Dave_minall

Does anyone have links to these articles?

That I'm not sure of. I became friends with a chap at interspan (I think) back in 2003 when I was about to sign for Newport. I think the chaps name was Tony, not entirely sure. We had several conversations about magic boxes and which high profile riders use his products - he didn't at any point mention the great TR, thought he would have been the first person to mention? Also funnily enough at no point did he ever try to sell me a magic box, or even let me try one! Coil packs all the way. Cheap and easy. I agree with Dean - compared to other motorcycle sports, speedway is definitely one of the easiest. I know we ramble on about throttle control and body positioning, but it really isn't that hard.

Were you watching the same GP as the rest of us? The track in NZ was one of the best prepared one off surfaces we've ever seen - every rider loved it, and from what I remember this is the first time a one off track has been given universal praise.

One of those special frames that was custom built for Tony Rickaardson's riding style? It seemed to suit him pretty well Whilst we're on the subject of Tony's frames, I believe that he was the first rider to use a straight back loop whereas everyone else was still using the rounded type style - nice to see that every other frame manufacturer has now adopted this... The man was miles ahead of everyone else. Wasn't he also the first to use chain guides to stop them being thrown?

Tony Rickaardson used to have purposefully underweight bikes and have slidable weights on the engine plates - I saw this at Wolverhampton when I was their mascot and he was riding for Poole - that man was a genius.

Unfortunately the only takers I can imagine that would want to invest shouldn't be named on this forum any more.

I've always thought 'firing on all cylinders' was a good one. I always think 'just the one?'

Indeed, but I made my prediction long before I checked any odds sir

Speedway is a world wide sport - Sky simply rent the footage from other providers for every GP bar the British Grand Prix in Cardiff, where they provide the feed. Of course the GPs will survive without Sky, we just won't get to see any. It would be interesting to see how many people will actually go to Cardiff this year, considering the only place we'll be able to see it will be in person.

Controversial choice - I think Darcy Ward will win it. My money is on him.

Exactly my point about downpipes on the previous page - just as hot if not hotter than the silencer, so why is that not an issue? it's still just as accessible in an accident where somebody could receive a burn. Why not just have a rule where all moving parts must be covered? that's next I think.

I'd love to see Allott back at Buxton - there was many a time when I was there for practice sessions and I'd stand on the centre green to watch him go round. He knows that track so well

Possibly the wrong place to ask this but I noticed earlier that somebody subscribed to Premier sports to watch the swedish league? Please explain, this has caught my interest. Is it another sky channel or an online service?

The last time I checked a speedway rider doesn't use engine braking, they simply turn the bike hard into a bend and scrub the speed off - especially at places like lakeside/eastbourne etc The youngsters/some NL riders definitely use it though, as they don't quite have the confidence to throw a bike into a bend at full speed. That's where it could become an issue.

I'm still going to believe that if Sky don't do the GPs themselves, Eurosport will pick up the contract on a yearly basis. They're doing that new fangled series and seem to be promoting it very well, I can't see why they wouldn't do both. Even if they do it for one year and it fails, at least we get GPs for another 12 months.

Another way to bleed the riders dry, cheers BSPA! If heat has always been an issue, why has there never been a cover introduced to house the downpipe from the engine? The heat that comes off those is terrifying. If anyone from the BSPA reads this, ignore it. I'm completely lying. It runs like a fridge. Move along.

I was also led to believe that this was the case - If the GPs are cancelled this year on sky I can't see this one being removed. One would imagine the ratings for this are of the highest on the speedway calendar - maybe if the GPs are not on sky, this one will be as a one off? Its still not good enough, but its better than nothing.

Maybe we should get Bomber on a MX bike over the winter...

With Eurosport jumping on the new European championships, one would imagine that they're simply waiting for sky to show their cards before hopping on the rights to the SGP. I'm (for once) quite optimistic that this is going to be the case.

Brilliant to see us taking more british motocross riders and giving them a go at speedway. We could see a few more Craig Cooks appearing soon methinks!

Can anyone confirm what work has already happened at Poole? It'd be interesting to know.

which is approximately.... never

Providing they do this over the winter, I'd be more than happy for it to be hosted at poole, it's a lovely place, nice stadium and CAN be a fair track - if they sit on their hands all winter then this will be a shambles and will only further make UK speedway look like it's dying on its feet.

I stand corrected

I didn't suggest it was make or break, he'll be in the GPs for years to come, I just very strongly think this time next year he'll be world champion.