pugwash Posted May 13, 2014 Report Share Posted May 13, 2014 (edited) Please drink responsibly. Please Note!! Statement does not apply to f-s-p. Edited May 13, 2014 by pugwash 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wadey Posted May 14, 2014 Report Share Posted May 14, 2014 Anybody on the Gatwick - Helsinki flight tomorrow morning?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted May 14, 2014 Report Share Posted May 14, 2014 HAD a txt from Tony Briggs (younger son of Barry who is now part of the BSI team at SGP events) saying how dazzled he is by the stadium in Tampere. Tony is helping to install one of his air-fences in readiness for Friday's practice and added that advance ticket sales now over 9,000 so doesn't look as we will get a repeat of Bydgoszcz and a poorly populated stadium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f-s-p Posted May 14, 2014 Report Share Posted May 14, 2014 I know there's some colour in the reports on certain riders fitness, but with Jonsson, Bjerre, Kasrpzak and Ward coming to Tampere to "test" their fitness... There are only two reserves in the meeting and the actual and only series reserve is in Daugavpils trying to qualify for SEC... Regarding the post above, how dazzled Tony Briggs is. I've driven past the bloody place at least 200 times every year for the past 16 years. It's not that dazzling! But at least Tony got his wish, the first airfence in Finland is his. Even though he takes it with him after the meeting... Ticket sales over 10k this afternoon, thats what the computer said when a friend was selecting his seats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted May 14, 2014 Report Share Posted May 14, 2014 (edited) HAD a chat (while losing to him at golf) with Kelvin Tatum yesterday who was in Landshut last weekend as a casual visitor and he was telling me and Briggo senior (my partner) that Darcy Ward is risking serious long term damage by not having a much-needed operation on his injured knee. The cruciate ligament is significantly damaged and the only remedy is an operation. Ligaments do not repair themselves. The same applies to Kaspzrak who sustained a similar injury during the Pairs meeting. Would be very surprised if any of the aforementioned injured riders do not start on Saturday but any further damage could seriously affect their future participation in the series, immediate or long term. Petteri: no doubt those of us visiting the stadium in Tampere for the first time will see it with somewhat fresher eyes than yours which have focused on it over 3000 times by your own reckoning! Having missed the opening two rounds this year, am really looking forward to this one and my first visit to Finland. Current medication determines that I must give alcohol a wide berth (a temporary condition hopefully) but at least my bank balance won't suffer a major catastrophy! Edited May 14, 2014 by PHILIPRISING Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f-s-p Posted May 14, 2014 Report Share Posted May 14, 2014 HAD a chat (while losing to him at golf) with Kelvin Tatum yesterday who was in Landshut last weekend as a casual visitor and he was telling me and Briggo senior (my partner) that Darcy Ward is risking serious long term damage by not having a much-needed operation on his injured knee. The cruciate ligament is significantly damaged and the only remedy is an operation. Ligaments do not repair themselves. The same applies to Kaspzrak who sustained a similar injury during the Pairs meeting. Would be very surprised if any of the aforementioned injured riders do not start on Saturday but any further damage Petteri: no doubt those of us visiting the stadium in Tampere for the first time will see it with somewhat fresher eyes than yours which have focused on it over 3000 times by your own reckoning! Having missed the opening two rounds this year, am really looking forward to this one and my first visit to Finland. Current medication determines that I must give alcohol a wide berth (a temporary condition hopefully) but at least my bank balance won't suffer a major catastrophy! Yes, but you got my point about the dazzle. I thought Cardiff was quite dazzling when went the first time. Dont think the bartenders at Wetherspoons accross the road feel same anymore either... = ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted May 15, 2014 Report Share Posted May 15, 2014 HAD my first look at the stadium here in Tampere this afternoon and was very impressed. Track bit like Ullevi with long straights and tight corners. Promoters now confident of a sell-out 16,000 crowd. Great location, too, very central, alongside the river. Apparently there will be five live bands on Saturday, so plenty of pre-meeting entertainment. Weather forecast is excellent as well so all the omens are good... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted May 15, 2014 Report Share Posted May 15, 2014 from SGP website Thursday 15th May 2014, 14:00 Mitas Finnish SGP promoter Jarno Kosonen is over the moon with the reaction to Finland’s first FIM Speedway Grand Prix and declared “the whole of Tampere is buzzing.” World Championship speedway comes to the Ratina Stadium on Saturday night and ticket sales have been strong as fans flock to see the sport’s biggest names race in the country for the first time. Kosonen is working hard along with fellow promoter Kai Laukkanen to put on a “carnival” to celebrate the SGP series coming to the city. "This is a great sport and we want to bring it back to the people from the forests where they normally put motorsport." - Jarno Kosonen He said: “The whole of Tampere is buzzing about it. The media is really, really interested in the whole thing. It’s the first Grand Prix in Finland ever and we’ve tried to make this a little bit extra special for everybody. “We’ve got a really, really good fan zone. There’s live music from Friday to Saturday night. We’ve booked something like 12 different bands. “There’s also entertainment for children, bouncy castles and stuff like that. We’ve tried to make it a family show. “It’s certainly the biggest meeting we’ve ever had here in Finland. Me and Kai are hoping to get a boost out of this for the youngsters. This is a great sport and we want to bring it back to the people from the forests where they normally put motorsport. “This is a big, big thing for Tampere as a city and for the sport generally. We couldn’t be in the position we are without the support of the city. They’ve done a lot for us and obviously we’ve done a lot for them as well. “When everybody gets here on Friday and Saturday, they’ll think ‘what is going on here!?’ It’ll be like a carnival going on. It’s going to be a really good GP.” Kosonen is confident the huge, circa 400-metre track will produce some great action as the SGP stars race it for the first time. He said: “The track is really big and it’s really fast. We got a radar gun out during a practice session and we clocked a rider going into the corner at about 122kph. There are only two running tracks in Europe as big as this. “The material works really nicely and I think there will be three or four different racing lines. I think it will be a wicked Grand Prix. I want to thank the City of Tampere, BSI Speedway and everyone who has played their part in making this happen.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Science Posted May 15, 2014 Report Share Posted May 15, 2014 HAD a txt from Tony Briggs (younger son of Barry who is now part of the BSI team at SGP events) saying how dazzled he is by the stadium in Tampere. Tony is helping to install one of his air-fences in readiness for Friday's practice and added that advance ticket sales now over 9,000 so doesn't look as we will get a repeat of Bydgoszcz and a poorly populated stadium.Thankfully no basketball match in Tampere this weekend ! apologies : sorry Phil I couldn't resist 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f-s-p Posted May 16, 2014 Report Share Posted May 16, 2014 Thankfully no basketball match in Tampere this weekend !apologies : sorry Phil I couldn't resist Do your homework first, then jokes. I'll let Phil answer... LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DutchGrasstrack Posted May 16, 2014 Report Share Posted May 16, 2014 I'm in desperate need of a double room for one night (sat -> sun) in Tampere..... anyone have any ideas? There is nothing on the usual booking sites lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted May 16, 2014 Report Share Posted May 16, 2014 (edited) Thankfully no basketball match in Tampere this weekend ! apologies : sorry Phil I couldn't resist HAD a chat with a few Bydgoszcz locals yesterday, including Ashley Holloway, about the poor crowd for the last SGP. Consensus was that several factors (including no Gollob, ticket prices, weather, general apathy towards speedway in the town, propaganda from various Polish media outlets and particularly sportfakty.pl, plus the basketball match which was, despite some cynicism here, a big deal in the town) conspired to keep people away. Edited May 16, 2014 by PHILIPRISING Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f-s-p Posted May 16, 2014 Report Share Posted May 16, 2014 HAD a chat with a few Bydgoszcz locals yesterday, including Ashley Holloway, about the poor crowd for the last SGP. Consensus was that several factors (including no Gollob, ticket prices, weather, general apathy towards speedway in the town, propaganda from various Polish media outlets and particularly sportfakty.pl, plus the basketball match which was, despite some cynicism here, a big deal in the town) conspired to keep people away.... and there is a basketball match in town! Pyrintö plays mens finals, 3rd game tied at 1-1. Over 4000 there last thursday to see the first one. It was moved to the ice hockey rink after last years finals when tey were only allowed to take 1500 or so to their usual place and people were left out. It's on at 4pm. Atleast Finland has no game tomorrow in the ice hockey worlds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLyric2 Posted May 16, 2014 Report Share Posted May 16, 2014 So it is a 5pm start UK time??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted May 16, 2014 Report Share Posted May 16, 2014 5pm in Britain if that's what you are asking. Two hours ahead here in Finland. Light rain and chilly so far today but the forecast is that it should clear around 15.00. Practice is at 17.00. Weather for tomorrow should be fine. Word is that all tickets will have gone today and that they are looking to squeeze a few more in! The tented pit lane is behind the home straight grandstand. Hotel just walking distance away. Excellent facilities for fans, riders and the media. Finnish TV showing the SGP live ... normally it goes out the following week. The track went down on top of the athletics circuit last November but will have to come out within five days. The material will be stored (no snide remarks please) ready for 2015. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DutchGrasstrack Posted May 16, 2014 Report Share Posted May 16, 2014 Sounds good! Looking forward to fly in tomorrow morning :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WembleyLion Posted May 16, 2014 Report Share Posted May 16, 2014 Heading off to Stansted soon for a flight to Tampere later this afternoon - really looking forward to the GP! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theknow 2 Posted May 16, 2014 Report Share Posted May 16, 2014 5pm in Britain if that's what you are asking. Two hours ahead here in Finland. Light rain and chilly so far today but the forecast is that it should clear around 15.00. Practice is at 17.00. Weather for tomorrow should be fine. Word is that all tickets will have gone today and that they are looking to squeeze a few more in! The tented pit lane is behind the home straight grandstand. Hotel just walking distance away. Excellent facilities for fans, riders and the media. Finnish TV showing the SGP live ... normally it goes out the following week. The track went down on top of the athletics circuit last November but will have to come out within five days. The material will be stored (no snide remarks please) ready for 2015. Track looks good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldace Posted May 16, 2014 Report Share Posted May 16, 2014 The track went down on top of the athletics circuit last November but will have to come out within five days. The material will be stored (no snide remarks please) ready for 2015. You can surely allow the odd snide remark about scientifically arranged pyramid shapes can't you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattR Posted May 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2014 I'm in desperate need of a double room for one night (sat -> sun) in Tampere..... anyone have any ideas? There is nothing on the usual booking sites lol. Have you tried AirBnB? We had a place booked with that, but cancelled. Staying at a mates now. Good luck. Weather report: Bit of very ligh drizzle today in Helsinki, but 20c and clear forecast tomorrow. Safe journey to all. Hope you have fun in Finland and Tamps. If you see a middle-aged bloke wearing Buddy Holly specs and a bike jacket held together with duct-tape, about 6,2 and in need of a haircut, buy me a beer. Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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