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He hasn't ridden at top form since he broke his back about 18 months ago. I hope he gets back to his best soon.

Poland could do with attracting more followers of 50+ years of age.. Dont seem to have many.. Missing a trick there...

Hope not, it is a blight on the sport, it has already been abused as not used what it was intended for, it will only get more abused as time goes on until it becomes the farce that British speedway is ,hate it , you ride for a team you are that team, it’s tribal and fans understand that

He is in for a very tough year in the GPs. I want him to do very well but can see him struggling to reach finals.

I hope Shovlar was watching Zmarzlik

Bear in mind the Russian names are translations from the Russian script, cyrillic, so there is no official spelling in our alphabet. We convert to how we would spell the names and the Poles their way. Their w is a v sound so what we would call Victor would be Wiktor in Polish, and something looking totally different but sounding pretty much the same n Russian. Going back over the years the English translations have varied. Take Grigori Chlinovsky, aka Grigory Khlinovsky. Likewise Grigori/Grigory/Grigorij Laguta. The problem gets more complex with Latvia where two alphabets are in use, Russian and Latvian so an ethnic Russian's name in his own language may be Andrei Lebedev (check the back of his kevlars) or Andzejs Lebedevs in Latvian! In English we have very few accents over or under letters like the e in cafe. Other languages have many. I don't want to wrestle with the keyboard too much but taking the Antonio Lindback case. The a in Lindback in Swedish has a double dot accent over the a, known in German as an umlaut, making his name phonetically closer to Lindbeck. In English we don't use that accent so we usually add an e to the vowel, hence the occasional use of Lindbaeck. The English alphabet isn't flexible to accommodate all these accents, usually applied to vowels to change their sounds. We compromise, and in so doing often get the pronunciation of foreign names very wrong. A y in Swedish is usually pronounced more like ew or a g like a y. The Poles don't just mess with vowels which is why Lech Walesa's name is pronounced Vawensa and Lodz as Woodz. In both cases the l has a bar across it, changing it to w. How do you cope? Compromise. We convert foreign names to our alphabet as best as we can and the pronunciations accordingly. Other nations do the same. I remember being amused at the 1982 Intercontinental Final at Vetlanda announcer refer to Kelly Moron. Well, he as many things, but not that.... It works in reverse. The Russians don't use the letter h so to get close to that sound they use a mix of x and i. I learned this when I covered ice racing n Russia using a programme obviously written in Russian and with the names similarly treated. It took a while to find Jarmo Hirvasoja..... So, it's all compromise in adjusting from one alphabet to another. Our lack of accents being used with vowels helps make English a tricky language to learn. Just a final one, Google Translate can offer some interesting translations. Dawid/Wiktor Leopard (Lampart) , Rafal Innkeeper (Karczmarz), Pawel Month (Miesiac). Oh and speedway to Zuzel, or .....Slag....... Hope this makes sense.

Anyone who quits the BSF over a difference of opinion, must have very thin skin. I've had plenty of digs aimed at me over the years, and i couldn't give a monkeys. The forum's purpose is to debate, not to agree with everything someone might say, wether that be positive or negative.

I'm sorry but you're totally wrong about hospitals.Once lockdown was announced, all cancer screenings were suspended, routine diagnostic work deferred and only urgent symptomatic cases were seen. All non Covid NHS services were decreased or ceased and staff moved to Covid wards. As I said in my original post we all know that early diagnosis and treatment is essential in beating cancer; what effect do you think stopping screening and diagnostic work had? Back in early July the Health Care Research Hub for Cancer estimated that 7,000 extra people at best, 35.000 at worst will die this year alone due to missed cancer treatments because of lockdown. The 'optimistic' figure was based on the hope that things will return to normal quickly. Sadly this hasn't happened. In my area cancer referrals are still 37% down on this time last year, in fact it's down in every area. I've banged on about cancer a few times over the past few months. I've lost family and friends to it, I'm sure you have to, in fact every single forum member will have lost someone close to them through this horrible illness. We've also all probably had a loved one diagnosed late or tragically, too late which is why screening is essential. Not rocket science, but clearly beyond the wit of this government. The lockdown has been a needless death sentence for thousands of people, killed so they can instead concentrate on a virus that in up to 80% of cases the person doesn't even know he's got it. To hammer home the point, read the attached report from the lancet about excess cancer deaths due to lockdown. Sobering reading. Then look up 'Transmission' in the dictionary. You clearly do not understand what it means. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(20)30388-0/fulltext

Never been one to take any notice of the usual "could you ride a Speedway bike?" crap that many idiots come out with when their favourite gets criticised, however.. Anyone who throws their leg over a Speedway bike, and races it, definitely can never be regarded as 'gutless'..

Gutless. He's broken more bones than you have brain cells and still takes risks..

There's definitely a shortage of z's in English

Yes it normally is the best, but not today.

Honestly I agree wholeheartedly with Steve Park... Dalbers is one of life's good guys... honourable... genuine and consistent and it's great that the new promotion have recognised his efforts for the Diamonds... Yes others have done good work over the years however even when he was dumped on by one or two others he consistently stood up to be counted he consistently backed the team and his absence although self imposed was due to him not being treat with much respect by a couple of previous promoters who still had the audacity to hold their hands out for his cash as a fellow promoter... and he never once complained or ducked his obligations or responsibilities... Great guy... oh hang on he does have one skeleton in his cupboard.... He's a closet Makem... I know... I've outed him now and it's embarrassing (very embarrassing) but we can surely allow him this one guilty pleasure after all he has done for the Diamonds.. Well done Andy... keep it up and well done to the current promotion for recognising the support provided over the years... well deserved credit... Regards THJ

Anybody else having streaming problems?

Have to have my twopenneth here Keith! Had it not been for Dalbers, the Diamonds wouldn't be still running, it would have closed down years ago, thanks to his financial input. As far as away meeting attendance goes, as you know he works at both Newcastle and Sunderland Dogs, so making it to away meetings is virtually impossible, but he was a frequent visitor to away tracks, especially between the mid-late 90's to mid 2010's, and I should know because I travelled with him most of the time. He and I (and sometimes Dave Fraser) were the only Gems fans at the away meetings with them quite often. I agree others also deserve a mention, but to say "he's done his bit" is, in my opinion, a massive understatement and no I'm "not just saying that, because he's a very good friend."

Is it just me or is this behaviour just beyond bizarre... I genuinely think this guy needs help. Does anybody on this forum actually know BWitcher in person? Because I think you need to carry out an intervention. I can't make up my mind whether he's a bully or mentally ill, maybe a bit of both. PLEASE! this guy needs your help. BWitcher I plead with you, please go see a doctor... when the NHS reopens of course

I thought it was a link for a surf board not a book about a Scunny speedway rider!!!

It was a very wet meeting I went to see the Polish wonder boy Zenon Plech. Didn't disappoint as he was also unbeaten except for a fall when he meet Louis.

You're right it was seven man teams, but your old age is letting you down just a little! We had the Russians v England at Ipswich, you had England v Poland at Hackney (12 point max for the Tiger!) Think that match was shown on World of Sport. (Unless my old age is letting me down!)

You named 8 riders not 5. I should have made the question easier.

He's only broken seven bones?

Woffinden looks absolutely gutless at times and has no answer all to often. Be interesting to see how he goes in the GPs.

It's because English "w" sound is "Ł" in Polish. Why do we have "w" sounding like English "v" instead of simply having "v" too? No idea.

If I recall correctly, this was team speedway with seven man teams riding at a range of tracks and I seem to recall seeing Russia riding at Hackney but old age let’s me down on who the opposition was. I do remember it got great coverage in the media and was held over one or two weeks. It would good to see something similar rather than the 4TT event that is today’s offering. Seven man teams riding as nations over three or four weeks with the right sponsor could be the making of a revival. What I do not understand is those who favour the recent World Cup format yet would never go to a a U.K. track hosting 4TT meeting made up of local teams.

Madsen is definitely carrying an injury, and doesn’t look comfortable on the bike these days.IMO

Bring back Doyle

Zmarzlik def fav for the GPs and 2 at Gorzow and he won at Wroclaw last year and they have 2 also. He likes Torun too. I think Emil will put up a fight, but less sure of Madsen at the moment.

Gzugunow would be better than janowski who doesn’t even look competitive up till now

Woffy's gating has been truly appalling for the past season and a half at least.. Miss gate, then blast around the boards is his regular tactic these days.. Great to watch when it comes off, but against top riders regularly hitting the first turn third or fourth wont deliver much success.. I would suggest he is maybe just still in the Top 10 in the world but not in the very top echelon anymore.. Bikes and talent still good enough, but starting simply miles off..

Woffy not riding well at the moment.

I you would have been more than a little disappointed if Sheffield had signed the other J.Holder

Done Woffy over 9 so hoping for extra rides lol.

Zmarzlik is something else, that was pure class

Maniak is ok

That's my point!

It looks to me that it is more Rob Grant thanking him for his help in getting things done last winter to help him save the Club.

No info yet.

Perfect sense!,I’m away for a lie down now

Can't be bothered any more, you are a closed obsessed book.

Yes- it`s been reported that Tungate refused to sign as it would have probably been just the 1 meeting- because you cannot guest for more than one team.

I went there twice. Once for a rain off and also the last PL level meeting against Arena Essex. It was quite a sparce stadium, but the track was a good shape. On a gorgeous sunny evening, the crowd was no more than 200!

Of course the rain offs most weeks before the promotion gave up also played a part.

Yarmouth and Brafield (Northampton) are both operated by Spedeworth I believe, who also run bangers out of Eastbourne, Ipswich and Mildenhall. Which means there is a working relationship at least potentially, and also surely opening a Speedway track in a venue that already hosts motorsport should make the noise complaints an easier hurdle to cross. Whether the venues would draw a sustainable crowd is another matter altogether.

He had a really weird style and who could forget the somersault over the air fence against Newport and walking back to the pits through the crowd.

Once again, I found your RESPONSE amusing. You're utterly obsessed with Covid and the 'facts' you continually post. Many of these 'facts' are purely your opinion. But you tell us we're not allowed to have an opinion...unless it matches yours of course.

Trouble is there is a lot of repetition on the forum...which I guess many of us are guilty but it can get tedious sometimes especially when some posts come across as patronising and personal in content.

Commenting on 4 former Hull venues: White City 1930's been under a block of flats for many years, Hedon 1940's - just a field ear-marked for Eco energy plant, Boulevard 1971 - 1981 stadium demolished 2010 or so, now an acedemy & Craven Park 1995-2005 is an interesting one but sadly still a no-go. There is still plenty of room at CP for a speedway track (!) - apart what were turns 3 & 4 which have a large stand on that area and a speedway track traditionally requires, depending how one defines such things, 4 turns or 2 semi-circular corners, but for 3/4 of a track CP is almost good to go . The modern KCOM stadium (Hull City & Hull FC) has room for 2 straights only (so half a track then), while Costello Stadium is an athletics facility, though apparently little used, and would suit a Scunny 1970's Quibell Park-type dual use track set up, but 'tis slap bang in the centre of 'NIMBY Land' so literally no chance. Oh well maybe speedway will return to Hull one day....

It isn’t. In a few places there may be proactive promotions. Note that of the five teams you have listed three are relatively new promotional teams. The IOW have always had to make hay with holiday crowds too, although granted their new promotion are doing a great job undeniably and we need more promotions like theirs. I’d suggest you read Barry’s post again also and read what he is actually saying. Proactively promoting is all well and good. The product on track is an incredible one, that is why we all love the sport. But the way the sport is run overall it is tantamount to polishing a turd. People complaining about having to shuffle along a few steps on the terracing will be an issue as long as there’s terracing and isn’t anything to do with Speedway or old timers. It’s an inherent part of any sport where there is terracing or unreserved seating and people who like to watch from the same spot week in, week out.

As I’ve said elsewhere, a big issue here is that we insist on running the leagues to a higher standard than the riders that are available. If we cut cloth to measure people would complain that the product is being “watered down.” The other excuse is that there “aren’t enough riders.” There are enough riders, just not enough willing to ride here who are of the unrealistic standard British Speedway is trying to run at. Look at the top tier teams due to race this season. Realistically I would say there are five riders we would definitely lose from that league should we cut our cloth to measure. Ironically they’re five who don’t need to double down to make the sport pay, Doyle, Pedersen, Iversen, B. Kurtz and Kildemand. The main issue I guess is that landlords are still going to want the same rent from their tenants whether the sport is part time or not. However without so much money going out on wages it wouldn’t be an insurmountable hurdle. The die hards will attend whatever is served up. They’re pretty much all we have left in terms of boots on the ground in stadiums anyway, so to suggest a league of a more realistic standard wouldn’t work due to fan numbers is a lazy excuse. It wouldn’t be that hard to reset Speedway on a better path here but nobody is seemingly interested in doing so. To do so we need to take a step back, instead we keep trying to build a palace on the sand. But at least each Premiership track would have got to see Nicki Pedersen twice across the year eh.