Gemini

Well, the last bit doesn't really matter. Ask SCB for instructions on how to ignore it.

I should think he withdrew more to do with the crash he had that night rather than the British Final one, but it's good to know he will be okay to ride tomorrow.

I was on the 4th bend so can't see that far to notice how the rider got a flag. So it was you then, but if they're heavy how did you go on when Lions got a 5-1 as that meant 2 flags. Yes, I agree. Anything that will make the winning rider do a victory lap instead of just turning round and going back to the pits. Perhaps an opposition rider could have a chequered flag. Most fans appreciate visiting riders anyway ~ at Peterborough they politely clap. At Coventry Scott Nicholls, Simon Stead, Joonas Kylmakorpi, still always get a good reception but Hans Andersen doesn't seem too popular strangely enough.

Well, they seemed to manage it okay. I thought it was a good idea and more tracks should do the same thing.

Yes, that still happens. Also another idea I liked was sending the winning rider round on a victory lap with a Lions flag. Perhaps they should try that at Coventry to encourage a bit more interaction with the fans instead of them heading straight back to the pits. Shove a flag in their hand and make them do a lap with it.

Why not? They still have them at Coventry and so they should whoever wins the match. A better idea would be to have the victory parade immediately after the match, whoever has won, but especially if it's the visiting team when their fans are probably wanting to set off home and aren't really interested in Norrie Allan's views or watching the youngsters. I hope they're not going ahead with that stupid idea of one race night thinking it will entice the top riders back. All it will mean is they will have to think of a different excuse not to ride in the UK.

I think you're more likely to find him at Leicester.

I agree that was strange and there should have been one, especially as there were so many Aces fans there. I thought it was an interesting post myself and one that I agreed with. Best match I've seen so far was the Kings Lynn one, although I missed all the action when the lights went out unfortunately as I was on the 3rd bend. This one was pretty good, even though Leicester threw it away.

This to me typifies the main reason I get cheesed off with Speedway. I would probably have given up half way through and gone home.

They can't and I didn't say they could. What I said was they give the team out in alphabetical order which gives the fans a little work to do to find out the exact riding order. Keeps the brain active so they're doing us a favour really. If all else fails I just print out a blank race sheet and write the names in when I get there.

Yes, and now he's had another one. With a better score from the guest and not throwing so many points away Leicester could have surprisingly won this. Enjoyed it anyway and the other half went as well so left Lucy and Molly at home on cat patrol. I'm rather worried about Coventry's visit now as I think Lions will beat us pretty easily, depending on who the guest is of course.

That has got to be the most confusing post of the year so far.

Coventry next then. They like to do things in alphabetical order, especially the team in an effort to stop us printing our own programme.

Heaven help Leicester tomorrow night.

That's the trouble with me I'm too friendly.

So you would expect to get in free because you were once a Speedway rider? Others have said a well known one would be good P.R by chatting to fans etc., but I wouldn't have a cat in hell's chance of recognising you or indeed many others who are now in their 50's or 60's. I saw a recent photo of Bruce Penhall the other day and would never have known it was him as he has changed so much from the blonde bombshell of the 1980's. I suppose in your case I'd just have to wait until you moaned about people taking dogs to Speedway tracks then I'd know it was the famous Robert Homer ~ 1972 version.

I think Star Lady has already answered that ~ one of my pet gripes. It's usually possible to find out the correct order though but if that fails I just print off a blank programme and write the team in when I get there. Now that's damn sporting of them to let everyone know beforehand. Credit where it's due.

He seems to have done this for the whole of his career ~ at Coventry anyway. Some seasons he ends up flying in the latter stages of the year after not getting going until about July then starts again the next year on different equipment and the whole process starts again. I just don't understand why he does this.

Nothing worse than a rider who does that.

Yes, very different times now. I don't think fans are so interested in individual events these days because they get to see the top riders regularly, even if it's just on the television, whereas back in the 50's/60's/70's if Ove Fundin - for example - was missing from the Norwich team that was it for the season unless he appeared in an individual event. In my case at Leicester it would have been the Golden Gauntlets.

Reminds me of that old saying A poor workman always blames his tools......or something like that.

Which doesn't bode well for me and Lucy if ever Coventry do get a new stadium built, but I don't think I need to worry too much about that as I don't think it will ever happen. I suppose if I want to carry on watching Speedway it will be back to being a Leicester fan again.

Ah....Alan Grahame....there's a blast from the past. Interestingly enough (well perhaps not but it was to me ) my son bought a car from his daughter a few years ago and saw a big Speedway painting on the wall so of course had to brag to me where he'd been, even though he'd got no idea who Alan Grahame was. The car is still going strong by the way so it was a good buy.

Me neither. Might as well have been written in a foreign language, or perhaps it is Double Dutch.

Taking the mickey?