Midland Red

Childish habit? Is that something like starting every post in capital letters? You chose to dwell on the above, rather than respond to the points I raised about the state of UK speedway and how you might make your voice heard before the sport's final demise is confirmed - you have long had a standing in the speedway world, so why not put it to good use (and that doesn't mean complaining about Jason Bunyan's wildcards)

I may be wrong (I often am) but in days gone by - before Ole Olsen's Flying Circus - the British Championship was a bona fide qualifying round of the World Championship, so I suppose in some way it was then under (part) jurisdiction of the FIM Nowadays, it is a stand alone championship - the fact that BSPA decide that the winner shall be the wildcard for the British GP is immaterial as far as FIM are concerned Perhaps Philippe was still thinking the British Championship was part of the FIM World Championship - it clearly isn't anymore

I thought Ermolenko was commentating on the British Final? I'm sure I heard the word "straightaway" used. Oh, that was Kelvin, was it? Then they could have matching helmet colours for the riders, with a green one in place of white! What a novel idea!

No wonder UK speedway is in the state it is, when an Australian is allowed to wear flip flops in the pits (or is paddock nowadays)

I can understand the unrest, caused by the possibility that Rory might have achieved the British GP wildcard But as has been said, whilst it's not widespread, it has been happening for years, particularly riding on "foreign" licences Regarding passports, that's another argument, and if dual-nationality passport holders do ride, then they can surely choose Interesting that Philippe contacted Castagna, as I wondered what it had to do with the Italian But then I browsed the FIM site, and they do list riders' licences for their events - so, if Rory rides on an ACU licence, then it would appear to be ok with the governing body I recall Marvyn Cox riding on a foreign licence, more recently Rune Holta - did Andy Smith do likewise? Interestingly - if Rory was as seems 100% eligible to ride in the British Final, how many of those bemoaning the quality of the field because Lambert was "absent" were also calling for the removal of a rider of Rory's class?! In the scheme of things, as others have recorded, there are far more important things that need attending to with our wonderful sport, and it would be good to know just how much a person of Philippe's experience, knowledge and standing has emailed the BSPA, SCB, ACU, FIM, about getting some of these things put right If this was your first complaining email, Philippe, let's see plenty more from you - you'll get a lot of backing from the BSF if you can lead a campaign to get some deaf ears turned back, heads dug out of the sand, and some wrongs put to right You may need to become divorced from any involvement in Ole Olsen's Flying Circus - which has devastated UK speedway - and concentrate purely on the domestic scene

Nielsen Gundersen Olsen JO Pedersen N Pedersen I would prefer to include Knudsen instead of Olsen, but this is a Top 5, not a Favourite 5

That's cleared it up, then

Entertainer????????

Knowledgeable entertainer? Who's that then?

TV showed him in conversation with Danny King

Overall, I thought the presentation was pretty good Plus points: Natalie Quirke and Steve Brandon; fewer rider interviews between races Minus points: Camera work as mentioned; Brando's time always seemed to be cut short, as if he hadn't quite finished; poor graphics; Pearson (not Pearce, Mr Shovlar!) still Sir Shoutalot Graphics - found the digits difficult to read on some captions, small black numbers on brightly coloured backgrounds. And I do believe that they showed points for riders' 1-5 rides and finishing positions in 6th (semi-finals), without distinguishing between points and finishing position - could have been misleading for those who could read them clearly, and it only happened (obviously) on two occasions! One final point - I would like to have seen the "dodgy starts" looked at in a bit more detail - although Kelvin Tatum thought otherwise, I felt that Barker's first start, which was allowed, was 100% fair - he didn't move till the tapes started to rise. Tatum was quick with his verdict, would like to have seen it checked

Does it have to be "high" standard? Better that it's equal quality so providing closer, more challenging racing The attraction should be more aimed at entertainment than at win-at-all-costs, by chopping and changing team members Stability amongst team line-ups should be an aim where a competitive side has been achieved And return to 13 heat matches plus second-halves

For me . . . Fundin Nordin Rickardsson Knutsson (as spelt when riding here!) Michanek Honourable mentions for Sjosten (Soren) and Jansson (Bengt)

Don't you mean "Barry Briggs MBE"? You plonker with your affectation for capital letters! Why can't you type properly like the rest of us?

You can become World Champion without winning a single meeting A lot of people don't like that You can even be champion before the final meeting A lot of people don't like that And of course, these days, you can win a meeting with just one race win, in heat 23 A lot of people don't like that

If Havelock was included, he would be below Woffinden for me (and probably for everyone else) If Carter qualified for the list (which I know he doesn't), I would place him third behind Michael Lee

Tom Farndon, without a doubt Other choices would include Vic Duggan and Jack Parker

Have seen them all, so . . . Craven Lee Collins Loram Woffinden

RIP The Master

Strange feeling you've got there!

My top three - in no particular order Allen Walker John Earrey Ted Sear To mention Peter York in the same breath as any of the above should never, ever, be considered

Interesting thoughts - perhaps they're worthy of further discussion?

Perhaps he needs to go to a training school?

So by attending a meeting, you will come away with an accurate attendance figure? What do you do, count them all? What about all the younger fans who generally spend the meeting on the move, how do you know if you've double or treble counted them - or missed them completely? If attendances are in the range of 300 to 500, missing out or double counting 50 would be a large percentage error You still talking tosh!

Slominski is in it - according to Sam!