Grachan

I was there, supporting Jan, too. I remember thinking he looked absolutely terrified on the truck at the beginning!

I think he played for it, actually, to try and get a re-run. Didn't he stay down on the track, too, to get the race stopped but the ref let it carry on?

If that's the case, he managed to negotiate getting it on another channel. I think people have always been unfair to TR regarding speedway on TV. If he made money out of it, so what? We were able to watch a lot of televised speedway over the years because of it, so hopefully this will now continue despite some promotions apparently being against it.

They seemed a lot happier paying for it when Terry was involved. People can comment all they like about Terry Russell, but when he was negotiating TV deals there was regular speedway on the box from the start of the season to the finish and very few doubts about whether or not there would be.

Hans must be top, in 85 or 86, when he scored that remarkable 12.00 average away from home. When you rode against Oxford in those days, it was as much about whether or not anyone could beat Hans as it was against actually winning. I think Jimmy Nilsen beat him a few times if memory serves me correct. Plus, of course, Carl Blackbird!

I agree, it's nonsense, although I think all they are seeing is low attendance on covered meetings sometimes. However, it has been shown several times, that if a meeting is promoted properly then you will get a good crowd at a televised meeting.

Peter Collins' win in 1976 made front page news in the Daily Mirror.

Mauger was top man a bit later, too. I started going in 74 and remember him as the best. One of my speedway highlights is seeing him at Exeter and leaning over the fence as he came hurtling down the home straight. The only rider who has dominated league racing in the same way, for me, is Hans Neilsen. Those two were remarkable, but Mauger had a World Championship edge that Hans never quite had, despite winning 4 titles.

Out of interest, what is it they are bitching about? Is it likely to affect the deal?

Who wins if the final is 3-3?

I believe the lease was shortened because they never invested in the stadium.

I don't agree that the girls that do the starts at Swindon are doing anything sexual or wearing anything skimpy. They are just part of the presentation. There is an element of it with the GPs though. I don't think the tv companies help matters with some of their camera angles either.

Getting a bus from the town centre is fine if you live in Swindon. I love 25 miles away, and if I go I have to get home from work and then drive to Swindon. I normally get there about 7.20, just in time to park and go in. I can see people getting there early to get a parking space, leaving nowhere to park by the time I arrive and without time to go to the town centre and getting a bus.

I give up. You all win. He should have got a visa.

They don't need to give a reason. He does not fit the criteria for a visa. That's all the reason they need. They haven't moved any goalposts. They have stayed within the exact original criteria. My opinion might chsnge if someone can conclusively prove that UKVI gave an endorsment, which has been suggested. Otherwise, it's a case of people complaining about something they have nothing to complain about. I am kind of repeating myself now. Time to agree to disagree, methinks. discretionary dɪˈskrɛʃ(ə)n(ə)ri/ adjective available for use at the discretion of the user. "there has been an increase in year-end discretionary bonuses" synonyms: optional, non-compulsory, voluntary, at one's discretion, up to the individual, non-mandatory, elective, open to choice; open, unrestricted; permissive; rarediscretional

And it's at their discretion whether they give them or not. He has no right to a visa, and, by keeping the cut off point clear, they are keeping the goalposts stationary. Sorry. Duh me, eh? Wish I knew what discretionary meant.

No. I'm not dumb. I know what discretionary means.

The reason is clear. It is an easy concept to understand. Criteria for a visa for a USA is finishing in top 4 of the national championship. The reason is, he didn't.

That's fine. They applied for a discretionary endorsement. It failed. It doesn't say it will be granted. Just that they can apply. Surely it is better just to follow the rule to the letter barring something exceptional.

A few people are saying there was testimony from UKVI. From my own dealings with them I find that unlikely, although it would be interesting if someone could post exact details of what is meant by this. If there was, genuinely, approval from UKVI, then there is no reason for him to be refused. My own guess is that this is just the standard 'you have a right to appeal' type of statement that appears carte blanche on all refusal letters. So, perhaps, someone could post exact details of this UKVI testimony. The fact is, people in this country have been crying out for years for tougher immigration laws, but when they get them it becomes a bad thing because speedway riders come under the tougher rules.

I don't know the whole story, but from what I can see, this is how it is. Edinburgh tried to get a rider who doesn't fit in with the requirements. They must have known this? They asked the mc for approval. No harm in asking, right? They were told that he doesn't fit the criteria. That's the end of it, surely. I see no problem in how the BSPA have acted here. If Edinburgh want to keep this going, they should contact their local MP and get him to persue the case. It worked for Swindon with Jimmy Nilsen all those years ago, when you needed to be a 6 pointer to get a work permit. Don't blame the BSPA here. Their sponsorship license is at risk if they let someone slip through the net.

Absolutely. I said the same thing myself, elsewhere. The Sun front page today was criticising the decision. There was a front page story opportunity there for the taking by supporting these girls who are being victimised.

For the same reason they assessed Martin Vaculik below Nick Morris and Jacob Thorsell. Whatever that reason is.

Have we? Lindgren and Bjerre out. Vaculik and Iversen in. Plus Holder and Batchelor back. I'd say the top end is stronger over all, although Lindgren is a big loss.

I believe that's the title of the film in the USA.