keepturningleft

Briggo's runner up place in '66 has been well documented and speculated over. Some say he actually won, but the idea of a speedway rider winning in the year that England won the football world cup was not what the BBC was prepared to accept. Supposedly.

Bang on!

Speedway mentioned on BBC1 Breakfast again this morning. A bit of a non article to be honest re Polish rider getting tangled up with the tapes.

Exactly. When I first saw speedway as a youngster, it was the thrill and the spectacle that got me addicted and kept me coming back. Although I wanted my team to win (Halifax), it wasn't the the be all and end all of things. Speedway is an entertainment first and foremost.

They would fix it so he wouldn't win as they supposedly did to Barry Briggs in 1966.

Thanks for all the info - looks as if the track is not where Eden Project is.

Is anyone able to clarify this. Years ago I visited St Austell speedway whilst on a holiday on the area. Yesterday I visited the Eden Project and was reminded that I remember reading that the speedway ended because of a major new eco project being developed on the site. Is the Eden Project now where the track was or I have I got this wrong? Can't seem to find a definitive answer on the defunct track sites etc.

Blimey! When Woffinden crashed the commentator made Nige sound sound like whispering Bob Harris.

In every one off world final and the majority of GP's throughout history, there have always been riders who have qualified on merit but who realistically had little chance of ever winning. Craig Cooke is probably a current example of this but it's grossly unfair to keep knocking the man - it looks as if he will be out next year anyway but even so, he has already achieved what most riders never will. The only difference for people like Cookie and Bomber is that unlike struggling riders in GP's and world finals in the past, the 'ordeal' goes on for 10 or so meetings where as it was over and done with on one night previously.

There seemed to be a hell of a sling shot effect coming out of turn 2 on the outside! Numerous death defying overtakes at that point of the track. As others have said, that was a superb, and hugely entertaining meeting. Well done Craig Cook and great to see him jumping the fence and acknowledging the travelling Glasgow fans.

Thought Cook rode fearlessly, aggressively, and quite brilliantly - why on earth can't he do this in the GP's?

Monday night is absolutely not speedway night, except in Wolverhampton.

I think the commentator is superb as well.

It's interesting the things that stick in the mind. I remember seeing Ronnie Moore with Wimbledon at Halifax in the early 70's. I think it was the first time I ever saw him and it may have been the first time he had seen Halifax, but I recall him performing a couple of impressive overtakes that night which I've never forgotten.

Definitely episode 20, series 20 - worth a watch, although it tells us something about the current state of things when even Jeremy Vine doesn't appear to know what speedway is.

It's on the iplayer - i think it may be episode 20.

Having just watched these Glasgow supporters beat the eggheads, it is now clear that this fantastic fivesome should be given the job of running british speedway!

Who exactly are the 40,00 who attend Cardiff? Probably only around half that figure regularly attend normal speedway in a week so that leaves a sizeable chunk who apparently only support this one meeting. Factor in also that not everyone of the regular speedway crowd will visit Cardiff and the mystery 'one meeting only attendees' crowd is even bigger. Just puzzled, that's all! Despite what doom merchants say it is clear that the Cardiff crowds have held firm over 15 years with little sign (thankfully), of the bubble bursting in direct contrast to the dwindling domestic attendance. Cardiff truly is a dream event for a sport that is otherwise on it's knees. For as long as we have this glorious showpiece event, there will always be hope.

good article

Sorry, I meant Tie.

Anyone observed how much more amenable Tia is these days? A few years ago in interviews he was often awkward and borderline rude and was certain to swear at least once. Nowadays he's more measured, friendly in tone and much more likeable as a result. I suppose he's grown up basically and I now find myself actually liking him!

All postings of the Swedish GP on Youtube appear to have been blocked by BSI.

One big league. Semi-professional status. Thursday-Sunday race nights only. No GP riders.

Aren't some football clubs thinking of dropping the match day programme?

Why has the speedway 'smell' gone?