BigFatDave

Why? Does he organise the program of events?

It's the first GP of the season, for pity's sake. One Swallow doesn't make a summer (although one made my Sunday arvo in Auckland!)

Grandstand was apparently left over from the Rugby World Cup - great for seeing the try in the far corner but no good for us - I watched the starts on the little big screen before I wandered off in search of better viewing. The organises have offered to refund the difference between general admission and grandstand seating on presentation of a scan of a ticket, so they're obviously aware of the problem. Beer was cold but. Did you try the Mussel Fritters?.

Thanks Kiwi for putting up the times, Cuz! Not bad times for a quarter-mile oval. Some very good juniors coming through in UnZud, and the ones I know of have a game plan all sorted and plenty of support - look for a few to pop up in the UK in the next two or three years.

Got that right, Kiwi! The Start Girls put on the best show I've ever seen at a GP, live or otherwise. Certainly did more than some of the highly-paid 'Models' we see in Europe. I suppose some folks will always find something to whinge about.

At least he scored a Max! Couple of clips from the GP - Nikki's dive - and the Final -

You know what they say, Paul - anything more than an armful's a feast! Must admit I pigged out! ...and I wasn't the only one -

But wait - https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150767752322848&set=a.10150107747707848.310852.755092847&type=1&theater - there's MORE! (As Haza found out!)

One of the really good things about Monster is that they provide each punter with at least four sheilas, two for each arm! https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150767764922848&set=a.10150107747707848.310852.755092847&type=1&theater&notif_t=like

Highpoint of the day for me was after the heats - I'd just popped into the dunny for a snake's hiss on the way to the bar and was standing at the urinal next to an ol' Kiwi mate of mine, who just happens to be a six-time world champ and well-known bookseller, when a voice behind me said "I know him! That's BigFatDave!" Good to see he got his priorities right! How good was this - a ripper evening's entertainment from go to whoa - can't do better than that! Some of the comments on here really make me laugh - those pathetic excuses for speedway fans who managed to find fault from afar with this meeting have already pretty well established themselves as the Forum's laughing stocks, but most of us already knew that anyway. Maybe one day they'll get a life - who knows? No Airhorns made for a quieter meeting, and doubtless the organisers will take on board suggestions for improvement. I'll be back for sure.

Bjerre had a flat tire on his second DNF

Of course, you can see so much by staying at home, can't you? Those of us who prefer our Speedway live will just have to put up with your prognostications I suppose, but in the meantime the track looks great: plenty of dirt and plenty of lines. Heaps of Poms out here, a few Poles and lotsa Aussies.

get there early; it'll be chokka!

http://www.martincreely.com.au/photos/home/mcreel..._html/photos/SPG%20FLYER.pdf - could be the go after practice.

G'day Tomasz, hope yer well? I'm sharing an apartment with Lunchy, and the Kirbies & Marge are in the same hotel - what on earth could go wrong? (Answers on a postcard please, or write to this address!)

D'you need a lift?

If nothing else this discussion has proved that no-one 'invented' Speedway, but it also hasn't dis-proved my opinion that Johnnie Hoskins should be regarded as the Godfather of Modern Speedway.

Crumpy had a few days private practice at Kurri Kurri last week. Campo's just put 400 tons of new dirt on the track and Crumpy gave him a hand bedding it in. Campo reckon's he's frighteningly fast, focussed and fit as a trout. Could be worth a dollar or two. Most of us Aussie Invaders fly out either tomorrow or Friday, although there's an advance guard already comfortably esconced in Auckland. So looking forward to this one - I'm going the quinella of Crumpy & Noddy.

A few of us will be loitering with intent around inner-city Auckland on Friday night: plenty of pubs including some Irish one - Father Ted's - or Skycity, then Saturday Arvo a heap are meeting at The Malt or the RSA for pre-meeting drinkies. It may not be Cardiff but it'll be close!

The first wave of Aussie GP Fans is leaving Brisvegas even as we speak! The Kirbies, inveterate sports fans, are planning to do a bit of sight-seeing before the big event - i.e. when I go over next week. I've told 'em to watch out for Boiling Mud. Meanwhile I'm starting my acclimatisation procedure; last night I watched the first part of Lord of the Rings. While I never actually MET any Hobbits the last time I was over there in the 70s, I can distinctly remember playing Rugby against a few Orcs, and had a good ol' stoush outside the Windsor Castle in Parnell against a Balrog manifesting itself as a drunken Samoan. Never hit a Samoan in the head; it only upsets 'em. Part Two of LOTR tonight, accompanied with a decent serve of Fush 'n Chups, washed down with a six-pack of Steinlager.

2012 FIM Buckley Systems New Zealand Speedway Grand Prix Line-up: Greg Hancock (USA) Andreas Jonsson (SWE) Jaroslaw Hampel (POL) Jason Crump (AUS) Tomasz Gollob (POL) Emil Sayfutdinov (RUS) Kenneth Bjerre (DEN) Chris Holder (AUS) Fredrik Lindgren (SWE) Nicki Pedersen (DEN) Chris Harris (GBR) Antonio Lindback (SWE) Bjarne Pedersen (DEN) Peter Ljung (SWE) Hans Andersen (DEN) Jason Bunyan (NZL) Grant Tregoning (NZL) Sean Mason (NZL)

It's just norbold rearranging the facts to suit his argument again, kennylane.

One of several reasons why I've given up even attempting to debate our pet amateur historian, kennylane, along with his constant sarcasm, self-aggrandisement and snide remarks: in the words of Thomas Paine "To argue with a person who has renounced the use of Reason is like administering Medicine to the Dead."

You've seen the GP thread, Lee? Waikakaraka park on Friday & Red Bull MotoX on Sunday. Stop whingeing or people'll think yer a POM!

Taking your phone? I'll text ya! I'll also let you have fun organising a minibus - or a tip truck! PS Bit worried about Dick Barrie, who seems to think Onehunga's on the North Shore. Maybe he's holding the map upside down? He might be a tad late for Friday Night's meeting at Waikakaraka Park. Probably just a cunning plan to keep his hands out of his pockets until we're all blethered!