HenryW

I wouldn't rush into any decisions as both clubs seem to have potential issues for running at their respective stadiums this year

It wasn't raining at that meeting and most of the guards broke off in the early races never to be refitted, so not sure that they would have made much difference. The meeting is on youtube if you want to see it.

I haven't watched today's meeting yet so can't compare but the crowd yesterday looked fairly small in the areas you could see...lots of empty seats.It looked like pretty horrible weather, though, with fairly constant snow falling.

That was a very unexpected and heavy looking crash for Ivanov in his first race. There's been some good, close racing already in this meeting. Not so sure about the dancers currently out strutting their stuff

A good post, I enjoyed reading your views, but the thing that stood out most for me was this comment. You rate Ivan better because he had more peers "at the top level" during his career. Given the fact that it impossible to compare across eras, could you not argue that Tony was actually better because there were fewer peers able to get close to his level? I admit I am kind of playing devil's advocate with that comment, but I thought it was worth throwing out to see what people think. Personally, I rate Rickardsson as the best ever, but I only really saw Mauger at the end of his career and that obviously brings in a bias. Despite having seen plenty of videos of Ivan at his prime, the sport changed so much between their respective eras that I find it really hard to appreciate his ability in the same way as I can with Rickardsson. My all time favourite rider is still Erik Gundersen, and I still believe we would have seen more World titles from him if he hadn't had that terrible accident at Bradford in 1989. Possibly strangely, I also think Hans Nielsen would have won more World titles if Erik hadn't had that crash. Maybe I just imagine it, but it seemed like a little something was lost from Hans after that day.

I think Erik Gundersen would get into that list. He was just over an 11 average from all official matches with Cradley in the 1986 season, won the BLRC in (I think) 1983 and 1986 and obviously took his 3 individual speedway World titles in 1984, 1985 and 1988.

Edinburgh already have their number 6 sorted. That will be Max Clegg. It's a 3 point number 7 and a rider just over 6 points that Edinburgh still have to confirm.

Before the speedway moved into the stadium it had been used for stock car racing. The stock car track was longer but the speedway track has always been the same size as it is now.

I'm just guessing, but I think the biggest issue that the crowd had with that race was just how deliberate Bruce made it look. If he had ridden close to the others and looked like he was maybe making an effort he probably wouldn't have got the same abuse, it would just have been a big talking point about whether or not he tried. He made it blatant that he wasn't trying and the sporting Brits didn't like that one bit.

I guess they will still have Eurosport coverage in other Countries, it's just the British Eurosport coverage that Phil was suggesting might be lost.

Is Mark Lemon continuing as the Belle Vue and Australia team manager? If so, it's interesting that Belle Vue have signed mostly Brits...Maybe Mark and Alun should swap club roles

Is Piotr Pawlicki not too old for the reserve berth now? I thought he already turned 21 this year.

Yeah, but those lyrics were never included in the version used for the Aussie National Anthem. The second verse of the anthem is: Beneath our radiant Southern Cross We'll toil with hearts and hands To make this Commonwealth of ours Renowned of all the lands For those who've come across the seas We've boundless plains to share With courage let us all combine To Advance Australia Fair. In joyful strains then let us sing, Advance Australia Fair.

Now THAT would have me as a regular at Berwick

Yep. That was very nice to see. The money is the key factor. With speedway at Armadale seeing its biggest crowd ever tonight I am sure the Edinburgh promotion will have been rubbing their hands with glee even before the result!

Do you really not think that Sam has aspirations to make it into the series as a permanent rider?

An interesting question and not one i could answer as I generally don't think about who was running the clubs when they were doing well. The promoters don't really get much of the glory, that is reserved for the riders.

Are you thinking of Sergei Darkin?

In case anyone doesn't realise, Czech TV are making their stream of this meeting available internationally. The big names have just joined the meeting as the quarter final groups get under way. http://www.ceskatelevize.cz/porady/10161678681-motocyklove-zavody/215471291272001-zlata-prilba-2015/

Delayed coverage of the World U21s is starting now on CT Sport.

Doesn't seem to have done much after that...must have decided that was his work done for the night

Still time for PK to move himself into the top 8 this year and qualify ;-)

Looks like Lindback has brought the same form he had when he was last in the GP series!

I really hope Havvy has been informed of this. I want to hear what happens when he asks the referee to quote the rule number he is using next time a rider is pulled back for a jump start!

I think that Tapes Up Productions did most of the FIM meetings last year. Not sure if they are still doing them this year.