TheReturn

Why is Pearson and Tatum still banging on that Hancock stood down to give youngsters a chance, they make it sound like he did something for the good of Team USA kids, he did it for the good of Greg Hancock and nobody else.

Well compared to Poland, British speedway is no longer that entertaining. But Kings Lynn is a good race track, the problem is that tonight is a two horse race because of the farce of seeding hosts.

I love the SWC, but the sporting spectacle is being diminished in two areas. 1 - Joker makes it a farce. 2 - The hosts should not be seeded to the final, let them earn the right to be there (I said same last year when Team GB were seeded).

Pearson.. "he's getting a standing ovation"... the camera pans to the crowd who are all sat down. This is the downside of the hosts being seeded to the final. It does see fans robbed slightly of seeing Poland ride this year in the SWC week.

Not sure it's much further than when he rode for Belle Vue.

Not sure he's sticking his finger up. He wanted a holiday, at least he was honest about it, I just don't agree with him doing that. Unlike Hancock who people seem to believe his excuse that he wanted to give the kinds chance. He's an OAP, I don't mind him saying he wanted a mid-season rest in his older years, but don't trot out the same lame excuse he used last season to avoid coming to Belle Vue.

This is right. I used to see a lot of snobbery from Elite League fans on here in the past. Good racing is not exclusive to SGP stars. That said, on another subject even if we get tanked tonight or this week I hope Tai is not allowed to walk back into the team next season. He can't be allowed to pick and choose when he rides for Team GB, you're either part of the team or you're not.

The GP tonight was everything that is good about the sport I fell in love with thirty years ago. Fantastic, exciting hard racing, with riders throwing bikes at each other and then shaking hands afterwards. If only every meeting was like this. Edit: It was also great to see great sportsmanship twice with riders falling, and getting themselves up and off the track for the other riders to carry on.

It's not racist to call someone a p1llock, you p1llock.

Why is that plonker who commentates screaming 'get out of the way, I'm coming through' multiple times in one race?

Should a non British rider be allowed to ride in our British Final? No. As you rightly mention, a licence of convenience. Seen it in other sports (like tennis) where people seem to chop and change nationalities all the time. How typical... Phil and the Speedway Star are routinely criticised for not challenging the sports elite, and when they do people still whinge. Just because it happens in other countries does not mean we should roll over and let it happen here.

Except this year he's making it clear in advance at least. It's a bollocks excuse he's giving though, only the most gullible sycophantic fool would believe that. Hancock does what Hancock wants for Hancock.

Why is that P over pronunciation plonker going on about bloody pizzas? He spits his 'P's' out like that episode of Friends where Joey was taught to spit P's.

Apart from Bottas winning the Russian GP and taking pole in Bahrain?

I agree, in the GPs last year he seemed to be lacking a bit of speed too, but this year (so far) he seems well down.

I agree. I am a Tai fan usually, and respect what he is trying to do with the kids but he can't be allowed to pick and choose when he rides for Team GB because he wants a holiday. It needs to be 'all' or nothing.

Maybe, maybe not.... Point I was making was that the bike took the brunt, I think Emil went into the bike didn't he? But talking of fences, I am still having nightmares of standing behind a metal fence at Exeter!!! Thankfully I don't think I ever saw a bad crash there on my trips with Long Eaton.

That idiot commentating said the 'air fence took the brunt'. Emil clearly followed the bike into the air fence.... it looked nasty from the very moment Emil lost it, clear for anyone to see. Glad Emil was ok.

Are you for real or was that just another Tai dig? Before you get riders coming through you have to invest a lot of time, not just one or two training schools. Credit Tai for at least trying FFS.

Is it worth merging this thread with the one from the International Forum? Lot of good updates on that one.

Got to love British speedway!

Sorry, is my opinion not allowed? I pays me money, I am entitled to voice my opinion as frequently as Pearson repeats the same tired, boring lines during his commentary.... the only difference is I AM NOT SHOUTING. Don't like me comments, block me... simples.

Sadly it was also announced Pearson will be in the commentary team.

An obvious and sensible idea to improve British speedway talent.. which means it will never be accepted. But I am not sure on the legalities of EU law with this idea. I agree on this, none of this first or second team choice bollocks. If an overseas rider can not commit to 100% of their British clubs fixtures then they should not be contracted.

Two points to make. 1. Speedway is on TV, we had years without it. Cancel Sky Sports and subscribe to BT Sports, not rocket science. Either pay your money to watch it or don't, it's your money, your choice. 2. Less matches is a shame, but some of the dross on Sky last season won't be missed. What I am hoping is Terry Russell is good to his word when he says "“We are also working hard with the clubs to make every TV meeting an exciting event, to promote it hard and make it work for everyone." If he does that and ensures the majority of TV meetings have fantastic race tracks then we will be entertained, and with luck BT Sport will ask for more matches next season. On another note, someone please tell me BT Sport have invested in a new commentator! I guess I can live in hope on that one.