DonsFanSW

This was my first experience of the GP outside of Cardiff, and while the racing might not have been what you would call 'classic' the atmosphere in the stadium was out of this world. The Polish certainly know how to get behind their boys and just make lots of noise in general! The entire weekend was awesome (brilliantly organised by Blazeaway, the best big brother in the world!) and I am going to start saving my pennies to go again next year, as I have to experience something like that again. As for the Nicki v Crump controversy - I think the ref got it right. Nicki was in front and yes he realised that Crump was trying to overtake. So he tried to clamp down on him and Crump knocked him off. But I'll accept that at the moment of contact Crump could be seen to be slightly in front and therefore NP could have been excluded. A tough call for the ref but overall I think he just about called it correctly. Then (without naming names!), on the way back to our hotel a certain flame haired rider drove past our minibus and with absolutely no provocation appeared to be very impolite when he saw that a couple of us had Nicki Pedersen hats on. Fair enough he was still a little upset about his exclusion but I would expect better from a double world champion than the disgraceful language he seemed to direct at us... We didn't know whether to be angry or laugh. We'd had a few drinks and a great time so settled for the latter. (and to be fair he gets that from fans of his opponent's every meeting I suppose!)

I read somewhere about a 1985 final involving Kenny Carter which was highly controversial (the meeting was controversial, i don't think it was anything directly to do with Kenny). I think it was the British final, but I can't remember where i read about it and I was hoping someone could fill me in on the details and what the controversy was all about.

Possibly because he has this extra confidence (and ability) to go into the bends carrying more speed than others, he is faster on the straights??

How many of us knew it was a mistake as soon Middlo said that Lee was going to be using the joker? He was always going to struggle to win that heat - especially against Greg. It was clear (to me anyway) that Scott in heat 20 was going to be the better option. People can say that it doesn't matter because we got through to the final. And they would be right. But if the same situation occurs on Saturday, it could cost us dearly. I thought it was pretty daft to take Stead out of races as well, when he needs the track time to get ready for the final. Having said that, I think Chris Louis coming in for Stead would be a good decision. But I am not the manager, and I will get behind whoever is wearing the GB strip!!

Poor sportsmanship? Lost all respect for Scott Nicholls? Should have shaken his hand? Is this speedway or tiddlywinks? TWICE Andersen came mighty close to taking Scott out, and if Scott had not reacted so quickly, it would have got messy. The sport is dangerous enough already, without moves like those. As others have said on here, there is a difference between hard riding and riding dangerously. IMO Andersen was out of order both in the race and then in the interview afterwards, "What goes around comes around" indeed. Scott's move on him was hard but fair. Last night's incident shows you why Hans has got a reputation. Someone mentioned Schumacher in F1 and Roy Keane in football. So you are inferring that you have to have a nasty edge and/or a willingness to take out your opponents to be a winner? What absolute tripe. Of course, it helps, but many of the greatest sportsmen of the last century have not been within that category. Muhammad Ali, Ronnie Moore, Bjorn Borg, Pele, Michael Jordan. All respected by their fans and opponents, all legends in their own sport and none of them nasty or unsporting.

Without having the time to read all 23 pages - I have read around 15 pages I think - and not seen one mention of Nathan Simpson... So Nathan Simpson

Please pass on the best wishes of a Wimbledon fan who used to love cheering him on back in the late 80s/early 90s. Nathan and Todd were my favourite riders back then!

As a couple of people have already said, James Wright has got the makings of a world class rider - always loved seeing him fly round Wimbledon. Also Danny Betson, Lewis Bridger and Simon Lambert are pretty good prospects for the future. With riders like Kennett, Stead and Harris getting better all the time, I don't think the state of British speedway is that bad. But I think we will have to wait for James Wright to work his way up before we have at least a GP winner, let alone World Champion. Nicholls and Richardson are good, but they don't quite have what it takes. In my opinion.