Ozrik

What was Egon Muller's biggest hit single? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBTuilMWX5g Check the 80's video effects!

Yes, however to clarify my point, both nations have strong cultural and economic ties, and there still is The Commonwealth of Nations. You could say that adds strength to the situation regarding Australian/NZ riders in GB. I think Aussie riders present far more positives for British League racing than negatives, and any problems British speedway is having are not the fault of Australian riders. You are right, there is a strong case for an easing of the qualifications regarding work visas for Aussie/NZ riders. I think the real concern is that young Australian riders (untried) may find it more difficult to get that first team position, which is so important to the future development of a speedway career. Your promoters are not dills (mostly) and very few of our riders given the chance in League racing turn out as abject failures. The way our State and national title are organised now is a fairly stringent test of young riders any way. Only the top 8 are seeded (gp riders, State title podiums) the rest go through a qualifying meeting to fill the remaining positions.

Are there similar 'qualification' requirements placed on other foreign riders. Australia and GB have a long history of flexible visa and working arrangements. Why make this stipulation now. It borders on discrimination. Laughable.

So we could see the QANTAS Australian speedway team competing in the WTC 2016.

I missed this post when you listed it, firstly i also agree that the NZ speedway promoters/riders need to be highly praised for their efforts in putting the League together. Should be great. You pose a fair question about Australian League racing. It never really has been tried properly in this country. I believe from time to time in the 70s there were matches between state teams; Vic v SA, NSW v Qld, and some of the stronger tracks had their own teams, like the Mildura Marauders for instance, who would compete in one off matches against other tracks. However there was no structured league as such, and most of these initiatives ceased long ago. During this period (lets say upto 2000) bikes often raced at tracks built for car racing, but as these tracks have altered their racing surface to suit cars (clay base), and more recently with changing safety requirements, bikes are largely restricted to purpose built tracks. This is not a bad situation, it simply means there are not as many quality venues for speedway bikes and sidecars to race at. For example i think there are only five or six clubs in the whole country that have permanent air bag systems in place. On many occassions distance and associated travel cost have been cited as a barrier to league racing in Australia. Then of course, and most importantly, there is the desire of promoters and riders to consider. They are some of the reasons why league racing has not been promoted in this Australia. So, can we overcome these issues, of course we can, if and when we decide to. We have strong depth in riders, with many good domestic and junior riders that could fill team positions. The South East of the country has four strong speedway regions with good race tracks and facilities. Each of these areas could field a team. This would minimise the travel burden as much as possible. There certainly would be no problem with scheduling as the league matches could replace some of the local meetings which really are nothing more than practice days for club riders. This would give clubs a focal point for advertising and would draw more fans through the gate. I know i would rather see Gillman Giants v Mildura Marauders involving the local riders. May even get enough spectators to pay point money. Who is going to make this a reality, i don't know. Perhaps that is the true reason why Australia does not have a viable speedway league.

Yes Waiheke, we are almost there in any case. They could do four regional rounds almost from the rider mix they have now. Including Latvia (or other Baltic States in the Nordic round is spot on), but i still like the current system. Important thing is either qualification route does give an opportunity for the three best riders to progress to the gp rounds. Maybe they should make it four qualifying riders, like some people say.

Good to see speedway being taken to the world again in 2016. Thats right, no one outside of Europe wants to see any of these meetings.

I see. I was unaware that the various federations actually requested positions. Still i think the Czech and Slovene are lucky to get as many places as they did. If the US are serious about the future of their speedway they should start getting their riders involved. Surely Manzares and Ruml are equal to number 3 and 4 in Slovenia. When Hancock goes, US speedway will be lost. Not necessary. The current system provides more opportunity for weaker federations to put their riders forward, and i this is important for the growth and support of speedway internationally. The Overseas final would be for riders not from mainland Europe. GB, Aust. US, NZ, and Argentina. We could fill the 16 positions, however the two continental rounds would not give the same opportunity to riders from nations like Hungary, Holland and France for example. Just my opinion but i think the four generic rounds work well.

Good to see lesser nations/non league nations, get a chance. However, i would question the Czech allocation of 5 places, even Slovenia with three places. Especially when Russia has only 2 places and the US only one. Overall i think the allocations are fair. I know some of the minor federations are not as strong, but it is important they are included. I like the FIM approach.

Looks good.

Yes, i read Peter Whites publication every issue. Sadly it is the only printed speedway paper in this country with a fair coverage of the local bike scene. The magazine i referred to (5-1), was a British magazine, similar to Speedway Star. It has probably gone out of print the same as the ones you were involved with.

I can remember reading a speedway mag called 5 - 1, back in the late 80s and 90s when it was available off the shelf in Australia. What happened to that?

Good to see successful meetings in countries other than the big 4 (GB, Swed, Den, Pol). Good support from the riders to return for the reschedule after a rain off, and it looks like the Dutch riders were competitive in this field. I notice the meeting format is very similar to how meetings are run in Australia, and yes we get through them fairly quickly as well. One more point; a lot of young Dutch riders in 125, but i wonder where they go if eventually they choose to ride speedway for an income?

That would be great, very cool. Don't know how the meets are allocated, but Gillman is also a great Aussie track.

Six rider, six laps. Good way to end a meeting. In fact the whole 5 days of speedway in Mildura was great. Track generally good, professionally presented, nice crowds with quite a few from over seas, and the weather was great. I did hear some Brits complaining about the delay in starting time because of the position of the sun.When was the last time they had that problem in Britain. Anyway once the meetings got going great racing. Very fast layout the new track. People in Mildura very friendly and helpful.

Good pics. You have a great job.

Olympic Park looking picturesque as always, track in great condition. All looked impressive at practice on Thursday, but Poles clearly a class above and had no problem adapting to Mildura circuit. On Saturday night they overwhelmed all opposition and won 15 of the 20 heats. Not even the Danes could stem the tide. Disappointing result for the Aussie blokes, never in the hunt, and Germany just a few bike lengths off the pace. So entertaining meeting, well attended (not full), but not much to cheer about for the home supporters. Great to see the young Poles and Danes live in this country, a unique opportunity these days. When will we see the senior wtc. here in Aussie. Gillman would draw 6 to 8 000, for that. Any way back to Olympic Park for Phil Crump International on Monday.

Non speedway region??? Seriously?? In what terms of reference is that statement made? The city of Melbourne has no track, however speedway in Australia is alive and well. Dont dismiss Australia because we don't have league racing. Unlike some have suggested, we don't have heavies forcibly dragging people in off the street, and they're not giving away tickets. Sponsorships were sold as packages. Anything over 30k will be a success, and who knows what effect national promotion would have had. Tickets range from $49 to round $250 depending on seat. You do the sums, if they can't make that work, then take it back to Finland. Get down here and have a look!!

Track looks good. Pedersen on instagram, after Crump test run. Great looks cool. I assume he was talking about the track. Certainly looks solid anyway.

That looks fantastic. Etihad Stadium is made for that track. Spectators have good vision from anywhere in the stadium too. This is gonna be a blinder. Would cap it off if Holder or Doyle could win.

I wasn't aware of that, thought you had to register, verify source, etc. I might give it a try. Thanks.

I am not a registered contributor to Wikipedia or i would list it myself. Even though some content is a bit dubious, wikipedia is still a great resource, a library in your living room. Go on and list it ace.

Some really odd sports listed there, (cyclo-cross?) why not speedway.

What promotion? I live in S.A. and the gp is in Melbourne, Vic. 8 days out and we certainly haven't heard anything about it. I would have expected some form of national approach to the advertising, TV and newspaper at least. The domestic speedway publications advertise it, as are the speedway track websites. However these only reach avid speedway fans. Doesn't seem to be much effort to attract the general public. It all seems very low key. I recall an appropriate quote "speedway is the best kept secret in motorsport". By contrast, the Moto gp is on this weekend at Philip Island, also in Victoria, and that has been advertised nationally for the last week, (i know bigger budget, different profile) etc. but what about the speedway GP. Maybe they are concentrating on the home state, or perhaps they will ramp it up next week. I try not to be negative as i believe its a great sport with a great future in the right hands, but no one seems prepared to back it financially at any level these days. Certainly seems to be the current thought on this forum, or is that just my perception. How much advertising does Cardiff get?

You could add: Ukraine; Karpov/Loktaev Holland; De Jong/Pijper Croatia; Pavlic/Stojs.... but i think he is actually Slovene.