dirt

being done by the FIM , how do you know its not rigged? how many votes can each person put in, etc? Seems like a fairy Mickey Mouse run Comp to me. what's the prize for the winner/s? and is Darcy going to this ceremony in Portugal?

This meeting is this Saturday 20th November. Jump on a flight and you could still make it! Pretty hot days leading into this one and another hot one expected on Saturday. It has only rained one day in the last month and not expecting rain until Sunday arvo when the possibility of storms are expected and on Monday, but should be clear for Saturday, with some watering gonna be needed as its been dry as a desert for days and temp in mid 30s, up to 37 expected but wait and see. Forecasts are not accurate more than 4 days ahead so Ill keep checkin. edit: 37 thur, 38 fri, 36 sat is the current prediction. with little chance of rain till Sunday, when a sprinkle will cool off the visiting poms. There has been meetings already with 3 official meetings for bikes in WA alone 2 at Pinjar and 1 at Karratha which was WA championships, but results were not released except for placings. Winner Leigh Boujos, 2nd Daniel Winchester.

bit like your post! ,then and throughout history all riders who win World Titles could consider their year hopeless or at the very least unimpressive. all riders who fail to claim a World Title can rightly consider their year a resounding success and an impressive or even scintalating performance.

Just wondering why Mad Max doesnt come over to Britain and race British EL. That would develop him more than anything. He looks a talented rider.

No worries, Ken, its great to know speedway will be in the paper, and Im happy to buy Wednesday just for that. Karratha didnt even release details to SMCWA , so I now understand why it wasnt in your section. I will continue to look out for your section and will happily keep even more of an eye on it. It is fair and Ive noticed even coverage of all speedway types. Good on you for not forgetting the bikes and doing good promotion for Pinjar Park. Thanks for letting me know and replying, I presume you must have a soft spot for the bikes and its great keep up the great work. ps. For anyone interested ;I remember an earlier article this year I think when Frank Smart went back for one meeting in England for a reunion, it had a huge photo and story about the great Frank Smart and his latest challenge. This is a special event coming up.

Dont buy the paper every day meself..but I do usually get Wednesdays as it has Midweek Motorsport, in the middle section which includes a speedway section. Although this weeks failed to mention the WA titles held at Karatha for both solos and sidecars which was pretty lame. Usually its good and mentions the bikes, and it did have a mention of the big meet on the 20th as it should, including visiting riders, and photo of Proctor..although the front of the motoring section was a full page sprintcar photo as it was opening night from memory. come the week before the Bigun, that photo will be solos. hopefully, as well as some hopefully ads in the sports section and a decent mention in the saturday paper of the event. Infact if I was in charge the Saturday paper backpage would have a decent size colour ad and the bigger the better, if not as big as possible in the closest page to the back as possible in the sport section. Will they be able to fit them all in though, bloody oath with the new viewing areas and massive turn out could be achieved and I'd guess 5,000 would have little trouble gettin in. With some advertising could it be reached?? wait and see... edit: and I have to mention this section also had an article and photo of Darcy Ward after he backed up his junior Crown' which was very good. Not many other papers round the country wouldve done that.

I Think Johnno will be classed as 100% local on the night. what'd he do one season or so in a Wolves jacket...hahe. Hes been always riding in Britain since the early 90s. Last time he came back - as soon as his final ride finished he walked round the track to the bar area and got a hand from his mates to haul him up over the fence and he went strait into retirement mode for the night and into some cold refreshments. Nice form Johnnnno. well deserved too as he had to win the repercharge or the B final and he did. ensuing there was a local boy in the 4 man showdown.

Yes fair play. But it was a brillant comeback /reply from fullockracingwa, and I take my hat off to him. Great promoting is hard to find. Maybe you will have to merge them. and its best man on the night, and best man on the track, that'll win it....not best man on current world standings. rankings. SGP rankings etc etc. Reputations all start afreash - history will be made - the anticipation will spill over, as no one is a shoe in esp round this track And when a final decides everything, there can be no escaping the build up and ensuing fireworks on track, including bottle thats needed by all throughout the night.

Thanks for the specifics Dave. Id hope that is what they are. It's hard to fathom sometimes,so many good riders getting their best bikes over to the most isolated city in the world!! a bit of sea also to contend with!!! this will be big. #NOTE: These press releases havent mentioned Johnno, but the official poster on the WA website does, so has that been overlooked/forgotten in these advertisments or isnt it confirmed? Steve Johnston .....

hahaha As long as it's not team racing!!!!!hhahahaa individuals only - best man wins - all against all. 1 versus the rest. Me versus the rest.... you know the rules. Too right, keep them coming. Great attitude fullockracing, champ... I like it a lot! I just hope ALL visitors and returning members/locals have a safe trip over and are fit and can enjoy the sandgroper city, ... Because one thing is assured... it will be some blistering riding and on track action will be second to none. And it will be great to see Tai Woffinden back where it all began, where he can ride not under the constant ramblings of Nigel Pearson and his much maligned fav saying. Back home ... he should enjoy it! and do well@@ This will be a cracking contest, in the spirit of meaningful individual racing im sure - special alright. Wouldnt be surprised if Darcy Ward came back to defend his inaugural win in the Woffy Westernapolis last year. #NOTE: Is Steve Johnno Johnston going to compete? would be another coup for WA speedway.

does anyone know what bikes they will be using? are the brothers bringing their bikes over by boat with the Aussies bikes. And also Stead and Haines could be doing the same thing?

Last year they had a few meetings including the WA Championships on the huge Ellenbrook track in Perths outer suburbs. Mixing it up for the riders I spose, as the last few were at Pinjar Park. This year I believe they are mixing it up more, by staging the title at Karratha, which is north a fair bit, a country town I believe, which is a big or huge track. 530 or so meters. Last year the WA Titles were a great event on the big track for a bit of difference, but wasnt a magical standard of racing, as the riders werent used to or the track wasnt used to bikes and the riders were mostly locals, Plus it was hard to find a good spot to view the racing so it was hard to get a feel for it. They did get better as the track got better and really wound it on during the middle stages and towards the end, but as its such a massive track, its not that good for the spectators. IMO You cant have the best of everything. Pinjar has brilliant close up viewing areas, and most of the track is in good view whereas Ellenbrook had little raised viewing areas and so as of its size, the bikes basically wizzed past you and were hard to see until they came around again. So to answer your question: No - I've got over it. There arent too many perfect tracks in the world and it will do. They are planning to build a bigger track out the back area...but not overnight. For the minute it is a good enough challenge for most riders...hence why many of them return IMO. I actually like it now. It's all about Respect. Great track.

cheers.

Fair wait....there....but I wouldnt put it past em. Great start to the season and smart tactics by SMCWA to get a big meet happening early on, infact very soon. Great stuff to honour a great man and a name that wont be forgotten. edit: Freddie raced the Oz championships the year it was 5 rounds, in 08 I believe.

thanks for the reply. It seems you actually read and commented on what the thread was about, which is a pleasant surprise. I would not be sure if the possibility to make money is on offer, but believe it could be possible. Tracks would surely be fighting over staging rounds such as these if they have got half a brain cell??? and I find that as baffleing as Leon Madsens 'special' bikes exhaust. It seems the sport has to be run by differnt people like individual team/track promotors/owners each looking after their track and interests which is fair enough play, but I cant see why track owners/promotors wouldnt want big individual meetings held on their track, giving it exposure to visitors, television publicity and exposure, sponsorship chances/opportunities, the chance to see how good they can prepare their track and take pride in putting on a great show which a big crowd would appreciate plus fans from their TV. But a factor may be the headaches the blokes running the tracks and promoting it might get with the poor weather in Europe being its own worst enemy and the possiblity of rain-offs always prevalent. The ever present chance of rain offs or rain ruined racetracks is a nightmare to think about and would waste money big time. Not to mention the disaster it would cause about restageing dates that dont stuff up a league match or 3. Yes I believe the good old European lack of a decent dry summer does more damage to this sport than anyone could ever realise, and I believe the idea I put forth could be possible otherwise. Evan if it just scraped a profit of 1 cent overall - which would surely be possible IF everything was done right and a bit of luck or clever marketing/sponsors grabbed the bull between the horns and led the way. It would be worth doing, as its not about making money per sae as much about bringing back some integrity based championships/individual titles being faught fairly between riders that want such a challenge, but get stuffed up by the fracus that is the SGP!!!! It could attract many viewers in Australia through Austar/foxtel Television and all speedway countries the same id imagine SO it would be invaluable in bringing the interest back to the sport. Bringing the people who already know about the sport but arent regular followers/big fans BACK by saturation if you like! The product is good enough to bring the casual fan back, if it is ON the screens enough, or at your track enough. Also NEW fans would surely GET interested in such an exciting NEW sport for them - if some big TV stations worldwide got on board. It is not the most exciting motorsport or sport period for nothing. A lot would come down to IMO the quality of the production - camera angles is a major point for me. You need the camera in the right angle or position on the track to capture the bikes in full effect. That is key! Anyway I have seen the light - It can all be blamed on the European lack of a proper dry summer. Which is frustrating for me to say the least, as its dry as a desert in Aussie summers. With things able to be planned 10 years into the future and never a chance of a drop of rain! The quicker they develop a decent tarpolean/mesh covering which is in effect like a roof and stops the rain. One that can be easily erected some 8-15 meters high from the ground the better. Rant over . Game over...

From that footage I couldnt say the track was grippy. Cut up a bit or unevan or rough or a few bumps but quite hard and slick and dry IMO rather than grippy. have to marvel at those heats as Ward was last or 3rd from the traps is most of his heats, but soon found himself in front thanks to magical work on the first few corners, and really he could have passed 10 blokes not just 2-3 in most of his races. Didnt just win..He won WITH style. Looks like he was about to start singing the Anthem at the end ahahhah go for it Ward

Looks like the big names are flocking to the West Aussie Scene and it looks like they cant get there quickly enough.

From a selfish Australian point of view YES I can see merit in a bigger Australian/Australasian Series, Now I take a step back and look properly! Maybe I could not last night at 3am. In fact it is a top idea. But could a big Australasian series attract the crowds to make it viable GOOD QUESTION. Possibly, with some promotion/marketing. Could the distance between venues be managed or overcome. YES. Can the bikes from Europe be transported to OZ altogether in a shipping container on a boat? YES and IS each year. Would the riders have the motivation to do it IF it was anything other than The Aussie Championships, which will always have such prestige and Pride, associated to it? NO So that puts that one to bed. Gave it a thought BUT the riders need a break in the off season, and have a choice what meetings they do in OZ. Impossible to fire up such a series when the riders have just completed a gruelling schedule in the European season. Its a wonder they can get up for the OZ championships. Calling a sgp2 a European Championship is a thought, but not a clear cut good idea. Dont think it would matter that much TBH as the product and integrity of such a series could be called just about anything you wish - if the formula was right. If it was taken seriously then a name could be decided. For mine it would probably require someone with a lot of power to start such a proposal, and unless some of the reported Millionaire Owners of Polish Clubs show an interest in putting their money to good use, it may never get off the ground. Good idea for the riders and fans. But unlikely as no one has the best interests of the sport in mind at the minute. Still it cant get any worse, so theres no point moaning, it can only get better, but how much better is the question.

I like it, but which would be the more prestigous, or goal/dream for the riders? hahha But with all the GP riders busy nowadays - it wouldnt be quite the same. Unless you scrapped the SGP altogether which wont happen. So while the one off world final did have huge anticipation and excitement drawing 100000 odd through the turnstiles. Only DVDS and videos will bring them back. Times have moved on, and the gp's arent useless, but the GP system is floored so why not up the ante and run another one to help the people running the SGP... by not letting them destroy riders chances and careers by lucky 'selections' or not... lucky 'wildcards' or not, all decided with vested interests and a degree of pot luck or nationality discrimination which is an absolute shambles, and i'd be willing to bet the riders hate the current system. This is possibly the most important matter ever in the sport - but no doubt the powers that be are busy thinking up other better concepts like a super wildcard - letting Woffinden make his own mind up - inviting Nicholls back - Letting the current riders in the GPs ride in a GP qualifier event thus compromising it completely - I could go on all day.

vague idea? I planned every minute detail and explained the reasons IMO, and it was a fairly simple idea to grasp. First you mention u21s which was an expectable mistake and you got the benefit of the doubt. Your next post was so far from a believable 'idea' it has destroyed my faith in humanity. Please feel free to explain what you meant about australasian series and european series ? And ask yourself is it a better idea than mine. If you really believe so please explain some more details in a way that makes some sort of sense. Dont see how your european series could possibly TOP a sgp2 with ALL nationalities able to be selected based on merit. Not discrimination, as your first policy or priority???

And how exactly does your australasian series fit into any of this? What would Ward and Woffy be doing? riding a glorified 'australasian series' in NZ what a waste of money! already got enough meetings in Aussieland in UK winter, and dont need to waste more money putting on displays for NZ. Im talking about during UK s/way season, dont worry about Aussie season it will look after itself. Or would Ward and Woffy be in the European championship? That post must take the cake for the most confusing post ever in the history of all forums. Evan after reading it 10 times I still cant understand any logic or evan any attempt at making sense. What a waste of time trying to make sense of that utter red herring or completely clueless assessment of the topic at hand.

weve already got oz champs - and TBH that may not always evan be that important to all the riders but for the top 3 getting into GP Qualifiers. My point is the GP riders have something extra other than club 2 club meets to strive for and prove themself in and focus on. The ones left out BUT with huge ability still do nothing all year!!! but watch the GPs prob on telly or have the saturday off and prob would like to and deserve to have some recognition and meaning in their speedway season. be it on the same saturday or the opposite saturday as the GPs! would be a big hit for TV viewers dont worry about that, and this sport needs something to make up for the unfair and biased way the GPs are done, not to mention other than those crooked GPs their is little individual meetings any more. So this couldnt go wrong really as it has little to beat, with the compromised integrity and selection based fracus that is the WC or SGP. I dont expect anything other than ridicule from this posting BUT it has merit for mine.

Um what about all the riders over that age group and anyway it is hardly well organised or a money making competition with no TV coverage at all. What im suggesting would benefit all the riders too old for the U/21s which is pretty clear! Theres a lot of time for a rider to demonstrate his ability from 21 until they retire, but only a handful get the chance because of a floored WC or SGP system. My proposal would rival or match the successful SGP I believe, and be hugely beneficial for all the riders OVER 21 - how you could compare my idea to the Junior W.C. Only you will know. Is that your only feedback! Pathetic.

With all the controversy associated with the SGP selections and overall unfairness for a lot of riders who want to ride it, it makes sense to have a rival comp/series to compete against OR alongside the SGP and give the fans what they want. Not just live fans also it would be big for television ratings/rights all over speedway countries. Evan OZ and some broadcasting deals would almost match the SGP IMO! A lot of the older riders in SGP, are not as exciting to see all the time as they have done it all before, reached their peak and fans simply have seen what they can and have done and so its a bit like groundhog day, with the only excitement being the young additions like Holder and Emil etc although seeing Gollob win one would have been special this time but you know what I mean? If feasible I believe another series could be run on either the same day as the GPs but another country and track, or alternate Saturdays as the GPs, whichever is best. The SGPs would be like EL if you like with the new series like PL. But as you would be aware the 16 riders in SGP are far from black and white the best 16, and evan if they were the speedway fans have seen most of them enough. And would get some enjoyment to say the least from seeing the next best 16 or evan 30 odd riders on a performance based rotation system or form based rotation system, which they wouldnt of seen much or any of. All the gunning future stars or blokes early 20s or late 20s evan who may or may not ride in England and may or may not ever break into the GPs. The riders would have to be interested BUT I believe they might just be...Blokes like Schlein, Stead, Batchelor, All the blokes who did GP Qualifiers but missed out etc. What have these blokes got to focus on or strive for or get excited about when the others are doing the GPs?? Nothing! If those blokes never reach the GPs because they dont get a lucky pick - it would be a travesty NOT to have another BIG series for them to be acknowledged and for them to experience something other than team racing every week. Also it will at least give them the chance to see exactly how good they are and not have a question mark hanging over their head forever? This new series should be based on young riders who unluckily havent cracked into SGP and are frustrated and wondering if they will ever make it. It could be an accomplishment in its own right to make the series and also an opportunity to stake their claims for a SGP berth next season, if they prove worthy. There is no doubt a field of 16 could put on just as exciting a meeting as the 16 in SGP and as their young and relatively unknown/unproven it just increases the anticipation and fascination IMO. Provided they can make the series meaningful and prestigous enough through promotion etc and not just a dead rubber. That is the key. This has all come about because of the compromised SGP that is not a fair playing field and must surely frustrate riders/fans and any true fan who wants to see the BEST riders have a fair chance to win the thing. By running a fair/honest merit based series like im proposing maybe it would be a hit with fans, nothing to complain about? Maybe it would force the SGP to do a better job of running their disasterous unfair compromised effort. I am saying a breakaway or unsanctioned series could be put together, with the 25 odd riders just below the GP all being invited. 10- odd rounds with tracks that want to host a round considered on likely crowds and the best interests of the sport. The TV broadcasting rights would make money IMO and would be vital for exposure for sponsors and I believe it could thrive in all speedway countries evan non speedway countries. Anyway what are peoples comments? Bear in mind my original thoughts were probably much better portrayed, but my computer froze so this is my 2nd/3rd effort in making my points and I have found it difficult to recapture my motivation to write this speil. cheers!

IMO unless he rides and contends the Oz champs, he isnt regarded as Aussie. So he can continue riding under the GB banner until he officially switches sides. He did contest the British final SO that is more evidence, at the moment THAN heresay and chinese whispers. Of course the decision to come back to Oz would be hard to make as its a better class of racing, but for his long term success it makes sense to ride the tough Oz meetings, and hit the British League with momentum.