OveFundinFan

No photos sorry, but would be interested when the book is available. I lived in the same village as Dave, brother Chris, the Collins clan and all the others that came from Partington. They were just a few years younger, me and my age group went for the cycle speedway plus the messing about on old motor bikes. They messed on old motorbikes and a lot of them were successful at the "real" speedway.

No good FIM announcing their verdict if at the end of the day WDC has a say - may as well FIM pass their findings and conclusion over to them then when a decision comes it is final. Asuming that is the case, I dont know.

Actually pugwash. not all who agree with Grand Central are Poole haters, though they can still be regarded as decent people. I have no grumps about Poole, or indeed any other team. I have been away from speedway for around 30 years, just come back in the last two years. I dont know about the politics that have been going on behind the scenes over those years, but I am aware of the fact DW tested positive for a non approved substance in his body, and a stiff penalty is due under the regulations. So I take exception to your statement that "decent people" are like minded Poole haters.

I read that cabin crew of an aircraft that was preparing to take off reported the pilot to the police as they thought he was acting as if drunk. Does it matter whether he was caught over the limit before he took control and flew or after he had flown. Of course it does! If you were on that plane knowing the pilot had been drinking alcohol and was over a limit, would you have stayed on the plane. If "you" had been on that plane I am sure you would have been grateful he had been reported before he flew rather then after - that is if they got to the destination safely. In the case of DW, there were 17 other GP racers that might be mighty pleased that he, or anyone, was found to be over a limit for alcohol before a meeting.

I cant agree with the point you make, Shale Seacher, tha in the 70's and 80's tractor grading was done after every race. I was a Belle Vue regular and one of the main reasons I stopped going was because the track was not being graded. As the shale was shifted to the outside, the racing line followed, so much so you could see the track base on the inside sector of the track and virtually all riders were racing in the outer third of track and it was a bit like follow the leader. Every so often a rider would dive for the inside but it was a bit suicidal as there was no grip. Shame really, Belle Vue was a wide track with different racing lines, with many not being able to be used to good effect. I recall the Golden helmet match races between Peter Craven and Ove Fundin where they were dicing round the white line just inches apart. Then again, I have seen some brilliant races where different parts of the track width was used. Thats how it should be. So I am up for regular track grading, perhaps not after every race though.

I am sure I saw that this thread was "Aces 2015"

Sounds good, they were only 2 valvers back in JAP and early Eso/Jawa days and the racing was good, they dont need all this power they have now, which seems to be sapped up somewhat by the "new" silencers anyway Thanks.

Whats Jawas answer?

I have not seen many complaining about the fact he has qualified fair and square by beating others in the qualifiers, thereby having a place in 2015 by right. I think most are disatisfied on what he is going to serve up if his 2014 form continues, and he didnt show more then a spark of GP level form this year. The only regular NOT to get to a semi, and just over a handful of total points ahead of a rider who was not a full time regular ie MJJ..

He seemed to have a good career in Moto GP's - whats changed his mind?

one for each of the three BIG speedway countries.

Well, as you have just posted on this thread your words must apply to yourself........... and now me! Actually I got a good excuse for this post. Wife wants me out shopping with her (after my wallet no doubt) so I am just telling her I am busy at the moment. So good on yer Darcy, your action kept me away from the shops for a bit longer at least.

My error, my apologies. Thanks Ghostwalker, apologies to Pandorum

Hi pandorum When I said "are you sure?" I was referring to your statement "With what's on offer Bomber may well surprise everyone and finish 2nd last :)". Unless his forms changes dramatically I reckon he could find himself still in 15th place, and of course this year if it hadnt been for MJJ's fall in his first race at Torun CH could well have finished 16th, which would have been very embarrassing as MJJ was not a regular GP rider. As for your comment "I can name 3 Russians better than all the qualifiers and most of the picks also a Slovakian who should have been in ", I think most will know which Russians you refer to, but Emil says he doesnt want gp's yet and if its the 2 Lagutas then it must be politics that play there part there. Apparantly Gregori cannot get visa to come to UK so how would he ride at Cardiff? All a shame I agree. The Slovakian, do you mean Slovenian as in Martin Vacuik. When he finished 2013 season he said he was taking a few years off from GP and come back a more mature more experianced racer - obviously when he comes back he is going for the title and not just a number in the field. Nothing wrong with that. As for others, yes we may all have our "favourites" but could they do a full season at the top. Its ok coming into a gp on your home track with a bike specially prepared for that meeting, but can they sustain it. Not all would, so they become an "average" or even "below average" gp rider and not the regular success as their one off appearance made them appear to be, many times experiance counts - hence Matin Vaculiks point of view. As fo

It depends on what are circumstances surrounding the question. If its a loaded question such that if the answer is overwhelming Ward, in which case Ward should be let off and put into the GP, then my answer would defo be CHarris. If its a genuine question as to who has the most talent at this point in time and contribute positively to the GP's then I think majority may say Ward.

If he kept up the form shown towards the end of 2014, yes its a possibility. But can he (will he) keep up the good form.

Are you sure? Personally I cant see a problem of Batch being in. He had just a few weeks to sort himself out for the gp season, has done reasonably well in most gp's and exceptional by scoring 20 in another, only bettered once this year by Hample with his 21 point max. I think he will do better next year. All those things add up to a positive to me.

Thats fair enough.

He says maybe get couple wildcards too. He is an Aussie, only one gp in Aussie next year, dont wild cards only go to a rider from the country the gp is in?

He should have thought these things out BEFORE he started supping. He's the professional and should know the rules.

Done

on his own track, at the end of a season, a prestige meeting, Seems strange, but there again we dont know circumstances.

I think the tests for alcohol would be BEFORE the meeting - like when Darcy was caught.

probably slow out of the gate, but once he got going there will be no stopping him.

Darcy would know that riding with a certain amount of alcohol in his body would incur a penalty if found out. The logical thing to do is not drink within a certain time period before a meeting. Obviously he had drunk alcohol the night before (hes admitted that), and (thankfully) he was tested and tested positive. More fool for him not using his brain and abstain from drinking. He will have known what the penalties are, now he has to pay the price. You reap what you sow.