21st century heathen

Just been talking to a mate about this via SMS. The highlight of the season, nah decade!!! I think Chris Louis was laughing more than any of us. Superb tactics, and his reation to Roman for 'letting' Mikael through was classic. This is the kind of thing you'd expect from the U.S., and Gollob has to be at the bottom of the list of most likely. (along with Max, Rickardsson, Crump.) Anyone who hasn't seen it, make it your lifes ambition. Has to be seen to be believed.

Fair play to all the lads for doing their best while being interviewed (incl. Tomasz) Must be more nerve racking than riding. Hampel was absolutely superb on the night, and you can add his name to the list of riders who have riden above themselves. (copied below in case you missed my previous post) Riders of the competition so far. Jason C, Leigh, Lee, Nicki have all been as superb as you'd expect. Apart from them I'd like to give a special mention to David N, Jason L, Matej Z, Joonas K, Bo Brhel, and Jarek I think all those riders have riden better than we might have expected.

Hope this is not a copy cat crap thread (see Leigh Adams thread). :roll: :? :evil: Worth reminding you though that Ryan could hardly walk after his last ride, having hurt his back going through one of the ruts. Whatever the truth here, I for one hope Ryan isn't doing any long term damage by riding through shoulder and back injuries. October can't come quickly enough for at least one rider.

Very well done to the Brits. I'll be honest I wasn't convinced by the choice of Deano, Havy, and Floppy, but how wrong can you be, they got much closer than I expected. Lee was fantastic, and Scotty did his bit. Floppy was sensational. Sadly this is where reality must set in. We only got so close because of the joker, which is a ridiculous rule. From the Aussies point of view, what a time for Todds chain to come off. Havy gave it everything but wasn't on the pace of the Aussies, and only Matej out of the other two teams was anywhere near on the pace, so beating them is nothing to shout about. Deano had one outstanding ride to pass Todd, but apart from that he only really outpaced the 'also rans'. The play off is going to be very tough. Either, Sweden or Poland, Czecho, Finland(?). There are a lot of riders there who can take points off us. It's going to be very close, and very hard. Riders of the competition so far. Jason C, Leigh, Lee, Nicki have all been as superb as you'd expect. Apart from them I'd like to give a special mention to David N, Jason L, Matej Z, Joonas K, Bo Brhel. I think all those riders have riden better than we might have expected.

I'm probably being incredibley dense, but why isn't Hampel riding?

Thought there might be a few responses to this one. We could be in for a very close finish to the GP season if they keep taking points off each other.

Simply question really. Never has there been an opportunity such as this year for us to have a different winner at each GP. Just wondered what people think. It's possible I think. What price Greg to win in Sweden, Lukas in Czecho, Tomasz in Poland, and Scott in Norway? If not who's going to be the first rider to win two this year? I'd have to go with Nicki as the most likely at the moment. Any thoughts?

Hate it when someone else spots your mistakes before you can change them. Hope I get this post right. With respect to the riders coming in, it does provide a much weakened line up doesn't it. :-(

Hard to see past Jason so... 1)Crump 2)Nicholls 3)Hancock 4)Sullivan Semis Rickardsson Dryml Jonsson Pedersen

So we weaken the teams, and rule out more world class riders. Yeah, good move :? :evil: If Britain is going to remain the place to be in world speedway you can't rule out the big boys before a wheel has turned.

Well done Nicki. Great result for one the best entertainers out there. Scott - very unlucky to be caught out by the track. AJ - very unlucky to be excluded. Having watched the replays over and over I thought Tony was to blame on that one. Crumpie - seems to have had a bit of an attitude adjustment. To me he seemed commited without being overly aggressive. Greg - Another final. Making a bit of a come back after a couple of tough years. 3 out of the last 4 finals for Herbie. Keep it up Grin. Tomasz B and Pepe are impressing me this year. Starting to turn in some good solid performances, and beating riders many wouldn't expect them to. Good experience for the young Brits. Great to see Simon and Chris beat Tomasz G. Disappointed with David. He's not having a great season but he's certainly young enough to come back. I thought the track held up better then the last two years. Perhaps they should let the dirt build up on the outside though. As Ryan showed in last years final if there's dirt out there you can use it.

Stereophonics? They've got a new album out haven't they?

Don't agree on much do we :roll: :clown Your right though. I guess front row's OK but wouldn't want to be up in the Gods.

Ideal 1.Scott 2.Lee 3.Chris 4.David Realistic 1.Greg 2.Ryan 3.Tony 4.Jason Anyone interseted in betting can get 50/1 on Chris Harris winning. Shorter odds than the likes of PK, Todd, and Jason Lyons!!! (William Hill)

First year I sat on the lower which was great. Last year I sat on the middle, which I thought was better. Never been to the upper but I'd imagine it's too steep a viewing angle.

That's fantastic news Anyone know what sort of crowd is expected this year? I've heard 50,000(ish)

You can't miss the stadium because it's right in the middle of the city. One piece of advice though. Going in to the stadium fairly early makes it a damn sight easier to get to your seat. No need to climb over everyone as you would by going in about half hour before it starts. I'd say go in a couple of hours before, and you'll see the place fill up. The noise gets progressively louder, and you can feel the atmos building. Easiest way to park is to follow everyone else, or follow signs to the park and ride. I would suggest at least 2/3 refills for your air horns. Oh, and if you have sensitive ears then some ear defenders wouldn't go amiss. Don't think you'll be wearing your jacket mate. Weather forecast for Sat in Cardiff. Clear blue sky, light SE breeze, sun index 12, p.m. temps reaching 100F for the first time (officially) in the UK. Maybe you could carry a red rose instead?

Yeah, more fashionable than a sun hat! Keep the faith. Remember the sun shines on the righteous.

Yeah but that's not important when it's your team winning, right Steve

If memory serves I'm in M28, so looks like you're the nearest Tina.

Sun glasses - Gonna be a nice day guys. 8)

I know I've quoted myself but I couldn't be bothered to write it again. As for the swearing. Are we really going to start keeping count of who says what, and how many times? :roll: Why is it so bad that Jason and Colin swore, and even Ralf Schumacher, but it was funny when Hans swore? (which I thought it was by the way ) Have the people moaning or handing out admonition not heard swearing before? It's all around you. It's on just about every film rated 15 or above, and most TV shows after 9p.m. You hear it in the street, you hear it at work, the list goes on. At the end of the day, whether you like it or not, it's a part of modern day society in western culture. You can't stop it, and you can't change it. If you're that bothered I suggest you turn off the TV/Radio, switch off your mobile, unplug your PC, burn your books, and curl up in your bed for the duration of what's left of your lives. S41T happens, get over it! (this is not aimed at anyone in particular, and I'm sorry if you think I've gone OTT but that's just my view)

Stop it, you're embarassing me

Well things certainly have got out of hand haven't they. I'll suggest a simple strategy if I may. If you find you are becoming offended by postings on any given thread then stop reading them. If you were offended by something on the TV you'd turn it off or over, right? If you were reading something you found offensive you'd turn the page or put it down, right? Why should this forum be viewed any different? If someone swears at you, rather then to you which is quite different, then ignore the post and let the mods do their job. You don't have to respond to aggresive or personally offensive posts. Ignore it, and continue posting on the original subject if that's what you want to do. If you recieve offensive E-mails then deal with them in the same way you would if you had recieved then from any other source than this forum. If someone has anything constructive to say to me about this post I will give their opinion due respect, read it, and reply. If someone decides to have a go at me for offering an opinion I'll ignore it. (that's not any kind of accusation, just taking my own advice) Life's too short guys.

sandman - while we should all show women, and men, and kids, the respect they deserve it's been a while since we had to worry about weak, fragile women who couldn't take care of themselves. These days women even swear themselves :!: The cameraman in question was NOT a Sky cameraman so all concerned please leave Sky out of it. The cameraman was being very intrusive. Jason had quietly gone aside, where he thought he was out of the limelight, to reflect and gather his thoughts. It's all well and good the cameraman followong him, and even him being shown on TV (I'm sure Jason would expect that) but the cameraman should then have left him alone. He didn't he just stood there pointing the camera at him. This would be disconcerting at the best of times, but Jason was clearly very upset. A little respect, for a man who DOES have feelings, was called for, but was sadly missing. As for the racing I thought both Greg, and Lee, were victims of circumstance in racing incidents. Both, given the fact that someone had to be excluded, were rightly excluded. Very harsh on both of them, but them's the rules. Scott needs to keep his cool in these big matches. I'm sure he can give anyone a run for the money in the world championship as far as talent is concerned, but can he get his head together? Bajerski was good value, as was Lukas ofcause. Ryan looked fast, and was a worthy winner. Especailly coming off gate three. The track could have been so much better which was really annoying. For anyone not there picture the scene. Warm, sunny evening. Hard, smooth track. Well watered, and graded through the afternoon. After a few races the dirt starts to build up from mid to outside of the track. In the advert breaks a dirty great tractor comes out and litterally takes all the dirt off the outside with the blade. :evil: :evil: :evil: This was the reason the inside was the place to be all night. The track was natuarally producing an grippier outside line but it was quickly removed. Bloody annoying!!! At one point the dirt was taken from the outside and placed in a line that Tony took around the first turn. From gate one to mid track on the first turn. You could see the dark line where they put the dirt, and the bare base on the outside. Even the Swedes sat in front of me admitting the track was prepared for Tony, and even they felt it was unfair. Such a shame because we all know the GP riders are capable of putting on a fantastic show for us if the track is right.