nw42

Gate 2 has been the most productive tonight in terms of race wins but there has been plenty of passing, so not necessarily so crucial.

Point taken, maybe it's just my desire to see British riders on the World stage, he was a complete flop on Saturday but he was on the pace, or very close to it, for most of the meeting, gating is clearly the main issue for him but that's been done to death already. I can't imagine Craig Cook being able to mix it at that level just yet, even though he can get out of the gate sharpish the likes of Pedersen & co would muscle him out of it, maybe if he has a successful season this term he will be worth consideration. As for Scott Nicholls, I'm not sure he'd be interested any longer, didn't he virtually give up on being in the GP a couple of years ago, was it the costs? I still think Harris has the wherewithal to put in some decent performances in this year's series, after just one GP I feel it's to early to write him off. Before anyone reminds me, I know he's had previous years and not made the grade but imo he's the best we have, behind Tai obviously. I'm not expecting big things from him, just some glimpses of the exciting rider he can be, he's been the most entertaining British rider for a decade in my book. I was brought up on watching PC and Mort race, neither of them could gate but they produced so much excitement, that's what I love about speedway, the chase. I also watched Mauger during his time at Hyde Road and he didn't excite me, Chris Pusey & Soren Sjosten were my favourites, loved the way they rode, even when they didn't win they were great to watch, that's just my take on it. I hope Chris Harris can find some form and make a fist of it this season, if he doesn't I still won't be slagging him off like some on here, he puts his life on the line every time he goes out to race, for that he will always have my admiration.

Well Steve, I don't agree with a lot of what's posted on here but I don't feel the need to react all the time, I'd never get out of the house if I did. There was plenty of chat/banter going on during and just after the meeting, then you come along later in the day and stick your oar in, quoting out of context but making absolutely no contribution to the discussion on the meeting, I think they have a name for that sort of behaviour. I haven't read the whole thread pre-meeting but from what I see since you haven't actually made a single comment about the actual GP, which is the subject of the thread after all, so what's your point? As for your last paragraph, is that actually meant to mean something? Gustix replied to you because you were bringing up a previous comment of his that he had already retracted numerous times and stated he wasn't aware of Tai's injury when he made it. You were too busy with the multi-quote button and must have overlooked his retraction. Do keep up.

You know full well the point I was making Steve, yet you chose to edit it down to the part that gave you the chance to use your multi-quoting skills, then take my comment completely out of context and make snide remarks. I don't have much in common with Gustix but he's bang on the money when he said you'd do well to read on through the thread before diving in.

Take a chill pill, we're all entitled to our opinions, no need for the insults. It's not about being British & blinkered, if you read my post properly I said he's not going to be World Champion, never in a month of Sundays, he was left behind on that score a good few years ago. I stand by my statement that I'd rather see 2 British riders in the series, you carry on spluttering your bile.

Bloody hell give the lad a break, it's one meeting, I'd much rather have 2 Brits in the series, he'll have his moments throughout the season and after Tai he's the best we've got. Is he going to be crowned World Champion - no, is he capable making the odd semi and maybe a final - most definitely. Freddie Lindgren has been getting free tickets for years and done very little, let's throw him out as well, in fact lets cut the field to 12 riders and have done with it.

Go back to bed. WELL DONE MARTIN SMOLINSKI.

Speedway with a smile, well done Martin, great debut whatever happens in the final, wish I'd grabbed some @ 150/1 just to keep my interest to the final.

Ah well,that's all my bets down, unless Zagar can get in the top 3. So that's all my bets down.

Come on Jason, just squeeze another point out for me. Up the Bunyan!

Very harsh there pal, he was out of trouble and couldn't have seen that coming. Hope Ward's ok, looked a very nasty impact with the deck.

Born racer, seems unable to see the bigger picture, blinkers on, I really want him to have a decent season but things will need to change fast.

FFS indeed, he gifted the point when it was safely in the bag..

Well I BACKED Freddie to win ht 10, 11/4 looks ok now, although Andreas had the better of him last time.. Don't know what it is with Jonsson, one of the fastest riders I've watched a few years ago, confidence issues maybe??

Ward got what he deserved there due to the first fall but he probably had more of a case 2nd time, definitely took a nudge off Lindgren.

Don't knock it Alan, I've had a bit on Bunyan to get over 2 points, almost there. Great ride from Smolinski there, well done Martin.

Morning all, I crashed out in the end but have somehow managed to wake drag myself from my pit in time for the meeting, really looking forward to this one. Cheers for the racecard MP.

Well I'm in limbo, was going to have an early night and set the alarm, now I'm wondering how I'm going to stay awake until morning because it's likely I'll oversleep if I hit the feather now.. Decisions decisions.

Maybe he didn't know you were here, I think most of us knew what he meant.

Bit harsh WK, as village idiots go he's amongst the world's elite.

It could be that one Sidney but I'm sure I remember Penhall, could be wrong. It was definitely a Sunday afternoon, fine day and some good racing. In fact I think you have the right meeting, from memory the yanks had Sigalos, King, Moran brothers, not sure when King arrived here but I'd imagine it was later than 80.

Cheers for the heads up on that Sidney, just watched it and you're right, it was a very good race, Lee was flying but PC just lined him up over a couple of laps, he had no answer to PC's trackcraft. I also recall attending the inter-league match but could no way remember any of the racing, your memory is impressive. West Gorton, we used to have some great matches at Owlerton, always loved going there. Do you remember a test match of some sort being ridden there on a Sunday in the late 70's, not sure if it was against the Americans, think it was as I'm sure I remember Penhall being there. I have some photos from that meeting somewhere.

I was born in 1960 WK, although I was taken there a few times prior to 68 that was the year I was learning to fill the programme in and paying more attention to it all. In Chris Morton's book, Until the Can Ran Out, he tells of jumping the fence on the back straight to retrieve the discarded tear-offs after the riders had left the track, well me and my dad used to sit just behind the spot where they would vault the fence, I'd have to watch them doing that and be really jealous, dad made sure I stayed put. I agree with you both, Sidney does know his stuff, I also relate to a lot of his comments. He's a Backtrack era fans dream.

You make good points Sidney, all valid, maybe you are playing devils advocate, if so you do it well.. I watched speedway regularly throughout both their careers, admittedly most of it at Hyde Rd but we travelled everywhere as well. There's no denying Lee was faster but PC had the ability and confidence to create lines others hadn't even thought possible, he could find the traction. Don't forget he was passing the world's best on a regular basis, takes some doing, more often than not Lee would be leading from the start. For me the thrill of speedway is the passing, gating is so important we know but have I ever found myself lurching forward in my chair when concentrating on the start of a deciding heat on the tv, not really, starting isn't exciting to me, it's just part of the build up to a race. However, plenty of times when watching the the likes Loram or Ward for example I can become totally submerged in their attempts to pass someone, it's mesmerising, PC made a career out of being like that, I'm sure he would have loved to be able to gate but as ER says, the English disease........ If I think back to those days and picture a race with either PC or Mike in it, you could look at what was going on around Mike, mostly behind him, and not worry about missing anything but if PC was in a race you wouldn't want to take your eyes off what he was doing, often building speed over a couple or even 3 laps and then making the most outrageous move to pass. The first time I saw Gollob doing it at his favourite Polish track similarly enthralling viewing. Funnily enough Mike Lee's long track win is among my favourite you tube clips, Lee was a very skilful rider and had the fastest machinery around for a time, his career was built on speed, he was probably England's best gater until Carter came along. I'm glad I was lucky enough to have watched the sport live when both Lee and Collins were in their prime. These days it's Ward who I look to for those moves. Keep it going Sidney, another cracking thread.

Your mention of Alan Cowland just brings to mind the mini riot at Hyde Rd when he forced Wilkie out to the fence in a last heat decider, he picked the wrong rider to do that to, Wilkie tackled him as he was returning to the pits and it all kicked off. I agree they were great days and are the ones that stick in my memory most clearly, we were at Hyde Rd every Saturday and often nipped over to Owlerton on a Thursday, loved going there as you could get right near the pits, also the level of the terracing on the pit bend gave the impression of it being a much faster track then BV, great days indeed.