OveFundinFan

Good to hear there are so many training tracks about.

So, does ANYBODY know for a fact .... 1) he qualified from a meeting where it was declared that a rider would get first reserve at the Aussie 2017 GP or 2) he qualified by virtue of retiring and the Aussies thought it would be "nice" to make Aussie GP 2017 his final meeting.

Its an "Ouch" from me.

OK, if Davy Watt qualified then fair do.

I dont know Davy Watts or what he has done in his speedway career, and I suppose there is no harm in him being meeting reserve. But I do think that having a youngster in that spot (maybe Morris/Kurtz) would be an opportunity to let them soak up the atmosphere of a home GP from the pit perspective - after all, they are likely to be there one day whilst the likes of a Davy Watt is not. And any case, if Austrailian speedway wanted to celebrat his riding career then shouldnt that be done at an Australian level and not a world level. Just my opinions.

O dear, that's not so good news then.. Unless there is another reason for his relatively poor form. His pass on Kildemand in Stockholm was brilliant, he did a v.good pass last night. But overall he is lack lustre. ANd last week in Pardubice he didn't make the final, which he won last year. Re Max Fricke - he was unconscious, I have no doubt about that, and IMO in that state while he was still being thrown about according to video clips I seen. Best thing was done - withdraw him from the meeting. Hope he is there in Aussie for the next GP. Re trophies, when I saw the first one being carried to the podium I thought "that's a proper trophy". But then I realised what it was and changed my mind quickly - they were as bad as the 4 different coloured piano keys we seen too much of this year. I know TW got criticised for giving away his 2016 WTC medal to a young girl, and believe he threw his Prem League runner up medal into the BV crowd, but more then likely a lot of riders probably don't display them, some riders probably win all sorts as they rising up the success ladder that it would take massive amount of room to display them. Make it a proper cup, or glass trophy (if say in Czech etc) for the winner, medals for 2nd/3rd in the GPs, and a trophy each for 1,2,3 in the world championship at the end of the year.

Another good meeting, but lacking some sparkle that has been present at some other GPs this year. Obviously Doyle was looking after himself, but by doing so probably made it hard work, some of his races were tough. TW very much in with a chance of a medal at the end of the Aussie GP, Janowski has blown it. I reckon FL will be kicking himself - a chance of 2nd or 3rd in the world missed. He will remember 2017 as the year he won the PLRC, lost a league winners medal, but by far the worst - he lost a chance of 2nd or 3rd in the world. That chance may have gone now, unless he can really put it together next year. Lindback fizzle has gone out, such an exciting rider when riding well, just ordainary when he is off the boil. Maybe the last time we see him in the GPs. I reckon Piotr Pawlicki will be well gutted, he drops out of the GP, and his brother comes in. AArgh! Emil, whats wrong with him, not gating well, off the pace more times then he is on it. He says he having engine problems. Well do what others do, change engine tuners. Roll on the final GP in Aussie, could be interesting. I dont think the Poles will gang up on Doyle, as someone suggested. They dont seem to have team rode this year at all - well different to what it may have been in the 60's/70's

Hancock NKI NP FL (if he needs it-he may hang on to 8th) Milik, Lebedevs Fricke will be the first 3 reserves

If he makes the rostrum tonight, and I hope he does, he must be in line for a wild card next year. Hes done well already in the few GPs he had this year, and won the Golden Helmet in Pardubice last week.

Its sad to think that Freddie has lost any chance of being in the world top 3, and conceivably he could finish outside the top 8, though I am sure he will be offered a wild card if that was the case. Certainly is a caseof....what could have been.

As its being televised it will be over within 2 hours, barring no accidents.

At times I not sure Zmarzlik has all his marbles.

Could be early season 2018, early April. Two problems I see with that - tough meeting and riders are not match fit, and, riders need winter months to get sponsors (money) and time to get a regime to take them through 12 GP's. So on one hand, it sounds a good idea, in practice its not so good.

Thanks for that, I remember watching Edmund Migos on his visits to the UK.

Thanks to DutchGrasstrack for the live link. Really good meeting, Drabik deserved the acolades. Its a very wide track, Saturdays meeting will have 6 riders per heat. I think for 4 rider meeting they ought to 4 gates marked out in the space, perhaps, of 3. Outside rider would still have the same space on first bend to do a swoop round.

Opening pit gates for stoppages due to tape infringements, just wave the riders round. 2 minutes on striaght away. Dont mind pit gates opening if there has been a crash and rider needs to sort himself out or his bike.

Just read that Freddie is out for the rest of the season. He had a chance of being 2nd or 3rd in the world championship (you dont get many chances) and threw it away at BV on Friday night. Threw it away,and for what - British Premiership Champion medal. I know which one I would rather have, and its a WC medal. Just cant understand his judgement - then I remember whats been said "speedway riders leave their brains at the pit gate". All the work this year thrown away in one race - and the video clip I seen isnt that good but looks to me if the cause of the Bjerre crash was Freddies.

What does the current ruling say about wild cards? Whether or not it says anything at all, it has now become custom and practice to consider for the 4 wild card places any that finish out of the top 8, whether it be for reason of injuries or "hard luck", lack of form or whatever. What I would not like to see it that more places are given to fresh faces. This year there are 3 fresh faces coming from the GP Challenge, to me that is enough fresh faces for one gp year. Reason being its tough in the GPs, and not everyone getting into can perform at the highest level consistently over a gp season. So keep it as it is....... and just consider one of the main benefits - as it is, it provides lots of discussion on the BSF, without the current wild card it would leave the forum fairly quiet.

Ordered it early Saturday morning and received it today. Its softback and A4 size.- 130 pages Brilliant photos, lots from many years back, great photos of bikes, a 5-stud JAP machine is brilliant. Big article about Alf Hagon, photo of Barry Briggs on a scramble machine with white shirt and tie - probably turned up somewhere and was offered a bash on a bike and couldnt resist Looking forward to reading the chapter when a Greaves 2 stroke and a BSA B50 were trialled at speedway, the Weslake story, a chapter on Don Godden, Peter Collins, yep, I think this is going to be a good read. For £6.99 inc postage, wonderful.

I think 1st round at NSS if it was end of April (like this year) could be too early to guarantee good weather. If Cardif could come forward or further back then that would leave NSS in the middle of the year.Its wether Cardiff could be moved.

I thought it was a pretty ok meeting, not the best but certainly had its touches of brilliance. Re the commentators, personally I dont mind them at all, but appreciate others dont like the presentation. Its a bit like brexit, if we had a vote it could turn out 48-52 and the losers would keep moaning forever. It is what it is, get on with it. A bit of a bore when it gets mentioned EVERY gp. Re Peter Kildemand. Bellevueace - last couple years he been theatrical in his riding, or should I say falls, so he not NP in waiting, hes been there but NP was taking the limelight. Re the PK-CH clash. If Holder had not been waving his leg about and lifted just as he got to the corner, thereby being not in control of his machine, the refs decision could have been different. Re the starting fiasco, yes they all know the rules, dont move before the tapes do. However, the ref was consistent with his tape release so they should have tuned in. However, I still say that a computer should randomly release the tapes between one and three seconds so no rider can predict when the tapes go. All would have to be on their toes. Nothing been said much about the poles - last night once again that Zmarzlik is a full throttle merchant, doesnt have much throttle control at all that I can see, and at times he is dm right dangerous and I wouldnt like him neither in front of or behind me. Dudek, bit of a let down this year. Hard to say that when he is still 2nd in the points table, but showing a lot of immaturity. Perhaps those 2 riders are lacking experience riding smaller tracks ie UK, unlike Magic of Pawlicki. Zagar, a treat to watch when in full flow, but not consistent enough. Its good he is fighting for a top 8 place, but he should be fighting for a top 3 place. I wonder whether he lacks confidence in himself. Perhaps he may do well having a session with a head guru. I think 2 gp wins in one season guarantees him a place next year even if he doesnt get top 8 this year. Emil, brilliant passing last night, especially the one passing Kildemand. But where has his gating skill gone to. Much easier to win if you in the lead from the start. He just seems to be lacking something that he had in 2013. And finally, things could be worse, I just tuned in to Moto gp in Aragon and this morning pre race practice is fogged off, yet when the sun comes through (and it will) it is forcast the heat will be massive.

Talking about earnings or paying to ride........I was very surprised to hear whilst watching free practice for the Moto GPs in Aragon yesterday that riders in Moto 2, the 600cc class, only aprox third get paid to ride, a third ride for nothing, and a third have to pay for a ride. These are the riders that this year are riding in 18 GP's around the world at top level (for their class) and only a third get paid. The costs to ride a bike even in GP 2 must be very high. GP 3, the 250 class, wasnt specifically detailed but whs run something similar. Its only when (if) they get to Moto GP that they may earn a return on their investment in Moto 1 & 2. Of course in F1, some drivers pay for their drive. They have to find it from personal sponsorship or a VERY rich dad.

Just ordered it.

The Golden Helmet is where Nicki P got his neck injury last year. Fantastic final, he was right on Emils back tyre - too close he touched it and fell. Emil went on to win the Golden Helmet.

Sounds he taken the best route for him - this season is done, so let the wound heal fully and then see how it goes.