bigcatdiary

I dare say they looked at the finances/costings for one and it just meant losing money even with a sell out, personally I think it’s too expensive at Belle Vue full stop for one GP let alone 2. They kept ramping up the price at Cardiff each year and look where that ended up, supporters just ended up walking away or watching it on TV, TNT seem to be going that way as well. It wouldn’t be too bad if the racing was top notch but this years Prague GP was the very first since 1995 that actually had some decent racing and even some overtaking, I just thought it was me and the Glasgow promoter who thought the racing was actually important.

I was reliably told that Manchester couldn’t make it pay on one which was why they said it was two or nothing, cannot see that changing going forward.

Zmarzlik is extremely good their is no getting away from it, he is a very good at all aspects of riding, good control, balance, trapping in fact it’s hard to find fault with anything, which is why he has won 6 world titles. But it’s his consistency and the fact that he rarely gets himself into any trouble through falls or injuries, that makes him stand out, despite riding sometimes on the edge. The only riders that appear to give him some trouble are Laguta and Kurtz and Laguta was stopped by the authorities governing the sport. As some have said he has years left at the top if he wants it

5 qualifying races, 1 semi or LCQ and a final already provides the chance to get 21

Tim I seriously doubt that the vast majority (me included) haven’t got a bloody clue how it all works out and it’s just bloody ridiculous when you consider they changed it from an easy formula that everyone pretty much understood to what they currently use. 20 qualifying races, 2 semis and final was used for years and it worked okay, the scoring system, 3,2,1,0 was easy and Falls, Retirements, Tapes and Disqualifications is pretty straight forward. I am not sure who does the race card spreadsheet for the referees (like Kandysoft in the UK) but apart from them, you and the odd official I bet not many, with most relying on you and them to sort it out. I would bet Tatum and the rest of the commentators are as much in the dark as 98% of the spectators. They even now go through the rigmarole of warning riders time after time who try and guess the tapes going up, again it’s bloody nonsense just disqualify them, they would soon learn to sit still and not try to anticipate the start. OK the point about a rider winning a GP getting less points than someone else could easily be avoided by just awarding the winner 25 points, with the rest getting what they earned from the heats. Yesterday was the very first time I enjoyed a Prague Grand Prix, the second half of the meeting had some very good racing, after the usual processional start and it was refreshing to see.

Anyone know when the draws likely to be up

I am inclined to agree, Bomber has had his chance and Brennan and Thompson are a lot better than most of the field let alone the other Brits. i would go further and do what other federations insist on, riders competing fully in their own federations leagues, I like Woffinden and he is still a good rider but him Lambert and Ellis should be riding in the UK if they want to ride in the British Championship, SON, World Cup and test matches, if they those to miss the UK (which clearly is their right) then they should miss out on National Championships and World Championship qualification places as well.

The trouble is no one else does, especially if he has ridden for them

Well I have been to two prem matches this season Northamptons first and Ipswich BHM and they both started at least 30 minutes after the official start time, frankly it’s a mess and unfortunately it happens more often than not.

I think they should start at the official start time

Riders should get the points they score on the day, 3, 2, 1, 0, it worked well for years and everyone including the fans could understand it, this constant tinkering, last chance qualifying cobblers should be binned. 20 heats, top 8 to two Semis and then a final, it’s fair and no one could argue against it.

Did you miss the exit in the middle of bends 1 & 2 (at the back fence) which had a security person on it, this led into the pits car park and the main car park at the rear, this was opened at the end of the meeting, we got straight out after leaving at the end of heat 15.

Our first visit and we found it easily, the car park is massive and getting in was fairly easy despite a very large crowd, food outlets seemed ok although we didn’t try them but plenty around us did. The grass banks were somewhat uneven to walk on but there was plenty of room despite a huge crowd and we eventually settled at the back of the first bend. Viewing was good and the speakers was clear and certainly loud enough, probably a bit too loud. The track unfortunately wasn’t, it looked a good shape and prior to the meeting looked ok as they watered it but clearly the damage had been done in the afternoon From the first heat it was clear that despite a long run to the first bend their wasn’t much dirt on the track and most heats were processional after the first corner, their were a few overtakes but they were few and far between and the majority of the heats were decided at the the gate. We were aware that a lot of the track surface was brought in from Peterborough's circuit but being a hot sunny day and with the afternoons practice it clearly hadn’t been watered enough and it very soon showed with dust after just a few races. The meeting was conducted at a fairly brisk pace and several riders tried to overtake using the bend banking but despite going wide it was clear their just wasn’t enough material on the outside to provide the grip to get by which was a shame for such a good opening crowd. We managed to get out quick and got home to Peterborough in about 45 minutes but the racing wasn’t good enough to tempt us back on a regular basis although we might return if it improves.

Correct and preparing crap tracks that provide little chance of anyone making a pass after missing the gate just makes every meeting a gating competition.

I disagree, I think they should properly prep the track every time, that way if it gets on the track is set up for good racing, this match clearly wasn’t a good watch.