Paulco

Surely the better meetings are in Division 1 , where Polonia Bydgoszcz travel up to Gdansk and Gniezno make the short trip over to Poznan .

To be fair to Bridger , he doesn't really get a fair crack of the whip there . The week before against Bydgoszcz he won his first race comfortably , though he did come last in his second race as Start conceded a 5-1 . He was replaced in his next as Gniezno made a tactical substitution and his 4th ride was inexplicably taken by the aforementioned Gomolski . As for Gomolski's moan about Nicholls . He's a bit excitable is young Mr Gomolski , and falls off with Chris Kerresque frequency . Likes a strop at referees too , which makes him rather entertaining .

Another bad day at the office for Nicholls and Bridger at Gniezno .

Hampden Park , Glasgow

Can't see both Laguta brothers riding in the same GP , as apperently they have only one decent bike between them . As their respective scores in domestic league meetings bears out .

Thanks for puting that link up . Great memories from a wonderful afternoon .

I suppose the " wildcard " is really for speedway backwaters like Italy , Croatia and Great Britain to have some added local interest during the meeting , regardless of whether they are out of their depth or not . Balinski rides for the local club where Saturday night's GP was held , therefore there was some logic in his inclusion .

Gniezno 43, Miroslaw Jablonski 12 (5) , Scott Nicholls 9+1 (5), Michal Szczepaniak 8+1 (5) , Krzysztof Jablonski 6(5) , K Golmoski 4 (5) , Lewis Bridger 3 (2) , Oskar Fajfer 1+1 (2) Bydgoszcz 47 , Grzegorz Walasek 13(5) , Denis Gizatullin 9+1 (5) , Emil Sayfutdinow 8+2(5) , Tomasz Gapinski 8(5) , Mikolaj Curylo 7+2(5), Robert Koschiecha 1+1(3) , Szymon Wozniak 1(2) Not for us the glitz and glamour of the Extraleague , but it was the Division 1 clash between Start Gniezno and promotion favourites Polonia Bydgoszcz that attracted our interest , that and the fact it was only a half hour train journey from our Poznan base . We were joined at Poznan station by the extremely friendly Mateusz for our trip to Gniezno , which made life easier for us non-Polish speakers . We were at the track around 3 hours before the scheduled start time and made the clever move of buying our tickets there and then because , on our return to the track after a pleasant lunch the queues were massive . It was also a bit unnerving to see the local constabulary armed to the teeth watching your every move , though around heat 7 or 8 there was an attempt to hold a meeting of intellects between delegations of the home and away fan bases on the 3rd bend - that was thwarted quickly by the stewards though , without the assistance of Robocop and his mates . Cracking stadium was bursting at the seams as both teams served up an entertaining encounter . The track was a bit on the slick and dusty side , despite the efforts of an impressive bowser , though that didn't detract for the fayre on show for the supporters . After conceding an opening heat 5-1 , Bydgoszcz soon grabbed control of the meeting despite a muted performance from the boy wonder from Russia , who never won a heat . The 4 point difference flattered the hosts and Bydgoszcz were in command as soon as they got their noses in front after heat 3 . The visitors were led by the impressive Walasek and the entertaining Gizatullin , while the hosts were well served by Miroslaw Jablonski , Scott Nicholls and Szczepaniak . Probably the best 29 Zlotys i spent all weekend , as i fell in love with domestic Polish speedway .

Yeah that was evident when we were sitting in the stand at Gniezno on Sunday . There is no doubt that the Leszno track was slick on Saturday evening , and that riders were struggling to pick up any drive off the bends - especially where we were sat at the 4th bend . It did throw up a pretty sterile GP , with little or no passing . Though i'm not convinced the silencers are to blame for that as i've seen plenty of decent racing this season already . Cracking atmosphere outside the track before the meeting though , as we basked in the warm sunshine drinking beer and munching on the wonderful Polish sausages . Polish bloke sitting next to us at the track would give us a nudge , and with a proud look on his face , told us every time " Tomek " made his entrance , you could see his chest swell up every time his holiness arrived on track . Before the final however most Poles round about us were unsure whether the local hero , Jarek Hampel , or the " annointed one " would emerge victorious . At this point i turned to Bluejam and said " i'd piss myself laughing if Nicki Pedersen beat both of them " , and so it proved as the " evil one " flew round the outside from Gate 4 to cruise to victory .

Surprisingly enough , that's what i do .

The new Ashfield track length is now 319 metres

I'm the same mate , sod 'em . We went through all the Pope crap when they were going to cancel the Sunday meetings - now this nonsense . It either goes ahead or it doesn't , i'm on my holidays anyway .

You didn't go the year Bomber won then ? Weren't much sun that year , thank god for the retractable roof .

We are staying in Poznan that weekend , so that meeting could now be our best option . We will let you know once we've finally decided Mateusz , but we'd be happy for you to join us .

Brilliant news .

This is so disappointing

I hope common sense prevails and there is some speedway held on the Sunday . There will be a few flying into Poland for the weekend , and with absolutely no interest in religious matters , it would be a bummer to be left kicking our heels on the Sunday afternoon . I know the beer's cheap , but i'd rather have some speedway to watch .

I hope so , any speedway to watch on the Sunday would be most welcome .

As a Rangers fan , not getting to a Polish League match on the Sunday because of the bloody pope wont please me one little bit

Spot on Dave . When Glasgow tried to run a junior side , two men and a dog turned out to watch it . Similarly the Dale Devils , though relatively successful , came to an end because it wasn't financially viable to run them with the crowd that would turn out at Armadale on a Saturday afternoon . Seems Newport's NL side is also under some sort of threat too , according to the report in the Speedway Star . We all might bleat about young British riders not getting a proper chance , but when it comes to actually going out to support them - it's a different story .

From memory , at Glasgow , there would be a reserves race with the home and away number 7's and two of the home novices . A good way for the novices to guage their progress . Then you would have the three heats for the rider of the night between the top 6 from both sides , with each heat winner and the fastest runner up progressing to the final . There would be another reserves race before that final . So that was an added 6 races after the 13 heat league match . Which is a bit better value than what we get now . Though there were certain away riders who were packed up and ready for the off not long after heat 13 was over , but generally the second halfs were pretty good .

Thought your lot announced the following year's team in the one go at the end of season dinner/dance thingy .

Scott Nicholls , if anyone deserves another go it's him .

The red button on my washing machine and my microwave give me nothing , what channel's it on ?

A worrying state of affairs , especially with " you know who " to contend with on Sunday . I assume Dicken was awful again .