OveFundinFan

Maybe one reason why the attendance fell this year is because some people may not be able to relate to Tai Woffinden. Hes the only GB rider in the GP's so he should be loved by everyone. But 1) he does not ride in the British speedway league 2) he does not ride in the British Championship 3) probably worst of all - he does not ride for GB 4) some dont like the tatoos he has - of all the top GB atheletes/sportsperson he is the one with the most that are visible. 5) some do not like the swearing he comes out with in normal conversation.. Of course, some on this forum dont mind any of the above, but equally there are some that do object to some if not all of the above. The crowd seems to be less then before, and some who were there say that not as much cheering for Tai. .

Out of the next 6 gp's, two are in Poland, two in Sweden (which he will ride regularly) and one in Aussie, which will be similar to Cardiff track.

Same time of year as 2017 then. What "we" dont have is the booking schedule for the Principality Stadium. Maybe they already booked up for earlier dates. Few years ago it used to be June, maybe thats not available. Or the fact they need more then a week that they used to have to build the track. Remember Warsaw was only 2015 and that fiasco with the track is what sent the building of the track from 1 week up to nearly 2 weeks. Perhaps they cant have up to 2 weeks in June. Or it could be available dates for other GP's that are a problem. None of us know what may effect selection of dates, so its so easy to criticise.

I think with the temporary stands at the 2016 world team championship, BV was close to 9000. Its a race track, arguably the only track in the UK that would be fit for a GP (apart from Cardiff). Its obvious it would be a sell out within days if not hours., so television viewing essential - and BT do a good job. Would you really want a GP at micky mouse tracks like most are when on the inside of a dog track?

Dont forget this match is in BT Sport

I wouldnt rule too many out yet. Apart from the engine failure in the final, Zmarzlik would have had a massive amount of points at Cardiff/ There is still 6 rounds to go, mostly on well known tracks to the riders. Just hit good form, get it right on the night and someone can still make up 20 or so points, in the next 4 meetings, making the last 2 very interesting.

In slow motion yes he did touch the bottom tape. I suppose that is a similar view the ref would have and he does have access to slow motion repeats? If thats the case he should have picked up it. I took the opportunity to look at a number of races again, particularly heat 4 when Zagar was brilliant (just wish he could produce that consistently), and heat 11 - the race of the night and maybe the GP year. Do wish they would not open the pit gates when there has been a false start - no need for it, and interrupts the flow of the meeting to its detriment. Re the BT commentators, Levin and Pearson. I know more then a few get annoyed with their excitement, but I find it ok. Its talked about on BSF how the Polish crowd add to the excitement of the meeting, and things would be more drab if they quietened down. Same goes with the commentating by Kelvin and Pearson. I remember very well the 1967 world final at Wembley, the night Ove Fundin won his 5th world title. The gang I was with couldnt contain ourselves with excitement in the stands, and if I had been commentating that night that would have come over just like Kelvin and Pearson do. Excitement breeds excitement - obviously not on BSF.

If you go next year, and accepting the cost for one day/night is £350, then 1) book earlier and you can choose maybe cheaper hotel/b&b 2) stay a second night, hotel prices fall on the Sunday night a lot, so you get more for your money.

Really! May agree with you if he was news in most national papers, facial photo shots included. And never seen him on the likes of Question of Sport, or any other entertainment program where sport celebrities appear. British speedway is lacking someone that is charismatic and media savvy, someone somewhere must be ........ needs to be found and promoted for the benefit of British speedway. Lets face it.... even the tough sports like rugby, kick boxing etc are lacking far behind tai in terms of visible tattoos. They, and other sports, are the sports that get a lot of sponsorship and funding..... not speedway.

As I understand the Welsh government or Cardiff Council put a lot of money into the Cardiff GP. Maybe the return is in the business it drums up for the area. Dont know any detail but perhaps if the meeting was held in a way that lots of supporters did not spend money in Cardiff then maybe the authorities would not be backing the GP so much. Maybe the Principality Stadium would not be available to speedway. What goes round comes round.

If I would have been him, I think I would want to go out at the top, and after winning the World Champ. last year that may have been the moment. Not even Greg can keep going forever, and he has done extremely well - take some super person to match what GH has done.

Cardiff hosts a multitude of events throughout the year and if you check you will find hotel prices rise when these events take place. The same goes for any major city be it London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Belfast. Its the way the market works unfortunately. Three years ago we stayed 18 miles north of Cardiff and paid about £65 per room b&b on the Saturday night, then droppped into Cardiff Quay for a Travel Lodge on the Sunday night at around £45 per room b&b. Travel Lodge on the Sat night would have been lot more on the Saturday night.

Dont suppose we will get to know the official attendance, but I reckon it must have been down from previous years. OK, the middle tier seemed as full as before, it was the upper tier....seemed a lot more empty spaces. Janowski rode very well. 3 lightening starts in the semi and the final. After the ref wrongly called his first semi start back (then apologised) the pressure must have increased for him to do it again....but he did. Then again in the final with Zmarzlik on the inside of him, and Zmarzlik was going well from the starts anyway. Got to have that confidence and self belief you can do it, and Janowski did it. I hope Greg recovers well, we all know it takes longer to recover from accidents when you are older, Greg has done very well to get to his age and still be in the mix. I wouldnt like to see him retire in this situation, same goes with Nicki - even if he comes back I dont think he will get to the top flight again. Will all be a big shame if we loose two big ones in one year.

I thought Cookie was more in the mix then last time he was at Cardiff. He had some close fast riding tonight, something he ducked out of last time (not that I could do it) Fantastic racing tonight, really close. Heat 11 was amazing, all 4 finishing really close. Well done Josh and Adam, both will have got something out of the meeting. About time BSPA got their finger out and really developed the younger riders by giving them more chance to race abroad.

Grumbles on the forum if they dont go to Aussie Grumbles on the forum if they do go to Aussie Wondefull

Theres at least two thoughts on that.

Emil appears to have given up on practice days. If I remember correctly he didnt ride in the WTC practice, nor the last GP practice day.

This year, every GP draw that comes out, I just look at the heats and think Wow. Every heat is tops, the field this year is so good. And one meeting soon NKI, Zagar and PK are going to join the party (which they well capable of doing) and the meeting will be absolutely unforgettable. It could be tomorrow .

Cooks on gate 1 in heat 3, I think thats what he was on in 2015 when he won the race.

I think someone else had the problem of the recording ending before the actual end of meeting. Think the poster found out he could delay the finish on his recorder.

I will go for Lindback to make it a double - thats if the flying Lindback turns up, other then that he will 5 or 6

I just wish BT would get there finger out and provide me with the fast fibre I signed up for March 9th, well before the start of this years GP's It should have been installed on March 29th, latest date is August 2nd. The "local" box is just 10 metres across a narrow road (private road) and my front garden. Fibres in there, neighbours on that side of the road have it installed, was only last Friday they dug up the road, laid a tube, today Openreach been out and pushed the cable through and installed a box on the wall. The number of OR (OpenReach) guys have been out over the months is ridiculous, Sometimes 2 in different vans, sometimes a lone guy, they come for 15 min then disappear. One week there was 3 days I was promised someone would come, no show either day - no reason why given. The guys last Friday who dug the trench couldnt understand why job not been done sooner - no big problem they said. I have had BT Sport on my mobile since March, but with current b/band speed of 1.2mb/s, by the time I cast it to the TV its not a brilliant picture, yes I can watch it, but not brilliant. By the time Aug 2nd comes there will have been 7 of the 12 GP.s gone............ may as well give up till next year now... I see it as the contract hasnt been started. Dont suppose it would go down well with BT though. Thats my moan for the day.

The problem is....who will stand up against the Polish authorities, because whoever does can say goodbye to riding in Poland. UNLESS, as Orlov alludes to...it will take a number of the very top riders to refuse to sign Polish contracts with that clause in.... the likes of Hancock, TW, Doyle, plus the 4 top Poles in the GP's. Without a stand of that quality its a non starter.

I think Fast Freddie this year has cleaned his act up - maybe its because hes in front more and not being challenged as much, thats a maybe.

Too many are very picky about the commentators. Its a very difficult job and those criticising probably would not do any better. I find them ok, but not everyone will agree, thats ok.