ballinger

Thought everyone might like to see some action from the 2008 Russian League SK Turbina Bałakovo vs Mega Łada Togliatti from 24th July Enjoy it

Apart from the average 80,000 that watch everyweek, according to the official viewing figures. Speedway regularly ranks in the top 5 of Sky Sports weekly broadcasts

Could have fooled me

At 4 for $14.99, got to be a market for importing them !!

Yes, and its just started streaming at 7.30am. Static shot of the pits as we're about an hour before start time. No sound yet, so have radio fremantle streaming via iTunes at the same time EDIT : Looks like the little kids are just about to have a spin, and sound now coming through

To be clear, I wasn't suggesting that. I dont believe anyone wouldn't agree that either Gorican or Togliatti are active speedway centres, but similarly Vojens is too. My point was that to have Vojens staging an SGP titled "Nordic" just 2 weeks after Malilla stages a "Scandivanian" SGP is IMO totally ridiculous. What next a second GB round titled the "Commonwealth" SGP? My point was more that 11 SGP made up of 9 unique countries plus a European and a Scandinavian has more credibilty than 11 SGP made up of just 8 staging countries, or 11 unique countries would hold more credibility still. PS : Just as an aside, what#'s happened to the Super Prix in 2009 ? No mention of it so far ! quelle surprise

I 100% per cent agree with this, but again TV contracts have been sold for 4 events per year, so SGP and SWC = 15 events per season

IMO, those who are anti the SGP do have a point that its too much of a closed shop, and the presence of BSI/Olsen rider nominations does the SGP no good. Also IMO a return to the one off world final is not the way forward, as The Know states no other form of motorcycle sport decides its world champion from a single event. Regretably though for BSI they have sold years worth of TV contracts with a minimum of 11 events per year, and are now in a position of filling the calendar with such events as the "Nordic Grand Prix". This IMO does the sport no good as it becomes clear to the casual follower, just by the name, that the event is nothing more than a fixture filler. Therefore, IMO the whole SGP series would be better served by a scaling back of the number of events, or a radical overhaul of where the events are staged. However, neither are easy to acheive given the current TV contract set ups, and the current world financial credit crunch. To the closed shop argument I say replace the 7 WC qualifying meetings with 6 SGP qualifiers, each to be staged a day or 2 days prior to the SGP, preferably at an alternative venue to the SGP. Qualifying could be reserved to SGP events 3-8, and would offer say 8 slots per qualifier to anyone who paid an entry fee. These qualifying meetings would be self supporting, and would offer no cash prizes to the competitors, but would be attractive enough to supporters as they would include the bottom 7 from the previous SGP. To the repetitive nature of the current SGP calendar BSI should IMO be actively persuing more attractive ways of filling their 11 events, with the 'Nordic' being bumped in favour of placing SGPs at active Speedway centres such as Gorican and Togliatti. It is clear that some planning is going on behind the scenes given the announcements that Copenhagen and Leszno are to stage SGPs for the next 3-4 years, I just hope that BSI recognise that staging a Nordic SGP in 2009 directly after a Scandinavian SGP is just plain daft.

There's now surely no doubt that Olsen's reputation for being responsible for laying temporary tracks lays in tatters. 4 temporary tracks this year saw 2 downright dangerous (Ullevi & Cardiff), 1 really good (Copenhagen), and 1 that just didn't happen. A strike rate of just 25% isn't good enough. My wife and I like to have a weekend away per year (a break from the kids !), it's usually been Bydgoszcz but this year we decided to do the Czech Golden Helmet weekend instead as somewhere and something new, with a hotel in Copenhagen booked for the GP in '09 as it's a GP we've never done. As soon as Gelsenkirchen was cancelled we scratched our weekend in Copenhagen, despite that track being fine this year, what gaurantee do we have that the track will be up for it next year ? BSI must know that they've gone backwards in terms of building temporary tracks, and with just 3 next year they must know that 1 more **** up and it'll be the end of them. Say practice at Cardiff next year serves up a dangerous track, and the riders revolt as they came close to this year, then the jewel in their expensive crown will be totally tarnished.

Really disappointed with the calendar. Nothing new there at all. Looks like Gorican for the World U21 Final for me. Anyone fancy coming along ? I could run a coach, Zagreb to Gorican, just like in the old days !

Got to be some sort of horrible mix, Scaninavian GP has the Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian, so perhaps add Finnish to that.

Ah Terenzano ! Scene of my infamous collision in 2003 with a Porsche ! Wrote off my car and his ! Anyway nearest town is Udine (about 10km). There are quite a few good hotels, we stayed in the Best Western

Funniest thing I've read all year !!! £1400 a race win !! He's having a giraffe

Its more about TV contracts as BSI could have given Bomber the wild card for Cardiff anyway rather than taking the best guy from the British Final. Seems totally bizarre to me to have named the competitors for SGP 2009 and not have confirmed all 11 SGP venues !!! BSI ought to be planning for 2010 now so the calendar for 2009 should have long been confirmed.

Quote "Grand Prix rights holders BSI Speedway have ruled out a return to Australia in the GP calendar for 2009. And they say early release of the full schedule by the FIM was 'somewhat premature', insisting only the first five dates are so far confirmed..." So BSI Speedway can't even confirm a complete calendar in time for the FIM congress ? They cant even deliver on a fundamental requirement like next years dates ? Just 5 out of 11 or 12 events confirmed, contradicting the official FIM press release ? Perhaps the grim realisation that SGP isnt making them any money and they now want out of their 25 year (or however long it is) deal ? The FIM Track Commission must be wondering who they've got running their flag ship event !

Wow, a real surprise in Zagar getting the nod. So looks like just 4 of the 15 in the EL next season !

FIM press release is slightly incorrect, GP qualifier at Gorican, Croatia on 27/06/09 Dead chuffed that Daugavpils is 4 weeks earlier next year, means I'll be able to go !!

I agree it'd be strange choice, but trust me its gonna be a strange winter

Holder, Nicholls plus Team Rickardsson of Lindback and Sajfutdinov. Sorry Freddie

DILLIGAF. "Super Prix" is just marketing spin from the Alastair Campbell school of super spin. It is BS of the highest order that attempts to cover up the fact the Gelsenkirchen last year was a crock of **** How super does it look that an indoor GP gets cancelled due to a waterlogged track ? The reputation of SGP currently lays in tatters due to the ineptitude of those incapable of covering shale from the elements Whilst there's no doubt Bydgoszcz is a wonderful spectacle, SGP at Bydgoszcz no longer is with its lame excuse for a slick way, and any thoughts I had about going to the SGP in Parken for example next year are forgotten. It's just not worth the risk in case there's no event to watch. With Bydgoszcz back in Extraliga next season I'm going to spend my hard earnt cash taking in Bydgoszcz vs Torun next year and would urge others to do the same. It'll be cheaper, more exciting, and above all better value for money.

This is an absolute disgrace ! Nothing has been learnt since the shambles at Ullevi 5 or so years ago. BSI can put as much spin on this as they like, the truth is that millions of pounds will have been spent by genuine speedway people getting to this event at a time when everyone is having to tighten their belts, but for an event to be cancelled in an INDOOR venue due to the negligence of a few is just outrageous. Heads must roll for this.

Must be something about Australian bikes at Lonigo ?

Holder had 2x EFs plus a DNF in Lonigo QF. Only scored 5 points from memory

Looks like this wont be happening unfortunately. Sorry everyone

My choice would be : 1 Holder 2 Woffinden 3 Pavlic 4 Saufutdinov 5 Batchelor 6 Zengota 7 Kus 8 Hougaard 9 Bridger 10 Risager 11 Sitera 12 Lawson 13 Vaciluik 14 Lindgren 15 Karpov 16 Kononov All being well, subject to contracts being signed between Clean Cut Sports and Ceska Televize (Czech TV), we hope to release both this and the Golden Helmet on DVD.