arnieg

If you want a really funny book try NL90 by John Callaghan and if you wanta really controversial book, try: NL90 by John Callaghan (JC was a contributor to Milton Keynes programmes until the MK promotion was instructed by the BSPA to stop publishing his views following a piece about a ban on Miichael Lee)

Congratulations for the most stupid post of the week. Does the name Fred Williams mean anything to you? or how about Ken McKinlay?

I think that any of the current top 8 who drop out would get a nomination for next year, so assuming that the top 8 are as at present that would leave: Richardson - a must as he is currently 9th so could displace one of the top 8 Andersen - he's won a GP now and is clearly good box office Hampel - has had a good GP season and is still young Nicholls - would be top 10 for certain and probably top 8 but for injury and the fifth seeded spot is up for grabs: Loram - would they seed three Brits - I doubt it Sullivan - has done nothing in his year's GP to merit inclusion Max - ditto Holta - poor GP season, but there is a GP in Norway and his Swedish/Polish league form is good Dryml L - on the strength of 2003 and with an eye on Czech GP and if we are looking for newcomers: Norris - again can't seed to many Brits, not done much outside UK Zagar - an outside bet if he wins under 21 given there is a Slovenian GP

But he only got one point at Wroclaw in a league match last week.

Just looked up the result 43-35 to Sheffield. Coventry's top scorer was... Alf Busk (Olsen and Shirra also got double figures)

And I think that most people would assume my comment was slightly tongue in cheek (hence the emoticon)

This hysteria appears to be manufactured by the SKY coverage. I didn't get the impression that many people in the stadium thought there was anything amiss. Polite aplause welcomed Peter Karlsson, but I didn't hear any boos for Andersen. The atmosphere was basically one of dissapointment not frustration or anger. The race result and the first lap looked unexceptional given that: a) Nicholls was off gate 1 between heats 6 and 20 gate one produced one race win (Peter Karlsson!), no seconds, seven thirds and seven lasts c) the Danes basically gave up after BPs joker failed and were outscored by the Poles over the closing races

Me too - although I would still have chosen him for last night's meeting. This isn't the first time he has pulled out that something extra for his country in the World Cup and I'm happy to acknowledge that he was stunning last night.

I thought the most telling incident (heat 9) was when Gollob fell and was reluctant to clear the track, but the referee seemed strangely unwilling to stop the race. And who was leading? ...David Norris. Next time someone brings up the old canard about how refereeing could be improved by having ex-riders this meeting will be cited in evidence against the proposition.

If you are going to judge Middlo on his record then look at the GB performance over the previous world cups where severly weakened GB teams outperformed expectations. I also get the impression that Middlo has a great rapport with the riders. And I'm not clear what Middlo should have done differently last night PS If he was to be replaced how about Mick Bates as a successor

look again! http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...5114368008&rd=1

As in "Barry" Briggs? Did he have that tag? I didn't know - anyone able to enlighten me? Yes - read his autobiography about his first year or two at Wimbledon

I'm looking hard at a map of the UK and I just can't see Australia on it anywhere - can you help?

Whatever happened to: Rob Hollingworth Buzz Burrows?

But at least I'd be able to say something more intelligent than: "..we've never heard of Janusz Kolodziej"

some of the greatest riders in the sports history have been landed with this tag early in their career - because they are that little bit more adventurous and because of their natural skills try for things that most riders would never dream of. Think Gollob for a current example Think Briggs for an older example

After heat 21 the Poole fans behind me were saying how they must sign him (as if they haven't got enough of the world's young talent). I took great delight in pointing out he already belonged to Reading But unless we go Elite next year I doubt if we'll get to see him in a Racers jacket again

Certainly not cheating. And they chose not to use it earlier (and if they had used it for Adams in ht 15 they would have gone into heat 25 two ahead of Poland) Conclusion - there is nothing wrong with using the joker in the last heat Whether there should be any place in the world cup, or for that matter speedway, for jokers is a more pertinent question. Personally I think not and last night illustrates why. I was dismayed when I realised that because they were one point behind the Poles the Aussies would get a last heat bonus. It was very noticeable that the whole crowd seemed to think likewise and backed Gollob (slayer of Boyce) in the deciding race.

Did you have your crystal ball out?

Although it is a good job the Swedish team is not as strong as it could be: Jonas Davidsson Daniel Davidsson Freddie Lindgren Antonio Lindback

So when was the last ubnder21 final without a british rider?

I'll be there - anyone got tips for finding the stadium? (we'll be in a hire car heading from Verona)

So after five rides each it was: France 16 Italy 15 Slovenia 14 ...and Slovenia qualify

That makes me feel old - I remember MR junior riding up and down behind the main stand at Leicester on his tricycle before the meeting pretending to be Les Collins (or maybe it was Neil or Mark Courtney) - must have been about five

Best I've seen (in no particular order): Ronnie Moore Anders Michanek Ivan Mauger Hans Nielsen Tony Rickardsson Bruce Penhall Per Jonsson Ole Olsen (no 8) However none of these can compare with John Cook for entertainment value Best I've not seen: Vic Duggan Peter Craven Ove Fundin Vic Huxley Tommy Farndon Jack Parker Bluey Wilkinson Bjorn Knutsson (no 8)