Bryn

Fair enough!

SOME might say you could always buy a pushbike - guess it depends if you like wearing Lycra or not!

90 miles? Just down the road then compared to others! Alas I don't think you can postpone meetings on the basis of what "might" happen given the accuracy of some weather forecasts in years gone by. Club Hotlines come in for a fair amount of stick but most, if not all, carry regular weather updates on racedays. Whether or not people use those services is entirely up to them.

Danil Ivanov!

Not forgetting, on our travels, double tactical substitute in heat 8!

His bike packing up!

Gordon Bennett you two! If this is what floats your respective boats, the mind well and truly boggles!

Scorers: In programme order: Emil Sayfutdinov (Russia) 13 (2,3,3,3,2); Dale Facchini (USA) 4 (1,1,1,Fx,1); Maciej Piaszcznski (Poland) 4 (R,1,3,0,0); Tai Woffinden (GB) 11 (3,3,1,2,2); Troy Batchelor (Australia) 11 (2,T,3,3,3); Kenny Ingalls (USA) 5 (1,2,0,0,2); William Lawson (GB) 10 (3,3,R,2,2)' Ramon Stanek (Germany) 2 (R,1,Fx,1,0); Matthieu Tresarrieu (France) 3 (F,2,X2,1,F); Daniil Ivanov (Russia) 12 (3,3,2,1,3); Robert Ksiezak (Australia) 9 (2,2,1,3,,1) 9; Stefan Kurz (Germany) 3 (1,F,0,1,1); Andrew Bargh (New Zealand) 8 (F,0,3,2,3); Jeremy Diraison (France) 3 (2,0,1,0,0); Kamil Brzozowski (Poland) 7 (1,0,2,3,,1); Lewis Bridger (GB) 12 (3,,2,2,2,3). Steve Boxall (res) 2 - 1 ride; Adam Roynon (res) 1 - 1 ride. 1. Emil Sayfutdinov 2. Lewis Bridger 3. Daniil Ivanov 4. Troy Batchelor 5. Tai Woffinden 6. William Lawson 7. Robert Ksiezak -------------------------------- Res: Andrew Bargh --------------------------------- Very wet, amazing that meeting went ahead really but track rode far better than most expected. Full credit to ALL riders, trackstaff and those fans who DID turn out to watch.

Just spoken to one of my contacts out in Wroclaw, he's in the pits right now and overhead it's clear blue skies. There's been rain earlier but the track wasn't watered prior annd looks in A1 condition. Some more rain is forecast for later this evening but appears there are no problems as things stand.

PITS carpark to be a little pedantic Parsnips!

Ah Brian Foote (note correct spelling!) - well remember his frequent - how shall I put it - "disagreements" with a certain Tony Childs!

Tis some years indeed since I picked up the mic at Hoddesdon Sir Ted and as your posting seems to indicate you never heard me, I take it you're a mere whippersnapper!

Just heard that Karpov is a non-starter.

URGENT PLEA!!! If there is anyone going to Rye tonight from the Kent area who has a spare seat in their car, please phone 077734 935468 asap. Would explain that I've had a phonecall this morning from LS - apparently poor old Craig Saul is stuck at an airport in the USA and can't get back in time so yours truly has agreed to step into doing the announcing. (means I've gotta have a shave now!) Cheers Bryn

I have talked at length this morning to one of my contacts who has gone out to Wroclaw for tomorrow's GP. He reports that it was VERY wet last night with the beer in the bar he was in with other Brits flowing very freely indeed! He also reports that it is somewhat drier this morning as all are having trouble sinking their first drink of the day!

As I said on a similar thread on the Lakeside Hammers forum earlier Parsnips me old mate, would have gone of I'd realised the likes of Sverre, Olle, Tony C, Reg (who would probably have given us a song afterwards!) etc had possibly been riding tonight!

Words absolutely & utterly fail me, they really do! Knowing just how much of your lives of late both you (Russ) and Claire have devoted to this exciting prospect I know it goes without saying that you must be absolutely devastated by this bombshell especially given the proximity to the scheduled opening date. My own personal thoughts, and those of the entire British Speedway family I'm sure, are with you two at this time. Bryn

I wonder, perchance, if there's anyone intending to travel to the East of England Showground for Sunday's meeting VIA the Dartford Tunnel who has a spare seat in their car / van / lorry or whatever that they could possibly consider offering to a harmless old git with a gammy left foot. Said harmless OG with a gammy left foot would naturally, of course, be willing to contribute towards petrol / diesel costs. Should there be such a person in this world, then a swift phonecall to 077734 935468 would be more than appreciated.

You've won the lottery I take it Swede and will sponsor same? Back in "the good old days" (for want of a better expression although there must BE one), if you take the old Southern Qualifying group as example involving Eastbourne, Canterbury, Rye House and Crayford, they were all fairly local tracks, fans from all clubs travelled to all the meetings leading to above average attendances. That way costs of paying 20 riders wages (four per side plus reserve), allied travel expenses etc for effectively three away meetings from one home gate were, perhaps, viable. DON'T think (granted no hard evidence one way or the other) that might necessarily be the case in this day and age. Just my view Bryn

Do I take it that the winner of Pool 1 was Ronnie Parker alias "The Prince of Port Adelaide?" If it was, will hopefully help him celebrate later in the year by allowing him to buy me a Bundy or three at the legendary Blue Room!

Well firstly can I concur with your last comment - it should indeed be a fantastic day. And let's hope for a big turn out for Jesper B and warmer weather than right now! Would dearly love to be there but, alas can't be. I would have loved to see Ronni Pedersen race again. There was a time when he and Nicki both rode together for King's Lynn. I can always remember one race (although not the opposition alas!) when the two of them hit the front and, if they team rode sensibly, were on for a cert 5-1. Ride sensibly? Those two together? They proceeded to knock seven bells of hell out of each other at every bend, returning to the pits laughing their heads off! Oh - they got the 5-1 because the two opposing riders, quite wisely, just cruised at a safe distance behind the two brothers for the full four laps! Anyway have a great day Jesper B - you deserve it!

Haven't got a clue as to why Steve Boxall wasn't selected - Peter Oakes is the GB Under 21 manager, he'll know.

Well the only person who knows the answer then I suppose is manager Peter Oakes who named his line up early last week as, obviously, programmes have to be compiled and printed. I would hazard a guess that that Peter looked at the fact that as the fixtures stood (yeah ok Workington was rained off last night but he wouldn't have known would he when naming the team!) that Peter possibly thought that a three day schedule involving Oxford, Workington, and Oxford again might be a tad too much at this early stage of the season.

Riding for Workington (or due to ride - weather permitting!) for Workington at Newcastle tonight I believe. Bryn

THAT would be much appreciated Anders!