Latvia 2006

[Trees]

Yep practice seems a COMPLETE waste of time judging by what most riders say at every GP.

 

Did Greg dedicate his win to Steve Irwin, is that what he said?

[Reviresco]

That's what I heard, Steve Irwin..........?

 

Was Greg a friend of his? Seems strange when speedway has lost two past riders recently, one a compatriot of Greg's, that he should dedicate to Steve Irwin. If Crump had won............

Edited September 9, 2006 by macca56

[pirate paul]

He said something about telling Moose this win was for him and Steve Irwin. So I guess Travis McGowan knew him maybe?

[covbees7]

Long scary drive from Riga to Daugavpils think i will take the train next time.

It turned out to be quite a good show in a town that possibly had never seen a tourist before never mind several thousand speedway fans.

We walked into one bar near to the stadium and you would have thought we were martians judging by their reactions to us.

Riga is totally the opposite with the locals being very friendly and the female population very easy on the eye.

anyway 2 more days to go before we fly back so back to the partying!!!!

[garf]

Ah that's true, was a bit silly.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

He never got excluded though, did he ?

[Racer X]

Where is Matej in the standings no need to complain and was it both wheels.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Certainly looked like both wheels to me.

But like people have said you can't begrudge Greg his win - he has had his fair share of bad luck in GP finals this year - this was good luck!

 

Matej needs a top 9 finish to automatically go into next year's GPs and is fairly comfortable now, my guess is that the last two GPs have ensured he would be nominated next year if he doesn't get a top 9 for any reason.

 

Zagar once again did himself proud and has the look of a potential WC - I think he needs to take the next step up the standings next season, and establish himself both in the EL and GPs - so far his progress has been pretty much text book.

I remember a few seasons agao ther were people claiming Crumpie would never be a Champion!

 

Antonio Lindback looked very impressive indeed, if Poole axe him, surely someone will try and pick him up?

I can't believe that Lindback would try and stay away from the EL, it wold be a huge error of judgement in my opinion.

 

Interestingly the EL stay aways - Hampel, Gollob and (to a lesser extent) Jonsson always seem to lack that little extra when it matters. Coincidence? Or is ridng the EL with its vast array of circuits and the need for flexible technique essential for a rider to take the GP?

Edited September 10, 2006 by Racer X

[Trees]

Zagar once again did himself proud and has the look of a potential WC

He's got a lot going for him has Zagar, along with Lindback and Jonsson imo, I dunno, perhaps it's youthful exuberance, they are certainly all naturals on the track, on the mic and with the crowd, keep it that way I say

[MR.ANDREY]

LATVIAN SGP 2006 PHOTOS

[Steve Shovlar]

MR Andrey, as a regular to this track, is it always that slick with no dirt?

[Squirelnutkins]

Great meeting last night! Fab result for Nicki coming 3rd ! Was a tough decision for the ref to make in the final for who to exclude between Nicki and AJ! Loved Kasts leathers, very smart!

 

Track was very slick and rutty! Made exciting racing though!

[andy moore]

Have to agree with Racer X that Hampel Gollob and Jonnson seem to lack that little bit extra,the only way they will get that is to ride in the best league which of course is in the UK -i would like to see Jagus over here as well.

[bigcatdiary]

I thought the GP was one of the worse this year, the track was an absolute disgrace, do the organisers actually want to see racing.

 

Anyone watching that for the first time wouyld have switched off, its pains me to say it but I agree with Shovlar, It certainly looked like Hancock had 2 wheels over the white line

[605ts]

Good ride by Hancock in the final glad he pulled off the win, he deserves to be second in the standings. He is a true racer and nice man to boot. Hope he gets on the podium in the final standings.

[CB252]

MR Andrey, as a regular to this track, is it always that slick with no dirt?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Probably reminded Antonio of Poole on a Wednesday evening. Although he hasn't had much practice there this year!

[weymouth alicat]

Must say, the totty was top class tonight though.  Not just at the tapes either.  How much is a return weekend ticket to Latvia?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Gotta agree there macca, thought the start line girls were best this year, particularly the yellow one who kept kissing into the camera,and the one in red , how long was her hair????

 

As for Kelvin he was dissapointing, he was given the job of disposing of Millard once and for all and didnt grip tight enough.

Obviously saw stardom when the choking commentator said "take over" and loosened his grip.

 

Best send johnno next time, he will finish the job...........................

 

ps ...........whats happened to sophie????

Edited September 10, 2006 by weymouth alicat

[GREDON]

Was this meeting as bad as it came over on Sky? We may knock the temporary tracks, but they are heaps better than this fiasco. BSI are in great danger of making out sport a mockery. The only thing that came over good was the startline girl who kept blowing kisses, was she trying to get a part in television of films? To think I really wanted to go to this meeting. Mind you according to Tony Millard, there was was a capacity crowd of 10,000, so probably would not have got in, why were there so may empty seats?

[T.N.T.]

To think I really wanted to go to this meeting.  Mind you according to Tony Millard, there was was a capacity crowd of 10,000, so probably would not have got in,  why were there so may empty seats?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

You honestly think Tony Millard got a fact right ?

 

 

[Boggle]

Was this meeting as bad as it came over on Sky? 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Just got back and thought it was a good GP

 

Daugavpils is an odd place though, the tram to the speedway goes past an old prison where you can see all the inmates looking out from their cells. Perhaps we could see if they have a spare cell for Mr Millard.... its far enough out of the way, my back won't forget the 4 hr train ride from Riga in any hurry!

[f-s-p]

Got back yesterday after 4 hrs on the train and 50 minutes on the plane. How I wish it could have been the other way.

 

All the hard work learning the latvian language went down the drain when we realised that we were actually in Russia, and 4/5 of the people were Russian. Tsetri Alus = 4 beers was much more appreciated in Riga than in Daugavpils.

 

Thought the racing was not so great, especially in the beginning of the meeting. The track was so hard that things seemed to go in slo-mo. Like said earlier that track knowledge would be important, Puksus proved it by being in the races the whole meeting in a field much stronger than his standard. Local fans knew their speedway, once or twice they were cheering their own guys entering the corner when they knew he'd make a pass before the next straight. Tickets were very expensive for the local's, therefor plenty of space in all the stands. Heard that for the regular league speedway it cost's 2-4 latis, when our ticket for the backstraight was for 18 latis.

 

Plenty of hotels in Daugavpils, we stayed at Biplan, they have their own website which is how I found it. Equivalent or better when compared to any British Travel Lodge or Ibis.

 

Met a lot of people, sorry to miss ballinger. Had a great party at the Latgola on friday night with a swedish group and a couple supporting Peterborough.

 

Lindbäck wasn't all that disappointed about his 2nd place, was a bit surprised how well he took it. I knew he would not make it the 2nd time though, won a fiver from my brother who had more faith in him. He did look fast all night, if not the fastest I'll give him that.

[21st century heathen]

Forgot to mention that Hancock shouldn't have even been in the final. In his semi it was clear to see that both wheels went over the white line on the second bend. Really suprised more wasn't made of it by Zagar.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Greg had his wheels on the line not over it. Perfectly fair.

 

Greg, Antonio, Nicki, AJ, and Scott were all very good value on a crap track. Scott was a little unlucky not to squeeze into the final, and AJ a little unlucky that he was excluded. It was absolutely the correct decision by the ref because he did hit Nicki, but it was just a racing incident. Very much one of those incidents where you wish you could see all four given another chance.