Steve Shovlar

No disrepect to your favourite Wasp riders but if Newport found themselves in the elite league, you certainly would be impressed if Gollob, Screen or Loram rode for you. Just because they have names? Yes of course, how do you think they got so famous? Because they are EXCELLENT and EXCITING riders. Watto et all coould still ride as reserves and second strings, and you would see racing beyond your imagination!

Personally I think the EL is a far better product than the Premier. Of course less clubs is the main problem but on the whole it would be a bitter pill to swallow if we didn't get to see several top GP riders a week. The argument of the premier being a better product just doesn't hold up. Whilst meeting can still be close and exciting, the premier fans miss out big time on seeing the top guys in action at their track. these guys are worth the admission alone, and to see Rickardsson, Crump, Sullivan and Loram at your track can only be great for the sport. The main argument seems to be that premier league has more teams so more variation every week. A good point but does Sheffield V Somerset have the same appeal as Sheffield V Poole, with, just say for example, Trcick, Adams and Dryml Vs Wilson, Screen and Gollob. (just using Screen and Gollob as two possible signings for Sheffield) I cannot believe Sheffield fans would prefer premier over elite league if it wss presented to them properly. Surely the Sheffield promotion and fans want their team to be the best in the country? That will never happen if they just sit where they are. The elite league will prevail in some form or another. It has to for the premier and conference leagues to survive. Without the elite GB will never, ever have another world champion. GB will end up in speedways backwater(although it's heading slowly but surely that way as I type this) Four clubs are needed to move up to strengthen the elite and make the sport a more sturdy ship to steer. With the likelyhood of further conference league teams applyng tomove into the premier, the premier itself will become unviable with too many teams and the problems of fitting too many meetings into the season. Si I say to all premier league fans, the elite is not some horrible place, but a place for the best racing in the world with the best riders. And something I enjoy and wouldn't want to swap any day of the week.

Easy to stop rolling starts. Make sure the riders know the rules, tell the starting marshall that the riders front wheel is only a couple of inches from the tapes when the green light comes on. If a rider moves back when the light comes on its classed the same at tape touching and he is excluded. the rules state that riders must not move when the green light comes on, so enforce it rigerously!

I am arriving at Cardiff early so i might pop along to Sams bar to see who you lot are. I won't recognise anyone but Tina and i am not sure she will be there, so look out for a very handsome guy in his early 40's sporting a Swedish Match Tony Rickardsson Cap. Nice to put a few faces to names and I promise not to stir! :twisted:

Well I thought it a very enjoyable meeting. Admitedly the track was far too slick but there was quite a bit of overtaking after the first 5 heats. Cream always rises to the top and the final had the correct 4 riders battling it out. Well, battling it out for second as Trick was head, shoulders, chest and waist above the opposition all night. Total dominance and I think this was Tony's easiest win in all the GP's he has competed in. Some think it boring but Tony is laying down the level of commitment and ability that others need to attain if they wish to compete, and in the long term it is only good for the sport to bring it to higher standards. Tricks averages have been down this year, and this is completely due to bike troubles. The only way he would have lost this GP is for an EF but luckily it looks like the gremlins have been exterminated. It is a well known fact that all sporting legends prove to be extremely unpopular when they dominate their sport. Only when they are about to retire do they suddenly become a hero of sorts. Schumacker in F1, Steve Davis or Henry in Snooker, Tiger Woods in Golf, the list is endless. Unless you actually support that sporting legend, then you find it boring and anybody but them please. With Trick on such fine form, the rest need to raise their game or the series will be sewn up with three GPs to go. Don't blame Tony. What should he do? not try? Ask to start off 15 meters? Not bother to turn up for a couple of rounds? Or race with one arm tied behind his back! At the end of the day every generation sees a Speedway great. Fundin, Briggs, Mauger, Nielsen, Rickardsson. Rather than thinking it boring because you are not a fan, realise that this guy is riding now and you are probably watching speedway history in the making. Maugers six titles? Six? Schmix! Seven is heaven and Trick WILL get them before he finally pulls off that steel shoe. Enjoy watching him now and you can tell your grand children you saw the greatest speedway rider of all time at your track against your boys. Now that ain't a bad thing. cheers Steve Shovlar