Brightonbob

Just an idea I wanted to flag up after hearing about the Vojens circus which seemed pretty unfair (rubbish track, floodlight failures, poor crowd and difficult for clubs) Why don't they have the GP qualifier on the weekend of a GP at the same stadium(an indoor one I should think)? Surely it would be a top ticket as either an afternoon meeting or the day prior. It would be a fair crack of the whip for such an enormous prize and worth a double-header ticket. It would also ne more financially viable for clubs, riders and TV to cover as they would already be there. In fact why not get a stadium have the GP qualifier, then GP, then over the next week have the SWC! Now that would be worth a week off work. Just strikes me all those resources could be pooled and speedway could put on a real showcase.

I'm not anti-you at all JY. Never have been. But blokes can't ever work women out, let alone a woman with a severe Danish speedway fetish who is a newsgroup junkie. I think we all salute you really. Crackers you may be, but at least you're crackers about speedway.

No, just makes you weird.

Well I'm chuffed to bits the little oik missed out last night. As Brits we're all meant to shake hands and 'play-on'. Well, not me. I think we were ganged up on and if he loses his sponsers and takes up bacon-hurling, good. If it makes anyone else think twice about doing the dirty on GB in next years world cup, good. In the 100th race of a 100 races of a superb world cup, he tried to make a name for himself at the sports expense. And oh he's managed that OK. He made the sport look foolish and dodgy right at the death. The guy single handedly ruined a wonderful showcase for speedway. All this hand-wringing about what a jolly good chap he is making me gag.

I'm gutted for Floppy. If anyone went I'd love to see a report on this meeting.

Norris getting through would be pure justice for all his efforts over the last year. He'd be great fror British speedway and the sport in general. An example that a booze'n'bike approach is history. Speedway is changing and we need to take a leaf out the Aussies and Scands books and become more focussed. Aside from that, as he showed at Arena the other night and at the GP that he is one of the most exciting riders in the world to watch right now.

The saddest part of all is that the boys think they might have let the fans down. Talk about getting it wrong. I couldn't have been more proud if we'd won. Floppy on TV tonight said he wished they hadn't let the fans down. Bless his heart and all that but how wrong can you be? Middlos notes show why we are right to be proud of Team GB. Good men with big hearts who take pride in their sport and their country. Some of the things that happened on Saturday aren't worthy of casting any shadow on that and coming second to Sweden, who did nothing wrong, is no disgrace. Just ask the Aussies! Heroes one and all.

I really fancy Vojens on Saturday, but new baby and all that.... Anyone going and anyway updates will be up anywhere?

Well I'm a terrible loser, but I've gone through my 'I'm never buying bacon ever again phase' and fact is Team GB did themselves justice, even though people seemed to try to deprive them of it. One point in those circumstances is fate, not riding. Could have been either of us. Lets face it was GB versus Sweden all the way through and if anythign notched against GB it was that they had to do it on their own. Where were Gollob and Pedersson? Everyone from Screeny to the remarkable Havelock did great and are heroes in my eyes. You keep focussed. Next year we'll have it and I swear I'm booking a weeks holiday and buying a bloody great flag.

What is true is that the GB team beat the Aussies, Danes, Poles, Czechs out of site. Team GB. Everyone hates us, we don't care. Loram, Screen, Richardson, Floopy, Havvy, Nicholls and Middlo. Heroes.

Thing is that to a neutral, after a week of a supern speedway, Anderson made the sport look bent. The authorities can either sit on tehir hands or not. Would I have a rider like that in my team? Don't think so.

First off, lets get off the H25 fiasco and get one thing straight. 1 - All the GB riders did a great job, no passangers. I have not heard one comment of 'oh if only so-and-so had been there'. 2 - At the early predictions, most were hoping for a podium, but would not have bet their life on it. Silver was a great result. Best team in the world bar one, UK left the Danes, Aussies and Poles far behind which is a massive achievement. 3 - The entire event produced some of the best sport either live or on TV that money can buy. It was superb. The race off on Thursday was such a great advert for the sport. 4 - People go on about H25 (I don't think Scotty would have got there, and yes, Anderson should be castrated, but whatever), but the real problem was the UK had to beat the Swedes all by themselves. The Danes blew it and the Poles, well, the kids did great, but where was Gollob when you needed him? I thought all four teams wouldn't have ten points between at the end, but it was a straight fight from about halfway. 4 (a) If the Herring eaters would have played their joker when they should have it would been all over by H24 anyway. All our lads did very well, but nobody scored like Karlsson or Tricky. 5 - GB speedway fans. The best. I dare any country to put on a show like we did, maybe the Poles. But the passion was great. I had an absolutely brillaint time at the two meetings I went to. 6 - People go about the lack of kids coming through. They are missing a couple of points (1) The Dave Norris put-down-your-lager-and-get-fit-for-speedway inspiration, (2) Its getting more attractive financially at the top end and being a pro speedway rider is becomming more attractive, (3) The kids are there, new tracks are opening and every kid who rides will have looked at Team GB and thought 'I want some of that'.

First off, lets get off the H25 fiasco and get one thing straight. 1 - All the GB riders did a great job, no passangers. I have not heard one comment of 'oh if only so-and-so had been there'. 2 - At the early predictions, most were hoping for a podium, but would not have bet their life on it. Silver was a great result. Best team in the world bar one, UK left the Danes, Aussies and Poles far behind which is a massive achievement. 3 - The entire event produced some of the best sport either live or on TV that money can buy. It was superb. The race off on Thursday was such a great advert for the sport. 4 - People go on about H25 (I don't think Scotty would have got there, and yes, Anderson should be castrated, but whatever), but the real problem was the UK had to beat the Swedes all by themselves. The Danes blew it and the Poles, well, the kids did great, but where was Gollob when you needed him? I thought all four teams wouldn't have ten points between at the end, but it was a straight fight from about halfway. 4 (a) If the Herring eaters would have played their joker when they should have it would been all over by H24 anyway. All our lads did very well, but nobody scored like Karlsson or Tricky. 5 - GB speedway fans. The best. I dare any country to put on a show like we did, maybe the Poles. But the passion was great. I had an absolutely brillaint time at the two meetings I went to. 6 - People go about the lack of kids coming through. They are missing a couple of points (1) The Dave Norris put-down-your-lager-and-get-fit-for-speedway inspiration, (2) Its getting more attractive financially at the top end and being a pro speedway rider is becomming more attractive, (3) The kids are there, new tracks are opening and every kid who rides will have looked at Team GB and thought 'I want some of that'.

Thusday was simply fantastic. Even as a relative newbie (oh those lost years!....) I am evengelical about speedway to all my footy and boxing mates. I got a call yesterday from regular pi55-taker who was going on and on about how brilliant the speedway was! It took twenty five rider to make such a great event, but the Poles rose to the occasion. Sweden will be on thepodium because Andreas and Tricky will score heavily. Both the Danes and the Brits have riders that could score maximums. Its going to be very, very close. Every heat is going to a total saga all of its own. Its 6am on the Saturday, I'm looking at my two 1st bend seat tickets and I want to leave now.

Even those of you who hate Pedders (not me) and love Crump (He's great, mostly) must accept Crump played to gallery in the most shameful way. The histrionics, the vanishing limp? Crump is better than that and it takes the shine off. Pedders is just comedy villian this year - and if they will do stuff like that in his home territory he never had a prayer of retaining the title before the season even started. One more thing: Did anybody lipread Adams when Crump was talking to him before the final? Looked like he was passing comment on Pedders too. Second more thing: Ermelenkos humungous earlobes. No wonder he took to bike racing, chance to wear a helmet I shouldn't wonder.

Unsettlingly huge, while the tops of his ears are all thin and underdone. Its like he's put his ears on upside down. Off topic I know, I know......

Well get done for going off topic, but they really are quite something. I think Sams a great rider and I'm not trying to say anything about anything except he has grade A freaky earlobes of the highest standards. Real kiddy frighteners. That blokes DNA must have some rabbit in it I reckon. Seen the new series of Star Trek? The little bloke? Huh! Yeah! See what? I mean?

OK, so Pederson is excluded for supposedly knocking off the bloke behind him, Crump gets off his bike all furious, race stopped, Pedders out, miracle recovery by Crump of Greek-footballer proportions and cue Sam. He's loving it obviously. He hates Pedders, like his spawn of Ned-Flanders buddy Greg (Woh! Buddy! Yeah Dude!) and the grin appears. Its starting to get very ugly and even though I am comfirmed Eastie. Its getting very unsporting and a good rider is suffering. The knee-jerk anti-Pederson stuff does speedway no favours at all. Leaving the microphone up during 'that incident' kicked all this off anyway, and while a comedy villian is good for business, its utterly unfair. One more thing..... Something about Sams bothers me. So much so its been praying on my mind and I couldn't figure out why. I read Sams book (very good), but somethings still not right. Then I saw them. I challenge each and every one of you, from Poo Pirate Shovelbloke to Shazzybird to look at Sams earlobes and tell me he isn't an alien.

Addy - Perhaps if the England football team did a Floppy we wouldn't be kicking the cat this morning. Funny, after following football like some kind of religion for 35 years, and much as I'm a patriotic fellow, the football last night looked like a bunch of rich blokes kicking a ball about. You know full well that given half a chance most of them would be in clubs being flash until 3am night after night - or worse.... Hardly a thing to base your national pride on. We all know there isn't much cash in speedway accept at the very top. My hat goes off to the full-time riders outside the GP circuit. True athletes and sportman. Thats why the most important winner in speedway is Postlethwaite by a mile. Give him half a dozen guys with the star quality of Floppy (and Loram) and attendances will rise from Armadale to Exeter. But to get back on topic. Monday morning. Still buzzing. Still so proud of Floppy and the Brits. Come on you Team GB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As a confirmed Norris fan I can't tell you how proud I was of him last night. Super sportsman whos running on sheer hard work and determination. Star of the night for many, if not most fans last night I think. Next season Floppy could be (will be) a GP rider. I say here and now that could be one of the best sporting stories you'll ever witness. Dave will not only win a GP next season, he'll finish in the top 6. Think I'm joking? Daves always had decent sponsors - just watch what happens now. Well done to all the Brits last night. Doesn't Team GB suddenly look look a bit tasty?

My first GP.... Oh the wasted years of never going before,of only thinking football mattered, What a complete mug I've been! I'm not that thick, but if I sat here all week I couldn't put into words how much I enjoyed yesterday. I work on big events (some bigger than last night) and hats off, because that was brilliant entertainment. Truly staggering. Now lets get one thing straight. I believe Dave Norris (I remember being a near lone voice supporter when he was picked for last years SWC) is some kind of superstar. I support Eastbourne and Dave really and have done since my first meeting just 2 years ago. So it clouds my judgement I admit, but for me he stole the whole show. When he won heat 2 I thought the roof would come off, when he beat Rickardsson I think it probably did. But race-to-race it was superb, The track was magnificent, the racing of total and absolute quality. Nobody was missing, all roles played. I took someone who had never been to speedway before (a serious F1 fan) who could hardly speak afterwards and didn't stop reliving it until we arrived home at 2am. Truly wonderful. Thanks for all concerned. Speedway. The best kept secret in world sport? Not for much longerI reckon.

That would be great. Own up, who stole the show last night? Dave Norris was clearly British Speedways best kept secret. Not any more. Next season Norris will be a fixture of the Grand Prix circuit. One more thing. Team GB suddenly look pretty damn good eh?

As a new boy to speedway (and a total convert) I have to say whoever designed a 15 race speedway meeting was a very clever boy. I love it and even my sport hating missus loves it. Guest riders: However, I still really struggle with guesting GP riders. No other sport does this, cricket for example loses plyers to internationals and has to grin and bare it. I try to explain why Loram is riding for Poole or Nicholls is riding for us to people and they just don't get it. I don't blame them. My feeling is that guesting riders over an ave of 7 points should be strictly limited to (a) teams outside the top four placing in the league (on ave points). This would mean that the bigger clubs, my own beloved Eagles included, would have to carry more depth in a squad. It would also even things up a bit. Further, bit less of a reason to pack your squad with GP riders. SWC: Superb. Can't wait for it to come to England/Wales/Scotland one day. More internationals please. Relegation/promotion: Its in everyones interest in my view and if it means limiting GP riders and lowering the limit, in the end speedway will be the winner. GP: I have not got a downer on the GP and think a lot of moaners ought to support what Benfield Sports are trying to do. Every sport needs a flagship to attract new fans and Sky do it fantastically well. BLC: I've loved it, but the handicapping needs looking at. It needs a better formula as I've seen a few utter thrashing this season. Press: Speedway has to be the best kept secret in the world. I think a weekly highlights program has to be offered to terrestial TV by Sky. Its in both our interests. Crowds: I've been amazed there is so few bikers at speedway. The superbikes circuit is massive business, More has to done to tap into what would be a hugely lucrative group. Get them and sponsorships will follow too. Thats my twopenneth for what its worth except to say thanks to all the promoters from Trelawny to Edingurgh.

As a new boy to speedway (and a total convert) I have to say whoever designed a 15 race speedway meeting was a very clever boy. I love it and even my sport hating missus loves it. Guest riders: However, I still really struggle with guesting GP riders. No other sport does this, cricket for example loses plyers to internationals and has to grin and bare it. I try to explain why Loram is riding for Poole or Nicholls is riding for us to people and they just don't get it. I don't blame them. My feeling is that guesting riders over an ave of 7 points should be strictly limited to (a) teams outside the top four placing in the league (on ave points). This would mean that the bigger clubs, my own beloved Eagles included, would have to carry more depth in a squad. It would also even things up a bit. Further, bit less of a reason to pack your squad with GP riders. SWC: Superb. Can't wait for it to come to England/Wales/Scotland one day. More internationals please. Relegation/promotion: Its in everyones interest in my view and if it means limiting GP riders and lowering the limit, in the end speedway will be the winner. GP: I have not got a downer on the GP and think a lot of moaners ought to support what Benfield Sports are trying to do. Every sport needs a flagship to attract new fans and Sky do it fantastically well. BLC: I've loved it, but the handicapping needs looking at. It needs a better formula as I've seen a few utter thrashing this season. Press: Speedway has to be the best kept secret in the world. I think a weekly highlights program has to be offered to terrestial TV by Sky. Its in both our interests. Crowds: I've been amazed there is so few bikers at speedway. The superbikes circuit is massive business, More has to done to tap into what would be a hugely lucrative group. Get them and sponsorships will follow too. Thats my twopenneth for what its worth except to say thanks to all the promoters from Trelawny to Edingurgh.

I was wondering.