OveFundinFan

and neither would a sensible sportsperson.

speedibee This link was in post #46 above http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-28778032

What is the point of an eight month ban if most of that is out of season. If it to 8 months, it starts at Latvia GP till end of season (whichever is the latest to finish - Polish, Swedish or UK) and then picks up again at the start of next season. A ban during the winter is no ban at all. Why should FIM have to rush a decision just cause a rider has a schedule meeting tonight. As long as FIM dont linger I dont think they should be pushed - after all, if the rider had passed the alcohol test he would have been riding tonight, he didnt pass the test so if he sits out another meeting so be it - his fault no one elses.

Spotted that myself and thought what the heck. No one seems to learn. Same with DW

Thats interesting. Speedway gp site did cover the Dudek drugs test a week ago, but no mention of Ward alcohol test.

Probably a good idea to try to make the sport less costly. They do it in F1 and Moto GP. One tyre a match is a good starter for a debate, though I would think its a bit extreme. I would think the most money is spent on engine tuning. You can see who has got the best engines. I dont know how much a top engine tune costs compared to a "normal" engine tune but I would imagine there is a wide gulf.

I have been away from speedway for so long now, about 35 years since going to Belle Vue from the late fifties on well into the late seventies. Really sad to read of all the disgruntlement from fans now. British speedway really must be in the doldrums. Sad, so sad.

Scott Nicholls answered the question during the gp. He said visually little difference between the two, the difference will lie in the make up of the side walls. Scotty reckoned come the end of the season, or towards the end, some riders will do some testing and probably change. Whether the difference makes any actual measurable difference sometimes does not matter, many times its all in the mind, and that can make a reall difference.

I take some exception (not a lot really) to being called "a Ward hater" I love his exciting riding style, just what the sport and us fans need. I dislike what he has done in his "private" life (which never can be private when in the public eye) but my reaction to his negative test before a gp is that he has broke the rules full stop. and the rules must be followed when dishing out the punishment. No one, absolutely no one, is bigger then the sport they chose to be in. The longer before real discipline (and that can include help) is given the worse a situation can get and the longer it will take to bring the person in line with what is expected. i wouldnt think any of the posters on here want Ward out of the sport, far from it. I do think most if not all would want Ward sorted out, that will include some fairly severe punishment for his irresponsibility and some professional help to overcome his problems. For the latter to work, he needs to want to work along with it. I hope that is in him.

Unfairly targetted ?

If Dorna have a deal for a Moto GP to be there in 2016 I reckon they will have a back up lined up. From what I read Silverstone are saying to much is being asked by Dorna so they on the sidelines - but who knows. Elsewhere I am sure it read that if £30m if given to Ebbw Vale scheme Silverstone says it will be illegal. Interesting developments to come.

Had a couple days in Prague in 1976 and yes it is a lovely city and well worth a visit. Did Katowice in 1976 when peter Collins won the world championship, followed by the World Long Track the Sunday after in Marianski Lazne, in Czech when Ivan Mauger won. Thats how we had a couple days in Prague - on the way to marianski Lazne.

Very probable. but Prague is a great place to go to but most say the track is not so good ie rubbish Cardiff is a great place to go to and the track is acceptable but atmosphere fantastic (judging that on the 2 years I have been 2013 and 2014)

and from what has been said on here by some fans who did travel..... they wont be going there again. I understand Riga is a very nice place to be, and when it was announced many months ago I did think about the wife and I going. Plans didnt go any further, and so glad now it didnt. I can cope with going to Cardiff, but any future plans of travelling abroad for a gp have gone out of the window now. Keep my money in my pocket and watch on TV, not the same as live but a "safer" option.

and why not? as has been said a few times, if he went out on the track he would possibly a danger to other riders. One would never know unless an accident was to happen..... do you, or anyone really want to find out that way. I would like to think the answer is no. So if someone has tipped of the "powers that be", full marks to that person..... it could have saved someone from serious injury or worse. He surely is being misguided through these youthful years, and no its not the things young ones today do (as classing them all together). I know loads of youngsters of his age, and younger, who do not go out just to get sozzelled. They know how to have a good time without getting drunk. A good friend, a true friend, should have had a word with Darcy before he took to alcohol and simply said "you had some bad news mate, but this is not the way to deal with it, lets go and talk it over".

thats Niels Khristian Iverson if you still wondering. Took me a long time to figure out who puk was when I "returned" to speedway and found this forum.

When he was being interviewed at the meeting and he was explaining he had some really bad news, he didnt look like he had some really bad news, and the lines where he said he should have hydrated seemed well rehearsed. If later, as Phil Rising says, he was distraught then just maybe it was sinking in what he had done and the reality of what may be coming. Bring it on, no excuses will do from him or any of his ill advising cronies. Do the sponsored riders actually have to drink the stuff, or are they simply obliged to hold the can up for the press and sometimes pretend to drink it?

Some fantastic racing, some very brave passes as well, full blasts around the "boards" (or should it be airbags these days) and overtakes on the white line. Sure there were some races that were over after turns 1 & 2, got very strung out, but the exciting ones were well worth watching the whole meeting. I recall one race when all four were virtually abreast on the back straight on their first lap - that was a wow for me. After his first race head first dive for the fence I think KK did really well to come out fighting and win the meeting, and he didnt have it all his own way. Watching Chris Harris closer, his only 3 points were a heat win. His riding style is very appealing and I can imagine when he was at the top of his game he was good to watch. However, I think his bikes were letting him down in Daugvapils. Shame really. I read KK is praising his engine tuner, Peter Johns. I know there has always been good engine tuners, but what is it they do to an engine that is different to what other "average" engine builders do, after all there is "only 4 valves, a piston, inlet and exhaust tract" to play with, is'nt there? Obviously more, but what?

It would be a sad day for the sport if all he gets is this one day gp exclusion and a 3,000 euro fine. Yes I know the report has gone of to FIM, I just hope they do what is right and I would ban him for 12 months from yesterday and if he wants to ride in gp's again he enters the qualifiers in 2016 meaning the earliest back in gp would be 2017. That would give him enough time to think about his actions and get himself sorted with some real friends who will tell him what he doesnt want to hear when thats needed.

ytsejam - I would like Emil to get a wild card for next years GP's, but have you read Phil Risings post after he interviewed Emil. Apparantly Emil does not want a wild card, he wants to qualify, so that means he cant be in until 2016 at the earliest.

Ok, I watched the Polish Championship final last night. I think I am right in saying it was the same Pawlicki that almost fenced Kasprezak in heat 1 and nearly blotted Zengota at the same place in the final - and in that one he looked across to the right as if he was looking to take someone (Zengota) out. I think he should have been excluded for that move on Zengota. Other then that it was a fair meeting, some really good races, some average. What it did show is Poland has depth of strenght in their riders at the moment. Thanks for the link. ps need to improve my Polish from "hello" and "goodbye" so I can take in the interviews and commentry.

Got the jist despite the typos. 60th Individual Final. Thats a good time. I remember a rider, think it was late 50's/early 60's - Anti Pajari (think that was his name), think he rode for Coventry and I think he was a Finnish rider. There is a lot of "thinks" in there as I am not sure. Any one else have any recollections??

Let us hold a meeting in August at a new track. Its summer time, weather is usually hot, so no need to worry about drains etc. They forgot there is a global warming which makes unpredictable weather. Doh! This sounds much like the thread on Malaysian Air Crash. An injustice has happened, but no one wants to accept the blame.

Thanks randr, I had spotted it. Shame both meetings cancelled.

If those faithful supporters have got tickets to see the Latvian Speedway GP in Riga and the "promotors" decide at the last minute to change the venue (to wherever) then those supporters should be taken (and returned) to see the Latvian Speedway GP. It sounds if it is going to be a case "its not my responsibility" and "its not our responsibility. It is someones responsibility that this speedway gp is not being held where it was advertised to be held. Supporters bought their tickets in good faith. If the organisers want continued support then I think may well be in their interest to get this sorted, and quickly, to the satisfaction of those supporters.