nw42

Sorry, hope they're both ok, looks like TG has copped it bad. Great minds you say, don't know about that but there was definitely something intuitive for me, even on the first 2 bends. Who knows, maybe we'll have a final round showdown after all, the pair of them in plastercasts, or whatever.

I've never raced a bike but somehow I could see that coming a mile off, hope he's ok.

Great picture Pete, I never saw him ride as I was only born in 1960. My first favourite rider was Soren Sjosten, apparently similar in stature to Peter Craven, definitely similar in style judging by the stills I've seen of Peter. I loved watching Soren, even at 10yrs old I reckoned if he could do it at five foot nothing it wouldn't be long before I was on the track myself, sadly my hopes dwindled. RIP Peter & Soren. Nice thread OP

Still looking good on grass a couple of months ago, seems to have kept himself in shape and was in a league of his own at the meeting I attended, good shout.

Ok, my mistake, I was following the thread though. Wrongly thought you were highlighting how differently Briggs is/was perceived by the british public in comparison to the likes of Lennox Lewis. Lennox won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year, just like Greg Rusedski, yet both of these would be considered not to have quite captured the British public's hearts. It was indeed a great accolade for Briggs when you consider he was 2nd only to Bobby Moore (RIP) in 1966, Geoff Hurst was 3rd, can you imagine the British public voting for a New Zealander in front of their own World Cup hero? I've never been confident in the reliability of the voting system for these awards. He was a great rider but he's been even better at keeping his profile high since he stopped riding. Fair enough Philip but the same would have happened if you'd turned up with Joe Bugner, or Lennox Lewis, but, as Sidney pointed out earlier, they weren't taken to the hearts of the British sports fans.

Fair enough if you haven't warmed to him iris but it's worth pointing out he won the British under 18 Championship back in September 2007, the following year he was British under 21 Champion, so it's a bit unfair to keep questioning his loyalties. From your comment on PC, maybe it's the true racers that do it for you, Tai is fast but he hasn't been as spectacular as Emil can be, just a thought.

Yes they did, when it suited all concerned, I suppose Commonwealth rules kicked in. They won their individual titles as NZ riders, I'm fairly sure that's the case.

Yes but he wasn't winning the World title as a British rider, which is the thread subject. He wasn't universally popular when he rode either, had his detractors just like all riders, can recall him getting the bird at Hyde Rd, was a dirty bugger when he wanted. I think what I've seen of Tai's on screen interviews he could definitely connect with and draw in a big numbers of youngsters, maybe the skateboard/surfer/BMX crowd, no reason why they can't begin to incude speedway as a 'cool' sport. Big job on Tai's broad shoulders but he seems really level headed this year, good luck to him.

I'd say in 1976 I wouldn't have expected any sort of coverage from Granada, although I can't remember specifically I'd expect that PC's win would have been covered by Look North on that Monday evening. BBC Radio 5Live dedicated their Sunday afternoon just gone to Triathalon, can't imagine them even having a 5minute feature on Tai next Sunday if he manages to lift the crown this weekend.

Can't argue with those 2 Sidney, I'd have to add Anders Michanek though, in fact Anders epitomised smooth/stylish, he had it all.

Likewise thanks for the company, thanks also to MP for the scorecard.

thanks, he owed me for previous GP's where I've expected more from him. I've liked the look of Vaculik since I first saw him in that wild card appearance, really expected more from him this season, bit unfair of me really I suppose, first season in the big time. Just hope he doesn't diappear from the GP's after just one season, even if he misses out next time.

Maybe Alan, although he only made the last chance race by the skin of his teeth. Come on Martin, give it your best shot. Good on yer Gollob...

Bit harsh, only passing comment. I'd rather watch speedway than almost anything else that might be on my screen, doesn't mean I have to be impressed with it. Anyway, I've got a pound e/w on Vaculik @40/1, so I'm still interested.

I'd agree that it ranks alongside the Scandinavian stuff, although the Polish league holds a bit more interest for me. I suppose it depends on what else you might want to do with your early evening, I've nothing else to do.

Seemed as though Gollob went to sleep for a moment there, hope they are both ok. edit, after watching the replays, perhaps the low sun had some input, either way it's a shame to end a meeting like that.

Fantastic ride when it mattered from Zagar then, real pressure situation for him. That girl in the crowd who was jumping up and down in celebration needs to be careful, she could have someones eye out.

Anyone else think 8/1 is a bit generous for Mataj Zagar to win the GP in his homeland tomorrow? I'm having a little bite at that price, he's having probably his best season to date, his bikes are fast and he is bound to be in the mood tomorrow.

It is mentioned on here josie but it's in another thread.

You implied in the appropriate thread that you been at the track tonight, so, what's your version of events now you've had time to calm down and stop creating threads? Considering you expect a sacking in the morning you must have seen something fairly bad, what happened in your view, were you close to where it all happened, I mean exactly how far is Cuckoo Land from Saddlebow Rd?

Exactly, hence the dope remark. Obviously I wasn't there and we can only go off what we're told but from what's been said so far it's not even handbags, just Bridger throwing his weight around, so as you said yourself it will probably lead to nothing, it's a mans sport after all. Although bullying is out of order if it's heat of the moment stuff and no blows were exchanged then it's just a case of move along there's nothing to see..

You'll need to go to the match thread to find that out, surely you must realise that. This is the EL section. <mod note: just so people dont think nw42 is mad, all THJ/KKS/HRF etc duplicate topics have been merged which is why this now looks out of place!>

But you started the Bridger stuff you dope. I'd like to discuss it here please. <mod note - please do as you are perfectly entitled to obviously > Was Bridger restrained by anyone, or was he just shouting and gesticulating? I hope this doesn't lead to Lambert deciding not to ride here any longer, not sure if this has been mentioned elsewhere

What are you wobbling on about?

I've seen/heard all that rubbish, maybe it's something from a couple of years back regarding the standard of his machinery, or maybe I'm wrong, either way he has certainly upped his game this season. I hope he does really well, it's not often you hear the words 'likeable' and 'German' in the same sentence but he definitely seems to fit that mould, good luck to him.