OveFundinFan

Makes interesting readin. Henry Long was just a bit before my time to remember him, but I recon I must have seen him at Belle Vue. I certainly remember Mum and Dad talking about him. Can remember Doug Davies but that was early sixties so at the start when I was really into speedway. Thanks for posting that up.

I will settle for the telly if thats 2nd best - no problem.

Its the same basically in any sport - if you want to be a top professional you really have got to be dedicated and VERY professional about it all - eating habits, strict keep fit, watching entertainment habits, not late partying etc. OK some get away with less of some aspects but generally speaking it will be tough to get to and stay at the top - never been there so know personal experience.

Its disgusting how little the British press carries about speedway. I dont read the papers often, but when I do there is virtually nothing about speedway, not even a gp result when tai has won/done well. All sorts of other minority sports, and yes I clas speedway at the moment as a minority sport, get mentions.

but as gets said about another rider who seems to get in "by the backdoor" - they have earned their place. NKI deserves a wild card, think that goes without saying, as for Hample - a top rider who for whatever reason is really struggling at this point in time. he could bounce back next year if given a wild card, but wouldnt it be sad if he didnt bounce back, and he struggled again all season. Tough decision - but this season not over yet, he may show good form tonight and in Torun.

You could be lined up and shot for expressing your thoughts like that, bill94d

Pederson seems to have calmed down since THAT incident with Zagar earlier in the series. Its Peter K. that is on the verge of taking over NP's crown, IMO, just a whisker away. All depends how Tai's and Gregs injuries hold up, but NP is not on injury free form, and I know Krystof is carrying that knee injury from early season, but KK seems to like these indoor tracks and I reckon he could be on top step tonight.

Those below 8th know what they have to do anyway, they shouldnt need telling. They should put 100% effort in - every gp they go to.

Just seen part of the draw on speedwaygp.com and heat 16 is a cracker - Smolinski to win? (Tai, Greg, Krystof and Smoli)

I remember Henryk and his polish friends coming to ride as a team in the uk. A good site to see around the Shay, Halifax, which was heavily banked and produced good racing from those that took advantage of the banking. Those days they were from "behind the iron curtain" and along with the Russians they always held a fascination to me and my friends. Good memories of top Polish and Russian racers.

Of course he qualified, no problem with how he qualified at all, he out scored 13 other riders Just wonder why he has'nt added to this year and on that basis how he is going to add to next year. Judging on what he did last Saturday, its safe to presume he should be up with em this Saturday and maybe be even in the semis or more. I will take my hat off to him if he does.

but his form in the gp's has'nt. Whats his biggest score - 6 I think, not near a semi place even, not even for one gp. What "flag" a rider wears in a gp does not bother me - I much prefer to see the best riders in the world (I know it rarely happens)

I dont do social media sites like facebook, twitter etc, but when things get silly on here I just ignore

Another one hits the dust, sorry to hear that.

Little off topic, but nice comments from Majic Janowski on speedwaygp.com re his dream of being in 2015 gp's - all hangs on whether Zagar stays in this years top 8, which he should.

Got it iris123, I record the whole lot on the night, as well as watch it, then when I get the highlights I delete the full lot. I have something to look at then during the winter months.

Maybe his usual EL "best bikes" are being saved for Stockholm and he is going to show tham all what he is going to do 2015 (now thats a bit open ended)

Didnt bother them last year at Torun - look who won, nor the last but one gp this year in Gorzow. Track specialists who rob others of points. Its going to be a swede wild card in Sweden isnt it. So why not give an up and coming rider, who performs well, a chance to flavour a world gp - thats an amazing privilage and one to look forward to then remember

Thanks Vince Didnt know that was going on. Sounds an exciting project and its good that different makes of engine can be used - brings manufacturers right into the sport and could prove competative.

More then likely

Someone must of got wind the announcement is being made and they are clearing space on the forum for all the nice comments that will persue.

norbold, IMO the difference to a "surprise" rider qualifying for the big night back all them years is that it was a one big night. Now its a 12 meeting series, and if someone is not up to the series then it becomes quiet a pain for the viewer and probably him. Do I need to mention Ales Dryml in 2013? Take this year with Harris, I dont know the bloke and he may be the nicest guy around, and obviously he is a racer and a fighter which I love, BUT 10 meetings, 50 races, 40 points - thats not good. He is 26 points behind the 14th man (but that man is in touch with the next 4 or 5) and only a few ahead of the occasional wild carders. If he had a few good meetings, say scoring a 10 or a 12, making an odd semi, that would hold better with me, but he has not been near it. Now it narks me a bit that peeps on here are saying his best bikes are in the UK and thats why his average in EL is good. Hes in the world championship gp series for goodness sake, his best bikes should be with him for every one of those meetings. If they are not, why not, he owes that to his fans, his sponsors and himself surely. I look forward with interest at how he does in the next 2 gp's. Was last Saturday in Italy a return to long lost form? Were his bikes "a bit special" and takes them with him to Stockholm and Torun and repeats Italy? or was Italy a one off and now back to the mundane routine of the last 10 gp's. The balls are in his court - he has to prove something to us and himself. Coming third in Italy has put pressure on himself, can he come through it with flying colours - we will see. We have not long to wait.

Maybe if PK had only give 100% in Italy he would have stayed on the bike and got the points needed to be in a 12 meeting world gran prix series next year. Sometimes you need to think things out and ride accordingly. Back in 1964 I won the British Junior Cycle Speedway Championship at Raynes Park, South London. That year was my first summer season and I rode for Belle Vue Gladiators - the track was made up every Sunday on the car park across the road from the pits entrance. Never been to Raynes Park track before (never went again), on form I should have finished 7th-9th, but after 4 races I had 12 points max with one race to go. I looked at the program for my last ride, 2 of the meeting favorites were in it, but worked out all I needed was 3rd place to win overall. The top two were on gate 1 and 2, I was on 3, and a rider with about 2 points on the outside of me. Didnt take much thinking what I was going to do. It would have been so nice to have a 15 point max but that certainly was'nt a surety, if I did anything stupid both of those could have been winners instead of me. "All I did" was look after the rider on gate 4 for bend 1 and 2 and then just follow the others, no heroics. Thats what I did, but still finished on the back wheel of the first and second, with fourth man about quarter lap behind. I did what I had to to take the trophy back to Manchester, no more. If PK had used his nouse he could have been in the gp's all next year and not just for the Danish round or sweating for a full time wild card. Silly billy.

If that bike he rode in Italy went so well then he obviously going to have it with him for the last 2 grand prixs, meaning he should be up the score chart a fair bit. If he dont want to ride his best bikes in the gp series then he should'nt be there.

Thats true, but all marky said was AJ will get a wild card because he won a gp, to which I replied as I did cos Smoli has won a gp.