salty

You seriously think people should be "made to sing the national anthem"?

Maybe he was saying " guess what, Greg. There's some pond life on the BSF that thinks the #DW43 stuff is "overkill"" and Greg is replying "Yeah I know, it's the same tube who kept moaning because the family hadn't released a statement detailing Darcy's injuries"

Apart from the details of this case - the other things you mention are what has really soured me with domestic Speedway. The continued abuse of "facilities" leads to a situation where whenever a rider misses a meeting it is easy to grow sceptical as to the reasons why. Could well be (and I stress could) that these circumstances fell into Poole's lap and so they used them. But the fact that nobody was really surprised that North was missing (following two scoreless meetings) says it all.

I'd be surprised.

Half? I would say that about 3/8ths too much.

Think you mean Mick the Miller. Golden Miller was a horse. Hopefully it will be news of an early signing....

Ridiculous that meeting wasn't completed before the rain came. One heat not run and Heat 14 bordering on the farcical - at least we got our interview with John McGuiness though.

Well done, Brummies. After the despair of closure last summer it's great to see.

First memory of John. Saturday 18th July - Cradley v Swindon. A new name appears amongst those in the second half. Event 4 - Cradley Stakes R - John Louis B - Mike Letch W - Cyril Francis YB - Arne Pander John finishes second to the winner Cyril who posted a time of 73 seconds dead. Two races later and John is up against Arne again as well as Mike Gardner and John Bishop (the respective number 7's) and again finishes 2nd. Amazing how time plays tricks because I would have sworn that I saw John ride in Cradley second halves more than once, but my programmes (and I missed few meetings that season) say otherwise. Maybe he rode extra laps after the meeting because he obviously made enough of an impression for me to stay behind and get his autograph on the front cover of the programme. Pretty sure at that time I would have had no idea of John's Ipswich connection and would have considered him another second half hopeful. Poignantly, this meeting took place the Saturday after Lokeren. Not only was there no Colin Pratt in the Heathens line up, but it is likely that John would have been due to ride against Mal Carmichael (who lost his life in Belgium) in the second half. My next vivid memory of John is him exchanging insults and threats with a fired up bunch of Heathens supporters from the back of the victory tractor as it took the Witches down the back straight at Dudley Wood after Ipswich had curtailed another cup dream.

Didn't know you were a baseball man. Great run for the Blue Jays recently - massive series v the Yanks. I'm hoping this could be the year for the Cubs - hope springs eternal.

To be fair Bryn you did ask "know anyone who can top that" at the end of your original posting, so a bit strange that you now are disappointed "other such tales" have been brought forth. My personal dedication was walking from Stratford station to the Wick down the netherworld of Carpenters Road - a less than picturesque amble.

Maybe this article will help.... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centre_points_of_the_United_Kingdom You will note that none of the places put forward as the centre of Great Britain (or England), using all the various methods of measurement available, are anywhere near Ipswich.

Alan Grahame stayed in 1984 along with Gundersen, King and Phil Collins, supplemented by Finn Jensen, Mike Wilding and Steve Collins - until Simon Cross was shoehorned into the team.

Dave Cheshire was the original 7th rider in the Heathens. Injured early season but was the rider that Peter Ravn replaced. Don't forget Wigg also started on an assessed 6.00 average. This enabled him to be reserve for the start of the season, whilst Pedersen rode at number 2.

Ivan's whole season revolved around winning that World Final. If there had been a GP series he would have still (imo) been one step ahead of the rest.

Pretty sure the deal with Sky stipulates 8 teams in the EL, so expect machinations to ensure that number is reached.

Zagar more than a touch unlucky. Got wiped out in the Kildemand/Pedersen crash - his semi was stopped when he was clear 2nd - the final was stopped when he was away in front.

Have a long and happy retirement. Thanks for the entertainment.

The issue wasn't with the noise at the meetings - covered by planning permission - but the noise late at night following meetings - which (afaik) was not covered by planning.

Five Aussies in 2003 (out of 22)...including Jason Lyons https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_Speedway_Grand_Prix

In 2003 you can add Sullivan to those 4 - though that was when there were 22 riders in the series.

The 4 nominations are generally given to 1) riders who have just missed out in GP series (finishing 9th or 10th) 2) riders who have missed out due to injury, 3) riders who have good seasons - with good appearances as wild cards or in the World Cup 4) riders who benefit for commercial reasons because of their nationality. Ward can't fit the first two categories and it would appear he may only have a wildcard slot at Melbourne to push his claims for category 3. So his best hope is category 4. Whilst his Monster sponsorship and his undoubted talent would make you feel that he will get a slot, he might be sweating on the make-up of the other 11 riders who qualify automatically - for example a lack of Poles and/or Swedes or too many Aussies

Thought it was a good meeting considering the weather problems, with a decent crowd. Great to see Lindback riding so well, but sad to see KK struggling so much.

Update re Mildenhall... http://www.racingpost.com/news/greyhounds/supreme-court-verdict-goes-against-mildenhall/1921063/top/

I don't agree he should get a wild card for next years series, bit harsh that he wouldn't be back until 2017, but thats the nature of the qualifying system. Having said that I think it will be a "monster" surprise if he isn't handed a wildcard for next year. I suppose a lot will depend on the nationalities of the 11 who qualify by right.