Technik

I'm guessing........ Not well I was one of the few not to pick Cooper Rushen, I had him in my initial line up but then had a rethink. Looking back maybe I think to much!!!

I was at Rye House when Andrew Silver was riding for them in his later years & on the other side was Gary Havelock. It was fantastic to watch the two of them switching lines in the turn standing the bike up. Of course they were both masters of throttle control & finding the best from their machines on the surface provided. Today we have many riders who are just throttle jockey's & ride flat out until they run out of talent

I think there is a difference between style & entertainment. having seen two riders at either side in the same team Jem Doncaster making starts with no motor & riding around in a lounge chair with Armando Castagna all action full gas & hanging of the bike like an epelectic spider.

I understand the concern over the name change. It didn't work at Reading mainly because it was a new promotion starting straight after Bill Dore & Pat Bliss had sold the business. There were a lot of changes & they were not received well by the existing fan base & by the time BSI pulled out to allow Mark Legg & Malc Holloway to take over a sinking ship the damage was unrepairable dispite an imidiate return to the "Racers" name. Oxford have in the main been the Cheetahs but for a while were the Rebels. Plymouth have had more than a few names over their years. I hope it all works out for Buxton whatever they want to call it. They have been missing for to long it will be good to see a track return rather than another closing

It was a massive undertaking to enter all 3 levels. But after giving it a fair chance i'd say the top league was not as popular at Oxford & the costs to run a team at that level is much higher & to run a club that is to be racing in the finals is higher again. Oxford are suited to the Championship & National leagues. Through these leagues we have seen more than a few riders develope into very promising riders Jenkins, Killeen, Scott & even Boughan have come from the lowest league with Oxford to race at a higher level & for that they should be proud

Whilst not being a fan of the guest facility to compare British Speedway to the way Rugby, Football or Cricket works is misguided. Our team structure is based on a solid 7 man team with no extras. If you go along to other sports they have many substitutes they can bring into a game at any point or even start different players for each game. The position of Goalkeeper at most football clubs is for one person with a second sitting on the bench & a third who trains but never selected. Ice Hockey has 3 or 4 lineups for each game changing on the fly. Rugby has 5 replacements each game, In all reality are they not using a simiular facility to speedway.

Franz Mario & Fabiola Hausl At Pardubice

Yes you are correct. that fact I had forgotten. it was a hectic final & so much happened

In the first start of the final Doyle was disqualified for causing Lebedevs to fall on turn 3 lap 2. Then Bednar was also disqualified for a tapes offence in the re-run. Only 4 starters in the final of which Lebedevs led for almost the entire race, he suffered a puncture on the exit of turn 2 of lap 6 & was only passed by Berge on the final run in. I believe had this not of happened Lebedevs would have recorded the fastest time for a final which is currently held by Nicki Pedersen

Don't judge everyone else by your own clubs standards.

I would think if there are spaces Zagar would be included as an option

In all fairness You can't punish a man for not turning up until he hasn't turned up. So until the meeting is over he could turn up & if he doe's is a punishment applicable & if he fails to show then the punishment can be applied after the event

Any news for the Ribbon event on the Saturday

Try Jan Steachman. He has a business that reproduces old footage from cine film, VHS & DVD to a new version

I always believed Vinnie was from Sussex

I know the North South league has been mentioned many times. I fear the biggest issue there is just that some riders will want to ride in both & there will be a time when both teams the rider is in will be racing on the same night then an even bigger problem is on our hands. I know earlier this season a team came to Oxford for an NL level fixture & one of their riders was missing so they used a guest as per the rules. The rider they were using had an average in both variations of this seasons NL leagues & the higher average ment he could not ride in place of the injured rider as his average in that league was higher although lower in the other league.

I wouldn't think Oxford riders are owed money. If they were Janowski's Polish team would not let him travel.

I strongly doubt that Emil Sayfuinov or Artem Laguta will even be considered for a WC choice. The FIM still has a no Russian policy & thats not just for Track Racing. Although both former Russians are now believed to be Polish nationals neither has competed in the PZM Polish Championship so would probebly not be nominated by the National Federation

To my knowledge trackmen listen to everyone & take their advice on board.... ...Then produce the same track they prepare every other week!!

Ahh speedway...... ....If its not rained off its dusty

I wonder what the riders get paid for the superheat. The points are 4,3,2,0 instead of 3,2,1,0. The points don't count in the overall score. The points are not included in the riders averages. There is no bonus point available. I remember the golden double tactical ride in black & white from a 15M handicap in gate 4. I know some star riders refused to take the ride as it was not to their advantage as should they win it added 6 to the team total but they would only be paid for 3. with added risks of having to pass each rider & excessive wear & tear to machinary they felt a bit put out.

Whilst I agree Knudsen has missed more Wednesday nights for Oxford than he has ridden I'd have to say the age difference between him & Thomson would possibly suggest Knudsen is still unable to miss his national league fixtures. With Gusts his situation is slightly complex as he was in Oxfords Premiership squad racing on Thursday night & then was dropped to the Championship side but he had already commited to race on Wednesdays for a Danish club so where a clash occurs the Danes have priority. I see it's a bit messy & agree that the fans are not seeing their riders each week but at least we are all getting to see speedway racing win loose or draw.

I can understand your frustration. However any form of final meeting comes with a massive cost, All riders involved would have to be paid by the promotion then you have the problem of attracting the best riders to bring in the crowd. it's a tough choice but Birmingham speedway has lost enough money all due respect to the promotion but even they have to admit it's just a bridge to far to host a farewell even.

I would agree that if we are to form one league it would be now. So many times the top league has been propped up by clubs that cannot afford top line riders & have to run weaker teams. The introduction of the Rising Star system once again what ever name it has been labeled in the past has again for the most part been a failure. riders like Leon Flint could retire at 35 as a rising star. One league would suit British Speedway I know great servants to the UK like Jason Doyle will no doubt suffer but we must move forward & stop dwelling in the past. Britain can produce great riders but we have to understand the draw of Poland & the FIM events with the rewards they bring. Sport offers a short career with very little to offer after your done. Some clubs may close after this season for one reason or another, We already know Birmingham will not return & there are rumours surrounding many others & most in the top league. There may have to be comprimise as so many riders are racing for more than one club in different leagues so 6 man teams might be the answer. I can't see a North/South split being a good option as we will be at square one again with riders at 2 clubs & the end of season play off would be N v S with 6 guests to cover those racing against their other club

I think this will be closer than you think. I believe it will be a home town win but only 6 points will be the difference