RPNY

I actually thought she was quite good. I am an 80's child tho! For me Edwin Starr singing War as the riders came out will never be topped. That guy was immense.

Thank you. Any idea who there foreign riders will be?

Can anyone tell me who's riding for Vladvostok in 2009 and also what days they ride. Many thanks.

The whole thing was a disgrace. It was known well before the Saturday that the German GP was never going to happen. They have got away with it all absolutely scott free in my eyes. Crumpy half complained but not really. I would like to have seen Nikki's reaction had he not had such a commanding lead at the time.. The only one who really kicked up was Greg. Having gone all the way to Germany for no reason at the cost of at least 500 per person, I'm still seething that no one has given me a decent explanation for the turn of events. I emailed Nicola Sands at BSI, I said I knew it wasn't her that was personally responsible for the cancelation, but as hers was the only email on the website, could she give me an explanation.. She basically didnt at all, just apologised. The whole thing stinks and the "good will gesture" of a ticket for next year is just not sufficient in my opinion. I would probably still go to a few of the GP's next year, I wouldn't want to cut my nose off to spite my face, even though I am very P'd off with the whole thing. However Im now in Tokyo so it's not an issue!

I'm a huge Chris Harris fan, but that's a shocker.

Might not be a million miles away with that comment. Depending on whether or not any of the Brit boys progress to GP standard.

Well I have to say I wouldnt have ever thought Zagar would get a wild card. But I do not think it's such a bad decision. I dont really know how he's done this season, but I have to say Im a little ignorant to Speedway scene outside of BL, GP, SWC.. If I remeber rightly Zagar finished 7th in his first GP season & the the year after, he recieved a bad smack up after being rammed by Bjane in Copenhagen and never really recovered. I think he will certainly perform better than Dryml or KK did this year (not hard granted)

Is that the 1st one since the GP's started in 1995? I cannot remeber any of the final GP qualifiers (or GP challenge as it used to be) having been in England before.

Well how do they do it in scandi?

Why could we not get some of the Sky money to buy 10 or so 80cc bikes the same as they use in Sweden & Denmark & the necesaary helmts, boots, protection etc so that kids from say 10-13 can ride team events. They could be based at Scunny but easily transported to the other mini tracks in the country. I think it would be a big step forward in getting youngsters in this country a good start to speedway. As opposed to just going to a track day & riding round on their own all the time..

I said that is was ridiculous to suggest it was a 'stroll' for Nikki to win back to back world titles via the GP system. At no point did I say Emil was not ready for next years GP's - in fact I very much hope he is in them. I liked the one off world finals, I like the GP system, for me they both have different qualities. I really couldnt say that winning a world title one way or the other produces a more 'definate' world champion. Again, I just think you suggesting the GP win was a stroll is rubbish thats all.

Ridiculous comment.

BSI/IMG must be happy Emil is such a talent & some Russian money is heading their way..

Nice idea about the track reserves. Think that would work.

Nicholls, Lindgren, Holder and Sajfutdinov are more than likely to get the nod. If Holder still believes he's not ready then I personally believe Hampel or Bjane should get the shout as they are world class and can mix it. But they won't... I would like to see a system where after maybe round 2, the bottom 2 are dropped out & replaced by 'form' riders. There is too much dead weight in the GP's. Harris, Dryml, KK & a lesser extent Puk, added very little to this years series. Also the Wildcards need to be picked better. I dont think that the Wildcard should have to come from the country where the GP is staged. Oki, for eg at Krsko, Zagar will help get a few more through the gate, but he will also add something to the meeting. But in Poland, do they really need anothe Pole rider in there just for attendance sake? I remember a few years back when Crump got the nod for the British GP. It didn't please a lot of people, but he brought more to the meeting then any of the Brit riders at the time would have done.

Bit harsh. Those boys rode in World Team cup & Pairs (which no longer exists) when the danes dominated everything.. I think Nikki is a good world champ. A few years ago he was too ruthless & I wasnt a fan. But I think he's a bit better these days. Plus he's World Champion and he's missing 2 fingers on 1 hand!

Garvy Havelock was easily one of the best - if not the best rider in the world in 1992. All season long he was outstanding, on the rostrum (winning 2) in all the qualifying rounds & up the top of the league averages. Hans wasnt at the final granted, but all the other big names of the time were and Havvy was one of the pre meeting favourites. To imply it was a lucky win is a wrong Sir.

I don't agree that as British champion he should automatically be seeded. However I do think that as he finished ninth overall and is deinately one of the best 16 riders in the world, he should be seeded for 09. Saying that I belive that Bjane & Hampel are also top 16 riders, but they will probaly not get a place..

The fact it was not even mentioned on Sky Monday proves people are being told to keep it shut.

Olsen has done a fairly good job over the years, but it seems that he is very narrow minded, will only prepare tracks his way and has a very autocratic style.. I think he needs to remember that barring Copenhagen, nearly all the temp tracks have come into criticism from the riders. His position needs to be seriously looked at. Though from his smug demenour post Saturday's farce, it would seem his position is untouchable... I am not Anti the GP's at all. Last Saturday was my only bad experience of them. Im still a big fan, but extremely annoyed at the way eveything has been handled - And in particular the reaction (or lack of) Olsen & Bellamy.

I eamiled BSI with a whole lot of questions, all I got was an apology & being told that I would get a letter in the post from Paul Bellamy.. They again mentioned the 'adverse weather conditions' It was a frickin indoor stadium!!

Joke

I do kind of get what you are saying. And I am certainly pro GP. We couldnt go back to one off World finals now. However I dont agree with all your comments. Since the last one off in '94, digital TV has meant there are many more channels so I believe the qualifiers and final would definately be covered on TV. Also the qualifiers would not be meanigless as they would be a steppingstone to a riders ultimate goal of a world championship. I can rememebr the British, Commonwealth & Overseas finals of the early 90's they were superb meetings. And the World semi final at Bradford in 94 was a absolute classic. And if you look at the last few years, it was only the 93 final that was in a crap stadium - still a decent sized crowd tho. The GP's are great, I really enjoy them (except my journey to germany on Saturday!) But they have some problems they really need to iron out.

Ah yea I remeber that now.. The whole thing stinks & as far as I can see they have got away with this far too easily. JP for all his sins, at least faced the cameras after the Gothenburg fiasco.

Just got back in, still slightly livid but tried to make the best of a bad situation. Being in Hooters with a ridiculous sized mug of beer, gawping at the birds in there till 5 in the morning, slighlty numbed the pain! There are too many coincidences for me not to think it was canceled on Purpose. I know this forum has it's fair amout of BS on it, but this time there is a lot of sense being spoke. The fact that an alt venue was decided so quickly, is the final bit of evidence I need. I'll still go to these GP's (more fool me) but I love the GP's & love going to places I otherwise wouldnt. On a different note, watching the Darts, Dave Lanning has to start covering Speedway again. Also, what shall we call next weekends GP? Few suggestions: Polish GP part 3 50 odd years ago, would have been German GP The T Gollob Testimonial