RPNY

It wasn't a dig at KL, I think it's a brilliant track. But switihing it up wouldnt be such a bad thing.

Shame tho because that was a belting meeting in 2009 at the EoS.

Really, Really disappointed with Cookie's reaction there. Good rider who's improving all the time but I can't believe he's saying stuff like that. He has to repect the managers decision whether he likes it or not. Spitting the dummy out & trash talking teammates is not on. Plus he cant have a go at others for under performing when he underperfomed himself. I would have kept him in the team, but his attitude really stinks and I hope he realizes this and apologizes. Saying GB can kiss is backside is very childish & I think he needs to realize he's not as good as he thinks he is just yet...

I agree, it was what the world cup should be IMO. All in one country and a festival type atmosphere. If it was once ervery 2 years, they probably coulda done that, but I guess it just wasn't finacially viable. I'm hearing they may alternate between the current format & a pairs format soon, maybe not a bad idea, but I'd personally be saddened to not see the SWC every year.

I am very much opposed to the hosts being seeded, however as always I try to Understand it & maybe a change of venue isn't such a bad thing. I think it's time there was a qualifier outside of Poland and the UK but as always, money talks. I know we do love to pick penuts out of poop about our sport on here, but let's try and remeber that the SWC really had produced some unreal racing over the years and it would be silly to write off the competiton. It's a real shame Russia fielded a weakended team and I personally think there should be some sort of punishment for them. But otherwise it's a great competiton & at least there's an outside shot GB can win a medal this year!!

Johnny the Spud: First off fantastic name. Secondly as simple a your post is, it's absolutely spot on. The presentation of speedway meeting needs to be updated across most teams. Old songs played through crap PA systems are not good enough. As you say a huge part of the Grand Prix's appeal is this the razzmatazz, hot girls, the glitz and glamor. At league meetings, play some modern music for the kids to enjoy, doesn't need to be cutting edge, but not old & dated. There's a bunch of things they could do to attract more people. Have a penalty shot out competition like at local School fairs, bouncy castle, children's entertainer walking about, support local teams & they will in turn support you. But just having 4 blokes doing 4 laps x 15 is not enough in this day & age.

True sir, but from the many GPs I've seen & as I said about the numbers they come out in for the boxing, I'm confident that a large number of Poles could be attracted to the event. Plus, Manhattan/Jersey is a fairly big catchment area to attract people to come from all nationalities! It's academic, it won't ever be on the East coast, I just wish BSI would broden their horizons a bit more. Not a dig, I love the SGPs btw...

How many Poles are interested in Speedway? Ok I won't bite on that one

True Phil, but Red Bull are also heavily involved in the Supercross series, Even though Monster are (were!??) the main sponsors. I'm just suggesting they should at least approach the stadium and see what their feedback would be. There's a plethora of other reasons I could go into as to why NY is a good option but I am too tired to go into them now! Plus there's a boat load of Poles in NJ. The heavyweight boxer Tomasz Adamek fights almost exclusively at the Prudential Centre in Newark (right by Red Bull arena) and fills the place every fight. I'm sure a god few of them could be sold on going to see Gollob, Hampel & co

I hear you & I know LA is rightfully their first thought. But I still think they should at the very least look into NY. Especially with some of the riders sponsored by Red Bull they might well pull out all the stops to stage an event

Look into NY (Red Bull arena) Unreal stadium, easy journey from Manhattan Weather good in April & would still be good in October as a last round. Tbh, there's so many flight to & from NY you could go there at any point in the season. Lots of people could make NY in a long weekend & it's a new market. Come on, as much as I love the air miles, would live a GP here!

I hope I'm wrong too sir. Great memories of Rye, hackney & Arena as a kid.

WK thanks for your reply. I do understand where you are coming from & yes league racing, where the riders have to come up through to get to the GP's has taken a battering. However I'm inclined to agree with gustix that between the stupid rule changes, lack on continuity with team building & the general ineptness of the BSPA, team racing in this country is on the way out. It's sad, but can't see how it can survive. Looking likely it won't be on sky after this season, that will be if not the final nail in the coffin, very close to it.

Well I don't think they woulda sold that many more is my point. I doubt there were 1500 effected by the restriction of discounted tickets. Also, why do you think we will regret BSI ever being involved? This is a genuine question not a loaded one.

Like I said Dave, I know it's not right it's just the way it is. And especially with 45k already sold, they won't give any late ticks away at a discount. Not saying its right, just that from a business point of view I understand. Yes there were a lot of seats free, but they won't (have never) filled them even at a discount. So I guess they try and maximize revenue with a "This is your only option, take it or leave it" attitude. As I said before, same usually goes for any tickets bought late for any concert/event/travel

From what I can gather if you book well in advance, then you will avoid these problems and you'll be able to buy tickets at the rate you think is acceptable. Now I know this isn't always possible, but when you do book things up & pay last minute, whether it be speedway gp tickets, flights, football tickets, theatre tickets, you run the risk of paying more. Not saying its right, but it's business, they all do it. Not trying to annoy anyone here, just giving you the view from a business perspective.

Bit of humble pie for me, this has turned out to be an alright GP!

Blimey whats the crowd there 5000 if that?

I don't think it's a particularly good idea to take away the carrot that was being dangled at the last few British finals. However, I do try & see both sides of every speedway argument & I honestly think this time round, they just want a Brit in there who's MOST LIKELY to score some points. If memory serves me correctly, even when Bomber wasn't doing well (ie most seasons) he generally scored ok and made the semis at Cardiff. As I said, I still think the highest non GP rider at the BF should be the Cardiff WC, I'm just saying I understand BSI's thinking here...

No sir they are not, he was penalized for avoiding a pile up - but they are the rules unfortunately.

You're correct that Niels did the right thing, but it's not Phil's fault that the rules are what they are.. From my memory there was (post 1st bend) over takes in heats 4, 9, 18, 20 & 22, photo finishes in heats 11 & 18 plus a few crashes (which I'm very happy as always that no one was seriously hurt) That coupled with the fact that everyone was taking points off each other says to me it was a decent meeting. Those of you moaning that it was boring & that the commentators didn't pronounce names how you think they should and any other trivial examples really need to stop watching cos you'll never be pleased.

Its so sad listening to people complain on here. It wasn't the greatest meeting no, but was by no means awful. There was a sprinkling of overtaking, some close races & everyone was taking points off one another. I bet if you were there live it looked pretty special the way they were motoring around that big track. As for the coverage, those of you moaning about that, well I'm lost for words. I can only assume you try and find fault with every situation you come across. It was more then fine. I say well done to all and look forward to the rest of the series.

Are you serious?

Morning all from NYC. Not a bad meeting so far. Everyone dropping points. Come on Tai!

Sorry if this has been brought up before, but is it time we did away with Wild Cards and just had 16 regulars? I know the occasional rider springs a surprise but often they score low or zero!