OveFundinFan

The original post stated “Our supporters are fantastic, but the bottom line is that we simply don’t have enough of them. Last year, I informed our fans that we needed around 100 more people through the gate a week. This year, the situation has worsened, maybe because we haven’t been successful on track. The Bank Holiday crowds have been OK, but our Friday night attendances have been very poor. We no longer need another 100 fans a week, we now need another 200".

Why do you think he was so poor and slow at Cardiff? You must have some thoughts.

Its interesting what they did in Moto GP to help bring costs down and make racing more competative. There used to be 6 "aliens" ie out of this world riders - those riders sat on works Honda, Yamaha, and Ducati Cant remember all the changes done over the last few years, but now the works bikes get out qualified in the qualifying sessions, and sometimes the "lesser" bikes are with them most of the race. Still some more equalising to do but they getting there. The same needs to be done in F1 - too much money still thrown at it despite attempts to bring costs down ie restrict in season development etc Somethings got to be done in speedway to get costs down before its too late. I just read "The Peter Collins Speedway Book" edited by Richard Bott. In 1976 there were 19 teams in the Gulf British League and 18 teams in the New national League. Wow! In 1976 there was a Polish tour of Britain 6 meetings USSR tour of Britain 6 meetings England v Australia 8 meetings all these were against league teams AND a England v Rest of the World held at Vojens just look at the England team - P Collins, G Kennett, M Simmons, M Ashby, D Jessup, J Davis, D Morton. and they got beat 41 - 43 by O Olsen, A Michanek, I Mauger, B Briggs, E Muller, P Crump, J Sancl What a meeting that must have been Something gone wrong since then eh! England had strength then

He had an engine failure in his first race - never a good start and shouldnt really happen.

Yes, think blue should read B 25% 32 5 6 5 Interesting set of figures, More acceptable then what happened in the GP

Who was riding the "new" Gerhard engine on Saturday. I think I spotted Lambert, not sure if Chris Harris was on one

You may not get the whole meeting in one "video" but Peter was in heat 3, heat 7, heat 9, heat 14, and heat 20. Add the heat number into your search, or you may see them listed. Also, in Australia there are some VERY big tracks, this clip if from Melbourne 1985 and shows Simon Wigg in about 4 maybe 5 races popping wheelies along the straights doing probably 80mph+ before throwing the bike ionto the corner. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_jPFSog0Vk Enjoy

Just type into You Tube - world speedway championship katowice 1976 and watch Peter Collins win the world championship in style ie from the back

Re Belle Vue, cant remember exact figures quoted but I think normally 5k-6k, but temporary stands could take it to around 15k. spectators

Just got back from Cardiff this afternoon. Enjoyed the weather on Saturday, enjoyed our b&b, and ENJOYED the meeting. A worthy winner in NKI, but would have been good to see Tai win it, or at least be on the podium. Tai wont be too bothered, he has said before winning a GP is great, but its picking up the trophy at the end of the year that matters, and he increased his lead on Saturday night. Well done Tai. Pity the gates were so biased to gate 1 and 2, shame that. As for Craig Cook, he gets some stick on here, but remember he got 7 points including a win on Saturday. Thats the same points as Jason Doyle (who didnt win a race), 3 more then last years no2 - KK, two more then GP regular Chris Harris (who didnt win one), 4 more then a under 21 world champ - Janowski, 3 more then Troy Batch, and the same 7 point total as THJ (who failed to win one). Thats not bad in my eyes. And, of the 5 Brits (yes 5!) that rode on Saturday night he beat all but the one that is well ahead of any other Brit (Tai). AND he beat Greg, Holder and Janowski in his first race. I dont think that is a bad result, and lets face it - he doesnt have the experience at that level (too slow into the bends) nor probably spent the money on his engine as others for Saturday night. It was good to see Garrity and Lambert get a ride, but was a bit disgusted that a Brit took another Brit out of the race - the refs decision was right. Must be difficult for them to be riding in a GP, but then be thrown into heat 17 when everyone else has had 4 rides. Until the accident, they did well. looking forward to watching it all again on the recording.

Back on the April 20th - soon after the Warsaw disaster I posted the following (on the Warsaw GP thread) "To those who say they not going to Cardiff because of Saturday (Warsaw GP)..... have no worries, they dare not get Cardiff wrong this year, and if they can get it right at Cardiff then that sets the stage for all other indoor meetings". I still hold to that, I do think this year it will be a very good year, and if it is then thats the standard they got to work to at all other temporary/indoor stadia.

Yes, looks like Woffy is on top form, but Greg beat him last Sunday in Poland, so too soon to be called a "has been" as some would make out.

I dont believe it ! You wish has come true

Tink Maynard - Belle Vue

Watched the speedway meet from Sweden on Tuesday night, Nicki and Freddie Lindgren had a good dice. Plenty of room left for each other on the straights, and Nicki did a similar pass on Freddie as to what he did on Greg, but plenty of room left. Obviously you dont invite you opponent to pass you, but you got to leave room for racing, yes, block pass but not trapping an opponent between you and a solid fence. Freddie won that encounter, good race.

Its going to be hot on Saturday, my weather app shows 23 degree (5 degree cooler then Friday). If long queues in that heat, tempers could go haywire, then no food or DRINK (water) to be allowed in the stadium, so the queues for the buffet bars will be long (and they were bad enough last year), the wife has a need to drink little often so we could be in a pickle, If things turn bad this could be the last trip to Cardiff which is a shame cause we like the place.

Oh dear..... only been the last two years and again on Saturday, so I am listening to the comments on here about the 4:00 pm gates open time. Not too comfortable with what you all saying, last two years it was a comfortable experience getting in, looks like this year could well be the opposite. I am also thinking about the bus from the out of city parking ie Cardiff City football ground and others. If everyone aiming to get to the stadium during a smaller time period then that could well be chaos as well. I certainly hope you are all incorrect...... we'll see.

F1 cars have slowed down, now a lot of people, including and foremost the drivers, are saying they are too slow and excitement has gone. I watched Formula E last night, I would think much slower (and quieter) but racing was probably more exciting, cars were sliding about a bit as well.

Well done to those in the team riding and their pit crew.

Will there be a run off for 2nd and 3rd? the 2 Pawlicki brothers.

Is there any track lighting, cant see any in that photo. I assume there must be if they talking about a 9:45 start

Seen elsewhere Peter Kildemand has concussion. He needs to learn, and learn fast, that you dont win meetings, or get through qualifiers, when you lying on the track.

I dont know the age of Sundstrom, but that selection doesnt hold up to much for Swedens future. No 17 and 18 would be a good chance for younger riders to soak up the atmosphere.

I certainly not writing Greg off yet, certainly on the judgement of one or two USA team meetings where he hasnt much incentive nor support to go flat out. Apart from that, everyone is entitled to have off meetings, Tai didnt start 2014 off too well, nor finish it well, same with KK this year.

As already stated it is on You Tube and without adverts. I was away on holiday when it was live, set Sky box to record it, but the meeting cancelled to the Sunday and I didnt get it recorded. Great meeting. Poland have a good future with such competant youngsters, and more didnt get the chance to ride.