rabbit

I have to agree with others - very surprised that Harris is back in. The other three I can agree with (although I think Nicholls can count himself very lucky, and surely this must be the last time he gets a Get Out of Jail card for this series if it's to retain any credibility) but Bomber's inclusion just seems to smack of keeping the British fans happy. I'd have picked PUK over him to be honest. Wonder if he was first choice or whether the others mentioned (Holder/Zagar etc) turned down the opportunity to take part?

Cheers - that rings a bell now you mention it.

Didn't Scott Autrey have a pilot's licence? Or was I told porkies a few years ago?

Just had to check that post there From PC, I thought for a second Subedei was back.

Zagar? FFS.

Don't start on Lukas!

Strange but I don't really think of Nicki in the same league as the likes of Rickardsson, Nielsen, Gundersen etc. Sure, he's good, but he's not got that aura of greatness the others had.

Sorry jaybea..but much as it pains me to say it, but Tai is nowhere near ready for a GP place yet. As for the GP qualifying process, wouldn't agree it's rubbish - it can only ever be as good as the riders putting themselves forward for it. I'm not exactly that thrilled either at any of the 3 qualifiers (and I say that as a fan of Walasek) but they put themselves forward and won the right to be there - you can;t argue with that - it's certainly more 'there by right' than even a wildcard nomination. Perhaps certain other riders should have done the same. The old saying 'pride cometh before a fall' may appear to be appropriate here.

Try here

BSI/IMG in connection with Billy S, that's a first I think Ron.

My bad; of course, Rzeszow were Ekstraliga weren't they? D'oh! Women and sport eh!

Gdansk promoted and Rzeszow to remain in Liga 1 by my reckoning.

Yep afraid so....just a screen saying 'transmission soon' and nothing else. Meanwhile the meeting carries on. Shame, I was looking forward to seeing Watty, Mango and Barney doing battle. Edit: as if by magic...it's now on

Did we really expect anything different? They seem to think if they forget it, then so will everyone else. Wrong.

I'd agree - Ulamek and Grzegorz got in by right and fair play; you can't argue with it. My point really was, they're hardly inspirational additions are they, and also rans in the sense that they seem to be in the series for a year, then disappear and then get back in again whilst never likely to make anything other than a ripple in the series, if that (look at Dryml - prime example), whilst others who are possibly better (and that's a subjective call) and who perhaps should take part in the qualifiers seem to be happy to rely on getting a wildcard place and then probably lose out when it all goes TU - I'd include Scott and Harris in that and also Bjarne this year (although he's made public his decision on '09 already). I agree totally about including Nicholls as an also ran sadly, I only included him in my list of 4 simply that he will probably get in by dint of the fact that a Brit seems to be needed for some reason. If all were fair in love and the world of GP nominations he might be thinking about he was going to spend his alternate Saturdays in 2009. If it were me there's a couple of other riders I'd put in above him, but then i'm not BSI/IMG or whatever they are these days. Thankfully.

Whilst as a Brit, it's obviously great to have representation in the GPS, I can't see that the'yd give two out of the four wildcard nominations to British riders. That smacks of just making the numbers up rather than having riders in there on merit or potential. But then when did speedway ever make the right decisions... For my money, that nominations should be as others have said - Nicholls, Lindgren, Sajfutdinov and Holder. We need something to liven it up a bit - the also rans are just churning around in a never ending cycle - Ulamek again, I ask you?! And the oldies need some new tigers around to make them work for it.

Well I'd not be too bothered either at pocketing $15k for getting into a race by default and then not having to turn a wheel in it. Leaving aside all the politics about the farce that was the GP last week, I'd say a big well done to Glob for his win and overall 3rd place - he really is awesome to watch and long may it continue. Not his fault that the circus came to town on a track he does well at really. The battle for the final rostrum position and 8th place kept the meeting entertaining. Was just pleased he took bronze off the cheesy grin's hands - now he's got them free to hold onto those damned Monster bottles. Less said about AJs move the better...he seems to be turning into a bit of a spoilt brat these days, which is a shame as on his day he's a cracking rider to watch. Not saying his move on Freddie was deliberate, but certainly reckless and I felt for Lindgren who was so close to that final after what must be a disappointing season for him. As for my favourite Bjarne - 8th vanished as soon as Germany did. He had a hope against a lesser Holta on a temporary track; on the bigger circuit not a hope. Still, hopefully the GPs loss is Poole's gain in 2009.

I'm so hoping the translation of that is what it looks like. Quality headline if so

Good point Trees! I was basing my comment on the premis that the riders will kidnap Olsen, tie him to a chair and lock him in a store cupboard so he can't ruin the track.

Now hang on a minute - not sure two people really constitutes a majority. FWIW, Smoli is the rightful choice - not his fault yesterday was a royal cock-up by the organisers and I fully expect to see him riding there next week; but speaking as a neutal who watches these GPs in the sole hope of being entertained, I'd have rather seen Emil come in as a wild card there next week. World U21 Champ getting a chance and as a home track boy and would have the set up for the track and would definitely get stuck in there. With no disrespect intended, I'm not sure Smoli will have the same impact.

You two will blinkin' need it! Shocking revelations now coming out about this track. Agree with previous posters that heads need to roll over this - the lack of professionalism to the outside world damages speedway's credibility yet again, not to mention the amount of money wasted by fans and riders getting there this weekend. How on earth has this been allowed to happen?

And Weymouth for their play-off meeting.

Oh dear - was Watty spreading his germs around at Lakeside on Monday?

Helluva long break between the penultimate and last GPs if this is the case - just hope the championship hasn't been decided by then or it could be a big damp squib.

Wouldn't say he choked...gate 2 has been crap and with a rider like Saitfutdinov on the favoured inside it was always going to be an uphill battle. Fair play to the Russki, he's ridden well and on balance deserved the title. Pure class by Noddy to pass Pavlic on the last corner to keep 2nd.