rabbit

Well done Isle of Widget. Sounds like a good meeting too - hope everyone managed to get there in the end.

Can't you just use the one in the Speedway Star?

Steve...you're a genius! Looks like I might get to meet up with everyone at the POW after all. Seat on the bus secured - now just have to get a ticket for the actual meeting.

Well, if there any nice Poole fans who would have a spare seat for a little one I might be able to manage it. Just think it might be too late now though.

My worst fears realised about the traffic and getting to this meeting. Hope everyone trying to get there does - at least it's a delayed start now for those stuck intraffic. Just love that M5

I know I want to, but he who must be obeyed doesn't Still I'll be there in spirit at least

Have had just a text from BobC advising of an accident between Jct22 and 23 Southbound this time (caravan has turned over). Apparently traffic already at a standstill close to the track. Obviously too late for most people travelling but might help others not quite that close to take an earlier exit if people can get a text to them.

And avoiding air-horns too from memory Gutted I won't be there this year. don't give two hoots about missing the actual GP, just the meet-up of old friends and new beforehand which is always the best bit of the day. First Cardiff I've missed and still debating whether it was the right decision or not to flog my tickets. Sure I'll be in touch with a few people by text in the afternoon, but have a great time all

Brendan Johnson for definite and I got the impression from a post by Sandie that Richard Franklin might be too.

Exactly what we said. It was a hard move and unfortunate but that's racing. Hans should know that! Great to see AJ win the final after all that but felt sorry for Adams. Thought he had it in the bag tonight just quietly getting on with toting up his points. Still not sure what is up with Bjarne - he's imperious in league racing but at the GPs you'd have a hard job believing it. Very bizarre.

Bloody amazing when they've not even ridden a meeting yet! Good to see Anton have a better meeting. It had to come...hope it's the start of a return to some sort of form for the lad.

Sleep peacefully Kenny. My sympathies go out to his family and friends.

Such tragic news following on so soon from the Garry Stead and Michal Matula incidents. Words just aren't enough to be honest.

I never said a word

Welcome to the forum Mark. Don't worry, no-one else has received theirs yet either. Would think they're imminent in the next week or so - same as previous years to be honest. Keep an eye on the forum - people will post as soon as they start arriving.

Must admit one of the biggest laughs we had all night was when they honed on the vacuous looking bimbo that was obviously 'guest of honour' whilst she was stood with Johnathon Chapman, and there was John Davis in the corner of the shot having a right old perv at her. In yer dreams JD, in yer dreams!

Must admit I was slightly disappointed with the actual meeting last night - Monmore is usually a lot better than that for racing - one of my favourites but it seemed to lack something last night. Having said that it was still an entertaining way to spend the evening. Big, big well done to Bomber. What a refreshing change this guy is, committed, gutsy, doesn't whinge and just seems to want to race every race until the flag. Couldn't have wished for a better British Champion IMO. Long may it continue. Also well done to David Howe - the guy deserves a good season and I'm pleased he has got the Wild Card. Whilst plenty of other young Brits took the easy option of dropping back to the PL when things didn't go their way, Howe always kept plugging away in the EL. Glad he's finally doing well. Which brings me to Eddie. The guy is one big talent and rode a blinder last night. Bodes well for our visits to Monmore. He just didn't have the edge over Howe but them's the breaks. Eddie's time will come and just missing out this time will give him that hunger to keep trying. Finally, bloody brilliant to finally see the new wave of British talent starting to make in roads and the old boys starting to look jaded. About time - we can't rely on the likes of Louis, Screen etc for ever and it was good to see some of the younger riders do so well. And we finally have some racers coming through. I felt heartened for British speedway's future watching that last night - now all we have to do is keep nurturing these guys!

Of course, and again, I'm not saying I'd advocate a rider going out with a bump on the head - it's a safe rule and one I agree with. Just pain isn't the only indicator of an injury - what about muscle damage - a rider being able to hang onto a bike? To turn it? What if a rider took a bang and said he was OK to go out but his injury meant he just was a danger on track. That was my point really...at what stage do you differentiate between riders being safe and not after a bad accident. I'll shut up now

No and I wasn't saying that Jagus should have ridden. Just more a case of what's the difference between Jagus hitting his head and not being allowed to continue for the obvious risks, and Nicki (or any other rider come to that) having alledged broken bones, but being able to continue. Both could potentially put other riders and themselves at risk in their next outing(s) - who's to say. I've no really issue either way, was just thinking it whilst watching the meeting and thought I'd see what others thought...

Whoops! I did follow it up with a compliment though... Agree about the bished head bit, but it does make you wonder at what point the track doctor would intervene and say to an injured rider 'you can't go out again' especially if the stakes are so high.

Sorry, have said arvo since I was about 10 and used to have Aussie penpals, if you knew me you'd know I've quite a laidback speech style when talking with loads of colloquialisms, pinched phrases and made up words all delivered with a Dorset accent. I just love the flexibility of the English glwssa. PS so it's OK to say 'Aussies' as a derivation of 'Australians', but not 'arvo' as an abbreviation of 'afternoon'. Hmm...

Finally got round to watching the meeting this arvo. A few comments...heat 8 absolutely brilliant. Best race I've seen in a long time. Surprised no-one has really mentioned it. Al four riders switching constantly for 4 laps. The track was obviously condusive to good racing at that point...so they then start putting loads of water down. Go figure - it never quitw got back to being that good. Very impressed with Lindgren but think comparisons are pointless with other riders. Freddie's time will come that's for sure. Anton is a worry, wonder how much of it is psychological now - or is his knee injury worse than is being let on. His entire riding style seems so different this year - much more rigid and not throwing himself about on the bike as he did in previous years. Nicki P - what a nut! In so much pain but carries on - fair play to the guy. His pain threshold must be set at 'screaming'. One thing that did interest me - Jagus was barred from taking further part after the crash, but Nicki was also obviously in a lot of pain and just about managing four laps. Who's to say whether he was OK to ride but Jagus not? What if Nicki had come out in his next ride, not been able to hang on and caused a major crash? Just a thought... Finally well done to Adams. A great race in the final. Hans' face looked like a smacked arse afterwards, made me chuckle, but he will still be in the mix at the end if he can carry on riding like he did last night. Pleased too that Hancock didn't profit from his little AWOL stint in the week. Fingers crossed that all riders recover from their injuries soon.

Ohhh....

'toe'-'neen'-'nio'

Ah OK, thanks. Seems an oddity but then this is speedway.