f-s-p

Asking you if there are/are U aware more meetings in Poland on Oct 15-16 than Macec in Krosno and the individual in Rybnik… I’m in Poznan that weekend.

Probably did... Didn't save Hans though that one year when he would have become world champion if he had started the season in the GP.

There was grapevine at the the time that as long as Hamar kept staging a GP, Holta was in the series. So I asked Holta this… he didnt say anything, just left… With just 15 places in the series, I cant see how there would not be any under the table shanagans… Be it a track for the series or money for Discovery or a series sponsorship.

I’d actually say that you can buy a wild card to the series. Remembering that it’s not as easy as it was when there were 22 riders (or 24?), but why not? U still need to be good enough though, they’d not sell it to Latifi or me. But for example Timo Lahti, who IS a top25 rider in the world for some years now, why not... Especially now that he’s not sponsored by a rival of Monster, I fail to see why 300k € would not open a door for him to the series?

Yes you are right. And the other guy was right when he said both Salonen and Levishyn would get beaten 9 times from 10 by half a straight by their countries top dogs. ”You win some and lose a lot” as the old speedway saying goes…

Not really... But Levishyn got in by beating Zmarzlik in ONE heat during the season... Or atleast thats what I read about it in the press release.

I can feel the earth move already…

Actually he was rubbish, even when he had enough back up people in the pits. Me thinks this SGP2 is a good idea in principle. Having them riding in the biggest stadia without a crowd, having some chap who has NO IDEA interviewing them for tv and KT and CL trying to be polite in commentating makes it a joke though. There's this Jeff fellow in twitter who cant stop moaning how rubbish the Discovery presentation is. Dont tell him, but he’s right.

Salonen will ride in Torun. Finished second in the Finnish final on saturday, was in near perfect working order.

Jannick de Jong.

Only 24 riders so far...

The FIM should rule that from 1.1.2024 the width of the piston is limited to xx.xx mm. I dont even know how much they are now, but taking 10-20 % off it would pave way for longer stroking engines, wider power curve and it would level up the engine playing field for a couple of years between JRM and GM. Also it woud reduce high end top speeds resulting in less damage in crashes both rider and machinery wise.

I was browsing for dates and found info, that as the winner of the regular season, Smederna will ride at home on Sep 13th. What you think, should I book a ferry?

Grapewine states Aarnio has crashed out from todays meeting at Varkaus. More info to follow probably…

Higher top speed you mean…

No :lol: That extra long straight to the 1st bend is what makes this work…

I was and I am. Thank you for your concern.

We've been on the rostrum many times, in qualifiers like this one.

Timo Salonen was rally world champion, but close enough

Some time a go the organising fee towards FIM for a SGP was 22k. So what? It HAS TO cost something. So does the ambulance and doctor. Also I believe that money includes the ref and jury president, might even include their hotel bill (it used to in UEM meetings). Reducing PRIZE money (paid by the organizer) that is directly paid from the organiser and is another 10k or several 10k in LTWC is the way to go...

What prices and how much are they?

Approval fees as on prize money? Someone suggested that with Disvovery money the prize should be reduced for the next five years, even sent it to a CCP member. I bet nothing came out of it.

6 months ago I would have said LT will die before ice racing. Now I'm not that sure anymore. LT is a discipline where an intermediate speedway rider can buy success through equipment and with that some dont bother. Increasing cost of travel, smaller prize money, less crowd... You do the math.

I remember writing stories at the time, I just looked at total number each league... So even if I might have overstated it, not too much

I honestly don't know. Introducing 250cc was the death of Finnish 85cc, since from already few a couple decided to switch, so not enough riders anymore to host 85cc meetings. A couple of kids from Varkaus have been touring the Baltics for 85cc heats in BSL, but don't know anymore about Sweden. Swedish 85cc used to have 100+ riders and in Denmark 150+ for 85cc and also 50cc. About 15 years ago...