AndyM

I missed it! Can someone describe exactly what happened?

Lightening doesn't strike twice!

Though presumably he hasn't given up his Norwegian nationality or passport in the process but take up dual nationality and therefore qualifies to ride for either country. Perhaps, like Kevin Pietersen and many others, he felt his chances were greater by appearing for his second country?

At the time I always thought Gordon somewhat over-rated. Granted that he won his WC runners-up spot fair and square, but I never thought of him as being second best rider in the world. He was a bit of a start tart - can't recall him doing much from the back, though I guess I was spoiled having been brought up on a diet of PC and Mort! In retrospect, I'd class Gordon as a professional and worthy rider, not as exciting as some but very capable in his own quiet way.

The Aussies will finish at least second in this leg, mark my words!

Aussies weak? A team with Adams, Crump and Sully (when in form), plus the never-say-die spirit of Watt, if he's riding? You're all mad!

Aussies failing to qualify? You're crazy!

Johnno in for Sully so the Aussies can be rid of their weak link?!

It really grieves me that BSI have been given a 20-year licence to play fast and loose with our beloved sport in this way.

On the contrary, I think Watt will be very dogged and determined. Pepe's recent form has been lousy and Gollob's been none too impressive in recent GPs. Still convinced that The Aussies will beat the Poles, but on their own soil it will be difficult to top the Swedes.

Granted Gjedde didn't have a great match in the semi, but I'd have thought his recent form was better than Iversen's? Either way, Ken certainly deserves a place - could be as good as Bomber Harris and Steady were for England, and will definitely be keen to show he's worthy of promotion.

Many of us agree with these sentiments, but it seems those in authority have always tinkered with the rules to the detriment of the overall spectacle. Speedway's now an infinitely more complex sport than it's ever been before, and none the better for that complexity. The simplicity and elegance of the sport is its core competence - why can't anyone else see that and therefore remove the burden of cumbersome regulation and bureaucracy?

Well said, Bert. Shame those in lofty positions of power will ignore such well-reasoned words for their own incomprehensible purposes.

Perhaps Holta's mother weaned him on plum vodka? As for the meeting itself, if you accept that the Germans are also-rans, the rest could finish in any order on the night. Don't think the Poles are quite the force they once were, though if any Swedish track was going to suit them it would be the 400m of Eskilstuna. Still think they will be third, behind Sweden and Aussie, in that order.

And presumably it only appeared to pacify the numbskulls who run TV sports broadcasts?

Am I missing something here? I know Holta races under a Polish licence, but since when has he taken Polish nationality? Surely that's the only test that counts if someone wants to race for a country internationally? While some countries have been known to bend the qualification period, I'm absolutely certain that nobody would be allowed to field a ringer under these circmstances in the Olympics, or any other sport come to that.

Just as dumb as TR rule in league racing! Why should any team have any tactical opportunities? this is supposed to be world championship racing designed to find the best team on the track, for goodness sake! Nobody should need tactical leg-ups of any description. What next? Give Jason Crump a double-pointed joker if he's 6 points behind Tony Rickardsson in the next GP!

Would be interesting to know how much has been gathered in sponsorship for the WTC. No sign that it's become the "Joe Bloggs World Team Cup" or any other major name. Perhaps time the marketing machine should be aiming for big names and major deals?

Blair would probably charm the socks off you if he thought there was a potential vote in it. The same cannot apparently be said for Mr. Richardson, who would appear to keep himself to himself. Possibly shyness rather than holding the fans in contempt?

Why is it necessary to sing the National Anthem? Even taking notice of it would be a start. Time was a few years ago when every club played GSTQ before the meeting started, and everyone would stand. That hasn't happened at any meeting I've attended in years - people seem to regard it as an irritation, not a source of national pride.

Very pleased to hear of Mr Richardson's gutsy and successful performance in the semi. To prove himself on the world stage, he needs to repeat that in the final. If he were to score a maximum, he'd be a third of the way towards Peter Collins' achievement of three WTC final maximums in a row!

The selection should be riders in form. Joe's not been riding badly, but you'd expect a fit Loram to ride better in most circumstances.

But since there's not a Scot or Welshman in sight, what virtue is there in calling it Team GB? That's the pot calling the Sospan Bach!

Well how about that? We're through to the final at the first time of asking and Rico's scored a max. Who'd have thought it? Might be a bit tougher then with the Aussies, Swedes and Poles for company, but it's a well-deserved moment of glory for now!

Bomber certainly did that, though thankfully drew the line at imitating his namesake! Churchill would have been proud!