OveFundinFan

Had a couple days in Prague in 1976 and yes it is a lovely city and well worth a visit. Did Katowice in 1976 when peter Collins won the world championship, followed by the World Long Track the Sunday after in Marianski Lazne, in Czech when Ivan Mauger won. Thats how we had a couple days in Prague - on the way to marianski Lazne.

Very probable. but Prague is a great place to go to but most say the track is not so good ie rubbish Cardiff is a great place to go to and the track is acceptable but atmosphere fantastic (judging that on the 2 years I have been 2013 and 2014)

and from what has been said on here by some fans who did travel..... they wont be going there again. I understand Riga is a very nice place to be, and when it was announced many months ago I did think about the wife and I going. Plans didnt go any further, and so glad now it didnt. I can cope with going to Cardiff, but any future plans of travelling abroad for a gp have gone out of the window now. Keep my money in my pocket and watch on TV, not the same as live but a "safer" option.

and why not? as has been said a few times, if he went out on the track he would possibly a danger to other riders. One would never know unless an accident was to happen..... do you, or anyone really want to find out that way. I would like to think the answer is no. So if someone has tipped of the "powers that be", full marks to that person..... it could have saved someone from serious injury or worse. He surely is being misguided through these youthful years, and no its not the things young ones today do (as classing them all together). I know loads of youngsters of his age, and younger, who do not go out just to get sozzelled. They know how to have a good time without getting drunk. A good friend, a true friend, should have had a word with Darcy before he took to alcohol and simply said "you had some bad news mate, but this is not the way to deal with it, lets go and talk it over".

thats Niels Khristian Iverson if you still wondering. Took me a long time to figure out who puk was when I "returned" to speedway and found this forum.

When he was being interviewed at the meeting and he was explaining he had some really bad news, he didnt look like he had some really bad news, and the lines where he said he should have hydrated seemed well rehearsed. If later, as Phil Rising says, he was distraught then just maybe it was sinking in what he had done and the reality of what may be coming. Bring it on, no excuses will do from him or any of his ill advising cronies. Do the sponsored riders actually have to drink the stuff, or are they simply obliged to hold the can up for the press and sometimes pretend to drink it?

Some fantastic racing, some very brave passes as well, full blasts around the "boards" (or should it be airbags these days) and overtakes on the white line. Sure there were some races that were over after turns 1 & 2, got very strung out, but the exciting ones were well worth watching the whole meeting. I recall one race when all four were virtually abreast on the back straight on their first lap - that was a wow for me. After his first race head first dive for the fence I think KK did really well to come out fighting and win the meeting, and he didnt have it all his own way. Watching Chris Harris closer, his only 3 points were a heat win. His riding style is very appealing and I can imagine when he was at the top of his game he was good to watch. However, I think his bikes were letting him down in Daugvapils. Shame really. I read KK is praising his engine tuner, Peter Johns. I know there has always been good engine tuners, but what is it they do to an engine that is different to what other "average" engine builders do, after all there is "only 4 valves, a piston, inlet and exhaust tract" to play with, is'nt there? Obviously more, but what?

It would be a sad day for the sport if all he gets is this one day gp exclusion and a 3,000 euro fine. Yes I know the report has gone of to FIM, I just hope they do what is right and I would ban him for 12 months from yesterday and if he wants to ride in gp's again he enters the qualifiers in 2016 meaning the earliest back in gp would be 2017. That would give him enough time to think about his actions and get himself sorted with some real friends who will tell him what he doesnt want to hear when thats needed.

ytsejam - I would like Emil to get a wild card for next years GP's, but have you read Phil Risings post after he interviewed Emil. Apparantly Emil does not want a wild card, he wants to qualify, so that means he cant be in until 2016 at the earliest.

Ok, I watched the Polish Championship final last night. I think I am right in saying it was the same Pawlicki that almost fenced Kasprezak in heat 1 and nearly blotted Zengota at the same place in the final - and in that one he looked across to the right as if he was looking to take someone (Zengota) out. I think he should have been excluded for that move on Zengota. Other then that it was a fair meeting, some really good races, some average. What it did show is Poland has depth of strenght in their riders at the moment. Thanks for the link. ps need to improve my Polish from "hello" and "goodbye" so I can take in the interviews and commentry.

Got the jist despite the typos. 60th Individual Final. Thats a good time. I remember a rider, think it was late 50's/early 60's - Anti Pajari (think that was his name), think he rode for Coventry and I think he was a Finnish rider. There is a lot of "thinks" in there as I am not sure. Any one else have any recollections??

Let us hold a meeting in August at a new track. Its summer time, weather is usually hot, so no need to worry about drains etc. They forgot there is a global warming which makes unpredictable weather. Doh! This sounds much like the thread on Malaysian Air Crash. An injustice has happened, but no one wants to accept the blame.

Thanks randr, I had spotted it. Shame both meetings cancelled.

If those faithful supporters have got tickets to see the Latvian Speedway GP in Riga and the "promotors" decide at the last minute to change the venue (to wherever) then those supporters should be taken (and returned) to see the Latvian Speedway GP. It sounds if it is going to be a case "its not my responsibility" and "its not our responsibility. It is someones responsibility that this speedway gp is not being held where it was advertised to be held. Supporters bought their tickets in good faith. If the organisers want continued support then I think may well be in their interest to get this sorted, and quickly, to the satisfaction of those supporters.

Good post IanT Really do feel for your sort who have spent good money to support a new venue just to be let down by what can only be termed bad management. The least the organisers do is transport all of you to Daugvapils foc.

Lovely, I can watch that tonight instead of Riga GP. Just think, with Riga GP being cancelled and rerun tomorrow I presume that puts paid to the other super meeting in Poland tomorrow. Too many gp stars going to be in latvia. Or is it still on with substitutes?

It was a disaster waiting to happen. The cause of cancellation was poor planning. I feel sorry for those who have travelled to Riga, which I believe to be a lovely city, only now have to go elsewhere tomorrow. Its ok for organisers to say some months ago the back up is Daugavpils, but using that option with just a few hours before the scheduled start is incredibly poor management IMO. Heads should roll..

Lets face it - all riders would love to be able to gate like Greg Hancock. Current youngsters on the gp scene are even getting lessons/advice from other successful gaters on how to do it on a regular basis - and still dont get it right all the time. Its an acquired art, and because Greg has taken the time and effort to perfect that art , to me, he is deserving of praise. As for his riding skill, again what he does is smooth and skilful. Sure his arms and legs are waving about like they dont belong to a body, but he wins races and got the off track charisma to make him a very saleable commodity. The reason he probably cant pass from the back as esily as others is probably due to the fact he is usually up front and doesnt get too much practice being behind others. lol Yes, I have no doubt he will be missed when he eventually hangs up the leathers. But at the moment he is still top of his game so probably another couple years yet - who knows. Could he get to 50 and still be at the top? Hope so. But we are a long way off "Emil Sayfutdinov 2015"

Is this meeting recorded anywhere - even if its in Polish I would like to see the meeting.

That track should have been ready for racing weeks ago, and had a meeting or two - not just a few riders having a go. It was a bit like Brazil and the world cup, finishing off at the last minute - rarely ever good management.

Love the charicatures. Thanks for those.

Should be a good evening. Although I competed in club solo grass track racing used to enjoy watching the sidecars. Can be very spectacular.

plus his cuppa so that makes 16 cups of coffee.

Saw yesterday the bank invovled in the Ecclestone matter has refused to accept £20 million settlement - so be interesting where it goes next.

Who amongst us grumbles about paying the TV licence? The alternative to TV licence is advertising, after all someone has to pay for the programmes. Having been starved of speedway since the early 80's I just glad I get "free" access from Eurosport (ok I pay Sky for the "general" programme package which includes BritEurosport). I dont mind too much about the adverts - they mostly come when the track is being graded anyway so whats the big fuss about. Interesting meeting when the inside line was much faster then the wider line (generally speaking) - maybe Smolinski could have been a winner last night (had he been there).