Parsloes 1928 nearly

Not the first - GB U-15s champ in 2008... So maintaining very good progress...: well done.

There was in any case - I believe - only one more due: Scunny, who (again as I understand it...) were being difficult because they didn't want to come on a Friday.. Low crowds..? Well, there were actually only three 'stand-alone' Hawks fixtures at AE.. The first was Dudley, so - fair play as ever to the superb Heathens hordes! - that was well attended. The IoW match was blighted by one of the worst nights for traffic in East London/west Essex for years and then there was Buxton... As an experiment it does appear to have been abandoned but I'd personally NOT call it a failure... The voices of doom and gloom on here will doubtless say they were right; but frankly if you're pessimistic and down-beat about things you will often end up being right... It's those who take a leap of faith as Cookie did for a bit here, who make things actually happen so fair play to all who tried...

Er, well the greatest rider who ever lived, Peter Collins only won one world title so I can't accept your logic here...

A magnificent Speedway meeting. And let's be clear about this, this was what the sport is all about, a one-off event - hugely high pressure, superb quality, everything on the line on the night with all responding to that fact. THIS is what it would be like if we had what the sport deserves. a proper World Final for the individual title... And frankly after seeing this how can ANYONE possibly argue against that... And the other indisputable fact, Tomas Gollob is surely one of the all-time greatest riders in our sport...

Well exactly. As it's the same as the PL4s not sure what the particular criticism is...

tbf, the format last year was no different to previous (recent) years...

Well the Poles had NOTHING to gain by doing so and I can't really think that Team GB's situation in the play-off would be significantly eased by the Czechs being there instead of an albeit strengthened Russian side... I'm delighted the Russians got through as their performance last night I thought was remarakable. Almost everyone had totally written them off and I'm sure mostthought they'd struggle to get to double figures but the four riders put in a mighty effort. Though wasn't impressed with that number five, Nyet Riderski..!

Your examples don't have any relevance as in none of the cases you refer to did it leave their teams going into a meeting a rider short. I'd have thought with your legendary mathematical brain you could've easily spotted the difference between FIVE and FOUR..! A huge well done to the Russians last night, qualifying massively against the odds. Darkin's win in heat two was one of the highlights of the night for me..

Er, well I agree that either the Federation or even possibly the organisers should pay.. BUT in the absense of that, as one of the best riders in the world and the best his country has produced for decades, to represent his country in this event..? Yes, I DO think in those circumstances and remebering the sponsorship he has, he should be prepared if necessary to stump up for travel and hotel expenses... I am a big fan of Sayfudinov but there can be absolutely nothing other said about his refusal to ride that it's a total disgrace...: and one he'll take a long time to live down,.. Clearly the young man needs far better people advising him..

Like others, hugely disappointed by the calamities that have befallen the Russuan team but one question... There's this revised line-up of four riders and a fifth place to be filled. As there seems (and I've no idea why it's an issue - seems to me Russian sportsmen travelling here should be a totally straightforward matter...) to be this visa issue, surely the ONLY person who could fill that fifth spot is Sayfutdinov... So are we definitely facing the prospect of a one man short team in this most important of meetings..? For the life of me I just can't fathom how a young rider like Sayfutdinov can opt out of this.. And certainly if he does he MUST be banned from the next meeting.

The racing was indeed good - and special mention should be made of Nick Simmons who put on a very entertaining performance. In terms of the crowd, well yes it was disappointing of course but the traffic conditions were truly awful so that needs to be taken into account...

And Lydd!

My, of my were there traffic problems! Still, was grateful that my good friend Christina was slightly behind us in the appalling traffic queues so getting there late but before the ref meant missed no action! Result and scorers (forgive mistakes but I'm no 'SCB'..!) Hackney 58 (Shane Hazelden 0; Ben Morley 10+1; David Mason 13; Marc Owen 5+3; Barrie Evans 9; Brandon Freemantle 9+1; Ben Hopwood 12+4) Isle of Wight 35 (Nick Simmons 7; Danny Warwick 1; Rob Smith 9; Paul Starke 12; Rhys Naylor 1; Luke Chessell 5) Outstanding performance (and what a HUGE improvement on previous AE showings..) was from Brandon Freemantle - holding off Nick Simmons on a T/R in heat 13 could be a real watershed in this young man's career... Great stuff!

Bloomin' 'eck, training went on all the way to gone 5.30pm..!! My 'younger brother' George is gonna be plum knackered!

That's good news indeed Bryn... The weather system south of the River as opposed to north of it is invariably different as I've noted many times but as I say here it's shocking... Let's hope it does indeed pass over and head north...: where it belongs!!!

Oh dear absolutely shocking weather where I am in Barking just 8 or so miles from the track... Very heavy rain... Let's hope this goes away and/or there's that uniquely different weather system over the quarry otherwise this looks a goner...: again... :cry:

Anyone know who the Hackney rider is gonna be..?

I know how you feel... I wrote my stuff for Stoke v. Buxton last week and that got mysteriously called off too..! And, inspired by your earlier 'pitch' Mimmo, I was coming up for this one tomorrow so am gutted it's bitten the dust...

Indeed. That's the Richard I know. One of the nicest and most genuine people in the sport.

Check this out from ebay... This is unusual... What was this, midget car racing..? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rare-Original-1930s-Lea-Bridge-Car-Speedway-Badge-/300569386824?pt=UK_Sports_Memorabilia_ET&hash=item45fb54df48

Oooh, far be it from me to defend the Met Office but can assure you in the 'Lakeside' part of Essex the weather is bloody awful and on this occasion the correct decision was made.. Flaming June...? I flaming don't think so!!

That's good - look forward to meeting up then!

Whilst I agree that's sensible, bearing in mind the forecast (which couldn't be clearer that it's gonna be awful...); I do wonder - as ever - what the chances are the sainted Met Office have got it wrong again... It rained shockingly today...: we await and see now if it is gonna do so tomorrow... Lokking forward to July 8 though!

Ah right, I have to admit I'd either forgotten that or in fact never knew!!

Morley would win that race even if not fit..!?