Fourentee

Wot, no Terry Kelly??!!

Wolverhampton Express & Star is running a competition, 10 pairs of tickets.

Deep in the Dorset woods, the ear detects the faintest hint of a ragged gasp and the eye a barely discernible movement under a gibbous moon. A tattered figure, clothed in stained and ripped raiment, draws a series of shallow and rasping breaths and peers anxiously through the dense foliage as the villagers of Great Shovlar on the Wold, flaming torches in one hand and pickforks in the other, howl at the moon and resume their ceaseless quest. Bazaar wishes he had never heard of the British Speedway Forum.

Um, because he rode – and raced – really well and deserved his second place? Because he won points both from the gate and from the back? Because he was genuinely pleased to see Chris Harris as winner and congratulated him warmly, despite his own ambitions? Because he has shown determination and is fulfilling his obvious ability this season? Because he is always very open when discussing his form even when, as last season, things got so bad that he contemplated retirement? And, finally, because it's gracious.

Warmest congratulations to Chris Harris, a worthy British champion. I'm no fan of the last chance/grand final scenario, being a 20-heats traditionalist, so I was pleased (with the greatest of respect to Danny King and Olly Allen) that Scott Nicholls and Edward Kennett, having scored four points more in the main meeting, were the two that prevailed and made the shootout. Equally it was the two riders who scored 14 who occupied the top steps on the rostrum so that too was pleasing. For my tuppence I also thought the four finalists finished in the order that reflected their performances on the night. Harris was absolutely splendid, Howe only marginally less so, Nicholls was certainly combative (but he's a four time champion defending his crown, do you want to see him just trundle round because he's already in the GP series?) and Kennett confirmed all the good things being said about his development this year. Honourable mentions also to Danny King (never easy when a replacement to have the attitude that you deserve to be there, and to show it) and Lewis Bridger. His heat 16 charge and fall was, I think, down to inexperience – heat 18 always looked a banker three points for him and had he gone about his work in heat 16 a little more carefully he could well have picked up important points there anyway. That will come in time. Perhaps most importantly, as others have posted, it seems that the young guard have finally made a breakthrough. No disrespect to the more experienced riders in the final – they were the young Turks once – but fans always want to see the next generation arrive. Last night, plus the excellent WTC U21 qualifying result, has given the average British supporter rather more joy than he or she has had in a long time (unless, of course, you are Disgruntled of Poole)

Hats off to you, 21CH, for a fine post from the standpoint of a rival supporter. Would that your attitude be mirrored in other threads on this forum (sorry, starting to sound like an old buffer now instead of a middle-aged one). Congratulations to all the riders, who took part in less than ideal conditions, and of course to the man himself for an extraordinary career and hardly less extraordinary departure. Just one (very) minor niggle. In the build-up to Sam's goodbye someone (I didn't catch his name) announced from the centre green microphone that the rider's achievements stood for themselves and didn't need reiterating. He then proceeded to list them, in exhaustive detail, to the point at which the terrace stalwarts, having exhausted their repertoire of winter songs after the earlier blizzard, were seriously considering eating the huskys.

Nevs: Sam and Peter Collins were the special guests fairly recently at an auction night in Shropshire for the benefit of Luke Priest (badly injured at Stoke last season, as you are doubtless aware). Both were excellent, reminiscing about their time in the sport, chatting, signing countless autographs/pix etc. There's something teeth-grindingly saccharine about describing people as ambassadors for their sport – a phrase I try to avoid – but hey, that's what they were.

Come on Steve, I know it's only banter but give it a rest! Howe and Harris both rode extremely well at Newport (in any event I wouldn't knock anyone who gives it a go in the middle of January) and Harris was particularly generous to the winner in an E&S interview published on Monday. I hope Howe has the big season you're praying for and I also hope Harris beats the odds and qualifies top eight in the GPs to bag a place on merit for next year.

Thanks Iris, but the results from the link have Tomicek third and Hefenbrock fourth?

Wolves programme on Monday named Mark Loram, David Howe and Adam Skornicki

Don't want to make a big deal about this, but the press quote "Obviously you've got to try and keep your eye on the race and hit the right button And I have to admit I hit the wrong button." has a rather different emphasis to "I pressed the wrong button as I couldn't take my eyes off the track". Or am I being pedantic (question expecting the answer 'Yes'!).

Take your point, but is that "I couldn't take my eyes off the track" a direct quote?

Referee later admitted to error, pushing green exclusion light button which is apparently next to red stop lights button. Fair play to her for being honest about it. See story in tonight's E&S.

At risk of a slight digression, Terry Kelly – what a character! Remember him going out four times in five heats for Workington at Paisley to turn a match. And also recall him at home for Workington against Glasgow, when flags of all nations were displayed on the centre green. At the pre-match introductions, after much deliberation, selecting and rejecting flags, he eventually removed the saltire from its socket and wiped his boots on it. The visiting fans went wild but it was all good knockabout stuff.

Hotshoe, as a student in Harlow I used to visit Rye House frequently and saw John Jackson in fine form there one sunny Sunday afternoon. If memory does not play me false (and it was the late seventies), the stadium public address system failed. JJ was brought out as a tac sub (old style!) and Len Silver walked all round the track carrying a board with "Y/B J. Jackson chalked on it", pointing it out to the fans. He got back to the pits gate, where the four riders were sitting next to each other on their machines ready to emerge, stuck the board in front of the Rye pair and pointed out the change to them too! Happy days.