SPEEDY69

yeah right.......

he was riding one last night

This is why I like riders to qualify - you get unpredictability which refreshes things rather than the same old thing we get with GP. Hancock pedersen holder jonsson etc. seen it before. Cook simply not yet consistent enough to earn a place in Poland so is now looking for easy money in the PL - why not invest by going to Poland as often as possible to practice and show he's good enough, open meetings as well? Harris lost out in QF again, as in 2014 but he still made it into the challenge final so all is not lost for him

I agree with your point about money, race night and track standards are red herrings in my view. However, when you say the 'big boys' does this include the current second placed man who could only muster a paltry 3 points at Wolves in what many describe as a weak EL - maybe they're not so big after all.

I asked this on the Slovenian GP thread - looking weird. As long as he like it it's fine.

Pretty dull GP no matter how much Kelvin and Nigel rave. Typical slick conditions and just when things look a little better they flood the track. It's a shame because that brings random results due to best gate and start wins but that's speedway! New presenter was good but what the heck has Nicki P had done to his eyes - looking well weird!

I disagree with this. I think the track variation in this country makes it more interesting. The meetings I've seen from Poland have not been any more enjoyable to me - they are largely about the fastest bike/line in any one race, whereas in the UK in general more throttle control is needed to get round quickly, so the more skilfull come to the fore. You are right that there is a variation in standard between riders in a team but that never been any different, at least not in my time of watching racing since 1978. In fact, the new format is designed to make races more equal.

They probably have to account for entrance money in their tax returns!

Don't forget RIGA 2014!

Sometimes on this thread, sometimes on www.southerntrackriders.co.uk

Blimey, PR eh, how many times are messages leaked ahead of 'official' announcements but this one appears official from Edinburgh - not their message to give. And it was by someone with a made up name as well - Toby Lerone, pull the other one

I believe that has little impact actually. Speedway is not about who has the most powerful engine, it's about delivering consistent grip around the track in a controlled manner. The rideability of a bike is drastically affected by the ignition timing, carb jetting, wheel placement and gearing. It's essential that these are all available to be adjusted by the rider and that they are able to put in a practice lap or two to know what settings to use. This could work and would answer your second point. Often, sadly, costs spiral as a matter of choice i.e. one rider sees another with such and such so wants the same as they think it will improve things for them when often it makes no difference whatsoever. I remember once getting an enquiry from a professional rider about the clutch springs I used because my bike got off the start quicker than theirs - they were perplexed when I said they were second hand three years previous and I also had old standard plates, not the $$$$ haruschi type. Gresham was right earlier in that it should be looked at from the spectator angle & not the riders as they will always want to seek an advantage over competitors - who wouldn't?

I always preferred Julia Bradbury.

Nope, was nothing to do with that. Not sure GB will have the consistency to win this but I'll be there cheering for them whatever.

He won one and had a couple of 2nd places as well.

The straw that broke the camel's back was the refusal by the BSPA to allow British riders to compete in the SEC - the argument being how are British riders meant to get experience and develop on continental tracks when there is no chance for them unless they reach a certain level and get signed up in Poland etc. There was much more that led to that but I can assure you it was nothing to do with money or suit sponsorship, neither is the decision to return anything remotely to do with Eurosport.

Sorry, but you clearly know nothing. The reasons for him declining to be a part of the GB squad was in protest at the lack of activity and promotion by the BSPA to provide opportunities and development for British riders. He's spoken with Rosco before but it's only this year that things have started changing, with Croatia and the Youth development stuff. These were the same reasons Lee Richardson made a stand a few years ago. It has nothing to do with TV - if you knew him, you'd know he'd much rather be racing.

And Iversen gets his GP testing chance! Seriously though, thought Batch would've been back sooner.

That's all very well but at most meetings I've been to that are called off due to rain, are because of visibility problems or the track being under water - so perhaps having different tyres would only save meetings where the rain has stopped and the track is clear. Another consideration is how many people want to attend those wet meetings, given the prospect of standing out in the rain at generally poor stadia?

Exactly, none of them better than either of them. Of course comparisons are not perfect as there is much more money in tennis but these people help as much with the mental side as anything else.

DIdn't realise that but still thought most Danish meetings were on Wednesdays, oh well. Can't see Lakeside, BV or Coventry moving from Fridays though.

Many riders now race in Denmark on Wednesdays, including your own Harris and King, so if they want to avoid clashes that night's out as well! You're thinking this is all for the fans' benefit

In speedway, as with many sports, it's not just about having the right equipment - the mental side is so important. Steady and Robson may be good coaches - the best performers don't necessarily make the best tutors/coaches. I don't think any ex player could claim to be better than Roger Federer but he employs coaches to improve his performances. Many of the top British riders have been successful on the international stage but most are not consistent. Being first to the first bend is vital - Mauger, Gundersen, Nielsen, Hancock, Woffy, Havelock + loads more - all excellent gaters. World Champion exceptions? Maybe Collins & Loram. This is a good move and I hope enough attention is paid to watching other successful riders and how they get out of the start - dropping the clutch is only part of the story.

This is why I thought they were considering Thurs & Fri. Several EL clubs already ride at home on these nights and it gives two consecutive days as you say. I just don't think it's right to pander to the few at the top so hope that any decision for fixed nights will be because of the benefits it will bring to fans and all riders.

Don't see how that's right given that they are reportedly looking at Thursday & Friday.