21st century heathen

I'd love to know why those riders are missing, but as I type the line-up is very strong. Most top EL riders are currently listed on the BSPA website front page as riding in the meeting. Interestingly, the teams with missing riders (as above) are the clubs that only have one representitive. I hope that's deliberate and as a punishment for their big names pulling out.

The fact that Holta also represents Poland is what I was referring to. In future I can see riders changing left, right and centre. Having represented nation 'x' in any single FIM meeting a rider should not be allowed to represent nation 'y' in any future meetings.

So AJ could ride for Poland in the SWC next season. It's all getting a bit silly now.

Didn't we all say the same about Hefe last season, and he popped out the gate and won heat one to a huge reception from the Germans?

I disagree entirely with your opinion as putting bums on seats has to be the priority, but you're right about Crump. He was the wild card for the British GP in '95. Aged just 19, perhaps we were trying to convince him to swap his flag?

It goes back to a comment he made in Cardiff. It was just before a huge cheer went up for Greg, and just before he had to admit that Greg had put a great move on Crump and given the Aussie a hell of a race in the final. Sounds like a fun weekend to me.

Thanks for the link. Very good to hear Scott tell it how it is and not worry about upsetting the applecart back home. Good on ya Scotty. It will certainly be intersting to know whether any lessons have been learnt. The last batch if riders that came through were Nicholls, Richardson, Howe and Stead. Before that it was Louis, Loram, Hurry, Dugard, Norris, Barker. The results have been more or less the same, although obviously Loram and Louis stood on the world championship rostrum. Now we hve the likes of Bridger, Woffinden, Haines, Barker, Roynon, and Auty coming through. Like most nations we have batches of riders come through in their teens, and they all have some natural ability. Will they have to fight a lone battle as in previously eras or be given greater support and guidance? I noticed this too. The top six have grabbed 30 (or 83%) of the available places in the finals. They have clearly been a cut above the chasing pack. Only AJ has broken clear of the rest, but he's just sit in no mans land really. Is this is due to the rest being poor rather than the top six having stepped up a gear?! But is that due to a lack of ability or a lack of consistancy? I have given evidence that it's the latter. Except you.

I see no reason that Scott shouldn't chase down Holta for the 8th position. Catching AJ looks very tough because even when Scott goes through to the semis and finals he rarely scores really big points and would need that to coincide with poor scores for AJ. Bomber is only 9 behind Holta so he's not completely out of it, but he needs a major turn around in form while Holta, Nicholls and Lindgren have two poor rounds. What price another three-way run-off between the same riders?

Fair post. Scott had half a superb meeting, and hald a dreadful one. His fourth, fifth and seventh being the latter. Just as a point of interest Nicholls has now made more finals this season that Holta and Jonsson, and the same number as Adams (the three riders immediately above him in the table). Last season Nicholls made more finals than Holta, and the same number as Andersen, Hancock and Jonsson. Quite clearly, on his day, Nicholls is on a par with all but Pedersen, Crump and Gollob. What costs him dearly is the lack of consistancy rather than any lack of ability. In other motorsports the riders/drivers give interviews in their own language either exclusively or in addition to English. I would expect a few words in English (which we did get) as most people would speak English as a first or second language, but to complain about a Pole speaking Polish in Poland is ridiculous. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Best GP, for about two years. Well, at least since the last time Greg won anyway. Well done Greg. It may have been better with a bit more dirt, but I actually thought that we saw plenty of passing and some good action. I quite enjoyed my evening in front of the tv.

Great idea. A bit late for this season, but why not arrange a 5 test series in Aus for the winter of 2009/10? We'll probably lose to the Aussies on their own patch given our lads lack of knowledge of Aussie tracks, but the experience would be great for them. Riding big tracks is something our younger riders rarely have a chance to do. It could prove useful when they come back to the Euro mainland tracks, especially if it's becomes and anual series. ----------------------------------------------------------- I have to say I was surprised by the result, and also disappointed. Leading with two to go is something I never would have predicted. I had the Aussies down for slowing pulling away from us throughout. I hold my hands up. I was wrong. Our lads did us proud for the most part. Just so disappointing to throw away all that hard work in the last two. Very promising though. Well done to all concerned. England for a really good effort, and the Aussies for the comeback and win.

Good call. Give him some responsibility on track. Hopefully he can focus on his racing, and leave everything else in the past.

Time will tell. We'll stand a better chance if Tai can keep both wheels on the shale and his a$$ in the seat. If it helps - It was usual admission at Monmore on Monday night, so I would guess the same applies to the other meetings. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I think we're going to get our a$$ handed to us on a plate in the 3rd as well. Oh well, as long as our boys get stuck in and aren't embarrassed.

Of course not, but with Troy and Cameron riding as well they should record a huge majority of heat wins. That means the others just need to chip in with 3rd places and the Aussies will be comfortable. It's won on paper though, so I do hope the Brits have a good go at them.

Perhaps that's the case as a general comment, but not on the night as far as I'm concerned. People need to remember that he's still a very young rider, and mistakes are likely. He's got plenty of natural ability and people should get behind him if they want British Speedway to flourish. I think you're right. A very comfortable win is on the cards. Hopefully the Brits make a few better starts than they did last night. They were nearly all shocking out of the start. I'm sure I could hear James snoring at least once!! And that's probably all part of the grand plan. Holder will gain nothing from the meeting other than ensuring an Aussie win. Fair play to the Aussies though. They quite entitled to put out their best riders, and I think that should really always be the case. Good luck to the Brits. Fingers crossed that they make the Aussies work damned hard for every point. p.s. Forgot to mention Barker and heat 14. What a ride!! He went into the 3rd/4th turn for the first time on the outside with what appeared to be waaaaaaaay too much speed. Somehow he controlled it to ride the dirt line all the way around the outside and held on for a fantastic win. Move over Charlie Gjedde...there's a new record speed around the bottom turn.

I'm quite happy challenging for last place Bert, so same again for me.

1) Don't be daft. I've seen riders crash all over Monmore more than once. It doesn't mean there's something wrong with every patch. 2) You didn't see Cameron pull a huge locker and grind to a halt before the appex of the first turn, lap one, then? Lewis had to take action to avoid running straight into him as he went in at normal speed. The heat should have been re-run. He was guilty of over-trying to get back in the race and was clearly angry that he hadn't had the benefit of a re-start. He made up a lot of ground in the latter part of the race, once he'd calmed down. He was a little unlucky to find himself boxed-in on the inside in his last ride. It was too late by the time things opened up a little. Good race though.

England Wright Woffinden Kennett Barker Bridger Auty Haines Australia Batchelor Gathercole Woodward Proctor Wethers Summers Sweetman Batchelor and Woodward will be tough nuts to crack but we have the better all-round strength in my opinion.

Teams are here. Doesn't give a cost so I'm guessing it the same as usual?! I really don't know whether I fancy this one or not.

Me too and I'm only about 10 miles away. Mind you it's been absolutely pouring down here for over 4 hours.

Forgot to say earlier that it's good to note that someone is reading and the B'ham website has been updated.

My intention was to set out early from work to be at B'ham in time for the gates to open, but I've stopped off at home. On the 4 mile journey from W'ton to home I got soaked. I can't comment on conditions in Perry Barr, but I'll be sitting at home for a while to assess the situation. Fingers crossed. http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/radar/index.html

Well, unless the B'ham website is updated soon an awful lot of people are going to end up feeling rather short-changed.

The line-up posted on the B'ham website yesterday was... Chris Holder (Poole), Jason Crump (Belle Vue), Freddie Lindgren (Wolverhampton), Leigh Adams (Swindon), Chris Harris (Coventry), Lee Richardson (Eastbourne), Piotr Swiderski (Ipswich), Kenneth Bjerre (Peterborough), Charlie Gjedde (Belle Vue), Scott Nicholls (Eastbourne), Adam Shields (Lakeside), Bjarne Pedersen (Poole), Mads Korneliussen (Swindon), Andreas Jonsson (Lakeside), Hans Andersen (Coventry), Niels Kristian Iversen (Wolverhampton). Reserves: Rory Schlein (Ipswich), Daniel King (Peterborough). I assume from that Scott and Lee ride with Rory and Danny coming in for Bjarne and AJ. Two 'new' reserves required. There's no update today.

Yes, there will be an air fence. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In a twisted kinda way I hope Bjarne and AJ are injured and not just ditching the meeting. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- All fine and dandy on the weather front so far. I'm probably about 8-10 miles away as the crow flies. Sunny intervals with a fair breeze for the time of year, although not really what you would call a windy day. All eyes on the rain currently heading in across Wales. It seems a little further north than predicted last night. That's a blow as it looked as though it may have just gone to the south of B'ham. It's certainly got its act together as an area of 'organised' rain with some heavy bursts. It may well begin to break up as it travels east though. It's too early to worry about just yet.

So that's another rider that's ridden PB before. Who has to pull out for Billy Janniro to get a ride? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Some heavy showers forecast for later, and some rain moving up from the south west to keep an eye on. The only way this will be called off is it it's a complete wash-out, in my opinion. It's the biggest meeting so far for the new Brummies so I have no doubt they'll do everything they can to make it a success.