tomcat

Not a moan as such Philip, but were you aware, that the race card for the Czech GP was wrong in the SS? I love filling these in each GP, as I can look back in future times at results etc. This one looks like a real mess, having to put riders heat scores in the darker shaded boxes, scrub out helmet colour squares and so on. As I said, not a moan as such, as I've not come across this problem in the past, well not that I can ever remember. Cheers for a great magazine by the way, keeps me up to date and informed over here in Northern Ireland. All the best, Jerry

Cant see this anywhere else, so my apologies if it is. Here is the draw for the Czech GP: In riding order, A.Jonsson C.Holder R.Holta A.Lindback A.Laguta K.Bjerre J.Kolodziej T.Gollob C.Harris J.Crump N.Pedersen F.Lindgren G.Hancock E.Sayfutdinov M.Kus (Wild Card) J.Hampel Reserves: L.Dryml Z.Simota Lineups as per the SGP Website.

Cant see this anywhere else, so my apologies if it is. Here is the draw for the Czech GP: In riding order, A.Jonsson C.Holder R.Holta A.Lindback A.Laguta K.Bjerre J.Kolodziej T.Gollob C.Harris J.Crump N.Pedersen F.Lindgren G.Hancock E.Sayfutdinov M.Kus (Wild Card) J.Hampel Reserves: L.Dryml Z.Simota Lineups as per the SGP Website.

Not sure if you have access to the Speedway Star, but there is a statement in this weeks issue from SVEMO, who state that there are Swedish clubs that have closed due to noise issues and others are at risk. This why the new silencers have been introduced into Swedish speedway, according to the same source. I'm only passing on the information as read in the Speedway Star, so don't shoot the messenger.

Sorry to point you to another rider, who just happened to race all last season in the Elite League, but one Ben Barker has stated that he used the new silencer ALL of last season, with no problems. Also, please read the thread on the new silencer, in the General Discussions section. Seems that despite many Press and Practice days having been held this past week or so, not one rider appears to have experienced any serious problems, other than the odd one when hitting some grip/dirt. If thats the only reported problem, then a change of gearing will soon sort that, along with maybe a change of jet in the carb. Something that any rider with even the basic knowledge on setups should grasp. This seems to be a recurring issue with todays riders, the inability to properly read track conditions and make the required changes to the bike. Have a read of what DK Rides Again has to say on the other thread, as like myself, he understands about many different racing engines, exhaust systems and silencers and what is possible or not. What is niggling a lot of riders, is not just the very different sound, but the decrease in power output. Well, sorry to say, but this is something that myself and more than a few of todays riders have advocated as sooner, rather than later, some of you youngsters coming into the sport, are going to end up seriously injured, or worse. The speedway youth of today just cannot keep racing rocketships, many seen with my own eyes, on the very ragged edge of disaster, being a virtual passenger, hanging onto the bike, rather than being in full control. Lets be honest here Billy, we all agree, that speedway is dangerous enough as it is, without expecting novices and juniors, to take further risks by trying to kill themselves in pursuit of matching the likes of Crump, Gollob etc. I wanted to add also, that I agree 100%, that you, as well as everyone else, are entitled to your own opinions on any subject you please, but by the same token, don't ignore those that have been there and done it. I sit here now, with health problems, caused by striving to get more speed out of my machinery, to stay competitive on the speedway track, busted up knee's, arthritis in the left knee and spine, due to injuries sustained on track, add in other health problems and I believe I've earned the right to at least try and make sure the next generation of riders aware that this is how they could end up. I now have to live with these problems until I pop my clogs young fella, my choice back then, but please don't ignore the warnings. Its not a sob story, as I said, it was my choice, but I'll tell you this, if I had my time over, I would have settled for what I had, not sought to compete and strive for machinery that is way way too fast for existing tracks. Anyway, thats it from me on the subject, the silencers are here, riders now have to make them work, or work with the manufacturers to improve them, either way, they're not going away anytime soon I believe. You take care on track, I mean that sincerely and I hope you make the grade.

As I thought, bury your head in the sand and ignore the very real threat. Your like my son, if it hasn't happened yet, then its not going to. Please please wake up and realise that tracks will close and may never reopen due to noise issues. I am aware that there are problems with the new silencers, but may I suggest that you get along to Ipswich, where the riders have worked together to sort out the issues between them. And as for your last comment, about the non riding fraternity and non technical people backing the new silencers.... did you actually read my whole post?? And Speedwaystar84... Chris Kerr would have gotten the same useage out of his engines as any other rider, including Harris, Nicholls etc etc. He rode in the Premier League, which requires the engines to work just as hard as any other league. Riding around at half throttle would have meant his average being a whole lot lower than it ended up as. Once again, excuses being thrown about by people. I conceded in my original post, that maybe further development/collusion, needs to be implemented between riders and manufacturers, but that doesn't alter the fact that there are riders out there, who HAVE made the new silencers work without being dangerous. I also argue the point on the silencers lowering power and thus causing problems. Answer me this... how on earth did Ivan Mauger, Barry Briggs, Peter Collins, John Louis et al, get on with engines, as in 2 valve Jawa, JAP's etc, who's power output was far below the engines of today, yet many more tracks were far grippier than they are today. Where is the difference? Alledgedly, tracks are far slicker these days, so how come there is a problem? Its not the power, its down the inability of todays riders to deal with any form of grip. And, yet another point, as a former speedway mechanic, I have had more than my fair share of quite serious burns to my arms, fingers and hands and thats from the old King Silencer, as every exhaust gets red hot during racing. The idea is, that anyone likely to need to handle a bike, should be aware that exhausts get hot, whether thats through these new silencers, or the old ones. Also, Engine tuners.... aren't they the ones that charge 100's and 100's of pounds to tune or service your engines, yet cannot find the right setup to accomodate these silencers. I would ask myself, what the hell I'm paying them for? Tuners are where your money goes, and from experience, your being ripped off most of the time. I ran an old Mk4 Weslake towards the end of my career, 1990 was when I finally retired due to injury, yet I never had the motor tunes by anyone. I did all of my own maintainence in my own workshop (garage next to the house), yet beat some far better riders regularly, including people like a young Ben Howe. Sorry, but tuning has become the 'In' things for every rider, regardless of ability, why? because the top stars were tuning engines to be rocketships, so everyone else had to follow suit to keep up/be like their hero's. Thats a fact, because if the top stars hadn't of gone down that route, you wouldn't be spending huge amounts of money to be the same. Trainee riders, who only go to training schools, with vans emblazoned with their names etc, what the hell is that about? Its spending money that doesn't need spending at this point in your careers. Anyway, I've digressed with that last piece, but no doubt the anti silencer crew will pick holes in everything I've said, but remember this, I've been through decades of changes to speedway bikes, including silencers and your sitting there, wet behind the ears posting things that you haven't properly thought through. I suspect its a case of, "Well the GP boys and Polish League guys have stated the silencers are naff, so we'll join in" Just to finish off, these photo's of broken engines etc, are these not the ones that had the new silencers fitted and used without getting the bikes setup correctly? Just asking, as someone else commented that this was the case. If so, then they are NOT evidence that the silencer doesn't work, just proof that some riders should seek help.

I've read your posts on the subject of these new silencers for a while now, where you continue to condem them endlessly. Here's a serious question for you, as you appear to be a rider, albeit at the beginners/ National League standard. If riders, like yourself, continue to rebel against a quieter silencer for speedway, and tracks start to close down over the next few years, because of council noise restrictions, where are you going to race your bike/bikes? And please try to refrain from launching into one, as I used to race regularly many years ago, so am fully aware of mechanical technicalities etc. And, I am not saying these new silencers, regardless of make, are safe, as I don't have all the reports from various riders available to me, as many seem to have had absolutely no problems, while others report problems aplenty. My question is a genuinely serious one, as those of you condeming quieter silencers seem to have had no thought about what could happen to tracks, ie: Mildenhall and Birmingham, where noise pollution is a very very serious threat to the existance of tracks. Consider also, the Peterborough situation, where it is said, that if they don't run this year, a new planning application may be required and that could be refused on noise grounds. Add in Weymouth, who look like they will have to find a new home, where again, planning permission and noise issues will come into play and you have four tracks who would benefit greatly with a quieter silencer, thus negating any noise issues and potentially allowing them to reopen. If even one rider has managed to overcome these so called problems with these new silencers, then surely the data can, and would be, passed onto the manufacturer and other riders. So where is the problem?? If someone like Chris Kerr can make them work, then these so called GP riders can too, or maybe they don't want to make them work??? And I was around when silencers were first introduced... simular arguments and problems were doing the rounds back then, but they worked fine once riders stopped whinging and got on with solving the technical hassles. Time for people to stop this Me Me Me attitude and start thinking of the bigger picture IMHO.

Hi HT, This was the point I raised, then got a list of alleged attacks against the complainant and a list of those allegedly responsible and being taken to court from Mr Just Down The Road. I ask why he aimed that at me, as I was only pointing out the facts with regards to disclosure of any potential nuisances and he replied that with all due respect to myself, he was just stating the facts. I'm still waiting for a reasoned answer from Mr Just Down The Road on my question, from either him or herself or anyone else defending the person making the noise complaint. Another question to the same person/persons... If the people alleged to haved carried out these attacks are due in a court of law, has any of them actually been arrested? As the accusation are based on criminal damage, threatening behaviour and so on, for which the accused have to have been arrested for and charges brought against them. You cannot just phone your solicitor and say, "I believe Mr X has set fire to my home/smashed my car/placed farm machinery in a field to block my light etc and they're taken to court. In particular, the accusations of arson and damaging property must be followed by arrest and charges being laid before any court action, as a police investigation would be needed to gather evidence and statements from any witnesses to acertain whether those accused have any case to answer.

I have no idea why you've aimed that lot in my direction. I merely stated the law regarding the disclosure of any noise problems by any UK Estate Agency to any prospective home buyer AND asked why anyone, not wanting any noise, would go ahead and buy a property knowing well in advance that there was a noise issue. I do not, nor ever have, condoned threats of violence, or criminal behaviour of any sort. Neither can I read the Bury Free press for information(unless there is a link to it online), as I currently reside in Northern Ireland, although I was the track curator at Mildenhall during the Tony Mole/Graham Drury era.

I have posted this piece of information, which is a fact, on this forum before, so will do so again, in respect of the noise issue/motorsports. When ANY prospective home buyer approaches ANY UK, Estate Agency about purchasing a home, the Estate Agency MUST, by law, disclose any problem area's, including any potential noise issues from places like Motor sport venues/stadia. There was a situation at Ipswich, when a new housing estate was built off of the Foxhall road, approximately 500 to 600 metres as the crow flies, from Foxhall Stadium. Potential home buyers from that estate were informed about the stadium, its race night, times it ran etc. BUT, and here is the real laugh... the Estate Agent told the prospective home buyers, that the stadium would be closed within 2 years, that was some 10 to 12 years ago now. Up until the 'closure' of the stadium part, the Agent had complied with the law, whether anyone took legal action after moving in and finding that the stadium would not, or has not closed, I have no idea, but the Agent most certainly told a lie on the closure part. The person taking the noise pollution action against Mildenhall stadium HAD to have been told about the stadium etc, so as others have said...WHY MOVE INTO THAT PROPERTY for heavens sake. Likewise this Marina mentioned, was that there before or after the stadium was built? If it was after, then they had to have been told too, so I am sorry, its down to said property buyers, if they chose to move to a place knowing that there would be noise from motorsports then they did so knowing full well that they would not get their quiet peaceful Sunday afternoons or whatever well in advance of handing over their money for that property. They had the choice....!!

Congratulations to Tomasz.... 2010 Speedway World Champion. Its good to see the majority of folks giving credit to the man on here, just a shame that some have to sour this thread. Ove Fundin, great rider, but different era, opposition etc, etc, but there ya go, par for the course on here these days. Thoroughly enjoyed the meeting tonight, just a shame that the ref had yet another stinker. How long does he think those engines can be held at full revs, before they go bang?? Just one of many poor decisions tonight. About time the FIM grew a pair and got rid of the worst referee ever to take charge of any FIM meetings. Well Done to Bomber too, credit where credit is due. He has proven a lot of us wrong this year and could actually end up higher than his current 7th place. Looking forward to the last round now, what a night that is going to be in Poland.... probably the biggest party seen in speedway. Special mention for Crumpy, who relinquished his title like a true gent. No histrionics or excuses, well done that man and hope the operation on the arm is a success over the winter. And finally.... heard a rumour that King Kenneth is sacking his pit crew and back up crew... as they appeared to take his EL bikes to the GP tonight, instead of his proper GP bikes, well he certainly scored like he did in the PlayOff Semi last Monday......

Spot on Parsloes... It also gets my goat, that when we mention the One Off Finals, we always get the Monkey mask and Jap replies. Its got nothing to do with what was worn or ridden, it was the thrill of a sudden death final, where anyone could win on the day. I would hazzard a guess, that most of the daft responses of that ilk are from people who have never had the privilege to witness A speedway World Final, in the mould of Wembley, Ullevi etc, as they were, was something else. Watching a few highlights on a DvD or a Youtube clip of the odd race just doesn't do the Finals justice. And I agree with you, it seems that our sports decline coincided with the one off finals being dumped in favour of the GP series. What I also don't get, is this disrespect for fans of yesteryear. Wulfsport jackets and badges... crikey, as kids we would all have a jumper, coat etc, which would get covered in badges or rosettes of our favourite riders and teams, that was a part of what speedway was about. I remember finding an old orange jumper, getting some bits of black material, which was cut into strips. Then they were sewn onto the sleeves of the jumper, voila, one Tiger Louis top, which was worn to every meeting, home and away. Then when I got my first car, on went the Witches sun strip, with various car stickers being placed in the back window. It was fun, looking for other fans cars en route to meetings or just travelling about the country. Thats all gone now, as people just don't seem to be bothered with anything much these days, couple that with the obvious disrespect being shown and you start to get the reasons why speedway is on the decline. The fun eliment has gone, fans cant be bothered.... or is it that they worry about what people might say? I'll tell you what, I don't care what non speedway folks think... as and when I get the chance to come across the water to see another meeting, I'll be proudly wearing my Wulfsport Witches jacket.... so anyone that doesn't like that can go stick it in their pipe and smoke it...

You have to be joking.... I don't come with an IQ, I'm a cat... Only interested in eating kippers and doing my business in your garden... Oh and speedway of course..

Reading some of the posts on here, regarding how to pronounce names, is quite something else.... I got to the last post on this page and at the bottom is a banner for an IQ test.... ironic or what... Who cares how we pronounce names etc... everyone is different and thats what makes the world an interesting place... methinks some people on here need to get a life. Back on topic, Bomber to go through and couldn't care less who else at this time.

The Ipswich comeback at Poole in I think 2002/3... cant remember exactly now. 16 down at the midway point and we came back to the win. In the Ipswich team that day was Chris Louis, Craig Boyce and I think Scott Nicholls.... I was in the pits and the look on the Pirates riders faces was something else...

I see your point, but its a case of what we can afford unfortunately. That little extra isn't something we can pay out right now. And for the Aussie know all.... we're not all made of money, as above, its what people can afford and as we pay for Sky sports, Sky don't do themselves any favours by excluding paying customers from a sport that is the only reason for having Sky Sports in this house. So, its the repeat for us then, as checked the listings and I can't believe that speedway is playing second fiddle to WWE and some fill in programme and some other guff that I cant remember, which is on instead. Now off to see what other offers are out there for our Broadband, maybe we'll get something sorted for next time. Cheers to the sensible posters for your help and useful advice.

Same here Pepper, its starting to get my goat with Sky and their flamming red button. We looked into getting Sky through erm.... Sky, but they came out around £20 a month more expensive than Virgin for the same setup, plus they can't supply us with broadband for the internet, as according to their stupid postcode search, we don't have the facility for it.... errr.. Virgin have supplied us with 54.0 Mps for the last year, so why can Sky supply even a 20.0 Mps service? Add in the ESPN HD service, plus a load of other HD channels that Virgin supply free and we have a pretty good deal, yet Sky want to charge extra for the same services... which makes our current package even more expensive through Sky themselves. If I miss the GP because its taken to the Red Button, then I will seriously consider cancelling my subscription. Yes it hurts Virgin, but it also hurts Sky, as they don't get a percentage of my money via the Virgin contract. Can't wait for the day that someone like ESPN takes an interest in showing speedway, see what happens to your poxy red button then Sky...

Oh dear oh dear.... What was it you were saying Mr Ward.... Team GB 1 The Arrogant Aussies 0.... And yes BFD, its a forum and I too am entitled to my opinion, before you start tearing into those of us that can see the evidence. Too damn cocky and arrogant and tonight they got taught a valuable lesson. Speedway needs 100% concentration and they just didn't give that. Darcy Wards comments in the newspaper just about sums it all up I am afaid. We may not win on Saturday, but Team GB will give it a damn good go and as they say.... You gotta be in it to win it... If the Vojens track is like this again on Saturday, its going to be a complete lottery. Gate and go speedway for a World Final... happy days...NOT!! God I enjoyed that tonight, despite the track and the naff crowd. I said I fancied the Danes and Swedes to go through... Now for Team GB to get a rostrum place Saturday please and I'll have had a good week. Best of Luck to the finalists, hopefully the best team will win....Poland in this case, although I obviously hope for the Brits to lift the Ove Fundin Trophy.

Danes & Swedes for me... depends on the track though to be honest.

This is a ahrd one to do, as there have been so many Great's in speedway. I notice, or I may have missed it, that there is no mention of Jack or Cody Milne, sorry it was well before my time, so I cant remember which one of them lifted the World Title, but I do remember seeing a photo, possibly in the Speedway Star, of one or the other with his Title winning bike. Anyway, my all time greatest... who won World Titles: 1: Ivan Mauger 2: Ove Fundin 3: Peter Craven 4: Barry Briggs 5: Tony Rickardsson 6: Ronnie Moore 7: Greg Hancock And they're in no particular order. The Greatest I have had the honour of actually seeing race: 1: John Louis 2: Ole Olsen 3: Tony Rickardsson 4: Peter Collins 5: Tony Davey 6: Terry Betts 7: Michael Lee Probably cause uproar with a few of those, but hey ho, they're my choices.. I could add a heck of a lot more, but as we're only allowed seven riders that'll have to do... for now.

A little late seeing this, but its great that people still remember this tragedy and still mark the day. I remember seeing the pictures of the mini bus after the crash, how anyone survived that is a miracle in itself. It still hurts to remember those that were taken from us. RIP

Top Post and totally agree with what you say there. Well Done to Buster and co.

To be fair, for those knocking the track, it doesn't help one iota that they have the flamming practice on the morning of the meeting. As in the above post, there are many many unsung heroes working at speedway clubs the world over, not just in the UK, who put in many many hours of hard work so that we get speedway to watch. Having the practice on the morning of the meeting is just plain stupid, it leaves so little time to prepare the track again, with the result being what we saw last night. I know from experience, that SaddleBow Road is normally one of THE best prepared tracks anywhere. Another problem is, that todays riders have become so used to racing on ultra slick tracks, so when there is even the hint of any dirt, they cant handle it. Just listen to what Rico said and others... the engines couldn't handle the dirt and just died... Sums up the motorway speedway of today really. Anyway, I enjoyed what I saw, plenty of incident and talking points and the most important thing of all... A Team GB win.