Reviresco

Remember Paul well from Foxhall in the '70s and at Wembley in '81. My memory probably fails me, but did he not have something to do with the introduction of the 16 Lapper at Foxhall too? A great showman who added to the experience of a speedway meeting when it was a great show. RIP Paul.....

Ha, ha brilliant. Maybe Sam Tesar can hijack the Ipswich v Plymouth thread when it starts. Yes Siggy was No.3 in the World, behind Bruce Penhall and Les Collins in LA in 1982. Sanders was 3rd in 1980 and 2nd in 1983 and was in 3 x Witches League winning sides in 1975, 1976 & 1984 and KO Cup winner in 1976, 1978 & 1984 captaining the Witches to a league and cup double. Good times which, tragically, weren't going to last much longer.....

Can't believe that Sigalos has hijacked an Ipswich v Redcar thread.... The last time I saw him, Siggy hadn't aged that well and I hardly recognised him - yes, I know I can talk about aging well.... A super, smooth, fast and stylish rider, but Sanders was the better rider and was a far better servant to the Witches. Loved '83 when the two of them road in the team together - think Sigalos just missed out on an 11pt average that season. Just a shame some of Sigalos' 'fans' were so nasty to Billy.

i'm amazed that people are suggesting that Tomasz Gollob would not deserve a wild card if he chooses to ride in the SGP next season and needs one. The guy has been amazing entertainment value in the SGP and, before that ,since his 1st Individual World Final appearance in 1993 when he finished in 7th place on 8pts in Pocking (Greg Hancock finishing 16th on 2pts). Unlucky in Vojens the following year when he retired from the meeting after two pointless rides and then, of course, in 1995 - the first year of the SGP series, after winning the opening GP in Wroclaw, he lost in a race-off for 8th place and automatic qualifiction into the '96 SGP series after only gaining 9pts in the infamous 'London' GP at Hackney, when Hancock (20pts), Loram (17) and Gustafsson (16) had started behind him the standings. In 1996, Tomasz competed in only 3 of the 6 SGPs finishing in overall 12th place, 11pts behind an automatic qualifying position. In '97 Mr G finished 3rd in the series wearing the No. 13 race jacket, since when Tomasz has been one of the most consistent top 8 finishers. Is it 20 SGP wins? (OK a number in Poland, but a number not.) Could have been more and should have been another in New Zealand this season but for a bad gate pick in the Final. With Latvia, Slovenia, Stockholm and Torun SGPs to go, I personally wouldn't rule out another top 8 finish, especially with Chris Holder only 14pts ahead. And if NKI and Matej Zagar were to finish in the top 3 of the GP Challenge....... I, for one - and maybe the only one, feels that the SGP series will be diminshed when Mr G is no longer in it.

Think I alluded to that in my comment earlier on this thread

Despite it being a long drawn out meeting with little overtaking, I enjoyed the show and thought NP & KT and Nicholls & Day did well to fill in as much as they had to. Just really pleased Eurosport have picked up the GPs and I can still see them on TV. Tai has turned into a really professional sportsman and is reaping the rewards this season. I'm not a fan of tattoos or holes in ears, but its his style and good luck to him and if it does help to attract a younger audience, all the better. From making silly gestures on the British Final rostrum last season to the way he interviews this, has been a giant leap forward. And his effort to learn and speak Polish when in that country is admirable. It was strange how the higher scoring riders seemed to become befuddled by the limited success of Gate 2 later in the meeting. Yes, Jarek gated from 2 but it probably also put him in the position he found himself in when losing 2nd place to Emil. NKI looked delighted with the more successful outside gate and took advantage. Whilst it would have been good IMO if Tai had won the Final and eroded Emil's lead further, I was pleased for NKI who also appears as a very professional sportsman. The way he went past NP deserved its reward later in the meeting - and to think he was excluded for knocking off Emil and then beat him in the Final. An impressive come back. Good to see Emil take the knock so well, realising that NKI hadn't done it deliberately. Seeing so many smiles on the rostrum was brilliant. And as regards Mr G, yes it does look as if he is holding back a lot this season. Tomasz has always been a confidence rider and it all appears to have evaporated since SGP2 this season. I hope he does get his mojo back as he is a delight to watch in full flight and it has been a pleasure to have seen him entertain us over so many seasons. It does look as if the two senior members of the SGP are finding it tough this season with Greg only 3pts in front of Tomasz in 8th & 9th places repspectively and both possibly having to look for nominations for next season if they want to stay in the series. Edited to add: well done to Leon Madsen on his performance last night too, particularly after a difficult season with illness and injuries (3 concussions in a month). The track may well have suited but even so a semi-final from 2nd Reserve is good.

I guess it's down to breeding, i.e. the winner of the Greyhound Derby (Blonde Snapper?!) will earn a fortune at stud, whereas 'Fast' Freddie - although he may beg to differ, wouldn't be worth so much for his breeding exploits.

Horrible news. I remember Lee as a little lad at Kings Lynn in 1982. God Bless and Rest In Peace Lee

Can I guess, although I know its not me? Thanks Impartial One, some people you just can't debate with.

Really had to check that this thread wasn't started on April 1st.

OMG. Surely this will never happen. Talk about 30yrs too late. Apologies for my ignorance, but since I last went to Western Springs (1989) and since Dave Bargh & Mark Thorpe stopped riding in the UK, is there actually a NZ solo speedway scene anymore.

I guess none of you guys went as an away supporter to Cradley or Kings Lynn in the late 70's and early 80's. Now, that was unpleasant. Also been threatened with violence at Coventry, Wolverhampton, Eastbourne, Wimbledon & Halifax. The good old days....

I don't think I said that Niamh, no sorry I did not say that effectively or otherwise. One podium does not make a SGP rider worthy of an invite into next year's series. IMO Cardiff would attract a crowd of 30,000 whether there is a permannent British rider in the series or not. My neighbours go and support any rider of whatever nationality that has ever riden for Ipswich. That is the joy of being a speedway supporter. Sky may continue to cover the British SGP, but would they cover the whole series - I don't know.

I'll take that as a No then ;-) Personally, I'd ask N Pedersen, Lindgren & Harris to spend 2013 in the qualifiers and bring in some new blood - Ward. Laguta & THJ probably. As regards a 'necessary' British permanent member of the circus, would the attendance at Cardiff drop - maybe, but there would still be a home wild card, would Sky continue covering the series - doubtful, I think the relegation to the red button recently shows Sky's view on the SGP at the moment. Should Britain have a right to have an entrant - No. Comparisons have been made to other sports and F1. Canada, China, Abu Dhabi, Turkey, Korea, Singapore, Hungary all have 2011 F1 GPs but, as far as I know, do not have drivers or teams competing in the series.

The opposition may have been poor, the tracks may have been favourable but heck what an achievement by a guy who I had put down as 'past it' last season. An incredible success so many years after his last, an example of consistency, professionalism and class - well done Mr Hancock. Never my favourite rider but always there and always near if not far from the top.

Shouldn't the reigning British Speedway Champion be considered as the 'British' wildcard if one is to be considered at all?

Just back from Cardiff. IMO there were 35,000 there at the most for what was IMO an awful speedway meeting as, after turn 2, there was no passing apart from Holder and Emil. I have been attending speedway for 44 years and World Finals/GPs since 1972 and that was one of the poorest I've ever seen. The track that was there last year wasn't this and was so slick it was ridiculous. I used to enjoy my visits to The Millennium but the whole experience was not good this year, from the lack of programme sellers, the lack of food, to the firework display. I will be saving my money and staying away next year as many I spoke to said after the meeting. Looks like BSI are favouring Greg over Tomasz this year, IMO. Oh, and if Gate 1 doesn't win a heat all night - how can it be a fair track?

Agreed, sorry mate managed to get my comment in the middle of yours first go. All the best.

Your info comes from Wikipedia? Enough said. All I know was that when I lived and worked there for 3yrs it was alot drier in September than May. 1980 & 84 Individual World Finals were pretty dry from what I remember too.

Totally agree. I can't belive the utter rubbish ImpartialOne and BWitcher have been spouting on here. Riding a speedway bike is about balance and throttle control. If you are tipped going into a corner you will lose balance. Pedersen tipped Harris, Harris lost balance and fell. Pedersen has no throttle control. What Riders & Ex Riders, ImpartialOne? Name them please. Little Nikki is a disgrace to himself, the sport of speedway and his country.

Ooooooooooooooh I am SO sorry. Telling off accepted. I was just speaking from experience having lived in Sweden for 3yrs but please do accept my humble apologies. Pr!k.

My question is why do they stage a SGP in Gothenburg in May? It rains. Surely stage it in July or August when the summer is there. IMO another bad show for speedway on TV. Nobody's fault and huge credit to the riders for giving it a go. No damage done to TG on his bid for back to back championships which looked the case after 2 heats. Hopefully conditions will be good for the rest of the series.

Many congratulations to Tomasz for his well deserved and overdue solo speedway world championship. TG's win I suppose re-opens the debate again about who is the best rider now not to have won the individual world crown. Well done also to Jarek and Jason for their podium finishes. Jarek's come back to the SGP has been very welcome and Crumpy's top three record is hugely meritorious. A quiet mention to Rune Holta too for his steady progress into the world's top eight and to Bomber as he looks as if he's relieved the embarrasment of a British rider having to be nominated next year. More of the same next season Chris please.

My math isn't great, but with 48pts available to the winner of the last 2 SGPs, I think that Tomasz needs 6pts 'more' than Jason and 5pts 'more' than Jarek to win the 2010 Solo Speedway World Championship and not just 6pts. A long way to go yet.....

Congratulations to Tomasz, still the best rider not - yet - to have won the World Solo Speedway World Champioship, but geez how much I hope he does. Is 19pts with two GPs to go enough........