Bobbin' Along

I don't really care if a speedway rider is gay, straight or bi-sexual. It's got chuff all to do with us if he is, and if they want to "come out" then that's totally their decision. All I care about is that they give 100% committment to their club and their fans, and that they acknowledge us from time to time. And to be honest, I don't think the use of derogatory terms for gay men on this thread is particularly helpful either. Is it any wonder that sportsmen (not just speedway riders) don't "come out" given the response they would get? And yes, I know not all speedway fans and posters on the BSF are homophobic, but there will be enough of them to make it difficult. The unnamed speedway rider who committed suicide isn't alone - Justin Fashanau was a football player who couldn't cope when his lifestyle was discovered. His family are probaby still feeling the repercussions.

I have to say this looked a really good deal until I realised that with 5 of us it came to £300. I can get a limo and driver for half that, and sleep in my own bed - so that's what we're doing. However, to be fair to all concerned - the hotels in the Cardiff area have all put their rates up. The ones I originally contacted last June were quoting £65 for a family room, and when the date was announced the price suddenly rocketed to £100 for the same room type.

I don't think that's a fair comment CB252. Bomber has had his fair share of knockers on here this year as well - admittedly less of them after Cardiff. I personally would have criticised any rider that did what Nicholls did on Saturday. You say the gap was there - in fact I believe you said you could get a 737 in it -if that was the case, how did Nicholls manage to take Bomber off? I do have to agree with you about the GP though. I'm glad I was sat at home with a cup of tea and friends rather than have gone. But do tell- how did the Poles ruin it? It wasn't clear on the telly - but then it was all so shambolic anyway that doesn't suprise me.

Go LW! I think the important bit is highlighted.....In these cases, he was the one doing the squeezing and it's much easier to stay on a bike when you know what you're about to do.

LMAO

Too many posts here to quote in my reply. IMHO Nicholls did not deliberately take Bomber off. However, just like others before him, he went for a gap that was not there. I have seen others make similar moves and been excluded, and I have seen Nicholls complain bitterly when others do the same to him (strangely the name Hans Andersen is featured in some of the other incidents I have in mind!). Just hope Nicholls remembers the phrase he used one of those times - what comes around goes around.... If you look closely at the footage, Bomber was in front, although probably not by the required bike length or whatever it is that would mean it was his line. The referee made an appalling cock up in not excluding Nicholls as the cause of the stoppage, but then again he didn't appear to know the rules anyway -especially in relation to run offs. Interestingly, the result wasn't officially announced by Sky directly after the race, and no interviews were attempted with either Nicholls or Bomber. I wonder how this will affect the team spirit at Coventry now? And does it add any credence to the rumour I have heard that Nicholls will be moving back to Ipswich next season because of the travelling? Hmm

The extended Bobbin' family will again be making the not so long treck down the M4. Decided not to stay thenight - the outlaws wanted somewhere in the centre of the City, but nothing doing. Can't wait though! Maybe this time I'll actually get to meet up with some of you in the POW.

Keep the faith!

I thinkyou may have just hit the nail on the head there - in previous years NP has seemed to have been out of control, hot headed and a general pain in the butt. This year, although we have still seen glimpses of that NP, the more mature version has been on the track for the most part. There were a lot of comments in the interviews about being focussed (not sure if that has one s or two) this year and that probably made all teh differnece. Mind you- I'm not sure speedway riders can be all that mature. I mean, throwing themselves round a track on bikes with 2 speeds (blooming fast and stop) with no brakes? Doesn't sound that mature to me!

I can't see him not riding next year. He's said before that he thought he had two good seasons left in him (2007 and 2008). My own opinion is that his accident and injury scared him a bit - if I remember rightly he's never had such a bad injury before.

I really hate to say it but he really deserves it this year. He's been nigh on unbeatable all season. He's been the most consistent and that's what it takes. Well done Nicki.

To quote my daughter- Somebody needs a Happy Meal!

Count me in....

Not lost on the Bobbin' family either! Looks like there was a touch of "afters" as well - the camera shots showed (or appeared to show) Nicki trying to take Hans' front wheel out afterwards. Classic rant though. I expected him to tell Woij.. Wojic.. the Plish ref that he was off his Christmas card list!

Granted, you made a good point, but I'll ask you this - did we alienate them in the 70s, 80s and 80s when we had England and not Team GB? Did we encourage Welsh and Scottish fans when we had a Great Britain team in the 50s and 60s that included Kiwis and Aussies?

I thought the Poles were pretty useful myself. No need to call them tools..... And I don't know about anyone else, but I'd rather have an England team than a GB team - for a start they were all English! And no, I'm not xenophobic.

Me and Mr Bobbin' decided that Georgie wasn't a bad replacement for Keith Hewen. At least she didn't keep calling the pits "Pit Lane" and unlike Greeny resisted the temptation to refer to meeting as a "meet". Had the guts to admit she'd never been to speedway before, but said she enjoyed it. For Mr Bobbin's part, she was a lot easier on the eye than Keith....

After watching tonight's meeting, I can't wait for Saturday. Fair play to the Poles for not dancing to Olsen's tune. About bloomin' time. On current form, I don't think you can rule any of the four teams out - it's going to be a close squeak. Heart says: 1. GB 2. Oz 3. Polska 4. Baconheads However my head says it will probably be Poland's year this year - with Australia and Denmark making up the other placings.

Would be funny if it wasn't quite so true!

Strange isn't it - Colin Meredith usually does a great job preparing tracks, but let Olsen get in there and.....

Ok - it's a Wolves Select side....

It's not so much the team I have trouble with - on their day they are capable of beating anyone (no, really!). However, I don't honestly think Middlo could inspire a jelly to set. Yep, he's a great team manager, but inspirational? Give me a break! Just because you can decide when to put out a sub or play a joker it doesn't make you inspirational. Having lit blue touch paper, I will now retire to a decent distance and wait for the flak, and possibly the warning!

The fields for country name and rider name are free-form. You can just either over type or delete and retype. The rest of the spreadsheet will be completed automatically. The country names pre-populate the headings for the cumulative scores. I found it easier to "save as"and save it to my PC before playing with it though.

Thanks sooo much Santos! I'll be able to impress the in-laws now with a programme!

It's probably just me being visually challenged, but I can't seem to find the line ups for tomorrow anywhere. The Speedwayworld.tv site isn't correct - they're still showing AJ. And apparently Povazhny is out and Darkin in - but I can't find confirmation. Could anyone put me out of my misery so that I can complete my SWC programme? Ta folks.