salty

Well Roo Boy rallied and qualified. Sadly, Bjerre missed out in a run-off for 7th and last qualifying spot to Wolbert.

Just read the blurb Tony and it looks pretty good to me, much as I enjoyed hearing about pre- war exploits I started watching in the late 60's so this new publication will be right up my street. Best of luck - hope it's a success and complements Backtrack.

Not the worst idea I've ever heard - and I'm sure Mr Holta would agree. It would keep interest going to the last GP as even someone rooted in 15th place could pull off a shock and qualify for next year. Better than this Super Prix nonsense.

The difference between Rune and Scott is that Rune has not had to rely on the generosity of the authorities to get a GP spot in the past but has got in by qualifying. As regards why it has took Rune so long to win one, I think that is a bit of a surprise. He has been one of the top performers in the Polish and Swedish leagues for years and has put in plenty of good rides in the GP's. Time after time he seemed to cock up at either the gate or by over riding in Semi's, but last season was a bit of a break through when he reached the podium a couple of times and rode his socks off to overcome a poor start to the series and finish in the top 8. Hope he can qualify by right again this year, because with the political rubbish that goes along with the nominations I fear a less worthy rider might get a spot at his expense. For example this ridiculous notion that the Brits must have 2 riders in the series.

Will be interesting to see if and what is reported in the Speedway Star about last nights track. The fiasco about the abandoned GP in Sweden was blamed on the locals and given the links between the Star and the Gp organisers it wouldn't surprise me if a similar scenario unfolds. There was mention in the match report from Leszno about how hard and dry the track was, but no editorial comment. In fact Leigh Adams commented how many racing lines there were. With 2 more temporary tracks coming up I hope we never see a repeat of that disgraceful surface last night.

Can't believe people are questioning Rune's machinary. He was quick all night (and has been a top rider for several years) and in the Final he took advantage round the outside whilst the other 3 kept to the wet inside. Don't remember anybody questioning Harris bikes after Cardiff last year.

Hans Andersen made some comments about the GP series a couple of years back (can't remember exactly what) but unfortunately for him he failed to qualify in the top 8. Consequently his punishment was a year in the wilderness as riders who had finished behind him in the rankings got nominations instead.

As it is the "Scandanavian" GP then surely anybody from the Scandanavian countries can be the wild card. Seem to remember Kylmakorpi getting a wild card slot once. Think the idea of giving the top rider in the British Final (besides Scotty and Bomber) is good. The point of this thread I see as more along the lines of - if no Brit finishes in the top 8 at the end of this season surely we cannot expect to get another 2 nominations for 2009.

I've watched the Gollob/Jonsson incident several times and am convinced that Gollob was just turning left into the corner on the normal racing line. Hope that all the injured riders are Ok after the meeting. Was miffed about how slick it was early on, but I guess given the ruts and pot holes it was a relief there wasn't loads of dirt. Absolutely delighted to see Holta win his first GP (regardless of any silly rules changes surely the winner of the Final is the winner of the GP?). Thought he deserved it for a pressure win in Heat 20, a great last lap dive around Adams in the Semi and that marvellous burst off turn 2 in the Final. Not to mention the way he avoided Puk earlier on in the meeting. Hope he can kick on and get in the top 8 because the sad fact is if he finishes 9th the ridiculous politics in this sport mean he might not get a nomination whilst riders below him in the standings will.

That Gorican round looks a bit tasty. How many qualify for the next round?

Slightly surprised Smolinski didn't make it, good show by Rymel. Congrats to all qualifiers.

I've heard worse theories.

Was really looking forward to this GP, but was very disappointed with the quality of racing. The track was far too slick and rider who tried the outside run just went backwards. Why does Olsen persevere with this type of track? Surely he must see that it serves up heat after heat fo largely processional fare. I am struggling to recall any heat where the leader was overtaken after lap 1. As for the Crump/Pedersen incident, I've seen them being given both ways. Personally I thought Crumpy was ahead and Pedersen turned left on him and Nicki should have been the one excluded. But not an easy call. Millard seemed in better form than usual, just thought it was funny in Nicki's 3rd ride (I think) when Millard didn't recognise that he was at the back of the field until Tatum helped him out.

Just got a Dvd off e-bay which has 7 different meetings from Blackbird Road. Dating between 78 to 83, haven't watched them all yet, but good to see the Collins brothers et al in their pomp.

With the Final at Zielona Gora you would imagine it would favour the Poles, maybe even a Brit may reach the Final this year?

Like many others I thought it was shaping up into a cracker before the rain came. Good to see Tomasz getting the win. The bias towards the inside gates meant that the points were clustered up, will be interesting to see how things go in the next one. Lukas showed he can still motor round these continental circuits and he was good value when being interviewed. I know it's old ground but Millard was absolutely on form last night as usual. Hans Christian Andersen in gate 1 of Heat 4, countless errors, the usual cliches and getting Bjarne and Puk mixed up in heat 20. Then banging on a about a countback between Puk and Zagar even though Puk had an extra point... When will Sky do the decent thing and give him his own show.

Sorry Bobbath it was a 5-1 the other way and the Heathens won 42-36.

I know the first match I ever saw was Cradley v Newport on 28th September 1968. Still have the programme so I would have to check that to see who was in Heat 1,(pretty sure it would have been Graham Coombes and Chris Julian for the Heathens) but could well have been a couple of the same riders you saw in 1964 Bobbath. Just got home and checked and lo and behold in White was Jon Erskine (taking a RR ride for Jimmy Gooch) and Y/B was Cyril Francis. Alby Golden was also riding in the meeting.

If memory serves he arrived about the same time as Kevin Doolan and there wasn't much between them on initial form.

Anybody know how Nigel Sadler is keeping?

My first season watching back in 1969. Mike Gardner (Cradley reserve) got fenced by the one and only Garry Middleton on the first bend. Gardner sprung up and started to run across the centre green towards Middleton who had stopped on the 4th bend. Gardner stopped after about 10 yards then ran back and collected his crash helmet. Ran the length of the track and when he reached Middleton bought the helmet smack down on his head. That was the night Middleton supposedly drew a pistol out of his toolbox and threatened Roy Trigg and was smuggled out of the stadium in the back of Uncle Lens car. With excitement like that no wonder I became hooked.

Who did John Davis transfer to Sheffield from? Was it Poole during the season they hit money troubles? I know he spent 1984 at Plough Lane.

I know he wasn't everyones cup of tea and wasn't known for his overtaking but at least he could hold his own on the world stage.

Looks like it will be an interesting read as ever. John Davis should make an entertaining subject. We remember the bleached hair and medallions from the end of his career, but from memory his rise to the top end of the sport was quite methodical, breaking through to World level by about 1977?. He certainly was a good gater who was ideal for a track like Wimbledon. What would we give for a rider of his ability to be part of the current British set up?

As I mentioned on one of the Backtrack threads that should read 1986 Boston.