Grand Central

Thanks for all that extra insight. One could be forgiven for expecting all the commentators to have have made some effort to try and pronounce a name the way the person themselves says it. Or at least to change their version as soon as they find out they have been doing wrong in the past. But sometimes you can just expect too much. But in the current case it is more about continuity and consistency. Eurosport, themselves, are well versed in the job of putting a continuity voice over the joins in the commentary provided down the line. One would have thought their methodology would be 'lets say things the same way as the commentary people' Their experience in the business should have already let them know how jarring it is to have bizarre, conflicting, variations used. .

Not listening to the commentary could explains things. But why would someone to choose to do that? But I think I remember him making reference to a couple of things that Nigel and Kelvin had actually said during comms at a couple of points. So perhaps not.

Yes, well done. But it is spelt differently, so it's pronounced differently. Sort of like Dean and Deanne

No, you are. I was responding to the chap who WAS blaming his wrist!

" I ... DID ... IT.. MYYY ... WAYYYYY"

The funny thing is that it was so simple. Why hadn't the guy just been listening to how the names were said in the previous segment by Nigel and kelvin. How did he manage to summarise each heat WITHOUT noticing the pronunciation. or did he think he knew better? or is he a bit subnormal? I mean. Tatum. How can you say TaTTum? Who in the world has ever been called that?

When one is looking to help an Alcoholic recover, it is essential that you reach one critical point Where the person, themselves, 'admits' that they have a problem. Until this recgonition is reached then treatment will be impossible. In British Speedway so many people within the sport are swaying in the alleyway, one arm against the wall for support shouting 'we don't have a problem'. They push away the offers of help from the sober folk that can see the mess they are in. And after one more drunken rendition of 'I Did it My Way' they stagger off home. Only to repeat the whole sorry process when they next get paid. I am no councillor who can offer a proven panacea. I just wish that my old friend would wake up tomorrow morning, have a big gulp of black coffee and agree. Something needs to change.

I think we are all getting a little hooked up on comparisions with a totally different sport. With very little help towards answering this sports questions. I saw, on a different thread, that Philip Rising was quoting a current promoter as saying that British Speedway was a £10 sport. I just think that feels true. Whether any form of product can be put together at that price point that still feels like something akin to, say, the Premier League. I genuinely don't know. But if it can't I dare say I will continue to pay £17 to see a £10 product, occasionally. Every now any again I may go home thinking it was £17 well spent. But more often I won't. Is there a realistic future going on like this?

YES That's what I thought too As yet I haven't see a quote from Nicki but I would be surprised if he blamed his broken arm for dropping the bike. If it was 'his fault' that his arm was too weak to hold the bike upright wouldn't he have been the primary cause of the stoppage? That is, 'race stopped because the rider in yellow is too badly injured to make it round the first turn'. Or are you saying that the referee took pity on him for his arm injury and allowed him back in the rerun out of sympathy? .

I couldn't agree more on everything you say. He has an ability to weigh matters up in an instant. In a split second he knew that there were zero points in that race; get a stoppage and the three points may come up for grabs. And he got an extra 2. He really is brilliant at it. There is not one other person in the GP field who can pull it off.

Ooh, you can't have an opinion on Margaret Thatcher. Not unless you've been Prime Minister yourself. Then I would listen

Oh, yes credit where credit is due. He can also go down like a wounded swan when he misses the jump on a crowded first bend. And play dead on the ground with perfection.. All to fool a soft-touch referee who is still wet behind the ears. As well as being undeniably brave. The man is a genius of his Art.

Please, don't let anyone say that this lad doesn't deserve EVERY plaudit he's getting.

Forgive me, but wasn't this all about the additional people who are going to come "if the weather is good" As I am about to plan my holidays, I would be really interested to hear of the Speedway venue that is is going to get this freakish 25 week heatwave.

OMG. Tai has got a new tattoo, now. Kelvin says 'He has PAIN written all over his face!' Whatever, that was a brilliant win.

Yes, they go well with his 'early' doors.

Perhaps we'll leave the maths to someone else.

This is one of the most stupid things that happens week after week, all over the country. It is like the 'Emporers new clothes'. Does no one stand up at a Promoters meetings and shout 'Alex, Jon, Chris ... for gods sake, you're Stark Naked!'

The World Feed is on-going without break. Why the hell don't they just stick with the commentary from Tatum and Pearson and jump in and out directly for ad breaks. Then send the sub-normal chap home early.

Nicki's ability to manipulate a situation means that he can make his own luck, sometimes.

So the Tag line needs to change. Out goes "Speedway is a £10 Sport" In comes "Speedway is a £10 Sport, but because all costs are impossible to change, we'll charge you £17" A little less catchy, I'd say.

Certainly no flak from me. "Speedway is a £10 Sport" It's not a particular flattering tag line for us all, but it is just spot on.

I imagine that in the UK we would have a few qualification meetings. Two semi finals at Premier League tracks, a Briish Final at a track in the Midlands (say Monmore Green), a few more international rounds at say Poole and (even) Berwick. World finals would be held on some sort of rota at tracks such as Prague, Vojens, Lonigo and Malilla; but with it weighted more towards Poland at, say, Gorzow, Torun and even (at a push) Bydgoszcz. And in Britain some enterprising chap would probably be trying to get Odsal Stadium up and running with the possibility of holding a World Final there. Life, for so many, would be so very, very different without BSI. Yes I know I have left out Cardiff, Parken, Stockholm and all the rest. But that would have spoiled the fun of being facetious.

I think you are both right and so, so wrong all at the same time. I thought that 1995-1996 was a brilliant time for watching Speedway, for all the reasons you say. And more. But truthfully it did not work at all. Trying to amalgamate so many different 'wants' of promotions, riders etc etc under the one umbrella was completely impossible. And I bet it will prove to be again. Even with some Sky dosh (hopefully) to paper over the cracks. I am genuinely sorry to say.

I don't think anyone has said that they didn't. But hay-ho, I'll stop concerning myself with all those lost potential sales, too. I feel better already. .