f-s-p Posted November 18, 2016 Report Share Posted November 18, 2016 (edited) Just finished reading my morning paper where there was talk about the latest politician arrest's in Russia. They outright said that stuff like this is most likely part of behind the scenes power struggle in the goverment. So stuff happens in Russia and just one confiscated bike on the border can define someone's future in sport for quite a few years. So why take the risk? After the mentioned 2010 race off one Finnish rider turned back from his EC ice speedway trip when the border control wanted some paperwork that was not actually needed. At the same time another one was cleared to enter just at another checkpoint. EDIT: And one of the Danish riders think did have his bike taken when they visited Russia for the u21 team final a few years back. Edited November 18, 2016 by f-s-p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panthers89 Posted November 18, 2016 Report Share Posted November 18, 2016 I'm thinking about going to Togliatti, has anyone been before? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racers and royals Posted November 18, 2016 Report Share Posted November 18, 2016 (edited) I'm thinking about going to Togliatti, has anyone been before? Dave Rowe and Sam Ermolenko did this season- they flew BA to Moscow then got another flight to Kurumoch airport in Samara-which is 60km from Togliatti. Edited November 18, 2016 by racers and royals 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Humphrey Appleby Posted November 18, 2016 Report Share Posted November 18, 2016 TBC: QBE Insurance Australian FIM Speedway Grand Prix (Melbourne) There's a side note in the Spar today that seems to question whether the Melbourne GP will continue. Of course, the Victorian government seemingly not being willing to put up enough cash is highlighted, but then maybe that's down to the crowd levels at the last round. The AFL may also be more pragmatic owners than the last ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin man 76 Posted November 18, 2016 Report Share Posted November 18, 2016 I'm thinking about going to Togliatti, has anyone been before? I'd love to be able to offer an objective analysis, but I am apparently on Mr Putin's blacklist, so I wouldn't be issued with a visa anyway! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFMDan Posted November 21, 2016 Report Share Posted November 21, 2016 Being from "The States" all of this talk is, well, foreign to me - LOL! Sorry, bad pun. Anyway, would love to hear the why's as to this concern? Is Poland/Russia currently analogous to the "1860's Wild West" here in America? Or closer to "Mafia" of 1930's here in US . . . or L.A.'s gangs and thugs of today? Thanx, HB ....pretty sure Onesport have transported all the bikes in one vehicle from Poland(probably with armed guards!!).... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Humphrey Appleby Posted November 22, 2016 Report Share Posted November 22, 2016 Is Poland/Russia currently analogous to the "1860's Wild West" here in America? Or closer to "Mafia" of 1930's here in US . . . or L.A.'s gangs and thugs of today? Poland is fine for organising things and getting people and stuff in and out - the same as anywhere in Europe. Russia is very much if they want you there then nothing is a problem. If they don't, then expect every obstacle to be put in the way. For anything substantive you usually need some sort of fixer who'll be close to the 'administration'. Russia is a great country with some nice people when you get to know them, but its government is totally dodgy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted November 22, 2016 Report Share Posted November 22, 2016 Poland is fine for organising things and getting people and stuff in and out - the same as anywhere in Europe. Russia is very much if they want you there then nothing is a problem. If they don't, then expect every obstacle to be put in the way. For anything substantive you usually need some sort of fixer who'll be close to the 'administration'. Russia is a great country with some nice people when you get to know them, but its government is totally dodgy. Foreign diplomat Sir Humph. An expert on all subjects including Russia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted November 23, 2016 Report Share Posted November 23, 2016 (edited) There are always two sides to a story.For every horror trip there are trips that went without problem.The Ice Speedway riders travel through Russia alone mostly without problem.Think one of our members Mark246(?) has done the trip by road with his bikes.You can i think he said get stopped and the police will find any problem to pocket some money.But the likes of Harald Simon do the trip year after year,so it can't be too bad.Just luck or bad luck I did though see a programme about the Russian pull out of East Germany and at first Soviet soldiers were travelling back on their own and getting robbed and beaten up passing through Poland and in the end the heirachy had to put a stop to it and only allowed groups to travel together. Remember also seeing a docu about two motorbike riders travelling through the old ex Soviet Republics and i think in Kazakhstan had trouble and waved down a passing lorry for help.The driver got out and pulled a gun out and took one of their expensive video cameras with him.....But this sort of thing could also happen in the US i guess,out in the middle of nowhere Edited November 23, 2016 by iris123 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Humphrey Appleby Posted November 23, 2016 Report Share Posted November 23, 2016 Remember also seeing a docu about two motorbike riders travelling through the old ex Soviet Republics and i think in Kazakhstan had trouble and waved down a passing lorry for help.The driver got out and pulled a gun out and took one of their expensive video cameras with him.....But this sort of thing could also happen in the US i guess,out in the middle of nowhere You get plain old criminality in most places, and it's a matter of weighing up the relative danger. When the state endorses it though, that raises things to a different level. As you say, the ice racing doesn't seem to have any problems, but there's been several problems with speedway meetings in Russia down the years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted November 23, 2016 Report Share Posted November 23, 2016 You get plain old criminality in most places, and it's a matter of weighing up the relative danger. When the state endorses it though, that raises things to a different level. Yes,i know my cousins husband was in Russia for a big business deal and his team were accompanied by armed guards.That doesn't happen in most countries Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted November 23, 2016 Report Share Posted November 23, 2016 LET'S not forget that three Presidents of the Togliatti club were assassinated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted November 23, 2016 Report Share Posted November 23, 2016 LET'S not forget that three Presidents of the Togliatti club were assassinated. Is it 3 now?Think the number rises every time you mention it Phil!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted November 23, 2016 Report Share Posted November 23, 2016 Is it 3 now?Think the number rises every time you mention it Phil!!! NOT sure I have mentioned it before but I stand corrected if it wasn't three. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waiheke1 Posted November 24, 2016 Report Share Posted November 24, 2016 Last time Phil mentioned it the figure he used was three... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bavarian Posted November 24, 2016 Report Share Posted November 24, 2016 I only know about one former club president in Togliatti ever being murdered. That's Anatoly Stepanov, the man who was instrumental for building the new speedway stadium, which is now named after him the "Anatoly Stepanov Stadium". Stepanov at the time was Minister of Finances of the regional government. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f-s-p Posted November 24, 2016 Report Share Posted November 24, 2016 I only know about one former club president in Togliatti ever being murdered. That's Anatoly Stepanov, the man who was instrumental for building the new speedway stadium, which is now named after him the "Anatoly Stepanov Stadium". Stepanov at the time was Minister of Finances of the regional government. I'm more in favour of "more than one"... Would put a smiley, but this is not fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oleg Kulbachenko Posted November 29, 2016 Report Share Posted November 29, 2016 EMIL READY TO HOLD GAS AND FIGHT ... 47 Tournaments, 15 finals, 6 wins and one bronze medal - so in a nutshell, you can submit a five-year acquaintance with Emil Sayfutdinova Cycle Grand Prix. "Torpedo" in 2017, after three years, will return to the elite ... http://speedway24.at.ua/news/ehmil_gotov_derzhat_gaz_i_voevat/2016-11-29-620 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screm Posted February 13, 2017 Report Share Posted February 13, 2017 This years trips to SGP will take me to Prague and Torun, with a short trip to Kings Lynn in July for the SWC round. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racers and royals Posted March 15, 2017 Report Share Posted March 15, 2017 Sportowefakty are reporting that the mayor of Prague is threatening to pull the plug on giving money to BSI to fund the Czech GP in 2018. 2017 could be the swansong for Prague. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.