thehammer

We get into Auckland Friday afternoon so can't wait..... At least it's only a domestic flight to do... know of a few guys coming up from Christchurch... some that haven't been to Speedway for years.... and I mean years!!! Also introducing the better half to GP Speedway after getting her interested at Brandon last year on our trip over

That is definately the correct times as for this week only the time difference is 12 hours..... come Sunday though for us it becomes 11 hours! Original long range forecast was rain...... however, the forecast I've just looked at for Auckland is sunny.... so hopefully that one stays Looking forward to getting up there for some action

Shame Andrew Aldridge wasn't able to get himself fit in time to take his place at reserve, but I'm sure it will be great experience for Sean

Could involve the crowd in the meeting then too.... 1 minutes to vote who takes the next ride... that rider then has to get out there pronto

So what day do you get into Auckland BFD?

Bit like he does before a race half the time!

A choice of 3 from Lanham, Bager, Bunyan, Roynan and Summers

I was gonna say it doesn't always rain... but then this weekend in Christchurch all we've had is erm rain!

Yeah I heard that one, bit silly really. Surely should be a worldwide rule

I totally understand in that situation emotions were high, and as I said once he calmed down again he set about the business well and rightfully earnt his place in the final.... there has definately been a lot more shown. It was definately Grant that was first to roll into the tapes, Godfrey was indeed in the race off gate 3, and could have then touched the tapes himself that set Ryan off who was the one that looked more obvious by it all. It was pointed out that Ryan was the one to go initially, but via the radio the ref then informed the other officials it was Grant who was then removed from the race. I'm not trying to make out that Grant is a cheater, and in terms of New Zealand racers he is one of the professionals both in terms of set up and his approach. This was not the only race though he was moving at the start, whether he was just trying to pre guess the tapes of what, but it was definately not just the 1 heat

Erm I can't remember..... from in the box I do remember that the 1st lap was a good one with it looking like Grant was going to push Jason all the way, but once Jason rounded him it was 1 way traffic.... edit: Forgot to add that when Grant and Jason met, Grant clearly rolled into the tapes before Ryan Moss went through them. All of us in line with the tapes saw it, as the ref did too, but I'm not sure what it looked like from elsewhere.... is there anyone able to comment on if it could be seen from elsewhere in the stadium? For Grant to then gesture towards the ref was a bit silly, but once he calmed down he set about his business well to earn the direct spot into the final... he tried to roll and just happened to get caught

We are indeed in the future.... So the GP will be Saturday morning UK time ... oh well won't affect me as I'll be there watching

Oh no it won't as the UK will have had their clocks go forward by then.... luckily NZ clocks don't change until the day after the GP, so would get confusing if rained off on the Saturday as times would be completely different the next day

Sorry hadn't seen this reply as when I last posted my computer didn't take it to this page! From what I have seen the Kiwi riders certainly didn't have the issue out of the gate, sometimes the 1st corner looked like they may have backed out a little in certain situations, but on the whole from my perspective it was more a case of trying to overtake and force their way through into a higher position. The big difference here, other than obvious experience and track time, is probably down to the fact that near enough all, if not all, of the Kiwi riders do this more as their hobby at the moment.... this means to pay the bills etc they are having to work a lot more outside of the sport. This could be something at the back of their minds at times too. I certainly know of a rider who has had to think about going to certain meetings because of affording the time off, and here-in is where the big difference lays. Having said all that the commitment and riding shown yesterday in the NZ Final I thought was a big step up from some of the riders so well done to those that have used the experiences against the International Riders and started to implement it in their own racing One big story that has come out of New Zealand yesterday though was that NZ will not be represented by 6 time National Champion in the NZ Grand Prix, Jason Bunyan any more........ they will be represented by 7 times National Champion, Jason Bunyan instead

I was reading a Speedway star that was sent over from start of January yesterday and it has those results in... I will try and find later when I get home from work and see what details are in it

So the New Zealand Solo's Championship takes place next weekend at Moore Park.... Can the GP Superstar Jason Bunyan make it 7, or will there be a new Champion? If anyone wants I can do some live updates for the meeting, maybe a few heats at a time as I'll probably be doing the timekeeping again too.... If anyone was up I can try send messages direct, or I can put results onto Facebook which would probably be easier!

Yeah I've seen your drinking SCB so I'd agree edit: and SilverBee doesn't listen....

And a billionnaire who can provide endless track time and opportunities

I'm sure he would be but no point flying from NZ to UK and back again surely

See that's where you just presume and make things up!! I actually give up my time to help at the meetings at Moore Park so maybe think about things before you go about attacking the poster. I may not be a rider but doesn't mean I'm not involved and I probably actually have one of the best views in the stadium!

How would you know if I had been on a Speedway bike or not? I've not disrespected the NZ Solo riders, what I said was: That is honesty through observation and something that riders of all nationalities will develop the more they ride. The International riders basically do this job on a full-time basis where most of the NZ riders are having to do the sport as a hobby, this is where the experience comes from. If people want New Zealand to have riders back up there in the world of Internationals such as the Mauger, Briggs, Moore days then NZ riders sometimes may need to take the leap to the next level and try to develop themselves. Jade Mudgway, Grant Tregoning and Andrew Aldridge have all taken that 1st step and been over to the UK, granted only Jade is still there at present, but Grant and Andrew will have learnt from that experience, which is why 9 times out of 10 they are the stand out guys in NZ at present. There are definately riders that are developing and have the potential to go further, but to get to that level, as with any sport, you have to put the time and effort into ensuring you take that step and developing. It's like me attempting to run a marathon off doing sprint training! It would get you so far, but to be able to step it up I'd need to take that bigger commitment and effort! Next time before you make a post you may like to read the forum rules.... This is about discussion, attack the post, do not attack the poster. There are many things I could pick up on from your post, but I will not drop to that level, instead I am happy to have a discussion about what is being said. I certainly know there are limited opportunities in NZ speedway, but what options are there to help improve this? This is the bigger picture that needs to be looked at, and to keep it on topic, hopefully this is what the Speedway GP coming to Auckland will help to develop

Can't believe how much people are complaining.... People want to see Speedway go global, New Zealand have someone prepared to stump up the cash over 3 years to try and help it happen, then they complain when the 1 little thing in response is that they would like to see a rider who has a bit of a background in New Zealand Speedway taking part. Why do people seem to think having a 'top class' wildcard is going to make a huge amount of difference..... the extra cost involved to get that rider here is a start, but also it is not as though that wildcard is going to win the World title... they are there for just 1 meeting, not the whole series. Let Jason have his chance, let New Zealand have their opportunity to try and develop Speedway once again in the lesser nations, and more importantly lets try to help Speedway go even more global.....

And has already been pointed out Jason has a New Zealand Racing Licence at the very least.... enough said

How can he technically not wear a NZ one... If he has New Zealand Citizenship (which is likely, but I don't know the definite answer to if he has) then he is free to represent New Zealand in whatever sport he chooses. Just like next year if I apply for citizenship and the All Whites called me up to play I would be eligible! And according to the article he will represent New Zealand

But the Wildcard isn't going to win the World Championship as they only do 1 or 2 meetings a year really, so as long as there is a wildcard for the round then why shouldn't it be given to someone who does a lot locally......... If it was a wildcard for the whole series I'd agree with you, but there are already 15 riders in the series going for that title this year... give someone a chance to ruffle a few feathers and upset the apple cart. Anything Jason scores will be a bonus based on people's conceptions here, but as he was about with the promotion of things here I'm sure he's had a few cheeky laps around there before so could upset a few riders if their not on their game.....