Fourentee

Thanks for that, Nathan. Sounds like you had a long enough journey yourself. I thought it was a long haul coming from Wolverhampton (-ish) and I wasn't even driving! KetteringPanther, I honestly can't think of a better idea or concept with which the forum could be associated. Organising it would be the problem, of course, but what a great way of furthering the lifeblood of the sport.

Following on from that, I was impressed not only by Jonah's advice (both mechanical and on riding technique) but the manner in which it was delivered. It's clear that he has a really good rapport with these youngsters and that the words of wisdom stick. This was the first U15 meeting I've attended and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Just hope that the economic situation eases to sufficient degree that there are bigger fields next year. I was told that one of the riders at Northside (Josh Dingle?) had come from Plymouth!

In fairness the competition was originally 500cc class alone. Only recently has the 250cc section been introduced. Two trophies would be good, but I note that all the riders were given a small trophy, there were glass ones for the 1-2-3 in each section and everyone got flowers for mum too! Sorry to miss Rob and Shaleshifter, I was in the pits all through the meeting. Saw the jackets and did wave but not spotted through the Cumbrian drizzle!

OK Rob, look forward to it. Interesting mugshot in the Swindon programme last night...don't be offended if you tap me on the shoulder and I break the record for the standing high jump.

Shaleshifter, hope you have a great time and that the matches provide plenty of entertainment. Probably won't be at the Lynn match, but will be at the U15s.

You coming up from Poole for this one, Shaleshifter? Or are you holidaying?

Thanks for that, very grateful. Winding up to be a tight finish by the looks of it.

Anyone have points scorers for this, please? Have seen the 1/2/3/4 of Kyle Howarth, Ashley Morris, Josh Dingle and Darryl Ritchings on the BSPA site but would appreciate a bit more info.

Top three straight through to final, numbers four to seven in a last chance race-off for the final place. Similar to British final, where it's top two straight through and three to six fighting for two spots. Lindgren won the last chance race and booked his spot in the one-off final, where he finished second.

And fourth, in his 24th successive Swedish final, PK! Edit: Quite a weekend for THJ, winning the junior and third with the big boys.

Purely and simply, it doesn't get better than this.

Peter Toogood stepped forward after Monday's match to back the Lyon long-term strategy, so that's hopeful. It read as proper backing rather than the dreaded football club chairman vote of confidence! And I was interested in Tai Woffinden's remark after Monday that they were in it "for the next three years rather than the next two matches". I was impressed when hearing Lyon at Ryton and have seen nothing subsequently to change my mind.

Good effort, Orion. But clearly no takers.

Thanks to Snyper and Rob for their assistance. A Scottish team in the early qualifiers would be brilliant! I'm not well up on the scene north of the border, but Tully and Lawson spring to mind for starters. I suppose the issue would be who funds it?

Post of the day! Reverting to the Scottish thing, didn't Scotland enter the WTC as a nation in days gone by, or am I just imagining that? The days of Harkins, etc?

He was down for quite a while, but walked back to the pits. Seemed OK. Didn't go in the rerun (and who can blame him?!). They were all lucky to get up, to be honest.

That heat 14 isn't a speedway race, it's a cavalry charge! All four virtually abreast down the home straight! Cracking call to put up the link, Anders.

This would be as opposed to the stunning run of success that has seen how many victories in the last 20 years?

Way OT, so apologies, but this reminded me of the late John Peel's celebrated comment when he went to see a Billy Joel/Elton John concert and was asked afterwards how Joel had rated. He said it was just like watching Elton apart from the songs, the costumes and the sense of fun.

Yes, he certainly got close to the team captain at Cardiff.

I think you make a good point there, Grachan. I couldn't see the sense last year of blooding the kids in the race-off, when there would be more pressure, rather than the first match. If you're going to do it, it seems to me that this is the right way round. Having said that I would have picked Richardson like a shot but fair play to Rob Lyon: He set out his stall from the off, said we had to bring the young ones through and named his side accordingly. At least he practises what he preaches.

Must add a note of thanks to racers and royals for repeatedly flagging up these matches and the link. Most appreciated.

Ah, but are you looking at the horses for courses approach here or the longer term? Should King then be in the race-off side?

I like Danny King, but come on. Woffinden rode well when blooded in last year's World Cup competition and is averaging seven points a match in his EL debut season. And if you think Rob Lyon picks his men according to who shouts loudest on Sky then there's no hope for you.

Sadly, yes. Lee is a good writer and in a way that makes it worse!