salty

At least it was a more entertaining GP than the the rubbish we have had to endure so far this season. Rune Holta even won 2 races from the back! whilst there was a lot of close racing for the minor positions. Nicholls/Emil both as bad as each other, but a fine should suffice. No fan of Pedersens, but I thought he was unlucky to be excluded in the Semi. That sort of incident usually would result in "all 4 back" but maybe there is a policy amongst refs to try and stamp out the practice of sliding off after contact.

Seems strange that Richardson didn't ride, he seemed quite up for a tilt at qualification this year. James Wright and Danny King bow out in Austria, which means (I think) that already the Brits are down to just Harris for the Semi-Finals.

Nothing like a Parsloes/Speedyguy spat is there? Actually can see both sides. From Jason's point of view his Grandad and Dad were both riders so I can see Parsloes point of view, But looking from Neil Street's perspective Phil is only his son-in-law so I can see (for once) Speedyguy's view. If pushed I would side with Parsloes on this one. But it would help his argument if he didn't say "Jason Crump IS Neil Street's grand-father".

1. Shawn Moran - some compliment considering I'm a Cradley fan. 2. Penhall. 3. Sigalos. Always came across as a classy guy both on and off the track. But for injury would he have threatened the Hans/Erik stranglehold during the late 80's?

Guess if the sponsor is happy then things will stay the same! God knows what sort of track you were expecting, because although it was better than last year it was still poor.

The ruts in the track made it a lottery, but to be fair for the first few heats when the track was smooth it was very much follow the leader. Pedersen can whinge all he likes but if the roles were reversed he would have been saying "he took my front wheel" - can't have it both ways!

Because he'd rather produce tracks conducive to Danes. Only way I can see the end of Olsen is if fans start voting with their feet. Surely someone at IMG/BSI can see that the slick tracks are spoiling the GP's???

Got a £5 e/w at 33/1. First bet I've had on an outright GP for a couple of years as a lot of the value has gone now the Bookies have become more clued up. Thought he was a stand out value bet, but didn't expect him to win the thing so that was a nice bonus!

Shocking Gp yet again from Prague. Track was a disgrace. I can't remember seeing so many empty spaces down the back straight at previous Czech GP's and its no surprise when they are served up tracks like that. Saving grace was the victory of young Emil, fantastic to see him winning at such a young age (can't remember quite how old). Just what Speedway needs. Glad I availed myself of the 33/1 because I doubt we'll ever see that price for him ever again. One last thought - is it just me but has Millard got even worse??

Agree with the point about Kennett. In the mix for a place, but no way an automatic selection. Bridger and Woffinden are better bets for the future.

Personally I would have expected Iversen to have qualified or at least been in the mix.

Don't know if you remember Chris, but about 3 or 4 years ago, you sprang to Ed's defence about him swerving the World Under 21 Team Cup to ride for Rye one Saturday. My point then was that it didn't matter whether the competition was "Mickey Mouse" or not, but that the experience of riding abroad was all important. Very disappointed that Ed has missed out at such an early stage, but as you say missing out on Poland this year isn't going to help him when it comes to making it at the highest level.

Pretty sure that Malcolm Ballard rode for Cradley at Reading in 1971, could it be him?

Cyril rode in the first match I ever saw at the back end of 1968. For Newport at Cradley, remember him then riding a few matches for the Heathens in 1971. Nice to hear that he is still enjoying his Speedway.

Sorry, I should have put a tongue in cheek smiley.

Nice touch by the Oxford fans - well done! Really looking forward to this, obviously Wolves have tried to give themselves every advantage, both in the team line up's and giving Slide off Sam some track time. But as usual the good guys will win...

Not quite true, though you are right Dag was unavailable for the whole season. The facility awarded was season long Rider Replacement, with very few guests utilised. Paul Gachet was injured very early in the season and his absence was covered by NL riders. When you consider that riders like Kennett, Geer and Niemi were taking extra rides all season it was some feat to hold on for the title. I am sure I have read somewhere (probably by John Berry) that it was the Dugard's links with Weslake that was the key factor in the Rebels triumph.

Touchy, touchy! Haven't Raynes Park Vale got a game tonight?

Maybe you are thinking of Frank Taylor, who if memory serves became the Mirror's leading Sportswriter? Frank McLean who did the Belle Vue reports did so until a ripe old age I think.

No, but there used to be a writer called John Hyam

Our sport certainly does shoot itself in the foot doesn't it? Can't think of many more deserving recipients of a Testimonial than Buzz and now it appears its gone missing again. All this on top of the injustice of him not getting a team berth for 2009. What a reward for doing so well last year.:angry:

John Berry's book "Confessions of a Speedway Promoter" covers the fatal accident and aftermath in some depth. Berry was standing on the centre green when the accident occurred. Also quickly on the scene was Preben Eriksen and it was these two who removed Brett's helmet. Then to quote the book "We both looked at each other. Although Brett was fighting for breath, and therefore still alive, we both knew the score there and then." Can't believe it is so long since this happened - 1982 was a bad year for our sport.

Slightly surprised to see Birmingham left off the list, all reports said the ELRC was a success last year. Not quite so surprised to see King's Lynn missing out.

I might be wrong but I was under the impression that Speedway Star man Phillip Rising was Assistant Race Director, anyone else know for sure?

Issue 15 of Backtrack showed a modern day picture of Ray Wilson posing next to a streetsign for "Stadium Rise" (which had another sign called "Parker Drive" underneath it). Caption for the photo read - "the only sign that speedway was ever staged in Leicester"