chunky

Are you really a totally humourless individual who takes everything literally? I NEVER said I wasn't listening to the commentary, and I actually was, believe it or not... I was having a bit of fun (apologies if you found it somewhat misleading), although a lot of their "whoas" and "wows" did coincide with my own! If you honestly think that the event was completely devalued by the commentary, I feel sorry for you. I have always watched speedway (live or televised) for the racing, rather than the commentary. If pronunciation is that big of an issue, then I'm sure you don't remember Tony Millard... Steve

So? Does that devalue the meeting in any way? Of course not! The meeting shall be remembered (and rightly so) for the racing, not for any commentary. Is it really that bad for commentators to get excited? Anyway, I can't really say I noticed anything wrong with their commentary, as I couldn't hear them over my own "whoas" and "wows"!!!

Looking for negatives again, I see??? What I mean by "like us" is old farts who have been around forever, and not only seen everything, but view what we have seen largely as neutrals. So many BSF posters can't get past their own biased opinions, and misguided views that racing was always "so much better back in the good ol' days". This meeting proved that it can be just as good, if not better! Everyone was making comments here that it was "one of the best GP's". Screw that! It was way better than that, and I wasn't scared to say it. It just makes me feel good when respected individuals like norbold (and later, Phil) share that view. I don't understand why it seems perfectly acceptable to criticise and insult people and their views on here, but if you have the audacity to stand out and say how good the modern product is (or can be, anyway), it's a no-no! Not me, I'm gonna tell it like it is. If that makes me arrogant, oh well... Steve

See? When people like us say that - and between us we have seen nearly everything and everyone - it shows that speedway is still an incredible sport. The thing for me tonight was not just passing and close racing; the riders were literally all over the place - at flat-out speeds - looking for the best lines, and some of the moves were absolutely breathtaking. And at times plain scary!!! Of course, it was great to have much cleaner starts, and not have multiple reruns... Steve

... with no silencers or dirt deflectors...

Forget "GP"; that was quite possibly the best meeting I have EVER seen...

Oh, come on! Back in the "good ol' days", that would have been considered a mediocre meeting...

Exactly. Either way, he screwed himself.

Great ride from Vaculik...

Oh dear, IT has escaped from the loony bin again...

But I'd take Polish girls over Essex girls!!!

What about THAT from Emil???

Quit whining, Shov; nobody here can understand you, but you don't let that stop you!!!

Not sure I agree with that... As a Dons fan, I was quite happy with small tracks, and enjoyed the racing at many of them. Trouble is, nearly all of the big pacy tracks (which would be more suited to modern machinery) were closed down. So, that IS a big change. We at least had variety then, but think of it, Hyde Rd, Custom House, The Shay, County Ground etc, and even ones like Earle Street and Kingsmead... I would love to have seen modern bikes on some of those. Steve

Are you saying she doesn't know her onions??? Steve

Don't forget that Norman Clay also lost his life in that crash... Steve

Of course, you can't really judge much from solo laps, but at least Tai looked competitive there. Decent time, but it's what happens tomorrow that counts... Steve

I think we can just pray to the "speedway Gods". After all, there are quite a few individuals out there (and I'm not talking about riders) who think they are "God"!!! Steve

Wow... Commentators only comment on sides as the "National Team" when it is the actual "National Team" in action. A "National Team" is a team representing a "nation", with individuals being selected from across the nation, rather than from a region. EXACTLY the same as a "National League" which covers the whole nation, rather than a region. That applies in every sport, including speedway, so no, speedway is no different. Really John, that is a particularly feeble attempt to substantiate your argument.

That is good to hear! I was just sure I hadn't heard otherwise... Other than the Archers and Hammers, Ray also rode for Eastbourne, Wembley, Oxford, Ipswich, Poole, Norwich, and St. Austell. Steve

I watched that - WOW!!! He should have won it, but I have no idea how he didn't end up in the crowd! I will admit that I didn't know anything about Danny until now, but he is certainly a rider I would pay to watch... Steve

The ONLY pretense here is you attempting to define a word as something it isn't...

It has nothing to do with opinion, it is FACT! Opinion cannot take precedence over fact, regardless of how much you hate the fact(s). A "National League" is a league that covers the entire country. FACT. A "National League" is no indicator of standard. FACT. A "Northern League" indicates a Regional League, which understandably would not be as strong as a National League. Yes, the top tier was once called the National League (when there was one division - or at least one senior division). So what? It has also been the National League Division One (although it wasn't always referred to as such), the British League (when there was one division), the British League Division One, the Elite League, and the Premiership. Of these, the "National" and "British" headings merely indicated that it was nationwide. I'm sorry, you can't rewrite the dictionary just because of your opinion or interpretation. Are you going to tell me that orange juice is green, because it is your opinion? Or that a whale is an insect, because it is your opinion? It doesn't matter what it WAS, what it IS, or what it WILL BE. The term "National" means one thing, and one thing only. Steve

It's not sad at all. It is not a case of attracting "a lesser quality of rider"; the "National League" is now designed to be a third division. We never had a "Premier League" or "Championship" back then. The level is irrelevant, and the term "National" was never meant to indicate a particular - let alone superior - level. That is what "First", "Second", and "Third" divisions are for... Steve

Which is TOTALLY irrelevant... Again, please read - and comprehend - what I said. The term "National" has absolutely no bearing on quality, ability, experience, or anything like that. "National" means "nationwide" (on a national basis). Nothing more, nothing less. Steve