21st century heathen

Indeed. And for Scott, Lee and Chris too. They've already been told their effost will be in vein tonight. Face it boys, you're going to fail - Lynch says so. But then so does the entire cast of Sky. Any first timers watching on Saturday must have been really confused. In the same breath they're told that Britain will be in the race-off on Thursday but also that they race their semi on Monday in an attempt to go to the final on Saturday. I found, and am still finding, it really annoying.

WOW! With form like that he'll be top 10 before much longer. As I've just posted on the other thread, Olly has an average around Brandon that is second only to Chris Harris this season. Why should an untried 17 year old be in the team ahead of him?

Sorry to hear about that, but great that it will all be sorted out. You may have to wait a little while but that's better than the alternative. So what's wrong with Olly being ahead of Tai in the pecking order? It's marginal, I admit, but he has a higher average than Simon around Brandon this season. In fact his home average is second only to Chris Harris. Perhaps he will have a poor meeting, but he deserves his chance ahead of a 17 year old lad who hasn't even ridden full time EL yet.

I gave Hampel a 50/50 chance in the race-off. I agree with everything you've said. I quite liked that one. Does anyone know if Danill Ivanov has ever ridden ice speedway? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was a slow starter but a very watchable meeting in the end. Emil was MOTM for me. What a great rider to watch. He beat at least one of the big two in each of his 5 rides. Congrats to Leigh on being top points scorer and to the Aussies taking advantage of the Joker and run-off. The Poles rode very well expect for Jagus. KK was a little disappointing from their point of view, but hardly a dreadful night for him individually. The Russians were all good value at one time or another. It seems the threat is growing, and they could be a real force in 5 years. The Hungarians struggled for pace, but rode well enough. They just didn't have that extra few mph to keep them in contact. As for tonight, I agree with the opinion of just about everyone. If we're going to win it we need a nice grippy track. Like Friday but without the extra rain falling throughout would be perfect. Rather doubt we'll get it though. Brandon is crap when slick. Fingers crossed for some dirt or it could prove to be a bore-fest.

http://www.speedwayworld.tv/en/swc/a7523 £23 standing

Because they have a handful to choose from, and Charlie is generally a bit 'iffy' around Brandon.

You'll never be a journo with dodgy quotes...unless you want to work for the Sun. -------------------------------------- On topic... I seem to recall that Lubos rode well last year, on a crap track, and was a tad unlucky not to score one or two more.

Silver Bee will be pleased. Rumour is he was going to cancel his trip over the Prague if Lubos wasn't riding. :0 Okay, not really. I'd like to see Filip get a ride. I saw him ride a few times last season, and he's a good looking (speedway wise before anyone says anything) rider.

You mean as long as he hasn't put it back on! He's been good value at Brandon this season. On one of his earlier visits he had to slow down for Crump to stay on a 5-1.

Anybody else think Billy Forsberg should have been included?

Thanks for the info. Shame Roman is injured, best wishes to him, but it'll be interesting to see Danil again. He did okay against tough opposition last season.

I listened to these clips today. What a fantastic insight. Some of you may have read comments by Erik, but to hear it all in his own words is pure magic. Some of the raw emotion that he still feels really comes across in some of the clips. It's an absolute must for any fan, but especially so for a Cradley fan. Many thanks to Tony for taking the time to edit and post the clips. It's very much appreciated.

Certainly helps.

Exactly my point with regard to the music that's played. There's no way the guys can please everyone. They simply have to play main stream music to please the masses. One of them, Bart I think, has already adressed this. He said it was a mistake.

Ed would be next in line should a replacement by required at Brandon. Positive thinking though. They (the first choice squad) will all be there.

I can only echo the above. Just post in the relevant area when you're planning your next trip. There's speedway every day of the week, weather permitting, here in Britain. Plenty of scope for fitting in as many meetings as you like. You're not on your own in looking forward to next year either. It was such a fantastic weekend. Luckily for me I've got a couple of breaks coming up, including the Czech GP, to keep me going until Cardiff '09.

I can see all the points of view on them really. I have to agree with Gem though. Give me anything but some would-be musicians.

Isn't that just sods law?! I have a habit of writing the riders' total score in before heat 15 (expect those nominated). Every now and again I get caught out when a reserve is required. So I rub out his score, and he finishes last. Good job I don't buy a programme that I want filled out accurately really. That was another one. Forgot about that one.

Have you read any of my posts on the subject of Cardiff? I have no complaints. I love the place.

Just looking through the results the Brits were $h!t£. Congrats to the qualifiers.

Of course. We could all live on a park bench if we so choose.

Perhaps so. I can't remember the exact details. That is utterly ridiculous, and clearly a very weak referee.

Unfortunately it's simple supply and demand economics. If anyone here owned a hotel in Cardiff you would do likewise. If not your business would probably go bust as you failed to maximise your profits. As a customer on the wrong side of profit margins it's bl00dy annoying to see costs rise left, right and centre. You only have to look at the profit that the big names announce every year to realise that we get ripped off every day. That's life!

If a second GP were held here at a big stadium (London or Edinburgh etc) I would try to get to both, but that would depend on the cash flow. Cardiff is a must now. Particularly, as stated earlier, because I do really like the City. If the second were held at a regular speedway track at a reasonable cost I would almost certainly go, depending on the location and travel conditions on the day.

I've been to Edinburgh and like the City. If I could afford two 'big' GP's then I would be happy to go there. I still think that going to two high price events would be out of reach for too many people, and that a second GP in Britain would have to be at a more reasonable rate on a 'normal' track.