Grachan

Just been reading through translations and links from the Raniszewski website. One person has made a quite interesting observation in the comments, saying that if you freeze the frame at the start of the video, the rider on the outside looks like he is reaching across with his right arm and pulling on Raniszewski's race jacket.

There's a picture of the Praterstadion here: http://sport.ard.de/euro2008/teams_spieler...968_dpa_600.jpg It's quite pixelly when you try and zoom in, but it looks to me like there are three sets of those stairs in quite close proximity coming out of the bend at the far end (ironically boarded over in this picture for a football match). At the very end of the clip you can just catch a glimpse of someone in white overalls running onto the track.

From Swindon Website: TRIPLE World Champion Nicki Pedersen is a confirmed starter for the Bob Kilby Memorial meeting which opens the 2010 speedway season at Blunsdon on Thursday March 18th. The Danish star will line up against Robins' skipper Leigh Adams in a sixteen rider field which will compete over a Grand Prix style format. With Pedersen not competing in the 2010 Elite league and Adams not part of the Grand Prix series, The Bob Kilby Memorial meeting will provide British speedway supporters a rare opportunity to see Pedersen and Adams race against one another. The 2009 event attracted a large crowd to Blunsdon, and those in attendance saw Leigh Adams register a hugely popular victory. Swindon co-owner Gary Patchett said: "It's exciting news that Nicki Pedersen has agreed to ride at the Bob Kilby Meeting and alongside Leigh there will also be a number of Swindon riders competing. More names will be announced in coming days as the meeting is now under eight weeks away"

From the In Memorium site: RANISZEWSKI, Zbigniew (Bydgoszcz & Poland).........................April 21, 1956.............Vienna, Austria DIRTL, Fritz (Austria)......................................................................J une 10, 1956............Oberhausen, Germany (L-T)

Good God! That is unbelievable. People say that nowadays things are too Health and Safety concious, but how on Earth could you be allowed to have a concrete stairway actually jutting out on onto a speedway track like that? If that wasn't an accident waiting to happen then I don't know what is! What happened to the stadium after that? Does anyone know? Was it allowed to stay open?

Another page that might be of interest: http://www.vintagefairgroundrides.org.uk/r...ls&rideid=8

This might be of interest. Taken from here: http://www.fairground-heritage.org.uk/news...ple-lakins.html In 1937 Orton & Spooner countered when they fulfilled an order (Corrigans) for an Ark with motorcycle mounts, a concept exploiting the current popularity of motorcycle speedway racing. The Speedway, as it became known, was an instant success and Ortons were able to offer a highly original alternative to the Ben Hur machine. As time went on Orton & Spooner were building even more elaborate Speedways, prompting Lakins to fit motorcycles onto their platforms and feature motorcyclists on their extension fronts. Arguably, the most elaborate examples of Ark-type rides ever produced came from this period as Lakin produced two machines in 1937 that were christened the "Coronation Speedways" (although they retained the Ben Hur-themed scenery). And from here: http://www.nfa.dept.shef.ac.uk/history/rides/history.html It was again Bothmanns who were to introduce what was to become possibly the most popular of all roundabouts of the inter-war years. The first German Noah's Ark was opened at Mitcham in 1930 by William Wilson. Almost immediately both Orton and Spooner and Robert Lakin began to build their own versions. Although both firms tried different constructions, it was the various themes adopted which are best remembered: the early Noah's Ark survived into the mid-1930s when Lakin introduced their famous Ben Hur rides. Horses and Chariots were now featured on the platforms, but Edwin Hall's scenes of the Circus Maximus in Rome, made famous by the 1925 film, were breath-taking. Later horses gave way to Motor Cycles, and so the Speedway theme was introduced. Even royalty was celebrated and a number of Coronation Speedways were built in 1937. Photo of something called "Brooklands Speedway here: http://www.fairground-rides.co.uk/profile.php?ID=3356

Barry Briggs (Swindon) on October 9, 1965. 12 point max v Belle Vue. 15 point max v Wolves. Barry Briggs (Swindon) on August 25, 1967. 12 point max v Edinburgh followed by a 12 point max v Exeter. Nigel Boocock also scored twin maximums for Coventry in a double header against Glasgow and Exeter the week before. Also in 1965 - Dick Fisher got successive paid maximums for Belle Vue vs Oxford and Edinburgh.

Hancock Woffinden Holder Holta A draw.

There were always going to be two British riders in this, so bearing that in mind these are the right two in my opinion - though Rico is perhaps unlucky not to get in. Woffinden is our best youngster based on end-of-year form. I do feel another season outside the GP would have been a better option for him, but he's definitely our best choice. Harris maybe a bit lucky, but being British Champ and fifth in the GP Challenge makes him the most justifiable choice despite his lack of success in the series. Certainly a better choice than Ed Kennett - although in World terms there are certainly better options. I can see the reason they want two British riders - what with Cardiff and all that - and under those circumstances these are probably the right choices.

The website tv.com has a run down on most What's my line? episodes. A search of that site shows just one page with speedway mentioned, and it is a reference to Daytona Speedway. This is the page. http://www.tv.com/episode-674/episode/9767...results;title;1

Pretty sure it was Barry Briggs who topped the averages in 1967. If not then maybe Charlie Monk? Think it was Briggs though.

If this is confirmed, then Lindgren and Andersen were obvious choices. Apart from Adams - who is retiring anyway - anyone below those two in the standings is merely going to be a filler anyway. If it's Woffinden then I'm not surprised, but would have liked to have seen him have another year out to consolidate first. His end of year form was top class, but should have had a full season as a heatleader first really - ala Holder. His recent form does indicate he'll do ok though. Kennett, obviously, is a surprise. If there was going to be a second Brit I'd have gone with Harris due to his position in the GP qualifier. Nevertheless, Kennett has regularly qualified as the Cardiff wild card recently, so has probably been selected based on that. I do think he'll struggle, but good luck to him. I hope he takes the opportunity with both hands. Perhaps a season too soon for Woffinden? Not sure he'll make the top 8 next year, but decent enough performances should see him back for 2011, when hopefully he will be top class. Certainly Britain's best hope at the moment.

Looks like Mr Darcy's price has just gone up again! Well done that boy. Tai fluffed it first time out by the look of things. Clearly the best rider on show, but the pressure obviously got to him.

He did mention it amongst his schedule for the upcoming week when interviewed on Monday, so my guess is that he will.

I think he was actually below 8. And that was including bonus points.

Oh stop it. Ward is nowhere near ready yet for the GP. Why wish Ward was there instead of Zetterstrom anyway? Zetterstrom qualified by right even if it was a bit of a shocker. Last year Holder was way ahead of where Ward is now, and acknowledged that he wasn't ready for this year's GP. Ward's not even top of the PL averages any more. He needs at least a couple more years. Woffinden is probably the in-form Brit in the EL, but I'd give him another year too before chucking him into it. These guys are not ready. I know Emil S has been a revelation this year, but he's one hell of an exception to the norm. Best youngster since Michael Lee - if not even better. Adams has actually said in the local paper that he intends to bow out this year. To be honest, I suspect he knew that at the start and it one of the resons he lost his GP edge. Zagar - doesn't really deserve to be in after not qualifying for the Challenge. May get in due to league form and nationality though. Would add excitement if he did. Richardson is probably the most suitable British rider, but I don't think he'll get a nomination due to Harris scoring 10 at Coventry. They want British riders in there though, so I wouldn't be surprised if they both got in.

Was Lindback supposed to be there though? He was stand-by reserve if someone dropped out but that's not neccesarily the same as being the meeting reserve. I really don't see why Lindback and Zagar should get a place having not even qualified for this meeting.

Had no reason too. I had originally made a post saying Rico should get the Wild Card for Britain, but seeing the score Harris got in this meeting I accepted that there could be no argument if he got it.

He probably will, yes. So Harris and Pepe would be the top two outside the qualifiers and be genuine cases for a Wild Card.

Yes it is. If either of those two got a wild card there could be no argument against it either.

Nothing. But a Brit will get in, and his points here mean there can't be any argument against it as far as I'm concerned. Was all for Rico getting the British Wils Card, but if Harris does get it now there can't be any real argument against it. And at least he was in the meeting - which is more than Richardson and Zagar managed. And I'm much more a fan of Rico and Matej than I am Harris for obvious reasons.

No it won't. His points in this meeting would make his nomination legitimate if he gets it. Simple as that.

I see Harris finished on 10 in the end and just behind the qualifiers. So if he does get a wild card I guess there can't be any complaints. He may have just saved himself with that last heat win.

Thank Christ that was sorted out before midnight! At least we have 3 proper qualifiers instead of one of the current GP riders getting in and having to wait and see what happens in the remaining GPs. Holder and Hampel - two worthy additions. Zetterstrom? Blimey! Can't see him doing much! But he's there on merit so fair enough. Glad Miedzinski didn't make it. Should increase the chances of seeing him at Swindon next year! Rico must be on for a wild card now then with Harris presuably out.