salty

Can't do it without the raw materials can we? In those 7 years you forget to mention the riders Middlo has had to try and win the thing with. If anything I would say that they have over achieved in Middlo's reign. Can't see them overcoming Denmark or Poland this year especially on Polish shale. But I would be surprised if they don't have a good go.

Agree that Jagus's poor performance on the man made tracks may mean he will be an attractive price when the series returns to Eastern Europe. Slightly surprised to see Lubos get the wild card, I figured it would go to Lukas, but good experience prior to the GP Qualifying Final.

Judging by the performances of Gafurov and Gizatullin in qualifying to the GP Final and that of Safjutdinov in the Under 21's, I'm hoping the Russians will put up a strong performance on Monday. Hope they arrive at full strength with good competitive machinary. If they make good use of practice I would be hopeful of them getting 3rd place and then having a good go in the run off later in the week.

BWin have it priced as 5/4 Denmark 6/4 Poland.

What will happen as a result of Lewis's no show, hefty fine, ban or slap on the wrist? Anyone know? Great to see the Gaffer through!

Crayford 83-1 is Trevor Barnwell I reckon and I would also go with Mike Spinks for the second action shot. The other fella i haven't a clue.

I think the Birmingham rider is Ian Stead, not certain though... Best guess for the Long Eaton rider is Glenn Parrott, pretty certain about that one.

I guess you must be joking about Hancock, considering he had just lost a GP on the final bend he was extremely gracious. He helped Crumpy steady Bomber whilst on the victory parade and was happy enough to be lifting him on his shoulders. If you want to look for bitter read Nicki's post GP comments.

Share your frustration with his decision. Surely it would have been of benefit if only for the experience. Having said that I can see a scenario where, if Kennett gets a rostrum place in the Under 21 Final, and Nicholls fails to kick on from his encouraging performance in Cardiff then Kennett may get a nomination for the Gp's next year. His failure to attempt to qualify will probably go against him though.

Surprised that more GP riders like Holta and Jagus haven't tried the qualifying route. Thougha couple of good Gp's may well get them challenging for the top 8.

There was good article in The Independent on Saturday morning, featuring mainly on Bomber. Would expect to see a report in Monday's paper as well. Usually the only coverage in the paper throughout the year.

Fantastic performance by Bomber, he was always overshadowed when younger by Stead and Howe amongst others, but what he did last night is the best thing to happen to British Speedway for years. After all the doom and gloom surrounding Oxford and Reading hopefully Bomber's emergence as a bona fide contender will get Speedway talked about for the right reasons. Also like to echo what a couple of others have mentioned, Hancock and Crump were both excellent in terms of they way they congratulated Bomber and conducted themselves in the post meeting. Credit to them both.

By the look of that neither did the 2 Brits! Only Richard Hall left in makes for a pretty poor performance. F-s-p, if you go back to the original link it has Kauko down as 9 points, which means he is in and Jesper B is only reserve!

Russia are in the other semi, looking forward to seeing them around Brandon.

Would have thought it would make sense for the Slovenian authorities to seed Zagar, especially if he is struggling to get in the top 8.

With 7 through from each of the qualifiers I'm assuming there are riders who are seeded through direct to the semi's. Anybody know who they are? Not looking very promising for the Brits so far with the Swedish meeting looking tough it may be only Richard Hall getting through. With Nicholls not pulling up any trees in the GP's and surely not going to be given another seeded spot who is going to be the 2nd Brit in the 2008 series???

Shame that Bridger and King didn't make it, but useful experience all the same. Good to see the Dryml's getting through and especially "The gaffer!". Suppose Santej was the surprise packet!

Sorry guys Electrifying gating whilst a great skill it does not equal entertainment in my book. Agree that Shawn McConnell was something special. I remember watching him at Plough Lane about 1984 and he rode lines round there that nobody else ever tried.

Have to agree Bob was a great gater and by all accounts a fine fella as well, but I wouldn't have him down as an entertainer.

Looks like Ivanov beat Kseizak for the 8th spot. Sajfutdinov looking good again!!

"In no particular order"..... but Barry Thomas is top of the list!!!!!! I am assuming guys like Preben Eriksen and Steve Gresham are on the list as much for their bad guy antics as anything else. I would consider Garry Middleton, Chris Julian and Kelvin Mullarkey for their personalities on the track and I don't know how you can pick Kelly and not Shawn, he was just as exciting on a bike. Soren Sjosten almost had the word swashbuckling attached to him and was apparently a character off track as well. Also what about Bruce Penhall?

Good to see Ed and Lewis get through, Ed in particular can make a real impression in the final.

Surely having a go in the GP qualifiers would give him the chance to broaden his experience of riding on foreign tracks! Really can't see what harm it would have done him to have a go this year.

Thats a fantastic performance if thats the case! Well done to the Russians!

Go to the Cradley website and look under Bob's name under the riders link. Nice appreciation of his time at Cradley followed by an update as to where he is now along with a pic from 1999. Might be wrong but I'm nearly certain I saw a more recent pic of him in either Backtrack or possibly Speedway Star in the past few months.