arnieg

I don't think they'd ever broadcast speedway again if I did that!

Well if you are watching the Slangerup v Holsted match look out for me in the crowd

Second Semi Final is happening now in Germany http://live.sportowe...y.pl/zuzel5.htm After 5 races Sweden 15, Russia 7, Germany 5, Finland 3 [edited to correct score]

Rider Control is mostly associated with the 1965-76 period but there was some control over rider moves before that - so when did it originate and how did it develop? (I know that in 1946 there was an allocation of riders for the first post war season, but I'm less clear about what happened after that. For example I believe that there was a period when only foreigners were subject to SCB diktat over where they rode)

2012-06-16 Kval Miskolc, Ungern 2012-06-16 Kval Tarnow, Polen 2012-06-16 Kval St Johann, Österrike 2012-06-16 Kval Gustrow, Tyskland 2012-06-16 Kval Berwick, Storbritannien 2012-06-30 Race Off Lonigo, Italien 2012-06-30 Race Off Balakovo, Ryssland 2012-06-30 Race Off Divisov, Tjeckien 2012-09-29 Challange Gorican, Kroatien from aktuellspeedway.se

A classic example of the perils of a sudden death decider. None of the top three after 20 heats ended finished on the rostrum!

Promoters don't like admitting they are wrong - so instead of saying "2011 was a mistake we are reverting to the 2010 set-up with the Premier Trophy and Young Shield" they treat us like imbeciles by trying to persuade us that they have introduced these brand new and exciting competitions

He looked fantastic at Vojens (a five ride maximum with three wins from the back) and Grindsted (16 points a nd a win over Kenny Bjerre) when I saw him last year - well worth keeping an eye on

And don't forget Reg Neal who rode for Provincial League Exeter in one match in 1964. This happened a couple of weeks after Ronnie Genz walked out of National League Oxford. ... could they be related in any way?

If you mean the one used in 1993, that was probably the most unsatisfactory format used in the last 42 years. My recollection is that there was almost universal agreement to go back to 15 heats in 1994. We could debate tweaking the format forever but it is unlikely to make much difference. Personally I'd go with 13 heats. That would make double headers more feasable (which could help encourage more tracks to run a second team) and provide second half time for more Anglian Junior/Midland Development League type events

"Top 5 positions only" according to the book, so there were obviously more competitors

From Peter Morrish 1998 yearbook: 1997 International Dutch Open Championship (held over 4 rounds): 1 Roy Verbrugge 88 2 Ralf Strack 86 3 Patrick Verbrugge 86 4 Jim Groen 68 5 Maik Groen 65

B - time exclusion (Vremya is time in Russian and in cyrillic a capital V is a

Discussed at length in http://www.speedway-forum.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=50265 Incidentally 1983 (Muller's year) was one of the one's we found most problematical

My first thought is Aub Lawson who was 46 when he rode in the 1960 final

I see King's Lynn have named a new 3 pointer: Lewis Rose Not a name I'm familiar with, can anyone tell me a little bit about him?

word for word what I was going to type

Yes I'd second that. The Leicester event was an extremely enjoyable afternoon. I don't think the matches against PL sides have worked, the American scorecharts have been too unbalanced (relying on Ryan Fisher and other talents brought in to enhance the team). Contrast that with the last heat decider against the GB U21 Select at Dudley. I'd like to see Jimmy Fishback again, and perhaps one more experienced rider like fast Eddie (maybe Buck Blair or Bart Bast). Judging by his performance at Perris on Saturday Russell Green has certainly benefited from visiting the UK and I'd certainly be trying to get him back along with Novratil, Scopellite and Starks. I wouldn't be averse to seeing Buman, Manzares or Ramirez again. I see that Max Ruml will be old enough to race at NL level next year, but I'd imagine he'd want some time to get used to 500cc machines in California before coming over here - so I'd imagine an Autumn 2012 or 2013 tour would suit him better But that's just what I'd like in an ideal world - you could call it my 'Dream Team'

That's my understanding too. However they are very rare, and the only time I ever saw the 1993 annual on e-bay it went for £50 or thereabouts - so I still don't have one

But if the FIM were to get more influence over the running of the main national leagues (and I have seen it suggested that they are angling for this) then what?

A slightly Ango-centric view. Polish and Swedish form would put Grigori Laguta up there with Ward, but his absence from the World Cup must count against him (with some justification I think). I guess this is going to come down to politics, with BSI and the FIM sitting down together to try and work out how to compel the riders they want to compete in the GP

Me too - a really enjoyable meeting. Michael Raines managed to stay on (just) to win both scratch and handicap mains. In the handicap main Raines and Chris Widman were wheel to wheel for 2 1/2 laps before Raines got the upper hand. Castro was indeed 100% entertainment and Dean Felton's efforts deserve a mention too. Scratch Consi (B Main): Castro*, Felton, McBride, Rumsey [Castro on 10 yds penalty for tape touching] Scratch Main: Raines, Bates, Scopellite, Andrews H'cap Main (6 lap): Raines(30), Widman(20), Castro(30), Buman(30)

I was there and I'm with you. I think heat 7 on updates is where the difference arises

So presumably you have the final score as 47-43 to GB. The BSPA website (and speedway updates) have 46-44

Any news on line-ups?