and a first bend spill in the final, and, in my opinion, a nice winner. I'm struggling to find something to grumble about. Rare in itself.

After seeing him get hammered by the Sheffield squad only this month, he of course is light years away from GP action. I still find it all a bit poor seeing a second tier rider being our second reserve at out home GP. I actually like Barker, but that's an indictment on the state of the British scene at the moment. Woffinden, in my opinion, should get it if one is awarded. I don't think that not having a Brit at the GP's would affect the gate or the attendances though. I don't think that anyone, on present form of our riders, expects any of them to actually win another one. Which really saddens me.

His wife told him to check over and take care of his Emails on Saturday. He read it as Emils. Badoom.... tishhh!! Yes. I'll get me coat!!

People up north????? Same distance as Baadiff for me. Though I really do prefer it where it is. Both, logistically, are a 4 hour hike though. I'd rather see it at Hampden than if the only GP was to be held at a temporarily enhanced brand new venue in Manchester. It's only 40 miles from my house, Manchester, but if this could end up being our GP venue, I'd give it up for anywhere to be honest. Surely having the GP at Baadiff is good for the whole city. Hotels, revenue, restaurants and bars??? Wembley also keeps getting mentioned, however, Cardiff should remain the home of the GP, nothing better than setting off knowing that a speedway meeting is actually ON, no matter the weather. The set up, indoor feeling, held in noise due to the indoor acoustics... I hope it's not lost to us.

Greg Hancock. Genuinely a happy, nice guy, super-talented on a speedway machine, and makes riding fast look boring and easy because he does it with such smoothness, grace and aplomb that you kind of take him for granted, in a comfort-blanket kind of a fashion. When you hear CONSTANTLY of other riders bemoaning their set ups, tweaks, silencer issues, being rode high and wide (if they've met Pedersen already on the night), and other stuff.. Hancock always conducts his interview with a grin and a smile. He doesn't say 'expletive' at every interview like some (although I do love the Aussie kid.. he just has interview tourettes), and would be an absolute worthy world champion and ambassador to the sport if he wins the GP series again. What's he going to be fed up about??? He travels the world, goes from country to country, gets on a speedway bike and mixes it, and currently beats, with the best on the planet. While most of world is jobbing 9-5, Greg Hancock is riding speedway for his life, and riding it well. And I think he appreciates the fact. Doing something you love WILL put a smile on your face, it's a great position to be in, if he looked hacked off doing it like others, then there'd be reasons not to like him. In a world where sports are littered with drug takers, drug cheats, serial womanisers who do half of their family, people who like granny prostitutes, media whores and wage mercenaries, Hancock, as with most speedway riders, is the epitome of what being in a privileged job should be all about. All riders plug their sponsors, it's how it is. You can't draw a gate position without pointing to your arm these days.. it's expected of you. For me, if a Brit don't win, then somebody like Hancock winning the GP is an result... and a pleasure to cheer and rejoice. Good look Herbie, keep that nerve and rack up some points.