The 2009 Elite League Riders' Championship

[Seb the Snail]

A great night for the small band of Robins fans who made the trip up to Brandon, with the Great Untarnished One proving all his doubters wrong and finally winning the ELRC at the umpteenth attempt. A fitting winner of the title, particluarly for the many thousand of laps that he has put into top flight speedway in this country while his colleagues in the world's elite have chosen to turn their backs.

 

Leigh started with 3 straight wins before his last place in the ultra competitive Heat 15 off the graveyard gate 1 consigned him to the Semi Final. He completed his 5 qualifiers with a 4th heat victory before a comfortable second behind Freddie ensured that he moved into the Final with automatic qualifiers Holder and Harris. Left with red again, hopes weren't high of an Adams victory, particularly as he missed the gate, but as Holder and Harris raced for the dirt coming out of turn 2 he slipped under both and sailed off into the distance, with neither able to get a challenge in as they tussled for second place.

 

Of the other riders...

Davidsson - treated the event with contempt. I'd be spitting feathers if I was a Hammer who had made the long trip.

Watt - not a lot better, and only got animated once all night when remonstrating with a fan for taking photos on bend 1.

Nicholls - quite why he was in the event I don't know after snubbing the EL this summer, and thankfully didn't race like a former Bees #1.

Puk - par for the course; certainly didn't let his supporters down.

Holder - was my tip for the title and very very fast. Would be even quicker with a sensible haircut.

Korneliussen - a bit disappointing but, as ever, was on better form in the bar.

Richardson - a big get well soon to Britain's number 1!

Zagar - very inconsistent from the tapes which doesn't bode well for Monday but still provided plenty of excitement.

Kennett - Snails like Teddy. Rode well and gave his all.

Lindgren - not sure what happened in the Final but the year's big improver without a doubt.

Wright - right out of his depth, sadly. I like James, but shame on BV if he's the best that they can muster.

Miskowiak - a little inconsistent but did (both) his fans proud.

Andersen - 0 wins from 5 says it all for the former Bee.

Skornicki - please please please carry this form into the Grand Final. Wishful thinking?

Harris - consistent all night and rides some great lines. Glad he didn't win though, if only because home riders prevail in these events way too often.

Auty / Haines - deserved their points for some plucky riding.

 

As ever good to catch up with the usual suspects, particularly Lesley and Hayley and all those who weren't hurling abuse at the Clean One. He who laughs last and all that!

 

And finally, the last time Swindon won this title was back in the 60s... Snails like omens!

[bobxski]

Well done Leigh

[mickthemuppet]

What about kasper ? a bike may be ok for a PL rider but for a EL lrider is it worth the hassle ?

 

A decent crowd paying good money and that is the best they can come up with ..it's a rip off ,no wonder riders pull out all the time talk about cheap labour .

 

 

 

 

If it's not worth the hassle why do riders bother with the GP 's

£3,000 and a bike is a bigger prize than winning any Grand Prix except the enhanced one's

[Baldyman]

I actually thought the meeting was ok, but as for good racing no, it was close in some races only due to the fact that there was not a single bit of dirt on the track so only reaaly Bomber made passes on riders that were slower than him. You only had to look at the dirt coming from the back wheels, nothing. And the tractors were grading nothing. Did Ole do the track prep? Even the coventry fans i was sitting next to were sying the track was as slick as they have seen it all year and were dissapointed too. Seems to be the norm though, Big event= crap track.

[colincooke]

Not a bad meeting & a worthy final winner, Bomber & Noddy we're looking for each other & Leigh says cheers guys. Freddie rode a good meeting too, but what an excellent e/f a few more of those on Monday mate .

 

Good to see both Scott & Eddie make a good fist of it.

PUK was gating well but got found out when he wasn't, pretty average meeting for Hans.

 

Not much to say about the rest really but it was good to see Josh fight hard for a point, even though he shouldn't have been racing in the 1st place. Oh well that's another story, Rico for the GP, don't make me laugh.

 

Footnote: Jacques what is that avatar, we'll be having words me gal.

Edited October 3, 2009 by colincooke

[Iffoid]

Well I really enjoyed the meeting but I guess Im always going to say that now LoL I thought that the line up was pretty good actually, much better than other years, but then again Im abit of a fan of Mads & Jimmy, so their inclusion only enhanced it for me.

 

Holder, Harris and Leigh most definately the pick of the bunch for me & when Leigh was off gate 1 in the final thought it was curtains, but after missing the gate, a brilliant inside move and off into the distance he rode!

 

Thanks to the droves of Bee's fans around us who kept us entertained with their constant slagging of Leigh, dont you know that it was only cos he got a great gate in the final that he won! and he has no track craft atall when behind as Mr Snail said earlier - he who laughs last...... it certainly went very quiet just after the final LoL

 

Laughing aside - well done to Leigh - no one deserves it more & well done to the majority of the field who gave it 100% and made the meeting well worth the entrance money.

 

Lovely to see you LW, Hayley & Sandie & nice to meet you Steve Turner, SCB & 12stC - Hmmm you werent stood just behind me during the meeting were you???? LoL

[RedcarRacer]

Holder, Harris, Zagar and Hans in the final. Adams has no chance, this is the ELRC don't you know? He never performs well in it. That said, the way the line-up is going he may well be awarded the win pre-meeting.

 

 

[keef]

Well done Leigh, another last heat win at Brandon, the Coventry fans must be hoping he will retire soon, he has won so many vital heats for Windon there these past few years

[Authorised]

There you go people, we should be aiming this event at people on job seekers allowance, thats the future of speedway! Or maybe it should set a reasonable price for what should be the second biggest (3rd this year) meeting of the season on a UK track.

 

Also, shouldnt job seekers allowance be used to help you find a job?

 

 

And to think that some people are calling for him to get a wildcard spot for the GP's next year. He can't even commit to the meetings he's already got

 

Complete waster!

 

Hopefully Richardson will be the jobseeker in the future. Disgusting effort, and a disgrace to British Speedway. Consistently does this; more predictable that a Poole rider not be able to get an average. Wild Card/Nomination - no chance. Didn't he also duck qualifying?

[Cliv Clav]

It was obvious on Monday that Rico would miss this, that's why we had Bridger standing by as a guest for the play-off. It's also why I didn't travel up to Coventry yesterday.

[SUPERACE]

Holder, Harris, Zagar and Hans in the final. Adams has no chance, this is the ELRC don't you know? He never performs well in it. That said, the way the line-up is going he may well be awarded the win pre-meeting.

 

Glad to see SCB once agian shows his knowledge of Speedway.

 

A great night for the small band of Robins fans who made the trip up to Brandon, with the Great Untarnished One proving all his doubters wrong and finally winning the ELRC at the umpteenth attempt. A fitting winner of the title, particluarly for the many thousand of laps that he has put into top flight speedway in this country while his colleagues in the world's elite have chosen to turn their backs.

 

Leigh started with 3 straight wins before his last place in the ultra competitive Heat 15 off the graveyard gate 1 consigned him to the Semi Final. He completed his 5 qualifiers with a 4th heat victory before a comfortable second behind Freddie ensured that he moved into the Final with automatic qualifiers Holder and Harris. Left with red again, hopes weren't high of an Adams victory, particularly as he missed the gate, but as Holder and Harris raced for the dirt coming out of turn 2 he slipped under both and sailed off into the distance, with neither able to get a challenge in as they tussled for second place.

 

Of the other riders...

Davidsson - treated the event with contempt. I'd be spitting feathers if I was a Hammer who had made the long trip.

Watt - not a lot better, and only got animated once all night when remonstrating with a fan for taking photos on bend 1.

Nicholls - quite why he was in the event I don't know after snubbing the EL this summer, and thankfully didn't race like a former Bees #1.

Puk - par for the course; certainly didn't let his supporters down.

Holder - was my tip for the title and very very fast. Would be even quicker with a sensible haircut.

Korneliussen - a bit disappointing but, as ever, was on better form in the bar.

Richardson - a big get well soon to Britain's number 1!

Zagar - very inconsistent from the tapes which doesn't bode well for Monday but still provided plenty of excitement.

Kennett - Snails like Teddy. Rode well and gave his all.

Lindgren - not sure what happened in the Final but the year's big improver without a doubt.

Wright - right out of his depth, sadly. I like James, but shame on BV if he's the best that they can muster.Miskowiak - a little inconsistent but did (both) his fans proud.

Andersen - 0 wins from 5 says it all for the former Bee.

Skornicki - please please please carry this form into the Grand Final. Wishful thinking?

Harris - consistent all night and rides some great lines. Glad he didn't win though, if only because home riders prevail in these events way too often.

Auty / Haines - deserved their points for some plucky riding.

 

As ever good to catch up with the usual suspects, particularly Lesley and Hayley and all those who weren't hurling abuse at the Clean One. He who laughs last and all that!

 

And finally, the last time Swindon won this title was back in the 60s... Snails like omens!

 

Whys it shame On Belle Vue???? What a stupid comment, our number 1 as you know pulled out injured our number 2 had a booking in Poland (which as NOTHING to do with Belle Vue as no rider is contracted to do this meeting), our number 3 Paddy is at the world under 21 championship, Charlie Gjedde is out for the season, SO JAMES was next in line.

 

How would Swindon have done if Adams and stead were out injured, Zager rides else where and Mcgowan had a world event to ride in.

 

As for the best we can muster if Crump had been fully fit your Leigh Adams WOULDNT have won the meeting.

 

[SCB]

Glad to see SCB once agian shows his knowledge of Speedway.

I suggest you look back at all previous ELRC that Leigh has raced in, probably made 2 finals. For the rider who has raced more ELRC than any other rider it's not a great record. He normally just rides around. Even Trees, one of Leigh biggest fans acknowledged that.

[Starboy118]

I suggest you look back at all previous ELRC that Leigh has raced in, probably made 2 finals. For the rider who has raced more ELRC than any other rider it's not a great record. He normally just rides around. Even Trees, one of Leigh biggest fans acknowledged that.

 

So what went right then?

[Fourentee]

I suggest you look back at all previous ELRC that Leigh has raced in, probably made 2 finals. For the rider who has raced more ELRC than any other rider it's not a great record. He normally just rides around. Even Trees, one of Leigh biggest fans acknowledged that.

 

Or, to put it another way, third, fourth and first in the last three years.

Edit: Just for the record, Lindgren's retirement was subsequently traced to an ignition wire problem.

Edited October 4, 2009 by Fourentee

[Silver Bee]

all those who weren't hurling abuse at the Clean One. He who laughs last and all that!

 

 

Not a bad meeting all in all, and still a pretty good line-up despite what people claim. Personal highlights for me include Naughty Autys excellent pass of Davy Watt, and Harris 2nd bend 3rd to 1st, round one and under the other, stunning stuff from Bomber. Lindgrens ride to come from last out the gate and lead by bend 2 was pretty special too. Especially the cool cutback underneath Hans after that.

 

Adams was excellent for most of the night. Did nothing silly and couldn't believe the others left him gate 1. Despite it being bad you just don't give Adams that opportunity surely?! Worthy champion too all things considered so well done to him.

 

Not knocking Holder (except for maybe the 1 second bend lunge on harris that nearly saw him and Bomber both on the dog track) but had he been a bit further back in the final could have been a classic between Adams and Harris out front. As it was Holder kept blocking Harris' clean sweeps and kept knocking off his speed.

 

Pretty sure Kennett took Barkers 'should have drilled him' advice in his move against Hans. Very aggressive but nice to finally see a Brit willing to finally get his elbows out.

[RobMcCaffery]

Once (well in fact many times over) the British League Riders' Championship was seen as a fitting end-of season bonanza, staged in a Belle Vue stadium packed with supporters from all over the country to witness the final major honour of the season being fought for.

 

Now it is "just another pointless mickey mouse meeting (copyright British Speedway Forum)" in which it's no longer important for the top riders to turn out.

 

In many ways the Grand Final of the Elite League playoffs has taken its place as the big end of season meeting(s) and perhaps in view of the ELRC's recent dismal record in failing to ensure that its top EL riders do compete it's surely time to put this limping dog of an event out of its misery.

 

Oh hang on, plenty of people turned up at Coventry? Oh well, that's all that matters if the mugs still turn up...

 

And of course, speedways moved down, er on.

 

Rob McCaffery.

 

 

[Trees]

It's the ............ nah I won't say it ......... read my mind lol

[trubruv]

Once (well in fact many times over) the British League Riders' Championship was seen as a fitting end-of season bonanza, staged in a Belle Vue stadium packed with supporters from all over the country to witness the final major honour of the season being fought for.

 

Now it is "just another pointless mickey mouse meeting (copyright British Speedway Forum)" in which it's no longer important for the top riders to turn out.

 

In many ways the Grand Final of the Elite League playoffs has taken its place as the big end of season meeting(s) and perhaps in view of the ELRC's recent dismal record in failing to ensure that its top EL riders do compete it's surely time to put this limping dog of an event out of its misery.

 

Oh hang on, plenty of people turned up at Coventry? Oh well, that's all that matters if the mugs still turn up...

 

And of course, speedways moved down, er on.

 

Rob McCaffery.

This was a very good meeting, infact better than a lot of gate and go GP,s

 

However I do agree that this should be the last big meeting of the season, and that the top riders should represent their teams, as for it being a good crowd have to disagree,probable less than 500 more than the semi-final between coventry and Swindon the week before.

 

Plus except for the racing there was no entertainment at all!

 

Poor speakers as normal, dreadful food= delly belly for two days, just a shame Coventry have such a good stadiumn but do not think of the fans at all!

 

Speedway is in the entertainment business! and its time that more was done for the fans! After all no fans no business!

[foreverblue]

Why do Coventry fans feel the need to boo Adams? Is their history or was it just he beat Harris.

[21st century heathen]

Lovely to see you LW, Hayley & Sandie & nice to meet you Steve Turner, SCB & 12stC - Hmmm you werent stood just behind me during the meeting were you???? LoL

 

Very nice to meet you too, though I hope if I see you tonight we can chat properly without having to scream at each other from 4 inches apart just to be heard over the awful music.

 

I don't know where you were standing. If you were with Seb, H, LW and Sandie then we wouldn't have been far away and there was one of our number that was quite vocal in his dislike of Adams (not me BTW).

 

-------------------------------

 

Ignoring the riders that couldn't be bothered either turning up or riding like they meant it there were still enough top riders on show giving it their all for it to be a good meeting. Highlights for me were Ed's pass on Hans, Bomber's race with Leigh (how big are Bomber's to keep going for that rapidly closing gap ), Bomber's back straight burst from 3rd to 1st, Freddie and Hans passing and re-passes for a couple of laps, Auty's good move on Watt (nice to see a young Brit progressing slowly but surely), Freddie sorting everyone out on turn one after a poor gate, Bomber and Holder in the final (so busy looking for each other that it rather spoilt the chance of either chasing Adams because both were quicker than Adams on the night). I've probably missed a few things out, but these spring to mind.

 

Congrats to Adams. Still hardly a favourite of mine but he's been a terrific servant to British Speedway so I can't begrudge him a win after 16 attempts. It's a shame that Crump and PK are injured because they would have added to the meeting, and gutted Tai couldn't be there. But it was still one of the better line-ups of recent years and I enjoyed the meeting. It is embarrassing for the BSPA that they had to go with a 15 rider field though, and I should add a well done to Auty and Haines for not being beaten out of sight against probably the toughest field of riders they've ever faced. I wonder if the BSPA will try to gloss over the fact that a few pulled and they had to go with 15 riders? The programme had Mads in so they must have had at least a couple of days notice but couldn't arrange a 16th rider. Not good enough quite frankly. And on the subject of the programme - Stop designing one that's a cm too big for the programme boards most of us have. It's a complete waste of money to have programme a fraction bigger than A4 because it has to be printed on SRA3 or SRA2 (depending on the press) and is just trimmed to waste. Desgin it A4, it will fit in the programme board, and you can print it 2-up SRA3 or 4-up SRA2 therefore keeping costs down.