SPEEDY69

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.

Add helmet colours and that's exactly right, their number is irrelevant. With the old numbers at least for the new fan they could understand who the favourites might be.

It's not about following it though is it - the new numbers do nothing for the fans, you know, the ones who ultimately keep all the riders in employment. At least before their number gave an indication of rank, now it's completely irrelevant to the GP.

This seems a rather pointless change to me. As others have said before, the old 1-16 did give an indication of the riders ranking which will be lost. The main reason I think it's pointless is that the riders who compete change - fine that Hancock will be number 45 but will he be in the GP next year? Helmet colour and livery identify riders, not the number - unless they're planning to remove helmet colours I can't see how this adds anything for the spectator.

You're missing the point here. It's not all about Brits vs foreigners because there was at least one other British rider who was not asked to race at the challenge, and they were ahead of Harris in the qualifiers. Blatant favouritism. As I've said before, it's not his fault but not only have the FIM appeared to make a huge b**ls up, so have the BSPA.

Ahh, but they also ignored the GP qualifying when picking Harris. Kennett and Nicholls were not asked before him. Not Harris' fault I agree but unfair.

You're very trusting then if you've no reason to disbelieve what some poster said on here. Nicholls had not quit international speedway - he merely refused to ride in the World Cup in protest at what he saw as discrimination by the BSPA around the Euro Champs. Kennett at least got way further than Harris in the qualifiers. Both should have been asked ahead of Harris - if they were and refused, that's fine but if not, someone has shown favouritism again

No evidence as far as I can see for the first statement in bold. For the second one, why were Kennett and Nicholls not asked?(they both finished higher than Harris in the qualifiers). I do keep contesting this because people continue to overlook particularly key issues. Why all the smoke and mirrors with the FIM & BSPA - if evidence is presented then no-one can argue.

I am not arguing black is white, nor professing to know more about rules, nor slating Harris etc etc. but my issue is with what you seem to accept as fact - I've put it on bold in the quote above, that "many many others clearly weren't". All I recall is Mr Rising mentioning that Craig Cook turned it down - nothing about others refusing. That is the issue and I doubt whether the FIM would let us know what's going on, as you point out but, as I believe Mr Rising said, it was the host federation who were finally asked to name the reserves. This is where the secrecy lies and if I think it seems unfair then I will only be swayed by fact, not supposition. Good luck to Harris and I will always support British riders but can't stand discrimination.

The fact that the chain of events has been shrouded in secrecy does little to appease thsoe who feel that unfairness has been at play. I've not seen, and although have asked have not had any reply, evidence that the two British riders ahead of Harris in the GP qualifiers (Kennett & Nicholls) were asked to take a reserve place at Poole - never mind the other 20/30/40 or so that were mentioned previously. Unless there's clarity I'll remain suspicious, especially where the BSPA/ACU are involved.