spin king

Have to agree with everything you say, the Aussie boys had obviously read the Steve Shovlar script who was going to win. The larking about with the helmet cam made them look like a bunch of school girls, and if Holder had put as much energy into getting out of the gate as did larking about with his Aussie mate maybe they might not have been in the postion that they are in now. Lets hope that we finally let Tai get on with his racing rather than questioning the lads commitment to this country, like you say if anyone has any doubts tonight dispelled them. I would also add that Rob Lyon seems to have got the team pulling and moving in the right direction, he appeared to be the coolest man in the stadium, would the other candidate when he got the job Roscoe been the same I don't think so. Okay we probably don't stand much chance of winning the Final, and we still hav e a long way to go, but tonight was a step in the right direction.

Lets actually look at what Mr Shovlar said; Question 1 Its not an Elite track that the Team GB regularly, well okay but it is also a track that the opposition will have rode on regular basis with the exception of Darcy Ward,but how does he know that the Team Manager of Team GB has not arranged for the riders to have a private practice. Question 2 its not an Elite track, no it not but why should it be why should it be an Elite track, why does it have to be that Elite has the monopoly on International meetings. Question 3 Okay I will accept that Kings Lynn is not the easiest place to get to. Question 4; Yes they were brought up on the Kings Lynn track, but young Darcy Ward clearly stated tonight that Kings Lynn was not his favourite track. Question 5 Coventry I might accept,and at push Monmore Green but seriously Poole when was the last time a British rider let alone one the squad rode for Poole, and also three of the Aussie squad ride for Poole. Question 6 Clearly you got that one completely wrong Steve as the only walk in the park that the Aussies are doing is to Vojens.

Wonder what the Steve Shovlar Elite League gang are going come up with now, wrong Team Manager, wrong track chosen. Well Done to British lads and Rob Lyon who looked the coolest dude in the stadium for those who were clambouring for Roscoe to be the Team Manager would he have kept his cool. And finally can we please stop putting the young 19 year old under the microscope and let him get on with his riding.

Don't you just love Mr Shovlar. Not.

Nice to Sarj getting a chance and scoring well, if Heathens are not going to use him on a regular basis then maybe another National League team will.

I suggest you read some of Mr Vasey posts, I respect what the man has done in the sport, but his posts show complete and utter arrogance.

Sorry I have to say that you do come across a very arrogant recently.

Lubos Tomicek :o

Mine in no particular order would be the following; (1)Peter Collins (2) Malcolm Simmons (3) Dave Jessup (4)Michael Lee (5)John Louis (6) Ray Wilson (7) Gordon Kennett (8) Chris Morton (9) Martin Ashby (10) Bob Kilby (11) Doug Wyer (12) Eric Boocock (13) Reg Wilson (14) Terry Betts (15) Steve Bastable (16)Chris Pusey (17)John Davis (18) Jim McMillan (19) Dave Morton. (20) Nigel Boocock

I would imsgine that if he is remotely fit then he will be riding at Cardiff.

Tune in for the first time last week, don't think it is as good as the Polish stuff, but first time I have seen any of the Swedish meetings so prepared to give time.

Hope he has a big boot, needs room for Mitch Shirra as well.

Is that a new rule for this season, if not how did Taylor Poole get in last season.

Only just got into the Polish scene, but have to say I am becoming a massive fan of Polish speedway. Both meetings were very enjoyable and Polonia Bydgoszcz, looked far better today than what I have seen of them in recent weeks, but seem to run out of steam halfway through the meeting. In the other match Zielona were struggling from the off, and Lindgren once again looked poor, already looking forward to next Sundays meetings.

Who has Vissing signed for, this looks as though it might weaken the Stoke team.

My personal view is that we have to strike a sensible balance. I think not allowing Commonwealth riders into the National League is not a good idea. The Aussies have been over the last 10 years as so been far more successful that us on the track, so why don't we look and learn from how they do it. I think that we would struggle now to match the Aussies for success, simpley because of the different sporting cultures. The Aussie way of life is built around competetive sport, and plough alot more resources into their, and Aussie sportsmen and sportwomen support other Aussie's in other sports look at Mark Webber at Speedway Grand Prix's supporting Crump and Holder. The best way forward is look at what the Aussies are doing and try and find out the magic formula, and picking out the best ideas and copying them or learning from them. Like I say we have to get the balance right to develop and nuture them, and riders will learn from riding against better riders, and lets face Australia have a heavy influx of good young riders who are keen to get into league racing, and GB is probably the easiest for them. At present the way I see it a Promoter in the National could if he wanted track a team full of Aussie riders, 1 Commonwealth rider and 6 with Dual Nationality. My big gripe is with those who claim dual nationality, for me these riders are having their cake and eating it, for me if they are going to use their British connection to obtain a lower aveage then they should commit their international future to this country. But I don't think that having a total ban of Commonwealth riders in the national League is a good idea. And I would further add about learning from the Aussie way, look at the work that Marcus Williams and the people that helped him with the Darren and Sharon Boocock Academy with young British riders all going over to Aussie and learning, ask the likes of Josh Auty, Kyle Newman and co whether they learn't anything, and finally I wonder why the BSPA are helping with the funds for this excellent idea.

My view on this is that the structure is all wrong , and I don't think that we can call the National League the Development League. The main problem is that different teams have different agenda's, the main problem is that there is a mix of different types of teams, some are stand alone teams like Dudley, Plymouth and Mildenhall, other are basically 2nd teams for high league teams. With the case of Dudley they are a club that is trying to establish themselves, they are a club that needs success for (1) get fans through the door, (2) gain support to get a track. I think the big problem we have at the moment with the young Aussie lads is that the ones that are using there British roots as a way and means to gaining a team place. For me you cannot be British one minute, but an Aussie the next, if you are going to use your British roots then they must commit to this country career wise I don't think put a ban on Aussies is a good idea, I think we need to include them, still go with one allow in each team, but no rider from Aussie should be allowed in this league from Australia just because his parents, grandparents or great grandparents were born here. Also if we are going to take it seriously about a Development League we also have to look at the likes of Plymouth who track both Mark Simmonds and Seemond Stephens in the team is that right as well.

I don't know what they did last year, but the year before they were searching everybody for air horns before entering the stadium, you could only use the airhorns that were purchase in the stadium, and they were alot more expensive than the ones that they were selling outside the stadium.

Absolute cracking Grand Prix, and something I have been waiting for sometime. Surely Ole Olsen should be banned from all speedway tracks in the World, as soon as he leaves the Grand Prix the meetings get 100% better, and big Well Done for Tony Olsson for doing the blindingly obvious. Also enjoyed listening to Gary Havelock in the studio, never afraid to speak his mind and been brutally honest. As for the Brits, Well Done Bomber Harris, a semi final place and 1st Grand Prix up into 8th place is a decent start, Tai looked out of sorts and never got going, but his first Grand Prix, and I am sure that he learn from the experience. End of the day the best rider won for me overall, but plenty suggest that this could well be a very competitive Grand Prix series and I for one are looking forward to the next one, a long time since I could sauy that.

I too have never seen that clip before, but it is truely inspirational.

What about Steve Baker and Rene Aas.

Its called money= top brief.

Don't givw up the day jobs guys.

Could he be the same Howard Cole, who went onto ride for Cradley and Stoke.

If these reports are true then it is a very sad day for speedway.