Cardiff 2009

[salty]

At least it was a more entertaining GP than the the rubbish we have had to endure so far this season.

Rune Holta even won 2 races from the back! whilst there was a lot of close racing for the minor positions.

 

Nicholls/Emil both as bad as each other, but a fine should suffice.

 

No fan of Pedersens, but I thought he was unlucky to be excluded in the Semi. That sort of incident usually would result in "all 4 back" but maybe there is a policy amongst refs to try and stamp out the practice of sliding off after contact.

[IW08]

Emil is a gifted and highly talented rider, but he really needs to take a good look at himself in the mirror and improve that awful tempremant of his. He's won many admirers off the track but on the track, he's making as many 'enemies' as he is friends. Nicki has marked his card, and for all people may say about him, Scott is the last guy in the paddock that I'd try to pick a fist fight with! It was a hard defensive ride from Scott but it was fair too, no contact at all yet Emil threw his rattles like a child being told by their parents that they can't have any pick and mix sweets.

 

As for the semi-final, Hans to me was a bit lucky to get away with it on both occasions. He 'parked up' on the first turn and gave the impression that Harris came charging in and knocked him off when he could have stayed upright. I'm no fan of Nicki, but I have to say I was amazed to see him being excluded when Hans clearly wiped him out. It's ashame that referees' inconsistencies are ruining the speedway spectacle, both at league and grand prix level and its something that does clearly need addressing.

[scarletrider]

I had the unfortunate seat in seeing the trouble, sadly it involved messrs flint,cooper,tully,summers,robertson,mckinna,k morris and the entourage, im not sure if they started it but the stewards and police were involved, why is that these idiots are allowed into the stadium full of drink, there was young children in the crowd that witnessed this happening, these speedway riders and so called speedway riders should hang there head in shame.This was on the top tier of the stadium and could have caused a disaster. Many other fans filmed and took pictures of this so hopefully they will post them on the forum.

 

Disgusted

 

DRK

If it is proved that those riders were involved in crowd trouble, they should be hauled before the speedway authorities and punished for bringing the sport into disrepute.

 

"The Mackem"

[Edward Barrett]

Should the actions of Scott Nicholls and Emil Sayfutdinov have been punished straight away ?

 

I like both riders and yeas, things happen in the heat of the moment, but there was hardly any contact during the race and obviously what they said to each other esculated to what followed. No doubt they will both be fined, but as this is a major sporting event, broadcast to millions, should speedway have acted straight away.

 

For me, a full scale punch up on the track is a red card offence and both riders wouldn't have a case to answer if they were ejected from the meeting and their remaining rides taken by Tai Woffinden and Simon Stead.

 

 

Had the arguments started in the pits, then fair enough, its not in the public eye but on the track is wrong

 

 

Good post T.N.T.

 

A few seasons ago there was a pretty well publicised spat between Martin Dugard and Stefan Anderson, when the former felt that Stefan had taken him out, and punched him on the track.

That resulted in a pretty hefty fine, and I think a ban.

 

Lasts night incident was again on track, televised live to many countries, and both parties get a fine?

 

Totally wrong.

 

They should have been ejected from the remainder of the meeting, and suspended from the next one.

That would send a message to all participants that that behaviour would not be tolerated.

 

It would not make any difference to Nicholls, he's out of the series anyway, but it would affect the russian, and give him an early lesson that he needs to exercise self control if he really wants to get to the top.

 

[keithkiddell]

Can't believe I watched a great GP last night and all we are talking about is riders fighting,crowd trouble and a Richard Cranium named Holloway.

 

Just one point,to stop all the arguments about GP Refs (If you could stop them) when will we see the same Refs for ALL GP's, as per F1 !!!!!

 

Mr.K

[Sky Blue Bee]

Just got back. A mediocre British GP IMO with Crump dominant. Made it all a bit lacklustre. He should have been excluded when he slightly looked up and Jonsson had nowhere to go and went into him. Ref got that one wrong but the only difference it would have made was that Crump would have been three points less than he is at this moment.

 

Both Pedersen and Harris were rightly excluded. Had to laugh when all around me were booing Andersen. I wanted Harris to stay in but it was obvious he was at fault. Same with Pedersen he didn't have a leg to stand on.

 

Funny watching the ruckus between Nicholls and Saifudinov. Scott did nothing wrong and Emil picked on the wrong guy to have a go at. This is GP and hard riding is the order of the day.

 

Crowd a fair bit down on last year, possibly 5000 less. Still an entertaining day and again I won't spend a penny over £30 for a ticket. Purchased £60 face value tickets for £30 outside and found ourselves on the middle teir at the apex to the 3rd/4th bend. We eye baled some great seats middle tier opposiite the starting gate and after heat 4 moved to them. No problems, free flag and superb seats. Until it's sold out I see no reason not to do the same every year.

 

So Crump has it in the bag. Shame but Nicki is not in the form of last year and until Holder and Lindback come into the series, along with Kennett, Zagar and a few more youngsters to threaten the boring old farts, we will might have to suffer a couple more seasons of this.

 

Adams looks like he is ready to fall on his sword which has to be good news, and Hancock can't be far behind.

 

And one more thing. For gods sake the music is 90% hogwash. A few decent numbers to get the crowd going but it was child like at times. The Hokey Cokey for Christs sake!!

 

There's plenty of tracks to get the crowd going, not rubbish like that.

 

Have to agree about the music I say it most weeks at Coventry where we now have some awful jingles for certain riders.

 

[spanner47]

I'm amazed more hasn't been made of Hans riding Emil's bike. This is an individual event and betting odds are fixed as such. Bookies set the odds on all sorts of factors, and if riders start swapping bikes i reckon bookies will stop laying odds. I know bikes are set up for the individual in many cases, but Kennett would not be 100/1 if Jason decided to lend him one of his rockets 2 minutes before the meeting. Those who backed Greg each-way, would have been hard done by when he was passed on the last lap by a lent machine. I'm sure the F.I.M. will put a stop to this!!!!!!

[iris123]

Can't believe I watched a great GP last night and all we are talking about is riders fighting,crowd trouble and a Richard Cranium named Holloway.

 

Mr.K

I think quite a few have mentioned it being a good GP with some good racing and a safe track.I enjoyed it as well up until the 2nd semi when my computer froze.....so i missed the last 2 heats Congratulations Ole and the boys.For once it seems the track for practice was also the track the riders got on the GP night.But it must be remembered that they could probably use the same material with the same equipment at the same stadium in 2 weeks time and not get the same results.I doubt it is quite as easy as some people think to get a track that behaves like that 2 days running.But good to see the battle between Scott and AJ and Rune passing people......Harris also added to the entertainment for once and Ed looked good at the start then i failed to notice him after his first 2 heats or so......

[nickwolves]

Can't believe I watched a great GP last night and all we are talking about is riders fighting,crowd trouble and a Richard Cranium named Holloway.

 

Just one point,to stop all the arguments about GP Refs (If you could stop them) when will we see the same Refs for ALL GP's, as per F1 !!!!!

 

Mr.K

 

 

What croud trouble? was there more handbags and toys being thrown?

 

[Fingersfin]

It looks like I am in the minority here, but a wee punch up once in a while adds a little bit of spice and colour to the meeting.

Lets face it they have got helmets on!

 

If people in the crowd cannot control themselves then thats unfortunate but such is life. Every large sporting event where passions run high will suffer from this occasionly.

 

I enjoyed the GP the racing was good and only Crumps dominance stopped it from being great.

 

Of the major decisions -

 

Jonsson was unlucky but probably correct

Bomber was again unlucky, Anderson was a Jessie, but maybe it was sweet revenge for bomber laying it down during the world cup a few years ago.

Pederson can't believe I am going to say this was wrongly excluded. All three back.

 

Well done to IMG for finally providing a one off surface that was consistent and fair.

[screm]

I had the unfortunate seat in seeing the trouble, sadly it involved messrs flint,cooper,tully,summers,robertson,mckinna,k morris and the entourage, im not sure if they started it but the stewards and police were involved, why is that these idiots are allowed into the stadium full of drink, there was young children in the crowd that witnessed this happening, these speedway riders and so called speedway riders should hang there head in shame.This was on the top tier of the stadium and could have caused a disaster. Many other fans filmed and took pictures of this so hopefully they will post them on the forum.

 

Disgusted

 

DRK

Not there myself so dont know the facts but Ive no reason to question what you say as these particular names are well known for this sort of behaviour.

[KrisB]

Speedwaygp.com says the attandance was 42,000. What was last years as the crowd looked more sparse this year and I would suggest at least 5,000 less ?

[KEITH M]

I'm amazed more hasn't been made of Hans riding Emil's bike. This is an individual event and betting odds are fixed as such. Bookies set the odds on all sorts of factors, and if riders start swapping bikes i reckon bookies will stop laying odds. I know bikes are set up for the individual in many cases, but Kennett would not be 100/1 if Jason decided to lend him one of his rockets 2 minutes before the meeting. Those who backed Greg each-way, would have been hard done by when he was passed on the last lap by a lent machine. I'm sure the F.I.M. will put a stop to this!!!!!!

God I wish some people would get a life!! All they same to do is moan,moan,moan. Not many have made a big deal of it as you ask because it isn't a big issue to most sensible fans. Yes it is an individual event but what about when Greg Hancock and Billy Hamill were a team?, what about when Mark Loram and Leigh Adams were a team? I seemed to remember reading it was the best thing to happen to the sport as it made it look more professional. Yes I know Emil and Hans are not a team but they could be team mates at another club or best mates off track and to me if you are in trouble you try and help your friends. I am sure not many would of moaned if a rider had loaned a British rider a bike and he had won the final on it

[driver17561]

Why is every one getting upset with Emil and Scott it was a school girl fight it spiced up the gp

I bet sky will show it on every advert for a gp from now on if so 1 will they get fined for bringing the sport into disrepute no and 2 Emil and Scott should get paid royalties and 3

Scotty should take lesson from Boyce

[daveccm]

It might look inconsistant but IMHO this ref got the Nikki call right. I think that now someone has to tell refs to be aware of the speedway equivilent of diving and it looks like Nikki has got a pretty good ploy. All he does is lay on the back of the unsuspecting rider and steps off the bike. When it crept into football refs were caught out but now they're spotting it more. Because speedway is a more dangerous sport who is going to suspect a rider of deliberately falling off?

He was even ready with the hand gestures

[screm]

It might look inconsistant but IMHO this ref got the Nikki call right. I think that now someone has to tell refs to be aware of the speedway equivilent of diving and it looks like Nikki has got a pretty good ploy. All he does is lay on the back of the unsuspecting rider and steps off the bike. When it crept into football refs were caught out but now they're spotting it more. Because speedway is a more dangerous sport who is going to suspect a rider of deliberately falling off?

He was even ready with the hand gestures

Going with that then Anderson took a "dive" to.

[sancho]

Changeing the subject a bit what was Gollob jesticulating at Ulamek for in the semi or was Seb meant to keep out of his way so that Gollb could qualify for the final

Edited June 28, 2009 by sancho

[SW17 Bulldog]

Really enjoyed the whole day as usual. Re the alcohol. I love a beer and a boozy day as much as anyone. Drove yesterday so couldn't partake, but having been to over 80 football league grounds and been on some boozy away days by train, just cos' you drink it does't mean you have to kick off.

 

Going back to the first GP's at Cardiff, there was trouble with some Poole fans near us all booze related, and every year there is some form of incident. Sadly it appears that more security / police, and more regulating of who is sold booze is required. If you're in a pub, or at a football match, you don't get served if you are obviously off your face.

 

That way the people that don't drink, and the people that can enjoy a good drink sensibly can enjoy the day, and the people that can't don't ruin it for everyone around them.

 

Re Emil / Scott incident. They were meant to be in front of the jury straight after the meeting, so why hasn't news been put out as to what the punishment is? Would expect a fine, and suspended ban.

 

Finally, I know this comment has been made re football, but why use a ref from a speedway backwater like Germany. He called it the way he saw it, and not doubting he doesn't know rules, etc, but has he been involved in a meeting with as high proflie, and as much atmosphere as that before?

 

Crumpie was lucky to get back in with AJ, he looked like he leant back in. Bomber did connect with Hans, who would have stayed on if he could have held his postion, but dropped it when he saw he wasn't going to, and then the same thing happens with Nikki P, and he gives the opposite decision?

[Speed_Way]

Have to say Nicholl's was completely at fault, There was NO need whatsoever to do what he did. Its also not the first time incidents involving him have occured. Such as taking out Chris Harris to name but one example.

 

You can see from the video that Nicholls made a dive under and attempted to take out the young Russian rider, In fact it was so tight that Emil's back wheel almost hit Scotts. Emil went up to have a word with Scott and probably to tell him rightly so that dangerous riding such as that is in NO way acceptable. This is where accidents happen! There's hard riding and there's deliberate taking out - This is the latter.

 

Its sad that young riders have such appauling role models such as Nicholls to look up to...

 

Very unprofessional behaviour.

[Alcoholic Mathematician]

It might look inconsistant but IMHO this ref got the Nikki call right. I think that now someone has to tell refs to be aware of the speedway equivilent of diving and it looks like Nikki has got a pretty good ploy. All he does is lay on the back of the unsuspecting rider and steps off the bike. When it crept into football refs were caught out but now they're spotting it more. Because speedway is a more dangerous sport who is going to suspect a rider of deliberately falling off?

He was even ready with the hand gestures

I agree. If he's coming from an outside gate and doesn't hit the front, Pedersen tends to lean on the rider to his left going into the first bend and then slides off. It can appear that he has had his front wheel taken away, and his theatrical gestures are intended to further persuade the referee of his innocence.

 

The ref got the earlier "diving" call correct too when Holta dropped it after Sayfutdinov charged up the inside and took his line without making contact.

 

I do think Andersen was lucky (or Harris was unlucky) in the original start. It was a messy first/second bend which saw Andersen slow, leaving Harris with little chance of avoiding him, although Andersen did go down very easily.

 

I also thought Jonsson was unlucky when Crump slightly changed direction and their paths converged.