fatface

Aye, that is what I'll be doing. I can just about stomach paying £75 in "rip-off Britain" for the best seat at the biggest Grand Prix of the series. I really don't expect to be asked to fork out £89 for the same privilege in Poland. That's a fair few Zlotys in someone's pocket... Really looking forward to this GP, but sorry Mateusz, this pricing is very very naughty indeed. I don't know if it is BSI or the local organisers who are to blame, though I have never come across such ridiculous pricing in Slovenia, Latvia or the Czech Republic before...

Is just me or does anyone else think the mainstand tickets are a total and utter rip-off? 89 quid?! Come on!

Hope you get your hands on them Tony. But I do hope this book is not being rushed out just for Cardiff. I, like a lot of people am really looking forward to this book (i only wish I'd done it myself ) and would be happier to wait for a really top-notch read than something rushed out..

Gotta be Steady. I would still rate him as a better long-term prospect than Chris Harris, despite the weekend, where yeah, we all agree, Bomber was superb. He's really got to be on the GP stage within the year and needs the exposure. Kennett's started the seaon well and his time will come. It's a little more urgent for Stead though...

After being completely against it at first, I have to say, hands up , I'm coming round to it. Every race does have real meaning now. You felt that every time Crump and Pedersen lined up in the same race, it really meant something. Whereas in recent years, riders were happy to drift towards 10/11 points to secure a semi berth, they are now hungry for every point. Even if Nicki is running away with it, I don't blame the new system. The points gap is a reflection of how dominant he has been....so far....

Yeah, I was there too and that's what I remember. They jumped into action like they did this sort of thing everyday. We gave all our remaing billions and millions zlotys to the them after the meeting. Was probably only a few quid.

Very early days yet in the GP... can't see Nicki being quite that dominant throughout, can't see Jagus being top 4 material right through, can't see Bjarne struggling that much, can't see Crumpy being that well beaten many more times..so I won't read too much into the first GP. It was bad one for Scott, no doubt about it. And I think it really is a big year for him and time to really prove he can do it at this level. Most think he has the talent, I do and judging from Billy Hamill's words in the SS preview, he rates him highly too. It's up to him now to prove he really is one of the world's top 8.

I think it was virtually unanimous on another topic that he was the best rider ever to win the World Title once. And, based on TV footage I've seen from that era, there is little doubt that he was "the man" in 77 as well as 76. Mr Mauger might think he was unlucky on some occasions, but in 77 (and 72 for that matter) fortune smiled on him. I only started following the sport in 81 at Belle Vue and PC was probably past his best, but he still could produce a bit of magic when the mood took him. Superb team rider as well, of course him and Mort were dynamite together, but the times he nursed round some young reserves to 5-1s were an absolute joy. One of the true speedway geniuses.

There would be a nice symmetry to Greg winning 10 years on. But, hungry or not, I think any World Championships winning days are now past for both him and Leigh Adams. Greg did well to finish 2nd last year, but he never looked like challenging Crumpy at all. And would he have finished 2nd had Nicki Ped not had fitness problems and Andersen been in from the start? I have my doubts.. As for Leigh Adams, anyone who thinks he can still win it, has their head in the sand. Great rider and a superb man to have in your league team, but at the highest level he simply doesn't have the necessary fire. Surely that's obvious by now? Crump is rightfully hot favourite, Nicki is the most likely challenger (there's no doubt in my mind that he will win it again one year), Andersen also a contender and AJ the dark horse. The rest? As someone once said...."Nooooooo chance!"

I've long thought Moscow would also be an interesting option. It seems that crowds are very healthy over there and it would be a great place to visit. However, a mate of mine does live there and says that tourism is not something that the Kremlin particularly encourage. I believe you still need a Visa to get there. It's also noticeable that Russia, unlike the other Eastern block nations has not embraced being part of the EasyJet or RyanAir networks. Still, like I say, if crowds are healthy, maybe there would be no need to attract that many from elsewhere? I would imagine BSI have looked into the possibilities, but would also think that IMG would have a better chance of succeeding...

I'm sure China will be one of the first venues IMG look to. Erm, in my defence though I was talking Middle East though..not Far East..

Without wishing to get bogged down in a debate about whether a Middle East GP would work or not, I'll take the bait and pitch in. I've just returned from working for six months in the region and I'll say two things about the possibility. Financial loss or not. Doesn't matter a jot to them. Snooker, Tennis, Golf, Superbikes, Rugby. They'll take the lot. All they want is a little recognition and profile for their part of the world. Money is no object. Crowds. Bizarre though it is that they host big events, the natives don't respond that well. It's a cultural thing. It is ex-pats that go to these events. I found myself attending big golf, tennis, superbikes and a rave when I was there. Would I have gone to these in the UK? No. Why then over there? Because these type of events are relatively few and far between. They are where ex-pats go for something a little more familiar to home. Western (for want of a better word) events are big social occasions. Some mates of mine even went to a Bryan Adams concert, something they would never do at home (apologies to fans of the Canadian crooner ) But I'd say Dubai is a better bet than Doha or Bahrain, just because there's more ex-pats there. As for the weather, apparently July/August are unbearable, but the rest of the year is do-able.

touched upon here manchesterpaul... http://www.speedway-forum.co.uk/forums/ind...showtopic=31936 Adding to that, a GP in Doha would be do-able. But I think Dubai would be a better bet. Lots of ex-pats with plenty of disposable income who love a good event. Things like the Dubai Desert Classic Golf and Dubai Rugby Sevens are big hits, SGP could be too. Fairly certain they have suitable stadiums, but not 100% sure....

Agree with some of the points above. I do not think the GPs are absolutely perfect, far from it. The points system for 2007 is very silly indeed. Temporary tracks have been hit or miss (as have some full-time tracks). We can all nit-pick and make the GPs look very, very good or very, very bad depending on the evidence you select (and some people are very selective indeed). But I think if you look at the whole picture, the GPs are heading in the right direction. Some great venues (some not so good, but our last few World Final venues and the early GP ones were all poor), good presentation at the events and excellent TV coverage. It's expanded and evolved, this year we should have a great finale no matter what and in future years we have a truly global company behind the sport to take it on again. Good no?

I've been suckered in again.. Think you're being a bit unfair with your cleverly editing of quotes. Wasn't comparing F1 to speedway as a sport at all. Which is pretty obvious from my full posting. I was comparing marketing strategies. ie F1 every other Sunday in summer, speedway every other Saturday in summer... As for have BSI taken the sport to a new level? Yes, I would say so. Not exactly where I would like it be. I love it and wish it was at an even higher level. I think we all do. But don't tell me 11 rounds compared to 6, Cardiff compared to Hackney, Parken compared to Vojens, Gelsenkirchen compared to Pocking isn't progress. Credit where credit's due.

Then that's bad marketing.

Good to see you here Kevin. I know from the past, we don't agree on the GPs. But at least you put together a valid argument... On the crowds issue, I don't have evidence, others on here clearly don't. But with a broader series, I suspect there are more paying customers through the GP turnstiles in total and our biggest ones are consistently attracting good crowds. No doubt about it we do have our 'showcase' GPs where crowds are very healthy and some where the crowds are not so good. From my experience, I'd suggest other major series have the same issue. I've been to a packed Formula One GP in Australia...I've also been to a sparsely attended Superbike GP in Qatar. Some of the GPs are clearly 'crowbarred' in for TV purposes. But I do think it's very important for the sport to have a regular TV slot, so that everyone knows that every other Saturday, April-Sept is Speedway GP night. I'm not big on F1, but I know there will be another GP coming up a week on Sunday, cos there was one last Sunday. This is just good marketing and is what is needed if speedway is to become a big sport. As for the British leagues, it is up to the British promoters to get together and find how they can promote the sport better around the GPs and not compete with them (as some are suggesting). The best and most ambitious riders will always choose the GP over the EL. Sweden and Poland find it easy to fit around the GPs and still have successful leagues. Why can't we? I do feel we are slowly learning though. The sport has learned from the GPs. Air fences, start girls and better meeting climaxes are all GP-led innovations taken into the EL. We need a single (and one alternate) EL race day, better stadiums and greater innovation to get top riders and more spectators back into British speedway. As for IMG's take-over. I know you felt the GP "circus" could not last. Even you must be having doubts about the viability of SGP in light of this development? I have serious doubts that they would buy a sporting product in order to shrink it into a minor sports programme. You don't truly think that do you? I think you're grasping straws there mate. It's not as if Mountain biking and Triathlon had prime time live Saturday night coverage, so to pigeon hole them with speedway is a little odd. I think they've seen something, which if promoted right, can get up there with Superbikes, MotoGP, NASCAR as a major motorsports series. Plus, speedway offers a spectator experience that none of the others can match and is ready-made for TV with breaks in the action. Maybe it's not the norm on the forum, but I for one, am feeling pretty optimistic. ps. Can't discuss at this length again...your lengthy posts always demand a lengthy reply. But, I do have a job you know! Maybe discuss it over a pint at Cardiff?

I agree with a lot of what you say Spiegal. It's good to welcome someone into the debate who can disuss the issue rationally and with reason. British speedway does have big problems and does need an overhaul. It's shortcomings have become all the more obvious as the GP has risen to prominence. We need to learn from the GPs and indeed the other leagues. As far as I can see, the Swedish and Polish leagues are successfully run. Regular race days, all the top riders and decent crowds. Regular race days is linked to getting all the top riders back in the UK. There are a load of other things they could do to improve the sport. But just to pick one big one - stadiums. Some of the venues in Britain really are shockingly bad. People expect better in the 21st Century. As an example, I occasionally go to Horse Racing. Now I'm not big on the sport in anyway, but the surroundings are comfortable, there is always a bit of extra entertainment and consequently a good atmosphere. Even if you don't have a massive interest in the sport, you can still have a good night out. There's not many British speedway stadiums you could say this of.

I know the series being expanded is a terrible thing isn't it? Thousands more people watching our world championship in person and on television...awful, awful business. No evidence of the decline yet? Hurry up, it might not be too late for IMG. The fools think they've bought a successful sporting product which has potential to grow. Quick, quick, show them the evidence that they've made a huge mistake...

Can't believe I'm being quoted from four years ago!! I feel famous. Well, maybe infamous. Anyway, despite my misgivings in 2003 (i'm a customer, it's my right to moan!) I've been to Cardiff and one other GP every year since (Prague, Krsko, Daugavpils). So, this sticky business of less people watching the World Championship. We've seen the figures from Cardiff. Interesting, but not the real crux of the matter. Let's see the total decline as asked for above. Here's a template for you: 2000 SGP total attendance: 2001 SGP total attendance: 2002 SGP total attendance: 2003 SGP total attendance: 2004 SGP total attendance: 2005 SGP total attendance: 2006 SGP total attendance:

Yup, heard that all before and still waiting for the implosion. Can we have some figures on the total amount of people attending SGP year on year? I assume you'll be able to prove that less and less people are attending World Championships year-on-year. Ditto for TV viewers...let's see that evidence of decline as well. I'll bet IMG are dreading this depressing evidence you're about unveil...

Complete and utter tosh. We've had people on this forum for a few years now saying that the world championships would never survive under BSI. Wrong. It has thrived. Now an even bigger company takes over with huge resources and you're still predicting its demise? Don't ever be a gambler mate.

This the BIG news in speedway at the moment and the silence on here is deafening. Congrats to BSI who have promoted the sport bloody well at top level IMO. This move can only be good for SGP and I can see us heading to the USA, Australia, Middle East maybe even Japan with the series in the coming years. As for league racing in the UK, yes there is a danger it will get left behind. I did used to think that the best way would be to strip it of GP riders, but I've come round to the opinion that would devalue the product far too much and the EL would look a very poor cousin on SKY when compared to the GPs. Instead Britain has to get a uniform race day. If it wasnt accepted before, then it must be accepted now. The GP is a series that is only going to grow and as it does, the demands on riders increases, British Speedway will feel the squeeze and more riders will quit the UK. The speedway world doesn't revolve around Britain anymore, we cannot expect it to do so. The UK has to make the league more attractive to top riders by lessening its demands. That way, riders may actually start drifting back to Britain rather than away.

Crump is the favourite for me. I would say the only other title contenders are (in ranking order) Pedersen, Andersen and Jonsson. To my mind these are the only riders who can live with Crumpy at his best, provided they are at their best. The challenge for them is to be consistently brilliant, as Crumpy was last year. Nicki is as hungry as can be and seems to be over his arm problems. When he is at his best he is more than a match for anyone. Andersen is also top notch, but unlike last year, people will be looking out for him to perform. Will he handle the extra pressure? Maybe. Jonsson is an awesome talent who has taken longer that what he should have to reach this level, but last year there were signs he is now ready to really mix it. A dark horse who could do what Nicki did in 2003. Adams and Hancock will be up there just because they are consistent, but neither has the absolute brilliance to better Crumpy. Scottie, Hampel, Lindback to be decent spoilers.

...and I was there too...not really a comeback though was it?