Fourentee

There is an interview with Billy in today's Sporting Star (the football 'Pink' in the West Midlands) in which he looks forward to his big night and speaks warmly of his affinity with speedway fans, particularly those in the West Midlands where he spent the bulk of his British career. Having seen all bar two of Wolves' 2006 matches, the year in which he joined, I have to say what an impression he left. Among a number of standout rides I can recall one at Oxford in the cup where he actually went between David Howe and (guesting) Leigh Adams. An extraordinary move, and one greatly appreciated by the gentleman standing just in front of me, wearing a Hamill jacket, who had come up from Bristol just to see his hero. I just wish I had been following the sport during the Bullet's prime.

Tell them to watch out for splinters.

You really are part of the Monmore furniture now, aren't you???

Thanks for that. Worldspeedway needs to get a better perspective on events. When you're reading an account of an eight-man race you really don't want to come across the phrase: "Disaster struck the young Australian". So pleased it was followed with news of an engine failure.

Well, that's excellent news. I was worried that no date had appeared on the Wolves site for this and rather assumed it wouldn't be staged at all. Have really enjoyed the two U18 meetings run at Monmore. Good luck to all competitors. Only down side, personally, is not being able to go to Scunny to see it. I shall be at Monmore watching Wolves attempt to claw back – sorry, I shall be at Monmore watching the second leg of the relegation match with Edinburgh.

I don't believe this will be restaged, alas. The Edinburgh relegation clash second leg is scheduled for next Monday, and the day after is the reserve date for that meeting. Would hardly be practical to book Olympique riders in for the Tuesday and then scrub it because the Monarchs match had been rained off! Read your post yesterday, davidba, and hoped that the call-off had taken place before you set off but obviously not.

Zagar, Richardson (Brit bias) and PK at a guess. Would love to see Puk go well but suspect the injury might prove too much.

I hadn't been to an ELRC for 20-years plus before last night's event. Although I suspected there would be withdrawals I must confess to being a bit taken aback by their number. Anyway, it got me thinking – my refund ticket is valid for the PLRC in Sheffield in September, is it not? As a general rule, how many of the advertised Prem stars turn up for the event (barring injury, of course)? Plus I've never been to the Sheffield track.

Doubtless the BSPA are even now working on this information for the restaging... Edit: The interesting aspect of the restaging will be seeing how many of the riders unavailable last night fail to make the second date too. Further edit: Little consolation for those who travelled so far, I appreciate, but did anyone else have the chicken balti from the food truck? Superb.

Kindly engage what passes as your brain before posting with that kind of language. I am the adoptive parent of a blind teenager with Down Syndrome and every time I see this kind of stuff it goes straight to my heart. A moment's thought is all it takes.

Are credit cards accepted on the night? Mrs Fourentee doesn't normally trust me with money.

So if GB win they're stuffed because the Danes will have had a good look at Vojens in the run-off. If the Danes win GB are stuffed because the track will then probably be prepared one way for the run-off and another for the final. Seems as if GB's best chance is if Sweden win tonight! Surely the Danes wouldn't switch preparations if they were in both meetings?

I certainly think it affects his riding – it makes him better. He's clearly one who thrives on adverse crowd reaction. This from the Express & Star in September 2006, when asked about the home fans' response when he rides at Wolverhampton: "I love it every time they come and boo me," he said. "They only boo me because they actually are jealous I don't ride for them. "It makes me stronger. Then I can go out and show them I'm definitely the best in Wolverhampton – and that's nice!"

Exactly. A selection theory that fails on all sorts of levels. One, many people will not be convinced that Stead/Allen is stronger than Kennett/Woffinden. That, however, is the team manager's call and fair enough. Two, if you want to blood the youngsters surely you do it in the home round in welcoming surroundings. Then, if they take to it (and the team progresses) they look to step up a level in the race-off or final. The first experience shouldn't be abroad with elimination likely – that's not going to breed confidence. Three, what kind of incentive is it to Stead/Allen anyway? Bust a gut for the flag and then be told: Thanks, but no thanks?

Ah, yes, but that's memories, isn't it? I was making my first visit to Rye in 30 years and barely recognised the place even after I got in! In those days the bikes were quicker (well, they seemed it) and there was never a rain-off (even though I recall walking back to Harlow after one). As for Sunday, a good, good meeting. Well-run and presented, with the guy on the introductions (Craig Saul) clearly having done his homework and seamlessly fluid. If it's another 30 years to my next one someone else will have to drive – I'll be turning the zimmer frame into the corners by then! Oh, PS: Five stars to whoever recommended the fish and chips – excellent.

This may sound a daft question but I shall be making my first visit to Rye in 30 years. What's the car parking like (I walked or got the train in my student days)?

Looks a fascinating line-up. How many go through? Top eight? Or are there three semis? Haven't been to Hoddesdon since my student days in the late seventies, used to love those meetings.

Blood? Carnage would be nearer. It's hardly going to improve their confidence if that team gets massacred. Put one or two in, by all means – fitness permitting I would go Nicholls, Harris, Richardson, Kennett, Woffinden – but the idea is also to qualify if possible, is it not?

Yes, well done Hungary. How gutting for Germany though. If I read that correctly Heffers beating Tabaka into second in heat 25 sets up the run-off and the Germans must have been pretty hopeful with Kroner going to the tapes for it and in such good form. Hope Heffers can carry some form into tomorrow's Belle Vue match too.

It's surely a given for commercial reasons that GB will have at least one, more likely two, riders in the permanent field. At the moment I don't see anything out there better than Nicholls and Harris. Are their places likely to be threatened by a wave of Brits storming through the qualifiers? No, thought not, much as I'd like to see it.

Rare are the occasions when I find myself in Steve's camp but this is one of them. Jonsson clearly moves out as Gollob sets up his line. Tough, but there you go.

Well, possibly like others following the banner link I must confess I thought a "Full Monty" shaver would be operating, shall we say, a little more south of the border. Now, suppose we all pledge a certain sum as it stands and offer to double it for a full "Full Monty"? Over to you, Bryn....

Apologies for coming back to this meeting rather late, but mulling over the programme recently I noticed a chunky piece trumpeting the reshuffled coaching/development team that will attempt to bring along the age group riders. It made a point of mentioning that all the management team (Graham Reeve, # Name Removed #, Graham Jones and Mark Loram) would be at the track on the night, and quite right too. I would be interested to know which promoters/team managers were also present. We hear plenty about the need to invest in youth, etc, etc -- but who turned up? I saw CVS there, handing over the trophies (Woffinden's win must have delighted him) and also Colin Pratt dropping a few words of wisdom into Josh Auty's ear, which was pleasing. Any other candidates?

Cheers Bryn. Hope you had a good night up in the bar!

I should have been more specific. I heard the commentator say riders' names and total points scores, but don't know enough (or, more accurately, any) Polish to have a clue what the numbers were. I was rather hoping for a visual chart along the lines of: Daniel Nermark 1-3-2*-3-3 -- 12+1 or whatever. They do put up heat scores and team running totals between races. Edit: Must learn Polish for 0-21!