JamesHarris

The Russians would still be a class above. That said I have noticed a big improvement in the Western riders over the last two years. The main thing is they have got used to winning and not just making up the numbers and winning the odd race. I think that has made a huge impact on their competitive mentality and has improved the quality of racing. Who knows how long the Russians will be barred from the World Championship but as the saying goes - Make hay while the sun shines.

I'll add Ingar Hvamstad onto that list. Rode for Poole in 1996. I believe he was initially Lars Gunnestad's mechanic. Sadly he took his own life not long after. Talking of Lars Gunnestad his son Daniel came very close to riding for Somerset in 2009. Daniel came over to ride for the Team Viking touring team that year and impressed the promotion during a second half there. They had to cover injury and needed a 5 point rider. In the end it came down to finances and logistics and instead they opted for Jari Makkinen.

Probably not a popular opinion but I've thought for a while now that the speeds of the modern speedway bike are no longer suited to Cardiff and any of the other indoor tracks. The circuits are just too small and tight. I'm sure Hancock said in an interview this year that you have to have a separate bike set up just for these tracks. The indoor stadium tracks are all about prestige and putting speedway in the limelight I suppose but just stick to proper circuits. I've been to Cardiff a couple of times and it was more about the atmosphere than the racing. Had some good times but I think the time is right to move the GP elsewhere though I do think a double header at Belle Vue is stupid.

Hi, I'm doing some research into World Finals and after a bit of help please. Does anybody know what the track length was in Malmo for the 1961 World Final? Many thanks.

I do agree with you but Celina is in a no win situation here (apart from the meeting). She is being used as an "inclusive" box ticking exercise by the Workington promotion and the FIM when it's suits them. She's nowhere near the same standard as Championship middle order riders but at the same time she is far too good for the other female riders. I've nothing against a lady riders World Championship but it is simply a novelty meeting.

The Speedway stadiums past and present group is still there. FB groups can be a funny old thing and can quickly stray away from their intended subject. As a group becomes bigger they become a nightmare to moderate if you're the admin. The biggest problems are the spammers and those from other groups who see fit to take over your page to promote their material. Unfortunately there are also just some very nasty people who are hell bent on trolling.

It is strange only seeing one Swede (Lindgren) in the GP but I don't think they are on the decline. They have a good youth system but it could just be the current crop of their international are not top class. Countries that once dominated tend to have dips. It happened to the Danes in the years between Nielsen's retirement and the emergence of Nicki Pedersen. The Aussies had a duff period for a while until Crump and Adams started to make a name for themselves and even the Yanks are going through that stage now though Luke Becker is approaching the breakthrough stage of his career. I would say given a few years time there will be some more top class Swedes.

Really excited for this one today. If I have my maths correct Niedermaier has to win the meeting and hope Haarahiltunen finishes no better than 3rd to force a run-off or alternatively finish 5 Grand Prix points clear to take the crown outright? Edit - That was one of the best meetings of any Speedway discipline I've ever seen. The sign up fee to watch all four meetings was worth it and excellent value for money.

Is this still the same line-up please? thanks

I hope she does prove me wrong. I really do. However I see through this as the publicity stunt that it is and if Celina doesn't cut the mustard she'll be cast aside once the novelty of putting bums on seats and the media attention dies away. Some of you may know I ran a Scandinavian Touring team in the 2010's. There was a really good female rider called Nanna Jorgensen I wanted to bring over and I will put my hand up and say I thought it would bring us good publicity as well as giving Nanna a platform. However Nanna was very honest and said she wasn't good enough to race in the UK and I believe she was a better rider than Celina. I also gave outings to Rachel Hellowell when I ran the MDL. The difference now is Celina happens to be in the right place when companies want to be seen as ultra inclusive but I feel she is also being used.

I assume you are a smart person so what do you think? One can look at this two ways. 1 - the rose tinted way of how wonderful and progressive this is. Equality for women in Speedway. Or 2 The realistic way - This is a PR masterpiece. Lets jump on the equality and diversity bandwagon. The media will be all over it and it may get us a few more sponsors in the meantime. I'll let you decide.

Afraid so. It is only fair she is given a few meetings but I've always said this looks certain to be a PR stunt and a box ticking exercise that will backfire and if it does then it will put women's speedway back again as no promoter will ever touch a female rider for a long time after.

I asked a question some time ago on here as to who was the last non Russian to win a round prior to them being kicked out and I'm sure the answer was Gunther Bauer in 2003. Could be wrong though. Gunther is there in Inzell so you could always ask him

I've just paid for it. Seems a good deal. There is a pirate stream on FB but the anti virus on my laptop won't touch it. It's flagged up the highest security treat so not worth it.