Brightonbob

Pi55ing down since I got up at 8 (two and a half hours ago) at least. Either great as Ole Olson won't be able to make a super slick track, or it'll it'll be a rain-off which means beer and beetroot on a wet Saturday in Poland......

Don't think there will be much practice this morning as its pi55ing down.

Despite being a huge Floppy fan I think Bomber & Steady earned the right to go and thats that. What better opportunity will be ever get to break the mold and start bringing some new guys through. I'm going to Poland and I'll be 100% behind those boys who have given British speedway such a big boost. If they get on the podium Team GB will have absolutely exceeded realistic expectations and bloodied a new era. Job done.

Hmmm. OK. Well its like this: 1 - If you had been at Eastie on Saturday, you'd have wanted someone (anyone!) in for Rico too. He looked ill, unhappy, on a bad bike and miserable. If anything I thought Kennet was more likely, or even Havelock. 2 - I didn't 'want' Floppy in at anyones expense in that way. I did say to my mate at the meeting that Floppy was still not 100% and I'm glad he wasn't riding riding at Swindon. I simply put the press up for people to see. 3 - Rico was, simply superb. I think the turn of luck in his first two heats let him get a taste and by the end of the meeting he looked like he had killed his demons. The team did brilliantly. Floopy wouldn't have done better fully fit than the youngsters. If I see one possible team change its Loram if he's 100% as he is so used to Poland. But even if Middlo sticks with those boys, well, they earned it. I'm flying out Thursday. I hope Flops is commentating again so I can by him a (small) drink.

Watched the recording when I got home (bed at 4am, still can't believe it!). 1 - Boys did fantastic. 10/10. Now we want a podium finish. 2 - Crowd was superb. After the Champ of GB at Oxford I was a bit depressed about the state of things, but the crowd were superb yesterday and definitely lifted the team. 3 - Sky did a great job I thought. Floppy was hilarious and surely must be there for the final. 4 - I've got flights and hotels booked for Thursday morning, back Sunday. Main stand bang on the start line for the race-off and final. Eat my shorts. 5 - What more do you want? B.

NORRIS ON STAND-BY David Norris is on stand-by to answer an SOS from Team GB boss Neil Middleditch for tonight's SWC opener against Denmark, the Czech Republic and Russia at Swindon. The Brits, who have already lost Mark Loram to injury, are awaiting an update on Lee Richardson, who went down with sickness during Swindon's 55-39 defeat at Eastbourne on Saturday night. Norris (pictured) made his return from injury by scoring nine points for the Eagles and is set to come in to replace Richardson if the Swindon star is not well enough to ride.

Phoned up this morning as still no tickets. 'Send email' they said, I said I've sent four now and nobody answers. They hung up. Football season starts soon doesn't it?

Has anyone had their tickets for the WC delivered yet? Eurobilet just have an automated response in Polish.

Thanks for the update Middlo. Never mind Swindon matey I was on the phone giving Eurobillit a hard time this morning as my Race-Off and Final tickets haven't arrived yet! Good luck to Bomber - who deserves it. But Floppy will be back. Of that I am certain. Good luck to you you and the boys. I'll set aside my petty feelings about all things 'Bournemouth suburbs' and get 100% behind the GB.

I am utterly devastated about this. Daves having a nightmare since his crash and he's very patriotic and will be very low about missing this.

Vincent - VV, this is very much appreciated. Big chap with a baseball cap, always dressed entirely in black. I'll have my dog (Dolly) with me who is smallish, wheat-coloured terrier with a yellow and blue scarf. Its easier to describe her (I must be getting old...) I'll probably be between bends 1 + 2, or if not wandering about with the dog. I'm always at the teabar at bend 3 at the end of the stand during the interval. Thanks very much and I'll see you then.

Floppy is a super bloke for sure. I've met him a few times and my company is now one of his sponsors. You won't find a bigger Norris fan than me, but he's got to step up and he knows it. He did OK in the GP considering he only had four races, but not good enough to persuade BSI to make the change in next years GP yet. He has to show what he can do in the SWC and the Championship of GB to get in there on merit. Its a mark of the man that he wouldn't have it any other way.

I most certainly will VV and thats a very kind offer. I will have my small gold coloured terrier with me as always (she has a blue & yellow scarf). Where do you stand?

Do any of who have one of those wives that forgets to tape the GP while you are there? I bloody have.... Anyone know when and if its going to be repeated? (and yes she was offered a ticket.......)

Oh, so the reason they don't sell the first ten rows of seats is to keep all the flem off the track... I was wondering about that.

Rico - My flight into Wroclaw on the 4th August and arrives at 14:50. Should there be enough time to get the meeting? I'm not sure when it starts. Flight departs Sunday afternoon as I can feel a right beer fest coming on after the final.

Cardiff, Prague and Italy if its on. I'll also be going to SWC in Poland. Trips to Sweden to see Mr Norris at Varsarna too. Hurrah!

Thanks guys, Ryanair to Skavsta for £1.50 each way and a bus to Norrkopping, early flight home next day. Got to be worth a go. Any regular Vargarna fans ever commute?

Seeing as Floppy is heading for Vargarnas home team, can anyone give me any travel knowledge they have? Where is it would be a good start.

God this is making me gag. Here's a guy who through is utter stupidity ruins the world showcase event in the 100th race of 100 races. He makes a mockery of the sport and even manages to make it look bent. And you lot are falling over yourselves to say what a great bloke. Unbelieveable. HA will be hated and loathed for the rest of his career by the majority of British fans for what he did - and any team that signs the guy whos motivation is at best 'difficult to understand' want their heads testing.

Really? I would imagine teh sports governors are sick in that this moron ruined the world showcase and then pulls off a fluke in the next GP to mean they will probably have to give him a ticket. This guy did huge damage to the sport and sponsoring him seems little short of deranged.

What chance Mark Lorams retirement and Dave Norris's selection I wonder. In a bad fortnight for the money men, Andergoon ruins their showcase and hard work, then manages a fluke win in the next GP to mean they will have to give him a ticket.

What chance Mark Lorams retirement and Dave Norris's selection I wonder. In a bad fortnight for the money men, Andergoon ruins their showcase and hard work, then manages a fluke win in the next GP to mean they will have to give him a ticket.

Missed opportunity I reckon. I can understand 8 staying in, 4 wildcards (plus any retirements from the 8) and four qualifiers. That seems fair. How many wildcards this year and who do you think will get them?

So how do they do it next year?