BTL

Where's Rick Ashworth going to? Answers on a postcard to ..................................

Well I've stayed at the etap for the past two years and now it's been hi-jacked by the travel club for double the price - OK i's still cheap but I've decided to put the costs of travel tickets hotel for the 3 of us (about £500) towards going instead to MARMARIS Its a wee bit sunnier and warmer and the beer's about a £1.50 a pint

AT LAST a sane and constructive post As for Sir Jasper's comments as the song said Do no touch me

Sorry Ron but you fail to see the problem - we are SCOTS born and bred - AND PROUD OF IT! At least you have Team Eng......... sorry TeamGB! It's time to return for the world stage - one step at a time. Then people up here might sit up and take notice of our beloved sport. Then we might get an NL track where we can bring on young SCOTS which will be to the benefit of speedway as a whole and to Scottish speedway in particular. PS Ron as seedif said I doubt few of the Hungarians, Croatian, or Italians (no disrespect to them) would beat Tully Grievesy or Oor Wullie round Armadale and / or Ashfield on a regular basis. But until it happens we'll never know. Time to light the fiery cross - "Oh Flower of Scotland ....... "

Didn't think that you would stoop so low Shaun just shows how you've changed since moving from Wales. This bugs me - as far as I am aware and from what Jimmy Tannock has told me what has happened in the past there seems to be 2 reasons 1. Scotland were moved aside to make way from team USA as they emerged to prominance for the Worls events - remember Jimmy Mac and the late Greorge Hunter gave the big boys a severe bloody nose in the World Pairs at Belle Vue (?) in the late 60's early 70's when the took some big scalps that evening. 2. From what I have gleaned the ACU insisits that all Scottish Speedway Riders take a British ACU licence to race in this Unitd Kingdom of NATIONS so FIM only recognise Speedway TEAM GB. HOWEVER, I understand that yhis does not apply to other motorcyclists who can race for Scotland under using a Scottish ACU licence in FIM events. Once again I state that IF THIS IS TRUE then there is blatant discrimination against Scottish speedway riders and this gets in the way of developing the sport in Scotland. What young sportsman or women does not aspire to represent his country on the world stage, and I do include young English Welsh, guys as well. Rant over - it's time to light the fiery crosses. ALBA / Scotia / Caledonia - as Arnie We'll be back!

Well we waere there as well having driven nearly 400 miles from the Highlands. I have on reliable info from one of the participants that Slick Ole Olsen was indeed the race director on that occasion. You could see how little dirt there was on the track that night, when the wheel and grader came round for the first time sparks were clearly seen by all we were with (and we were with our friends from the East). Yes it is time to get dirt on the track and allow the racers RACE!

As gemini said it depends on where you want to sit. I've always sat on the bottom tier at the strating gate just under the Methanol Club (I think). Great view and brilliant atmosphere. I've just had an email from seetickets saying that the start time has been changed from 7pm to 5 pm. Confirmed on speedway.tv. Anyone have an idea why? Sky schedules Ill bet

Adrian Rymel's helmet cought the tapes on Monday night and it was all 4 back. BTW nice to meet up with you 21CH and also to paulr, Sandie and others. - Long way for a speedway meeting but the company was good.

Cheap and Cheerful at the etap (next to novotel) same hotel group as novotel and ibis - charged us £90 for two nights this year and they also take payment on the day.

Well as for one who flies down to Cardiff every year this is may take on things. Wembley Roof doesn't fully close - so a GP there should be a non-strarter (even Wimbledon are building a retracting roof for Centre Court) Air fares WILL be more - there are a limited no of budget seats (ryanair, easyjet. etc) and you can be sure that the airlines will keep a close eye on events. On the outskirts of London - still good transport links into centre of London on Tube etc. for a day out. Cardiff Much said about hotel prices - does anyone think that hotel prices will be cheaper in London - I think not! Stadium in centre of town, near the shops pubs, eateries, hotels, train and bus stations. Prices in and around stadium are a bit pricey but are on par with city centre prices (cf Glasgow) - not sure if London would be cheaper. Just a few thoughts on the matter - and before anyone says that I prefer Cardiff I remember the two World Finals I attended at Wembley in the early 70's with some affection.

That's because speedway.tv and seetickets.com put the tickets up for sale on-line at about 7 pm on Monday night. I got caught out last year and bought mine as soon as they went on-line. Front Row at start/finish line again

I went to seetickets.com and booked on-line @ 7pm http://www.seetickets.com/see/popup_frame....site=speedwaygp And I booked my hotel on Saturday night for the same two nights as this year. - Sorted

In all I enjoyed the spectacle that is Cardiff - music and presentation was excellent. Have to agree that the music drowned out the roar of the bikes as the green light came on and I was in L2 front row near tapes - maybe I'm a purist but 4 bikes at full revs signals the start of the race not the music.

Well just back from another Curse of Cardiff when the flybe flight from Paris to Cardiff delayed by baggage handlers dispute at Charles de Gaulle - just made midnight ferry by the skin of our teeth. Onto the GP. Referee - music said it all: an absolute Ravi Shanker Track - not as good as last year Racing - same Latest suggestion - apart from the FIM not getting rid of this incompetant ref - fit rear view mirrors to riders helemets.

I don't particularly like NP but I have to agree 110% with this - it was the same plonker who excluded Jason Crump 3(?) years ago and virtually ended his title defence. FIM wake up and get rid of this guy and bring back Tony Steele!