moomin man 76

Not much of an international programme. Can't see much evidence the FIM are trying to broaden the appeal of the sport. It's a pity that the sums no doubt do not add up, to stage the Team Championship in Finland, given that they are the current title holders...

Call it off. Even if it stops raining at this exact moment, it is going to take an age to get the track rideable let alone raceable.

As a further footnote, Ossi Rantala is now riding for Finland in the Longtrack of Nations event. I presume he'll be using Jesse Mustonen's bikes...

The winner of this event, Ossi Rantala was also part of the Varkaus team, which won the Finnish Pairs Speedway Championship this weekend. Were it not for speedway being at such a low ebb in Finland, I suspect he would have the talent to go far in the sport...

Given that Riga is a purpose built permanent speedway track, there is no reason for the quality of racing resemble the temporary track that was built at Ratina, Tampere for the two stagings of the Finnish GP in 2014-15.

Marmande postponed - a number of riders seriously out of pocket. Jesse Mustonen and team ended up doing a 7,000km round trip from Varkaus in Finland for nothing.

Antti Vuolas fills Finland's only spot.

History made as Finland win the Ice Speedway of Nations for the first time.

Will definitely get the Varkaus stream.

It'll be good to see the European Ice Speedway final at Varkaus. Big respect to the Mustonen family and all the other volunteers at Varkaus.

Looking at which riders might be available to each nation, I would have thought that Sweden or Finland will be contesting the gold medal in the team event.

Tero Aarnio has signed for Masarna.

Can't see any benefit of having France and Italy in front of Finland, bearing in mind the scores in the first semi-final, plus Finland qualifying for the final two years ago.

Timo Lahti has a Swedish passport on account of him riding in Sweden for numerous years, but it makes him as Swedish as it makes me a Finn (my wife being Finnish). Rding on a Swedish licence is out of convenience too, as although he is a Finn, he counts as a Swede for team building purposes in the Elitserien. Sadly speedway in Finland is really struggling, withno meetings held this season, due to the well documented insurance nightmare. Otto Raak being picked at reserve is largely due to their being no one else left to ride, rather than his ability as a 16 year old up and coming rider.

The situation regarding insurance for speedway in Finland is getting beyond a joke now. The sport was already struggling and the insurance issue could potentially finish off the sport. The sums quoted are astronomical per bike. You can practice, but cannot take part in a competitive meeting without insurance. Sadly there will probably be no speedway meetings in Finland at all this year, as the planned pairs series has also been cancelled.

Otto Raak for Finland at Varkaus.

Good stream on Tapes Up production, but with the dust already flying, the track at Abensberg desperately needs some water.

Not sure if Timo Lahti is doing himself any favours riding as a Swede, when it comes to allocating wild cards.

The Finnish rider at Ludwiglust will be Otto Raak from Varkaus. Sadly there are no other Finnish U21 riders of the requisite standard.

Even with my own profound dislike of Chris Holder, it can't be denied that he was a deserved qualifier and the quality of racing was excellent. After attending in person the qualifiers at Glasgow in 2019 and 2021, I would be delighted to see the Facena family awarded with another qualifier in 2022.

I am in the stadium. There are two ambulances here. The delay is apparently due to the medical teams checking over both Brad Wilson Dean and Tero Aarnio. Both are meant to be going to hospital to be checked over.

Riders in Heat Eight at Glasgow trading places until Brad Wilson Dean locks up mid bend turn three/four lap two leaving Tero Aarnio nowhere to go. He takes a bad fall and leaves the track in the ambulance. At least he was able to walk into the ambulance. A lengthy delay ensues.

I'm not a Diamonds fan, but I donated the cost of an adult admission. We can't afford to lose more clubs. Here's hoping the appeal raises more money in the coming days. Every little helps.

Not surprised this one was called off. I was on a crazy long drive from North Cumbria to Heathrow and back; nipped in to see my parents in Willenhall at 4pm, when the heavens opened like a monsoon. I can't imagine Monmore fared any paper. As I wasn't there, my only surprise is that they tried to run the meeting!

On results from last season's SEC; Timo Lahti should be included this year, if the organisers are simply going to pick/nominate riders.