salty

How many "boys" do you support/stalk?

You must be easily pleased. I thought the racing was very dull, with very few overtakes after the first lap. I was glad to see Gollob back to something like his best though and move closer to inclusion for next year. With only two rounds to go it might well be that Holder and Ward will suck up two of the wild cards and none of the three Swedes are putting much of a case for their inclusion in 2014.

Salzburg is in Austria? Hope for Emil to make a recovery but after watching that crash might be better to rest up for 2014. The one thing that has struck me with Tai this year is that right from the off he has been blessed with some great machinery. Am I right in saying he is a Peter Johns client?

But there will be two Brits there (at Cardiff). Harris or some other Brit will be the wild card for the meeting. It's nonsense to suggest Harris should even be considered for a permanent nomination into the series. Plenty of other riders, including at least one Swede, who will be before him in the queue.

Been away for a few days, so only just seen Arthur Cross's post 149 outlining how NAMA got involved. Very interesting - Thank You. So the great entrepeneur, Luke Johnson, and his cronies only got their hands on the GRA stadia by borrowing on what they thought were favourable terms. Probably expected to cash in on the land, but the economic downturn has left them stuck.

Interesting update, but Feltham is an employee of the GRA, who as I understand, have different development plans for the Stadium. Surprised he is so positive about Taggarts plans. Does anyone know how NAMA are involved in the Wimbledon situation?

I was under the impression that all Football attendances (all 4 divisions) were much improved on what they were in the 1980's. Football crowds recovered from that recession, but Speedway crowds never did.

True, but last year the pick was to ensure one Brit in the series. No way will a 2nd Brit get picked this year. Will Tomasz's sponsorship from Monster help him get a pick if he requires/wants one?

If, for example, Andersen and Bjerre qualify from Poole, then you can't see MJJ getting a pick to have 4 Danes. Sweden will get at least one.

Surely the 3 picks (one will go to Holder) will depend a lot on who gets through at Poole. I would imagine the authorities would be hoping for a Swede or two to get through otherwise that may well affect the make up of the wild cards. Personally, I would like to see another Russian in the series.

In that case why have a run off? Just reward consistency by giving the slot to the Brit with the top average.

Middlo talked about 4 riders - 3 races to decide the winner. As I said before - was never going to happen.

I can't imagine an FIM event would have ever agreed to Middlo's run off idea. Might have helped the attendance, but very unlikely to have been given the go ahead. As reagrds the OP's question, haven't a clue I'm afraid.

Interesting post as ever Arthur. I agree - it's Plough Lane or nothing for Mr Taggart. I'm fairly sure he has declared an interest in Oxford as well.

As far as I recall, the qualifiers from the UK are decided by finishing positions at the British Final. In 2012, Danny crashed out and therefore didn't get to do the qualifiers in 2013. The only three Brits who took part were Kennett, Nicholls and Harris, but you could argue that anyone who entered the 2012 British championships did "take part" in the 2013 GP qualifiers. I agree with Phil Rising, there should be no wild card through to the final. Totally unfair for someone to be parachuted in 5 rides from qualification and it's not as if Danny's presence in the meeting is going to add much to the attendance.

As far as I recall Phil's Grandad used to have a pitch in the main ring at Wimbledon. I also kept him gainfully employed whilst he was doing his degree. The lease thing at Wimbledon (I posted the RP link above) suggests to me that RCP are playing the long game and going to keep the Stadia ticking over (with negligible investment) until conditions are more suitable for development. Feltham talks about spending to upgrade the facilities (much needed) but the place is a disgrace at the moment and if I was Hills and lobbing 200k of prize money at the Derby I'd want a better stadium to hold the event.

I know you will rush to defend the SLP, but that is a wee bit behind the times. http://www.racingpost.com/news/greyhounds/new-lease-deal-will-keep-the-gra-tracks-racing/1319343/top/ Maybe there has been such a glut of sports stories this summer they had to wait the best part of three weeks to fit the GRA story in. Arthur Cross - Interesting stuff regarding the history of Wimbledon, I didn't know of the hstorical reason for the distrust between the footballing Dons fans and the Council. One thing though, Kingstonian's traditional colours are red and white hoops.

Great crowd, super stadium. The racing let the occasion down somewhat. Strange to see Emil win, his bikes looked down on power all night.

Did I say that? Just pointing out that one party declining to comment hardly constitutes a "war of words". Has the W&SLP made any comments regarding what they would prefer to be the chosen plan for Plough Lane? I repeat, there is nothing there that wasn't in the public domain 2 or 3 weeks ago.

Hardly a "war of words" though. Just reporting what was in the public domain a couple of weeks ago.

Hope all goes well at Berwick tonight and there is a bumper crowd. I'd love to see Bellego go well.

I loved Emil's interview with Steve Brandon last night, showing his skill at using the words in the question to frame the answer. "so is it pick up the points and make the semi final?" "Yes, pick up points and make the semi final" Reckon Latvia will suit Emil more than Italy, but it is refreshing to see two new combatants for the title who apparently get on well and show it.

Great effort by Emil to get to the final, but e looks seriously underpowered compared to the other three. Hope he wins just so Pearson and Tatum will button it with the Wuffy, wuffy, wuffy garbage.

Fingers crossed. Hope he's Ok.

Just to clarify, the Bord na gCon (Irish Greyhound Board) is a semi-State company and Paschal Taggart presided as chairman for about 10 years up until 2006. Taggart certainly has the werewithal to do the necessary at Plough Lane (as long as RCP are receptive to a reasonable offer) and I do believe he has the interests of Greyhound Racing at heart. If he feels that the Speedway community can help swing things with Merton Council then I'm sure he'll welcome any support.