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and so he should because you would do the same even worse

Emil done it again. Given first choice of gate in semi final and he picks blue. At that point he had 4 wins and a 3rd, blue was third. More than that picking blue let Madsen choose red, Emil drops a point. More then that Emil only has third pick for the final and comes 2nd behind..... Madsen. So he dropped two points, if he chose the right gates and beat Madsen in semi and final he would now be 5 points behind Zmarzlik and two more points ahead of Madsen, AND he would have won Cardiff, which he hasn’t done since 2013. Bad choice. Charles Wright did well, rode very well.

Well how rubbish was that.....

For the betting uninitiated - what it actually means is, put a £1 on Ipswich and it goes in the bookies satchel never to see the light of day.

Sadly there was indeed little to get excited about. Some close racing but overtaking at a premium. The light show before the racing seemed to go on and on and the riders were invisible during the introductions. Have to agree the hype surrounding this event has overtaken reality. Warsaw is by far the best event on the calendar now for atmosphere, but speedway should be on proper tracks in the fresh air.

What a complete and utter load of rubbish that was!...again!!. Sick to death of the shouty twins building up the British GP for weeks beforehand every year, only for more times or not, it turns out to be a waste of time! The sport builds a “National Speedway Stadium” which is a proper speedway track that produces good racing most of the time, yet doesn’t use it! It prefers the razzmatazz and all that crap, that this temporary track provides and to hell with actually being interested in providing some good racing! Still, as long as the punters continue to take their brains out and pay the stupid prices to watch such dross each year, then nothing will change.

Freddie overturns and TW hits a rut at the same time. Good call.

Why is that harsh i said the racing was good because generally Somerset is a good racing track but facilities for big events need numerous toilets, fast food establishments and good seated accommodation with roofs.

Traditional race card for 2019 British Grand Prix :-https://www.keepandshare.com/doc16/23815/gp-2019-9-pdf-823k?da=y

People keep saying 'we got a national stadium now' and 'it needs to be there'... You do realise its not going to house 40,000 people? The only way there will ever be a British GP not at Cardiff would be if sales dropped, or the principality said no.. 20 years on and I very much doubt that's going to change any time soon.

This years series has felt as stale as I can remember a GP season being. They won’t because of the £’s but it needs a complete revamp and taking to the best racetracks in the world wherever they may be.

Should make Monday and Thursdays meeting at Poole and Ipswich look exciting......

Nice start for Wright!

Do you think it's worth writing to the editor of Stenner's and tell him he's made a mistake!?

English translation of an article that appeared in Speedweek last year As a racing driver, Hans Zierk was one of the best of his time on the Langbahn. He won world titles on the assembly line - but only in his second career as an engine tuner. Hans Zierk, who was born on June 23, 1934 in Tribsees in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, came early with the rail sports in touch, but his father Ernst had a motorcycle repair shop, in which some of the then top riders in and out. Thus, the forge master also supported his two sons, Hans and Manfred, to the best of their ability. His first race was the only 14-year-old (!) Hans in 1949 in Berlin-Mariendorf, where he competed in the classes 250 / 350ccm and 500cc. Unfortunately, he had in the 500 class a heavy fall with double-sided pelvic fracture and some other injuries, so that he was able to properly board again in 1950. In the same year he had already become the "king" of the famous Teterower Bergring. 9 day wins, 7 best times of the day, 1 mountain cup (only since 1958) and 2 track records in 10 years underlined this. In 1960, the Zierks, Hans and his enterprising, but always cheerful Mrs. Johanna, who unfortunately died in 2003, moved to the West, and after some back and forth in Lehrte, not far from Hanover, found a new home. As early as 1961, they set up their own business with a Ford dealership. As the profession proceeds, put Hans until 1966 a race break and was then active again until 1977. He could be twice NWBM champion and 1968 third in the German Sandbahnmeisterschaft. The highlight was the 3rd place and the bronze medal at the last European sand track championship in 1970 on the oak ring in Scheeßel, where he dethroned in the decisive run the defending champion and later friend and business partner Don Godden (England). In 1975 he played in Marienbad in the Czech Republic his last World Championship race. At that time he was one of the first to drive and later develop the Roth engine, a four-valve self-propelled tracked engine with two overhead camshafts. Second career: HZ Tuning 1977 ended Zierk after a serious crash in Sweden, over 30 years long, unique and successful racing career and immediately began his second: the successful as a motor tuner, which brought the initials HZ to world fame in rail. Zierk had in its meanwhile two motor vehicle factories its own railway sports department with specially appointed mechanics. Until 1990 he was Godden general importer and changed then because of the better conditions to Jawa. With so much commitment, the successes were not enough. So the unforgotten Simon Wigg (GB) was the most successful with alone five engines won by HZ tuned world champion titles. Also the successes of Hans Nielsen, Karl Maier, Gerd Riss, Kelvin Tatum and Mark Loram (both England) or Bernd Diener are in the history books. Even world record champion and railway icon Ivan Mauger or our only speedway world champion Egon Müller trusted in his tuned aggregates. Hans Zierk, now married again and still in the day-to-day business of his company, is still paying close attention to rail sports today. Despite a severe cancer of the larynx hampered in speaking, he is always happy to assist many activists.

that's a bit harsh

Can I have £1000 each way on the Witches (so long as it pays to 4 places)

Well done to Cook and Jensen - certainly looked the part at Redcar last week!

Loved the occasion - as ever. But the racing was poor this year. There are good ones and bad ones, this fell into the latter. Tai Woffinden clearly down on speed too, which dampened the collective enthusiasm. I will be back next year though, the weekend itself is always enjoyable and has a unique atmosphere unobtainable anywhere else in British Speedway.

Of course I realise the crowd would be much less, but if there is no intention of ever having a GP on a proper track with some proper racing, then WHY was it built and called what it is called?....Stuff the 40,000 and all the gimmicks and rubbish a lot of them go for, I'm just interested in watching good speedway RACING on a track where riders can actually overtake someone! More fool those who waste their money each year on that tripe!

Seeing as i dont come on here much anymore. And you wonder why.

Czestochowa and Ostrow are consistently good!

Thought it was quite dull.

No but then again isnt it better to not qualify than reach the final and lose.

Correct, Its not in the rule book and on the other hand I've seen plenty of riders lock up and nearly do a 360 and the poor rider behind is the one who gets excluded.

Hope the last set were removed before racing commenced. Would be inCONVENIENT riders having to go round them.

Or a bit of dirt on the track

I meant to say Cradley Heath rode their last two homes at Birmingham and Tamworth (not Hanley). The Tamworth v Wombwell match was raced over 14 heats, apparently in error, as it should have complied with the tournament format of 16 heats. Speedway World confirmed it was a 14 heat match.

Yes good to see Jordan back on form. If we can say get Jake Allen (who also was one of the joint 2nd top scorers with Jordan last night in the pairs) in for MPT on Fri/Sat we should have a great line up to face Leicester. Especially with Broc Nichol in for Nathah Greaves.

Yes, as it stands you're right, but I'm assuming, rightly or wrongly, that Exeter will win their match in hand.

The Cradley Hearth v Wombwell match in the Midlands v South Cup never appeared in the fixture list and as late as 13th September it was noted in the Cradley Heath programme as 'still to be arranged'. Cradley Heath ran out of dates, with the first home fixture not having been staged until 21st June and the last two 'home' meetings being held at Birmingham and Hanley.

I blame Brexit ;-)

Sayfutdinov to win.

Whatever happens it is likely they will get if wrong in time honoured fashion.

I wonder which promoter will be the first to delay the start of a meeting due to late arrival of the ice cream van.

Ace tuner Hans Zierk has died aged 85. Simon Wigg, Hans Nielsen Mark Loram and Kelvin Tatum were amongst the riders who used his services.

I suspect Birmingham Brummies surprised quite a few with their performance - proud of Adam & Tero. Congratulations to the Glasgow pairing on their success.

As I understand it, he was called 3 times on the P.A. but chose to sit chatting in the stands rather than coming and selecting his riding order. If you you choose not to come at you allotted slot, I think it's reasonable to have last choice.

You can never say never in speedway, I’m sure if Rory was squeezed out at Wolves and Lynn made him an offer he’d be back. That said not a rider I’d be too keen to see back, would rather go with fresh faces and a new direction. Nick Morris will be back at Swindon I’m sure. As fir Buster, whatever you think of him he rescued the top division in its current format and it goes without saying that pumping money into our two local rivals will have compromised what he could spend on the Lynn team. Don't see that changing until Ipswich and P’boro are moved on to fresh owners.

Moving up can also mean losing the clubs traditional race night. It was financial suicide for the likes of Rye House.

Good meeting on a very well prepared track (take note other tracks, dirt and a bit of water and you can produce a good show).. Scunny very unlucky, maybe a race off would have been fairer but it just about sums up our luck in recent seasons. Did think there was some questionable choices made by the tef.. why wasnt the race stopped when both of Jensens wheels went well and truly on the grass bend 2 (heat 17 I believe it was) other than that well done to Glasgow, best pairing on the night. Well done and thank you to the Somerset promotion and track staff and all the riders for putting on a brilliant meeting, 25 races for 20 quid was good value!

Great meeting with lots of passing, only boring thing was Cook and Jensen head and shoulders above everyone else. Result was a bit of a forgone conclusion. Worst Somerset showing for a long time . Good crowd as well.

You'll be behind me Wishing your boys all the best against the Pirates. I must be mad, but it is Poole

Possibly. Possibly not. There are several parcels of land owned by the Showground right next to the A1 that do not look like they are going to be developed, after all houses next to the A1 would be a tough sell, all of these would be big enough for a Speedway track. Perhaps being a charitable organisation they will do the right thing. Perhaps not.

I'm always sceptical when a so-called top rider leaves a club. If he had been that good then Belle Vue would have moved heaven and earth to keep him, so instantly I query his availability and therefore his attitude. I would never question his ability and have seen him ride with the best, but also have seen him ride uninterested when the mood takes him. I prefer riders who gives their all EVERY race , but unfortunately that not Cookie…. With the standard we now have in the top league, he should be getting double figures every meeting, not riding round for 6's and 7's like he does...

Poole can win this easy but if ippo ride to there best they could keep this tight

Although a larger top league would be good I cannot see many clubs wanting to move up with the way the top league has acted in previous years to those that have moved up, most of which dropped out after one season, too many politics and if shown on tv not enough money is paid to cover those fans that stay at home and watch the meeting on tv. The cost of the riders is higher and unless the teams are weakened or the costs reduced how many PL clubs can afford to move up?

He was at Birmingham too. All this business about his financial life is for the promoters to worry about, IMO, not fans.

Is that not going to create greater divides between the abilities of riders? Its tough enough when PL heat leaders line up against NL second strings in the CL this season. Are you implying that Jason Doyle & Luke Harris in the same race is good for the sport or the entertainment factor? A smaller league with a higher minimum rider average for the top league is required so that the gulf in class is reduced. Closer matched riders on the right tracks will produce far better racing and entertainment than one or two superstars disappearing half a lap into the distance.

When it comes to Greg, I think that Phil Rising said it best a few years ago when talking about a possible wildcard for a different rider, who was much younger than Greg.... "Look to the future. ****** is a lovely guy but frankly has had his time and does he really get the pulses racing..." As far as I can see, this fits perfectly for Greg...