Storming Norman

For the first time, I was bored watching a Grand Prix. Individual races didn't mean much until the riders last rides. I missed the regular races of death under the old system where riders were desperate to get second place or they were out. I found the new format boring. Maybe others didn't?

Until recently. I loved the Grand Prixs. Always great entertainment. The man made tracks gave a different type of excitement. But always lots of passing and excitement. Recently they've been boring. Reason? Rubbish track preparation. Sort it Postlethaite. There can be no excuses. The track is more important than the format.

Congratulations Tomasz. So it'll all be decided at Hamar. Tony Steele bottled the hard decisions as usual. You can predict his decisions depending on which riders are involved. Wonder if he stays at the same hotel as the riders?

What happened to Lisa Wibberly wobbly?

Apologies for me also going off topic just this once: Or "Don't slouch, Darling" after the wonderful Lord Flashard had knocked him out over the desk. But there were so many great lines.

Fair enough mate. Yes I should have spotted that. I'm also a fan of the good General. Shame he wasn't there to sort things out at the World Cup Final in his incisive way. Come to think of it, perhaps he was advising BSI, FIM and Olsen on how best to quieten the reaction!

General Melchitt, it would have been highly appropriate for you to have signed off with "Baaaaaa" !!!

When people commit an offence they are punished for a period of time. IMO Andersen's time is nowhere near up and wont be until GB get a chance to put things right at the next World Cup. Personally I don't want him to earn pay cheques from British Speedway until the next World Cup. For my part, I wont pay to see him race here until then and I sincerely hope no EL club signs him next year. However, I accept some will have different views as they should accept I do.

Brave of you to put your head above the parapet Poole Tourism although you're as entitled to your views as those of us who are anti-Hans. I'm pleased Poole Tourism is putting sponsorship money into speedway and that you feel you're getting a good return. To be fair, you haven't got any local top Brits to sponsor in Poole. That would be ideal as I suspect British fans would react even better. I'm sure Hans very much appreciates your support. Equally, you should be able to understand why so many British fans are so angry with Hans.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. The difficulty for Hans supporters is his claim that he didn't see Peter Karlsson coming when the TV pictures clearly show him look twice then shut off. Hence I don't believe the rest of what he said and feel he shouldn't be surprised that people like me don't want to see him do well. We've always had controversial riders or "villains" and IMO Hans has made himself one with most British supporters.

I think it depends on the reaction of us the fans. If enough say they wont buy tickets wherever he's chosen as a wild card, he wont be!

It was mate - to give a balance. I wouldn't want Andersen thinking all British fans are congratulating him on winning.

I've also had enough of Nigel Pearson and Sam. Pearson is like the lad next door suddenly asked to have a go at commentating a G Prix after a few hours coaching. Sam's american expressions now grate as do his inevitable bias to "Greg". Bring back Millard and Kelvin.

After what most of us think Andersen did to this country, he doesn't deserve our congratulations IMO. I was very sorry to see him win.

Disappointing Grand Prix compared to the usual great ones. Racing so so on a track that was difficult to pass on. Lee R unlucky. Loram bottled the first bend IMO in HT 4 and set himself on the slippery path. I've noticed in the past when interviewed in G Prixs he doesn't seem to have the enthusiasm anymore. Thankfully Scott in the semis. Commentators were dull. I missed Kelvin's "ooooooohss" and Tony Millard's lively style. Nigel Pearson is dull and Sam is wearing thin now. Both like to sit on the fence. Millard and Kelvin are lively and much more professional. Who was the ref as they failed to tell us? Biggest disappointment was Andersen winning it.

Should we not be expecting a formal Statement by the FIM regarding what action they are taking to investigate suggestions that the race was thrown and for financial considerations?

Maybe the owners of the site think it's a proportionate response? If Andersen has listed his sponsors on his site, he and they are inviting communication. Everyone can make up their own mind whether to e-mail any of his sponsors eg suggesting they transfer their sponsorship to another rider ideally a Brit.

Excellent idea. Add that you wont buy tickets for any Grand Prixs featuring Andersen as a wild card. That should do it.

The issue isn't whether Scott would have beaten PK. We'll never know. Although I would accept the odds were against. It's whether it was a fair race and whether Andersen committed the worst offence of all, taking a bribe to throw a race. Sam and Chris Louis know what to look for and they thought .... If the FIM wont investigate and give us justice and integrity, should British fans ensure justice is done? The mere threat of a boycott to start at a future date eg 1st September, should be enough. The BSPA could ensure Ipswich don't lose out covering his place.

Excellent ideas SCB. Force Andersen out but give Ipswich the chance not to be weakened. Give ipswich the choice to exceptionally have a guest to the end of the season or sign Hamill or Holta who I think would come in on a 4 pointer anyway.

Ipswich should replace Hans Andersen with him.

Like with goalkeepers at football, we used to have the best refs in the World. Sadly all 3 British refs on the international circuit are an embarrassment. All 3 have shown themselves to be bottlers and with poor judgement. Who choses which of our refs do international meetings? Olsen? Tony "second class" Steele must have the skin of a rhino to want to continue to ref at international level when he is so clearly out of his depth. Doesn't the guy watch his meetings on Sky when he gets home?

One of the excellent Poles or Holta? But surely there is a much bigger issue here? This is a rare chance to set standards in British Speedway. Afterall, Ipswich or any other track could lose a top man - through injury. In such exceptional circs, I'd also give Ipswich a second option of bringing in Gollab, PK or Hamill as a 5 pointer providing they shed a point elsewhere. Sadly I think we need to take radical action as I don't think Andersen will care much about being booe'd etc. Only if he's hit in the pocket.

When two experienced riders in the "cool" of the commentary box say "he done that on purpose" and question whether there was a financial inducement, there must be a case to answer. A decent governing body would investigate whether Hans Andersen took a bribe to throw the decisive final race. So FIM/Olsen probably wont. I hope Ipswich will quickly consider Andersen's position after what he has done to British speedway and his Ipswich team mate. Whatever, we the fans have the opportunity to ensure justice is done. If you don't want to contribute to Andersen's wages, don't pay to see him race. If only 200 people did that at every Ipswich home and away match, I think he'd quickly be replaced. I think he deserves to be kicked out of British Speedway until the next World Cup so I wont pay to watch him until them. Everyone must make their own mind up. But make no mistake, direct action by the fans would force Andersen out of British Speedway and would show Olsen and the FIM the standards of integrity British Speedway fans require. I think the national Media would readily publicise the campaign - remember the Swiss ref v Portugal. If followed up by reminders on EL web sites before Ipswich visit, the guy would surely be forced out of Briitiish Speedway? We have the power. Do we want to leave justice to the FIM or take it ourselves?

Great idea SCB. Hit Andersen where it hurts - in the pocket. His British sponsors want goodwill from the sponsorship. Andersen has personally earnt the opposite. If fans ask his British sponsors to switch their sponsorship to a british rider, I think at least some of them will.