nw42

Agree with the positive comments about the track, went to Berrington Lough a couple of times but never been to this one, from what I saw tonight I will definitely make the effort next time I'm in the vicinity on a racenight, bet it looks even better under floodlights. The bends were reminiscent of the Shay, of course that stadium was also shared with the football club. Fair result in the end I think, Newcastle dug deeper when mattered, as others have pointed out the Berwick lad bailing out like he did just served to inspire the Diamonds. Stuart Robson, he's a rider I really have time for, never fails to give his all for the cause, I was disappointed that he had to pull out of last weeks British Final, always great to watch. Roll on the next PL Sky match as far as I'm concerned, hopefully we'll get a meeting from Somerset along with a couple of other 'new' ones. Well done Berwick Speedway, great to see them get a decent crowd in for all their efforts in promoting the meeting, hope the pies sold out, they're good, apparently..

Well it depends on how much you spent on it really, I prefer a nice Sancerre and at around £9 - £12 a bottle it's reasonable value.

I think you should read the thread before posting such drivel, there was plenty of support for Tai in this thread last night. The racing wasn't up to the standard of the previous GP's but that takes nothing away from Tai, he beat what was put in front of him and won the meeting. So what's your beef?

Well there's a turn up for the books, Radio 5live just gave a mention of Tai's win tonight, just shows what a difference a British contender can make in terms of publicity for the sport. I really hope he can keep his form and stay injury free.

That's racing, I'm sure Pedersen would agree. Great win for Woffinden, set up nicely for the next round, bring it on. Really, with a username like yours I'd have thought you'd want our own to win.

One day Paul, one day.

Can't have it all, at least we've got a Brit leading the way, been a while since we've had so much optimism for one of our riders, keep up the good work Tai.

Well we've been served up a treat so far in the GP series, I know a few are sceptical over the Prague track but I'm hoping they can keep up the good work put in so far and produce a racing surface. Also hoping Tai can continue his start and make the final. Either way I'm so pleased Eurosport decided to pitch in and show the series, would be disappointed to have to rely on streams.

Can appreciate what Sidney is saying re Kings Lynn but it's all in the eye of the beholder, also depends on what sort of track you are used to watching your speedway on. I've never been a fan of watching at Wolverhampton, probably due to the fact that I grew up watching BV @ Hyde Rd, so speedway at its best for me is about back wheel in the dirt full throttle speed, that's what I like seeing, if the racing is close it's a bonus, I'd much rather see any rider wind it on around the boards. Others prefer the technical tracks, that's fair enough, so there's no winners or losers in this debate, just personal choice. As already pointed out, the British Final the other night was contested by riders of such varying skills, there were always going to be a few riders who didn't have the skill or speed to challenge, I suppose those shortcomings would have been magnified @ KL, I would still rather see the likes of Tai, Bomber & Nicholls wind it on round a big track. I do think Craig Cook benefitted from the venue, can't imagine he would have faired so well @ Saddlebow Rd, so I'm sure it will have helped his confidence to have reached the final, here's hoping he can push on from it. Edited for punctuation.

Say again....

Agreed, very reminiscent of PC, can ride any part of the track, seems to find traction where others can't, amazing balance, I also love seeing him race. As said, another decent GP in the end, really enjoying this series so far, can't really grumble at the coverage, the shouty brothers are still muted by Eurosport, I can tolerate the boring fill-in guy because the racing is, on the whole, of decent standard. Never been a big fan of Pedersen and his antics but you cannot fault him for tenacity and courage, when clearly in so much pain and on lap 4 of a final he definitely wasn't going to win I wouldn't have blamed him if he'd retired and saved himself having to spend the next 15mins on the rostrum and riding on the back of a cabriolet, giving interviews etc etc. Fair play to him, he's a very tough bloke, hope he and Ward are soon on the mend.

It was never going to be on tv, go back to sleep.

Have you been drinking Philip? Was a great performance from Tai, good luck to the lad, hope his season continues in the same way.

It seemed as though Eurosport had the pair of them 'turned down' somehow, they were certainly doing plenty of shouting but weren't as imposing as usual, keep it up Eurosport, great meeting too.

Hmmmm, tough one that, it's the usual suspects on Eurosport. What's with the Pearl & Dean type music, brilliant.

Hyde Road -- Peter Collins, Soren Sjosten, Chris Morton, Mark Loram, could watch that all night long, pure speedway. and for something a little more savoury... Owlerton -- Alan Wilkinson, Jack Millen, Roman Matousek, Sean Wilson, pick the bones out of that, no quarter asked or given.

Thanks for that, remember it now having seen it again, great first lap and then got out of Andersens way to allow him the freedom of the track, good race.

I was also one of the lucky ones, although I was introduced to speedway at around 5y/o I only really became a proper young supporter in 69/70, aged 10, it was Hyde Rd every Saturday with my dad. Soren Sjosten was my favourite rider back then but obviously I was aware of Ivan's qualities, you pick up on different aspects when you're a kid, like which riders sign your autograph book in the pits after the meeting, got to say I had Ivan's signature more than any other, he always obliged even though he was always in a rush, no doubt off to the continent for a Sunday Long Track, I can distinctly remember marvelling at his accent when he spoke with anyone in the pits, he was probably the first 'foreigner' I'd ever heard speak in real life, apart from Taffy Owen of course but I couldn't tell a word he said. For me it was a case of not knowing what you've got until it's gone, the season following Ivan's enforced move to Exeter was completely different, we weren't so invincible anymore, we'd just won the League 3 times on the trot, I'd love to know how few times he was beaten round Hyde Rd during those 3 seasons. Thanks so much for the memories Ivan, hope you enjoy many more restful years.

Good luck Ryan, very entertaining rider over the years. You chaps have made me want to see this heat 15 from 2006, is it online anywhere?

Doesn't mean it will be synchronised though Paul, I often use both mediums simultaneously for my sport but sometimes the commentary doesn't quite fit with the visual, we'll see.

Ok thanks for that, appreciated.

Can't see it being a patch on that but we live in hope. I actually think I prefer the Polish commentary and I only understand one word, dziękuję Apparently we are to be blessed with bbc 5live coverage of this weeks matches, should be interesting, I wonder if it will synchronise with the Sky pictures, worth a try I reckon. Oh right, my mistake, what's on offer on Sunday?

Enjoyed tonights 2 meetings, thanks for the company all, only 2 more nights entertainment left before hibernation time

Announcing riders for the last 2 heats.

Please no, not that, it's been good this last couple of weeks.