21st century heathen

You don't not select Chris this season, on a track he has a record, because he had a 'mare at the last WC. All the Brits I named down to Simon have good career records at Brandon.

Good idea to have a reserve. In fact I'd go so far as to say it's common sense. Having 'our' round at Cov is fantastic news. Only Floppy of the obvious names doesn't ride it particularly well. Scott Lee Chris H Mark L are dead certs if fit. Then take your pick from.. David H Chris L Joe Simon David N You could even add... Olly Lewis Deano as outsiders if we have an injury crisis. Whoever is in form should get the nod. We will be strong at home this year, but Poland will be tough unless we have our first choice big track riders on form.

or a gas mask, or a suit of armour. Y'know...just if you need one. Incidentally, I paid more for my Sparta Praha football shirt than I did for my Ceska one. Would have thought it'd have been the other way around.

No Kev, not a million miles away. Oh c'mon, you know you'd have done the same if I'd posted that. Ahhhh yes. Trust me give good advice the day after it's of any use. I understand BA have also stopped some flights. It sounds like it should get sorted out relatively quickly though. If there were any serious dangers there would be no flights at all.

I've only done Prague, Stockholm (although it was the one that was moved to Avesta at the last minute) and Copenhagen. Of the three I'd recommend Prague as a fantastic all rounder. It's the cheapest of the three. It's quick and easy to get to. The city is very nice. The track may be a little way out of the city centre, but it's not a problem to get to. Public transport is cheap and reliable. And as for the speedway itself, when the track is prepared well it can be very good indeed. Prices are certainly edging up, but it's a lot cheaper than here or Scandi. If you want to do it on the cheap then look for apartments to rent in the private sector, and check out flights from smaller UK airports such as those suggested. Just check the small print for add ons such as tax. Also have a look at Bristol. I have an Aunt and Uncle that go to Prague every year, and the last I heard they use it all the time. I've never looked myself as I'd rather pay extra for the convenience of B'ham just up the road/tracks. And as a footnote to all this, and a side step from speedway, go to Stockholm. Loved it, and I will have to go back there one day.

Had the same problem the firdt year. Looked into going down on the train, but couldn't get one back.

It peaked in 2002, dipped badly over two years, and has levelled off in the past two years. I can't see where you get "...increase again..." from?

Well it's not just peaked, it's dipped since 2002. I'm not expected it to suddenly rise by 10,000, but if there was a slight upwards trend that would be good. It would only take 1 in every 40 people to bring a mate the following year (for eg). Personally I think the cost is the biggest problem. How are you going to attract any but the 'biggest' speedway fans at this kind of prices? I love speedway )and Cardiff for that matter), and I haven't decided whether I'm going to splash out yet. The money I'd spend going to the Cardiff GP next season would pay for me to go to B'ham once a month instead.

I was talking about a general in dip in 2004 alone. If you at the past stats, there's a clear dip at most GP's that year. Attendances recover for 2005 and 2006. You're right that they've clearly been rounded up to the nearest sensible number. Too many rounds? It's about right IMO. The variety of tracks is there, sadly the track prep. is generally poor. You can hardly blame BSI for a rider being as good as TRick has been, and Crump last season. Not if you look at the stats. The SWC has been a huge success. With all the moaning we do about one thing or another I think that should be acknowledged more readily.

That's disappointing for Cardiff, although still by a long way the best supported meeting in world speedway. I too would have thought Prague would be higher. Certainly over 10,000. A strange pattern that's immediately obvious is a general dip in attendance throughout 2004. Why was that?

I noticed that. He'll bee a fully fledged Cov fan soon. There were a couple of times I was screaming at the tv for Greg to squeeze Crump out. As with the first GP last year, Nicki wouldn't have given Crump the room to just ride past so easily. Not sure if that was tongue-in-cheek, but Nicki is a much better all reound rider these days. He's calmed down since his early years. A bit like Gollob. He was a lethal weapon when he first came on the scene. We've been saying it's his last chance for years. I think it's too late for Leigh to win it now. He should make another top 5 in a solid season, but he seems to lack the extra little bit of something you need to take the championship. It's a shame that he's never really had a proper run at a title, because he's been one of the best league riders for a long time now.

He'll have a very good view of the other riders rear tyre wear. Give him a decent amount of dirt, and he'll chase anybody down from tapes to flag. He's fantastic to watch, but he has to improve his gating. If you're last out the gate in the GP you might catch one, or maybe two. You can't chase down all three like he does in the league though. I have my fingers crossed that he has a great season.

You meant it...it just didn't really mean anything.

To be fair you could state a case for virtually all GP riders making a final, then there's a 75% chance of a podium place. I see what you're say though, and yes he could grab a podium.

Oh crap - I'm thinking the same as SC.

I'm thinking along the lines of many of the comments already posted. Crump is clearly the man to beat, but he's not unbeatable. I'd love to see Greg do it again, obviously, but I think another podium would be a major result for him as he is now of an advanced age. Hans is now truly world class, and will challenge. If you add his average number of points scored for the GP's he missed last year, he'd have been hanging on to Crumps dirt deflector. He's got a genuine chance. AJ could be a spoiler this coming season. He was more consistent last year, and surely he must go on to win more GP's. He couldn't be another Adams, could he? Speaking of Leigh, I think he'll be in and around the top 5 all season. The pattern seems set for Leigh now though. He just seems to lack a real killer instinct when it really matters. He'll take vital points off the other top boys, and this may just help Crump. Gollob is not the threat he was, but in Poland is certainly is. He could win there, and I believe that Bjarne also has a GP win in him next season. Again, they could be vital dropped points for the title challengers. That brings me to my tip. If Crump doesn't win it I think Nicki will take a second world title. He had a dip last season with his wrist/arm problems, but if he's fully fit he's right up there with Crump, Hans, and Greg.

Steve - While I may agree that a couple of big names would attract more fas, I don't agree that it will make the event/racing any better. As for you "...tried their best..." comment, well!!!

I don't disagree. In my ideal little world the cost issue had been sorted, and I was putting forward a proposal for the meeting formats.

Yes I have. Don't knock that sea breeze. It kept someone cold enough that I was able to give out lots of hugs to keep her warm. Absolutely Jim. It all comes down to cold, hard, cash. In my plan above I presented the way the day could run if the cost issue had been removed, or moe likely passed on to the fans.

I guess you can relate? All I actually achieved was to pick up fairy germs. I've been thinking something similar. I think these large (in £ terms) venues may mean that only one or two could be added. With Brighton, Newport, and Telford already established we could add B'ham in 2nd/3rd week of Jan, and perhaps one other in Nov if that were a success (just for eg). B'ham NIA would be perfect. Very easy for everyone to get to. Although I realise those from the south coast (and France ) would have further to go, you could more easily attract fans from the Midlands northwards. It's only a stroll into the city centre for the break between meetings. Plenty of parking, places to eat and drink around the NIA itself. I would tweak the format used at Brighton and Telford. I would retain an afternoon and evening meeting. A better deal for the purchase of tickets for both meetings. The afternoon meeting to be a GB v The Rest of the World Select. Each team has a recognised team manager that will select 8 riders each. The first two heats will feature the bottom 3 riders from each team. The first two in each heat will represent their respective 'country' as reserves (6 and 7 in the team). The third placed rider becomes a meeting reserve for his 'country'. If a rider is injured he comes in as straight replacement. The meeting is then run over 15 heats, league format, and league rules, with the exception that an injured rider will be replaced by the meeting reserve as detailed above. The evening meeting is 16 rider individual meeting, featuring all 16 riders from the earlier meeting, using a standard race format. (None of this top two into a final, and a run off crap). Top points scorer wins, run-offs for rostrum places if needed. Two stand-by reserves could be called in for this meeting in case of injury. The first meeting will begin at 13:00 and the evening meeting at 19:00. The first meeting gives everyone plenty of time to get to B'ham (or alternative central location) without having to start out too early. The evening meeting gives people plenty of time to grab a bite to eat, and take it easy, before tapes up. Constructive comments welcome.

You'd be okay if it was at the NIA as there are 3 in central B'ham. Locations

I think the whole point is that the Midlands is far easier to get to for the vast majority of people to get to.

Fair enough. My Mom and Dad couldn't remember where it was, but I do remember that it was sponsored by Lada. See, there was logic.

This might be the meeting I have recorded from 1983(?). It was ridden on concrete. It featured a few big names having a laugh. Even Kenny Carter joked about only being able to lead Jan Andersson for half a lap of the 120 yard(?) track. A very young Kelvin Tatum rode for as well. Erik and Hans rode for the World Select against England.

There's always Lauren, but she was spoken for last I knew.