Wroclaw Gp

[Lawrence]

Here you have a link to my pics made on Saturady in Wroclaw

 

http://www.pbnf.6r.pl/board/viewtopic.php?t=732&start=30

 

 

Maybe someone will recognize himself

[mojo]

Garf

 

Not sure if you still want this info but here goes ..........

 

1. 64.7

2. 64.8

3. 64.19

4. 66.03

5. 65.94

6. 66.00

7. 65.60

8. 65.51

9. 65.92

10. 66.22

11. 65.97

12. 65.78

13. 65.96

14. 66.51

15. 66.99

16. 66.03

17. 66.08

18. 67.02

19. 67.31

20. 66.53

1SF. 66.9

2SF. 66.81

F. 66.53

[ouch]

That's more than a little unfair on Bjarne Pedersen. After all, he is wearing the No 6 race jacket this time around.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I must admit I never seem to see much of Bjarne and he never sets the place alight when I do. He puts me in mind of Gert Handberg, another rider who never looked much when I saw him ride, yet still managed a rostrum place in the world final.

[f-s-p]

Garf

 

Not sure if you still want this info but here goes ..........

 

1

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I do, I do...

 

No offense, but where did you get these?

[shazzybird]

I wonder if Shovvy has finished on the phone to the samaritans

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Nope still engaged

[tomazpozrl]

Not sure if you still want this info but here goes ..........

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Not sure where you got these, but there are some mistakes. Here are official heat times:

 

1. 64.75

2. 64.83

3. 64.90

4. 66.03

5. 65.94

6. 66.00

7. 65.16

8. 65.51

9. 65.92

10. 66.22

11. 65.97

12. 65.78

13. 65.96

14. 66.51

15. 66.99

16. 66.03

17. 66.08

18. 67.02

19. 67.31

20. 66.53

Semifinal 1 66.97

Semifinal 2 66.81

Final 66.53

Edited May 8, 2006 by tomazpozrl

[shazzybird]

whoever did it last year i believe

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

That'd be Kevin Coombs then from Eastbourne, so how come Mike never got the call up Steve, surely with all the media experience he has he would of stood a good chance of getting the "job"

[stevehone]

That'd be Kevin Coombs then from Eastbourne, so how come Mike never got the call up Steve, surely with all the media experience he has he would of stood a good chance of getting the "job" 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

have a look for yourself ....

 

http://www.speedwayplus.com/speedwayplus4.pdf

 

page 13, but the magazines are a very good read.

Edited May 8, 2006 by stevehone

[mojo]

I do, I do... 

 

No offense, but where did you get these?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

I wrote them down as they were announced at Wroclaw but it is difficult to hear sometimes. They also flashed up on the scoreboard but did not stay for long.

[Hazzman]

Here's my opinion after watching it last night.

 

Awful GP for racing, it was like concrete. Tonight however was exciting for some other reasons, the usual suspects werent not on top form.

 

Good GP

- Zagar. He suprised me, I had him down for a two track man but he's was great. His machinery was great around Wroclaw and his cutback against more experienced elders in the semi-final was interesting.

 

- Crump. Just done a typical world champions role. Done the bussiness when it was important is a quintessential trait of a world champion.

 

- Hancock. Well recovered after an awful first round.

 

- Pedersen. His situation was difficult but he showed again he is one of the best. My respect keeps growing.

 

- Kasprzak. Nicholls nearly had him off and instead of lying the bike down in hope of re-run, like the forementioned. He stayed on his bike.

 

Bad GP

- Rickardsson. His disregard for the leagues appears to me the probelm. To use them as testing is stupid. Mauger rode every race as if it was Heat 20 of a world final and that's what made him a legend.

 

- Richardson. Awful, truly awful. He's one of the best gaters in the GP but seems to go backwards as he's racing. He's like an opposite of Nicholls.

 

- Protasiewicz. I stuck for this guy at his inclusion of the GPs. However it appears a step too far.

 

- Olsen. Stevie Wonder could see the track didnt have enough dirt.

 

- Lindback. Erratic to say the least.

 

- Steele. Good decision on Pedersen's bumping of Gollob but he seemed to hold the tapes for far too long.

[spook]

poor Scotty 

 

but he has one more heat to go and he'll make it 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

very poor - he has the chance to pick a decent gate in the semi and blows it!! (and not for the first time)

 

 

Think this will be the last GP season for Lee Richardson unless he does the qualifiers.

 

Simon Stead should be in there instead of him.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I hope Lee picks things up again but I agree if he doesn't show a vast improvement on last season it is time to give his place to someone else

 

 

Brilliant stuff from Nicki or shall we call him Zippy

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

brilliant!

 

 

Nicholls has a huge mental problem and until he gets over it is never going to progress into the top level. He just doesn't believe he is good enough when it comes to the crunch races. You can predict before the semi he will not go through. He doesn't have the belief, which means he rides poorly and his gating in the big races is quite frankly appalling.

 

Easy World title unfortunatly for the Ginger whinger.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

totally agree about Scott......the guy has as much talent as any of them out there - he generally has fast bikes and yet consistently chokes at the very worst moments - he'll always get my support but I really don't expect him to do anything more than hang about midfield

 

I think this season belongs to Nicki/Zippy

[Old Saint]

on the updates site

 

TRick was right off the pace tonight. He said before the meeting he had the flu, but perhaps should have kept that to himself. His bikes were certainly not on the gas.

FLU !

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

According to his manager on the BSPA site, the problem was "electrical" (should that be "electrickal"). Nothing said about the flu

Edited May 9, 2006 by Old Saint

[Champion]

Some special pictures from Wroclaw: http://www.dominet.pl/news/lst-news-114.html

[sjw ministerofport]

Sorry we missed the meet up at Wroclaw, and especially as I missed Rico. My offer of a pint still counts mate when our paths cross. The people we did bump into made our trip that bit more special.

I have to admit to having had a Lech flu on Friday, red wine seems to be the perfect cure.

The racing was not maybe the best but the occasion made up for that. I reckon that Jason deserved to win, and Nicki is some tough guy.

Just thinking of Cardiff for a moment, will Jason manage to get over last years debacle, will Nicki be recovered from his wrist problems, will Trick blast back, and manage to cut the lead, or will there be another winner?

[f-s-p]

I watched the GP last night, BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORING! I hope I get the chance to ask Olsen's opinion about track prep at Eskilstuna. I really want to know whats his guiding light.

 

I do understand that a league meeting is for 15 heats and a GP 23, but still...

[pugwash]

I watched the GP last night, BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORING! I hope I get the chance to ask Olsen's opinion about track prep at Eskilstuna. I really want to know whats his guiding light.

 

I do understand that a league meeting is for 15 heats and a GP 23, but still...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Glad you enjoyed it.

[Mr. Clemens]

European Grand Prix – Wroclaw – Saturday 6th May 2006

 

The Polish adventure began at 10 am, Thursday 4th May as the taxi arrived to take us over the moors to Manchester airport. This party was made up of myself my wife my sister in law and her husband, Uncle Flip, bringing up the rear was my nephew. This was the nephew’s first trip to Poland. There was a two-hour wait before the flight took off but finally we boarded the plane.

 

We found ourselves surrounded by a male stag party heading for a weekend of freedom in Poland, apparently the current ‘weekend boozers paradise.’

‘Which city is it we are heading for,’ asked one of the party???

This revelation caused the wife to engage this group in conversation asking of them, ‘are you going to take in any of Poland’s culture while you’re there???’

‘Yes,’ said I, ‘ they’re going to take in some Polish beer!!!’

 

One of them obviously had a Polish girlfriend in England because he began to contemplate meeting her parents and the adjustments he would have to make as to the way he conducted himself in their presence.

 

On discovering the wife could speak Polish this stag party had visions of attaching themselves to us for the duration of their stay. They decided we were the ones who were going to point out to them the ‘best watering holes’ in that place they were going to but they couldn’t remember its name!!!

 

‘We are going elsewhere,’ announced the wife to the consternation of the stag party who were already downing the drinks they’d ordered on the plane. There wasn’t much point in saying we were going to Wroclaw seeing they didn’t know where they were going in the first place – but – nivver mind eh!!!

 

The plane landed on time, we were met at the airport by staff of the travel agents and the mini bus they supplied ferried us on the three-hour drive to Wroclaw. As we were going to hire a car for the journey south I observed the route I would be driving down on Sunday. This was one Polish driver who knew what he was doing maintaining a constant speed along the E4 towards Wroclaw arriving at 9 10 pm.

 

We booked in at the Hotel Europeum, the staff there kind enough to supply us with a meal though we arrived in the restaurant shortly before closing time. Spaghetti sauce on pasta didn’t sound much but turned out to be an excellent meal. We had made a good start to our trip. We were all looking forward to Friday.

 

Friday May 5th

The plan was to go to the official practice on Friday afternoon but that plan was thrown out of the window when we discovered that the agent was bringing our stadium tickets to the hotel at 4pm.

 

We decided then that Friday would be the day when speedway was put on the back burner while we explored a city that neither myself or the wife nor the sister in law had ever been to before. And what a contrast Wroclaw 2006 is to the Wroclaw 1976, I passed through briefly 30 years before.

 

I had almost come full circle in life with this trip to speedway in Poland. In fact this was only the second time I have been to a Polish held speedway meeting. The first time was for a different type of ‘World Final’ than the one we were going to see the following day.

 

We had gone to Poland in 1976 in support of Peter Collins, Malcolm Simmons, John Louis, Doug Wyer and Chris Morton. A good solid bunch of British riders some of whom could be World Champion that weekend. Personally I was there to support Malcolm Simmons who always was an immaculate rider of distinction.

 

Famously the 1974 world champion Anders Michanek had only made it to reserve for this meeting and the 1975 world champion Ole Olsen had failed to make the cut even as reserve. So there was no conflict of interest for us in the Slaski stadium with me being a confirmed fan of both Michanek and Olsen. But there was Ivan (there was always Ivan) lurking in the background looking for that 5th record equalling world title that would elevate him to the rarefied heights occupied by Ove Fundin.

 

But it was the trip out to Poland in those days that was as equally memorable as the final itself. This was the world final trip when we met the Ipswich supporters who have become life long friends; where we set off by coach from England, across to the continent by sea and drove through West Germany into East Germany via the Berlin ring road to the Polish border.

 

This was the world final trip where on the Polish border we spent a few happy hours with the border guards debating the ownership of passports. This was the world final where our courier collected our passports taking them to the border guards post for them to be checked in the manner beloved of communist border guards.

 

This was the world final trip where the courier came back onto the bus flanked by Polish border guards approached me sat on the back seat and said, good-naturedly,

‘They want to know why you have two passports?’

‘Easily answered,’ said I, ‘I don’t have two passports. One is my brother’s passport and the other is mine.’

With this piece of priceless information the merry band trouped off the coach once again for another 60-minute conference in the border guards post.

 

Eventually, no doubt tired of each other’s company, this merry band made their way back onto the coach. The courier’s good nature had disappeared now he was a frustrated man making a bee-line for the owner of two passports.

 

‘For God’s sake,’ said the shaking courier – (which was a weird thing to say in an official atheistic communist state) – ‘tell them why you have two passports.’

Totally unfazed, for some reason, by this unfolding farce I took the two passports and showed the assembled hordes my passport pointing at the picture. I then opened the other passport pointed at my brother sat on my left then at his picture in the passport.

‘This is me,’ said I and this is my brother.’

 

Further discussion took place between the pantomime performers then the courier made his final plea for help and said.’

‘Why don’t you tell them why you’ve got two passports?’

Immediately I responded with, ‘better still why don’t you ask him,’ pointing at my brother, ‘why he doesn’t have a passport!!!!’

‘Hey,’ said the ever supportive little brother, ‘don’t drag me into this it’s got nowt to do with me!!!’

‘It does,’ said I, ‘seeing you don’t have a bleeding passport, I have two, here do you want one.’

 

Obviously the border guards had finally tired of the charade and out coach made it’s way into Poland and down the road to Katowice. But by now it was getting late and we were scheduled to take in a meal in Wroclaw that was the first major city we passed through on the way to Katowice.

 

We arrived, I believe, in Wroclaw around 11pm. It was like stepping back in time to the 1930’s. So much so the lay out of the streets reminded me of old Chicago –(which just happens to be a Polish dominated American city) – that you see in early James Cagney gangster films. I was expecting cars to come racing round the corner any minute machine guns blazing.

 

Unfortunately or fortunately nothing of that nature occurred. We were steered instead into this building where we were served chicken that apparently came straight from the freezer. You had to break the ice of the chicken before you could eat it but we were so tired by now we didn’t have the desire to eat anything. Finally we left and made our way to Katowice where we witnessed Peter Collins admission to the roll call of world champions who have graced our sport of speedway.

 

Wroclaw was caught in a 1930’s time warp in 1976, a city that seemed out of place in contrast to the modern capitalist world we came from. But this was not the case with Wroclaw 2006, far from it. On making our short journey to the town square we observed a modern metropolis on a par with any major city in Europe.

 

Everywhere we looked there was work going on bringing this city up to date. Unobtrusive work that went on with the workers like ants intent on taking this golden chance to make their city a proud place to live in. You could sense their pride, their realisation that they were finally being given their chance to remake this polish city in their image. You sensed that they were determined to get it right. It felt good, it seemed good and it was good a sharp contrast to the buggering about on the main road through Sheffield. Road works that seem to have been there forever and patently getting nowhere in the process, has any Sheffield supporter reading this actually ever seen anyone working on that site. I don’t think I have.

 

One of the interesting aspects of modern Wroclaw was the lack of ‘Ruch’s’ those little kiosks which were a prominent aspect of communist Poland. Forum members had told us we’d pick up stadium tickets at ‘Ruch’s’ but that was something I didn’t believe for a minute. But not only didn’t we get tickets at a ‘Ruch’ we had a job to find one. For me this was a real distinctive sign that everything was changing in this great city for that indeed is what it is.

 

We couldn’t go to Wroclaw and not take in any culture and the wife knew exactly where to take us – the National Museum Wroclaw – to see the Raclawice Panorama.

This was a panoramic tableaux depicting the battle of Raclawice April 4th 1794 part of the Kosciuszko Insurrection fought against the Russians. Fought in an attempt to regain independence in what became a 120-year struggle against the domination of Prussia, Russia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Poland finally regaining their independence as one of the US President Woodrow Wilson ‘Fourteen Points’ contained within the Treaty of Versailles after the end of World War One.

 

The tableaux, was perfectly presented, laid out in a circular mode in order to give the impression of a battle taking place all around you. Not only that real artefacts blended in with the painting to give a three-dimensional feel to the proceedings. Also there were headphones to wear through which came the tour guided words in English. The battle was described with the Polish forces led by Tadeusz Kosciusko.

Kosciusko being the man who fought in the American War of Independence, for the Americans and the French Revolution, for the revolutionaries, seeing both struggles yield a positive result. Yet when he fought for the independence of his own country found the might of Russia, Prussia and Austro-Hungary too much to overcome.

 

Next time you’re in Wroclaw get pissed if you must, but go see this great tableaux it will knock your eyes out. We could have stood there for hours looking at this great work of art. If it was a toss up between watching the official practice and this great work of art Raclawice would come up trumps every time.

 

Back at the hotel this fine travel agency who organised our trip to Poland were right on time at 4pm with the tickets for the stadium. The plan was for a couple of hours of rest then a meal at the American style ‘Rodeo Drive’ restaurant then on the town for – Polish Beer!!!

 

During a break between courses at the restaurant, the nephew and I moved to another part of the room for a cigarette. While sat there I espied a gentleman sat at a table who bore a strong resemblance to Tony Steele. Deciding it was he I made my way across and inquired of him if he was refereeing on the Saturday night.

‘I am going to try,’ said Tony Steele confirming his identity though I didn’t recognise the two other men sat at the table with him. Sticking to my promise to ask him that one question, as we recognised his right to eat his meal undisturbed, we returned to our seats. We had a great meal the staff were very welcoming and helpful. We recommend this restaurant, situated in the town square, to anyone making a trip to Wroclaw.

 

After the meal we toured the bars sitting at the tables situated outside the bars watching the world go by. We espied a few lost looking speedway supporters who seemed to be searching for other supporters in order to generate some sort of excitement as a build up for the Grand Prix on Saturday night.

We on the other hand were content to listen to the endless jokes cracked by Uncle Flip who kept us all in stitches throughout the night. But this night had to come to an end as we had business on Saturday.

 

Saturday

Saturday morning was taken up with changing money for the hiring of a car and finding somewhere to hire a car. We went to one place directed there by the hotel, but they’d gone out of business. Finally we were able to arrange a 3 day car hire from the hotel and book our taxi for 3-30 pm to take us direct to the stadium. We couldn’t be bothered to take the tram experience as we wanted to be at the stadium asap.

 

Eventually it was time to make our way to the stadium. The taxi arrived on time and 15 minutes later deposited on the corner of the entrance to ‘Olympic Stadium Way’.

Straight away Uncle Flip was accosted by an officer of the law who obviously realised we were English and was keen to engage us in conversation – or arrest us!!!

Turned out he’d lived for a time in London and introduced himself to practice his English and reacquaint himself with his memories of the English capital.

 

Time to introduce you to Uncle Flip who hadn’t been to Poland for 11 years and hadn’t been to a speedway meeting for twice as long. But he jumped at the chance to accompany us to Poland to see this Grand Prix. Uncle Flip was a sailor in his youth, a veteran of the Falklands War and a patriotic type of guy.

 

Stalls lined the road along ‘Olympic Stadium Way’. Uncle Flip stopped at a stall selling souvenirs, but this stall was peopled by Polish ‘wide-boys’ who didn’t seem to understand what ‘how much does this cost’ meant – whether you said it in Polish or English so we moved on to other stalls – who were all basically selling the same stuff.

 

‘So who’s riding for us,’ quoth Uncle Flip, when we finally found a stall peopled by folk who were into selling what they’d got on offer.

We informed him of the virtues of our fine twosome Scott Nicholls and Lee Richardson.

‘So I’m shouting for Scotty and Lee,’ said Uncle Flip, ‘what about you two???’

 

We informed him of our patriotic fervour and also informed him that in speedway we had our favourite riders, and supported them, despite their nationality. The nephew confirming this by forking out for a Nicki Pedersen shirt displaying where his loyalties lay this Saturday night.

 

In response Uncle Flip bought himself an England scarf where I was going to buy a Polish scarf. I would have bought a T shirt and a cap too – if only those who made those shirts – realised how naff their designs are and created something eye catching and worth parting with your money for – but they never learn – as it was the same on Wembley Way 31 years ago!!!

 

‘Buy yourself an England scarf,’ quoth Uncle Flip.

‘I’ve never bought an England scarf in my life,’ said I, ‘but bugger it I’ll buy one now.’ So I did in order to give Scotty and Lee the support they deserved!!!

 

Uncle Flip a confirmed Barnsley supporter who - in the middle of Wroclaw - on the Saturday morning – suddenly without warning - put his hand to his ear and bellowed for half the city to hear – ‘alreight me old love how tha going on good to hear from you.’ – decided he needed a drink.

 

Uncle Flip was in contact with South Yorks in order to hear up dates on the Barnsley v Walsall match that the ‘Tykes’ had to win to confirm their place in the play offs. He remained in contact with the fortunes of his football club all afternoon. So we sat down in an almost empty beer tent for liquid refreshment.

 

It was then we realised we didn’t have an official program – in fact we hadn’t even seen a stall selling them – we thought perhaps they’d be on sale in the stadium. The nephew needed food – as he always seems to do - so off he went for Polish sausage and steak returning with his meal.

Tucking into it he declared it a marvellous meal - causing Uncle Flip and I to purchase the same - though my steak was underdone - that suited Uncle Flip who ate that too.

 

While we drank our beer – surrounded by Swedish and Polish supporters – I espied a family with two young kids– so I gave them a couple of Coventry programs

This was a tradition started in 1976 when a couple of hundred copies of the now defunct ‘Speedway Mail’ lay on the back seats of the coach. I scooped up an armful and handed them out to the Polish supporters who didn’t have direct access to these things so long ago.

 

So I decided to take some programs on this trip to hand out to those young supporters who because of such an act would do the same years down the line. As I explained to Uncle Flip and the nephew – these are the things that kids remember of these type of days. A gesture made that indicates they are regarded as part of the family and will remain so in order to one day reciprocate by handing some - fresh face to the sport – their welcoming certificate of membership.

 

The father of the kids understood the gesture – placing three beers on the table in front of us minutes later – so did the parents of kids who posed for pictures with us – on receipt of more programs as we made our way round the stadium.

 

We enquired at the bar of the two young men and the young lady as to where they were selling programs but they didn’t know. They were happy to practice there English on us. The ‘smart’ one of the bunch once he thought he’d wormed his way into our favour said – ‘You can leave us a tip if you want.’

‘Always use a condom,’ advised Uncle Flip immediately – which tickled the young lady bartender and nonplussed the ‘smart’ guy – while his mate doubled up in laughter.

 

A passing fan told us we could purchase programs – in the area where we’d originally got out of the taxi – so we had to walk all the way down there again – where we found the program sellers stall. Strange it is though that there weren’t any stalls right outside the stadium itself – where you’d expect them to be???

 

Returning up ‘Olympic Stadium Way’ we embarked on a circuit of the stadium to see what was going on round the stadium. There were loads of Polish fans, as you would expect, quite a number of Swedish supporters and the odd English contingent scattered about here and there.

 

It seemed to us that we would be able to walk the entire circumference of the stadium as we made our way round to the pits area. Wrapping a colourful Halifax woolly jumper round my shoulders we began the first lap of the Olympic stadium.

 

Looking at all the vehicles parked in the pits you could work out that all the riders were there. It was good to see Nicki Pedersen’s van parked up confirming he was riding despite his wrist operations the Monday after the first GP. Tony Rickardsson’s dream home was there too.

 

We speculated on the offer we’d had made to us for VIP tickets costing £100 and what we would have seen for the extra £50 that we couldn’t see from the other side of the fence. Two female speedway supporters were talking as we approached the pits fence.

 

Recognising fellow ‘homeless’ supporters they introduced themselves to us as Leicester supporters who, I think, gave their allegiance predominantly to Peterboro speedway as we do now to Belle Vue speedway. Though like us they reserved the right to travel freely round the country to see the speedway teams they wanted to see.

 

These ladies were also in conversation with someone leaning on the fence that turned out to be Gary Havelock. These ladies were complimenting him on his work with Sky TV stating how they were happy with him ‘telling it how it was’. We endorsed this opinion and long may he continue saying what he thinks – not too many do that in speedway these days – one of the reasons the sport is in the state it’s in.

 

‘What you doing on this side of the fence,’ said I?

‘Waiting for my pass to get in,’ responded Gary. Gary was quite happy to chat with us without any indication that he was doing it because ‘he felt he had to’. We complimented him on his riding having watched the meeting between Sheffield v Redcar where he scored double figure points. This was the night the American Dream team was riding at Sheffield.

 

Gary was told us that things were going well at Redcar, that they were getting good crowds which was good to hear. We wished his team well for the future. The contact he was waiting for to help him get into the pits arrived and Gary left us. He came across as a very likeable guy.

 

The Leicester ladies thought we were in the same block of seats they were as they began to attach themselves to us for the rest of the evening.

‘We’re in the main stand,’ said I, thinking they were in there too.

‘Oh we can’t afford to sit there,’ said the two ladies, ‘ooh we are posh aren’t we!!!’

‘We don’t usually sit with the riff raff,’ said I, as the ladies departed to scene. Leaving us to continue with our journey round the stadium.

 

On the second bend – we were walking round the stadium clockwise – there was another family with kids – so I gave out a few more speedway programs to the children. Next minute we were in a group pose having pictures taken – there is a kid with a Halifax jumper draped across the front of him – looking at this picture – and still trying to work out who the hell the ‘Halifax Dukes’ are???’

 

While this was going on a strange figure dressed all in black passed by us – casting furtive glances our way.

‘I’m sure that’s Reg Wilson,’ said I to the nephew but I wasn’t really sure as I have only seen Reg a couple of times since my return to speedway. He glanced back a couple of times then carried on his way.

‘I don’t think it was him,’ said I to the nephew.

 

Uncle Flip was clicking away with his mobile phone camera all the while we walked round. Taking pictures of the pits and the vehicles there soaking up the atmosphere and declaring himself well satisfied with the events taking place up to now.

We called in at our ‘watering hole’ – (or Alco Hole – as the Poles so aptly call them) – for more refreshment before embarking on lap two of the stadium.

 

We called at one of the gates to confirm where we wanted to be when we decided it was time to go into the stadium. Continuing the second circuit of the stadium we once more bumped into the ‘man in black’

‘Are you Reg Wilson,’ said I as we passed by him and the group of people who were with him?

‘Indeed I am,’ Reg replied.

We chatted amicably for a few minutes finally leaving him with this comment.

‘We watched you down at Sheffield for 15 years,’ said I poking him in the chest as a sign of appreciation of the old days.

‘Thank you very much,’ said Reg displaying some emotion in his words as he did so.

 

Time was slipping by now and we decided we’d go find our seats overlooking the starting gate. We were placed right of the starting gate – facing the track – on row 9. We were told initially that we had front row seats – we didn’t – but this turned out to be a good thing – as if we’d been right at the front we would have had our view obscured by the fence in front of the first row seats.

 

Uncle Flip had brought his England flag with him – having written - BARNSLEY - on it with black felt tip pen – instructing the nephew to go down and tie it to the fence. The nephew was going to place it high on the fence but the policeman made him tie it in line with the other flags placed there by other supporters.

 

On the same row as us – to our left – low and behold – unbelievably so but true – a weird or what situation – but yes – sat 5 pink fairies replete with cowboy hats. I looked their way a number of times to see if I could recognise faces – but none were familiar. The clue however was their obvious support of Greg Hancock – whose name adorned most of the paraphernalia they carried with them.

 

There were a bunch of Swedish supporters down front – the ones with the ‘Indianerna’ flag attached to the Swedish flag you see on TV – being waved by the guy wearing the Viking helmet. Eventually it dawned on me – after a few races had gone by - that the 5 ladies sat on the same row as us were ‘Swedish Pink Fairies’ – a revelation that almost made me swoon!!! (Swoon meaning- a cute way of saying – feel sick)

 

Sky divers were falling from the sky and landing on the centre green – entertaining the audience with their skills – which reminds me of the 1977 world final in Gothenburg – when Ove Fundin was scheduled to do the same thing – but wasn’t allowed to do so – as it was regarded as far too dangerous for him to do it – bet that pissed old Ove off – don’t ya think!!!

 

Looking round the stadium as we entered in there it was obvious this emporium had seen better days. Despite this it was a hive of activity all around the outside of the stadium – with athletics going on in one of the adjacent compounds – and some other even taking place over to the right – observed as we walked up ‘Olympic Stadium Way’ – though we didn’t have the time to check all these things out.

 

Inside the stadium it reminded me of the old wooden Hyde Road stadium – no wonder Jason seems at home riding for Wroclaw.

I felt as though I could see the cobwebs hanging from the rafters – the feeling was this stadium had been closed down for ages – and it was reopened for the sole reason of staging this grand prix.

 

Ever since the start of the season I have had the feeling that all the riders – of whatever league in British racing – have a certain ‘jaded feel’ about them. For me it’s as if the season hasn’t started yet. This being the reason that certain British Elite League teams have yet to ‘fire on all cylinders’. This feeling was ‘alive and well’ in the Olympic stadium. Somehow I felt this wasn’t going to be all the good a meeting.

 

But this was all new to Uncle Flip and his enthusiasm and willingness to get himself into the ‘spirit of things’ was infectious. He was impressed with the atmosphere that was definitely there whipped up by the non stop talking of the guy on the centre green who I was sure was going to give himself a heart attack before the evening was over.

 

Finally the riders came out for the parade standing in line being introduced to the crowd. Jason with that look of deep concentration on his face and Tony Rickardsson revealing nothing of the thoughts going through his mind. Meanwhile Uncle Flip was accosted by a ‘roving reporter’ someone armed with a microphone interviewing fans inquiring of their predictions for the end of night result.

‘I’ve no bleeding idea who’s riding,’ quoth Uncle Flip, ‘never mind who’s likely to win it sunshine.’

 

So Uncle Flip directed said interviewer my way. I told him that I was expecting a reversal of the result in the first GP – meaning a Crump win with Nicki Pedersen as runner up. A thought I had even before we’d left England. Though we told the interviewer we were hoping for some ‘magic’ from Tomasz Gollob when he asked me who else I was supporting besides Crump and Nicki Pedersen

The interviewer also asked us where we’d come from – having - no doubt – no idea where Barnsley was.

 

Almost unnoticed the riders appeared for the first race – Jason Crump stamping his authority on the meeting right from the off. Greg Hancock was a revelation in his first race too. But I did wonder if this was going to be the height of Greg’s night.

Nicki Pedersen stamped his authority on heat three – keeping T/R in second place. Iversen took care of Heat 4. Uncle Flip was a little disappointed by Lee Richardson’s third place – we didn’t have the heart to tell him – so we kept our own council. But he was happy with Nicholls second place behind the very fast looking Greg Hancock in Heat 2

 

Lee Adams did the business in heat 5 keeping the Poles Kasprzak and Hampel behind him while Andreas Jonsson confirmed to me his ‘never going to be’ status. I know why now as it’s the syndrome that affects certain riders that has the same grip on Andreas – meaning that it’s never going to happen in a big way for him.

 

Heat 6 Scotty Nicholls delighted us all with his fine win over Zagar, Pepe and Bjarne Pedersen. Perhaps it was the Havelock influence at work – if it was it was doing alright at this stage of the proceedings.

 

Heat 7 Hancock was at it again keeping T/R in second place while Lindback scored his second last place. Nicki was on fire in Heat 8 renewing his duel with Jason Crump that caught fire in the first GP and winning this one too.

 

All 16 riders had completed two races. Hancock/Nicki Pedersen led the pack with Crump/Nicholls one point behind the rest of the field having mixed fortunes. That jaded feeling was hanging in the atmosphere but Uncle Flip was happy with Scott Nicholls’ performance thus far – but a little disappointed with Lee Richardson’s one point. But this was compensated by his growing appreciation of Jason Crump and Nicki Pedersen.

 

Heat 9 and Scotty was outpaced by the speed of Leigh Adams who appeared to have got his act together – while Nicholls kept T/R in third place. Rickardsson was definitely ‘not at the races’ tonight – who knew what the problem was – perhaps he is lulling the opposition into a false sense of security???

 

Heat 10 showed that Nicki Pedersen was definitely at the races – making light of his problems with his wrists – winning his third outing – while the ever inconsistent Lee Richardson failed to score a second time.

 

Heat 11 we were hoping for some magic from Gollob but Jarek Hampel stole his thunder to the delight of the Polish crowd. They predict that Hampel will be a future Polish world champion – but don’t hold your breath – because he has a lot more to do before that is likely to happen.

 

Heat 12 Hancock held Crump off for four laps – laying down the marker that said – ‘this is my GP tonight’. Though my nephew was definite in his belief that Hancock wasn’t going to win tonight – while I was with Jason all the way.

 

But Hancock was sitting pretty on 9 points – along with Nicki – Jason two points behind – along side Nicholls – as he would be in their next race - on 7 points. Behind them were Adams and Hampel on 6 points – T/R on five – with the rest inconsistent picking up the odd point – which kept them in the hunt a lot longer than it would have done in other GP’s

Or are these low scoring meetings becoming the norm – reflecting how hard it is to score points in a GP – or reflecting that jaded feeling that was still hanging in the air over the stadium – like the deep black cloud - now threatening to water the track – in a deep meaningful manner - without Ole Olsen’s permission - again???

 

Heat 13 proved that Hancock meant to go all the way keeping Nicki P in second place – while once again Leigh Adams suffered mechanical failure

Heat 14 was a ‘revelation’ with Bjarne Pedersen waking up to the challenge while Tony Rickardsson confounded everyone with a last place – this was taking ‘lulling folk into a false sense of security to new depths!!!

 

But this suggested to me the reason for that ‘jaded feeling’ that is permeating through speedway at this moment in time - that somehow we were witnessing the ‘changing of the guard’ – where the baton was being passed from the older experienced riders – to the young pretenders who were now prepared to step up to the mark – in order to take over from the old guard who were still dominant in GP racing. But for me the ‘young pretenders’ who will take over the mantle of future world champions will come from others than those represented in the current GP series. The older end Crump – Nicki Pedersen and Hancock apart – seem to have ‘lost interest’ in the competitive battle for top honours – while those ‘younger’ riders now taking part – who you would expect to take over from them – seemingly not up to the challenge either.

 

Heat 15 saw Matej Zagar gain a fine win over the somewhat fortunate in his second place over the jaded Jonsson and the ever ‘reliable’ Lee Richardson. Zagar might be one for the future – keep an eye on him – though Lindback isn’t if he doesn’t buck his ideas up in a very big way.

 

Heat 16

‘I reckon Nicholls should confirm his place in the semi finals in this race,’ enthused Uncle Flip, Scotty’s latest addition to his fan club, as the riders lined up at the tapes for their fourth ride of the night. ‘I reckon he could even beat Jason Crump.

‘Problem is this is where Nicholls usually f**ks up,’ said I to Uncle Flip as the riders came under starters orders.

‘Bl**dy hell fire,’ yelled the nephew as the f**k up arrived right on time as Nicholls dutifully touched the tapes and was excluded. Jason Crump went his own sweet way from tapes to flag with Jarek Hampel clinging onto his semi final hopes gaining third place behind Iversen – another who has a lot to do – if he wants to be a future king!!!

 

By now Crump/ Hancock and Nicki Pedersen had booked their places in the semis with a whole bunch of riders aware that the 5 remaining places where anybodies. No doubt everyone was expecting Rickardsson to come alive and confound his critics once again. But it was the ‘young pretenders’ Hampel – Nicholls - Zagar and Iversen who were on the heels of the ‘old guard’.

 

Heat 17 saw Gollob proving he still had what it takes holding out Zagar who was more than a match for Leigh Adams who it appears has passed his peak with his third place in the 2005 GP series.

 

Heat 18 and Hancock hit the rut that disrupted his evening – earned him an exclusion – that confirmed to us this wasn’t going to be his night – he wasn’t going to go through the card Rickardsson style – proving there was real life in this old soldier.

Instead it was Lee Richardson who once more showed he had what it takes – when it didn’t matter anymore and wasn’t going to get him anywhere – other than first passed the flag. And you know Lee Richardson really could be a first class speedway rider but I suspect he too suffers from the same ‘malady’ that is the nemesis of Andreas Jonsson – but that is speculation.

 

Heat 19 with Nicki’s fourth win in the rerun - and confirmation of Nicholls’ place in the semis – they being Nicholls nemesis – where he seems to lose all self belief when up against riders he beats consistently in league racing.

But it was a battle in itself for him to get there suffering a fall that seemed as if it was going to put him out of the meeting. While at the other end of the track Nicki Pedersen lost control as the riders shut off falling heavily and giving everyone the impression that he had come worse off than Nicholls in their respective crashes. But both of them lined up for the rerun keeping Kasprzak in third and Lindback in fourth place

Lindback scored his fourth last place of the night and left him faced with a mountain of Everest proportions to climb before this GP series is through – if he is to be the future world champion many people hope he will be – and certainly want him to be.

 

Heat 20 on the other hand underlined why Jason Crump is a ‘favourite’ to win his second world title – which would put him on a par with that other double world champion winning Belle Vue Ace – the best beloved Peter Craven.

 

Heat 20 also underlined the dire state of Swedish speedway – when it comes to riders of world championship material – as Andreas Jonsson did a ‘Lee Richardson’ – getting a ahead when it mattered least - relegating Tony Rickardsson to his second third place of the night - with only the hapless Pepe Protasiewicz between T/R and further ignominy.

 

Swedish speedway is in the process of saying goodbye to 6 times world champion Tony Rickardsson - just as they did 5 times world champion Ove Fundin in 1967

Then it was a 7 year wait for another world champion Anders Michanek in 1974 - and an even longer 16 year wait till 1990 for their next world champion in Per Jonsson.

 

Rickardsson won his first world championship in 1994 – 27 years after Ove Fundin’s 5th title win. Could that mean it will be 2034 before the next Swedish multiple world champion comes along??? The signs don’t look good for either Andreas Jonsson or Antonio Lindback by that reckoning!!!

 

It was the first semi with Nicki Pedersen – Tomasz Gollob – Jarek Hampel – Matej Zagar in the frame. Of course everyone was expecting the two ‘old stagers’ to glide through to the final. Nicki would have done of course – if he hadn’t have messed up on the first bend – drifting wide allowing both Zagar and Hampel through – but he did mess up and paid the price – while Tomasz Gollob faded away with a disappointing last place.

 

The second semi was more ‘true to form’ with Hancock and Crump renewing their battle for supremacy on the night relegating Leigh Adams and Nicholls to third and fourth place respectively.

And thus we come to the final – the ‘old guard’ up against the ‘young pretenders’

But neither Crump nor Hancock paid Hampel and Zagar any mind as they continued their battle for a third time – Hancock having won both previous encounters – but it was Jason – as predicted who crossed the line first – grateful for the every fairness of Hancock’s riding –when in meaningful races where everything was at stake.

 

We stayed to watch the presentation – often denied us by Sky TV back home – hanging precariously on the fence by the starting gate – as the three rostrum places were filled by Zagar – Hancock – Crump. Jason is off to a great start – but will fortune favour him all the way – or is it Nicki’s year – or Greg Hancock – can Tony Rickardsson really confound his critics – or has he really passed his ‘sell by date’

Or will a ‘young pretender’ surprise us all and emerge from the pack to instigate a new era – exciting or what eh???

 

‘That was bloody brilliant,’ quoth Uncle Flip as we made our way down ‘Olympic Stadium Way.’ The nephew and I wouldn’t have gone as far as saying that – it wasn’t a ‘bad’ meeting but it wasn’t a good one either. It was more or less predictable – other than Greg Hancock’s sterling performance and Nicki Pedersen’s failure to make the final. But it was Jason’s night as I had always felt it would be.

 

The following day I drove the hire car down to Jablonka where we stayed three days. Taking a day out in Zakopane – a place my sister in law had never been to – but always wanted to visit. If you go there – take the chair lift up the mountain to take in the magnificent views then eat at the Adamo Italian restaurant – order their mushroom soup which is brilliant – as are the main meals they do there.

 

Finally we stayed overnight in Krakow taking in the sights of that fine city buying souvenirs and enjoying a last meal in a top class restaurant Uncle Flip and sister in law found on their last visit to Poland 11 years before.

We flew out of Poland on Thursday afternoon with a lot of good memories of both our speedway jaunt and the other places we visited.

 

 

An Uncle Flip Joke

 

How many psychiatrists does it take to change a light bulb?

One – but the light bulb has to want to change!!!

 

A very apt joke for speedway riders with aspirations of being world champion – eh – psychological or what!!!

[SCB]

Even by your standards thats long!! Certainly an intresting read

[Mr. Clemens]

Even by your standards thats long!!  Certainly an intresting read

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

It was a long trip

[barrow boy]

One of the so called Leicester ladies mentioned in Mr Clemens 'War & Peace' day in the life of was in fact my wife who is not posh but is certainly not riff raff.

 

Were any other forum members slumming it it the riff raff areas I ask myself?

Edited May 15, 2006 by barrow boy