Mr. Clemens

This report is a tad long - so I put it on its own thread - mods can move it elsewhere if they wish to do so - but here those who want to read it can - and those who don't - won't be unhappy - with it being in the way of other posts they wish to read GERMAN GRAND PRIX Deep in a dark place where no one is allowed to go – only those to whom it concerned – only those who are involved in – speedway track preparation “You are all aware that the next Speedway Grand Prix is the 100th Grand Prix”, questioned the man in charge of his track-laying underlings? Each person agreed that they were aware that such was the case “And you are all aware that we must lay a track that brings out all that is best in Speedway racing”? The assembled track laying fraternity agreed this was what was required for such a momentous occasion. “But the question is,” pondered the man in charge, “how do we prepare a track that suits all those speedway riders competing to win $100,000 in prize money”? For many days and weeks – the track-laying minions debated this great philosophical question – that has been known to make strong men go weak at the knees – but no one was able to come up with an answer. Time was running out and a track had to be laid - at a completely new venue – the Vetlins Arena in Gelsenkirchen Germany. But finally – a track laying minion – stood in the shadows – at the back of the room - came up with the perfect answer to this great philosophical track laying question “I know boss,” said the inspired minion, “why not lay a track that no one can ride on!!! That way – the riders will have a level playing field – no one will have an unfair advantage - no one will be able to use that old out of date argument – that they are a better speedway rider than their opponents – and therefore are entitled to take advantage of their speedway riding talents – and stake their rightful claim – to take home the $100,000 prize money “But what if they all complain about the state of the track,’ asked the man in charge? “And they refuse to ride in the meeting – like they did in Sweden a couple of years ago – and we have to call the meeting off?” “You know how stoical speedway riders are in the face of adversity in speedway,” – answered the minion, – “like the camber of the track going the wrong way for instance – well they will simply say – as they always do – that the track is the same for everyone – and get on with it The lure of $100,000 dollar prize will take care of any rider protest – guaranteed” “That’s settled then,’ said the man in charge of track preparation, “ we will prepare a track that no one can ride on – and that mythical level playing field – beloved of all fair minded sports fans – will be a reality.” Mr Clemens – donned his Halifax T Shirt - pinned his famed Halifax woolly pully to the living room wall – sat down with – steaming plate of sweet and sour chicken and fried noodles and turned on the TV at 6pm precisely. “I thought Johnny and the lads were playing France tomorrow night,” chuckled Mr Clemens – as rugby tackles unfolded before him. But he soon realised this wasn’t rugby as we know it Jim – and it certainly wasn’t Johnny Wilkinson and friends – it was something else – but what it wasn’t, was Speedway!!!! Time was ticking by and Mr C contemplated on what he was missing while watching some rugby players wallowing in the mud – but suddenly the familiar melody of the Grand Prix introduction hit the screen – with all the familiar faces on parade – and Lee Richardson – still looking a bit peaky round the gills – as an added extra There was Uncle Keith and the Polish Immigration Officer Chris Louis – and in the commentary box – Kelvin Tatum and Nigel Pearson – and not a dullard within earshot – Jonathan Green – was wandering - lonely as a cloud – in the pits “This is it,” thought Mr C, “let the festivities begin - we are just in time for the grand parade of world champions – as described in the All Time Greats Grand Prix series.” But there wasn’t an all time great world champion to be seen – obviously the meeting organisers hadn’t read the script – and had no idea about presenting a 100 Grand Prix Festival of speedway But there was no time to ruminate on missed opportunities – as the riders were at the tapes for heat one On with the motley Christian Hefenbrock wins from the gate – prompting excited visions of a German clean sweep – from Kelvin and Nigel in the commentary box Chris Harris falls attempting to ride the outside line – that doesn’t exist – while T/G gives up looking for something that isn’t there – dirt!!!!! “But Hefenbrock wins – because – he’s riding on German shale” – informs the commentators. “So that’s it is it,” chuckled Mr C to his silly sen - almost choking on fried noodles – in the process? Hefenbrock 3 – Zagar2 – T/G 1 – Harris 0 But there is no time to celebrate a German victory as the riders are at the gate for heat 2 Heat 2 Nicki P - passed by Andersen – Pedersen gets out of shape – is passed by Crump – Adams struggling to make an impression – comes in last Something appears to be wrong with the track –it’s slick – and there is no dirt on the outside!!!! Andersen 3 – Crump 2 – N Pedersen 1 – Adams 0 Keith comments on the huge crowd – says Harris needs to score points Heat 3 Andreas Jonsson – the buccaneering pirate – with a commanding lead over Peter Karlsson - Bjarne Pedersen – and Wieslaw Jagus Jonsson 3 – P/K 2 – B Ped1 – Jagus 0 Heat 4 Hancock gates – Nicholls gets past Holta – with Laukennen nowhere Hancock 3 – Nicholls2 – Holta 1 – Laukennen 0 Four races have gone in a flash – it feels like the Sky TV is in a rush to catch up with a meeting – that has started without them Back in the studio Once again – to remind the speedway supporting millions – in case they’d forgotten – the viewing public are told – there is a $100,000 – prize up for grabs The pundits – ask themselves – are the riders thinking about it – or are they thinking about – that track – and the lack of opportunity to hit – pay – dirt???? Jonathan Green suggests to Chris Harris – that this is a greasy track Keith suggests that Chris Harris looks – nervous Jonathan Green talks to Scot Nicholls – who says the track is slick – there is no dirt line – except for the inside line But Scott is thinking about winning – and a genuine GP place for 2008 – but is in contention with Harris – as are Holta – Jagus – and perhaps Jonsson too Heat 5 Adams makes the gate – Jonsson can’t get past Zagar – who has a rear wheel puncture going over the line Adams 3 – Zagar 2 – Jonsson 1 – Laukennen 0 Jonathan talks with Adams – who looks very deflated – comments on the fact that the track has glazed over – meaning the surface is like ice – but Leigh hoped the riders would break through it – eventually Heat 6 Hancock makes the gate – with Andersen in hot pursuit Pearson – hoping for the first pass of the night – though riders have passed each other more than once in the previous races – bemoans the fact there is no drive – no grip!!! Hancock 3 – Andersen 2 – Karlsson 1 – Hefenbrock 0 Kelvin notes – that the bikes are bouncing on the track – conditions not good Heat 7 The riders for this heat – are ready to race – while Jonathan interviews Hancock We are advised that – Jonathan Green – believes in fairy tales – this fairy tale meeting being straight out of the Brothers Grimm Jagus makes it from the gate – Nicki is second – gets out of shape – passed by Holta – while Harris continues to struggle – he can’t get a grip on an outside line – because there is nothing there to grip Pearson says – Harris is making no impression – because there is nothing there to make an impression on Pearson wonders – is Nicki Pedersen fully fit??? Jagus 3 – Holta 2 – N Ped1 – Harris 0 The commentators agree that the track conditions are preventing the riders racing They go on to describe how Ole Olsen has put in the track – at this new venue - and that it has to be removed - and the stadium restored to its former state - by midnight Sunday Olsen is quoted as saying – ‘by Monday morning – you won’t know we’ve been there’ But the state of the track – suggests – they haven’t been there!!!! Pearson christens the Grand Prix’s – ‘Ole’s Travelling Circus’ – slick or what eh??? Heat 8 Jason Crump – is determined to get third place – in the world championship overall A bronze medal – the full set But it is Bjarne Pedersen from the gate – while Crump pushes T/G out of the way – Nicholls – who was losing ground - follows through – meanwhile T/G goes - AWOL - looking for a speedway track to race on B Ped 3 – Crump 2 – Nicholls 1 - T/G 0 Back in the studio Chris Louis – advises T/G – not to go where – no man has gone before ‘You can’t do that against people like Crump – Pedersen – Nicholls Lee Richardson says – the result of the meeting will be down to people making mistakes Jonathan Green – asks of Bjarne – ‘will you share prize with me’ Bjarne says – ‘go……..yourself’ – oops sorry – says – ‘come back at the end of the meeting and ask me’ Keith ponders on the riders form – and who is up for it – and likely to win Richardson thinks Hancock is a contender – and hopes he can do it Keith thought Crump would be the main contender – but suggest that Crump is failing to rise up to his expectations – and his own – no doubt The might Midglow – interviewed by Green – says – ‘the track is not producing great racing’ – you noticed Neil!!! Which means that he feels the British riders – have not been given a track to race on – the reason Harris – in particular – is struggling The general consensus is – all the riders are struggling – inconsistent – therefore the meeting is – a lottery – with a grand prize of - $100,000 dollars – in case you forgot It’s easy to do – forget that prize money - with all these commercial breaks – and a track you can’t race on We are informed that – Chris Harris has to make starts – but he’s not a gater – he’s a racer – but he doesn’t have a track to race on – and why not – you may ask – but don’t because – it’s a level playing field – and the same for everyone? Keith – who has realised how grim this fairy tale meeting is becoming – informs the speedway millions that – ‘man made tracks are a nightmare’ Practice ruins the track – and there is only one night available for the track crew – to repair the damage – meaning packing the track – till it glazes over ‘You have to gate’ – Chris Louis ‘But – But – But – what if you can’t Chris’ – Mr Clemens said that ‘The riders are struggling to get their bikes set up right’ – Lee Richardson ‘Perhaps it’s because you can’t set a bike up for a track you can’t ride’ Mr Clemens said that too But Peter Karlsson says – to Jonathan – ‘it’s good to be here’ The diplomatic P/K also says – ‘it’s advisable to stick to the inside line’ Heat nine is in progress while Jonathan is talking to P/K Andersen leads a procession of riders – struggling to pass him Andersen 3 – Nicholls 2 – Zagar 1 – Jagus 0 ‘This track is just awful’ – says Kelvin Tatum – ‘You can’t race - on that track’ Kelvin agrees with – Keith Huewen - Lee Richardson – Chris Louis – and all the riders competing ‘Tell you what ‘ – what said Kelvin ‘What,’ asks a startled Mr Clemens???? ‘It’s hard work if you don’t make the start’ – says the perplexed TV Pundit!!!!!’ Mr C is relieved – thinking he – and all the speedway millions – and Chris Harris – were going to be told – something they didn’t already know Pearson – ‘Kelvin Tatum – saying it as it is – no holding back’ Kelvin confirms – once again – that starting is – vital – tonight Jonathan talking to Hans Andersen – who says he’s doing his best ‘You feeling good’ asks Jonathan ‘Really good,’ answers Hans – looking for a fairy tale ending to his night Kelvin informs the speedway public – that – ‘all the riders are looking for points’ Heat 10 Rune Holta – left at the gate – goes round Adams and Bjarne Pedersen – by moving out wide – Pedersen passes Adams – Adams chases the leaders Holta 3 – B Ped 2 – Adams 1 – Hefenbrock 0 Is this track becoming a racetrack – at last – almost halfway through the meeting??? Holta – the Norwegian Pole – we are reminded – in case we forgot – has a hand injury – that is giving him more trouble than he is prepared to let on – so he won’t speak to Jonathan – has he has to see to his hand – unsporting or what eh???? The general consensus by all the pundits is – that Holta has to get into the top eight – or he won’t get picked for the 2008 GPs – which is strange – as he was one of the best riders in there – and has found some of his form again – in the latter half of the GP season But the word is the IMG want younger riders in the GP’s – young riders who can rde a spectacular race - like – Chris Harris – who can’t get a grip – like Antonio Lindback – who has retired from speedway and the GPs Heat 11 Jonsson from the gate – Harris – gets a grip – goes round Crump – who is out of shape – with the previously fast gating Hancock at the rear Harris works the outside line – but Jonsson blocks his every move Jonsson 3 – Harris 2 – Crump I – Hancock 0 Pearson – in total contrast to all that has been said – and all that has gone before – says – ‘we are having some – good – good – speedway ‘Jonsson’s frame is – just the ticket’ – advises a satisfied Kelvin Pearson says – ‘the meeting is looking a lot better’ – as Harris scores his first points of the night – Pearson hopes that Chris – ‘can deliver’ Heat 12 Nicki Pedersen – cuts back off of gate four – the graveyard gate – cuts back – drives up the inside of Karlsson and Laukenen – but fails to get ahead of T/G But Nicki – drops down a hole in the track – an amused Kelvin suggests that Nicki is thinking to himself - ‘Oh fiddlesticks’ – or something of that nature – as he struggles to stay on his bike – but this ‘mistake’ gives second place to Karlsson T/G 3 – Karlsson 2 – N Ped 1 – Laukenen 0 Andersen leads the field on 8 points after three races going into a commercial break Back in the studio Keith hands over to Jonathan – who is – going for a stroll – in the pits Describes Greg Hancock as – ‘the coolest man in Christendom’ Jonathan points out that the crowd overlook the pits – the reason the riders are not hanging around in there – but like Nicki Pedersen – are looking for a place out of the limelight Jonathan has to settle for an interview with Alan Rossitter – high on helium – who tentatively suggests that – the track is crap It’s OK – you can squeak it Roscoe – we all know Jonathan asks T/G for an interview but – according to Jonathan – just smiles at him – in his cool Polish way – which means – like a lot of Poles – he pretends he can’t speak English – but actually understands everything Jonathan says Meanwhile the studio pundits – are beginning to see Andreas Jonsson as a serious contender to take the top prize – as they focus on his race with Chris Harris Keith is convinced that no one is thinking about the $100,000 prize Chris Louis assures him they are all thinking about it But they all agree that Nicki Pedersen is in the process of blowing his chances Because – he doesn’t do well on manmade tracks!!!! But if the GPs are all going to be presented in venues like Veltins and Cardiff – won’t all the tracks be manmade tracks – slick – or what – eh!!! And will IMG move the Polish GP away from – Bydgoszcz – a racers track – which would otherwise - stick out like a sore thumb – amongst all those – slick – or what – tracks Bydgoszcz – well known a racer’s track – abandoned – because the racing there – will remind people of what the GP’s racing is supposed to be – nostalgic for top class racing – T/G style - or what eh??? But you can’t halt progress – but if slick is the future - and if slick it is going to be – then slick it will be – but don’t panic dears - you old fashioned GP lovers – it’s not happened yet – it’s only another grim fairy tale – said in tune with - tonight’s 100 Grand Prixs - slick - festive celebration proceedings Keith comments on the track – again – saying that – ‘they can cover the holes up – but then the riders will be riding blind – because they won’t be able to see them But it will be a level playing field though – won’t it Keith??? Pundits point out that Hans Andersen has struggled in recent GPs – but is that because Hans is a racer – and requires a racing track – to ride at his best??? Jonathan Green finds – a bone fide all time great world champion – Sam Ermelenko – minus lap top computer But canny Uncle Sam doesn’t need a computer to work out that this is ‘A pretty boring meeting’ – and that the riders were hoping for – ‘A race track’ But Sam had a whale of a time – meeting up with all those old world champions Especially at breakfast time – when he poured a bowl of porridge over Hans Neilsen’s head!!!! Heat 13 Nicki Pedersen – finds his legs – where have they been all night? But Bjarne Pedersen – hasn’t got the legs – to pass Nicki – Perhaps Nigel Pearson will go looking for them??? Hancock has lost his gating legs Nicki indicates to his fellow riders that the track has got bumps in it All the riders – in the pits - thank Nicki - for sharing this information with them Nicki P 3 – B Ped 2 – Hancock 1 – Zagar 0 Kelvin Tatum – ‘the track has not improved very much’ Have the riders – therefore – halfway through the meeting - finally - ‘dialled themselves into this track’ - at last If they have – slick or what eh!!!! Heat 14 Keith says - ‘Crump has to get off the start’ – which he does – leads Jagus – while Hefenbrock and Laukenen scrap for third place – but the ruts in the track make it hard for both of them Crump 3 – Jagus 2 – Hefenbrock 1 – Laukenen 0 Kelvin Tatum – ‘Crump is looking as if he could be dangerous – some people are tipping him to win’ Crump tells Jonathan Green – that he is more interested in finishing in third place in the world championship – than he is in $100,000 – but Pearson thinks Crump wants the money too!!! Heat 15 Karlsson from the gate – pressed by Adams – who once more – gets out of shape Nicholls passes Adams – Harris at the back – looking for grip no doubt Adams can’t pass Nicholls – while pundits imagine P/K – walking off with - $100,000 – a fairy tale result – or what eh??? Karlsson 3 – Nicholls 2 – Adams 1 – Harris 0 Jonathan with Scott – points out that turn 4 is tricky Nicholls – ‘it’s part of the job’ Pearson points out that Nicholl’s is battling his way through the meeting Pearson also points out that –‘ Grand Prix Speedway – is the thing of world champions’ Of course it is Nigel – we all know that – chuckled Mr Clemens Kelvin points out that Chris Harris’ form has been sub standard during the second half of the season – but is that because he over achieved in the first half of the season??? Heat 16 Jonsson from the gate – T/G makes a magical fairy tale pass – over Andersen and Holta – who are all over the place – T/G into second place Andersen and Holta – pass each other – with Holta getting the verdict – while T/G pressures Jonsson all the way – but A/J crosses the line first Jonsson 3 – T/G 2 – Holta 1 – Andersen 0 Nigel Pearson – on heat 16 – ‘you don’t know what’s going to happen’ Kelvin Tatum – ‘the track is beginning to break up – Jonsson under immense pressure from the hard charging T/G – super speedway again – long may it continue!!!! Nigel Pearson – ‘I agree with that Kelvin – it’s going to get better and better – as they chase $100,000’ Nigel said that in case - the watching speedway millions had forgotten - what the riders were all here for – and had forgotten about – the big prize- as if!!! Back in the studio Jonathan talking with Jonsson – who is having a good time – and he’s at the top of the score board – but what gate will be pick – 1 or 2 – as the other two are crap – especially gate 4 Jonathan is interested as to what Andreas will do if he wins the big prize ‘Give my mother a holiday’ – says Andreas Jonathan to the camera – ‘He’s a good boy – A mother’s boy’ Keith – ‘Jonathan is keeping us amused from trackside – Jonathan is a good mother’s boy too Cue schoolgirl giggling from – Lee Richardson and Chris Louis Keith quotes Louis – who – ‘loves it when the ruts come out’ Keith – ‘ruts making things difficult – but very interesting – this is building into a great Grand Prix – maybe for the wrong reasons!!! But don’t forget Keith – ruts can make the track dangerous too Chris Louis – ‘the lads are getting uncomfortable’ – but – ‘they are giving us some entertainment – not ideal’ Talking about Chris Harris and Nicholls GP standings – the studio pundits get serious – realising track conditions tonight – could be the downfall of Harris - Lee Richardson says Harris is not having a good night – but he will be in the GPs next year Nicholls battling away – but has to make starts – but already he is above Harris in the GP standings Studio pundits talk about Jonsson’s bike frame – which appears to be ideal for this track – though A/J still hasn’t mastered its idiosyncrasies – but he has gone back to his original bike tuner – has that made the difference??? But the track conditions disrupt everyone – and a buccaneer like Jonsson – is just the man to take advantage of such opportunities Jonathan Green talks to a dejected looking Leigh Adams – who will buy a 1098 Jucatti – whatever they are – if he wins the big prize All the pundits would like Adams to win the money – as consolation for not winning the world championship – both of which he deserves to win But all the pundits agree that Nicki Pedersen won the title because he was the more consistent of the pair The cameras pan in on Nicki – who practices air guitar for the fans ‘He’s a boy’ – chuckles Keith But not a mummy’s boy – eh Keith!!!! Nicki Pedersen reminds Nigel Pearson of Paul McCartney (Watch Nicki sing the Danish National Anthem at the end of the meeting – to see what Nigel means) Heat 17 Crump from the start – Karlsson passes Zagar – while Holta battles with Crump – almost T –Boning the Australian – according to Kelvin Tatum Crump 3 – Holta 2 – Karlsson 1 – Zagar 0 Nigel Pearson is backing Crump to win – but nevertheless seems to feel that Crump is still not riding to his expectations – that Jason is – somehow – letting him down – despite the fact he has made the semi finals Heat 18 Nicki Pedersen rides round the field into first place – Jonsson in second place – Nicholls trying to pass A/J – but gets out of shape – because of the ruts Pedersen in the semis – ‘with a world champion style of riding’ – Pearson Take note Jason Crump Nicholls has a nervous wait to see if he will get into the semis – say the pundits Though others in contention have won races – which Nicholls has failed to do so far More air guitar from Nicki Pearson – ‘he has certainly hit the right not’ Kelvin Tatum almost chokes on forced laughter but says – ‘oh here we go’ Pearson – ‘oh shut up – I am enjoying myself’ Glad someone is Nigel Heat 19 Kelvin Tatum – ‘the tension is building’ Nigel Pearson – ‘this track is disrupting the sweepstakes of the watching speedway millions’ And just to confirm this – Bjarne Pedersen from the gate – Harris battling all the way to get past B/P – Hans Andersen chasing Harris – but Pedersen gains his place in the semis B Ped 3 – Harris 2 – Andersen1 – Laukenen (the most consistent rider of the night – Ace or what eh???) 0 Jonathan with Jonsson – enquiring if he has changed his mind on gate positions – hasn’t Jonathan – ‘the bookies didn’t pick you to win the GP Andreas – ‘me mum is going to get a holiday – the bookies are wrong!!!!’ Heat 20 Nigel Pearson – ‘All these riders are in with a chance of the semis’ Kelvin Tatum – ‘the meeting is coming alive’ Nigel Pearson – ‘Not spectacular – passing at a premium’ BUT – the prize money is in sight for all of them Adams makes it from the gate – Hancock second – T/G – in third place still looking for non-existent grip – and momentum – but there is none there to be had Adams 3 – Hancock 2 – T/G 1 – Jagus 0 Though Nicholls has failed to make the semis – Jagus’ last place means - good news for both Scott – and Chris Harris – who finish above the Pole on the overall GP scoreboard Semi final one gate pick – no surprises – with Jonsson taking gate one Semi final two – Crump picks gate two – a surprise? Andersen gets gate one Meanwhile Jonathan talks to Greg Hancock – who is ‘feeling good’ – and has ‘saved the best till last’ Enquiring of Hancock’s tactics – Greg answers – ‘WIN’ But the pundits wonder if he will do it? Keith – ‘it is a special evening for Greg Hancock – romantic’ Chris Louis – ‘where’s the romance gone in speedway???’ ‘They ditched it in 1994 for the Grand Prixs, Chris,’ chuckled Mr Clemens!!! Keith wonders why Crump picked the blue helmet cover – and begins to miss Uncle Sam – his laptop – and the statistics Sam always has at his fingertips Chris Louis – while grading takes place – ‘they can’t do anything with this track’ Jonathan Green – pops up with all the permutations – that will decide which riders – in contention - will finish in the top eight Keith – in reference to Green - ‘we will have to call him Tony Millard’ Nigel and Kelvin - are baffled - by Jonathan - and his permutations Nigel – saves the day – by reminding - the watching speedway millions – that – guess what – there is a $100,000 prize up for grabs – just in case we’d forgotten – again??? But really – Nigel said this - just to take our minds off of Jonathan’s permutations – Because the astute Nigel - obviously realised that – the average speedway supporters are incapable of digesting such mind numbing information Semi Final one Jonsson moves at the start – Hancock leads from the gate – with Nicki Pedersen in second place – but – according to Kelvin – he makes ‘two huge mistakes’ – which allows Jonsson into second place – and Holta into third place Pedersen grinds to a halt – and out of the GP – and out of the money Yet did anyone realise – at this point – that it was Nicki’s – ‘two huge mistakes’ – that has caused a dilemma – in allowing Holta - to score that one point which brought him level on points with the two British riders – that would have repercussions – for Scott Nicholls and Chris Harris - just a little later on in the meeting Hancock 3 – Jonsson 2 – Holta 1 – N Pedersen 0 Nicki Pedersen takes a world championship winners lap of honour – a low-key affair – yet again - for the new world champion – because there was more important things to be decided – like – for instance – who would get - $100,000 – the reason – no doubt – Olsen told Nicki – to get round as quick as he could – and to get his bleeding arse of the track – ASAP Semi Final two Bjarne Pedersen from the start – passed by Crump – Andersen cuts up the inside – hits a rut – straightens up – hits Bjarne Pedersen – Adams misses Andersen’s head by inches – masterful bike riding from the Australian – who also avoids Bjarne Pedersen Kelvin Tatum wonders how bad Andersen is injured – and confirms the referee has to exclude Andersen as the cause of the stoppage – though both Kelvin and Nigel agree the track was the cause of the stoppage And finally – the consequences of a track that no one can race on - is driven home to Kelvin Tatum and Nigel Pearson The consequences being that some day speedway supporters will witness a rider being killed before our eyes on Television Fortunately both Hans Andersen and Bjarne Pedersen are able to walk back to the pits Back in the studio Keith – thought Andersen’s chain had broken Lee Richardson said – ‘the rut did it – but Andersen is a tough cookie – who has had more than one crash of this nature – in recent GPs – but is always able to get up and walk away from them’ Keith – ‘that particular Dane is made of rubber’ Chris Louis praises Leigh Adams’ skill in avoiding both of the Danes Jonathan Green talks with a stoical Hans Andersen – who admits – he’s gone out of this year’s GPs with a bang – and that he didn’t know what had happened ‘Back next year’ – asks Jonathan? ‘Back but better’ – confirms Andersen!!! Jonathan announces - a $200,000 dollar prize for the 2008 GPs – though does not have the time – or perhaps even the knowledge – to reveal what that really means for the GPs – but IMG knows!!! The news prompts Keith to speculate on what all this implies for GP speedway riders Will the riders be exclusive to the GPs – and thus excluded from taking part in internationals – British championships – League championships – as it is in road racing – will that ever happen to speedway??? ‘Yes’ – says Lee Richardson – ‘Great for speedway – if it happens’ Semi Final two – the rerun Bjarne Pedersen leads from Crump and Adams – B/P takes Crump wide – Adams great cut back up the inside – and into the lead – Crump passes Pedersen – but does not catch Adams – now just one race from the big prize – along with – Crump – Hancock and Jonsson Adams 3 – Crump 2 – B Pedersen 1 Back in the studio Keith – ‘A night of high drama’ – because there will be a race off for the last two places in the overall GP standings – if only Nicki hadn’t made his – ‘two huge mistakes’ Jonathan – ‘Holta has improved as the year has gone on’ Chris Harris – not looking forward to the race off – but will take the chance to get a guaranteed place for 2008 But there is an extra added twist to the plot – has the gate cards are turned blind side – so the riders cannot choose a favoured gate – and the TV pundits debate the validity of such a move Chris Louis thought they should do it the old fashioned way Keith enquires of Chris – ‘can the FIM organise a piss up in a brewery?’ Chris Louis – ‘I’m not commenting on that one.’ But Chris Harris is happy to go blind – as no one is done any favours – though with the pick of gate two – Rune Holta appears to have the advantage over the two Brits Thought the TV pundits don’t see this as a fair way to pick gate positions they are happy that Holta has the chance to qualify by right for 2008 Richardson – ‘Holta needs to win – he is desperate to get into next years GPs’ Chris Louis agrees the pressure is no Holta – as he won’t get picked as a wild card The Race Off Kelvin Tatum – ‘Chris Harris should have had the first pick – they must have made this up as they went along’ Holta makes a good start – Harris is second – goes wide – Nicholls goes under Harris then passes his Coventry team mate Harris drives under Nicholls – into the front – Nicholls connects with Harris ‘Oh he’s knocked him off,’ - yells an astounded Kelvin Tatum!!! ‘It’s unbelievable’ - replies an amazed Nigel Pearson!!! Kelvin Tatum – ‘what’s the ref going to do now???’ Nigel Pearson – ‘the ref has let the race run – therefore the result stands’ Kelvin is lost for words – ‘the ref should have excluded Scott Nicholls’ Nigel Pearson – ‘it is the most clear cut decision you are ever likely to see’ Pearson hopes Scott and Chris will shake hands and accept that – this is speedway – and suggests – perhaps – that Chris Harris – will be part of a similar incident – one day – and the luck – or the decision – will go his way Kelvin Tatum is confused as to how this has been allowed to happen Jonathan interviews Holta – who is obviously suffering badly from the accident to his hand – but he his happy Jonathan looks for reaction from Chris Harris – but the action is diverted to the pick for the gate positions regarding the Grand Final Adams – Jonsson – Hancock – all pick their respective gates – but Crump is reluctant to get up and take the yellow card – indicating gate 4 – the graveyard gate Olsen indicates to Crump – that he must make the pick Crump smiles and says to Olsen – ‘I’ve just realised – it was you who prepared this crap track – that no one can race on – wasn’t it Ole???’ ‘No – no – it wasn’t me Jason,’ chuckled Olsen – ‘would I do a thing like that?’ ‘It was you,’ insisted Jason, ‘You - Great Grand Prix Dane - you.’ Keith Huwen reckons it is one of the most exciting nights of speedway he has ever seen – but doesn’t think that Chris Harris will blame Scott Nicholls for his mishap But Kelvin Tatum is incensed by what happened in the race off But Lee Richardson - lays the blame - squarely at the door of the Polish referee – who should have made a decision But Chris Louis is more stoical about it all – saying that Nicholls had a stroke of luck – that Harris will be disappointed – but he will be in the GPs next year – indicating that in effect – this was the perfect result for everyone – Holta – Nicholls – and Harris Yet all the TV pundits - by dint of what they said – after the race was over – were all in agreement that – Nicholls did - in fact – knock Harris off his bike But - that it was the referees business to exclude Nicholls – therefore if Harris has complaints – he should refer them to the referee – and not to Nicholls But I am sure if Chris Harris – should ask Scott Nicholls why he did what he did – I am sure Scott would have said to Harris ‘Sorry Chris – in the heat of the moment – I thought you were Hans Andersen!!!!’ The Final is almost upon us Who will win it – Hancock – providing us all with – the romantic result?? Nigel Pearson – ‘99 GPs – they said it wouldn’t work out – they said keep the old one off world final But the GPs are here – all those years later’ Kelvin Tatum fancies Jonsson to win the meeting – but his heart is with Greg Hancock Once again – the TV pundits remind the speedway millions - that this is – the richest minute in sport – and this is what it’s all about – and that everyone in the stadium is tense and nervous The Final Adams moves at the gate – immediately blows his chance of victory TV pundits ask if the referee should have called it back? Hancock is slightly ahead of Jonsson – who edges his way around Greg – and pulls away from the American – to win a holiday for his mother Crump almost pulls A/J off his bike as he congratulates the winner of the meeting Jonsson 6 – Hancock 4 – Crump 2 – Adams 0 Jonsson embraces Ole Olsen – congratulating the Great Dane – on his masterful track preparation – saying ‘what a great race track – I couldn’t have done it without you’ But Jonsson is a popular winner – the buccaneering pirate – who stole the treasure chest – from under the noses of the favourites to win the meeting But will Jonsson – ask the TV pundits – become Sweden’s next world champion – and replace – the dear departed Tony Rickardsson??? Jason Crump interviewed – 3rd on the night – 3rd in the world – sums up his up and down year But Jason is privileged to be part of the GPs – and pleased that they are being brought to bigger and better venues – pleased that the prize money is going up ‘We earn our money,’ confirms Jason Jason congratulates Nicki Pedersen on becoming world champion – and Andreas Jonsson – on winning the German GP – and the $100,000 He also congratulates all the other riders in the GP – stating – ‘it takes all sorts to make the GPs happen’ The words of a gracious man – gracious in defeat But there is a deeper meaning to all that Jason Crump said in this interview Jason is obviously enthused – with the spirit – of what the GPs already are – and what they can become Therefore it is up to all those involved in organising the GPs – to take heed of what Crump is talking about – and translate this – as yet theoretical – new spirit of speedway – from thought to deed Because – Jason Crump – is the only speedway rider – who has truly grasped – the meaning of what the future of speedway will be IMG can take speedway to new venues – providing big money prizes – BUT – the TV presentation – must improve – beyond all recognition - in order to convey this spirit – to the viewing public – that they be enthralled by what is on show before them This 100th Grand Prix – should have been a gala TV – an event of the utmost importance – a festival of all that is best in speedway racing – a stage upon which – the best that speedway has to offer – could perform at their best But where was the parade of world champions – to set the scene for what was to come? The televising of the event – started late – everything appeared to be condensed into the time remaining – so much so – that interviews interfered with the build up towards each race – and vice versa – for those who wanted to hear what people had to say. The TV pundits – appeared to see this meeting – as just another GP – with the added ingredient of a big money prize – even though these are the very people – supposedly in on IMG’s plans for the future of the GPs Jason Crump senses all these things – being the reason – he took so much trouble – to express himself precisely – in pointing out the destination – at the end of this new road – that is being opened up – for the speedway fraternity to go down For what Jason Crump was saying – is this – that people are really going to have to –open their eyes to all this – and embrace it wholeheartedly – or accept that speedway has no future – and is going nowhere In reviewing Jason’s autobiography – I said that he was the speedway rider – who would be instrumental in dragging speedway – kicking and screaming - into the 21st century – and he confirmed that in this interview ‘It’s nice he says things like that,’ – Nigel Pearson’s comment on Crump’s interview Greg Hancock – still wants to be part of the GPs – but it is said that IMG want young spectacular riders – like Tai Woffinden – for instance As Josh Auty took a young girl for a ride around the track – that Monday night at Scunthorpe – after the meeting - all the while gazing incredulously at Woffinden – as he pulled endless wheelies around the track But Woffinden was saying to – Auty – and anyone else who cared to notice ‘This is the future Josh – you have to be a showman – that’s what the public want’ Meanwhile Andreas Jonsson – was satisfied he had won his mother her promised holiday – and stated that it was – ‘up to them’ – if he was included in the 2008 GPs Though you get the impression – that A/J wouldn’t be all that bothered if they didn’t pick him – but everyone would have to – wait and see – what happens Back in the studio Keith Huwen – ‘A unique night of speedway’ – but romance is dead as Hancock didn’t’ take the $100,000 Chris Louis – tongue in cheek - ‘where has the romance gone in this sport’ It died Chris – but is waiting to be reborn in the new GP future? But apparently Jonsson needed to win – as there will be no Swedish qualifiers next year – therefore – already – a source of future GP riders – has been cut off – for whatever reason – there are no qualification races in Sweden Does this also mean – that IMG – will dictate who rides in the GPs and who doesn’t – and that there won’t be any need for qualification meetings anywhere? The presentations are made to the top three in this evenings meeting Keith confirms that 60,000 people are in attendance in the stadium Chris Louis insists that this venue remains second to Cardiff – nonetheless Keith – thinks Crump looks like he’s 14 year old – reborn perhaps? Jonsson receives a giant trophy – big enough to hold $100,000 dollars??? Andreas sings the extended version of the Swedish national anthem ‘It goes like this,’ as A/J instructs Crump and Hancock in community singing But why didn’t some of those old world champions present the trophies? Keith says – ‘it’s been a great year for the GPs – there has been some great racing in among’ ‘In among what Keith – all the crap races????’ Presentation to the new world champion and second and third placed riders Chris Louis imagines that Jason Crump will be disappointed with this year Leigh Adams – looks as if his mind and heart – are elsewhere – set on deciding his future perhaps Keith detects sadness in his demeanour – meaning his future is already decided? But all agree – Nicki Pedersen fully deserved his world championship He did it in the right way – for the most part – personally – in the pits – on the bike Nicki sings the Danish National Anthem – conducts the crowd Jason Crump says – ‘I’d love to join in – but I don’t know the words’ – then indicates to Nicki that he ought to sing louder Keith says – ‘we have a lot to look forwards to in 2000 and out’ – Keith corrects himself – ‘2008’ ‘A Freudian slip or what eh – Keith????’ And that’s that for another Grand Prix year Here is a little poem for those who might think speedway has sold it’s world championship soul to the devil they see IMG becoming THIRTY PIECES OF SILVER I know You have not forsaken me In one moment I hang upon the cross In that same moment I am betrayed by a kiss I am riding through Jerusalem I am here writing this song I am at once in freedom I am at one with you I hear the sound of coins As they rattle on the ground Thirty pieces of silver Betrayal is all around Cocks crowing three times Mesmerising rhymes We are in our prisons We are doing our time I seek to speak eternity Balanced on a point The very next thing is To rock this joint I wait on you There is nothing else The stench of evil Fills the air Thirty pieces of silver Rattle on the ground Voices weaving through the labyrinth Big deals coming down the line The snake swings from the Judas Tree That's where I heard that rattling sound The preacher in his pulpit While they pass the plate around Thirty pieces of silver Rattling on the ground It is all change And I have to go along with it I wanted all of this So I had to pay my dues I put my hand in my pocket To see what change I had As I handed my money across Thirty pieces of silver rattled On the ground I stand upon a green hill Looking far away Three wooden crosses Behind me From which hang The bold and the brave Even when you are dying You still don't understand So you just reach out for Something solid and grip Thirty pieces of silver Tightly in your hand …………………………………………………..

In the sports section of the October issue of the Sky TV magazine there is an article concerning the American NFL In this article it tells of American Football history being made when a crowd of 103,467 people in Mexico City watched the Arizona Cardinals versus the San Francisco 49er’s. As the article says – this was the first regular season game held outside the USA The success of this convinced the NFL – to take the show on the road And curtain up is at Wembley Stadium England on Sunday 28th October 2007 Teams playing are the Miami Dolphins versus the New York Giants This is a real match – not an exhibition match – nor is it a warm up game This is the real thing There were 500,000 applications for tickets Thousands will fly in from Miami for the game – as the game is home match – therefore the ‘home team’s fans’ were guaranteed a ticket allocation In the 1990’s – Rupert Murdoch – owner of Sky TV – bought up the TV rights of what was then the English First Division – in order to monopolise the broadcasting of what subsequently became the Premier League Football In the years after the formation of the Premier League – what can be called the ‘favoured’ football teams – those with the largest fan base – the so called ‘rich clubs’ - came to forward to dominate the game These being primarily - Manchester United – Arsenal – Liverpool – while various other clubs fought to gain – ‘favoured football club status’ – and break into - the fabled ‘top four teams’ – eligible to compete in the European Champions League Around the same time the movement began – that was intended to eventually lead to the formation of a European Super League – incorporating – the favoured football teams of each European Nation – that played under the UEFA flag But for a European Super League to take shape – these favoured football teams – would not only have to withdraw from UEFA but from FIFA too It was made very clear - this was the intention of a number of the elite European football clubs – that this was their future – and they intended to put this plan into practice Being one hundred percent aware - this was going to happen – Murdoch attempted to buy Manchester United - in order to have control of the television rights for the games that involved United – in the event that this European Super League – came into existence FIFA - aware what was happening – and what it meant to them - and what it meant to them - was – that the power base of FIFA – would be undermined - put a spanner in these works – by making it known – that those players who played in this European Super League – would lose their registration with FIFA – and therefore would no longer be eligible to play international football for their countries As a result of these manoeuvres – the formation of the European Super League – was stopped in its tracks – and the Champions League was brought into existence – as a compromise – in other words European football fell between two stools – where it languishes to this day Fell between two stools because – the established – old fashioned routine of European football no longer existed – but neither was the new version of European football presentation fulfilled – so European football on TV – pauses now at the half way house between – what football was – and what football will become Once FIFA had successfully put the spanner in the works – Murdoch immediately dropped his interest in the purchase of Manchester United - like a hot potato Man U fans were quite happy that Murdoch pulled out of buying their club – because they knew what was going to happen – if he managed to buy Man U And what was going to happen was this – exactly what is now happening with the Miami Dolphins and the New York Giants The European Super League games – would – eventually – take place – all over the world For example Man U would play Juventus in Tokyo Japan – and the game would be broadcast all round the world – and to these two clubs respective fans – sat in their own stadiums – watching it all – on giant TV screens – while Mr Murdoch – would have reaped the rewards of the ownership of Manchester United – that FIFA subsequently denied him Alex Ferguson is also aware of all this – being the reason he has already said – that international football is dead in the water For Ferguson believes most devoutly in the ‘manifest destiny’ of Manchester United to truly be the greatest football club on earth – in every sense of that concept And this can only come about if the European Super League is formed and Manchester United become truly – A World Football Club – with a fan base in every country – they are invited to play in – in essence playing in front of their – ‘home’ supporters – every other game For this is what Mat Busby meant – when he said he wanted Manchester United to be the greatest club on earth – but Busby was looking at the situation within the context of the old UEFA and FIFA dominated system – not in the shape of a European Super League – he might have foreseen it – but it couldn’t have happened in his day In the Sun newspaper today there is on page 67 – an article concerning Arsene Wenger – with the title – ‘English football has lost its soul’ The article talks about all these foreign buyers coming in and buying up all the football clubs – that have the potential – to develop to the point where they can be classed as – real contenders for all the top honours in domestic and European football The reason these wealthy business men – Americans – Russians – et al – are buying up English football clubs is – that at some point –European football - stalled at the halfway house – described earlier – will free itself from the restraints put upon it by FIFA – and the European Super League – will become fact And European football – will be played anywhere in the world – in the country of the highest bidder – prepared to lay out a fortune – to be visited by these teams This is the reason the Glazer’s bought Man U – and the reason the fans protested so vehemently against it – to no avail – and to their eternal regret – as the future unfolds This is the reason Abramovich bought Chelsea – the reason those two Americans bought Liverpool – the reason that other American bought Aston Villa The reason – another Russian billionaire is in the process of buying Arsenal They all want a piece of this forthcoming satellite TV money machine And Arsene Wenger is the ‘dinosaur’ – the ‘boring old fart’ – that sees what’s happening – and sends out a dire warning to one and all – that football might die a long and bitter death Arsene – on the other hand - sticks to the tried and tested concept of what football was – but no longer is – nor quite yet – what some require it to become And already his position at Arsenal is being undermined – by the Russian billionaire creeping in there – buying up shares – even though – Arsenal is solvent – in fact the richest club in England – despite the fact Wenger didn’t spend his allocated transfer budget – and thereby prove – that football doesn’t need this new money – as much as it likes to think it does Despite the fact he has shown – by example – that billionaire ownership isn’t needed in English football – Arsenal will still become owned by this Russian – and Wenger disgusted and dispirited will no doubt retire from active participation in football – and spend his declining years saying to people – ‘I told you that football would die if the designs of all these people – with attitudes alien to the true spirit of football – were allowed to own football – mind - body and soul’ This ‘stance taken’ by Wenger invites parallels with Ole Olsen I- circa 1975 – when he won his world championship that year – mounted on a two valve bike – in defiance of those who were already switching to four valves – determined to show his fellow riders – that there is progress and there is progress – and the general adoption of the four valve bike – wasn’t necessarily progress - conducive with the competitive spirit of the sport of speedway And what in fact – you may ask – has all the above to do with Speedway???? Well – as it has been stated – Murdoch – wanted to buy Man U – in order to have his feet in both camps when it came to broadcasting this - European Super League By owning Manchester United – and the Satellite TV broadcasting rights But FIFA put their spanner in the works – for the time being In the meantime - Murdoch – with this idea for the world wide presentation of football - on his mind – but unable to bring it about – needed a guinea pig to test out these ideas in practice – so he cast around for some sport – suitably down on its uppers – that could do with – both a financial boost and TV exposure – and through Sky TV found – Speedway And none other than Ole Olsen himself – that great innovator of the presentation of speedway – stepped forward - with an already tested out plan of action – to promote speedway - in a different form than previously – the Speedway Grand Prix series – and Speedway fell- like a ripe plum – into the hands of Sky TV The Speedway Grand Prix series - would replace the old Speedway World Championship format - that previously - speedway riders - had to compete in – in order to become World Speedway Champion In the beginning – there were six GP’s in the series – which has grown now to eleven in 2007 Initially the rights of the Speedway Grand Prix series – were owned by BSI – and now they are owned by IMG It is IMG’s intention to make of Speedway – that which the top European football teams - wish to make of the European Super League - a world wide Television franchise – a money making machine And the presentation of the SGPs – will take place – in various countries around the world – within the countries that - IMG believe - will respond positively to the idea of presenting a Speedway Grand Prix – all of which will be broadcast by satellite – and fed into the homes of – the World Wide Speedway Grand Prix Supporters Club Thus speedway – like the NFL – is going to go through – a sea change – in what it is as a sport – the way it is presented – and the way those involved in speedway – react to all these changes – as they unfold And all this is being done – to test the ground – for the inevitable transformation of European football – into a world wide TV franchise – which will come about – when all these billionaires – buying out English football in particular – are ready to pull European football – out of UEFA and FIFA – to form – the European Super League And once football falls into line – with this TV master plan – every other sport will follow on obediently – into the world wide TV broadcasting fold It’s not often speedway leads football in innovations – but in this particular case it is doing – and will continue to do so – till football accepts the inevitability of its future Those actively involved in speedway – be they promoters – riders – mechanics – administration – the FIM – the BSPA – are all of them aware that something is happening – to the sport they live and breathe for Some of them might have no idea what it is – others might have an inkling of what it is – and others definitely know what it is – and all the above is it But for all of this to bear fruit – in the manner desired – requires that speedway be a vibrant forward thinking sport – on every level – in as many countries as possible The master plan Relies on – a strong senior speedway league – e.g the Elite League Relies on – a strong intermediate speedway league – e.g the Premier League Relies on – a strong breeding ground for young riders – e.g the Conference League Relies on – all of these leagues to be strong and vibrant In order that they feed the SGP – with a constant supply of up and coming riders – with the required professionalism – to compete in the SGPs – in the manner required of a top class international speedway rider Because it is obvious – that you can’t have the one thing – the SGPs – without the other – League Speedway – taking place in the traditional European hotspots And wherever leagues can be established worldwide Because you have to have speedway leagues – and their speedway teams – in order that supporters – will have local speedway to support – so they will be suitably motivated to tune into the world wide SGPs – broadcast on TV British Speedway – has found itself at the most profound crossroads in its entire existence – on the eve of its 80th birthday With the current BSPA – in the position where – the decisions they make – will take speedway in Britain – to a bright new future – or to its extinction And the IMG will take the cream of speedway – riders who no longer have a commitment to a speedway team in GB – to perform in their extended series of GPs – perhaps 20 of them a year But the final number will be the one – deemed most practical – to all those taking part – especially the riders - in particular – expected to perform in them But league speedway can survive in GB – but without senior league speedway – it can be in danger of becoming an amateur sport – in the truest sense of the term Young riders – looking for a future in speedway – will find the doors closed to them – the opportunity of becoming a speedway world champion – will be a distant – and destined to be – an unrealisable dream - unless they can afford to go live and ride on the continent – and make such an impression – to catch the attention of the SGP organisers But grassroots speedway – can seen to be in danger of extinction in GB – sacrificed on the altar of expediency – because Elite League speedway – requires top class riders now – which in the main – so promoters seem to believe - can be acquired from abroad – rather than can be bred to order – in sufficient numbers – in this country – without solid – consistent – financial investment But for Sky TV – to see its plan for the future of football to work – it is necessary for them – to have a successful testing out of that plan – in the shape of speedway Therefore – to follow this test through – it is not beyond the realms of possibility – that Sky would inject money into British Speedway – in order to keep it afloat Keep it afloat until – at least – and at last – the European Super Football League – is formed – and the real master plan is put into practice – then speedway having served its purpose – might well be find itself - once more - out there on its own – left to its own devices - to live or die as it chooses

Define blistering <{POST_SNAPBACK}> blistering = with finesse class dash style and spirit And I can define the meaning of life if you want too

Or Egon Muller perhaps <{POST_SNAPBACK}> And why not - as long as it's blistering - I don't mind who scores it

Adroitly done - but none the less I still prefer the old world finals - and still doesn't alter the fact that the GPs are becoming as dull as dishwater And after the end of last years GPS - I said Nicki Pedersen had served notice that he was going to be world champion at the end of 2007 He was saying - I have overcome the problems with my arms - I am fit and raring to go - I intend to apply myself to the job in hand from this point on - which he did - and ended up world champion The only reason I watched the GPs this season was to keep a check on Nicki's progress to see if his dedication to the job in hand was 100% or just talk He proved on more than one occaison that it was 100 % dedication - and I stood up and applauded him when he crossed the line - a job well done But I still would prefer to see Anders Michanek score a blistering 15 point max because within that performance is found the deep spirit that motivates life There is no deep spirit in routine - the magic is in the unexpected - the unbelievable I believe in the impossible - you know that I do

You are right all three could have scored a 15 point max - and all three of them could have fallen off in their first race - and even cooler - they could have all three fallen off in the first race - one of em could have been excluded - the other injured - and unable to take further part in the meeting - and the third his bike unfit for further use - scoring four last places in his remaining rides - and folk would have been talking animatedly about the unfairness of it all - 20 years down the line - romantic or what Me I have said it more than once to people - those who top the league are champions But - the powers that be deem that's not good enough - therefore we will have an extra competition so as to give someone else a chance - because we are not enamoured of those who have topped the league I suggested a further extension to this - after last years final - on the BSF Advocating that - those who win the play offs - would then take on those who received the wooden spoon Thus - if the wooden spoonists - should happen to sign up a couple of riders - who were a cut above those riding for them through the season - they could then beat the play off winners - and as a result - those who finished at the bottom of the league - would in effect be Elite League Champions - me I think it's a spiffing idea

Personally I'm not advocating the return of the old one off world finals - because it won't happen My posts are my reflections of how things are these days illustrated by comparing and contrasting the two systems of deciding the world championship But for me - in my personal opinion - the GPs are becoming as dull as dishwater - routine - predictable - and boriing but not necessarily in that order

World Finals versus Grand Prix Series ‘Sixteen GPs and what do you get Another day older and deeper in debt Brother don’t you call me cos I can’t go I owe my soul to the company store’ The world finals were the icing on the cake in the romantic world of the old style Individual World Speedway Championship –symbolised in the winged wheel Riders across the board – from the ‘no hoper’ – to the potential world champion – were thrown into the cauldron of cutthroat competition Sometimes – those who – ‘should have been there’ – weren’t Sometimes – those who – ‘shouldn’t have been there’ – were The most obvious example of this – in most folk’s minds anyway – being their best beloved Polish World Champion – dear old – Jerzy Szczakiel To this day you can hear Polish fans chanting his name on the terraces Jerzy – Jerzy (They chant his name – much in the same manner of the chant – Shearer – Shearer You know the one – that deep-throated dumb gormless chant – we all loved to use - called out - while England struggled to qualify for - yet another international championship) But of course - Jerzy - is denigrated - ‘cos – ‘Our Zenon should have won it – not the last minute substitute who only got to ride – cos we couldn’t think of anyone else to put in’ But Zenon didn’t win it – nor ever looked like doing so – didn’t win it perhaps – because he wasn’t up for it – or because as all his compatriots wanted him to win it –he decided to be ‘awkward’ – and therefore obliged them – in typical Polish style – by not winning it. Either way – people have never stopped talking about that final – since And we haven’t even mentioned Mauger falling off his bike – romantic or what eh!!! And you hardly hear people waxing lyrical – about any GP series – as they do of the old world finals - asking people – ‘do you recall the thrills and spills of - GP series 95 – 98 – 01 – 03 – 06 – etc? The GP series is – ‘fairer’ – yes it is – but the glamour – excitement – the life blood of speedway – is – the unexpected It is correct to say – that one bad ride can ruin a rider’s night – and whole speedway year – as it did with Ole Olsen – at Wembley – 1972 – and again in Ulevi – in 1974 I can still recall the Danish contingent’s chant – 1974 - they’d obviously blocked booked a section of the Ulevi Stadium – to cheer on their hero - there was a deep throated manly chant of - UNKA – UNKA – UNKA – UNKA – ringing round the stadium – during the build up – but once Ole had obviously blown it – in his first race – they’d gone – that whole section of the stadium was – empty I was disappointed that Olsen had lost his chance of winning from the off – as I was and still am a Ole fan – but Anders Michanek more than made up for it – with the best world final performance I ever saw – it was a privilege to be there But a couple of duff GP meetings can ruin a rider’s season just as comprehensively as a duff ride in a one off world final When we make a meal – we throw extra ingredients into the mix – to add ‘body’ – to ‘spice it all up’ – to make it tastier – more interesting Because we tire of the mundane – the routine – the run off the mill We can even get bored with Tomas Gollob – winning the Bydgosz GP almost every year – no matter how magically it is done The GP series is in danger of turning into a dire treadmill – set to get even more tedious – and far removed from the madding crowd – as it goes to far flung outposts – to fly the speedway flag – in pastures – perhaps – greener!!! The solitary appearance of the IMG representative – on Sky TV earlier on in the season – after the take over from BSI A square jawed gentleman – whom – for all the world – looked like Clark Kent – ready to strip down to his red undies – and his blue body stocking - ready to - (‘Red and Blue Mr C – why - aren’t those the Halifax Dukes’ colours???’ ‘Oh my God - yes they are – ‘scuse me while I swoon for a moment – and collect me shattered nerves – let me get a little drink – or something to snort’ Mr C overdoses on meths – whoops sorry – I mean methanol – mmm – that’s better) whisk speedway off to pastures greener – with a 20 GP series – complete with works teams – big money sponsorship – and world wide satellite link ups – brought to your TV screen - in a nice neat – pay as you view - package And the riders caught up in all this – will find themselves – bound to this treadmill Circumnavigating the globe – with a travelling itinerary – more exhausting than any flight from the UK to – Poland etc. The same old faces – will be there - every GP – trying ever harder – to raise their game – to provide the paying public – what such a series demands – getting ever more jaded in the process – in effect – selling their souls – to the company’s store. But with the old system – riders like – the swashbuckling piratical Andreas Jonsson – could do an – Anders Michanek – and become world champion – with a scintillating 15 point maximum But he will never be world champion – in the current format of the GP series Because he lacks the tenacity and the consistency – to come in first - over the number of GPs required to be world champion – but no one would resent Jonsson being world champion Only one man has risen to the plate – in the last three GP series Season ’05 Tony Rickardsson Season 06 – Jason Crump Season ’07 Nicki Pedersen With the runner up a distant second – each time – on the score board And even though they’ve changed the scoring system this time – the result has been the same – the winner outstripping the rest of the field - from the word – GO That couldn’t – and wouldn’t – happen – in a one off world final For in a one off world final – Leigh Adams – could have won the title – with a cool calculated consistent performance – in a final – where all around – were losing their heads No one would resent Leigh Adams being world champion Hans Andersen – despite his quality – could be another – who in the end – becomes another GP also ran Because Hans is finding it tough – to develop the consistency – required to be a GP world champion But in a off final – he could rise to the challenge – as he did in Season ’06 – making a title win – the springboard – to multiple world championships – ranking him up there with that other Hans - Neilsen No one would resent Hans Andersen being world champion But he will fall by the world championship wayside – because the GPs march to a different drumbeat – than Hans is attuned to Does the inclusion of Dryml – Iversen – Bjarne Pedersen – in GP Season ’08 – set the pulse racing??? Maybe – Maybe not But in a one off final – each of them could – pull of a surprise on the night But there are no dark horses in GPs But unexpected surprises on the night – this is the romance of the world final While watching the performances of Tai Woffinden and Josh Auty during the Scunthorpe v Oxford meeting – it was obvious they are caught up in – and being thrilled by – the deep all encompassing embrace of the romance of speedway I saw this immediately I saw Josh Auty- in his black kevlars – he was kitted out – in a manner - symbolic of a knight errant – on a mission to succeed – to find the holy grail – and to sup from the cup of everlasting legend Tai Woffinden just as positively turned out – seeking to drink from the same vessel Neither of them saying to the other –‘after you’ – more – ‘he who gets there first – deserves the victors spoils’ And thus those other riders - who stand in the pits there with them – they feel the magic surrounding these boys – and they too wish for that same romantic embrace – and thus their performance is lifted – and the chase was on – to keep up with Auty and Woffinden Not just in that meeting itself – but in their speedway careers in general – Bekker took up that challenge – as did the Oxford boys – who made it clear they weren’t going to allow Auty and Woffinden – to get too far ahead Those other boys saw – where Auty and Woffinden are heading – and Bekker and the Oxford boys – all of them were saying –‘we’re going there too’ – the reason Jordan Frampton – made sure of his six points in his tactical double – the reason Sam Martin got his act together and won two races – the reason why Kyle Norton and Brendan Johnson gave them chase – they were saying – we aren’t going to be left behind’ The reason Byron Bekker – picked himself up off the track – grasped the nettle and played his part in the magical melody of the night All these being the reasons - the meeting was a cracker last night – you could see all of this being played out – there on the track – plain as the nose on your face It is this romance of speedway that – Malcolm Vasey – is on about in every post he makes on the BSF – that this romance – is alive and well in the Conference League – and he is in fear of the danger of it all dying – because – the powers that be don’t see it – because it will all be swallowed up in the – new international world speedway product – accessible to all - armchair bound TV supporters But will the future of the GPs - solidify and make brittle - this romantic hold speedway has - on all these young men (and women) – till it shatters and turns it all to dust? Because – even has IMG’s – Clark Kent – transforms Speedway - into the Superman GP Series – and thus makes ready to take its steely hold on Speedway – proceeding on the assumption that Speedway and Speedway riders – are a malleable object – which can be pounded into any shape But whereas - Speedway – is made up of molecules – whose sum total – is greater than the sum of its parts – and thus – when Speedway is made to go – anywhere other than its natural destination – Speedway returns to its constituent parts – and like grains of sand – slip imperceptibly out of even Superman’s steely grip Kryptonite City Blues – or what eh!!!! So yeah – gimme that old time religion – if it was good enough for – Ivan Mauger* – it was good enough for me *Insert the favourite rider of your choice here And it can be done – with a marriage of both types of championships – as shown in my very own – All Time Greats World Championship series Where 32 riders compete – in alternating GPs – while qualifying rounds take place – for those who are unlikely to finish in the last sixteen – of the first years series – in order to decide who takes the remaining 16 places in the second season – coincidently the very number of riders – who competed in the old world finals Therefore more chances of grasping the golden apple – for more riders – inviting surprises – excitement – dark horses – coming out of nowhere to pull off shock wins And afore you know it – speedway will be romantic all over again – with each and everyone of us – reaching out to feel the embrace of it all *Note for Scribbler – the Speedway Star won’t publish this either

Give me the old one off world final every time The qualifying rounds - would be as entertaining as any GP - most of them were as I remember - Kenny Carter's British Final performance - being one that a lot of people are recalling these days - since the publication of the KC story. The GP are becoming too 'routine' these days = diluted thrills and the loss of interest in them that follow on from that The more GP they have - the more diluted things will become Nicki Pedersen said earlier on in the season that there ought to be just 8 GP's That struck me weird - because I thought - if anyone should know there are plans for more GPs - the riders competing in the GPs should be the first to know - surely??? On saturday night I noted that when Nicki finally clinched the title - the low key response from the crowd - and a seeming 'lack of interest' in the fact - down in the pits area As Nicki rode around the track after the race - it was almost as if he was looking round and saying to himself - 'Is there anyone here in this stadium??? Speedway is a 'romantic' sport - which people have forgotten - for that is what is wrong with speedway these days - the romance has gone - and there was nothing more romantic than the one off - World Individual Championship Final Fundin Mauger Briggs Nielsen Olsen - et all - did all right out of it - the very same riders people confirm would dominate the Grand Prix if they were riding today Yep give me the one off world final every time

We try to watch all the young riders when we can - either at BV or Sheffield I have seen James Sarjeant ride in a previous junior championship and I was impressed by his performance I got into the British Academy Under 15's Championship in previous seasons But - for me - this season it has almost passed by unnoticed Whenever I looked on here and in the Speedway Star for information - I was disappointed to find there was very little said about these young riders They are the future of the sport and need all the encouragement they can get What I want to see is a comprehensive list of fixtures - those already gone - with a list of those competing - and the results so far I also want to see the up and coming fixtures - in the hope there is one local to Sheffield - BV - Scunthorpe -(though I think they've already had one at Scunny) The lack of information - that should be ready at hand - doesn't help the supporters getting behind these young riders and supporting them properly But good luck to them all - including Montana Jowett - who we see at BV on a monday night - there are quite a few who think I am joking when I say - 'the rider there is a girl' They say - 'are you sure' I say - 'well you can go and ask her if you like'

Good to see 'Little Soren' - that's Jason Garrity - competing in this meeting He is a pleasure to watch at BV The other week he came round the third/fourth bend and tied himself in knots in the process - tried to correct it - but fell off I observed to my friend - 'Now he knows what made Peter Craven - Peter Craven' Good luck to the rest of these lads riding in the championship I was hoping there would be a meeting taking place either at Sheffield - BV as there has been in the past

Congratulations to Nicki Pedersen He served notice in the last GP of 2006 that he would be a force to be reckoned with in 2007 During this year he has performed consistently - attached common sense to his riding ability - led the field all season - finished - where he expected to finish - because - he stuck to his game plan throughout the season Watching Nicki in the last GP of 2006 - I expected him to be world champion at the end of 2007 I expect that Tomas Gollob will be world champion at the end of 2008

These are the best compliments you can get - PolskiZuzel - nothing but the facts speaking for themselves I appreciate such compliments very much - I do believe Tomas will go all the way next season - and give you your world champion you have waited for - for so long He is serving notice of this fact - just as Nicki Pedersen served similar notice - when he won the last GP of 2006 - that he would be number one contender for the World Championship in 2007 And i really ought to be going to Bydgoszcz to see him crowned King next year

Best rider on the night - because he was involved in a horrendous crash - that could have put him out of the meeting - rest of the GP's - and the world title chase But he picked himself up dusted himself off - got on with it - made the final - finished third - and for me was the - best rider of the night - because he did all that - in other words you pays your money and makes your choice - and for me that made him the best rider on the night

It was like an old world final - reminded me of the 1976 world final Nicki is coming of age and has the potential to be a great world champion He is doing everything right - developing into a consumate professional Rides in four leagues - scores points - turns up on the night - puts on the same hard rding show - everywhere he goes - and long may he continue to do so The problems with his forearms have impeded him in the past - but now that problem is seemly gone - the sky's the limit for Nicki Nicki Pedersen is becoming a credit to the sport and long may he continue to do so Tomasz Gollob - a master of that track - pity he can't or won't do the same everywhere he goes - for if he did he would have been a multiple world champion And it could be said that - perhaps - Gollob is building himself up to make the supreme effort next year - to top off his career with a world championship win Otherwise why should he have all of a sudden turned from a disinterested bystander into what could have been a realistic challenge for this years world championship - if he had turned it on earlier Perhaps that plane crash has turned some sort of light on inside his mind that has told him that he can be world champion - for once you have had that kind of brush with death - some people are freed from a lot of negative inhibitions that previously chained them down Perhaps that's why he could contemplate a return to Elite League racing next season Does that also mean that quite a few riders are beginning to 'realise' that racing in GB is more of a necessity than recently has seen to be the case - by them All of this will no doubt remain to be seen Gollob's performances in the last two GP's will be an indicator as to what sort of challenge he will offer next year As it has been said - it's a pity it was a slick track - the racing would have been even better if it had been - but perhaps the 'drizzle' dicated that the track preparation would make it slick - just in case there was a downpour Gollob was masterful in his last race - there is a thread asking for your opinion on what is the best GP race you have seen I was simply going to say any featuring Tomasz Gollob - at his best But for me Nicki Pedersen was the best rider on the night - despite the Gollob magic - because he's done it throughout the season And tonight he did it despite that horrendous crash that could have put him out of the meeting - out of the GP's and cost him the world championship He's the main man at the moment and good luck to him the rest of the way But watch out for Gollob - something is happening with him - and it could be a world title As for myself - I'm hoping for the wild card in the German GP as I could do with $100,000

Not too bad a meeting Nicki was great both on and off the track- especially his comic turn with the waste of space polish ref - Nicki was grinning from ear to ear with his tongue in cheek remarks And his 24 point lead rubber stamps his credentials for becoming 2007 world champ

Speedway World Cup Final Before I even start – Tomas Gollob is and always will be – in my book - one of the greatest speedway riders that ever rode a speedway bike – when he feels in the mood. Quote of another World Cup Hans Andersen on Chris Harris: ‘He looked me straight in the eye – and turned left – then laid the bike down!!!!!’ ‘AAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRGGGGGH’ Chris Harris in response: ‘This is one Team GB rider you won’t be riding, rough tonight old love!!!!’ With the wife away for a fortnight at - Kolonia – that’s the Polish Scouts for those who want to know!!!! Uncle Mr Clemens replete with famed Halifax woolly pully and tasty sweet and sour chicken and crispy fried noodles sat down to watch what should be a great world cup final. This meeting was set to be a tasty starter to two weeks of travelling the country to watch speedway…..BUT Questions were hanging in the air asked by the results of the previous rounds. Could the mighty Mid-Glow motivate his intrepid team of British riders to cause an upset in Leszno.? Thursday night the mighty Mid-Glow was wheeled into the alfresco pits interviewing area - in Hannibal Lecter’s wheelchair – but someone failed to put the brace round his head to prevent him biting Georgi Thompson’s face off (More’s the pity some might say – and some might not – thought Keith Huwen might) Dressed all in black and displaying his knobbly knees to the viewing speedway millions the mighty Mid-Glow promised that GB would do their best – as they always do. Scott Nicholls – obviously very impressed by the Mighty Mid-Glows sartorial demeanour – guaranteed to put the fear of God into the three teams in opposition - inferred to our favourite TV pundits that third place might well be a triumph for Team GB – BUT – would it work out like that???? Already the world cup was wobbling as Uncle Sam almost knocked it off the table – but no one was watching Sam – so don’t worry thi sen abart it mate – the cup was runneth over anyway!!! The team line ups were announced – with Team GB unchanged Australia put Davy Watt in instead of Rory Schlein Denmark remained unchanged as we all knew they would be BUT ….What’s all this about…..???? The famed Norwegian Pole Rune Holta back in the team – looking for another medal he couldn’t get anywhere else – except in a car boot sale…..???? And Greg Walasek in - instead of Balinski – when it was obvious from the race off – that Balinski was more at ease – in the team – and on this track - than Walasek was - on Thursday night…..???? Once again the Polish speedway authorities were showing a distinct lack of faith in their own Polish riders – feeling the need to draft in a rider from another nation. This being a Polish speedway that supposedly boasts an embarrassment of riches when it comes to the quality of their home grown riders – who they appear to have no faith in at all BUT….if they feel the need…..nivver mind eh….????? One more question – how is it that one of the most stirring national anthems you are likely to hear – which stirs the blood and sets a person up for the evenings proceedings - was ruined on Thursday night – and again tonight – by TV technicians who contrive to make it sound like it was struggling to get out from some bottomless pit…..???? But on with the motley Heat One. Heat 1: Kasprzak 3. Andersen 2. Sullivan 1. Richardson 0 K/K from the gate – with Andersen passing Sullivan – with Richardson nowhere. Poland 3 Denmark 2 Australia 1 Great Britain 0 Heat 2: Hampel 3. Crump 2. Bjerre 1. Stead 0. Hampel gates – followed by Bjerre – but Crump makes his way past the Dane – with Stead nowhere Poland 6 Denmark 3 Australia 3 Great Britain 0 Heat 3: Gollob 3. Iversen 2. Holder 1. Kennett 0. T/G with a lightning start – chased by Iversen – Holder over takes GB rider – leaving Kennett nowhere Poland 9 Denmark 5 Australia 4 Great Britain 0 Heat 4: Holta 3. N Pedersen 2. Adams 1. Harris 0. Norwegian Pole – from the gate – a lot of needle between Adams and Pedersen – with Harris nowhere – but this was the first interesting race of the night Poland 12 Denmark 7 Australia 5 Great Britain 0 Heat 05: Watt 3. B Pedersen 2. Nicholls 1. Walasek 0. What a refreshing change – a rider from another team realises there is a world cup to be won – Davy Watt – while B. Ped and Nicholls have a great battle – the Dane just edging it over Scottie Poland 12 Denmark 9 Australia 8 Great Britain 1 Heat 06: N Pedersen 3. Holder 2. Richardson 1. Walasek 0. A determined Nicki P. – half in control of his bike – pushes Walasek out of the picture – with Holder and Richardson taking advantage – Team GB score a point – disturbing the symmetry of the individual points table on my pre-printed score sheet The Polish fans not happy with Nicki – but that’s racing – and it is the world cup!!!! Poland 12 Denmark 12 Australia 10 Great Britain 2 Heat 07: Kasprzak 3. Adams 2. B Pedersen 1. Stead 0. K/K quick from the gate – Adams and Bjarne locked in battle – Stead - nowhere Chris Louis – famed Polish Immigration Officer – interviews K/K – looking for the secret to the success of the Polish team thus far K/K happy to tell him – secure in the knowledge it won’t do Team GB a blind bit of good!!!! Poland 15 Denmark 13 Australia 12 Great Britain 2 Heat 08: Hampel 3. Andersen 2. Watt 1. Kennett 0. Hampel from the gate – Andersen struggling to keep in contention – Watt takes care of Kennet – who is nowhere At this point this meeting is beginning to resemble round one of the World Cup as the Poles are dominating on a slick track – when is the opposition going to get their act together????? Poland 18 Denmark 15 Australia 13 Great Britain 2 Heat 09: Gollob 3. Bjerre 2. Sullivan 1. Harris 0. But there is always the masterful T/G to provide a piece of much needed magic – imperiously sweeping round the field for another great race win – passing both Harris and Bjerre – with Sullivan relegating Chris to last place Poland 21 Denmark 17 Australia 14 Great Britain 2 Chris Louis – to T.G - ‘You are a sporting legend’ T/G – to Chris Louis – ‘You are a TV pundit’ Nigel Pearson comment to watching speedway millions via Kelvin Tatum on Chris Louis tongue tied tribute to T/G ‘We are being treated to some eloquent commentaries’ Too bleedin right mate – NOT!!!!! Pearson announces interesting news circulating out of – THE PITS – Greg Walasek is feeling sick because he came in last twice – therefore is withdrawn from the meeting Balinski replaces Walasek – but why wasn’t he in the team from the get go???? An indignant Greg Walasek – fearing folk will think skulduggery is afoot - is overheard talking to the Polish Doctor ‘I demand that you declare me unfit to ride - people will begin to think I am a British Pole riding for Team GB – coming in last twice. The only reason Team GB don’t look as sick as me is because they are so used to coming in last – it doesn’t bother them anymore!!!! Heat 10: Crump exc. Restart: Iversen 3. Holta 2. Nicholls 1. When is a con rod not a con rod? – when it’s bleedin knackered – that’s when!!!! Tragedy for Australia with Crump excluded – when Australia was using their joker option to get back into the meeting - perhaps the true turning point of the evening – BUT….we will never know????? In the re start – Iversen from the gate – Nicholls battling hard to keep Holta in third place – but Norwegian Pole – passes Scottie and almost takes Iversen too – but the Dane holds on – Team GB has three points to their name at this point!!!! Poland 23 Denmark 20 Australia 14 Great Britain 3 Heat 11: Hampel 3. Iversen 2. Adams 1. Richardson ef. Hampel goes round Iversen – Richardson mixing it with Adams – until more misfortune strikes – Lee suffers an engine failure – otherwise Team GB would have four points – perhaps???? Poland 26 Denmark 22 Australia 15 Great Britain 3 My inclination at this point was to turn the TV off and find better things to do than watch a meeting degenerate into a farce. The reason being that for me it was plain to see that as far as the Polish team management was concerned Walasek wasn’t cutting the mustard – therefore he is injured – therefore he is replaced by Balinski I became detached from this meeting at this point – prior to this I was ‘into the meeting’ – and if not enjoying it much – was satisfied with the way things were unfolding But with the replacement of Walasek – for me – something negative was injected into the meeting – something black – something dark – and I was no longer interested in the outcome – because I didn’t doubt from this point on that the Polish team were going to ‘win’ this meeting. Yes I would have turned it off – because it turned me off …… BUT I stayed with it because I’d promised some people a report on the meeting as I used to do in the past. Heat 12: Gollob 3. N Pedersen 2. Stead 1. Watt 0. T/G made it all worthwhile for me still watching with this brilliant ride – taking Nicki way out – Steady taking advantage – but magnificent magical T/G takes them all in his stride – miles ahead when crossing the line. Stead scores a point – WATT???? I wonder what the great man – (T/G – not Simon Stead) – thinks of the lack of faith – the lesser people around him - have in the Polish world cup team?????? Poland 29 Denmark 24 Australia 15 Great Britain 4 Nigel Pearson joins the ‘lack of faith in your own riders club’ – seemingly writing off this current crop of British riders - including Chris Harris – perhaps the Cardiff GP already becoming a ‘distant’ memory – and maybe another false dawn – after all Pearson perhaps, indicating that Chris Harris has finally been ‘found out’ – by his fellow GP riders????? Including Edward Kennett – who has hardly begun his career Including Simon Stead – who is a talented rider – who loves riding for Belle Vue!!! Where are you Josh Auty when your country needs you – riding at Sunny Scunny – that’s where mate – along with that other Brit – Aussie – Brit – Aussie (oh please yourself) – future giant of speedway - Tai Woffinden!!!! ‘Where – Who,’ asks a sickly looking Greg Walasek???? ‘Nivver mind all that’ said the Polish track doctor, ‘you just concentrate on feeling sick – and don’t concern yourself with the state of British speedway’!!!!! Heat 13: B Pedersen 3. Holta 2. Sullivan 1. Kennett 0. Bjarne Pedersen brings a (Rune) Halta – to the Polish advance to – glory!!!! Ryan Sullivan holds up our fave Norwegian Pole – for awhile at least – B/P just holding onto the lead across the line – but the gap begins to narrow between the Poles and the Danes – Kennett nowhere Poland 31 Denmark 27 Australia 16 Great Britain 4 Heat 14: Balinski fexc. Rerun: Crump 3. Andersen 2. Harris 1. Andersen from the gate – Crump passes Harris – who tussles with Balinski at close quarters – Balinski goes down – and his excluded – but did Harris help him on his way??? Was this ‘poetic justice’???? Would Balinski take anymore rides Would Walasek make a miraculous recovery and be reinstated Who knows???? Hans Andersen deprived of a win that was certainly his – when the red lights came on The rerun said it all One of the finest races of the night – with Andersen cursing his luck – when Crump – comes out on top from a three way battle – which could have been won by any of these riders – but the Danes have closed the gap to two points – while Australia begin to develop a respectable score line Pearson makes the acute observation – or is that ‘cute observation’ – that without the Poles we have a ‘decent race’ on our hands – does this mean that Nigel has deep unspoken feelings about the Polish world cup team – and the weird goings on in their camp – does he too think perhaps and mayhap there is skulduggery going on????? Poland 31 Denmark 29 Australia 19 Great Britain 5 Heat 15: Bjerre 3. Kasprazak 2. Nicholls 1. Holder 0. Bjerre from the gate – Nicholls and Holder baulking K/K – but the Pole goes round them both – to take up the Danish challenge – heads Bjerre – but Kenny passes him to take the win – Denmark now just one point behind Poland – Team GB score another point Poland 33 Denmark 32 Australia 19 Great Britain 6 Pearson likens this race to ‘spicy sausages on a barbecue’ – has Nigel been at the Keilbasa??? Uncle Sam asks Hans Andersen if the Danes can win the meeting ‘Yer darn bleedin tootin we can,’ says Hans!!!! Sam asks Adams why he is struggling – Adams has no answer to Sam or the track conditions – but gives credit to the Poles and Danes for mastering the track. Hampel admits the Poles are feeling the pressure from Denmark The mighty Mid-Glow – as unlike Hannibal Lecter as you can get – admits Team GB can’t get it together – their engines aren’t fast enough – but all of them are talented riders. Our intrepid TV pundits – who suspect something negative is going on – down there in the Polish corner of the pits – inform us – that something ‘wonderful’ is going on – on the terraces – that we should wallow in the excitement of the so enthusiastic Polish crowd – Why??? The indication being – that despite suspicion of skulduggery – because the crowd show such enthusiasm – and it’s such a colourful and wonderfully thrilling showcase of a speedway audience – it justifies a lil bit of fiddling – to get the right result – to please that – ever so demanding crowd of speedway folk But I don’t go to speedway to watch a crowd – given what they demand – with the compliance of those in speedway authority who really ought to know better. And it doesn’t do speedway any good – as will be shown in the long term Heat 16: Crump 3. B Pedersen 2. Richardson 1. Gollob 0. Now at this point in the meeting – every soul in the stadium – and the watching speedway millions – have just cause in assuming that – poetic justice – was about to be served – big time – when for some reason known only to his majestic – enigmatic – sen – the immortal T/G – decides this is just another run off the mill GP meeting and not the world cup after all – and comes in last Or - perhaps - on the other hand – T/G is sick – or what????? Lee Richardson makes the gate – but Crump passes – as does Bjarne Pedersen – with T/G – well – nowhere!!!!! And Denmark is in front – by one solitary point And Team GB has scored another – solitary point Poland 33 Denmark 34 Australia 22 Great Britain 7 Heat 17: Andersen 3. Holta 2. Nicholls 2. Schlein 0. Chris Holder – is sick too now – and Rory Schlein takes his place – Nicholls is in for Simon Stead – who isn’t sick – but out anyway as he’s only scored one point – as the mighty Mid-Glow has explained to him The mighty Mid-Glow: ‘One point isn’t good enough Simon’ Simon Stead: ‘But a point is a point’ The mighty Mid-Glow: ‘But that’s not the point’ Simon Stead: ‘Oh yes it is ‘ The mighty Mid-Glow: ‘Oh no it isn’t’ Despite all this – it’s Andersen – the bit between his teeth – (which bit is down to you) – from the gate – Nicholls in second – pressed by Holta – who passes Scottie – and attacks Hans – but the Dane hangs on for the win – putting them two points up on the Poles – Nicholls scores two points – from astute tactical use of the joker – Courtesy of the mighty Mid-Glow Poland 35 Denmark 37 Australia 22 Great Britain 9 Heat 18: Bjerre 3. Balinski 2. Adams 1. Allen 0. Edward Kennett joins the sick list – Oliver Allen takes his place – for the experience – and what an experience it was – having a close up look at a brilliant race from the three riders he is up against. Balinski in for Walasek – who heads the sick list Bjerre – who some might regard as the Danes weak link – gates – ahead of the Pole – who passes the Dane – Bjerre regains the lead – Adams passes Balinski – but the Pole gets by Adams at the finishing post – great race!!!!! Poland 37 Denmark 40 Australia 23 Great Britain 9 At this point – the feeling that ‘poetic justice’ was about to be performed – permeated through the TV screen from the atmosphere around the stadium in Poland. The Danes were three points ahead – the concept was developing that – the Poles were beginning to ‘crack’ – from the pressure – all Polish riders seem to be under when performing before their home crowd So much so was this feeling growing in the stadium – Jan Staechman was interviewed by Uncle Sam – perhaps assuming the meeting was going to go the way of the Danish team – and Sam wanted to be in their cheering them on to victory from the ‘get go’ Or at least from heat 19 on!!!! Sam’s inclination seemed to be confirmed when Jan told him that the Danish boys had ‘knuckled down’ to the job in hand after the disappointments of the first few races. Then Jan followed up this statement with a comment that almost – almost – passed by unnoticed. And this comment summed up perfectly what was going on in this World Cup Final – a comment I stand four square behind A comment that can be classed as the ‘motto of this meeting’ ‘And we didn’t have to cheat to get where we are’ You could almost feel the tension in the commentary box – has Kelvin whispered conspiratorially to Nigel Pearson – that Staechman had used the ‘C’ word on TV. But the riders were on their way out for the next race – so the moment passed – as the famed TV pundits now had time to gather their wits and plan their next move regarding this ‘revelation’ by the Danish team manager (Revelation = the blindingly obvious) Heat 19: Kasprzak 3. Harris 2. Iversen 1. Watt 0 Harris was out of the gate first – Iversen stranded in third place – Kasprzak takes Harris on the back straight lap one – and picks up three points for the Poles – one behind the Danes Poland 40 Denmark 41 Australia 23 Great Britain 11 As it would be seen as a ‘dereliction of duty’ by any TV pundit – not to get an instant response to the ‘wicked accusation’ – by the Danish team manager after heat 18 Kasprzak – the winner of heat 19 - was brought before the cameras to make his response to this ‘negative comment’ by Jan Staechman K/K emphasised how sick Walasek was – perhaps not having been reminded of the old adage - by his management team – about ‘protesting too much’ – as doing so indicates there is more truth attached to an accusation – than there would be – if one kept one’s trap shut But actually no – it wasn’t the Poles who were cheating – revealed Krzysztof - It was the Danes – and it wasn’t just any old Dane who was cheating either!!!! In fact it was that wicked – three times DANISH World Champion – that evil DANISH GP Race Director – Ole Olsen – who was bleedin cheatin mate Cos he’d doctored the track right there in front of about 50 thousand Poles – cool level headed defiance of the risks he was running – slick or what eh!!!!! Sorry – sick or what eh!!!! But Uncle Sam – realising – with the strange weather patterns currently circulating round Europe – that it was difficult to determine which way the wind was blowing – said the Poles were right to make use of the rules to substitute one rider for another Inferring – therefore – that the Poles did right to ‘cheat’ – as Ole Olsen could be ‘cheating’ for the Danes Therefore – one set of cheating beresfords – cancels out another set of cheating beresfords – which – thus – makes it all – all right then – or what ????? But Uncle Sam was still leaning towards a Danish ‘victory’ – as he was beginning to wonder if the Poles were ‘mentally beat’ BUT…… it wasn’t Kasprzak who was ‘mentally beat’ it was – Chris Harris – and most importantly Niels Christian Iversen who were – weird track doctoring or what???? Heat 20: N Pedersen 3. Hampel 2. Sullivan 1. Nicholls 0. But Nick P wasn’t interested in anything but a race win – to confirm Uncle Sam’s inclination of a Danish ‘victory’ All three riders pass Sullivan – who made the gate - Hampel dicing with both Nicholls and Sullivan – gets into second place – with Scottie relegated to – nowhere Poland 42 Denmark 44 Australia 24 Great Britain 11 Heat 21: Holta 3. Richardson 2. Bjerre 1. Watt 0. Lee Richardson decides to put in an appearance – going round Bjerre who leads from the gate – but that famed Norwegian Pole Rune Holta – sweeps round them both – and Poland and Denmark are on level points – with four races to go Richardson’s two points puts him one point behind Nicholls as Team GB’s top scorers!!!! Poland 45 Denmark 45 Australia 24 Great Britain 13 Heat 22: Sullivan 3. Balinski 2. Iversen 1. Stead 0. Sullivan decided to join in the points scoring festival – with Balinski keeping Iversen in third place – after passing Stead – Iversen struggles to keep Stead at bay – but the Poles are back in front by one point Poland 47 Denmark 46 Australia 27 Great Britain 13 Heat 23: Kasprzak 3. N Pedersen 2. Crump 1. Allen 0. Kasprzak makes mincemeat of Nicki P – Crump struggles to do the same – Allen in great position to observe how it should be done – Poles ahead by two points Poland 50 Denmark 48 Australia 28 Great Britain 13 Chris Louis with Kasprzak – who praises his English team sponsors – a bit of P/R – designed to smooth ruffled feathers – amongst those who suspect skulduggery – a waste of time!!!! Heat 24: B Pedersen 3. Hampel 2. Schlein 1. Harris 0. Bjarne P isn’t giving up on the world cup – but it’s Rory Schlein – who gates first – with B/P and Hampel passing him – Harris – nowhere again!!!! But it’s down to a last heat decider – and a ‘fairy tale ending’ – as Georgi tells us – over and over again – in an attempt to deflect those who suspect skulduggery – that it was nothing of the sort!!!! Poland 52 Denmark 51 Australia 29 Great Britain 13 Heat 25: Gollob 3. Nicholls 2. Andersen 1. Adams 0. It is Hans Andersen v Tomasz Gollob- for the world cup – and T/G wasn’t waiting for Andersen – as he made a lightning start – as expected – Andersen letting Nicholls through in his attempt to make contact with T/G – but he made no impression on Nicholls and T/G was gone – Adams – on his home track – was nowhere for Australia Poland 55 Denmark 52 Australia 29 Great Britain 13 And it was all over – the Poles had ‘won the world cup’ – but their squad looked suitably subdued as they were driven around the track to collect their trophy – and rightly so too – for Tomasz G was the only one who could truly hold his head up high – as he was driven round the track – while his fellow team mates picked up their tarnished gold medals Krzysztof Kasprzak embraces T/G – no doubt thanking him for restoring a semblance of respect to this - Polish World Cup ‘victory’. Meanwhile Uncle Sam – Nigel Pearson – Kelvin Tatum – were revealed to have been discussing the future of British Speedway Pearson once again listing the junior riders that will one day compete in the world cup But how is this to come about – they ask – why by sending young British riders to ride on foreign tracks – something Mr Clemens said long ago And finally the TV sound technicians managed to get a half decent rendition of the Polish national anthem broadcast this time – but keep on trying – you might get there in the end – when you pay less attention to the riders off key singing – and more attention to the actual supporters in the stadium TV might be thrilled by the presence of vast Polish crowds but they have no idea how to use them effectively when it comes to national anthems And that’s that – a shame the meeting was spoiled – by those in charge of the Polish world cup squad – and their appalling lack of faith in their own riders ability to win – on their home track – in front of their own supporters The moral of the story being – if you can’t win by fair means – then don’t compete at all – whichever team you ride for or what ever competition you are in

aye nobility - unlike others who have - no - ability chuckle

This was a superior speedway meeting - one for the connoisseur - a game of chess taken to the wire. When old fogies - such as me sen - talk about a speedway meeting in the old days - this is the kind of meeting we are talking about. The Poles were - 'inspired' by their own supporters - which means the fans let their feelings be known to their riders - who then 'rose to the occaisson' - in other words did what they were expected to do - instead of swanning around The Australians set the pace for one and all - The Swedes despite their depleted resources did once again show their classy historical speedway credentials It's a pity it can't be a five team final - The Swedes would be the ulitimate spoilers. I have been a fan of Freddie Lindgren eversince I saw him riding as a guest for an opposition team at Coventry when he scored 14 or 15 points. Freddie has an enigmatic look about him that is hard to define - but it came to me last night - as he was being interviewd in the pits - Lindgren has an air of 'nobility' about him - and he will be the Swedes next great world champion - I am sure of that. The Russians didn't cause an upset has I hoped they would after their efforts at Coventry - but perhaps it won't be long before they do. Yes this was a great meeting - Speedway as it should be - riders take note who were watching this It's all about committment, desire and passion - the desire to entertain - the passion to win - the committment to entertaining racing I look forward to saturday night - what I do hope is - with the way speedway is going these days = dull - boring - tedious meetings - just like world cup round one in denmark - that my entire speedway watching won't be restricted to the race off and final of the world team cup and nothing else. The world cup was the highlight of the season last year - it's looking to be the same this year - so speedway folk observe these two meetings - and apply yourselves to the job in hand - and make the sport of speedway what it should be - as was demonstrated last night - and the fans will come pouring back through the gates A great meeting - loved it

I think Russia could quite well cause an upset tomorrow night I for one hope they do It would - as they say - make a refreshing change

One of the true greats was Soren - a true joy to watch

No one's dominating this year's GP's that's the beauty of it Nicki looked like he was for the first 3 rounds but this year's reality has set in and the game is wide open for 'the one prepared to step up to the plate' Nicki's not doing it Jason's not doing it Leigh's not doing it Greg's not doing it Hans is trying to do it but it keeps on damn well slipping away from him and Mr Harris well Mr Harris is 'just there for the experience and trying to enjoy it the best he can'. Perhaps and mayhap that's the 'key to the door'. 'You never can tell', said Mrs. Bell.

The name is quite apt for someone who 'bombs' around the track in the way he does. Connotations are added to a person's name by those who want to add those connotations to the name I don't think for one moment that Chris Harris thinks of his nickname in anyother way than people often call those named Harris 'bomber' because of the world war two Bomber Harris or Chopper because of the chelsea footballer. But either way Chris chopped and bombed his way to a great win last night and let's hope it's the first of many times he does it

Great result for Chris Harris He single handedly continues to electrify an otherwise dull lack lustre season Well done that man

While all around were losing their heads Mr Adams sailed right on through to a great personal win for him Good onya mate