Leaderboard

I think it is likely that the Russians will be suspended from the GP series. In the short term at least. It is very sad, for sure. But many sports are already lining up to exclude Russian competitors. Should the FIM try to sidestep this issue, there will be widespread criticism despite the niche nature of our sport. We have to remember that the FIM is also the governing body of several high profile sports, so speedway is likely to treated the same as them. Of course, the upshot will be that Jack Holder and Dan Bewley will then be promoted into the GP series full time.

World championship downhill ski-ing must be coming up because it’s organisers/governing body have said Russian skiers are not welcome. Sportspeople cannot wear the Russian flag nor have the national anthem played at ceremonies, it still means Russian athletes can win…. And Putin thrives on Russian world champions. He is another Hitler, their athletes are the best, Russia is best. Nothing against Artum and Emil, they maybe nice guys, but they food for Putin. Poland has close ties to Ukraine, many of its citizens have married Ukrainians, families are in both countries. Don’t under estimate the feelings of Poland, nor Slovakia who Russia invaded in the last 50 years, nor Sweden and Finland who are on his list of “doing a Ukraine” to them. This is a war that could go on for years, thousands of people dying, yet all that (some) English speedway supporters want is things to carry on as normal…… this is not normal.

Thats not funny mate

The Poole REF raise money to give riders assistance when they get injured, crash or have damage to machinery.

Got fed up waiting for Birmingham to complete their team so I could compare all the teams: Strongest number 1: Troy Batchelor (Oxf) Weakest number 1: Josh Auty (Bir) or Bradley W-Dean (Nec) Strongest number 2: Danny King (Ple) Weakest number 2: Ricky Wells (Ber) or Lee Complin (Nec) Strongest number 3: Richard Lawson (Ple) Weakest number 3: Cameron Heeps (Oxf) Strongest number 4: Ben Barker (Ply) Weakest number 4: Ben Cook (Ple) Strongest number 5: Ben Basso (Gla) Weakest number 5: Ty Proctor (Ber) Strongest number 6: Jye Etheridge (Ber) Weakest number 6: Jordan Jenkins (Red) Strongest number 7s: Stefan Nielsen (Bir) or Connor Bailey (Gla) Weakest number 7: Ryan Kinsley (Scu)

and Russia have been excluded from the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest. Russia are so keen to win at sport, cheating has been rife, and even when Russian sports people cannot wear Russian colours etc (in the recent winter Olympics the Russians were representing “the Russian Olympic Committee”), and even then in the Ladies ice skating that young girl had been found of taking drugs (maybe not her fault). This shows even when banned they deem it worthwhile to cheat. For the “fatherland”. Not only should the Speedway GP due in Togliatti be cancelled, but Russian riders should be excluded from all the 2022 world championship GP’s, and yes that means Artum and Emil. What Poland speedway does will be interesting as well, I can see all Russians being excluded from the Polish league. Edit…… just heard Manchester United cancelled sponsorship from Aeroflot, worth millions.

If the awful events in Ukraine continue the FIM will presumably have to toe the line with other international sporting bodies and not allow Laguta and Sayfutdinov to compete in this years GP series? Unfair on these two but there are more important things in life than elite level speedway.

The first time I heard of Dan was when he was announced he would be riding on his own in our second half, and someone said "he's worth watching". He hadn't rode for anyone at that stage and looked very raw on our tight bends. I particularly noticed he rode too close to the inside of 1st and 3rd bends, clipping the kerb practically every time. In his later rides he moved out, as you should, so he came out of those bends with a better line that he could maintain, before coming out of the 2nd and 4th corners wide like everyone else does. I obviously watched his progress after that as he was being treat very well with lots of second half track time.

Both of them live in Bydgoszcz in Poland and have Polish citizenship.

Agreed. During the cold war there were defections where the defectors no doubt lived in fear even though they were 'safe' in the west. Heavens knows what retaliatory action was taken out on their relatives. So yes a big ask but I don't think we can continue with these quasi bans which allow Russians to compete just without a flag or anthem. Harsh on the majority of their sports persons but an all out ban seems to be the only way to send the message that either state sponsored drugs programmes or illegal invasions are not acceptable to the rest of the World.

Apparently the F.A. have stated that they will not play against Russia in any competition for the foreseeable future. Good for them.

don’t rule out Luke Crang pretty sure he will surprise a few

Some businesses have already lost revenue. Man United have terminated their sponsorship deal with Aeroflot…. Was worth £millions. Exports stopped to Russia, so firms with orders to supply will have lost £’s. Lots going on that are not headline makers. What has probably peeved Putin the most is that Russia has been kicked out of the Eurovision Song Contest ….… those Russian grannies will be too old next year, they will have to retire.

If the Speedway GB page posted averages, we'd know for sure. Not sure why it has to be kept so secret!

Kind of defeats the object doesn't it. Was it Simon Wigg who rode on a Dutch license to improve his route to World Finals? Nobody would have acknowledged him as a Dutch world champion. it would have been a British win. Important not to consider the individuals in this. Sure it will be harsh on the competitors as I'm sure they're not funded by the Russian government in any way but in these circumstances where there is no other recourse for the actions of Putin isn't it important to send the message to the Russian people that the regime which they live under (allegedly voted for) is rotten and to be ostracised by the global community. And as such isn't welcome to partake in global events. Of course this needs to be wider than just sporting events to make the message strong and clear. But can you see global corporations withdrawing their produce from Russia? Forsaking profits? So it is left to sport to make a stand. Really difficult as Russia are not the only country/regime which can be considered undesirable. I think Afghanistan are still represented in cricket competitions but we'd hardly invite the Taliban to a party. And we're all more than happy for oppressive middle eastern regimes to buy football clubs. So where does it end and who are the arbitrators of what is and isn't acceptable? Whose to say that our western beliefs are more valid than those of rogue states? We certainly don't live in utopia here in the western world. However, I think it's fairly obvious to all concerned that the aggressive invasion of Ukraine, for what appears to be historical/egotistical reasons, is abhorrent and clearly not going to be resolved by politicians or corporations, isn't it important to let the Russian public know that the actions of their leaders are not acceptable by the rest of the World.

Whose to say Poland would want them in their national team. Looking at TV there is a strong link between Polish and Ukraine people. If they were picked maybe the Polish fans would react and boycott meetings. Here in the uk we are remote from the situation, Poland is on top of the situ, and they know what it was like to be under the communist fist….. and they got out as soon as they could. There will not be much love for Russian government in Poland. I doubt there is a great deal of love for the Russian government in Russia, but little the masses can do about that.

They are not racing under the Russian flag nor is the Russian anthem being played at any sporting event This is nothing to do with the current situation in Ukraine but issues with drugs over a long period. Emil Sayfutinov & Artum Laguta were representing the Russian federation (MFR) in international events last season & are due to represent them again. My opinion is that The FIM should remove all Russian's from their events whilst the current hostile situation exists. I understand that Emil holds a Polish passport & Like Gleb Chugenov (Russian) & Rune Holta (Norwegian) could possibly represent Poland.

The latest guests at the last two Nuneaton Speedway Supporters Club meetings, Neil Vatcher, Rob Lyon and Dale Allitt expanded on the rules governing number 8's and the PJL. As someone said earlier, what we've always called a number 8 is in fact an additional rider and the rules there are unchanged. The new number 8 position is a kind of squad member. If a RS is injured a team must use the no.8 as a replacement. I'm still not clear if this can happen part way through a meeting though. However, a team manager has the option to swap his RS and no.8 in his named team ahead of a meeting. Hence the squad concept. I did ask the question about the prospect of no.8's sitting in the pits all night without getting a ride. The answer was that no.8's will automatically be in the PJL team, so should get rides in the second half. As to PJL, teams will comprise 4 riders with a maximum combined RS star rating of 8. The league will be regionalised (I think, 2 times 3 teams). It is clear that riders can ride in the NDL, the CL and be a no.8. My conclusion is that such riders will actually be riding in 4 leagues since they will also be automatically included in their PJL team. Well that's my latest understanding. Please don't kill the messenger.

Bogdanov seems to be the new Krasnikov, destined to dominate the sport for many years to come. Remember, he is still a Junior !

now here https://vk.com/video/@icegladiators?z=video-117596093_456240838%2Fclub117596093%2Fpl_-117596093_-2

Ice Gladiators VK link for Round 6 here (YouTube isn't working in Russia today) https://vk.com/video-117596093_456240836 A second, separate VK link here: https://vk.com/video-62402836_456241452

Yes, it’s a cracking photo of Peter balancing. Another I like is of Peter leading Ove Fundin. Two of the worlds best ever, completely different styles, chasing the same bit of dirt, and so close.

Has there ever been a more iconic photo taken? I started going in 1968 so missed out on seeing the original PC, a total legend.

Quite agree, Dan is the man. I think he will be nearly unbeatable at most tracks.

"In view of the tremendously sad and troubling events in Ukraine, the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), the world governing body for motorcycle sport, together with Discovery Sports Events, promoter of the FIM Speedway Grand Prix series, confirm that in the current circumstances it is not possible to hold the FIM Speedway GP of MFR – Togliatti originally set to take place on July 9." https://www.fimspeedway.com/statement-fim-speedway-gp-of-mfr-togliatti/

So do I but Countries need to stick together re sanctions against Russia. I will be at Cardiff and would like to watch Sayfutinov and Laguta but in the circumstances if the war is still ongoing I don't think they should ride, if they do and should one of them win the GP I will not be cheering or staying for the presentations.

It's not inconceivable that the Russian riders will be barred from racing in the SGP next season on that basis.

Don’t we all, that’s a natural viewpoint of speedway supporters, or indeed supporters of any sport. However, no single country, nor NATO, is going to put their army against Russia, but the people in Ukraine, ordainary people like you and me, are suffering and will suffer more for every one of them that dies. So other means have to be taken to show that the world detests what they have done. Russia, and Putin, like their sporting heros, especially world beaters. Hence Olympic champions, World champions etc are highly prized. So just like all the other restrictions heaped upon Russia, it is hoped the effects the restrictions will get them to think is it worth it and change their ways. Action now may prevent world war 3.

Great News... Tai Woffinden is making a key announcement at 6pm next Tuesday

Petrol/diesel prices at around £2 a litre might put some off.

I want to go back to the sixties life was much simpler then.

I can tell you this HARDY Don (Ex, Exeter Speedway Rider) Passed away peacefully on Wednesday 7th March 2018, aged 96 years.

72 is also a noodle dish at our local takeaway - nophoo-king-gud

I use a number after my ID on some emails or message boards that isn't to do with my year of birth, house number, IQ etc. Just a number that means something to me that others are unlikely to know so the 72 could be a red herring. 72 as a number is meant to signify wisdom learning and good fortune :/ In religion some think the member 72 refers to the wonderful one! Until something tells me my number means wee fat ugly half Scot though I'll remain skeptical!

Judging by some of the abuse Gleb Chuganov got on Twitter in the last week simply for being Russian, it is a real possibility that the four Russians may well pull out.

I doubt Putin knows who Laguta or Saifutinov even are, ridiculous to suggest removing them from competitions, it is not their fault