salty

3. Jamie Luckhurst?

The Football link was more importantly noticed by my better half (joint a/c you see) who wanted to know what I had spent 15 quid on to do with Football. Whereas £15 spent on Speedway is classed as acceptable.

Can confirm that Edgar is living in Northern Ireland, between Belfast and Newcastle, and was running a dry cleaning business (I think). Last time I heard of him he was a regular attender at the many road races held over here.

I don't think you could say they would have been stupid to put Holta in. The guy finished 8th in 2003 and was hampered by a neck injury a large part of last year before showing his true form in the last 3 GP's. He certainly would have done himself justice at this level in 2005 and hopefully will be back in for 2006. I am certain that if there were 6 seeded spots available then he would have been in. His league form in Sweden and Poland shows that he is a quality act.

The best Czech rider (Brhel) is only no 19 with 32 point, and the Dryml brothers is even worse, so no Czech. The only rider who is outside top 13 and should be concidered is Holta, but then the roumors says that Norway is not on the the GP program 2005! so!!!! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> In which case Rune will be cursing the fact that he and Crumpy were away in the 1st running of his semi last night. Even 4th place in the Final would have given him the same amount of points as Sullivan.

Have to agree with SCB. They certainly did better than most people expected.

If they were to go with riders 9-13, that would leave us with 3 Aussies, 3 Swedes, 3 Poles, 3 Danes, 2 Brits and a sole American. That sounds fair enough, but leaves us without home participation for the Norwegian,Slovenian and Czech GP's. Just depends whether they think a sole wild card would be sufficient for these countries. Much as I would like to see Holta and Zagar seeded I think it would be a tough call on someone like Sullivan if he didn't get a slot.

I remember Dag being one of the top riders in the mid 70's. I think his 1st year at Newcastle was a tough one, but he battled through and then really blossomed when that promotion moved to Reading. Never really was able to transfer his brilliant League form onto the World stage, wonder why? Seemed to retire to early?? Ulf came to Cradleys rescue in 1973, but never seemed able to commit to a full season, how is he now?

The 8th spot looks like any one of B.Pedersen, Andersen, Richardson and Hampel. I would expect the 3 who miss out to be given seeded spots. That leaves 2 spots which I reckon will go to any 2 from Nicholls, Sullivan and Holta. With Holta 8 points behind Sullivan it might just depend on who does what in hamar. Can't see any rationale for including anyone else unless they go against past form and bring in totally new blood such as Zagar. Personally I hope Holta gets a spot as he is only now showing his true form. Having said that Sullivans past form should count for something....

That wasn't a bad prediction was it. Pity Rune got passed for 3rd in the final, which blew out my e/w bat.

Frigbo, can't believe you left out Jan Verner!!

Because of the dominance of Tomasz at Bydgoszcz, there is value to be had with the other riders. Crumpy at 11/2 is value imo. Holta @ 50/1 a good outside bet. Seems like the days when the odds compilers were limited in their knowledge have long gone, witness the short prices on AJ.

Its got to be Gollob!!! i know it's no longer his home track, but he's the man around there. Holta to be the shock merchant!!!

Agree with you SCB. If the inclusion of the 2 Norwegians is for commercial reasons then the same thinking should apply at Cardiff. I don't believe the inclusion of Louis and Floppy this year would have greatly increased the amount of Ipswich and Eastbourne fans who were travelling but the inclusion of a Welsh rider may just increase the local interest. Including these Norwegians is just the same as using Santej in Krsko. It's more interesting imo than watching Peter Karlsson again.

A true gent of the track. RIP

Dave Perks dabbles in antiques i believe.

I remember Errol from the 1969 season. He was great value and very exciting to watch because of his tendency to bite the dust. Had a very distinctive red neckerchief I think.

Yes, you're right, forgot about Lukas.

Think you will find that Kai is in on merit. He qualified via the meeting at Poole, not as a wild card. If memory serves this years permanent seeds are Loram, Richardson, Hampel, Andersen, Pedersen, Max (not too sure about those last 3)

Weymouth: D.Kennedy 7 (from 4) M.Corradine 3 (3) R.Stratton 5 (4) C.Julian 5+1 (4) R.Jones 8 (4) S.Willmott 3+1 (4) R.Evans 7+2 (4) Glasgow: B.Collins 10+1 (4) M.McKeon 11 (4) G. Dawson 8+1 (4) D.Richardson 9+2 (4) B.Rourke 2 (4) J.Gallacher 0 (3) N.Hollingsworth 0 (3) Not in riding order... Regards

Fantastic meeting! Well done to the Poles, delighted to see them through. A very disappointing crowd though... Were the prices too high? And what is it with the palm trees? What is their significance? Is it a carnival link? The Polish guy who kept answering Greeny's questions looked like Roman Jankowski to me.

Spot on mate. In my view when there is a race off with 2 teams qualifying, if they are going to allow jokers then it should be when you are 6 points behind the 2nd placed team not the leading team (i.e. 6 points from a qualification place). Wise words. the tactical joker makes a bit of a mockery of it all doesn't it. Hampel could have eased off into last place in Heat 24 to allow the Poles the right to use one as well. Just glad that Gollob (and PK) meant its use was ineffective.

Agree totally. His first 3 rides lookes like classic examples of nerves causing him to over ride and make bad judgements. His last 3 rides showed what a talent he is and proved instrumental in taking his country through.

What a lovely send off! RIP Alby.

Yes, Garry Middleton did get smuggled out in the back of Len Silver's car, but he had knocked 3 Cradley riders off during the night and then brandished a pistol around in the pits, so it was understandable that tempers were running high!!!