Tsunami

Congratulations to a true world champion. Being an ex Diamond makes his progress all the more satisfying knowing that Newcastle had a hand in his progress, something that Nicki himself is quick to acknowledge. He has improved so much this year and taken a more mature approach but I think the real key to his success is his great advantage out of the starts. I think even Ivan would be outgated by the new world champ. I look forward to cheering him on in Germany when I am sure he will be just as focussed and wanting to also win that $100,000. By the previous posts, he seems to have won over many fans who previously had reservations about him. Nice to see him getting this new adulation. Just lupus to go now by my reckoning.

.....and me, Seating in the mid layer on the 1st bend.

Brilliant result tonight for ex Diamond and ex house mate LUBOS TOMICEK. Bet SCB will be pleased for his non favourite rider. He may be off the pace next year but the year and his increased preparation will move him up a peg in the standings. He has already starred in 2 Marketa outings so it is time now to do it in the rest of the series. Bet jackieb, Byron and Jade will be over the moon at the little fella. GO LUBOS.

Hi Spinny. Didn't some big rider marry his sister. I have a name but don't want to post it.

Sorry Bob, I meant that he was a track man at Newcastle at some stage.

Was John Dews not a good track man as well. Seem to remember he had a spell at Newcastle.

I think so. Bob Tasker who films Worky, Us and Redcar was extremely busy filmimg everything last night. I believe he has already produced a best bits of Garry DVD which has been out a little while and the proceeds will go to Garry. I will post details when I get them or I would expect Bob will be on here to advertise it himself. It should be worth buying.

Well, I did what you said and looked for a 6' 2" bronzed good looking man with jet black hair and there was that many of them in that I didn't know which one was you. Perhaps you should have worn that red carnation 'cos I didn't see many of them last night. Hope to see you soon.

Pity we didn't meet last night. As you know you are top of my 'must meet list'. (Now that I have met rabbit of course)

Great meeting last night and what a crowd. I understand it was not viable to open up the back straight in terms of security, toilet facilities and admissions but boy did it scunch up everbody in the rest of the stadium. Crowd guess 4500 ? Moggo had a cut forehead from his helmet and pains across the chest where the 'bars had hit hit as someone else has mentioned previously. Don't think Mrs Moggo will be letting Alan out to play speedway again. Didn't know what to think when Richard hit the fence in the third race. His immediate reaction was to hold his right hip which was a bad sign given the news of his potential injuries. Hope everything is OK for him given the week he has had with Peterborough. Given the injuries of Moggo, and the alleged injuries of Lee, it brought it home what a sensible and brave decision it was of David Walsh not to race because he felt he was making mistakes when he practiced. The winner Complin was brilliant in all his races and his pass on Lingren had to be seen to be believed. A great win which will not have done his CV any harm Spent a good part of the time with rabbit and BobC who I met for the first time. Great to meet forumers for the first time knowing you like them and sharing some time with them. Sorry I missed Onceadon(or alias) but there will always be another time Chris. As others have said it is sad that we had to have this kind of meeting at all. However it is life and these things happen. Garry was amazing last night, so brave, upbeat and cheerful. I'm afraid if I was in that position I could not have done what he did last night. He signed everything, spoke with everyone and was there for every photo shoot. He has adapted so well to his new life and I am sure from the figures that were being bandied around last night, that an enormous sum was raised for him. I hope he keeps his speedway connections and finds some position that allows him to be involved but also to help others in their chosen sport. Garry, you are a great ambassador for yourself and your sport and I look forward to see you around for a long time.

Glad I didn't disappoint you.

I will also be there as well. Where will you and the rabbit be standing. Wouldn't dare diss the rabbit.

DADDY

He was always a nice guy. Seem to remember he had a dark green Ford Corsair with the bike on the back. It's amasing how many times we met him in garages filling up with petrol on the the long haul back from a southern away meeting. Once went to the old Newport(Somerton Park) in the afternoon on a Friday, when we were doing a 2 week southern tour, and there was Peter lying asleep in his car waiting for the doors to open. Great partnership with Ken Sharples, Peter often getting 3fell3fell and always on the apex of the corner. I suppose that where those pictures were taken as well. Talking of Kiwiland, perhaps he keeps in touch with Giffy unless he has emigrated to Aussie of course.

I think I read in an article in Backtrack, that they were still active in sidecars.

Great to hear he is still with us dantodan. BTW Where is he living now because I spoke to him just before he emigrated to I think New Zealand or Aussie. Ignore John, I have just read your other posting on the Peter Kelly thread. Thanks.

Met Morrie a couple of years ago at Worky where he had come to support the Diamonds from I think Manchester where he is living. He will be at the Berwick 40th Anniversary meeting on Saturday btw. Russ is often around Brough, still lives beside Consett in Durham and turned up for our 25th annivesary a couple of years ago. Looks well fed these days but still smiles a lot. Mike finished speedway and was a sports rep for a while. I spoke with him for the 75th anniversary meeting and he is in charge of a swimming club down south(Middlesex) and looks after them in competitions. Mike was a county swimmer when young and became a swimming coach hence his taking over the swimming club. Grew up with Mike in our teens and in the same class as Mike's first wife. Nice guy.

It is the same Bill Andrew who was also a jockey. Last I heard about Peter Kelly was that he took his family to New Zealand I think in the late 60's. He was a painter and decorator. BTW The site is run by a forumer DantoDan.

On the PL thread it has been announced that Rye versus IOW on SKY on August 27th.

Spot on. What do people expect, Nicki just to roll over and not try to get back in. It was all he could try and if the ref had been favourable well great for Nicki. It is the World Championship afterall and this is the first incident that anybody could even question as he has been so far ahead of everyone else. Star turn our Nicki and a true world champ. Did I miss Lupus's post.

Sad to hear this. He brought, along with his teammates, a fresh look to speedway racing in the 60's. Remember those clipback bars except one of them,Kadirov or Kurilenko I suspect. Their dashing style and wild riding set them out from the others usually trying to hug the white line. A fine rider who seemed to be well thought of by his contemporaries. RIP Igor

Great win for Nicki, was never really tested. Wonder if all his FANS will come on here to applaud him.

.....and Pepe Franc reserve. Newcastle, training ground for future World Champs.

Our first and opening meeting in 1997 was on a cinder track made of 'furnace bottoms' from a local Alcan smelter. It was secretly tested right through the 1996/7 winter on paths in the area. After it was laid we compacted it but only produced a crust which could break up. Andre Compton got a spiral fracture at our P and P and the track started to brake up badly in our first meeting. Jesper Olsen broke a collar bone from a crash late in the meeting. A decision was made to ditch it and by the following week the old shale from Cleveland Park was all lifted, transferred to Brough and we had a superb 2nd meeting albeit with guests.

There's always one asshole who wants to look big.