MattR

Hi Ian. Had a day now to think about it all after riding home on a Royal Enfield Sunday afternoon (brain has just about stopped vibrating). All your post was spot on, but just thought I'd quote the first bit. As an (dis)honourary Finn living here for 21 years, we take our reputation very seriously and any time anything that starts with World-... we're always keen to put on the best show we can. A lot of lessons will have been learnt but it will be hard attracting the brilliant international support again. The organisers should have liaised with the Poles and the Swedes more closely to know what it is to put down a quality track surface down. We all have a real winter here from November to April. The venue there in Tampere can't change its width, but they should have made it wider and shorter. So, back to your post. Tampere is a brilliant location. I'm really glad to hear you liked the town. I live in Helsinki, but Tampere is 10 x more fun. There would be nothing better in Helsinki facility-wise apart from the Olympic Stadium, which would be less than half empty, plus they hold too many athletic events to consider digging up the running track. Autopsy over. Let's hope for some cracking racing in the next events.

Oh, well. That was a poor start for Finland. Such a shame. It was a belting day, weather wise. Most of the town was out and about around the stadium. Unfortunately I just missed meeting Mojo though. As for the meet.. You've all seen how poor the track was. 33cl tin of beer was €7. SEVEN euros with 2€back on the tin. Just mental - even by Finnish standards. No scoreboard. BLASTING heavy rock hits on a loop throughout when no racing was in progress. I dragged two Finnish mates along and we had a brilliant time out in Tampere after the meet, but we won't be bothering again. Was not a great advert for the sport. Best things were the rocket-fit track girls and the Beatles cover band free in the park after the racing.

Have you tried AirBnB? We had a place booked with that, but cancelled. Staying at a mates now. Good luck. Weather report: Bit of very ligh drizzle today in Helsinki, but 20c and clear forecast tomorrow. Safe journey to all. Hope you have fun in Finland and Tamps. If you see a middle-aged bloke wearing Buddy Holly specs and a bike jacket held together with duct-tape, about 6,2 and in need of a haircut, buy me a beer. Cheers!

Hi You have to take a bus from the airport to downtown Helsinki. It's the only way. No trains from the airport. Regular public transport service (Bus No. 615) costs 5€. There are more expensive ones run by Finnair, no quicker though and more expensive. Leaves just outside the terminal. Just ask someone where the 615 leaves from. Taxi into town will cost about 40€. There's no private cab hire in Finland. If you want to take the train, find details -and some very cheap offers to Tampere - here at Finnish Railways: http://www.vr.fi/en/index.html Buy ticket online and print it at home. All in English too. Lucky you. The national coach service - Matkahuolto - runs services nationwide. They're also located in town underneath the KAMPPI SHOPPING MALL - about 5 mins walk from the train station. In fact, the 615 from the airport may even bring you here from the airport. Not sure. Buses run frequently to Tampere and aren't too expensive. Hold the phone... Just seen they offer a direct service to Tampere from Helsinki/Vantaa Airport. 27€uropes one way. Make sure you're specific when searching for the destination and booking it. Put "Tampere Bus Station". Or you might get to Oxford Road (in another town), thinking you're going to Oxford.. http://www.matkahuolto.fi/en Don't let the Helsinki/Vantaa name of the airport put you off. There's only one airport - it's in Vantaa which is part of Greater Helsinki. Like London and Westminster. Just the dimwits in Vantaa love to say "IT'S IN VANTAA, IT'S IN VANTAA!!" Good luck from this dimwit in Vantaa ;-)

Bring your thermals and umbrellas.. It was SNOWING in Helsinki this morning!! Ok, only from 07.00 for an hour and not that heavily. Blummin chilly though! Last two weeks before May day were nice and warm though You'll get a good weather forcast in advance here: http://en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/ Great place to eat in Tampere is at Plevna, Czech Restaurant. House-made beer and massive food. It's also in one of the old mills by the water and is very nice indeed: http://www.plevna.fi/?page_id=178 If you want a snack earlier later - black sausage (musta makkara) is what you're after in Tampere with mash and jam. http://runawayjuno.com/runaway-tales/mustamakkara-the-black-sausage-finland-tampere/ As for sightseeing in Tamps, it's not a big place. Just wander around. I always enjoy the old industrial architecture. Locals are dead nice too.

I wouldn't argue with this. Experience has shown me that when a Finn seems like he knows what he's on about - shut the F- up. Especially that lot from Tampere. Keep it extra zipped when in their presence. Has he invited anyone for a Sauna yet?

Hi Martin. Sorry not to get back earlier.. You got roped into one of those games?? What year mate? I was also press-ganged around 93-95. Luck to be alive.. Some of those ****s took it very seriously bitd. Glad to say the Helsinki CC now have serious competition from all the Indian/Pakistani lads here now who regularly trash the crap out of them. You were asking about beer. It's cheaper in Finland these days. 24-pack of 4.6% fizzy rubbishe costs about 20€ in the bigger supermarkets. My home-brew costs considerably less and is considerably stronger and superior however. I'll be travelling the whole of the GP weekend mate, so unlikely to be able to hook-up, sadly - unless at the event.. Will PM you with my number anyway.

But really.. It's the weekend of my birthday, so I always remember the weather. I've been burnt to heck playing golf on the 18th (OF MAY::: Last year I froze to death going for a ride on me motorbike. Prices? Brobably a bit pricier. No - absolutely no - pubs do food. Go to a Chinese for lunch or check tripadvisor. There's probably a legend cheap restaurant Tamps is a real great town to visit. Friendly as (can't post that word) Pub prices PASH lager 3,50

Rajaportti looks the business! You should invite your foreign visitors to your city, F-S-P ;-)) In Helsinki there's the Kotiharjun Sauna in Kallio which is a great laugh, sitting outside on the street. http://flickrhivemind.net/Tags/harjutori,sauna/Interesting

Good idea. Then you've only got the railway lines and the dual carriageway to cross to get to the lake in your birthday suit.

Try again.. Mods! My posts are going missing! So.. Your hotel is 10-mins' walk from the stadium. There are regular buses to and from the airport http://tampereairport.com/to-from-tampere-airport If you're arriving on Friday night, that means on Saturday morning you'll have time to : Rent a bicycle: http://www.tamperecitybike.fi/index.php And then go and check out a real wood-fired sauna and jump in the lake! http://www.visittampere.fi/place/821 Everyone speaks great English in Finland so you'll be fine!

Hi! Plenty of buses to and from the airport http://tampereairport.com/to-from-tampere-airport Your hotel is indeed about 10 mins from the stadium. Tampere isn't a big place but has a good nightlife and everyone speaks good English. Just sent you a PM with my number if you're up for a coffee before the meet. We've got to get back afterwards and we're on motorbikes, so no beers unfortunately for us! Public transport planner http://joukkoliikenne.tampere.fi/en/ Tampere http://wikitravel.org/en/Tampere You have to try a real Finnish sauna whilst you're here. Wood-fired, not electric! http://www.visittampere.fi/activities/wellbeing/sauna

Howdy My name's Matt and I live in Helsinki, Finland. Originally Manchester UK but that is a loooong time ago. In fact last time I went to a speedway meet, Peter Collins was riding. So.. Finland has finally got a GP and we're all excited about that. I was just posting to say that if anyone is coming over for it and you need any help about getting to Tampere, let me know on here and I'll try my best to help. Cheers Matt