nw42

Good to read some positivity amongst all the gloom in this thread, glad your friend enjoyed, hope you told them it's not like that at Brandon, could be a bit of a downer for them next week

That was a better move than Harris in heat 9, I doth my cap.

Your post immediately invoked the visual memory of Trick and his wall of death approach from a Cardiff GP, can see him on exit from the 2nd bend with his wheels climbing the fence. So here's hoping you're right and we get some exciting speedway, if not, well it seems every conceivable effort has been made in such adversity, credit where it's due. Also, thanks due to Philip Rising for keeping us all properly informed, considering some of the rubbish that gets spouted on here by the doom-mongers we are very lucky that he bothers to go to such lengths to keep us nearer to being 'in the loop' than most of us could ever get, cheers Philip, much appreciated.

Get real, as you say this is a one off, since when did preparing temporary tracks become easier than maintaining one that's been in existence for decades? So many variables to consider but I would say that moisture content in the shale is one of the MOST important factors, also probably the one aspect that is nigh on impossible to fully control. As far as we know we've got a speedway meeting to look forward to later, here's hoping it's an exciting one with nobody getting injured.

Come on fellas, no need to fall out, we've been treated to a decent meeting, whether in attendance or on the screen it was a worthwhile watch. One small misdemeanour that only served to benefit the opposition in terms of galvanising them at a crucial stage of the meeting, so all's well that ends well eh.

You've not lived.

How very dare you... Looked more like a peck on the peak to me.

Agree with the positive comments about the track, went to Berrington Lough a couple of times but never been to this one, from what I saw tonight I will definitely make the effort next time I'm in the vicinity on a racenight, bet it looks even better under floodlights. The bends were reminiscent of the Shay, of course that stadium was also shared with the football club. Fair result in the end I think, Newcastle dug deeper when mattered, as others have pointed out the Berwick lad bailing out like he did just served to inspire the Diamonds. Stuart Robson, he's a rider I really have time for, never fails to give his all for the cause, I was disappointed that he had to pull out of last weeks British Final, always great to watch. Roll on the next PL Sky match as far as I'm concerned, hopefully we'll get a meeting from Somerset along with a couple of other 'new' ones. Well done Berwick Speedway, great to see them get a decent crowd in for all their efforts in promoting the meeting, hope the pies sold out, they're good, apparently..

Well it depends on how much you spent on it really, I prefer a nice Sancerre and at around £9 - £12 a bottle it's reasonable value.

I think you should read the thread before posting such drivel, there was plenty of support for Tai in this thread last night. The racing wasn't up to the standard of the previous GP's but that takes nothing away from Tai, he beat what was put in front of him and won the meeting. So what's your beef?

Well there's a turn up for the books, Radio 5live just gave a mention of Tai's win tonight, just shows what a difference a British contender can make in terms of publicity for the sport. I really hope he can keep his form and stay injury free.

That's racing, I'm sure Pedersen would agree. Great win for Woffinden, set up nicely for the next round, bring it on. Really, with a username like yours I'd have thought you'd want our own to win.

One day Paul, one day.

Can't have it all, at least we've got a Brit leading the way, been a while since we've had so much optimism for one of our riders, keep up the good work Tai.

Well we've been served up a treat so far in the GP series, I know a few are sceptical over the Prague track but I'm hoping they can keep up the good work put in so far and produce a racing surface. Also hoping Tai can continue his start and make the final. Either way I'm so pleased Eurosport decided to pitch in and show the series, would be disappointed to have to rely on streams.

Agreed, very reminiscent of PC, can ride any part of the track, seems to find traction where others can't, amazing balance, I also love seeing him race. As said, another decent GP in the end, really enjoying this series so far, can't really grumble at the coverage, the shouty brothers are still muted by Eurosport, I can tolerate the boring fill-in guy because the racing is, on the whole, of decent standard. Never been a big fan of Pedersen and his antics but you cannot fault him for tenacity and courage, when clearly in so much pain and on lap 4 of a final he definitely wasn't going to win I wouldn't have blamed him if he'd retired and saved himself having to spend the next 15mins on the rostrum and riding on the back of a cabriolet, giving interviews etc etc. Fair play to him, he's a very tough bloke, hope he and Ward are soon on the mend.

Have you been drinking Philip? Was a great performance from Tai, good luck to the lad, hope his season continues in the same way.

It seemed as though Eurosport had the pair of them 'turned down' somehow, they were certainly doing plenty of shouting but weren't as imposing as usual, keep it up Eurosport, great meeting too.

Hmmmm, tough one that, it's the usual suspects on Eurosport. What's with the Pearl & Dean type music, brilliant.

Hyde Road -- Peter Collins, Soren Sjosten, Chris Morton, Mark Loram, could watch that all night long, pure speedway. and for something a little more savoury... Owlerton -- Alan Wilkinson, Jack Millen, Roman Matousek, Sean Wilson, pick the bones out of that, no quarter asked or given.

Thanks for that, remember it now having seen it again, great first lap and then got out of Andersens way to allow him the freedom of the track, good race.

I was also one of the lucky ones, although I was introduced to speedway at around 5y/o I only really became a proper young supporter in 69/70, aged 10, it was Hyde Rd every Saturday with my dad. Soren Sjosten was my favourite rider back then but obviously I was aware of Ivan's qualities, you pick up on different aspects when you're a kid, like which riders sign your autograph book in the pits after the meeting, got to say I had Ivan's signature more than any other, he always obliged even though he was always in a rush, no doubt off to the continent for a Sunday Long Track, I can distinctly remember marvelling at his accent when he spoke with anyone in the pits, he was probably the first 'foreigner' I'd ever heard speak in real life, apart from Taffy Owen of course but I couldn't tell a word he said. For me it was a case of not knowing what you've got until it's gone, the season following Ivan's enforced move to Exeter was completely different, we weren't so invincible anymore, we'd just won the League 3 times on the trot, I'd love to know how few times he was beaten round Hyde Rd during those 3 seasons. Thanks so much for the memories Ivan, hope you enjoy many more restful years.

Good luck Ryan, very entertaining rider over the years. You chaps have made me want to see this heat 15 from 2006, is it online anywhere?

Doesn't mean it will be synchronised though Paul, I often use both mediums simultaneously for my sport but sometimes the commentary doesn't quite fit with the visual, we'll see.

Ok thanks for that, appreciated.