SPEEDY69

I agree with this in respect of those riders 'lucky' to get in that you identify. Difficult one though because there are always those who get promoted in the standings due to other riders being injured/withdrawing/suspended, as you know

You're forgetting Linlithgow/Lathallan. Tidy little track with a nice bump into bend 3 that I remember well. Of course, being serious, 'best' can mean lots of things - best for passing, best for facilities, best for location, best for when it's raining, best for value etc. For racing then I think most tracks have their moments. I particularly enjoyed the Bradford World Final in 1990, the Semi they had there and the WTC in 1989 was dramatic of course - all for the racing and atmosphere. I remember seeing a decent Czech league meeting at Pardubice - the space there is astounding and in the middle of the woods. Mildenhall is a cool little track and Peterborough awesome to ride. Scheesel was an eye opener, simply for the speed reached, although that's longtrack so probably out of scope for this thread.

don't disagree with this but let's not forget that those in the qualifiers relied on a pick - certainly the brits were selected by BSPA/Rosco, so not all riders had the chance, but I know what you meant.

Really? Thanks for that, didn't realise My point is that I can't remember there being quite so many as this year and serial wild carder Lindgren wil get in again due to them. It's not a gripe as such just an example of sod's law!

Well done to the riders who qualified from this challenge. Whatever the GP line-up is each year is always subject to controversy in one way or another and is one reason I have little interest in it. Injuries have played more of a part this year than most - for example I think Lindgren and Jonsson for example would both be out of 2015 if Darcy wasn't suspended and Iversen got injured. Several riders pulled out of the Challenge meeting due to injury, which hasn't happened as much before and although Harris cannot be faulted and rode well to qualify - although he wouldn't have been in it if it wasn't for withdrawals. It would be great if everyone could get into the series without any controversy, but then the forum may be less active!

Hi all, just to let you know I got my refund within a few days of filling the form in they sent me via email, back on 1st september. Best of luck with yours.

When did he drive, thought he was already banned from doing so?????? Failing an alcohol test for a GP is not illegal.

All this legal talk though is surely irrelevant Ward has not been criminally or legally charged has he? I thought he'd failed a test to compete in a sporting event and surely any punishment etc. Is solely a matter for the sports governing body? Take Dwain Chambers for example who admitted using drugs. There was no conviction under law but simply the sports governing body banned him. In fact he is banned for life from representing GB at Olympics but other athletes from other countries haven't been. This suggests it is wholly a natter for whoever governs the indivuduals' right to enter events. This si speedway though....

you're never too old to learn buddy.

yes, they have better 'racing brains' and no, he's also not more naturally talented.

Some people's 'arguments' on here in defence of ward are laughable. We all take risks, dw risked being over the limit when racing and got caught. Anyone can choose to take the risk and some will be more sensible to ensure they cannot be over when it comes to race time. Until there is compulsory testing then we'll never know for sure. As for DW, he's guilty, get over it. P.s. The punishment should not take into account any mitigation. To risk lives is far worse than silencer tampering in my view

I see in that article you refer to that this is also mentioned, talking about likely punishment (don't know if it's initial pending further investigations or not): "It is very possible that he will be suspended from the player for 30 days, because such a punishment predict FIM disciplinary rules. Then you would start in the last two matches Unibaksu in the main round, the tournament would lose GP in Gorzow and Vojens."

People mature at different times in their life and no-one can really force another person to stop this or that if they are intent on doing it. Other riders consumed alcohol the night before this GP but in moderation and will have made sure they ate a big brekafast/lunch to ensure all alcohol had passed through. It's food that helps the body dissipate alcohol quicker than water or any other liquid. Random testing for alcohol, when it's not expensive to carry out, should be changed to compulsory. If the GP had taken place on Saturday night of course then this wouldn't have happened. I don't condone his behaviour but it's a real shame for the sport - what a weekend.

well, it's a hot sunny day today in riga, now heading back to the airport. had a good weekend, just a real pity about the GP - won't be coming back!

all i am saying is that i am in riga, right in the centre and sat outside. no rain here at the moment, we had a couple of showers earlier which have dried away from the paths etc. any other track could have coped. thete's still nearly 3hours till it eas due to start.

we've been in riga since friday morning and there's not been that much rain, especially today as it's dry now and had a nice sunny hot morning. think the reason it's off is more to do with incompetence rather than weather. can't go 2moro. shame.

As we all know, the regulations ask that riders remain still at the start. Many of you will have noticed, as I have, that some riders don't do this and referees do not always pick it up. I think it's a growing problem as it used to be just one or two (Hans Andersen was always noted for it) but now several riders are having a go at it because they see others getting away with it. It can really affect results of matches and is unfair on those and their teams who abide by the rules. Some riders when they get away with it end up scoring a hatful of points but at their next meeting when it's addressed by the referee they get hardly any. What can be done about it? Do the refs need to be shown videos? Could technology be used on the bike? Should they be closer to the tapes to start with? Should the rider be disqualified rather than 'all four back'? Any other suggestions or not a problem for you?

Hi, I do not use facebook. Do I just go to www.facebook.com and search for lydd? (I do not want to register either)

Enjoyed this GP - was unpredictable and not all about who had the best set up. Make them all indoor

It's trevor hedge I think, well known tuner and previous gm importer

Ahh, but by saying 'suitable' are you saying 'too old' or 'been in it before' because if that's the case then it is not necessarily picking the best team. All the GB riders race in the UK. Those to be considered are in the EL - simply take the top five riders by average (for this season, not the rolling ones). They have proven this year to be the best GB riders. Now if anyone starts going on about the format for averages this year and such like then I agree, that's a bit of a dogs breakfast!

I don't agree with the idea of sticking in riders just because of their age. It's a national competition which we should treat with respect and field our strongest team, irrespective of age or anything else. When a youngster is good enough, they will get their chance. There is a lot more that could be done to give more opportunities to a wider range of riders at all levels - foreign tours or test matches for example. The World Cup is not the place to do it.

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!!