lastword

And your point is?? I pay £40 a month for Sky,chiefly to view speedway and football coverage, plus my monthly fee for internet access, and you complain that people can't watch it at the pub? Get real. Two words: Market forces. (Though I can think of two other words if you insist)

Interesting to see that the Danish Webmaster had the correct gate positions, even though the refereee did not. Thanks again...............a great service for the TV viewer..........

Tak!!

Granted some of the comments do sound like veiled racism.......but there are some truths being expressed. It should be appreciated that speedway in Poland equates with football in this country, and has a lot of the same problems. Segregation at big matches, 'Ultras' that collect in their own section of the stadium, and a large following of ''young men'' who like a drink or twelve. Move some of these fans to a foreign environment en masse and you get the same sort of issues that many England football followers have created across Europe for years. I attend league football regularly in England and rarely see trouble these days, but there is always that underlying threat, (and it would be more than that without the segregation of opposing fans.) Equally, I have been fortunate at Cardiff to avoid any problems of the kind recorded by others in this thread, but people don't make this kind of thing up for fun........and perhaps thoughts should be given by the organisers as to how these things could be avoided in future. Cutting down on the provision of 'six pints at a time' sales at the bars would probably help, but I cannot see the stadium wanting to lose that revenue.

Blimey, I missed that!....................Oh, you mean the balloons!

''..............as we watch the sun setting over the Marketa stadium here in Prague" Yeah, right!

Thought I should post update on my original post..................if anyone is interested?? After being repeatedly told both via the GP site, and by telephone that the back straight upper tier was sold out (see original post)...........miraculously seats are suddenly available. BSI have consented to take my hard earned cash, and grant me seats in the block that I originally tried to book weeks ago. Pleased naturally, but p*ss*d off with yet another PR disaster from speedway's promoters (in this case not the BSPA......at least it shows BSI can cock things up, too.) If I had been a 'casual' fan I would probably have given up and used my money for something else.

OK, I guess I know the real answer to this before I ask, but I'd like to know if anyone else has had a similar reaction from the Cardiff ticket office. I wanted two seats in U30........that's the block on the top tier on the back straight, opposite the gate. Told that was sold out. Then I started working left and right along the blocks............and was informed that the WHOLE top tier on that side of the track (U27-U33) was sold out. When I stopped laughing, the guy on the phone did admit that some of those blocks might be 'reservations' ,as he put it. Still, he couldn't sell me two tickets. So,nearly four months before the event the organisers dictating that certain advertised priced seats are 'unavailable'. Not a major problem when you can buy on the day, anyway!......but I wonder if anyone else has had a similar experience?.........it hasn't happened to me before.

The link posted above which showed pics of work in progress does not seem to work anymore...........similarly the link via the Torun website. Anyone know an alternative site that shows the stadium?

So you think that a rule that means that riders attempt to manipulate an overall win by throwing points away is a good rule? You are of course entitled to your opinion, but I prefer to support a system that means that the better man wins..................

Congrats to the Danish team......a deserved win....... but the whole thing was only a whisker away from a farce because of the ridiculous 'joker' rule. In the last five heats the Danes were desperately throwing points to avoid going six points behind..........(see N. Pedersen's 3rd place in heat 21.) In interviews with Andersen it was admitted that a misunderstanding with K.Bjerre (who was expected to 'throw' his race in heat 23) allowed the Poles back into it. As it happened Gollob blew it........but you could see the Poles planning the same sort of tactics before heat 23, in which Jagus finished 3rd. A shame that in the final stages of a meeting that this sort of thing should be going on........all down to the stupid double points rule.

At last, the voice of reason!........................Sorry,pal,this is speedway.

Not going to comment on the general music content as first I don't go for the music, and secondly it probably wasn't aimed at my age group anyway...............................but if you don't understand the inappropriate choice of the dambusters theme then I do serioiusly doubt your ability to provide the correct music background....................it's speedway my friend not warfare from 60 years ago...........that's racism in this century................so get that right. Overall opinion on the music presentation?.................Good try, but tried a bit TOO hard.....................matching tunes to riders is hardly new, and can be described as somewhat corny..................different music for each race start backfired a bit.........consistency required here whatever music is used. Spectators soon identify particular music with the starting procedure. Decent GP after a very flat start but please,with respect, don't fall into the trap of believing that it is the music that decides peoples' satisfaction...........I am sure you work very hard to do your job and I'm sure we would miss you if you were not there, but let's not forget that in the end it is the racing that decides the success of any meeting.........................or am I wrong???????

Saw the 'wink' so OK maybe it was lighthearted.................but slagging NP off (and I'm no fan!) won't help...............the problem lies , as many have said, with the referee. This clown has made too many errors in the past to still be officiating, and irrespective of who we support we should all be aware of that. As some have said, I suspect that European speedway politics will keep the guy there whatever he does. The one thing that may have an effect is the riders themselves.............the power that they could use to influence IMG (and the FIM, who knows?) in this situation could be crucial. All GP riders are affected by the ridiculous decisions that this incompetent makes, and submissions from them ( along with appropriate threats to withdraw labour) could well have an effect. Once IMG appreciate that this kind of situation could affect their investment (and from many of the comments I heard at Cardiff ,and my own feelings at the time) suggest that it could do just that...........then they may well use their muscle to change things. Whatever we feel, who turn up at their local track every week is small beer ...........but now IMG are involved there are big bucks at stake.......................the riders have an opportunity here to use their influence..............I wonder if they will?

I think I've just solved it! Remember that 'big screen' that refused to work all night? THAT was where Mr G. the referee was watching the racing! Simple when you think about it.

I see that Antonio is also listed in Czestochowa's squad for 2008.............though this could be as a result of an existing contract that ties him to them in the event of a 'comeback.'

I have just watched one of the best series of racing that I have seen on a TV broadcast. And then I read this comment. If you cannot appreciate speedway of that quality on a racing track like that, then you really are watching the wrong sport.

.........and there I was thinking that Tony Millard would get the job................

Seen your request for Colts' heat details. Try contacting Ken Eyre c/o BV speedway (he's there all meetings) as he may have ridden in the meeting. You never know!!

When Ivan Mauger rode at Belle Vue he was the best rider in the world and it was a privilege to watch him each week. When he left to go to Exeter he was still the best rider and never failed to get a great reception when he came to race at Hyde Road. Just like Ivan,Crump is currently the best in the world and like Ivan has done too much for our club to be disrespected by the fans even if he leaves. It may happen at some clubs but here at Belle Vue we don't forget our heroes.

As you can see I am a fairly new poster on this site,whereas I notice that you have posted thousands of times. Tell me,are all your posts as stupid as that one,or are you just having a bad day?

On second thoughts....................................................

I have a copy on tape. Check your private messages.

Got to agree with you on that. The man went apoplectic in the race-off about the 'first bend' stuff until Harris was involved in a similar situation and then suddenly went quiet on the subject. Have to praise the way that he plays his PR card for British domestic speedway in his commentary though.Never misses a chance to promote the league programme. When the alternative is Tony Millard though, Pearson suddenly becomes a star!!!