Undercover Elephant

Excellent meeting. Couldn't believe what I was watching as the racing was world class. I can't remember a meeting like this for many many season and was so enjoyable each and every race. You couldn't script it that those last two heats, nail biting stuff.

I completely agree with your summary. I've becomes utterly confused with the direction speedway has now become. No continuity whatsoever across the board. The world level product has become so unprofessional run from the organisers that you feel totally sorry for the riders. Have we come to accept a prepared race track not suitable for these warriors to ride on competitively to just accept its not genuinely run the way it should be. Bloody fortunate to be able to watch this on a red button interactive service tonight that at least for Foxtel's faults, or not bothering to re show, or even in Australia's case too much live sport on all Fox Sports channels, that at least putting live speedway straight after the Moto GP race 45 minutes into tapes going up so fair play to them. What's the current live situation I wonder for the UK and Europe on TV listings?

Wonder if TV networks in Europe will have live coverage in Sweden, Poland and Denmark. With so much live sport on Foxtel in Australia tonigh, it's hard to find a slot, so the red button it is in its entirety, with live action commencing right after the Moto GP race an hour later from the actual start time.

Just seen this in australia where they're telling us there's a delay due to rain. Can't see it being run tonight.

I do! No English person says the word "heaps" as much as an Aussie Tai does! He's been working on his starts "heaps"!! I'd imagine Putin will be told about this and the people handing down the penalty will pay the price!crazy decision from a crazy FIFA esq establishment

This is just pure PR nonsense in reality. Two things. Fans will either still attend meetings up and down the country and around the world, especially TV meetings, OR, save your money and not support the poor organising by administrators at league and GP level. You have a voice and an opinion and on this particular issue, you vote with your purse or wallet! Keep fighting back folks.

Finally got round to watching this meeting from the start of the week due to work commitments, and I've trawled through every page it seems and picked out genuine concerning issues regarding this event. It's hard to know where to start in chronological order, but the key points being made are completely valid on all parts and I could just echo most people's thoughts. I take a deep breath and try to comprehend as a grown adult, and wonder what the bloody hell has become of this sport. Seriously, what does the paying customer in all of Speedway look at how this was portrayed right in front of our eyes on television. All the smoke and mirrors jumbled up to just accept something which was unacceptable from both sides of the fence leaves a lasting impression on people. Make no mistake about it, it has every one discussing, and more than likely Sky are rubbing their hands as it made great TV for all the wrong reasons. Will it make fans pay £18 for an example next time round? Will it leave empty stadiums? Will it make more drama watching a team manager lose his rag with an official live? Will it even entice people to watch purely for the racing? It's like WWE high octane men and "associates" under the guidance of a Sepp Blatter impersonator in many forms, with Jack Warner as chief compare! It's spoiling my enjoyment.

Really enjoyed this meeting. Nice track and some good riders at PL level. I also noticed the hothead Josh Bates still hasn't matured as a rider in those particular situations. The lack of respect towRds a fellow rider was the same Busch league stuff he had a few seasons ago when he foolishly punched a wall! All it needs is a tougher rider to knock the snot out of this kid for a come to Jesus meeting, it might make him more better equipped to deal with a situation should it arise again, which it will no doubt.

See what happens is certain countries dont want foreign flags like England or GB in the stadium. So when security see fit, they tell you no flags unless Polish. It depends on their moods and attitudes! In the UK at Cardiff for example, we welcome with open arms to all fans from all over the world to cheer and support their favourite riders/s in harmony. Is this to be believed?

You my friend pretty much sum up everything about the organisation that I am questioning. So many errors and lack of responsibility towards the riders is just disrespectful no matter how they want to smoke and mirror this episode, yet these wallies who run the show are not as competent as they think they bloody are. The FIM are just as bad. It's like a side business for Sepp Blatter to subsidise without giving a toss.

NO ELITE LEAGUE SHOWN IN AUSTRALIA? Just checked the Foxtel listings and it looks like nothing is being televised here anymore apart from on Eurosport for the GP's This will be the first time I've not watched the Elite leg coverage since it started. Angry is an understatement and it sucks balls big time for a lot of fans, especially the poms here

Seems only fair to stage a round in Australia considering the likes of Chris, Darcy, Troy and now Jason Doyle have been featured in the series. Fixtures and dates will always make it hard to allocate a time of year for a visit. The Etihad will be preparing for the AFL season around March/April, so a finale date may have been the only option. Plus it's closer to get home for the Aussie riders for the summer whilst the rest of you are cold, wet and miserable!!!

Being in Melbourne as a Londoner this is the icing on the cake for me as a sports fan. I love Speedway and can't wait to see the Etihad with a track. The city will get behind this. This is a Tai dream and he's going to love lapping up the glory. The PDC Darts was last year with MVG the star attraction. The same place had every single feel for the stuff in the UK, exactly the same atmosphere. 9am Australia ET on sale which is 11pm Thursday night in the UK and midnight Europe time Then start the Elite season earlier so that weather doesn't play such a bigger part come October.

After this past weekend I would mildly increase my agreement on Darcy but only marginally. Have we stopped to wonder if an effect of the Troy Bayliss event in Aus is still lingering, I'd think so. It's a lot to digest two days on, and a lot of thinking going on the long journey back to their bases before League racing and Poland. For the viewer, and one in which for speedway on tv, Yes I'd have preferred Nigel Pearson and Kelvin Tatum on commentary. I spoke with British fans in attendance in the city and the track how polarising their delivery of Speedway is a major selling tool for BSI amongst many involved. People have differing preference. Some would have enjoyed Crump and David Tapp on Speed, but I felt that the broadcast would have enhanced the product beamed around the world if N&K had been describing action. I just love their delivery and camaraderie as a duo. No disrespect to the C&T they did a very good job in the end and I respect that. Cook would be swallowed up unfortunately like the equivalent to a conference rider in GP terms. The top riders are no mugs. Money equals machinery to go fast. If Cook was a tittering rider to GP, wouldn't he have made a bigger name for himself already. I mean I've seen a lot of Michal Jepsen Jensen and Mikkel B Jensen to know they are more prolific riders to be considered ahead of Cook.

Edited

I see no reason to just pull out other than the south coast district elite lge darlings having their season openers ruined! Split costs and potentially doubling up with a trip in Australia if it's financially viable are options, it's not easy to just quit on this venture and walk away without all the logistics thoroughly looked into after last night. Bill Buckley and the fans in attendance want this to happen again and again. They love their speedway here with a passion. Costs, shipping, gate money return, advertising, marketing plans etc, it all adds up.

Leigh Adam's comments in the programme echo a round in Australia if NZ can stage one, and he's right. On pace form from practice today, Ward, Hampel, Nicki, Greg, Niels and Tai were ready for tapes tomorrow. Wide bends with banking here and a great stadium in my opinion. Yes I believe from talk today that this might well be the last.

I was stunned when I saw the replacement line up for GB in Barker and Bridger. Is there a reason out there in not selecting Danny King and Scott Nicholls for the race off?

Nailed on, Darcy Ward Then MJJ and Vaculik, should he fail to make the 8

Cheers JC. Looked at first view live a chain may have been the cause.

Someone mentioned a chain shedding for Freddie, hence why his mechanics lifted his bike off???

Echo the same comments as Steve Shovlar firstly. I'm a little disappointed in the complete slating this GP is being given in relation to the track conditions and lack of value for money people have spent for this event. I've watched speedway for many years and being a Brit coming over from Melbourne to experience the weekend, I honestly can say we really enjoyed the pre meeting in the city with the signings, interviews and quite frankly the well respected crowds who gathered in Cardiff. Of course the track wasn't up to the standard it should be required at the top level, but it didn't alter my enjoyment of the night itself. Rider safety is paramount, but not once did I see a rider shake their head in displeasure at Tony Olsen during the meeting. The display inside the stadium was very good I thought and the added drama of the rider introductions gave it that something special compared to any introduction before. The racing was processional granted and Tai's heat win got the crowd fired up early on. The place definitely changed once Woffy was withdrawn which clearly left the stadium in a somber mood afterwards. Harris won his Final so to speak with a brave move in that heat. Holder naturally will be gutted not to make the Final. Emil to his credit capitalised from then on, as after his first two rides on 2 points made me think he'd struggle, but all credit to him, and with Martin slipping up in the semi, Emil made it pay to the Final. Amazed KK took the gate he did for the Final and had to take his chance on the last lap to try and force Emil Wide. Not the best GP but by far not the worst ever. Had fantastic seats looking over the pit gate and bloody enjoyed the evening as a whole. During the breaks I met quite a few moaning supporters downstairs!! Sweet lord people, it was as if you guys didn't want to be there from some of the comments I heard. What's wrong with people??!! Moaning about Harris instead of Kennett, which I kind of agree on in parts, and just miserable people who it didn't seemed to question why Tai all if a sudden has become a different rider this season, and some out if order questioning on his engines which I dismissed as complete tosh! These people know nothing! On that note, I wish to thank all the riders who took the time for the fans with interviews and signings in the city. Tai especially, who has had one busy week with his charity ride. I salute you for your hard efforts and wish you a speedy recovery. Apart from the track conditions, I couldn't think of anything more they could have done to give the fans the experience from the British GP. Happy customer signing off!! PS Phillip, thank you. If it wasn't for your contribution here, we'd have been kept in the complete darkness, so thankful for your updates which se on here obviously don't appreciate. Sent em to Aus to unwind and Chillax!! It may make em better people who are not so angry at the slightest whim!

Guys and Gals Many thanks for the replies. I have pm'd you who have messaged me with my contact number to call me asap. You people are stars if you can help. Many thanks Failing that, I'll have to get the missus to use her Aussie charm and try and persuade the World Champ we've come all this way to see him so can we sleep in his van for the weekend!!

I am looking for a double room for the GP. There is two of us over from Australia. Room from Sat to sun 1st/2nd June. We can stay two nights from Friday if need me. Please pm me prices or any availability if possible Many thanks Kev

I am coming to the UK from Melbourne for the British GP. I am looking to purchase official merchandise, if available for fans, of Darcy Ward, Chris Holder and Tai Woffenden. Hooded tops, t shirts and hats I'm mainly looking for. just wondering if any rider merchandise will be available at Cardiff? I've looked on these riders websites and can't see anything to order ASAP. If anybody could kindly help by assisting me in finding these then please pm me. I'm flying out to London on May 21. Many thanks folks I am coming to the UK from Melbourne for the British GP. I am looking to purchase official merchandise, if available for fans, of Darcy Ward, Chris Holder and Tai Woffenden. Hooded tops, t shirts and hats I'm mainly looking for. just wondering if any rider merchandise will be available at Cardiff? I've looked on these riders websites and can't see anything to order ASAP. If anybody could kindly help by assisting me in finding these then please pm me. I'm flying out to London on May 21. Many thanks folks