gooner_girl4eva

I also agree, it was good for speedway in general to see a different nation win the WTC. I do think the Aussies are the best and have 3 of the best riders in the world presently but for the neutral fans out there, its always more exciting for the "underdogs" to win. It will help attract new fans to the sport, and makes it more entertaining for everyone. Lets face it, previous seasons gone by in Formula 1 have been so dull because of a certain Michael Schumacher winning ALL the time. All sports need a variety of winners to keep viewers interested and I think Sweden winning will keep the interest flowing. It's just like the GP series, 5 different winners in 5 meetings, what more could you ask for? It makes for such an exciting finale when it could be a matter of say 5 people who could be World Champion come the end of 2003. As John Postleweithe (sorry not too sure of correct spelling!) said, he wants to attract more interest to the WTC next year and make sure it grabs everyone's attention. If the same nation had won it all 3 years, its not exactly going to attract people to go, but with this result, its good for the sport. Not good for the bookies mind you....they will not have been too chuffed with the odds they put on for Sweden winning!

Hi Rico, thanks I did get your e-mail, have sent a reply a few hours ago. Thanks again for all your help. Lioness: should I be worried?!! I have read some interesting stories on the yahoo groups about what goes on at the GP's, sounds pretty good!

I watched the GP highlights of the GP on channel 4 too and in response to your views- 1. Yes Tomasz did go to have "words" with Nicki and was very angry at the time. I think Nicki had calmed down a little and maybe thought he should have gone to see him when he was down on the track, so did the honourable thing and went to shake hands and apologise. I don't think this was because he was scared of Gollob! I doubt he is bothered by anyone to be honest. But so many people have only got bad words to say about Pedersen but he's just a very hard racer and is fighting to be World Champ, I don't think he wants to cause any injuries or delibrately make enemies. But its their living and he's determined to be top of the ranks come October, so I guess he will be perceived badly sometimes. 2. Have to say I didn't notice the other riders swearing but I can imagine they all do at times. I guess Crumpy will always get the media and critics on his back for anything he does, because he is not liked by a LOT of people. 3. I dont think Pedersen did anything dirty in the final. Watch both Leigh & Nicki's reactions after the final and I think you'll see they both enjoyed hard BUT fair racing. Of course Pedersen is going to try all different lines as a last ditch attmept, if he'd got the win it would have put him top of the standings. But I do think he never tried to force Leigh off. 4. I've never had a problem with Sullivan so can't really comment! Guess people are seeing all the pain he's been putting up with and that he still isn't giving up. Show's how determined he is, think a lot of people think more highly of him now. 5. Tricks house was pretty special. Can't imagine any other riders live in such luxury, he seems to have it all, lucky bugger! 6. I agree that real race tracks usually provide better racing and makes it more even for all riders but I guess SGP need a combination because if they were all real race tracks, we wouldn't be racing at the likes of the Millenium Stadium, Parken,Copenhagen and last year in the fantastic Aussie stadium. And SGP need to attract the big sponsors, big crowds and make it more glamourous. Shame we can't have it both ways! I was never a Gollob fan either and I will never be a big supporter but I do respect him more than I once did. Have to say him & Julia have struck up a good relationship and at least he attempts English with her and he always has something interesting to say. Just my views...

Well I think we could see a few different winners yet. Got to agree about Greg, I've had my money on him all year to win a GP so hope it's his turn to get lucky next! I don't see Gollob or Nicholls winning this year, I think Scott will really click into top gear next season. I know he has done extremely well this year and I personally would like to see him win a GP but just not sure it will be this year. I can see Rickardsson winning another and maybe N.Pedersen and Crump. I think Sullivan and Dryml could do also, just depends on their injuries and how well they'll cope in the remainder GP's. To be honest, I'm not sure when Lukas is making his comeback, anyone know? I still think the championship will go all the way to Norway and will be a fight between Tony and Nicki.

Anyone going to Bydgoszcz for the GP this September? If so, which airport are you flying to as I see on the SGP site, you cannot get flights to and from Bydogoszcz at weekends, Warsaw and other airports in Poland seem a lot further to travel to. If anyone has any advice on travel/accommodation for the GP, please let me know! Thanks in advance

Well my opinion on the commentators: Sam Ermolenko - great guy and great rider but he is far too biased when making his comments, especially in the GPs. He seems to have his favourite of Greg Hancock, which I understand he will do, but to be a good commentator, you need to be fairly objective. Other than that, he is very good on the C4 highlights, he does make it sound very exciting and he has some very funny little sayings! I haven't made too much of this things when he discussed Pedersen though. Gary Havelock - I am not impressed with Gary as being a commentator. I think he has a weird image, I know that has nothing to do with reflecting your views on speedway, but to the non-speedway fans who may only ocassionally flick over to watch the racing, may think he looks a little odd! Please do not all slate me on this, just my opinion ok! I also think he sounds quite miserable when making his comments and I did notice his harsh comments on Pedersen. I just don't think he is as good as some of the others. Chris Louis - I think he has got better with time. He's good at asking the riders questions, and has a lot of knowledge obviously. Doesn't usually add much controversy or anything but he is still good. Shane Parker - I don't think Shane is ideal for making studio comments, he is exciting to watch racing and always got an opinion to share but I don't think he looked 100% comfortable on tv, once again, just my opinion. Jan Staechamann - I think he was very good. Very interesting and very fair, he's a genuine good guy and I think he would be good at having a more regular slot on sky. There has been others such as Loram, Richardson etc but I just thought I would share my views on a few.