Tsunami

morganbike You are wrong. It's Terry not Ronnie that owns Swindon. Ronnie owns Arena Essex.

Jack was also at Newcastle's 75th Anniversary riders get together earlier in the year at Brough. Despite his age, the 'Chorley Pig Farmer' was still instantly recognisable. It was nice to meet him again as he was a good steady rider for us in the early 60's with his armchair style.

speedyguy I think iris123 was referring to the birth place of our own Mark Loram. Just to confirm that Kadirov was the Russian 'Beatle'. Kurilenko I think became European champion, had a more Euro style and used conventional bars rather than the clip handles they used to use for easier transportation. Interesting when the bikes were lined up they were all identical except for that one.

pirate paul You're not wrong. Surprise, surprise Sam E once again holds the grudge and devalues his integrity. Why should anybody have respect for Sammy.

Great performance by the Brits, young and old. Like Nige, I didn't think we would do it but the Danes really have to ask themselves some questions. Could KB come into the team for the raceoff meeting ?

Phil No offence taken either. I frequented it last year because Sunderland were getting knocked out of the playoffs by Crystal Palace and I didn't want to miss that. The conversation I heard about fixing the girls up was as we were passing and the 'fixer' was outsite on the front.

Tigerblade You are right, it was the Hotel Alton. I was a bit surprised that there did not appear to be any speedway fans in The Prague Centre. Atmosphere was very subdued and foreign but it was still a very good hotel. The tram going from Vypich direct to Pavlova after the GP was a godsend given how heavy the rain was. From what I gather Prague is now seen to be the destination for stag do's. I suppose it brings a lot of trade but some of the drunken scenes doesn't do anybody any good. On the other hand it was funny seeing big goups of guys getting their breaky and tea/coffee in the mornings wondering where they were. It was the same faces every morning. Didn't like the presence of the 'lucky boys' on all the main corners. They covered all main routes on Wenceslas Square and obviously weren't there to get a suntan. I have seen their infiltration in places like Tenerife and I think the authorities will regret giving them the freedom to operate like they do now. If anybody does not know what I mean think drugs and prostitution. In the George and the Dragon pub, in the Old Square, both my wife and I heard a fixer ordering the 'girls' for the evening for the stag party. I know it's part of life but it was just too much in your face and will spoil a lovely city with nice people. Last year 2 'girls' approached me for sex twice even when I was alongside my wife. This year I didn't get a nibble so they have obviously raised their standards. Will still go back and enjoy a nice visit.

My wife and I were staying in the Prague Centre on Legarove which was just down the road from the Hotel Anton. Anybody notice the blood that was on the lefthand side pavement alongside the Horse statue at the bottom of Wensaslus Square on Sunday morning. Must have been some fight. Love the city and the atmosphere but I think the hoards of stag parties does nothing for the city.

When tracks can't get the exact grade of tape, they can always cut a nick in the tape at midpoint of each start gate. This was done at Glasgow for the pairs, as I saw it being done, and they broke for both Stoney and Mark. Grant MacDonald caught his helmet on the tapes at Newcastle coming back from his broken neck and I think missed his later rides because of the pain.

Subedei I am regularly challenged to change money, once 3 times in the same street. I think they work as a gang as I later saw the 3 in question talking together. It happens a lot beside the slope leading upto the Charles Bridge. Also look out for prostitutes working the streets and the trams. I was asked even though I was standing next to my wife on the tram.

Gregs taking Nikki out certainly blows a hole in the Mr Nice label. Note that Greg does not even look for the other 2 riders and is just intent on pushing Nikki straight to the fence. It's nothing to do with past incidents, irony, racing accidents, all 4 back, etc, it's call 'exclusion for being the primary cause of the fall'. Mind you, I blame Nikki for the tapes failure. Thought someone would.

As has been already said, don't even think about money change with someone in the street. A hoard of Czechs, usually men, are on the streets at all hours trying to get you to exchange currency. It is dud currency and just paper is most cases. Don't spoil you hols just to try a make a quick buck.

Robyn1972 The referees are tightening up this year on unsatisfactory starts. There is more warnings being given for delaying the start, and moving at the start, and more £50 fines than I can recall.

A couple of years ago there was a guy riding a Westlake at Reading in the second half when we were visiting.

Read somewhere that he was pulled up for speeding after living here for years. After the cop had finished, Trevor told he was just a visitor to England and the cop let him off.

I think I need more GP's for me to make my mind up. The old format was constant hassle and change and very disappointing when a rider goes home after 2 races. The new format is returning to the standard 5 rides and meet everybody format with 3 extra rides to give more value to the fans. My biggest problem is the big difference between the points of the winners in the final and the remainder. We will know after about 3 rounds that about 12 riders cannot be in with a shout because of the gap. That can't be good for the series. Only TRick and Crump seem able to take the crown with only Lee A capable of doing a charge. Still, it's no different to F1 racing I suppose.

Mine arrived this morning.

watto No probs.

watto If you want a block of tickets, Newcastle are selling their allocation slightly cutprice and could supply your demand. If you want to follow this up, record that it on here and I'll post a number for you.

richtea and Steve S If you reread I think you will find you are both on the same side. Nicki getting the stick wrong again.

Steve S Quite agree. What's Kelvin Tattum on about 'Nicki nearly sent Jason into Russia'. Get over it. What with Nicki's other big 'fan' Sam in the studio methinks he aint going to get a fair hearing. Go Go Nicki and Bjarne.

Peter Kelly, who was a painter and decorator, moved his family to New Zealand in the early 70's. Mike Watkin is a qualified swimming coach and head of a swimming club in Middlesex. Spoke to him in February. Alan Butterfield recently retired from his plant business. Well you do when you win the lottery, don't you. Taking about that, Rod Hunter is back residing in Aussie after he won their lottery in mid 90's.

Chris Fenn Re your posting of the 8th March. At the reunion of Newcastle and Sunderland riders at Newcastle last night, George Barclay spoke on the subject of fund raising for the museum. I believe Newcastle will be involved in some fund raising especially for our visit this year.

Trees You could factor the riders. The heatleaders would keep their full actual average. The second strings averages could be multiplied by say 0.75 and the reserves by 0.50. The racing would be great because the riders would only meet their own standard. Could be interesting to try out at a Challenge match.

Trees One major problem would be the comparison of Averages. A junior 6 or 7 could end up with a higher average than a heatleader and how could you then equate one rider against another.