Pete

I think it would make sense if they could hold off the re-staging of the 16 lapper until the half term holiday (the Thursday would be 26th) as this would attract a good number of families and bolster numbers for a true end of season finale. Just a thought, probably not practical though. Pete

They add a larger fuel tank especially for the race.

The 12 riders (used to be 16) take part in 12 qualifying races (used to be 16) in a normal individual meeting format. The bottom four riders after those 12 races compete in a consolation final over 6 laps (used to be 8 I think). The riders who finished 5th to 8th in the qualifying races go from the front grid in the main 16 lapper final whilst the riders placed 1st to 4th go from the back grid but with an additional 2 points given to them. The 16 lapper then takes place with the winner getting 14 points to add to his qualifying races score, second get 12, third 10 etc etc (not forgetting those off the back grid get 2 extra points). The winner is the rider with the highest combined score, not the winner of the 16 lap final. See, it’s simple! As for Loram riding, he may not want to ride in a meeting where 5 riders are all going for the corner side by side but in the 16 lapper final they are spread over two banks of 4 riders. By the time those on the back grid catch the front grid riders they are a bit more spread out and the danger of riders getting in each others way is far less than in a 5 man SWC race IMO. Pete

These are the incidents that make for interesting viewing, I don’t care what anyone says, a bit of niggle between teams in any sport will make viewing figures increase. My thoughts on the race were that Hans pulled off one of his ‘specialty’ moves that he does time and time again if he knows a rider is coming round him. It must be taught in Danish schools because we have all seen Nicki do it and I have also witnessed it done by Bjarne and Bjerre. Scott should have telegraphed it better as soon as he saw Hans riding out but as it happens he didn’t but pulled off a great switch to give Hans a taste of his own medicine and win the race. Now what would have been classy is Scott shaking Hans hand as if nothing had happened, that would have hurt Hans pride more than refusing to shake his hand and looking like Hans got to him. That is what disappoints me a little with Scott is his tendency to let the red mist rule him when he could do more damage by acting differently. Hans knew what he had done and knew Scott had got him back and was willing to shake hands because as he says what goes around comes around. The other thing I find amusing is Sky blatant bias toward team GB which is fine but it does make them look silly at times. The first example being the whole Hans/Scott hand shaking episode and their view that Scott offered his hand to the big bad wolf and he wouldn’t shake it. Then after seeing it again it was clear that it was the other way round. The second example was the whole first bend bunching debate. When Nicki Pedersen came off having really nowhere to go it was obviously his fault for the stoppage and as it gave GB an advantage he MUST be excluded (Nigel Pearson was making himself look a bit daft during this bit if you ask me). Tatum was trying to agree in the nicest possible way without telling Pearson he was talking out of his rear and that type of incident has had all 4 back since year dot. Lo and behold when Chris Harris then falls foul to a bit of first bend bunching and ‘was the cause of the stoppage’ it’s all forgotten about and it MUST be all 4 back. I found it funny anyhow………..

Hmmm, not good if you ask me but hey ho, fingers crossed and all that. http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/europe...locationID=3291

http://www.ipswich-witches.com/GP-2006.xls Anyone who wants a prog can get it form the link above. Do you have to have Excel to download it from a website in HTML format???? Pete

Actually I had forgotten it is already linked through the Witches website. Just replace the names in the score chart at the top and hey presto. http://www.ipswich-witches.com/GP-2006.xls Pete

I have one I can e-mail if you let me know your addy.

I have one if someone has somewhere to host it.

Sorry if this has already been asked (yes I am too lazy to trawl through the 12 pages, lol) but is this just a 20 heat meting or have we semi finals and finals to worry about? Pete

No Steve you misunderstand me, of course Bjarne could win it anywhere, my point is that if he wins it tomorrow people will state it is only because it is on his home track. If it was held at a neutral track and he wins it or whoever wins it it will be a more 'clean' win (no nothing to do with Leigh Adams strange nickname either ). I was making the point that he is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't like Swindon and their pair at the pairs meeting. Pete

I still don't understand why the EL individual events are not staged at a neutral venue. Bjarne Pedersn/Kasper Jack can't win tomorrow (figuratively speaking) as if he does win the event it will be said it is only be because he was at Poole and if he doesn't then he will get slated for not winning on his home circuit. The same with Swindon and the pairs meetings. Pete

I believe Mike is involved with a new Samba Band in Suffolk as reported in the local press recently.

You are our very own Stuart Hall Mr Clemens. Superb!

Didn't realise he was Swedish U21 champion, I think that's fair enough then and I expect lashings of Humble Pie my way when he steps onto that top step on Saturday. Pete