Mr. Clemens

Another lack lustre meeting with seemingly only Crump Hancock and Pedersen really interested Good to see Tomasz Gollob in the mix happy and smiling - and a little Irish clog dancing thrown in for good measure too. See you in Cardiff

It's a grand place and I think that's because - those who go there appreciate the place because we're seeing the real modern Poland in a process of natural development - a realisation that I have not experienced elswehere - yet - in the other places I visit there - I think that explains the 'magic' of Wroclaw And, perhaps, if the racing's not as good as Bydgoszcz that's down to the riders who should be intent on serving up a treat for all of us no matter which city and country they are riding in - in their quest to be world champion We the supporters are and were up for it - perhaps they should be too

Thank you for your comments - Perhaps I could have Rune Holta's medal??? Yes we really enjoyed the trip out there - already it's hard to believe a week as gone by since we arrived home. My wife has relatives in Bydgoszcz - I think - I remember going to see a family there back in the 70's or 80's - but I haven't been there since. But if I should be able to get to Bydgoszcz again in the future (or nearby) then I would definitely go to a meeting and I would certainly let you know. Regards to you and all the best Mr CLemens

It was us who were being referred to as being posh - all of it being light hearted banter - apologies for any offence caused Glad you enjoyed the read Trees. It was a wonderful city to visit - my wife commented to me more than once on how friendly and well mannered the people of Wroclaw are. This has extra emphasis when taking into consideration the fact that there are none more critical of a nationality than their own. I have sung the Polish national anthem at various functions over the years more times than I have the British national anthem. Their World Cup win was well deserved (as I said so in my write up on the WTC) and it would have been great to have gone and seen that too. But what I want to do is go and see a Polish league meeting sometime but most of the time we're in Poland we're usally in the south where there isn't any tracks as I know of!!!

It was a long trip

European Grand Prix – Wroclaw – Saturday 6th May 2006 The Polish adventure began at 10 am, Thursday 4th May as the taxi arrived to take us over the moors to Manchester airport. This party was made up of myself my wife my sister in law and her husband, Uncle Flip, bringing up the rear was my nephew. This was the nephew’s first trip to Poland. There was a two-hour wait before the flight took off but finally we boarded the plane. We found ourselves surrounded by a male stag party heading for a weekend of freedom in Poland, apparently the current ‘weekend boozers paradise.’ ‘Which city is it we are heading for,’ asked one of the party??? This revelation caused the wife to engage this group in conversation asking of them, ‘are you going to take in any of Poland’s culture while you’re there???’ ‘Yes,’ said I, ‘ they’re going to take in some Polish beer!!!’ One of them obviously had a Polish girlfriend in England because he began to contemplate meeting her parents and the adjustments he would have to make as to the way he conducted himself in their presence. On discovering the wife could speak Polish this stag party had visions of attaching themselves to us for the duration of their stay. They decided we were the ones who were going to point out to them the ‘best watering holes’ in that place they were going to but they couldn’t remember its name!!! ‘We are going elsewhere,’ announced the wife to the consternation of the stag party who were already downing the drinks they’d ordered on the plane. There wasn’t much point in saying we were going to Wroclaw seeing they didn’t know where they were going in the first place – but – nivver mind eh!!! The plane landed on time, we were met at the airport by staff of the travel agents and the mini bus they supplied ferried us on the three-hour drive to Wroclaw. As we were going to hire a car for the journey south I observed the route I would be driving down on Sunday. This was one Polish driver who knew what he was doing maintaining a constant speed along the E4 towards Wroclaw arriving at 9 10 pm. We booked in at the Hotel Europeum, the staff there kind enough to supply us with a meal though we arrived in the restaurant shortly before closing time. Spaghetti sauce on pasta didn’t sound much but turned out to be an excellent meal. We had made a good start to our trip. We were all looking forward to Friday. Friday May 5th The plan was to go to the official practice on Friday afternoon but that plan was thrown out of the window when we discovered that the agent was bringing our stadium tickets to the hotel at 4pm. We decided then that Friday would be the day when speedway was put on the back burner while we explored a city that neither myself or the wife nor the sister in law had ever been to before. And what a contrast Wroclaw 2006 is to the Wroclaw 1976, I passed through briefly 30 years before. I had almost come full circle in life with this trip to speedway in Poland. In fact this was only the second time I have been to a Polish held speedway meeting. The first time was for a different type of ‘World Final’ than the one we were going to see the following day. We had gone to Poland in 1976 in support of Peter Collins, Malcolm Simmons, John Louis, Doug Wyer and Chris Morton. A good solid bunch of British riders some of whom could be World Champion that weekend. Personally I was there to support Malcolm Simmons who always was an immaculate rider of distinction. Famously the 1974 world champion Anders Michanek had only made it to reserve for this meeting and the 1975 world champion Ole Olsen had failed to make the cut even as reserve. So there was no conflict of interest for us in the Slaski stadium with me being a confirmed fan of both Michanek and Olsen. But there was Ivan (there was always Ivan) lurking in the background looking for that 5th record equalling world title that would elevate him to the rarefied heights occupied by Ove Fundin. But it was the trip out to Poland in those days that was as equally memorable as the final itself. This was the world final trip when we met the Ipswich supporters who have become life long friends; where we set off by coach from England, across to the continent by sea and drove through West Germany into East Germany via the Berlin ring road to the Polish border. This was the world final trip where on the Polish border we spent a few happy hours with the border guards debating the ownership of passports. This was the world final where our courier collected our passports taking them to the border guards post for them to be checked in the manner beloved of communist border guards. This was the world final trip where the courier came back onto the bus flanked by Polish border guards approached me sat on the back seat and said, good-naturedly, ‘They want to know why you have two passports?’ ‘Easily answered,’ said I, ‘I don’t have two passports. One is my brother’s passport and the other is mine.’ With this piece of priceless information the merry band trouped off the coach once again for another 60-minute conference in the border guards post. Eventually, no doubt tired of each other’s company, this merry band made their way back onto the coach. The courier’s good nature had disappeared now he was a frustrated man making a bee-line for the owner of two passports. ‘For God’s sake,’ said the shaking courier – (which was a weird thing to say in an official atheistic communist state) – ‘tell them why you have two passports.’ Totally unfazed, for some reason, by this unfolding farce I took the two passports and showed the assembled hordes my passport pointing at the picture. I then opened the other passport pointed at my brother sat on my left then at his picture in the passport. ‘This is me,’ said I and this is my brother.’ Further discussion took place between the pantomime performers then the courier made his final plea for help and said.’ ‘Why don’t you tell them why you’ve got two passports?’ Immediately I responded with, ‘better still why don’t you ask him,’ pointing at my brother, ‘why he doesn’t have a passport!!!!’ ‘Hey,’ said the ever supportive little brother, ‘don’t drag me into this it’s got nowt to do with me!!!’ ‘It does,’ said I, ‘seeing you don’t have a bleeding passport, I have two, here do you want one.’ Obviously the border guards had finally tired of the charade and out coach made it’s way into Poland and down the road to Katowice. But by now it was getting late and we were scheduled to take in a meal in Wroclaw that was the first major city we passed through on the way to Katowice. We arrived, I believe, in Wroclaw around 11pm. It was like stepping back in time to the 1930’s. So much so the lay out of the streets reminded me of old Chicago –(which just happens to be a Polish dominated American city) – that you see in early James Cagney gangster films. I was expecting cars to come racing round the corner any minute machine guns blazing. Unfortunately or fortunately nothing of that nature occurred. We were steered instead into this building where we were served chicken that apparently came straight from the freezer. You had to break the ice of the chicken before you could eat it but we were so tired by now we didn’t have the desire to eat anything. Finally we left and made our way to Katowice where we witnessed Peter Collins admission to the roll call of world champions who have graced our sport of speedway. Wroclaw was caught in a 1930’s time warp in 1976, a city that seemed out of place in contrast to the modern capitalist world we came from. But this was not the case with Wroclaw 2006, far from it. On making our short journey to the town square we observed a modern metropolis on a par with any major city in Europe. Everywhere we looked there was work going on bringing this city up to date. Unobtrusive work that went on with the workers like ants intent on taking this golden chance to make their city a proud place to live in. You could sense their pride, their realisation that they were finally being given their chance to remake this polish city in their image. You sensed that they were determined to get it right. It felt good, it seemed good and it was good a sharp contrast to the buggering about on the main road through Sheffield. Road works that seem to have been there forever and patently getting nowhere in the process, has any Sheffield supporter reading this actually ever seen anyone working on that site. I don’t think I have. One of the interesting aspects of modern Wroclaw was the lack of ‘Ruch’s’ those little kiosks which were a prominent aspect of communist Poland. Forum members had told us we’d pick up stadium tickets at ‘Ruch’s’ but that was something I didn’t believe for a minute. But not only didn’t we get tickets at a ‘Ruch’ we had a job to find one. For me this was a real distinctive sign that everything was changing in this great city for that indeed is what it is. We couldn’t go to Wroclaw and not take in any culture and the wife knew exactly where to take us – the National Museum Wroclaw – to see the Raclawice Panorama. This was a panoramic tableaux depicting the battle of Raclawice April 4th 1794 part of the Kosciuszko Insurrection fought against the Russians. Fought in an attempt to regain independence in what became a 120-year struggle against the domination of Prussia, Russia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Poland finally regaining their independence as one of the US President Woodrow Wilson ‘Fourteen Points’ contained within the Treaty of Versailles after the end of World War One. The tableaux, was perfectly presented, laid out in a circular mode in order to give the impression of a battle taking place all around you. Not only that real artefacts blended in with the painting to give a three-dimensional feel to the proceedings. Also there were headphones to wear through which came the tour guided words in English. The battle was described with the Polish forces led by Tadeusz Kosciusko. Kosciusko being the man who fought in the American War of Independence, for the Americans and the French Revolution, for the revolutionaries, seeing both struggles yield a positive result. Yet when he fought for the independence of his own country found the might of Russia, Prussia and Austro-Hungary too much to overcome. Next time you’re in Wroclaw get pissed if you must, but go see this great tableaux it will knock your eyes out. We could have stood there for hours looking at this great work of art. If it was a toss up between watching the official practice and this great work of art Raclawice would come up trumps every time. Back at the hotel this fine travel agency who organised our trip to Poland were right on time at 4pm with the tickets for the stadium. The plan was for a couple of hours of rest then a meal at the American style ‘Rodeo Drive’ restaurant then on the town for – Polish Beer!!! During a break between courses at the restaurant, the nephew and I moved to another part of the room for a cigarette. While sat there I espied a gentleman sat at a table who bore a strong resemblance to Tony Steele. Deciding it was he I made my way across and inquired of him if he was refereeing on the Saturday night. ‘I am going to try,’ said Tony Steele confirming his identity though I didn’t recognise the two other men sat at the table with him. Sticking to my promise to ask him that one question, as we recognised his right to eat his meal undisturbed, we returned to our seats. We had a great meal the staff were very welcoming and helpful. We recommend this restaurant, situated in the town square, to anyone making a trip to Wroclaw. After the meal we toured the bars sitting at the tables situated outside the bars watching the world go by. We espied a few lost looking speedway supporters who seemed to be searching for other supporters in order to generate some sort of excitement as a build up for the Grand Prix on Saturday night. We on the other hand were content to listen to the endless jokes cracked by Uncle Flip who kept us all in stitches throughout the night. But this night had to come to an end as we had business on Saturday. Saturday Saturday morning was taken up with changing money for the hiring of a car and finding somewhere to hire a car. We went to one place directed there by the hotel, but they’d gone out of business. Finally we were able to arrange a 3 day car hire from the hotel and book our taxi for 3-30 pm to take us direct to the stadium. We couldn’t be bothered to take the tram experience as we wanted to be at the stadium asap. Eventually it was time to make our way to the stadium. The taxi arrived on time and 15 minutes later deposited on the corner of the entrance to ‘Olympic Stadium Way’. Straight away Uncle Flip was accosted by an officer of the law who obviously realised we were English and was keen to engage us in conversation – or arrest us!!! Turned out he’d lived for a time in London and introduced himself to practice his English and reacquaint himself with his memories of the English capital. Time to introduce you to Uncle Flip who hadn’t been to Poland for 11 years and hadn’t been to a speedway meeting for twice as long. But he jumped at the chance to accompany us to Poland to see this Grand Prix. Uncle Flip was a sailor in his youth, a veteran of the Falklands War and a patriotic type of guy. Stalls lined the road along ‘Olympic Stadium Way’. Uncle Flip stopped at a stall selling souvenirs, but this stall was peopled by Polish ‘wide-boys’ who didn’t seem to understand what ‘how much does this cost’ meant – whether you said it in Polish or English so we moved on to other stalls – who were all basically selling the same stuff. ‘So who’s riding for us,’ quoth Uncle Flip, when we finally found a stall peopled by folk who were into selling what they’d got on offer. We informed him of the virtues of our fine twosome Scott Nicholls and Lee Richardson. ‘So I’m shouting for Scotty and Lee,’ said Uncle Flip, ‘what about you two???’ We informed him of our patriotic fervour and also informed him that in speedway we had our favourite riders, and supported them, despite their nationality. The nephew confirming this by forking out for a Nicki Pedersen shirt displaying where his loyalties lay this Saturday night. In response Uncle Flip bought himself an England scarf where I was going to buy a Polish scarf. I would have bought a T shirt and a cap too – if only those who made those shirts – realised how naff their designs are and created something eye catching and worth parting with your money for – but they never learn – as it was the same on Wembley Way 31 years ago!!! ‘Buy yourself an England scarf,’ quoth Uncle Flip. ‘I’ve never bought an England scarf in my life,’ said I, ‘but bugger it I’ll buy one now.’ So I did in order to give Scotty and Lee the support they deserved!!! Uncle Flip a confirmed Barnsley supporter who - in the middle of Wroclaw - on the Saturday morning – suddenly without warning - put his hand to his ear and bellowed for half the city to hear – ‘alreight me old love how tha going on good to hear from you.’ – decided he needed a drink. Uncle Flip was in contact with South Yorks in order to hear up dates on the Barnsley v Walsall match that the ‘Tykes’ had to win to confirm their place in the play offs. He remained in contact with the fortunes of his football club all afternoon. So we sat down in an almost empty beer tent for liquid refreshment. It was then we realised we didn’t have an official program – in fact we hadn’t even seen a stall selling them – we thought perhaps they’d be on sale in the stadium. The nephew needed food – as he always seems to do - so off he went for Polish sausage and steak returning with his meal. Tucking into it he declared it a marvellous meal - causing Uncle Flip and I to purchase the same - though my steak was underdone - that suited Uncle Flip who ate that too. While we drank our beer – surrounded by Swedish and Polish supporters – I espied a family with two young kids– so I gave them a couple of Coventry programs This was a tradition started in 1976 when a couple of hundred copies of the now defunct ‘Speedway Mail’ lay on the back seats of the coach. I scooped up an armful and handed them out to the Polish supporters who didn’t have direct access to these things so long ago. So I decided to take some programs on this trip to hand out to those young supporters who because of such an act would do the same years down the line. As I explained to Uncle Flip and the nephew – these are the things that kids remember of these type of days. A gesture made that indicates they are regarded as part of the family and will remain so in order to one day reciprocate by handing some - fresh face to the sport – their welcoming certificate of membership. The father of the kids understood the gesture – placing three beers on the table in front of us minutes later – so did the parents of kids who posed for pictures with us – on receipt of more programs as we made our way round the stadium. We enquired at the bar of the two young men and the young lady as to where they were selling programs but they didn’t know. They were happy to practice there English on us. The ‘smart’ one of the bunch once he thought he’d wormed his way into our favour said – ‘You can leave us a tip if you want.’ ‘Always use a condom,’ advised Uncle Flip immediately – which tickled the young lady bartender and nonplussed the ‘smart’ guy – while his mate doubled up in laughter. A passing fan told us we could purchase programs – in the area where we’d originally got out of the taxi – so we had to walk all the way down there again – where we found the program sellers stall. Strange it is though that there weren’t any stalls right outside the stadium itself – where you’d expect them to be??? Returning up ‘Olympic Stadium Way’ we embarked on a circuit of the stadium to see what was going on round the stadium. There were loads of Polish fans, as you would expect, quite a number of Swedish supporters and the odd English contingent scattered about here and there. It seemed to us that we would be able to walk the entire circumference of the stadium as we made our way round to the pits area. Wrapping a colourful Halifax woolly jumper round my shoulders we began the first lap of the Olympic stadium. Looking at all the vehicles parked in the pits you could work out that all the riders were there. It was good to see Nicki Pedersen’s van parked up confirming he was riding despite his wrist operations the Monday after the first GP. Tony Rickardsson’s dream home was there too. We speculated on the offer we’d had made to us for VIP tickets costing £100 and what we would have seen for the extra £50 that we couldn’t see from the other side of the fence. Two female speedway supporters were talking as we approached the pits fence. Recognising fellow ‘homeless’ supporters they introduced themselves to us as Leicester supporters who, I think, gave their allegiance predominantly to Peterboro speedway as we do now to Belle Vue speedway. Though like us they reserved the right to travel freely round the country to see the speedway teams they wanted to see. These ladies were also in conversation with someone leaning on the fence that turned out to be Gary Havelock. These ladies were complimenting him on his work with Sky TV stating how they were happy with him ‘telling it how it was’. We endorsed this opinion and long may he continue saying what he thinks – not too many do that in speedway these days – one of the reasons the sport is in the state it’s in. ‘What you doing on this side of the fence,’ said I? ‘Waiting for my pass to get in,’ responded Gary. Gary was quite happy to chat with us without any indication that he was doing it because ‘he felt he had to’. We complimented him on his riding having watched the meeting between Sheffield v Redcar where he scored double figure points. This was the night the American Dream team was riding at Sheffield. Gary was told us that things were going well at Redcar, that they were getting good crowds which was good to hear. We wished his team well for the future. The contact he was waiting for to help him get into the pits arrived and Gary left us. He came across as a very likeable guy. The Leicester ladies thought we were in the same block of seats they were as they began to attach themselves to us for the rest of the evening. ‘We’re in the main stand,’ said I, thinking they were in there too. ‘Oh we can’t afford to sit there,’ said the two ladies, ‘ooh we are posh aren’t we!!!’ ‘We don’t usually sit with the riff raff,’ said I, as the ladies departed to scene. Leaving us to continue with our journey round the stadium. On the second bend – we were walking round the stadium clockwise – there was another family with kids – so I gave out a few more speedway programs to the children. Next minute we were in a group pose having pictures taken – there is a kid with a Halifax jumper draped across the front of him – looking at this picture – and still trying to work out who the hell the ‘Halifax Dukes’ are???’ While this was going on a strange figure dressed all in black passed by us – casting furtive glances our way. ‘I’m sure that’s Reg Wilson,’ said I to the nephew but I wasn’t really sure as I have only seen Reg a couple of times since my return to speedway. He glanced back a couple of times then carried on his way. ‘I don’t think it was him,’ said I to the nephew. Uncle Flip was clicking away with his mobile phone camera all the while we walked round. Taking pictures of the pits and the vehicles there soaking up the atmosphere and declaring himself well satisfied with the events taking place up to now. We called in at our ‘watering hole’ – (or Alco Hole – as the Poles so aptly call them) – for more refreshment before embarking on lap two of the stadium. We called at one of the gates to confirm where we wanted to be when we decided it was time to go into the stadium. Continuing the second circuit of the stadium we once more bumped into the ‘man in black’ ‘Are you Reg Wilson,’ said I as we passed by him and the group of people who were with him? ‘Indeed I am,’ Reg replied. We chatted amicably for a few minutes finally leaving him with this comment. ‘We watched you down at Sheffield for 15 years,’ said I poking him in the chest as a sign of appreciation of the old days. ‘Thank you very much,’ said Reg displaying some emotion in his words as he did so. Time was slipping by now and we decided we’d go find our seats overlooking the starting gate. We were placed right of the starting gate – facing the track – on row 9. We were told initially that we had front row seats – we didn’t – but this turned out to be a good thing – as if we’d been right at the front we would have had our view obscured by the fence in front of the first row seats. Uncle Flip had brought his England flag with him – having written - BARNSLEY - on it with black felt tip pen – instructing the nephew to go down and tie it to the fence. The nephew was going to place it high on the fence but the policeman made him tie it in line with the other flags placed there by other supporters. On the same row as us – to our left – low and behold – unbelievably so but true – a weird or what situation – but yes – sat 5 pink fairies replete with cowboy hats. I looked their way a number of times to see if I could recognise faces – but none were familiar. The clue however was their obvious support of Greg Hancock – whose name adorned most of the paraphernalia they carried with them. There were a bunch of Swedish supporters down front – the ones with the ‘Indianerna’ flag attached to the Swedish flag you see on TV – being waved by the guy wearing the Viking helmet. Eventually it dawned on me – after a few races had gone by - that the 5 ladies sat on the same row as us were ‘Swedish Pink Fairies’ – a revelation that almost made me swoon!!! (Swoon meaning- a cute way of saying – feel sick) Sky divers were falling from the sky and landing on the centre green – entertaining the audience with their skills – which reminds me of the 1977 world final in Gothenburg – when Ove Fundin was scheduled to do the same thing – but wasn’t allowed to do so – as it was regarded as far too dangerous for him to do it – bet that pissed old Ove off – don’t ya think!!! Looking round the stadium as we entered in there it was obvious this emporium had seen better days. Despite this it was a hive of activity all around the outside of the stadium – with athletics going on in one of the adjacent compounds – and some other even taking place over to the right – observed as we walked up ‘Olympic Stadium Way’ – though we didn’t have the time to check all these things out. Inside the stadium it reminded me of the old wooden Hyde Road stadium – no wonder Jason seems at home riding for Wroclaw. I felt as though I could see the cobwebs hanging from the rafters – the feeling was this stadium had been closed down for ages – and it was reopened for the sole reason of staging this grand prix. Ever since the start of the season I have had the feeling that all the riders – of whatever league in British racing – have a certain ‘jaded feel’ about them. For me it’s as if the season hasn’t started yet. This being the reason that certain British Elite League teams have yet to ‘fire on all cylinders’. This feeling was ‘alive and well’ in the Olympic stadium. Somehow I felt this wasn’t going to be all the good a meeting. But this was all new to Uncle Flip and his enthusiasm and willingness to get himself into the ‘spirit of things’ was infectious. He was impressed with the atmosphere that was definitely there whipped up by the non stop talking of the guy on the centre green who I was sure was going to give himself a heart attack before the evening was over. Finally the riders came out for the parade standing in line being introduced to the crowd. Jason with that look of deep concentration on his face and Tony Rickardsson revealing nothing of the thoughts going through his mind. Meanwhile Uncle Flip was accosted by a ‘roving reporter’ someone armed with a microphone interviewing fans inquiring of their predictions for the end of night result. ‘I’ve no bleeding idea who’s riding,’ quoth Uncle Flip, ‘never mind who’s likely to win it sunshine.’ So Uncle Flip directed said interviewer my way. I told him that I was expecting a reversal of the result in the first GP – meaning a Crump win with Nicki Pedersen as runner up. A thought I had even before we’d left England. Though we told the interviewer we were hoping for some ‘magic’ from Tomasz Gollob when he asked me who else I was supporting besides Crump and Nicki Pedersen The interviewer also asked us where we’d come from – having - no doubt – no idea where Barnsley was. Almost unnoticed the riders appeared for the first race – Jason Crump stamping his authority on the meeting right from the off. Greg Hancock was a revelation in his first race too. But I did wonder if this was going to be the height of Greg’s night. Nicki Pedersen stamped his authority on heat three – keeping T/R in second place. Iversen took care of Heat 4. Uncle Flip was a little disappointed by Lee Richardson’s third place – we didn’t have the heart to tell him – so we kept our own council. But he was happy with Nicholls second place behind the very fast looking Greg Hancock in Heat 2 Lee Adams did the business in heat 5 keeping the Poles Kasprzak and Hampel behind him while Andreas Jonsson confirmed to me his ‘never going to be’ status. I know why now as it’s the syndrome that affects certain riders that has the same grip on Andreas – meaning that it’s never going to happen in a big way for him. Heat 6 Scotty Nicholls delighted us all with his fine win over Zagar, Pepe and Bjarne Pedersen. Perhaps it was the Havelock influence at work – if it was it was doing alright at this stage of the proceedings. Heat 7 Hancock was at it again keeping T/R in second place while Lindback scored his second last place. Nicki was on fire in Heat 8 renewing his duel with Jason Crump that caught fire in the first GP and winning this one too. All 16 riders had completed two races. Hancock/Nicki Pedersen led the pack with Crump/Nicholls one point behind the rest of the field having mixed fortunes. That jaded feeling was hanging in the atmosphere but Uncle Flip was happy with Scott Nicholls’ performance thus far – but a little disappointed with Lee Richardson’s one point. But this was compensated by his growing appreciation of Jason Crump and Nicki Pedersen. Heat 9 and Scotty was outpaced by the speed of Leigh Adams who appeared to have got his act together – while Nicholls kept T/R in third place. Rickardsson was definitely ‘not at the races’ tonight – who knew what the problem was – perhaps he is lulling the opposition into a false sense of security??? Heat 10 showed that Nicki Pedersen was definitely at the races – making light of his problems with his wrists – winning his third outing – while the ever inconsistent Lee Richardson failed to score a second time. Heat 11 we were hoping for some magic from Gollob but Jarek Hampel stole his thunder to the delight of the Polish crowd. They predict that Hampel will be a future Polish world champion – but don’t hold your breath – because he has a lot more to do before that is likely to happen. Heat 12 Hancock held Crump off for four laps – laying down the marker that said – ‘this is my GP tonight’. Though my nephew was definite in his belief that Hancock wasn’t going to win tonight – while I was with Jason all the way. But Hancock was sitting pretty on 9 points – along with Nicki – Jason two points behind – along side Nicholls – as he would be in their next race - on 7 points. Behind them were Adams and Hampel on 6 points – T/R on five – with the rest inconsistent picking up the odd point – which kept them in the hunt a lot longer than it would have done in other GP’s Or are these low scoring meetings becoming the norm – reflecting how hard it is to score points in a GP – or reflecting that jaded feeling that was still hanging in the air over the stadium – like the deep black cloud - now threatening to water the track – in a deep meaningful manner - without Ole Olsen’s permission - again??? Heat 13 proved that Hancock meant to go all the way keeping Nicki P in second place – while once again Leigh Adams suffered mechanical failure Heat 14 was a ‘revelation’ with Bjarne Pedersen waking up to the challenge while Tony Rickardsson confounded everyone with a last place – this was taking ‘lulling folk into a false sense of security to new depths!!! But this suggested to me the reason for that ‘jaded feeling’ that is permeating through speedway at this moment in time - that somehow we were witnessing the ‘changing of the guard’ – where the baton was being passed from the older experienced riders – to the young pretenders who were now prepared to step up to the mark – in order to take over from the old guard who were still dominant in GP racing. But for me the ‘young pretenders’ who will take over the mantle of future world champions will come from others than those represented in the current GP series. The older end Crump – Nicki Pedersen and Hancock apart – seem to have ‘lost interest’ in the competitive battle for top honours – while those ‘younger’ riders now taking part – who you would expect to take over from them – seemingly not up to the challenge either. Heat 15 saw Matej Zagar gain a fine win over the somewhat fortunate in his second place over the jaded Jonsson and the ever ‘reliable’ Lee Richardson. Zagar might be one for the future – keep an eye on him – though Lindback isn’t if he doesn’t buck his ideas up in a very big way. Heat 16 ‘I reckon Nicholls should confirm his place in the semi finals in this race,’ enthused Uncle Flip, Scotty’s latest addition to his fan club, as the riders lined up at the tapes for their fourth ride of the night. ‘I reckon he could even beat Jason Crump. ‘Problem is this is where Nicholls usually f**ks up,’ said I to Uncle Flip as the riders came under starters orders. ‘Bl**dy hell fire,’ yelled the nephew as the f**k up arrived right on time as Nicholls dutifully touched the tapes and was excluded. Jason Crump went his own sweet way from tapes to flag with Jarek Hampel clinging onto his semi final hopes gaining third place behind Iversen – another who has a lot to do – if he wants to be a future king!!! By now Crump/ Hancock and Nicki Pedersen had booked their places in the semis with a whole bunch of riders aware that the 5 remaining places where anybodies. No doubt everyone was expecting Rickardsson to come alive and confound his critics once again. But it was the ‘young pretenders’ Hampel – Nicholls - Zagar and Iversen who were on the heels of the ‘old guard’. Heat 17 saw Gollob proving he still had what it takes holding out Zagar who was more than a match for Leigh Adams who it appears has passed his peak with his third place in the 2005 GP series. Heat 18 and Hancock hit the rut that disrupted his evening – earned him an exclusion – that confirmed to us this wasn’t going to be his night – he wasn’t going to go through the card Rickardsson style – proving there was real life in this old soldier. Instead it was Lee Richardson who once more showed he had what it takes – when it didn’t matter anymore and wasn’t going to get him anywhere – other than first passed the flag. And you know Lee Richardson really could be a first class speedway rider but I suspect he too suffers from the same ‘malady’ that is the nemesis of Andreas Jonsson – but that is speculation. Heat 19 with Nicki’s fourth win in the rerun - and confirmation of Nicholls’ place in the semis – they being Nicholls nemesis – where he seems to lose all self belief when up against riders he beats consistently in league racing. But it was a battle in itself for him to get there suffering a fall that seemed as if it was going to put him out of the meeting. While at the other end of the track Nicki Pedersen lost control as the riders shut off falling heavily and giving everyone the impression that he had come worse off than Nicholls in their respective crashes. But both of them lined up for the rerun keeping Kasprzak in third and Lindback in fourth place Lindback scored his fourth last place of the night and left him faced with a mountain of Everest proportions to climb before this GP series is through – if he is to be the future world champion many people hope he will be – and certainly want him to be. Heat 20 on the other hand underlined why Jason Crump is a ‘favourite’ to win his second world title – which would put him on a par with that other double world champion winning Belle Vue Ace – the best beloved Peter Craven. Heat 20 also underlined the dire state of Swedish speedway – when it comes to riders of world championship material – as Andreas Jonsson did a ‘Lee Richardson’ – getting a ahead when it mattered least - relegating Tony Rickardsson to his second third place of the night - with only the hapless Pepe Protasiewicz between T/R and further ignominy. Swedish speedway is in the process of saying goodbye to 6 times world champion Tony Rickardsson - just as they did 5 times world champion Ove Fundin in 1967 Then it was a 7 year wait for another world champion Anders Michanek in 1974 - and an even longer 16 year wait till 1990 for their next world champion in Per Jonsson. Rickardsson won his first world championship in 1994 – 27 years after Ove Fundin’s 5th title win. Could that mean it will be 2034 before the next Swedish multiple world champion comes along??? The signs don’t look good for either Andreas Jonsson or Antonio Lindback by that reckoning!!! It was the first semi with Nicki Pedersen – Tomasz Gollob – Jarek Hampel – Matej Zagar in the frame. Of course everyone was expecting the two ‘old stagers’ to glide through to the final. Nicki would have done of course – if he hadn’t have messed up on the first bend – drifting wide allowing both Zagar and Hampel through – but he did mess up and paid the price – while Tomasz Gollob faded away with a disappointing last place. The second semi was more ‘true to form’ with Hancock and Crump renewing their battle for supremacy on the night relegating Leigh Adams and Nicholls to third and fourth place respectively. And thus we come to the final – the ‘old guard’ up against the ‘young pretenders’ But neither Crump nor Hancock paid Hampel and Zagar any mind as they continued their battle for a third time – Hancock having won both previous encounters – but it was Jason – as predicted who crossed the line first – grateful for the every fairness of Hancock’s riding –when in meaningful races where everything was at stake. We stayed to watch the presentation – often denied us by Sky TV back home – hanging precariously on the fence by the starting gate – as the three rostrum places were filled by Zagar – Hancock – Crump. Jason is off to a great start – but will fortune favour him all the way – or is it Nicki’s year – or Greg Hancock – can Tony Rickardsson really confound his critics – or has he really passed his ‘sell by date’ Or will a ‘young pretender’ surprise us all and emerge from the pack to instigate a new era – exciting or what eh??? ‘That was bloody brilliant,’ quoth Uncle Flip as we made our way down ‘Olympic Stadium Way.’ The nephew and I wouldn’t have gone as far as saying that – it wasn’t a ‘bad’ meeting but it wasn’t a good one either. It was more or less predictable – other than Greg Hancock’s sterling performance and Nicki Pedersen’s failure to make the final. But it was Jason’s night as I had always felt it would be. The following day I drove the hire car down to Jablonka where we stayed three days. Taking a day out in Zakopane – a place my sister in law had never been to – but always wanted to visit. If you go there – take the chair lift up the mountain to take in the magnificent views then eat at the Adamo Italian restaurant – order their mushroom soup which is brilliant – as are the main meals they do there. Finally we stayed overnight in Krakow taking in the sights of that fine city buying souvenirs and enjoying a last meal in a top class restaurant Uncle Flip and sister in law found on their last visit to Poland 11 years before. We flew out of Poland on Thursday afternoon with a lot of good memories of both our speedway jaunt and the other places we visited. An Uncle Flip Joke How many psychiatrists does it take to change a light bulb? One – but the light bulb has to want to change!!! A very apt joke for speedway riders with aspirations of being world champion – eh – psychological or what!!!

It had better be or we will be having 'words' with Mr Olsen

Thanks for the info Mateusz - depends on if the ladies will allow us 'time off' to go to the practice on the friday whether we go there or not. Seems to me if we get to the stadium for 5 pm that should be soon enough - tickets have been obtained for us (hopefully ) in the main stand apparently - but that remains to be seen.

What is the Polonia Bydgoszcz Net F@ns ? - Who is Marta ? (Who is Sylvia what is she - sorta thang???)

Questions to anyone who can give the appropriate advice 1. Where exactly is the stadium in relation to the town centre = how far away is it? 2. What's the best way of getting there by public transport? 3. Is the official practice on the friday or on the saturday? 4. Can the general public go to the official practice? 5. If so what times it likely to begin and for how long will it run? 6. What time does the meeting begin - and what time should we be there? I think that will do for starters One of the Polish workers my wife is interpreting for - his father in law is called Roman Peczek This guy told me his father in law was a speedway rider in the 80's - does anyone have any information on this gentleman - that I could pass on to his son in law?

Prince William

Good meeting with good racing Fine win for Nicki Pedersen Crump fortunate - didn't look happy at all Great to see Gollob finish third (bring on Wroclaw) Rickardsson - well this is just the first GP Hard luck on Leigh Adams who could have won the meeting outright. All in all a good start

All dem who don't stand up

Grand to meet you too Norbold and your lady wife. It was a magic night !!!

Having just secured a very satisfactory package deal for the trip to Wroclaw for the Speedway Grand Prix there on Saturday May 6th I will post here the web link for the company who arranged the trip for us. http://www.gopoland.co.uk/home.asp

Great piece of film. A human safety fence too

'This is not Speedway has we know it Jim'. Reflections: Looking for that moment forgotten Looking for that moment remembered Speedway at the Crossroads Another old speedway track closes down with the demise of Exeter speedway at the County Ground. Along with all the other tracks no more than memories now. Too many to list all of them remembered by supporters who attended meetings there. The attempts to revive speedway at Perry Barr seem destined to come to nothing. Not only does England's first city London have no speedway venue to boast of in the Elite League nor does the second city Birmingham. Where does speedway go from here? Where has speedway come from? Where is it now? It would appear that speedway is at the crossroads. Will there be speedway has we know it Jim in ten years time? What is speedway has we know it? Will there be any speedway at all in ten years time?? Like everything in life speedway has gone through changes and will continue to do so. But what is the nature of the sport? How does it work? Why does it work? Who makes it work? We live in an age of rapid change, times when nothing is certain and solid plans for the future are difficult to make. The key to the future of anything lies in its past. We drive along in a car, look through the rear view mirror and see where we have been. We look through the side mirror and know where we are. We look through the windscreen and see where we are going. Thus we see the past and where we are and from this we come to understand the likely future of anything. The old tracks operating in traditional venues (usually dog track stadiums) are closing down. New tracks built from scratch are being established in various places around the country. Thus it is seen that speedway in effect is starting again from scratch. But at the same time some of these new tracks are closing down strangled at birth before they have time to breathe their breath of speedway life. Back to basics with a vengeance indicating that it is time to 'forget the past' and to remake speedway as a new sport that has evolved out of speedway that was. But why should speedway want or need to go back to basics. Costs for one thing. The lack of speedway riding talent who cannot afford the sophisticated machinery and all it involves in maintenance for another. Speedway operated at a certain level with a certain attitude of mind attached to it. Ivan Mauger introduced 'professionalism' into the sport, something that no speedway rider, promoter or supporter can deny. But as with all things these things come with a price to pay. Not everyone can be Ivan Mauger in the same way not everyone can be David Beckham or Freddie Flintoff. Mauger being the single-minded person he is set out a plan of action that suited him. He lived by his own code of practice and achieved the ultimate objectives he had in mind in the sport. But where did that leave everyone else? Riding in his shadow. Trying to put themselves in the position he put himself in, in order to achieve the ultimate objectives in the same manner he did. But everyone knows it doesn't work like that in life. There can only be one winner. Ivan Mauger was that one winner. Everyone else followed in his wake. Doing what Ivan did in order to be what Ivan was and they never were. But it was that busting of the gut to get there that dragged speedway down into the mire. Because even though Mauger dragged speedway into the modern era back in the 70's he also opened up the path to extinction that has harvested all those old stadiums that have closed their doors to speedway in the last 20 years or so. Every cute innovation, every new move every new bit of sparkle that added colour to the sport also drained off the spirit of what speedway was. And speedway was literally a thrill in a minute, a moment of high excitement. But all of a sudden it became a 'race' to have that bike that had that extra bit of drive to it out of the gate. There are those who criticise those who put a caution sign up when these new innovations take place. Though one does not seek that progress is not allowed but rather that what does progress actually mean? It is expected that a rider be professional in their presentation of themselves and their equipment at a meeting. But at what point does being professional work in the opposite direction and becomes a detriment to the rider rather than an advantage? When does a rider tie themselves in knots and defeat their objective of being a speedway rider? At what point is that the role of a rider is more about presentation and innovation than it is about racing? What effect does all of this have on the supporter who stands and watches these events unfold. Whenever a rider introduces a new aspect to the sport that wasn't there beforehand, the supporter is told this has been introduced for the 'good of the sport'. But is this new innovation for the good of the rider and the supporter all the time?? Everyone always wants to go a little faster, do things a little faster, be more efficient in the way you go about doing things. But all things move into their opposites and there is the point when new innovations are more a detriment to the sport than they are an advantage. When that point is reached there is no other recourse than to declare 'independence' from that which was and begin again. In the process of starting again the first thing people do is go back to basics. For it is there in the basics that the spirit of the thing is evident and shines through. The more complicated speedway becomes the duller it becomes. For speedway is a basic sport that serves its spirit best when it operates in that basic manner. When all the frills are cut away and the bare raw bones of what speedway is shine through. This is not to say that a rider must not be colourful in their choice of what they wear on the track or what is imprinted on the bikes they ride. What does matter is the concept that speed is all that matters in speedway. It's not and it isn't. What matters in speedway is the racing, the close contact between riders racing round the track vying with each other for the lead in the race. Surely a rider gains more satisfaction from a race well won than they do from a trouble free ride round the track to an easy win. For if that is all speedway is to a rider then speedway is just another job of work to be done. A job of work to roll up and get on with, get finished with and get on your way to do the things that really do matter in life. For with this attitude of mind it is plain to see that speedway is not that something that matters in life. One can become too professional at what they do and become nothing at all. So that is our first building block for promoters and riders to get their heads round. Does speedway matter to anyone? And if it does, why does it matter to them and how do they make it matter to the supporters around them? Why did thousands of supporters turn up at Kirkmanshulme Lane for the Play Off Final second leg? Why did thousands of supporters turn up at the County Ground for the last meeting to be held there? They turned up at these two venues because they were looking for speedway. Not speedway of old but looking for speedway itself. For it is speedway that has lost itself somewhere down the road in the last 25 years. For speedway is no longer speedway but 'Fast Track Riding'. Riding fast round a track. Riding faster round a track than three other people riding round the track not fast enough to catch the rider at the front. Not racing each other at close quarters at speeds that allows the old style of close contact racing to take place. It's every man for themselves now and if you can't keep up then tough luck on you. Speedway is a sport divided against itself and a house divided against itself is destined to fall. This is the time when all concerned in the promotion of speedway as a sport have to pull together. There has to be a common aim as to what speedway is going to be and what it's going to do to establish new premises for new teams and how to get supporters coming through the gate on a regular basis. How do you then make people fall in love with the sport? The answer seems to be to go back to basics, the future of speedway therefore being in speedway's origins. We cannot relive the days of old yet if we don't then this sport dies. It can be for-seen that in ten years time there will be no speedway in this country. Therefore who is it who will promote the sport has a whole and take it to the powers that be and say 'this is a viable sport with a great future'. Who will take speedway then and say to those who matter 'make way for this sport that matters to operate in the manner it should, instead of being instrumental in bringing about the demise of speedway'. There will be those who say you have to have the benchmarks as set by others to guide your aspirations in life. This is true but also one has to set realistic benchmarks for themselves to achieve. The problem is that one set of benchmarks sits at the opposite end of another set of benchmarks. In between is the void that into fall all things that do not hit the mark. And we speak of here of speedway falling into the void as it failed to hit the targets of professionalism set out by Ivan Mauger. In the days of the 70's and 80's those with the perceptive eye could see what the results of the professionalism of Ivan Mauger would do for speedway in the end. Force speedway into a position where those who participated in the sport were obliged to aim for targets they could not reach. It could be said, right or wrongly, that was the reason Ivan Mauger never involved himself in speedway in the UK in the manner it was perhaps expected he would. People often emphasise that Ivan was his own man in a manner that it is presented as an obvious fact no one would argue with. Why was it then that a man with the interests of speedway so deeply at heart didn't place himself in a position where he could have been decisive in determining the direction of speedway and its future? Why was it the man who made possible the gold plated Jawa didn't want to make possible the golden speedway future? Why was it the 'man with the plan' for himself wasn't the 'man with the plan' for the future of speedway? Why was it the man with the plan could make the plan happen for himself but he couldn't or didn't want to make the plan work for everyone riding speedway? An achievement that would in effect have made him truly 'immortal' and in effect the greatest man of speedway there ever was. The answer to this question is very simple, it was seen clearly then as it is seen clearly now. Ivan Mauger brought his brand of professionalism to the wrong sport. Speedway wasn't like other motor sports. Other motor sports rely on ' innovative technological improvements, glamorous heroic racers and high speed racing round long distance tracks'. If Ivan Mauger had have practised one of these types of motor sports there would be no one deny that what he represented was right for that sport. But speedway in the depths of its soul wasn't and isn't about glamour and high speed long distance racing. As it was often said to those who asked what speedway was? Speedway is a 'spiritual sport', a sport of the spirit. It is of the spirit it is of the soul it is of the emotions and it is of the heartbeat of life. A sport where you see all things concerning life take place in a minute, take place in a moment. And when you tamper with that spirit and try to make that sport something it isn't then you strike the death knell of all that speedway is. Thus it was seen even in his heyday that has Ivan Mauger was elevating himself to the status of 'greatest practitioner of the sport there ever was' at the same time he was undermining what speedway was and now could no longer be. And it is said here too that Ivan Mauger knew himself exactly what was happening to speedway and where in effect it was going. And thus it is said too this is the reason that Ivan Mauger never involved himself in speedway, in Great Britain, as he could have when his racing days ended. Because he for-saw what is being said here himself, in other words he knew what he was doing as a racer and he knew the effect it would have on speedway and being the forward planner and thinker he is, he also had worked out the logical conclusions of all he was doing too. And thus he did not involve himself in the sport in the manner he could have and thus walked away from the sport in that sense. And he organised his World Series of Speedway independent of what speedway was then. As he himself states, the Grand Prix series is in effect the 'grandson' of his World Series. And as each of us knows the Grand Prix's are in effect independent of what speedway is today. In effect we have two speedways. The one speedway being that of league racing that takes place in a certain number of countries on a regular financially viable, well supported consistent basis. The second speedway being that of the Grand Prix series that owes no allegiance and no affiliation to league racing. But both these two speedways use the same top riders to function, another spectrum of opposites with a void in the middle to be filled with????? And thus we come closer to the heartbeat of the two great contradictions of speedway. Up to the late 1960's speedway was a certain sport operating in a manner satisfactory to riders, promoters and public alike. Along came Mauger to drag speedway kicking and screaming into the modern post war era. But when Ivan looked over his shoulder he saw the sport has a body wasn't with him. The sport wasn't attuned to that way of thinking not because it was backward looking but because it was made of a different temperament than other motor sports. But the move was already made and those who looked up and saw Mauger disappearing over the horizon to glory got on their bikes and raced on after him. And they follow him still wither they will over Christmas hill. And it is these contradictions that are tearing the sport apart. The cream of the crop ride of into Grand Prix heaven where the rest have to make do and mend as they did pre Mauger, thus they have no choice but to go 'back to basics' and start the sport of speedway all over again. The writer understands these things because the writer applies the same standards of professionalism laid down by Ivan Mauger to the written works of their own. The writer also understands that by definition, to plough your own field of thought can lead to a certain isolation as a person and a misunderstanding of intention by those who observe the writer at work. You find yourself in a certain field of your own with no one else there with no one understanding what you are doing, why you're doing it, what you are saying and why you are saying it. But you go there all the same to achieve that which you set out to achieve and there is no fault in doing that expressed here. And just has 9 individual world titles are all Ivan Mauger's the written works of the writer are all theirs and stand has their achievements in life just has his do. The writer might not achieve the public recognition of a world champion but everything else is there intact. There are those who ask the writer as to why the work is consistent throughout and the answer to that is simple too. The writer keeps in touch with the spirit of what is written and keeps in touch with the soul of the word and that soul lives and breathes. Thus the speedway rider must keep in touch with the spirit of what speedway is, and that is the very heartbeat of life itself. This being the reason most of them never wish to let go of speedway and this being the reason they have to look to themselves to and how they go about riding speedway in the future. 'Free my spirit, free my soul till you do I am nothing at all'

My very point being that he wanted to do it on merit and not be a 'chosen one'. Tomasz Gollob is and always has been the 'chosen one'. He doesn't want or need a FIM or BSI selection committee, or anyone to else, for that matter, to choose him. This being the stance of one who would regard himself as a true Pole. One who I don't doubt will have his finger on the heartbeat of the Polish nation and its people. One who I don't doubt knows how he is expected to conduct himself by his nation and its people.

I understand what you are saying Sub. It’s the sense the passing came about in the way it did, more by chance of an accident, on an unpredictable greasy track, than it did because of prepared pre-meeting intent by riders to make certain passing moves, during each of their races against a particular opposing rider. In your opinion I believe, therefore, a debacle despite the arguments that it was the ‘same for all the riders’. Greasy wet tracks!!! I think that most tracks could do with a couple of hundred tons of shale on them, but that’s just me with my slick jive talk What I look for in a meeting is the deeper essence of what motivates the riders to perform in the way they do. To reach out and touch the heart and soul of the matters in hand, be they displayed either in a positive or negative manner. (‘Seeing as there is bugg*r all else to watch’ chuckled wicked old senile Uncle Mr. Clemens)!!! If you have ever felt the heartbeat of a piece of stone you will know what I mean. There is life in everything and everything has its heartbeat. Speedway has its heartbeat and I felt it beating on Saturday night when speedway riders bared their souls to the Speedway supporting world in the GP at Lonigo. T/R displayed his deep joy at fulfilling himself as a speedway rider and achieving the penultimate goal open to all speedway riders. The coat of ‘World Championships of Many Different Colours’ fits him perfectly. T/R long ago understood that you become the world champion and not that the world championship becomes you. Jason Crump displayed a sense of deep contentment having realised he has achieved the rank of world champion and come to terms with what it means to him personally. He tried to be what a world champion should be and thus allowed the world championship to rule his life and make him the depressed unhappy champion he was. Crump has now understood all this during his first term as world champion. It has been a hard road for him to walk. But Crump is now better fitted to take on the role of a world champion, and remake the world championship in his image, has T/R has done before him, Ivan Mauger before him and Ove Fundin before him. Crump’s unhappiness was made self evident, to me, in the moment at Coventry when my nephew was waiting to get Crump’s autograph. Self evident when Crump was being pressed by someone in a manner suggesting he was expected to perform certain roles in a certain manner without question. Self evident in the look of ‘pain’ on his face has he turned away from the person who was talking to him. Self evident in the ‘pain’ appearing on his face has he turns sharply away from television interviewers at the end of the interview. Self evident in the two-fingered salute he gave to the cameras as he walked to the podium after his second GP win in Sweden. Self evident in the ‘pain’ on his face expressed in the midst of his joyful celebrations, in this same GP, when Mike Patrick ‘accosted’ him presumably to pose for pictures. People often ask me how I know these things about them. I always tell them, ‘It’s written all over your face’. And the face is the window of the soul. Leigh Adams displayed a quiet self-understanding with achieving third place on the World Championship rostrum. Realising finally that he has the character and mental capacity to achieve the ultimate goal of being world champion. Taking that step onto the podium has revealed to him that there are two more steps to be taken to that goal. If he makes those two steps is down to him and remains to be seen. But he has grasped the nettle of what it takes to achieve that end. Implicit in grasping that nettle is the inference that he will take those two steps. Scott Nicholls displayed ‘self disgust’ at his failure to take the step from also ran to true contender. Implicit in this ‘self disgust’ is the inference that he has realised what he has to do to make the ‘great leap forward’ and will return to do so and perhaps surprise himself and everyone else with what he can achieve. Lee Richardson displayed his sense of realisation that he wants to take that ‘great leap forward’ too. That he wants to be up there with the ‘big boys’ and not be remembered has just someone else who once rode speedway. He knows he has the ability to achieve success on the world stage and he has to find that professional set up that translates his ‘dreams’ into reality. Tomasz Gollob displayed his desire to remain on the world stage when he discovered that he was only a couple of points away from eliminating himself from the next GP series. Realising that he would no longer be in the position to display to the world his racing abilities, and his ‘Godlike’ magical speedway riding powers, he proved to himself he still had the desire to be one of the ‘big boys’, by gaining the points he needed. Reflective Nicki Pedersen displayed the realisation that he was going backwards not forwards in his quest to win another world championship. The exhausted look on his face and his refusal to blame anyone or anything but himself for his predicament suggested that finally he has come to the conclusion that ‘I am doing something wrong here, I don’t know what it is yet but I am going to find out and put it right’. Implying that we are, perhaps, going to see a new improved Nick Pedersen not as tricky as we have known him up to now. This is what I saw in the Lonigo GP written on the faces of these Speedway riders. And it was a grand thing to see. The reason it was a grand thing to see is because it revealed the true heart and soul of what speedway is, is still intact, that the heartbeat of Speedway is strong and healthy. All these things were displayed for everyone who was watching to see on Saturday night. But what was on display most of all was the realisation that all these speedway riders had achieved their liberation of the self and understood the can translate it into the freedom to be what they want to be. All this occurred in spite of not because of those who believe they are in control of the destiny of speedway. The people who assume they know how the heart of speedway beats because they provide the stage upon which Speedway riders perform. All this occurred because these riders wanted it to happen and made it happen. This was the beauty of the Grand Prix. This is why it was a Grand Experience. And thus we write the ‘word’. In the process of writing the ‘word’ we discover how to ‘rhyme the tick of time’ and thus learn to sing the ‘Song of Solomon’. And thus we sing the ‘Song of Solomon’ and understand the key to life. ‘All is vanity and you may as well try and catch the wind’. (‘Or t’six times world champion Tony Rickardsson’ whoever’s bleedin fastest’ chuckled wicked old senile myopic Uncle Mr. Clemens to his silly sen)!!!!

Cheers Pete glad you liked it

Speedway Grand Prix Lonigo The Final Exam and The End of Term Party Everything is at Sixes and Sevens in the Temples of Heaven As Speedway riders joust for places On the Speedway Round Table at the Court of the New Speedway King Uncle Mr Clemens resplendent in 'Where's t'chuffing speedway gone'??? colourful Halifax woolly pully 'Whoops silly me', chuckled Uncle Mr Clemen's t'glowering nephew laurel leaves still sparkling green 'I must have t'wrong channel on'??? sat down with tasty sweet and sour chicken 'You stupid, senile, myopic, wicked, old git, this is tennis not speedway', quoth th'irate nephew on his return from t'Chinese take away??? to party along with th'new Six Times World Champion Tony Rickardsson 'Whoops sorry I thought Andre Agassi was one of th'Italian reserve riders getting his elbows in shape for t'meeting certain to put on a glorious televised speedway spectacular 'Football, Tennis, Golf', groaned t'nephew!!! befitting th'newly crowned King of Speedway 'Where's t'chuffing speedway gone', quoth frantic t'channel flicking nephew??? for t'watching speedway millions 'Eh what wait what's all this' chuckled Uncle Mr Clemens??? 'Tennus'!!! 'You have two Minnutts??? You have two Minnuts!!! 'It's same chuffing bloke that says 'Tennus' who says 'you have two 'Minnuts' you have two Minnuts!!! eh mystical or what', chuckled Uncle Mr Clemens at t'deep joy of it all with tasty sweet and sour chicken not to mention 'Tennus' at his elbow??? Then it all became clear to Uncle Mr Clemens in an immaculate misconception. Speedway was Sky TV's Official Program Replacement - Third Reserve when there was b*ggar all else to show on satellite tv. Tactical subterfuge or what eh!!!! 'Brian Brian Not the monitor!!! Not only that th'Italians had already got on with t'motley so t'breathless race was already on for t'speedway watching millions to catch up with late night speedway Italian style!!! So we'd best get on wi' it eh straightaway!!! But no despite t'fact meeting had already started t'speedway millions were invited to a recap of t'last magnificent win of th'majestic Tomasz Gollob!!! And yet no again not before th'speedway millions were invited to recap on t'prospects of t'main speedway jousters in t'meeting already taking place??? 'Tony can relax tonight in Italy' quoth Keith 'Yep, Yep we know!!! Crump can consolidate second place Yep we know that too!!! Will Lee Adams pip Tricky Nicky Pedersen to third place or will it be Greg Hancock??? Will Scott Nicholls sit at the Speedway Round Table and secure 8th place by overtaking Andreas Jonsson???? Will Lee Richardson look sick enough to attract medical attention from the promoters??? Christmas is coming can Batman prevent it???? At last on with th'bleeding motley. Yay!!!! The televised presentation gets off in a brisk, efficient, business like manner has the pre-recorded first four races flash by in the blink of an eye Heat 1. S. Andersen 3 N Pedersen 2 Jonsson 1 Gollob 0 Tricky Nicki out in front passed by Jonsson who slips and slides from first to third as Andersen glides to surprise win. Track conditions wet and greasy cause upsets from the off. 'Tomasz Gollob's having an absolute nightmare', quoth TV Pundit Pearson Sliding off the pace, Gollob obviously ill at ease, representing a nation not used to home grown Speedway Monarchs ('Probably t'reason they've only had one World Champion', chuckled Uncle Mr Clemens 'Who'??? 'Szczakiel'!!! 'Never heard of him', quoth t'nephew 'Who has', chuckled Uncle Mr Clemens)!!! Heat 2. Chrzanowski 3 H. Andersen 2 B. Pedersen 1 Richardson 0 The Pole leads from the first bend sweeping round the outside for second surprise win of the meeting. Pressured by Andersen all the way 'Lee Richardson head obviously not in gear again disappointingly at the back', quoth Pearson Heat 3. Hancock 3 Zagar 2 Adams 1 Povazhny 0 Hancock convincing win from the gate technically able to improve on 5th place overall Adams struggles on greasy track to cope with Zagar who finishes in second place 'We will keep you up with the mathematics of it all', quoth th'informative Pearson Heat 4. T/R 3 Crump 2 Lindback 1 Nicholls 0 The once and future King versus the new reigning Monarch versus the Young Pretenders T/R round outside of Crump Nicholls connects with Lindback suffers mechanical problems losing a chain according to th'eagle eyed astute Kelvin Emphatic win for T/R putting his stamp on the meeting from the off Anybody who thought T/R was here for a party they'd better think again', quoth th'astute thrilled Pearson Yeah they were very much mistaken', quoth th'intellectual Kelvin 'T/R's domination has never been threatened this season', quoth Pearson Back to real live action in heat five Heat 5 Jonsson 3 B Pedersen 2 Richardson 1 Nicholls 0 Nicholls out in his 2nd race on the trot makes frantic adjustments to his bike 'It's a tricky track' quoth th'astute Kelv GB Team manager Middlo seen in Nicholl's corner, obviously hatching a wicked Usurpation Plot, to deprive A/J of his tenuous hold on 8th place on th'Speedway Round Table Eh what more subterfuge in a counterfeit GP??? 'The track's dead flat and the water doesn't run off it's evening now and the dews come down making the track greasy causing riders to lose momentum', quoth th'ever astute and informative Kelvin Nicholls on two 'Minnuts' cuts across the centre green 'Wayhay nice one', chuckles Kelvin 'Nice bit of skill on the grass' chuckles Pearson 'He's not a bad grass-track rider actually', quoth Kelv hinting at a possible career riding replacement for the luckless Nicholls 'Nichols needs to win this one' quoth Pearson has Nicholls drives into Jonsson hurling him into the fence under his own bike Nicholls apologetic to A/J. A/J accepts the apology perhaps unaware of a Usurpation Plot hatched against him Pearson hands t'speedway millions back to th'studio where th'almost forgotten trio of UK based TV Pundits sit waiting to voice their opinions. A new air of tranquil, gentlemanly, respectability surrounds th'intrepid trio of pundits not one iota of condescension to be sensed anywhere??? ('Keith's obviously learned to respect th'speedway's lesser lights since th'last Grand Prix', chuckled wicked old senile myopic Uncle Mr Clemens)??? 'Andreas Jonsson's being a bit of a gentleman there', quoth th'ever so polite Keith displaying his new found sincerity for all t'speedway watching millions to see 'After being stuffed into the fence it's one of those situations where he could have shown a little less cool Andreas' showing his class there' 'Scotty's a racer Andreas' a racer they're both racers' quoth th'astute Uncle Sam putting two and two together in a mystical mathematical equation 'Scotty made a great move but there wasn't enough dirt to hold him up' 'Do you think a little bit of frustration got hold of him' quoth Keith ever so sweetly batting his eyelids disarmingly in Chris Louis' direction??? 'Yep I think it was a little bit of frustration', responded the equally sweet Chris Louis chuffed at Keith's new found respect befitting th'Official Polish Immigration Officer 'He knew Andreas was the man he's got to beat as well but there wasn't enough dirt to hold him up' Uncle Sam comments on an action replay of Nicholls' collision with Jonsson 'You can just see his dirt deflector climbing up errrrr' Uncle Sam almost chokes on his wise words as ever so polite Keith cuts in!!! 'Don't blame t'four times World Speedway Monarch Barry Briggs for it', quoth th'world champion adoring Keith 'I'm not having any of that my dear old mate Barry Briggs you can't blame his dirt deflector for that!!! You can blame bleedin Chris Louis if you want though', chuckled Keith wickedly to his silly sen, has he sweetly looks into t'camera to apologise t'speedway watching millions, for being a little late in getting th'meeting on their screens. (No not thee Joe TV screens thee keep thi mind on getting thi sen fit for t'ruckus on Monday neet)!!! 'Jonsson's had his wheelbase shortened by a foot', quoth Keith, keeping th'promise t'speedway millions to inform them of th'mathematical permutations concerning th'outcome of t'meeting!!! 'Andreas' not been given a hell of a lot of time to sort himself out considering he's just been through the fence' 'Mechanics are more stressed at GP's than the riders', quoth th'Immigration Officer Louis politely pushing his luck with sweet natured Keith!!! Heat 5. Rerun Adams from the gate AJ tussles with Richardson AJ shakes GB Minimum Man off chases brilliantly after Adams overtaking him on the line 'Fantastic race from a man who was put through the fence 3 minutes ago', quoth th'astute Pearson Heat 6. Rickardsson 3 B Pedersen 2 Hancock 1 Gollob 0 T/R sails majestically on B/P tussles with Hancock Gollob fails to finish the race 'The travelling fans said T/R won't be motivated' gasps TV pundit Nigel 'Surely he has to go for that seventh title'!!! 'He has to hasn't he', quoth th'astute Kelv (Do you cheps really think he will', chuckled th'polite Mr. C entering into t'spirit of peace, love and understanding emanating from t'UK studio)??? 'Looking forward to Monday Kelv', quoth Pearson??? 'Yep can't wait I'm off to Coventry it will be a terrific match', quoth th'astute Kelv ('So am I', chuckled Uncle Mr Clemens to his wicked sen 'small world innit eh what)??? 'Don't write off Eastbourne at Belle Vue Eastbourne will be fired up', quoth Nigel obviously having made t'connection to th'mystical vibration eh what HOW!!! Heat 7. Crump 3 H Andersen 2 S Andersen 1 Zagar 0 Tight start Zagar falls after tangling with Hans Andersen and is excluded. Th'intrepid TV pundits watch an action replay of the incident 'Nasty looking incident that', comments the always concerned Kelvin when a rider is involved in a serious crash 'That feeling is awful' 'You know Kelv', quoth Nigel, 'knowing bugg*r all about riding a speedway bike what is going through your mind??? 'Not very much has it happens so quickly', quoth th'very experienced three time World Longtrack Champion Kelvin Tatum 'Oh dear me what's happened here', offers Nigel also imbued with the infectious air of politeness floating through t'SKY presentation team??? 'Oh darn it', quoth Kelvin succumbing to th'lucky SKY Sweetness Bug Keith talks to Uncle Sam about the atmosphere at Lonigo and track in general 'Sorry Chris you'll get a chance to talk in a minute it's nothing personal', quoth Keith sweetly as th'lucky Sky Sweetness Bug drifts slowly through th'Land of Milk and Honey Sky Studios eh what??? ('Heaven I'm in Heaven', chuckled wicked old Uncle Mr Clemens to his sen The Green Mile that's what death row eh Poole you mean)??? Rerun Great start from H Andersen but allows Crump to pass him Heat 8. N. Pedersen 3 Chrzanowski 2 Povazhny 1 Lindback 0 N/P tussles with a fiery Lindback who loses power gifting N/P 3 points 'It was just bad luck', quoth th'astute Kelv (During the break a debate concerning the future of the GP's takes place too detailed to go through here all the arguments are well debated elsewhere but one conclusion is that young riders will need the proper financial backing) Heat 9. B. Pedersen 3 Jonsson 2 Lindback 1 Zagar 0 Pedersen from gate great tussle between Jonsson/Lindback for 2nd place Heat 10. Crump 3 Richardson 2 Gollob 1 Povazhny 0 Povazhny gates but passed by Crump Gollob and Richardson Richardson passing Gollob in the same move 'Crump looks hungry and determined', quoth th'astute Kelv Heat 11. T/3 3 Adams 2 Chrzanowski 1 S Andersen Chrzanowski away first Adams follows T/R third 'T/R is relegated to third but he will calculate his move', quoth th'increasingly mathematically and mystically minded Pearson??? T/R passes Chrzanowski and Adams in one sweep from third to first 'I said he would calculate his move', yells a thrilled Pearson in tune with the mindset of a six times world champion 'He was absolutely spot on with his calculations just like me'!!! Calculatingly mathematically mystically minded or what eh HOW!!!! ('Tha'd best watch out for thi sen Uncle Mr Clemens', chuckled th'wicked nephew, 'Pearson will be doing thi out of a job soon' 'None of these mystically minded mathematics adds up' muttered Mr. Clemens to his sen) 'Rickardsson's just showing once again why he's world champion', quoth a suitably impressed with, Pearson that is, Kelvin!!! The King of Speedway chuckles in t'pits at his magical prowess Heat 12. Nicholls 3 H Andersen 2 Hancock 1 N Pedersen N/P, Andersen, Nicholls play dodgem cars with each other while Hancock jets away Nicholls getting a grip on the track at last comes from the back to gain his first points of the night Time out Has the studio pundits discuss, who might or might not make it to sit and dine at the Speedway Round Table, by the end of the night, the wicked truth as to why the GP came on late is suddenly revealed Cutting off in mid sentence a slightly but politely miffed Chris Louis, TV Pundit Keith reveals all 'You have a great situation here as well Sam', quoth Keith, 'cos you reckon as Agassi won his match tonight and went through to the final Greg Hancock will win tonight'!!! 'Yeah he'll win', grins a chuckling Uncle Sam 'it's short sweet and simple' ('Too bleedin right it is', quoth senile myopic Uncle Mr Clemens seeing th'mystical truth in one blinding visionary moment!!! 'What is it that troubles you oh mystical Uncle', quoth th'startled nephew??? 'Th'bleeding reason Grand Prix was late starting was cos Uncle chuffing Sam was watching t'bleedin tennis', game set and match or bleedin what eh)!!!! Modest T/R plays down his chances of sweeping the entire field in this GP 'T/R's finding it hard to get motivated', quoth Uncle Sam trying to mystically, mathematically calculate why T/R has scored just nine points??? A thankfully happy, stress free and peaceful looking Jason Crump even less motivated on eight points??? 'It must be difficult to motivate yourself', quoth Keith when you've lost the overall championship??? 'You talking to me', quoth t'kid from th'mean streets Robert de Ermelenko 'You sure you're talking to me??? 'Yep' quoth sweet Keith 'Well ask Chris chuffin Louis cos I'm watching t'bleedin tennis!!! Heat 13. T/R 3 Jonsson 2 H Andersen 1 Povazhny 0 Masterful T/R runs wide to pass Andersen AJ under Andersen Heat 14. Nicholls 3 Zagar 2 Gollob 1 Chrzanowski 0 'The unpredictable Gollob is well unpredictable', quoth th'increasingly mystically minded TV Pundit Nigel!!! Gollob first away Nicholls misses start clouts Chrzanowski Gollob all at sea trying to find his way back to the magic of Bydgoszcz Heat 15. Lindback 3 Hancock 2 Richardson 1 S Andersen 0 Richardson tussles with Lindback leads race but passed by Lindback then Hancock Richardson struggling to make semis Heat 16. Adams 3 B Pedersen 2 Crump 1 N Pedersen 0 Bumpy first bend leaves Crump struggling to stay on his bike has he his pushed violently out of shape by the combined efforts of both Pedersens Adams takes advantage of the melee to gain three very necessary points 'Crump could have perhaps laid his bike down to get a rerun', quoth Kelv has Crump battles into third place The irate Crump berates the Polish referee enquiring not at all politely if he has to be put through the fence before a rerun is awarded All the TV pundits agree that the referee should have stopped the race. Convinced of John Poslethwaite's th'absolute power over th'mind, body and t'soul of speedway TV Pundit Keith hands t'speedway watching millions over to an interview of th'boss of BSI??? An inebriated looking John Postlethwaite is asked who is likely to be included in next years Speedway Grand Prix series 'I ought to tell you to mind your own bleedin' business', quoth bleary eyed Possy 'but seeing has it's party time I will sing you a little song instead Music maestro please ah one ah two ah three ah 'It's my Speedway and I will do what I want to pick who I want to choose who I want to you would do too if it happened to you All right everyone altogether now sing'!!! Th'combined choirs of th'Speedway supporting millions in complete harmony with th'FIM selection committee and BSI sing 'It's John's speedway and he'll do what he wants to pick who he wants to chose who he wants to as we would do too if we were in Johnny's shoes do be doo do be day oh yeah'!!!! 'Now bugg*r off', quoth Possy to th'interviewing minion Heat 17. Crump 3 Jonsson 2 Hancock 1 Chrzanowski 0 Crump gates Jonsson Hancock battles to remain in contention but will remain fifth in the world overall Heat 18. Adams 3 Gollob 2 H Andersen 1 Lindback 0 Lindback excluded for touching the tapes by unpredictable Polish referee 'Lindbach's a nervous starter', quoth Pearson 'He's the one who touched the tapes', quoth th'astute Kelv 'There was a time in the days of Ivan Mauger et al when you could touch the tapes', reminisces Nigel 'Ivan would roll back and forward touching the tapes', fraudulent or what eh??? Italian reserve comes in in place of Lindback but fails to score Gollob tries to sweep round fast gating Adams but ends up struggling to keep Andersen in third place Adams in first place putting himself on a par with Nicki Pedersen in the overall championship Gollob comes alive just in time to secure his place in next years GP Heat 19. Povazhny 3 B Pedersen 2 S Andersen 1 Nicholls 0 Nicholls/Povazhny collide shuttle Pedersen into fence in the first turn race stopped TV Pundits no ones fault all four back in Pedersen suffers heavy thump on the head by his own bike ricocheting off the fence race stopped all four back. Nicholls the meat in the sandwich Rerun Andersen in front Nicholls' bike loses power depriving him of the one point he needs to get into the semis Povazhny crosses line first waving his arms in triumph 'You'd think he'd won the world championship', chuckles Pearson 'He's going to write that one down in his diary', chuckles Kelvin 'I've won this'!!! Nicholls hobbles off towards the changing rooms in apparent self-disgust but a mystical mist of confusion descends on the permutations and calculations of riders and TV Pundits alike, has this exciting meeting comes to a climax Fate holds a strange twist of fate in reservefor the deserving ???? Heat 20 T/R 3 Richardson 2 Zagar 1 N Pedersen 0 N/P dices with Zagar for third place N/P steams under Zagar pushing him violently into the fence Lady luck puts Nicholls back in contention Lee Richardson has a second chance too, looking to pull of a lucky GB Maximum Man style late run to the GP final has he did at Bydgoszcz 'This has been a complete final tonight', Pearson's accurate assessment of this climactic meeting Rickardsson back to his best after struggling in Bydgoszcz to complete his world championship campaign Leigh Adams on the verge of joining T/R on the rostrum Rerun Richardson battles up the inside but T/R swiftly pulls away 'There no favours from Rickardsson for Richardson', says Kelvin Nicholls confirmed in the semi final >>> with the one of the lowest scores in a GP Uncle Sam calculates that Nicholls has gone through, everyone concurs!!! Though there is an assumption that certain riders will be chosen as 'wild cards' to represent their country Nicholls/Richardson show their calibre chosing to gain their place on merit despite the more than possible 'gifted' places that will be open to one or both of them as Great Britain's representatives Ole Olson tells Italian bingo caller to hurry up and get on with the draw for semi final places Semi final One First Rickardsson Second Hancock Third H Andersen Fourth B Pedersen Rickardsson majestic from the gate Quick thinking move up inside line from Hancock guarantees his place in the final 'Who's to say he can't do it again next year' says Pearson of six times world champion Rickardsson Semi final two First Crump Second Adams Third Nicholls Fourth Jonsson Nicholls dragged from out of the the changing rooms tangles with Jonsson AJ excluded. Jonsson takes up the issue with the Polish referee 'Look at my start', pleads Jonsonn 'Look at the wideo'!!! Eh what??? 'Sorry I don't have the time mate ' responds the Polish referee 'I am watching 'Tennus'!!! Nicholls up against it off of gate 4 with two Australians barring his way to the final and a guaranteed place among the Knights at the Speedway Round Table 'Dare I say it Kelvin, dare I say it. I'm not suggesting this. I am just asking and perhaps suggesting, that Jason Crump would rather like to see Leigh Adams third in the world has a fellow Australian', quoth speculative Pearson??? 'Hmm there is that to it of course', chuckles Kelv ruefully contemplating Nicholls' missed opportunities during the season Rerun Nicholls misses the start Crump in lead looking over his shoulder to ensure Adams remains in second place to clinch his rostrum position Final First Rickardsson Second Crump Third Hancock Fourth Adams 'Whose your money on Sam', quoth th'polite Keith sensing the last drama is imminent 'It's got to be T/R' quoth Uncle Sam 'Well that's boring' quoth Keith 'I'm equally as boring', chuckles Chris Louis 'Whose your money on then Keith', quoth t'playful Chris Louis. 'Don't be boring'??? Eh what, Keith boring, nivver!!! 'I'm going on the Sam Ermalenko theory that has Agassi won his final Greg will win, but I'd like to see Crumpie win too I'm just an old softy really' An exhausted reflective Nicky Pedersen unwilling to place fault on anything vows to return to the rostrum in the future The unbeaten King of all he surveys leads the procession of the Grand Knights of Speedway, in the newly established order of ranking, in four circuits of the Speedway Round Table, to the acclaim of the speedway supporting millions Tony Rickardsson wins his sixth world title, his sixth grand prix, in seven immaculate races Congratulations To Jason Crump To Leigh Adams To Greg Hancock To Nicki Pedersen Bjarne Pedersen Tomasz Gollob Andreas Jonsson And to all those other riders who gave to the speedway world this grand occasion And to Kelvin Tatum Nigel Pearson Keith Huet Sam Ermalenko Chris Louis Who played their not inconsiderable part in the dramas of the Speedway Grand Prix 2005 Everything is at Sixes and Sevens in the Temples of Heaven When watching the live edition of this event, I felt somewhat deprived of the anticipated experience of the drama of the final grand prix It was only with writing these words, that it became evident, that the true heart and soul of those who practice the art of riding speedway, was on display in the final Grand Prix of the season A Grand Experience all round

Proving it perhaps by winning a world championship?

Is there any reason why the whole event cannot have been recorded including presentation cermonies? Sky could then present a repeat showing of the entire Grand Prix at some point when scheduling allows, therefore fulfilling their obligation to the fee paying public. Yesterdays unsatisfactory presentation left the viewer with the feeling that it was quite within the rights of Sky to rush through the presentation of this Grand Prix. This being, perhaps, because the main issues concerning the Grand Prix season were already settled so the rest of it will be of no concern to the viewer. It was said in the Speedway Star recently that speedway was the third most popular sport shown on Sky Sports. If this is indeed the case, is it not reasonable to expect to see the whole event in its entirety?Should the Grand Prix be shunted off the screen for sports that come lower down in the pecking order? The public use Sky and pay for the privilege of watching the programs they buy Sky packages for. Should the public be denied their right to see the programs they pay for, in favour of programs they have no interest in watching, then simply accept it without expressing their concern?

It was said in the sense that he was an actual world champion being one of the 5 riders who won the title between 1967 and 1979. Mauger > Olsen >> Szczakiel >>> Michanek >>> Collins >>> A position that elevated him to the status of number one rider in the world. And you have never heard Ivan Mauger say any other than that Szczakiel won his world title by right that day in 1973. No matter how you class Szczakiel has a rider in the pecking order of riders of his day, he achieved something they didn't. But the big 4 + 1 also ran >>> if you prefer >>> though Szczakiel was a better rider than he was given credit for as he was one of the World's Best Pairs in 1971, as you said. The main reason people always want to dismiss Szczakiel's achievement of winning a world title is because he simply wasn't Zenon Plech. In most peoples opinion Szczakiel wasn't expected to win Plech was. The fact Plech didn't win and Szczakiel did has got up peoples noses from that day to this. And perhaps Szczakiel wasn't allowed the oppertunities to further his career and confirm his abilities because his face 'didn't fit' and maybe even as a 'punishment' for having the temerity to deprive 'the more deserving' of what was rightfully theirs. And IMO the way Szczakiel has borne the 'ignominy' of his elevation to world champion status eversince, with good grace, has shown him to be a 'Big' man in every way.