leanne1706

Great post, Ghostwalker. That's the way I see things - poor Jonas was going through the "proper" route of qualifying etc, yet it seems likely he'll get overlooked for others who didn't seem to show an interest!

I agree about JD - he has proven himself in the World Cups and performed very well as a wild card, so give him a chance. I think he would've qualified through the final if he hadn't been on the sidelines injured. As for the others, I can see Scotty getting the nod again. He has shown in the last few GPs that he really wants it again. Whatever has given him the kick up the backside he's needed, it's done him a world of good! I'd quite like to see Hampel get a place, but with all the Poles already there I can't see it happening, so maybe Holder. And I'm stuck on the fourth rider. I would guess at another Brit, but who? I think Bomber has been out of his depth this year and I think a year out of the GP series would do him good. Richardson - would he just embarrass himself? Kennett - not ready, IMO. Tai - too young. Steady - I don't think he could handle it if he couldn't keep up with the big boys. Who else is there???

No need to shout, my dear! I never said the meeting was rained off, I understand that it wasn't - I'm not stupid either. I can understand your anger, but I feel you're directing it at the wrong people. Numerous things happen in speedway for meetings to be called off - or, for that matter, in any sport. There's a thread in the speedway general discussions section about unusual postponements. I'm just saying, it's a fact of life in sport. Surely there are worse things going on in the world to get so wound up about?!

Less chance, not no chance, unfortunately. Like I said, though, I do sympathise and if I was in the same boat I'd be very peed off, too.

I completely sympathise with those that made the journey only to be disappointed, but it's like any rained-off meeting in the UK, you'll get your refund for the tickets or validated tickets, but there's no compensation for traveling costs. It's a risk you take with our sport; we all know there is a possibility of meetings being cancelled at the last minute.

Have only just come online and seen the result of this meeting from yesterday... Would just like to say I am really really chuffed for Kenneth - I think he may well shock a few people next year. As for all the sniping on here. It's getting boring. Certain people are sounding like a stuck record, and their opinions are just nonsense. These three riders have gotten through by right; they've qualified. They raced against what was put in front of them (in every stage up to the final) and they won, fair and square (I haven't seen any of yesterday's meeting, so I only guess it was all fair and square). These riders have done what they had to - got through to the GP Challenge, and finished in the top three. What more do you want, blood!? As for next year's wildcards - I hope Jonas Davidsson is considered. He was so unfortunate to miss out on competing in the GP Challenge because of his injury, and I think one of those top three places would have been his if he'd been there yesterday. After Scott's performance on Saturday, I think he has it in him to finish in the top eight, and I hope he does. I think Bomber has been out of his depth this year - it's someone other Brit's turn to give it a go. Who, I don't know... Tai's too young, Kennett's not ready. Stead, Howe, Allen - wouldn't make an impact at all. Danny King? Nah. Richardson showed last night that's he's not up to it. So who?

Ooh, I forgot about Kenny B... him too instead of, erm, NKI for me...

Such a shame, because I think he had a really good chance. Right decision, though. Maybe he'll be gifted entry with one of the wild card spots... My three are: Sulli Richardson NKI

Would just like to say, I've seen Ola's piccies of the Smederna meeting on Facebook, and it's great to see Jonas at the track and looking well Hard luck to Masarna, too

Did the bikes actually hit the riders? I've just re-watched the video and it looks like they go off to hit the fence just to the left of the guys... Anyway, I feel we're going round in circles - my point still stands, airfences would go a long way to stopping many bad injuries, IMO.

Then why make the comment in the first place? You can see in the replay that the start line is set further back than most which would, of course, have added to the speed the guys were traveling at. Such an appalling looking crash, particularly the way they collide with the fence. You can actually see the fence gives a little, but this was still undoubtedly the cause of Jonas's fractured rib and shoulder injuries - they do hit it with some force. I still think an airfence would've made a difference as it would have at least cushioned the blow.

I didn't know this, and that certainly goes some towards compensating for not having an airfence. It would be awful if speedway disappeared from these tracks that don't have the funds, and for those riders that never crash - or at least never suffer bad injuries - then it's all well and good. But what about those that have lost their lives? Wouldn't it be worth it, even if it saved just one life? I don't know - we could go on forever with different ideas, different debates. I guess I'm just feeling pretty off with speedway at the moment with all the injuries flying around

Air fences certainly don't solve everything, but they would add to helping in some crashes - isn't that enough? Ok, some riders still get battered and bruised (or worse) when they crash into an air fence, but having watched the Davidsson/Pedersen crash, wouldn't an airfence have softened the blow a bit? And, looking at it from the other angle - remember Bomber's crash into the airfence at Cardiff this year when he busted his face up? That, surely, would have been a lot worse had there been no airfence at all.

I'm not sure poor Jonas would agree with that. Load of rubbish, anyway - this sport is dangerous, whether the riders ride safely or not. No brakes... asking for trouble! He'll have them crawling round the track to prevent injury with statements like that.

They need some air fences on that track... desperately.

Woohoo - well done Denmark!! Been cheering the boys on all night, and it obviously paid off Did anyone else hear Bjarne at the end of heat 24? When Nicki was celebrating, I could have sworn I saw Bjarne run over and say "have we won?"... might not have been, was probably something that sounds similar in Danish, but sure gave us all here a chuckle! Cracking meeting all round - well impressed with the Swedes, and the best team won. Hope Crump's injury isn't too bad. He looked in a fair amount of discomfort.

Congrats to Sweden and Poland. Team GB... oh dear...

I believe we can qualify, and I fully expect to see a different team tomorrow night (different as in behaviour and attitude, not a whole new team!). They owe it to us and they owe it to themselves to go out there and at the least show that they want it, at the most go and get it. And they know it!

Didn't he ride as a reserve in last year's WTC final? I'm sure he did...

Oo-er missus!

Agree about Nicholls, completely unacceptable. Harris, our other GP rider who has beaten Crump, Hancock, Gollob etc etc... he didn't even reach double points. This is his home track, what went wrong? Lee Richardson, an EL and ex-GP rider, practically going backwards! Like Bomber, he's beaten the big boys on more than one occasion, so what was different last night? Steady - ok, I didn't expect much from him, but two points, seriously? I kinda expected a tad more than that! His average at Brandon is a lot more than two, so I thought we'd have seen him score more than two. Allen - did as I expected, and worked bloody hard for it, too!

I don't think it's a case of he can't be @r$ed... but I'll save that for another thread!

Yes, completely agree and have said just that on another thread.

Yes, yes, I can see that - BUT, my point is looking at last year's scores compared to this year just brings home how cr@p we were! Regardless of who our opposition were, I expected more.

You're right, I didn't look at it that way. So, our only solution is to start winning some races...? Oh dear...