Rico

I've been to Prague twice, whereas I've only been to Wroclaw once (ooops, well I am going out there again this weekend actually !). Ok, I've only been to one Wroclaw GP compared to two in Prague. Loved the racing and atmosphere at Wroclaw (Walasek must get another wildcard !). There's even a Scottish themed pub on the main square to remind you of home Joanne. I'm sure they'll overcharge you though There's also the delight of club PRL in Wroclaw - spent a couple of nights in there and had a ball - it's certainly on the agenda for this weekends trip. Have never thought Prague has produced great racing as the track is too flat - lovely city though and well worth a weekend in. Rico

That makes the comment even worse then ! A colleague and I had a good conversation with Marek at practice and he certainly wasn't struggling with his English. Rico

I think you'll find that Marek Wojaczek's grasp of the English language is pretty good and isn't an issue when it comes to communicating with the riders. Rico

Prague isn't on the agenda for next year Addy - will be sticking to Bydgoszcz and Wroclaw. Rico

Can only add to Papa B's hot suggestion - read through the previous Bydgoszcz threads, where available and you'll see what a dogs nuts weekend it is. The Polish fans make it such an event, you can't fail to enjoy it. Rico

Hence me using the words 'someone else' in my post. My only word of warning for your tours is the prices they charge you at the bar. Rico's tours clearly get bulk discount Rico

If you don't know the story, sorry I aint dragging it up again. Check out the thread for the 2004 Czech GP. Still tickles me. Rico

Or if you don't wanna stay and watch the speedway meeting I'm sure there's someone else who will look after you Rico

And about time too gg4e Rico

I thought Leigh showed a hell of a lot of determination in his semi-final on Saturday and was clearly pumped up to get third place overall. Sadly, as has been mentioned, he was given no chance in the final by tRick. Remarkable stat that Leigh was the only rider who made all 9 semi-finals in 2004 (next best Crump and Nicki P on 8), however he only made 3 finals from that. Gate draws appear to have been another (perhaps psychological) barrier for him. We'll have to see what they've got planned for next years semi-finals but I reckon it will be down to the luck of the draw again, just a hunch. Rico

The winner of the under-21 championship did qualify by right for the GP series in the past, then it was changed they qualified for the GP challenge. I remember the controversy when David Kujawa pulled out of the GP Challenge 'injured' allowing I think it was Lukas Dryml a spot in the meeting. The current under-21 crop do look an exciting bunch though it has to be said, but then when you look at the list of champions from the past (with one or two exceptions) it's an impressive list (cue Henry W re 1996 ) Rico

Thanks for clearing that up. Were you perhaps thinking of Prague Iris123 ?? I thought I was going mad for a minute or 3. Rico

I guess we'll have to disagree on this one for the time being. I'd be interested to hear from any of our Polish friends if they know what the official attendance was. I think the main problem in enticing fans to GPs is the pricing. Given that the tickets started from memory at around £15 which equates to about 4 or 5 times the cost of a league match in Poland clearly the locals don't get quite as enthused at those prices. Wroclaw's capacity is officially 40,000 btw, which I'm sure would be reduced a little bit for the GP. I'd have hated to have seen the attendance in Norway if it wasn't for the 'speedway tourists'. Rico

I've never seen an official figure for the crowd at Wroclaw but I was there and there certainly seemed a lot more than 8,000 at the meeting. I prepare to stand corrected on the matter. Rico

Just leave two rounds in Poland thanks very much Both were well attended this season and I don't see any reason to remove either of them, especially as they are on permanent tracks. Sweden has also staged two rounds of GPs this season, both on temporary tracks but that situation seems unlikely to continue with permanent tracks being considered. I can't imagine an Aussie GP being contemplated for next season. Although the reduction in riders makes it more feasible to consider again in the future. Rico

I thought you'd have been used to seeing tracks like the one last night Splatty Rico

2 reasons Increases prize money by reducing the field and Raises the average standard of rider competing in the field (was very careful how I worded that sentence ) Rico

RogH, I'm sure the 25,20,18 and 16 points would replace any points scored in the qualifiers, not be in addition. So theoretically you could have a rider who gets a 15 point max then flunks the semi-final, they still get 15 points, only 1 less than last in the final. Conversely you could get a rider who has a couple of duff rides during the meeting, scores 7 points but scrapes in to the semis. He is effectively racing for 18 extra points if he wins the final, whereas someone who scored 14 during the meeting is effectively only racing for 11 extra points. Bottom line, as Mr Adams would say, "it's all about making the A final". The system has it's pros and cons like any other. Personally I'm happy to give it a go as I think it will work. Meetings will be building up to a crescendo as they do at present. The semi-finals really are win or bust and the final retains it's current importance, ie it's everything. Rico

I am hoping for Wroclaw and Bydgoszcz again next year - both were excellent trips this year. Wish I'd had enough holidays to be able to go out for the Under21s and stayed in Poland for the week. I flew Wizzair from Luton to Warsaw on August Bank holiday weekend. Flight out was excellent, near enough perfect (and I'm not a good flyer at all). Flight back was ok apart from a couple of sudden drops as we approached Luton - there were quite a few 'ooooohs' from the passengers. Wizzairs planes are Airbus330s which are a bit bigger than the Boeing737s used by AirPolonia and there was definitely a lot more room on board. (NB I'm not a planespotter !!) Haven't used Air Berlin SkyEurope as yet. I would consider flying to one of the South Eastern German cities and getting the train across to Wroclaw next year. Rico

1. Rickardsson 2. Adams 3. Jonsson 4. Holta Rico

Czesc Wjasica, Couple of points - Bydgoszcz appears to be getting only one flight a week on a Sunday lunchtime, plane flies straight in and back to Stansted. There are other reasonably close by alternatives for a return flight e.g. Poznan and Gdansk. Wroclaw - can't see on either Air Polonia or Wizz's website about flying there. Do you have inside info ?? Rico

Don't be racist about your hangover - they're all much of a muchness In fairness to you, when we met you on the Thursday, you were drinking a pint of (expensive ) beer, whilst HenryW and I washed our meal down with Coca Cola. Normal service was resumed shortly after the meal, I hasten to add. Rico

If you hadn't have been such a lightweight on the Friday and Saturday nights you'd have been formally introduced to Sharon Have fun folks. Rico

Kevin, Kevin Meynell's excellent Speedway FAQ site should help you out. Rico

That's the one Splatty Send me a note of your e-mail address via here - I've got a little something for ya Rico