SPEEDY69

f-s-p can you elaborate as I don't understand the codes - are cw leather and kw polyester/nylon/kevlar? what's the difference between cw and kw in terms of material? If the rider has the choice then if it were me, I'd be wearing a leather suit with all my sponsors logos everywhere and just the old fashioned race jacket!! Depends what you mean by having a choice - contracts can be complex things.

That's the trouble with nominations - it shows who your favourites are! Base it on the british final result from previous season or el average, then no-one would complain of favouritism, as long as we all understand harris is a mandatory pick!!

I think Rosco wanted to give the youngsters the opportunity, and Harris of course.

No, this is from the 2014 British Speedway regulations. Every rider wants to be protected when racing but clubs buy their race suits here. The real issue for me is that a rider has no choice in that they can't wear leathers even if they want to - unless they have their team suit over the top, which with underclothes may make them feel a bit constrained or like michelin man!!

They are nominated places so I don't think he was asked.

When I asked him he said he didn't - where/when did he say this? He was banned from competing in the Euro Champs by the BSPA (which would have affected his British club and which Andersen did) but still did the GP qualifiers last year. Then he was not asked by the BSPA to fill in at Poole for the challenge (neither were most of the other 20+ riders next in line). He wants the BSPA to be more supportive of British riders and experience abroad comes into that as well. He has only said he'll not do the World Cup as they need to give other riders a go, not that he has 'quit international speedway'. He wasn't asked to compete in the ben fund this year - which he would have done if asked.

Below is an extract from the 2014 regulations. Whilst everything is not checked thoroughly at each meeting, the riders have to abide by the rules and in this case it's in their interest! Riders must wear appropriate clothing; a one-piece suit or a combination of racing trousers, shirt or jacket and footwear; all made of materials designed to protect Riders with leather being of a minimum 1.0mm thickness or non-leather materials with equivalent protective properties to leather. 12.6 Extra body protection must be worn; either incorporated within the clothing or worn separately over appropriate undergarments. 12.6.1 If incorporated within the clothing it must include the use of padding made of leather, or enclosed plastic foam of at least 8mm thickness covering the following areas: shoulders, elbows, both sides of the torso (chest & back), hip joints and knees. 12.6.2 If not incorporated within the clothing, “body armour” may comprise ribbed panels of moulded plastic with a minimum thickness of 2mm. covering the following areas: shoulders, elbows, both sides of the torso (chest & back), hip joints and knees. 12.6.3 Undergarments, if used, may be either of the "Nomex" type, silk or cotton but not Synthetic materials which may melt and could cause damage to a Rider’s skin in an accident. 12.6.4 Riding Suit repairs must be such that it provides protection to the same standard as the original garment. Temporary repairs must be approved by the Machine Examiner. 12.7 Footwear, in a good state of repair, made of leather or an approved substitute and be of a minimum height of 200mm to provide together with the suit, complete protection. 12.8 Gloves must be worn that provide suitable protection. 12.9 Goggles must be worn and together with spectacles if worn, must be shatter resistant. 12.10 Hand, face or body jewellery should be removed or covered and dentures must be removed. Hope this helps.

I wouldn't be too quick to assume anything - given the treatment he's had from the BSPA over the last couple of years I think it more likely he wasn't asked.

Thereis no doubt in my mind that leather offers the best protection against abrasion, meaning less burn type injuries. Leathers can get stiff, but if looked after well and they fit right can be just as comfortable. I actually found the undersuits and armour more uncomfortable than leathers with built-in armour. The regulations have always been in place for safety and holes in suits have never been allowed if they affect the integrity of the suit - temporary repairs can be made as necessary. The cost thing doesn't really apply as some leather suits are cheaper than 'kevlar' and also the cost of the undergarments/armour is really quite high. For top riders, new silencers won't add to costs either as most of them throw out/sell equipment and replace with new every year - why I have no idea. Plenty of expense can be saved if they want to.

yes, u16s are allowed. see www.southerntrackriders.co.uk for how to get in contact with Linda.

Hope the practice session and AGM go well today, sorry I am not there as it's lovely sunshine again!

Yes, got mine a few weeks ago. There is no problem but if you pay by UK credit card then you have to pick the tix up from the box office - they won't post them to you. I have reserved my tickets for pick up at the venue.

Fully agree with what's reportedly been said by Ciegelski on previous posting. Costs can easily be cut by riders but they always seem to follow the pack mentality - if he's doing that then I'd better as well. Huge motorhomes, luxury hotels, several mechanics, manager, physic coach, 3 brand new bikes, 4 different helmets - none of these thinsg are necessary but the riders choose to have them. Emil is the one missing out in my view, similarly the WC has not featured Grig Laguta who is another that would liven up the series and more than capable of winning GPs - their choice. Good luck to those in it who deserve to be in it.

I agree and he certainly appears to be 'all about the money'. The money reportedly owed to him in Poland was, if I remember correctly, a huge amount - indicating he is very well paid and there was a restructuring agreement to ensure he got his dollar. In many sports the rewards on the route to becoming world champion are poor but the title is what people want - clearly that doesn't apply to Mr S.

I have no real view on this either way but just to pick up on this point - no-one is proved innocent in court, as 'not guilty' simply means that the case for guilty has not been sufficiently proven. It's an important distinction.

As far as I know, the decision for the wildcard for Cardiff last year was given to the host nation body to sort out, not BSI, but it was established that the BSPA were aware of the decision long before the British Final and chose not to inform either the riders or the public.

It's been a poorly kept secret that he is the BSPAs favourite son, plenty of evidence of positive discrimination. The decisoin though is the right one, everyone now knows the situation and 14 riders will go into the British Final with the carrot of a place at Cardiff. Will the BSPA explain their actions - going on past behaviour then I think a resounding 'no'.

I agree with previous comments that surely to fuel a constructive debate there needs to be views which do alter following discussion, otherwise it's just opinions being voiced and that only needs to happen once, not repeatedly. I disagree entriely with the notion that British speedway is insignificant: All modern day World Champions have ridden regularly in British speedway. Without it would they have got to where they did? The biggest GP event on the calendar is held in Cardiff and the riders all talk about it as the big one. There is a thriving amateur speedway scene in Britain, as well as three tiers of league speedway operating regularly March-October. I disagree entirely that it's the number of meetings that is killing the sport here: I presume you are referring solely to the EL and I am of the opinion that it was the lack of meetings in the EL here last year that affected attendances. Without supporters, clubs close and the sport dies. The world cup side is a subject debated on other threads and there are a number of issues at play there, including things like the opportunites given to foreign riders to develop their skills in this nation, a lack of investment (which doesn't just mean money) in developing British riders, the relatively comfortable living that can be made by those British riders not wishing to push themselves into international combat and many others. As you frequently mention 'top riders' or 'big boys', perhaps we can agree that the top rider in any year should be considered to be the World Champion? In the last 10 years or more, how many Polish world champions have there been? how many Swedish? how many Danish?, how many British? How many Australian? These stats reveal that we are equal to some of those you refer to as the 'big boys'. Plus, how many of those nations have regular league programmes as extensive as those in Britain? (this means most Australians for example develop their skills in Britain) Onto the speedway star - where I think this magazine could make further improvement is in paying more attention to the strategic perspective and include an editorial column, where they can be more controversial/provocative - such as the BSI/One SPort issue or who are the FIM/ FIM Europe. They could also cover more of the amateur programme in Britain.

Can just see Pearson & Tatum coping well with hecatonicosachoron

Miniature red Chevvy's for sale on his merchandise stand

I have a subscription and get posted copies of the magazine - it really is very high quality work.

Yes, but F1/Moto GP are not speedway! How many of those competitors are racing three other times in the same week in different countries for different teams at different riding positions. Their brand is their name, same as with other sports stars. Football is a team game and the shirts relate to the colours of that team and these are changed regularly so that fans but new ones - the ones with numbers on nearly always have the name of the person as well! I don't think these numbers are either a good or bad idea but I really can't get excited by it because to me they are irrelevant.

In my view it isn't better marketing at all. They have a brand already, it's their name! As was pointed out earlier, if you want to sell more then you have to make sure the product is changed regularly so that it becomes out of date - the number to me is a complete irrelevance and when number 45 rides in sweden as number 3 that makes it all the more confusing.