21st century heathen

Assuming that's gospel then fair enough. It was obvious Nicki genuinely thought he had a case, rather than just sour grapes.

On reflection I shouldn't have added that to the end of my post. I had made my point. For that I apologise. I do find it increasing annoying that people seem to be queueing up to have a dig at Nicki whatever he does. Nicki isn't the only person to have ever done it. He just happened to be caught in camera. Like someone else said if the camera had gone up and down the pits you'd have probably turned off! I'm not exactly his biggest fan but I like to watch him at his best. There are few braver, more commited riders than him. I don't want to reopen the Nicki debate so I hope nobody uses my post as an excuse. I see what you're saying but I don't think it was that big a lock up that t should have caused a problem. Lindgren(?) had a good view going round the corner, should have seen it coming and reacted. Like I said tough call, but a hrash decision.

Nicki does nothing wrong on the track so you find something else to have a go at him about...and some of the younger members are accused of being immature. Pathetic! As has been shown he was well within his rights to complain about Gollob, or rather the bike. The fact that it doesn't improve the performance of the bike for Tomasz is beside the point. Nickis argument stands. What's the point of having rules if they're not adhered to. Tomaszs' bike was not within the regulations, and so he should be excluded. What if his silencer fell off or something like that. He'd be excluded. Where's the difference? Having said that it would have been the ref's fault for not giving him time to fix it. On the subject of the ref... Words fail me. The tapes made a mockery of the entire night. He got every decission wrong in my opinion. Kaj L should not have been excluded. The more I wathced the replays the more I thought he just locked up and got clattered. Any following rider should have had time to make some sort of effort to miss him. A tough call but the wrong decision in my opinion. Tony and Jason should have been excluded, but why did he stop the race. Jason fell but was re-mounting, and Tony had an ef and ground to a halt on the outside out of the way. With the leader on the third turn, and having decided to stop it he gave himself a problem. The only reason he could ahve stopped the race would be for Jason falling. That makes Jason the primary cause, and Tony wasn't under power. You can't put them all back. Ridiculous decission. Now I would love to see Tony go on to break the record as much as anyone but... He clearly knocked Greg off. It wasn't all 4 bunching. There was plenty of room for Tony to turn naturally but he didn't. Greg had absolutely nowhere to go. Tony caused Greg to fall. The race was stopped, Tony has to be excluded. It got worse when he took out Tomasz. This was even more clear cut. I'd love to read Steve S comments if it had been Nicki inside Tony with the same outcome. Tony took him uot big time. I'm sure there was no intention what-so-ever, but Tomasz has the burns on his hand to prove there was contact. (and plenty of it) Poor old Jesper. On his way to a dream result, and he gets knocked off. Again no intentio but clearly there was contact. Anyone who's not sure take a look at the replay again. The dirt deflector hits Jespers foot. You can see Jespers foot go forward as the dirt deflector knocks his foot from under him. This unbalances him going into the corner, and there's only one place he's going to end up. Worst ref I can remember seeing. It's bad enough getting one big decision wrong, but all of them?!!! Overall I thought it was an all or nothing GP. Either the riders were spaced out by 30 yards or they were brilliant races. Sadly more spaced out, but better than some one-off tracks. Well done to the top 4 on a good start. Special mention to Lee, Mark, Bo, Bjarne, Greg and Jesper who all had good rides and will settle for that I guess. Better to be in the mid-field than go out after two rides.

Well I may not make the list for Lioness, but I've won £13 + my £2 stake off William Hill.

That's probably because you're a Cradley fan and it would be genetically impossible for you to support Kenny Carter. True enough, but what about Kenny Carters' British Final win? Surely that has to rank right up there. Even I have to give him credit for that one.

Hell yeah!!! Bruce is the first rider I can remember, but only bearly. '83 is the first year I have any particular memories. The only exception is seeing Lance King practice at the end of '82 before joining us. Strange I remember that very clearly. (I was only 6) I seem to remember Phil Collins as much as anybody.

Sounds like fun, as long as someone else is counting I work with figures so I don't think my brain would cope if I had to do it at the weekend as well.

Remember that one too. Only the last 2 heats were shown on tv. Now that was what they used to call nudging the tapes Sensational first corner by Shawn only to suffer an ef. I can remember being gutted because when I was a kid I never liked the English rider, but did like the Americans and Danes. Before anyone gets on my back I was 7. Will have to put some thought into this for you. I can remember Greg and Billy turning a match on its head for us at Wolves. I'll see if I can find the details.

Oh yeah

Currently on offer by William Hill (taken from ther website) T Rickardsson 5/2 J Crump 5/2 R Sullivan 13/2 L Adams 13/2 N Pedersen 10/1 That's worth a couple of quid M Max 16/1 So's that G Hancock 16/1 T Gollob 20/1 and that...how's his form? S Nicholls 20/1 R Holta 33/1 Great outside bet at that price L Dryml 33/1 H Anderson 33/1 B Pedersen 33/1 A Jonsson 33/1 J Hampel 40/1 M Loram 50/1 Very tempting L Richardson 66/1 P Protasiewicz 100/1 P Ljung 125/1 J Jensen 125/1 If you fancy a real outsider then why not F Lindgren 125/1 K Laukkanen 150/1 B Brhel 150/1 A Dryml 150/1 Realistically you have to look at the usual suspects. 1) Leigh 2) Jason 3) Tony 4) Nicki To just miss out in no patricular order. Hans Greg Rune Ryan Good luck if you're having a flutter.

No prob's So would having my e-mail addy open to all and sundry help me get a more in depth answer?

Yes it is. Before the last race Ole was fuming with Steve B having an ef while leading. When interviewed he was adamant Tommy and Gary would get the 4-2 to win the match 40-38. The first defeat of the season for Cradley, but just a minor glitch. It's the only time I've ever seen two riders excluded for touching the tapes at the same time, although they did do it twice. There was a cracking race between Grahame and Guglielmi mid match. Shoulder to shoulder racing, no funny business, and total respect for each other. Ahhhhhhhh the good old days. (mixed feelings)

Sadly Cradley lost this one. Details as follows... Ole Olsen 3 - 1 1 5 Sam Nikolajsen xfell 3 2* 3 8+1 Tommy Knudsen 3 3 xtapes 3 9 Steve Bastable - - 2* ef 2+1 Gary Guglielmi 2 2 2 1 7 Kevin Hawkins 2 - - 2 Rick Miller 1* 3 3 - 7+1 Lance King 1* 2 1 4+1 Simon Wigg 2 1* 1 - 4+1 Phil Collins 2 1 - 3 6 Alan Grahame 1* 3 2 2 8+1 Erik Gundersen 3 2 xtapes 3 2* 10+1 Peter Ravn 3 1* - - 4+1 Jan O. Pedersen - 1 1 2 Heat 1. Olsen, Wigg, King, Nikolajsen (ex. fell) 3-3 Heat 2. Ravn, Hawkins, Miller, Pedersen 6-6 Heat 3. Knudsen, Collins, Grahame, Bastable 9-9 Heat 4. Gundersen, Guglielmi, Pedersen, Hawkins 11-13 Heat 5. Knudsen, King, Wigg, Bastable 14-16 Heat 6. Nikolajsen, Gundersen, Ravn, Olsen 17-19 Heat 7. Grahame, Guglielmi, Collins, Hawkins 19-23 Heat 8. Miller, Nikolajsen, King, Ravn 24-24 Heat 9. Miller, Bastable, Pedersen, Ravn 29-25 Knudsen & Gundersen ex tapes res. Miller & Pedersen Heat 10. Nikolajsen, Grahame, Olsen, Collins 33-27 Heat 11. Gundersen, Guglielmi, Wigg, Miller 35-31 Gundersen t/s Heat 12. Collins, Gundersen, Olsen, Bastable (ef) 36-36 Heat 13. Knudsen, Grahame, Guglielmi, Wigg 40-38 Think that covers it. May I ask what you need this particular match for?

I think I might have. I have got a match that was televised. I am almost certain it's the right one. Give me a day or 2 to find it out, and make a note of the details.

DD - I certainly have no problem with you personally, and welcome anyone's opinion (in general). I did feel that "This thread is a load of old cobblers" and "What sad people you are" was unnecessary and a little disrespectful to tmc, who started the thread, and those who posted answers. I believe the purpose of the thread was to promote answers such as my original post. (particularly re Pratt, because I really would pay good money to see him ride) If I got the wrong end of the stick I apologise.

So why bother to contribute to it. If you're not interested, and have nothing of value to add then don't waste your time here.

Well here's what the bookies thinkWilliam Hill You have to say the smart money would be on Jason. I'm not entirely convinced he can change though. I don't think the hot headed Jason can keep it togehter under pressure. Has Tony passed his peak? It's hard to say that the young guns have passed him yet. Surely he's still in with a genuine shot at it. We all know that Nicki won't hand over the tittle without a fight. Leigh is good enough to get in everybodys way but never has the consistancy in the gp's that he shows in the league. Greg will do about the same as Leigh. So who does that leave. For me the only others who will push the top two all the way will be Ryan and Scott. Gaters tracks don't suit the racer, Scott, so with all that in mind I'll stick my neck out and go for Ryan.

The Americans, Danes, and Cradley were always good value for team riding, and brilliant individuals. In the 80's at least...my memory doesn't go back as far as some of you. (and as much as you'd like to condemn me for a biased answer it would be soooooo hard to argue with me on this one ) I'd love to travel back in time to see Pratt ride. It's just so hard to imagine him ever completing 4 laps. Ohhh...and Briggs, and Mauger.

Fingers crossed. I mentioned some time ago that my bro had seen a display in B-ham library being erected that had speedway pics on it. Obviously the council are behind the idea. Can you imagine having the Midlands teams all back in action. Cradley, Wolves, Coventry, B-ham, even Leicester. I'll keep dreaming if you do.

I've been to Malmö a couple of times, and I have to say that it's not the most exciting city in the whole world :-( so why did you go back

The holiday is booked. Now all I need is any info you guys think will be useful. I plan to go over to Sweden for a day aswell so any info on Malmo would be gratefully recieved. Thanks in advance.

The best way to get around (I found) was to pre-book your transfer straight from the airport to the hotel, and back. This way you have a price up front. Never let the driver put your cases in the boot and get in the car before you. I was told they have been know to drive off if they take a disliking to you, or there's any arguments about the cost. After this getting around is no problem. A stroll around the tourist areas is never too far for even the least fit. The only exception I can think of is the walk up to the castle. Just catch the tram. Be warned the majority of the tourist areas, old town and Charles Bridge particularly, are cobbled. No high heels ladies, or gents!!! The tourist travel card is a must. You can get a 1, 3 or 7 day pass (if memory serves). You can use it as many times as you like from the the time you get it to that time however many days later. It's very, very cheap and it allows you to use any public transport within the city centre. Be advised plain clothes officers may be around looking for anyone trying to get a free ride. Always carry you travel card. The officers will flash a metal disk as ID. Just show them your card. On the subject of money. It will certainly last if you're smart. Obviously the tourist areas can get away with higher costs. Just go round the corner instead. A lot of people sit around in the old town square at night. Rather than going to one of the bars, get a drink from one of the fast food 'stalls' (they sell burgers, chips, soft drinks, bottles of beer) and park yourself with everyone else. There are benches, but they are taken pretty quickly, everybody else ends up sitting on the floor in groups. There's a great atmosphere there, and never any hint of friction between the wide variety of nationalities. (Police armed to the teeth helps) Word to the wise again. If you're on the floor watch out for the presents left by the horses. I took Thomas Cook travellers cheques. There are two offices in the city centre. The one is by the Tesco in the main shopping area, and I can't think where the other was off the top of my head. All you'll need is a photocopy of your passport to prove you're you. Enjoy!!!

I went in 2002. I faxed my request for tickets, and got the 'voucher' faxed back to me for pricely sum of nothing.

Well I'm shocked. I can't believeanybody genuinely thinks Penhall was at fault.

Can't believe I've only just spotted this thread I think this must be the kid my Dad told me about. If so the story goes that he didn't want his Mom to know he was riding so he rode under a false name. This was only because his Mom read the paper, and she would have seen his name in the post match report. His Dad drove him to and from matches. If memory serves he was only found out when he got injured and had to come clean about what happened. As for the best team then you can't beat the '83 side for an actual team. If you're looking at fantasy teams made up from the best of the best then the following aint too bad. 1) Bruce 2) Erik 3) Jan 4) Greg 5) Billy 6) Simon C (pre injury) 7) Peter N (brilliant in his short spell) ...and I can't believe the names that have to left out when you narrow it down to just 7. Somebody listed the number of champions but what about Alan in the '84(?) world final. 2 rides as a reserve, a win and a second. Bloody good hey If you need any facts the Cradley site is packed full of them. Cradley Speedway