Old Saint

For the first time I was really disappointed with the whole thing. For some reason it all seemed a bit flat - very little in the way of atmosphere, not the best racing and as for the "entertainment", least said the better. In fact, the only enjoyable part of the day (for me) was listening to the Magoos in the Fanzone. If you want decent pre meeting entertainment BSI, I suggest you look at bringing in this group from the Fanzone. I have seen every Cardiff GP except the first and for the first time am seriously considering whether I want to go again. This indecision is nothing to do with Cardiff itself but with the way that last night's meeting was presented and the general poor standard of racing. There are many who have said, and will continue to say, that you are going to watch speedway and not the "entertainment" and in a small way they are correct. Speedway itself was designed as a new form of entertainment and not as a sport - as such, it achieved a great deal of success but then it started to take itself seriously and that, IMO, is when the rot started. However, returning to the pre match entertainment, there are many who do not wish to sit in pubs until the last minute, those with children and those who just prefer to be in the stadium early to avoid a crush. Should these people have to sit around for an hour or more twiddling their thumbs purely because they do not, or cannot, drink themselves thionk in a crowded bar? Lastly I shall upset the "our Armed forces are wonderful" brigade. I was offended and worried that members of the armed forces were on parade. Forces representing violence should have no place in peace time entertainment other than in specific military shows. My fear is that with the increased use of military personnel in uniform, it will be more usual to them on the streets patrolling than police officers. By all means call me stupid, and I know there those who will, but I am concerned that this is the beginning of a militarisation of everyday life.

Almost any race involving two or more of those was an excellent race

A while ago I did a comparison of race speeds from around fifty years ago and today. The results showed very little difference despite the "advances" in technology etc.

The same applies to those who enjoy a cigarette while watching. What really annoys me, and it happens year after year, is suddenly finding your feet are in a puddle of beer spilt by people sitting behind.

Then the staff at the gate should refuse entry. It will cause problems at first but once the word gets around that entry is being refused, problem solved. I don't think that the law regarding being drunk in a public place has been repealed and should be strictly enforced. If speedway wants to keep its "family" image, there can be no place for the drunks.

Much, but not all, of the trouble at events like this is caused by alcohol. Surely the answer is simple, do not sell alcohol within the Stadium and refuse entry to anyone who is drunk. Laws relating to smoking are rigorously enforced because of the "dangers" of passive smoking but the laws regarding alcohol, a far more widespread menace, are largely ignored. There are those who will say to smokers that they should be able to get through a few hours without smoking, the same applies to drinking.

Can't help regarding the email but I can tell you that Seetickets do have a customer service department however, it is not on the phone! Apparently they only have an outgoing line so that they can ring you but not the other way round. Their general number is the only one to use - lengthy menu system though. I normally buy my tickets online through Seetickets but I am so fed up with them this year, I shall think again for next year.

I tried to complain to See Tickets about their courier service. DX Secure left one of the "unable to deliver, please call" cards and the options they gave were restrictive to say the least. An alternative offered was to collect from their depot - a train ride and £15 return fare away! See Tickets said that they had a customer service department but that it was not on the telephone! Hope that next year they revert to Post Office special delivery, at least then I can always collect the tickets from the post office on my way to work.

When I saw Wagner mentioned I thought that it would be a bit strange but, as I happen to like Wagner, thought better than the entertainment of late. It was only earlier today that someone showed me YouTube clip of "Wagner" that I understood that it was not the playing of "The Ring Cycle" that was referred to. Sincerely hope that it is NOT the XFactor, or whatever it is, person.

I had two particular favourites, apart from Bjorn K and Briggo, Ernie Rawlins and Chum Taylor. Sadly, Ernie lost his life racing at the Stadium - what a terrible night that was. It was one of those accidents that you fully expect the rider to get up and carry on after. It proved that every accident is potentially very serious.

I am afraid that the British Speedway team seem to suffer the same affliction as the England football team - travel sickness. Perhaps it is some kind of psychological block that they have when travelling that results in them being unable to perform to their best anywhere except when in their home country?

Hindsight is a truly wonderful thing. To be fair to all concerned, it was a gamble that may have paid off.

The same is true of Bjorn Knutson. As one of the "Big Five", I would have thought he rated almost automatic inclusion but then he did retire relatively early in his career. However, I am sure that anyone who saw him ride, as I was lucky enough to do every week, would agree that he was a superb rider.

My opinions, like those I suspect of Manchesterpaul, are not really appropriate to place on a speedway forum. However, I will say that I am against any military force, whatever the nationality, sponsoring sport.

It seems that I am in a minority. Sponsorship by any of the Armed Forces is IMO completely wrong and unethical.