T.N.T.

Iversen looks set to finish in the top 8, so Martin Smolinski will be in the 2014 Series once NKI is assured of a top 8 place KK is now assured of a place next year but is 20 points off the top 8 (Holder) but only 11 points behind 9th placed Gollob ... If KK grabs 8th spot, then Bomber gets in !!

Krzysztof Buczkowski who was next in line from the qualifiers and was riding in England last night Yes ..... but until NKI is confirmed in the top 8 he will have to wait .......... but not for long

He has had a great season but please not Martin Smolinski in the GP's !!! His final ride is his easiest and if he finishes on 11 he could get straigt into the final and with Iversen in already he will be in the GP's

At the interval Pawlicki, Lahti and Kildemand are out of the running Iversen looks a class above them all, but still going for Batcheor and MJJ and hoping KK does enough so he slows down in the GP's and Freddie can ###### 8th place

Why hasn't Krzsztof Buczkowski been moved into the line up as the next in line ? Love watching Bomber ride but hope he misses out in this oneas he has had his time and failed to qualify Troy Batchelor deserves a chance and Michael Jepsen Jensen only just missed out on a Wild Card for 2013 so he deserves this chance. Not too ure who I would like to get the other spot, but think it's between Andersen and Kildemand ..... but not all three Swindon riders please !!! LINE UP; 1 Vaclav Milik 2 Maciej Janowski 3 Krzysztof Kasprzak 4 Peter Kildemand 5 Timo Lahti 6 Hans Andersen 7 Kenneth Bjerre 8 Troy Batchelor 9 Danny King 10 Niels-Kristian Iversen 11 Tomas H Jonasson 12 Michael Jepsen Jensen 13 Piotr Pawlicki 14 Martin Smolinski 15 Chris Harris 16 Daniel Nermark RESERVES: 17 Ben Barker 18 Lewis Bridger

How can Freddie be past it. He is still only 27 (birthday in September) and has plenty more to offer, especially next year !!! This season he has had injuries but he has admittdley gone backwards by picking the wrong race lines, missing gates (nothing new) and imply bad luck. Whle THJ has shown promise, I can't say he is in te same class of rider as Freddie or AJ and one of those should get the wild card for Sweden and most likely it will be Freddie. We know CHRIS HOLDER will get one wild card and if he needs or wants one, I think Tomasz Gollob will be in the frame although he is a shadow of the rider we have seen in recent times. Fredrik Lindgren I feel will get the Swedish place and if he fails to qualify, MJJ may be given a place. TAI WOFFINDEN EMIL SAYFUTDINOV JAREK HAMPEL NICKI PEDERSEN NIELS K IVERSEN GREG HANCOCK MATEJ ZAGAR DARCY WARD They are clearly going to be the top 8 this season and the fate of Gollob will be determined in the GP Challenge where Janowski, Dudek or Pawlicki could qualify but will Poland only have TWO in the Series next season ? ..... Personally think they will have three so Gollob will be left waiting and will probably miss out. WILD CARDS; Chris Holder and Fredrik Lindgren, Tomasz Gollob and one more depending on the 3 Qualifiers .... maybe THJ or MJJ Maybe Gollob will be made the WILD CARD for each round so we dont have to have inferior riders in the line up. He has done this before many years ago.

LOOK AT ME MA !! http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lir4jv8S3R1qazanuo1_500.jpg TOP OF THE WORLD !!! It may be a large picture but we don't get to celebrate a British rider leading the GP's very often

PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A 5pm START TIME

Scott Nicholls and Chris Harris have higher averages but Scott turned down the chance to ride for Team GB and Bomber has already been given a bonus of getting a ride at Cardiff. Then Danny is next in line and he deserves the chance but let's face it, if he makes it through it would be a shock and red hot favourite to finish last in the 2014 series. ..... Craig Cook could have been handed the chance, but Danny edges it.

ITALY ..... What they scored 7 Tai Woffinden 7 Matej Zagar 5 Neils K Iversen 4 Leon Madsen (AJ) 2 Ales Dryml 2 Antonio Lindback 2 Jarek Hampel 1 Nicki Pedersen 0 Darcy Ward 0 Fredrik Lindgren -1 Martin Vaculik -1 Tomasz Gollob -2 Krzysztof Kasprzak -2 Nicolas Covatti -4 Greg Hancock BEST SCORES; 145 was gained by MARK246 - GAVAN and REFEREERK while BOMBER HAMMER scored 135 and CJ69 scored 125 WORST SCORES; Pyscho3a scored -55, Waihekeaces -45 and Spook -35. Other negative scores were Wheelsinline and Marky both getting -15 LEADERBOARD AFTER ROUND 8 Total - from 1161 - 1116 = Homer 1142 - 1067 = Williamfj 1120 - 975 = Referee Rick 1082 - 1097 = Wheelsinline 1067 - 1082 = Marky 1057 - 982 = Paleco 972 - 927 = Rico 932 - 797 = Bomber Hammer 897 - 822 = Beercellar 888 - 793 = Gray 862 - 917 = Pyscho3a * 857 - 782 = Screm 856 - 771 = Mike C 827 - 862 = Spook 817 - 802 = mdmc82 812 - 767 = PTW 810 - 775 = TNT 807 - 702 = Robbie B 805 - 680 = CJ69 782 - 782 = Hunty ** 752 - 607 = Mark246 742 - 742 = Hilly* 736 - 736 = Diddy* 697 - 742 = Waikekeaces 695 - 695 = Pantherman* 675 - 530 = Gavan 665 - 620 = Jamie E 577 - 532 = dontforgetthefueltaps 475 - 400 = Stilton Panther * 395 - 350 = Iceman UPDATED ...... Sorry for the delay Full Throttle left the game having not posted for the third time. Hilly, Hunty, Diddy and Pantherman never posted last round.

10 Jarek Hampel 8 Matej Zagar 7 Tomasz Gollob 4 Andreas Jonsson

Wolves have had a great record for over 20 years of finding an unheard of rider and seen them become World Class riders. Many have been Swedes like Peter Karlsson, Mikael Max and Fredrik Lindgren and now we are getting to witness the birth of the next Super Swede to lead Wolves in the future and at just 20 years of age, Jacob Thorssell is becoming a star in the making 12 months after struggling to complete four laps. Elsewhere, Bartosz Zmarzlik, Patryk Dudek and a list of Poles and Russians seem to be the main breed of talents coming through. Was impressed on Monday night by Zach Wajknecht riding the 250cc at Monmore. I was standing with a group of people including Sam Ermolenko and he asked who it was and then went over to speak to him. He was lowering his right arm in the turns and drifting too much. After a few words from Sam, he came out in his next ride and lifted his arm a little and was over a second faster.

and GONADS that fit in a wheel barrow !!! All this thing about Home Advantage to me is a bit of a mind game. If you ride the same track a number of times, you get to know the best lines. Eastbourne and Lakeside are more unsua tracks to the others as the kerb isn't consistant in circumferance. Tracks like Wolverhampton and Poole are symetrical and it's only the fact riders get to know the track knowledge that gives them an advantage. At Monmore Green we have had some great riders over the yeas like Sam Ermolenko, Peter Karlsson, Ronnie Correy and now Fredrik Lindgren and Tai Woffinden. Each can be considered Masters of Monmore during their time but all have different riding styles and ride different lines. We have a part of the track that SKY keep calling the KARLSSON CORRIDOR and say it was named after PK. However PK never really used that part of the track and the first to master that line off turn two was Mikael Max (Karlsson) and since then only David Howe and Freddie could get on it each lap. To me tracks are not home advantage ..... it's the riders and if a home team has a number of guests then they are losing that advantage.

PREDICTIONS FOR SATURDAY 12 Emil Sayfutdinov 12 Tai Woffinden 10 Darcy Ward 10 Jarek Hampel 10 Nicki Pedersen 9 Neils K Iversen 8 Greg Hancock 8 Matej Zagar 7 Krzysztof Kasprzak 7 Tomasz Gollob 6 Fredrik Lindgren 6 Martin Vaculik 4 Leon Maden 4 Andreas Jonsson 4 Antonio Lindback 3 Andrej Lebedevs The scores from the last round WILL be done shortly. Sorry for the delay. GOOD LUCK

Will update tonight and post the predictions for the next round on Saturday

108 is both his birthdate and his Motorcross race number just as Greg Hanock is 45, Matej Zagar 55 and Nicki Pedersen 666

Gollob doesn't seem to have that desire to win anymore and looking at his scores in 2014, he seems to have most of his good scores at Torun which may save his top 8 status. If he fails to finish in the top 8 with Hampel and KK above him and Magic and Dudek qualify, then it will be hard to see them give him a wild card to make it 5 Poles in a field of 15. When he missed the cut off some years ago, he was made the wild card in all rounds. Someone got injured and tracks were then given the chance to name a wild card one more. Maybe they will do that again ?

How many non Polish riders do interviews in Polish. Even learning to speak thelaguage where he rides regular and has good sponsors is something you dont see happen. Even for a Polish newspaper he was interviewed in English and answered them in Polish. Some riders at 22 years of age are still struggling to speak English.

Loving the fact that not only has he proved his doubters wrong (and even shocked those that did believe in him) but he has transformed a complete 360 degree turn from a cocky little teenager who does things his way but with a natural raw talent and become a 22 year old (23 next Sunday) who is theultimate professional that takes advice and listens. From advisors, a personal trainer, special diet and committed crew at all events, Tai has also given more time to people. He helps promote those that back him and repays them by not only scoring highly, but also lets them see the sport from the inside. However the one thing that really has taken me with Tai is how he wants to give time back to the fans. Riders get asked all the time for a picture or autograph and Tai has taken this to a level I have nevcer seen before. He may have had a bad meeting, which is rare these days or blown an engine etc but he always allows time to smile and please the paying public for their support. Last night it was great to see fans wearing Coventry Bees or Swindon Robins tops in Italy all cheering him on and he has certainly had the British fans appreciate much more his talents and attitude. Before this season started, my hopes for the 2013 season were Emil to lift the title, Freddie to secure at top five finish and possibly on the podium and Woffy to hopefully get in the top eight. Now its Tai to win the title, Emil to be runner up and Freddie to get in the top 8 and at present I feel pretty confident that will be the case come October 5th when I will be there in Torun to pop a few corks in celebrating a truly remarkable 2013 season and the birth of a true National Hero in the sport of speedway we can all be proud of. Keep it up Tai #TW108 @woffinden108 #woffywoffywoffy

The Holder crash was a pure accident and it was only his bike hitting the air fence first at full speed and bursting the air fence that caused it to lift and allow him to slide under it. While they are fastened down, they will move or split and I doubt that this was incorrectly constructed, it was aa pure and simple accident.

Yesterdays practice was as expected. Very Slick and gating will be vital. Herbie back on top spot anyone Posts to be in or edited before 7pm for this one as its a bit later to avoid the scorching sun

Glad the GP's are back on the calendar but this one is a joke and should never be held here as the riders hate the track and you can get more in at Monmore Green and I dont think it has ever sold out ..... so why do they use it ? Gating will be important but a good top end speed could safe some so I'm going for Tomasz, Tai, Darcy, Emil and Nicki as the riders that may provide some entertainment ..... (doing Kareoke at the interval) ...... however I'm having a small flutter on Greg Hancock to win this one before he heads back to British racing

Michael Lee has been banned in the past. How many bans or warnings do you need ?

Which Tyre you can use In what way does that efect the fans? costs - this affects the admission prices .... but mainly quality of racing Points limit changing year after year So what? Once at a meeting it makes little difference. The floating fans doesn't give a rubbish. Riders being dropped for the new season as they can no longer fit in as the limit has suddenly dropped to 38.95 etc Helmet Colours You're right, white to green and then back to white again, the sport never recovered! Big like Manchester United and that grey kit. To non addicted fans it was just another change that was WHY ? KO Cup changing format or not running at all An annoyance I agree. A pointless change for changes sake. Less meetings, less chance of silverware Silencers I doubt many fans (by that I mean 90%) know a bloody thing about the silencers. 50% probably couldn't point it out on the bike! Costs again ..... but also affected performance and some were so critical about them they nearly went on strike Air fences Damn those airfences, they brought them in, I went to a meeting and I got all confused. A change for the better I agree ...... but viewing was hindered at certain tracks and its no funwatching a helmet o fying past (green or white) Tactical Rides It was a change, it did bug me for a few years they kept changing how many points you had to be behind to use one. Fair point. Agree .... but also to non speedway regulars .. What is this about ? When Tacticals can be used Sort fo agree. I prefer the old tac sub, was much more fun. But weirdly, not fairer! Taking out the final heats is a mistake. Not many teams are 10 down by heat 5 so the opposing #1 only gets one chance to be used as a tactical (if still behind) and thats heat 11 !! Less meetings You're at a meeting, you see a great race. Then you realise it's just not the same because theres only 16 meetings now and not 30 like there used to be. Minor irrelevance. I'd say it's quality vs quantity but the quality is even lower lol You see a great race .... Hey that was good, I mst come next week ..... Oh wait a minute, the next meeting is 3 weeks time !! Unbalanced fixtures Agreed. A pet hate of mine. Guests Difficult to avoid but they've been around now how long? Certainly to me it's forever and I'm 28 years old. As stated before, to a non speedway fan its difficult to understand how a team like Wolves for example are challenging to go back top of the league above league leaders Birmingham. ..... Who is #1 for Wolves ..... a Brummies rider !!! The thrill of a one day World Final Maybe thats gone. But now we get 10 of them a year on Eurosport. I'm not convinced it's either good or bad. With it though went the Commonwealth Final, The Overseas Final, The Inter Continental and most importantly it took the edge of the British Final. .... The battle to qualify in each meeting was the real thrill, not who won it. Regulations restricting 8+ riders Not sure I liked it but, it did do the job it set out to do. But again, once at a meeting, does a fan need to know this or understand it? NEW FAN; So lets get this right. The #1 for their team used to ride for you but you had to get rid of him because he was too good yet you could have fitted him in ? Regulations restricting who you can sign as top 2 As above As above Regulations say who must be at reserve It's been the lowest two riders since time began. Not hard to grasp. two lowest averaged rider are reserve. Think my non-speedway interested sister can grasp that one. There was rules in place at times that stated one had to be British .... both had to be British ..... Averages were halved etc Assessed averages dropping from 6.00 down to 4.00 Technicalities, the people on the terracing don't care about average. Only a select group of geeks on the internet care. In some ways true. But it also meant less places for Brits and the foreign riders had different leagues and competitions so dates were difficult and less meetings. Second half racing There is some, or there isn't. If there is it's 3-2-1-0 points over 4 laps like every other race. So ack 20 years and you paid £8 to watch 15 heats followed by 6 heats of junior races or rider of the night ..... VALUE Junior meetings As above. AS ABOVE Number of tracks in the top league Linked to the number of meetings. Doesn't really matter how many clubs there are. Speedway is still speedway. Same teams over and over again ..... Who are here next week ? ..... Coventry ..... But they wre here last month wern't they and it was easy ! Golden Helmet Having it probably caused more confusion. An extra race, with only 2 riders? I thought speedway was 4 riders? And they raced for their team? The Thrill - Value - Top riders clashing head to head and back in the day, it was a rider that hadn't ridden there that night or it was before the meeting. League Bonus Points Gone for a better, easier system. Still another change and when you are 20 down with 2 heats left it was still important to get as close as you can. Now you may aswell lose 5-1's in the last two heats to lower your averages Averages (current - rolling) As above, its only a handful of geeks who care about averages. a few more will read them and see higher = better. But donet understand them, don't wnat to. NEW FAN; I have been to the last 3 meetings and that young Australian (Proctor) was brilliant .... why have they used that second division rider instead who hasn't scored Averages (inc P - not BP) As above Premier League / Division One / Elite League ... Name change Welcome to sport. They're all at it. Championship and Div 1 being 2nd and 3rd leagues in English football! !! Football just moved it up one step ..... Wolves have on their list of honours Premier League Champions, British League Champions and Elite League Champions ...... Try explaining that in Speedway the Premier League is not the top league ! Rider Availability ...... riding in so many countries / competitions An annoyance. But how do you fit that in with your issue of less meetings? We have a free week next week but will be back in a fortnight ..... Rain offs etc are hard to rearrange as riders are here there and everywhere. Hence the cancellation of the KO Cup as tracks couldn't find enough free weeks to field a full team. Just a few examples ..... based on the 42 years I have been going

Wouldn't have thought rule changes stop people going so much, but it may stop new fans getting to grips with the rules and why riders ride for more than one team or in more than one league. Speedway is a great product but the costs of running at a high level have reached a level now that is hard to keep up with and if the sport does have to cut back and get back to basics by increasing the number of teams in one big league, then so be it. Hopefully some star riders will still ride here, but if current Premier Leagu teams can get a bit stronger with a 6+ rider and EL clubs have to cut back, then hopefully it will also mean more spaces for young British riders to get chances and the minimum average should be reduced to 2.00 for them i the points limit is cut down to 32 - 35 points per team.. Thankfully Wolves would be one of the teams that can use some of their own assets with averages nder six points a match like Proctor, Wells, Klindt, Haines, Morris, Thorssell, Aspgren etc while still keeping one of Tai or Freddie. It may not be what we all want, but if it means the sport is thriving in future years, sacrafices have to be made before its too late. Teams would have to be made up using EL averages to ensure any rider coming in at a later date has a realistic average.