moomin man 76

The stadium and city were right for a speedway GP in Finland, with an 18,000 capacity stadium in a city where speedway was until the late 1980s a prominent sport with an inner city track. The municipality were also keen on the event. Unfortunately the first meeting from a racing point of view was a disaster on a track with long narrow straits. That pretty much killed interest in the second GP there and another venue bit the dust...

As Racers and Royals has already pointed out, it is hardly a big deal to get a single Russian U21 rider to Poland, to potentially take one ride on each day, when they don't even need their own machinery. Last year, Finland did exactly the same with Timi Salonen. They got him to Manchester to ride on Tero Aarnio's bikes. If you don't believe me, check footage of the meeting yourself. Having been in the pits as a sponsor of the Finnish team, the third pit bay was empty. When questioned what he was riding at scrutineering, the machine examiners were told they had already examined it (Tero's spare bike). If Finland can do it, it's hardly that difficult for the Russians with more riders to pick from and more resources. So please do everyone a favour and stick to the point, rather than going off at a tangent and moaning about Chuganov riding on a Polish licence. Hardly ideal, but there are other replacements available.

With a season of racing behind him, Luke Becker would have a real chance in this meeting, but it is a big ask on the basis of almost no competitive action this year.

Each to their own...I know Jack has his supporters in this country most notably from his time with Poole, but in my opinion a waste of a GP wildcard pick if he was to get one permanently next year, as he would struggle to get into the top ten let alone challenge the top guys in the GP's.

Doubt anyone in Finland fancies two weeks in quarantine, for the sake of taking part in a tin pot meeting.

No speedway for me in the UK so far, but I was fortunate enough to see the Finnish Championship at Seinajoki and the Finnish League match at Kuusankoski in July.

Does anyone have an updated competitor list for the World Longtrack Championship with Round One due at Morizes this weekend? As far as I am aware, Jesse Mustonen is definitely not riding due to the current travel regulations from Finland to France, in which he and his mechanics would have to quarantine for two weeks upon returning to Varkaus.

Doubt there will be anyone from Finland, unless they and their mechanics/family with them fancy a two week quarantine period on arrival back in Finland.

Says everything you need to know about Adam Skornicki; a top guy all round. I've never come across anyone who has had a bad word to say against him.

Hopefully all is well; fingers crossed. Adam did himself justice tonight. It was a pity the air fence didn't extend that little bit further.

One positive of Berntzon's qualification is there is far less likelihood of Lindback getting another wild card for 2021.

Do we get a run off, or does Loktaev get the first reserve place on the basis of his three heat wins over Milik's two wins? Genuine question.

Can't believe Milik went so wide on the last bend; it is almost as if some of these guys don't actually want to qualify!

Fortune seems to seriously favour Berntzon...first Loktaev and now Kasprzak, who for all his earlier brilliance could now end up in a race off.

Credit where credit is due. Kasprzak is clearly up for it tonight. I thought he might have a chance at Gorican, as it is traditionally a gaters track, but he firstly stuffed Fricke, before winding it on, on the outside past Lahti. Lahti, in my opinion, could have been a lot harder of Kasprzak, but left him the room to make the pass.

Laguta is stuffed, or is it him playing it clever, as he has reputedly never wanted to be in the GP's...

Loktaev nine out of nine...in contrast Lahti may as well pack the bikes in the van. Three from three rides. Another rider who isn't doing himself justice like Michelsen.

Loktaev two wins from two - another potential surprise qualifier? In contrast, Michelsen might as well pack up and put his bikes in the van, as he won't be qualifying from the Challenge.

Zagar keeps himself in the running with his pass on Lahti...

Kasprzak again from the gate...probably needs six points from his last three rides...

Well let us wait and see who qualifies first before casting judgement.

Not good for who exactly?

Michelsen would be worthy of a GP spot and from a personal point of view, Timo Lahti could well upset the favourites for qualification.

Three likely qualifiers and Kasprzak, who is past it in my opinion. Saying that, it wouldn't surprise me, to see Kasprzak qualify if he makes five decent starts, as passing will be at a premium at Gorican.

I was staggered that KK was Poland's representative, as there are plenty of other Poles, who warrant a place more than he does. However, I believe the Polish Federation honoured their promise to give him the place, on the basis of winning the Polish Golden Helmet last year.