Storming Norman

Heuwen "It's a great meeting, I don't need to build it up for once" !!!! Sophie to Crump after he'd failed in the vital HT25 and said he'd now focus on the 2004 G Prixs: "Oh yes, that's the one thing you're doing well in"!!! (Or something very similiar) Jason looked furious.

Others ignore Olsen so should we. If Sweden didn't ignore him he must accept responsibility for that G Prix that was abandoned after 3 Hts as the track was unraceable owing to appalling preparation. Another approach is to tell Olsen we'll do the track how he wants it but just don't. What can he do? We have a heck of a chance of being Champions of the World and mustn't let Olsen spoil it.

"He's (Lindback) a dirty b*stard"!! Interviewer looks shocked after repeatedly pushing Boycey to comment more!

Last night's meeting was fantastic. I'm so looking forward to the Final and if GB win it, who better to come out with the superlatives than Tony Millard? If we're going to be Champions of the World I want the liveliest commentator whose also full of facts and figures. Nigel Pearson is ok but ponderous. Millard will also give us a few laughs with comments with his corny comments, hopefully about Danes getting a good porking. Give us: Millard and Sir Kelvin commentating. Johnno in the studio. Little to choose between Sam and Chris Louis.

If Nicki Pedersen's dirt deflector catching the front wheel of Crumpie deserved an exclusion, why wasn't Bjerre excluded for knocking Lee off? Unlike Crump, Lee R was in front. Lee certainly wouldn't have fell if Bjerre hadn't dived under him. Bjerre took the risk of diving under Lee, destabilised Lee and should have paid the penalty. With his track record, I half expected Tony Steele to put all four riders back but he excluded his fellow countryman rather than the Dane. Am I letting my nationality affect my view or was Lee cheated?

Millard is top man for me. He gives so much information. Some of which is new to me despite being a life long speedway fan. I suspect some of his accidental "funnies" are because he talks so fast and crams so information in. Pearson isn't bad but doesn't give basic details. When he commentated at Peterborough, I waited and waited for him to mention who the lady start marshall was and he failed to do so all night. Millard would have told you something about her background even prior to HT 1. Millard and Kelvin are a good team. Of the riders, I rate Johnno and Havvy as the best.

Really Orion? In Copenhagen? Are you sure? If so, I can relax and look forward to tonight.

Anyone able to post updates on the weather? I found a site that predicts showers in Copenhagen today. Could be worse I suppose.

Perhaps Gary Glitter in 2005? He was a big star and can't have many other offers in his diary.

What are the odds please? 21 Century Heathern usually lists them and his comments. A mate of mine likes a bet and I give him tips.

We've had great entertainment from the Grand Prixs but I miss not hearing the exchanges between the riders and the ref. This was brought home to me when Trevor Swales and the hesitant Tony Steele were exchanging with the ref actually explaining his decision as the incident was rerun live to all. I can't see any reason why the mics can't be made to work at G Prixs. It would really add to the entertainment particularly hearing Steele and co trying to explain their consistently bad and at times unbelieveable decisions.

This is getting serious and embarrassing for the sport. Another inept refereeing performance this time by Mick Posselwhite who did a little better than the woeful Tony Steele but still followed Steele's "bottling" example when any of the "big boys" were in danger of exclusion. There is a credibility problem developing. Why are they making such bad decisions particularly when the big boys are involved? Are they just poor refs? "Bottlers" under pressure? I don't believe that a more sinister reason applies but if decisions keep going in favour of the big boys people may speculate. Tony Steele's explanation of his decisions in the Speedway Star were as credible as his decisions and haircut. He says he only goes by helmet colours but then blows that statement by saying his decision not to exclude Trick took into account a move Trick had previously done in practice! His final point that he wasn't aware of who won the Final only their helmet colour is frankly unbelieveable. Is he so clueless that he doesn't even recognise Leigh Adams? His style, his leathers? Don't insult our intelligence Tony. Is it coincidental that the decisions are going the way of the "big boys"?

Steve, why didn't "the World's best ref" spot the tapes weren't going up straight when watching tv replays of races where he kept bottling out from excluding the top riders? Flipping a coin would get the right decision as often as Mr Steele does at most Grand Prixs.

I enjoyed the G Prix. They really are entertaining. Loram looked good. Lee Richardson did well. Tricky no longer looks the best man although still on a par with the best. The usual mystifying decisions by ref Tony Steele. How can the guy continue to get most decisions wrong when he first watches the Sky replays? The worst decision of the lot was to put Crump back in HT10 after he just slide off by himself on the inside in HT10. The red lights didn't come on for half a lap and then Mr Steele watched the TV Replays with us before making a decision that only his mother could defend. Millard's explanation that Steele bottled it seems the only credible one particularly as he also chose not to exclude Tricky in HT 20. Kelvin did a good job as commentator whereas Sam and Chris Louis seemed aware that Mr Steele will referee future meetings of theirs! With Leigh winning under pressure we could be in for an excellent G Prix season with three four riders challenging each other throughout the year. Roll on the next Grand Prix.

After all the complaints about the rolling starts in the last two Grand Prixs, it's a well done to tonights Polish Ref. He also got all his decisions right. A refreshing change to see a ref doing a good job in a Grand Prix and a Final won on merit and not through cheating. I don't know who choses who refs which Grand Prix but the Polish guy certainly deserves the next Grand Prix.

I wouldn't worry about it Gemma. It may build Nicky into the tv baddie but so what? I love watching Nicki because he's exciting and makes things happen. He probably is the hardest rider but he also takes it.

The rules are obviously the same re fair starts in Grand Prixs as the better refs have brought races back. Tony Steele's starts were appalling. Even Tony Millard was spotting the constant rolling and Chris Louis was counting the times Lukas Dryml was allowed to cheat. The Polish ref did a better job. Mr Postelwhite allowed Nicki Pedersen to totally anticipate the start to win the previous Grand Prix Final and Mr Steele did the same for Jason Crump. The idea that Tony Steele would allow cheating owing to time pressures would be outrageous. He's there to see fair play. In any case, rerunning a race only adds an extra two minutes at most. The cheating is also spoiling my enjoyment of the Grand Prixs and I feel sorry for people who bet and lose because of this cheating. Anyone reading match reports this season on the Forum knows Tony Steele's has become a David Seaman. The riders in the studio seemed reluctant to criticise someone who might ref them next week but even they couldn't support his inconsistent and wrong decisions. Another appalling performance Mr Steele or should I say Mr Seaman? He probably reads this Forum. Do your job and stop the cheating.

I'm English and want to see Loram do well but: Couldn't imagine them awarding points if it had been a lesser rider unable to take his place. Rules have to be applied equally to all and we're entitled to see 4 riders in a race.

Why did the Ref keep bringing races back when someone tried to jump the start but was left at the back? Surely it can't be fair on the other 3 riders who got away ok? For once, Pedersen didn't unfairly knock someone off but Ref Steele also got that wrong despite the video replays.