Post by Lawt on Aug 15, 2006 13:08:47 GMT
Wolverhampton 46 v 44 Belle Vue, ELA, Monday 14th August
WOLVES
Peter Karlsson. . . . . 2 - 2 - 3 - 3 - 2 =12
Christian Hefenbrock. 0 - 1* - 3 - 1 =5+1
Ronnie Correy . . . . . 0 - 2 - 2 - 2 =6
Billy Hamill . . . . . . . . 3 - 1* - 1* - 1* =6+3
Fredrik Lindgren . . . . 2 - 2 - 3 - 2* - 1* =10+2
William Lawson . . . . 1 - 0 - 0 - 2 =3
Magnus Karlsson . . . 3 - 1* - 0 - 0 =4+1
BELLE VUE
Simon Stead. . . 3 - 3 - 2 - 0 - 0 =8
James Wright . . 1 - 0 - 1* - 1* =3+2
Kenneth Bjerre . 2 - 3 - 0 - 3 =8
Joe Screen . . . . 1* - 1 - 2 - 3 =7+1
Jason Crump . . . 3 - 3 - 3 - 1 - 3 =13
Joel Parsons . . . 2 - 0 - 0 =2
Tom P Madsen . . 0 - 0 - 2 - 1 - 0 =3
Right from the start this looked like it was going to be a very tough test. The bonus point was virtually unattainable – requiring a home win by more than 15 points – so the two league points were the target. We were all hoping for a nice deep track to upset the Ginger One again. Belle Vue replaced Phil Morris with Joel Parsons which should have been a move in our favour. Belle Vue won the toss and took gates 1+3.
Heat 1. Stead, P Karlsson, Wright, Hefenbrock. 56.83. 2-4. 2-4
Stead made the best start off gate 1 pushes everyone out on turn one which led to PK forcing Christian to shut off and allow Wright through. PK had a big lock up at the end of the first lap, gathered it up but it let Stead get away.
Heat 2. M Karlsson, Parsons, Lawson, Madsen. 58.02. 4-2. 6-6
Parsons made the gate but an excellent outside surge from Magnus up the back straight gives us the heat advantage. William made a last lap challenge on Parsons who looked much better than I expected.
Heat 3. Hamill, Bjerre, Screen, Correy. 56.87. 3-3. 9-9
An easy win for Billy after a great gate. Ronnie chose a good, fast outside line on the first turns and was moving through when Bjerre straightened and consequently blocked the Rocket’s run
Heat 4. Crump, Lindgren, M Karlsson, Madsen. 56.46. 3-3. 12-12
Crump led from the gate. Freddie lifted on the second bend and settled for second. Magnus just held off Madsen.
Heat 5. Stead, Correy, Hamill, Wright. 56.89. 3-3. 15-15
Billy tried to anticipate the start and messed it up but the ref let it go. I have to say that I like this style of decision where the race can continue and the guilty rider is automatically disadvantaged. I just wish it wouldn’t be a Wolves rider! Ronnie and Billy took the 3-3 option.
Heat 6. Crump, P Karlsson, Hefenbrock, Parsons. 56.87. 3-3. 18-18
Crump makes a lightning start and is away for the win. He had a huge lifter on lap 2 but just got the front down and seemed unconcerned. Very cool indeed.
Heat 7. Bjerre, Lindgren, Screen, Lawson. 56.98. 2-4. 20-22
Bjerre outgated Freddie and then held him off for the rest of the race. Freddie was faster but did not seem able to find the real grip. Screen passed William after a lap.
Heat 8. Hefenbrock, Madsen, Wright, M Karlsson. 58.35. 3-3. 23-25
This should have been an easy heat advantage for Wolves. We were on a 5-1, but while Christian leads all the way, Magnus finds reverse gear and is sadly passed by Madsen on lap 2 and Wright on lap 4. A very poor ride that could have had serious consequences.
Heat 9. Crump, Correy, Hamill, Parsons. 57.11. 3-3. 26-28
Crump made the start, but a rocket-powered Correy kept it wound open and passed Crump on the outside of the back straight. As he went round the 4th bend Ronnie seemed to realise what was happening (and how quick he was going!) and had a frisson of panic – then Crump took the lead. Billy packed in behind him.
Heat 10. P Karlsson, Screen, Hefenbrock, Bjerre. 57.89. 4-2. 30-30
PK from the gate. Excellent race from Christian who showed great skill as he was constantly blocked by Screen who was trying to slow him up to allow Bjerre through.
Heat 11. Lindgren, Stead, Wright, Lawson. 57.17. 3-3. 33-33
At the first attempt Freddie gated, but Stead eased William into the fence. In the rerun Freddie again gates (didn’t expect it to work that way again!) and goes on to win. William tried everything to pass Wright but was just 5 yards short on the line.
Heat 12. Bjerre, Correy, Madsen, M Karlsson. 58.04. 2-4. 35-37
Ronnie led for 3.999 laps but Bjerre was awarded the win on the line by the referee – despite TNT’s (Start marshall) touching of the red exclusion disk, and Porky’s disbelieving head shaking. In fact those of us inline with the tapes on the terraces did actually think that Bjerre had just stolen it. Magnus lost third place to Madsen after a brief tussle.
Heat 13. P Karlsson, Lindgren, Crump, Stead. 56.98. 5-1. 40-38
An absolute cracker of a race! PK off gate 1 and Crump off 4 were level down the back straight, PK pushed Crump out on 4th bend (as he does) and pulled away for the win. Freddie took the inside line and battled with Crump for 2 laps before forcing his way through to complete a stunning, and arguably match-winning, 5-1 for Wolves. Brilliant, fair and exciting racing from all three riders.
Heat 14. Screen, Lawson, Hamill, Madsen. 58.49. 3-3. 43-41
Screen led from the tapes for the win but William battled to pass him for the whole race. Billy missed the gate but easily passed Madsen but then had to ride an unusual race to protect William. A very good ‘team’ ride from the American.
Heat 15. Crump, P Karlsson, Lindgren, Stead. 56.92. 3-3. 46-44
PK gated and led for most of the first lap until Crump went round the outside of him on bend four. Freddie battled hard to keep Stead at the back for 2 laps and then left him behind to secure the two league points for Wolves.
As the bonus point was out of reach this 2 point win was all we could have wanted. Heat 13 left many of us with badly affected voices as the quality of the racing was so outstanding. All team members deserve credit for the win and for creating another incredibly exciting meeting at the Green. The track began to become slick half way through the meeting and Belle Vue were taking advantage but the track staff did a great job of bringing it back for the latter heats. This is the sort of quality racing that leaves fans remembering the meeting and wanting more of what is probably the best racing in the league (and NO, CVS did not pay me to say that!).
Comment:
Weather: Pleasant evening – no threat of precipitation.
Track: Good at start, then slicker, then regraded well for later heats.
Attendance: A very healthy stoat of a crowd.
Wolves Performance: All-round good performance despite only winning by two points.
Entertainment: Excellent racing and the right result.
Referee: Rob Perks – Decisions all correct IMHO.
Man of the Match: Very difficult to choose between PK and Freddie but as he exceeded my expectations more than PK did, Freddie Lindgren gets the nod.
Rider Ratings: (now on a scale of ten with 6 being the average expectation)
Peter Karlsson: 8 A great night’s racing and a superb win over Crump. I’d like Pete to win heat 1 a bit more regularly though!
Christian Hefenbrock: 7 He got messed up at the start of heat 1 but otherwise had a good night.
Ronnie Correy: 8 Unlucky in his first race to be blocked but followed up with three good races. Worth more than 6 points.
Fredrik Lindgren: 9 Excellent meeting for him again. Big respect for the great battle with Crump in heat 13.
Billy Hamill: 7 Got the starts a bit wrong after the first one but did a good team job each time.
William Lawson: 7 He outscored his opposite number and deserved more points for his efforts.
Magnus Karlsson : 6 Would have had a higher rating but I can’t forget the awful ride in heat 8 unfortunately.
The remainder of the week sees Wolves go to Peterborough on Thursday and then to local rivals Coventry on Friday. Wouldn’t it be nice to emerge from those two clashes with a league point or two? If you can’t get to the meetings then make sure you log on to the Live Updates on the Wolfcry Fans’ Forum for heat by heat details as the meetings progress.
Proud to be a Wolf,
Lawt
NOTE: It was a great shame that some fans’ enjoyment of the meeting was overshadowed by the moronic behaviour of a group of Belle Vue supporters on the 4th bend who have already outstayed their welcome at other speedway venues. Amongst their other misdemeanours it has been reported that they shouted racial abuse at Christian Hefenbrock and this has no place in any sport. Banter between rival fans is fine, but this sort of crap and the type of incidents previously associated with these people has got to be stopped.
WOLVES
Peter Karlsson. . . . . 2 - 2 - 3 - 3 - 2 =12
Christian Hefenbrock. 0 - 1* - 3 - 1 =5+1
Ronnie Correy . . . . . 0 - 2 - 2 - 2 =6
Billy Hamill . . . . . . . . 3 - 1* - 1* - 1* =6+3
Fredrik Lindgren . . . . 2 - 2 - 3 - 2* - 1* =10+2
William Lawson . . . . 1 - 0 - 0 - 2 =3
Magnus Karlsson . . . 3 - 1* - 0 - 0 =4+1
BELLE VUE
Simon Stead. . . 3 - 3 - 2 - 0 - 0 =8
James Wright . . 1 - 0 - 1* - 1* =3+2
Kenneth Bjerre . 2 - 3 - 0 - 3 =8
Joe Screen . . . . 1* - 1 - 2 - 3 =7+1
Jason Crump . . . 3 - 3 - 3 - 1 - 3 =13
Joel Parsons . . . 2 - 0 - 0 =2
Tom P Madsen . . 0 - 0 - 2 - 1 - 0 =3
Right from the start this looked like it was going to be a very tough test. The bonus point was virtually unattainable – requiring a home win by more than 15 points – so the two league points were the target. We were all hoping for a nice deep track to upset the Ginger One again. Belle Vue replaced Phil Morris with Joel Parsons which should have been a move in our favour. Belle Vue won the toss and took gates 1+3.
Heat 1. Stead, P Karlsson, Wright, Hefenbrock. 56.83. 2-4. 2-4
Stead made the best start off gate 1 pushes everyone out on turn one which led to PK forcing Christian to shut off and allow Wright through. PK had a big lock up at the end of the first lap, gathered it up but it let Stead get away.
Heat 2. M Karlsson, Parsons, Lawson, Madsen. 58.02. 4-2. 6-6
Parsons made the gate but an excellent outside surge from Magnus up the back straight gives us the heat advantage. William made a last lap challenge on Parsons who looked much better than I expected.
Heat 3. Hamill, Bjerre, Screen, Correy. 56.87. 3-3. 9-9
An easy win for Billy after a great gate. Ronnie chose a good, fast outside line on the first turns and was moving through when Bjerre straightened and consequently blocked the Rocket’s run
Heat 4. Crump, Lindgren, M Karlsson, Madsen. 56.46. 3-3. 12-12
Crump led from the gate. Freddie lifted on the second bend and settled for second. Magnus just held off Madsen.
Heat 5. Stead, Correy, Hamill, Wright. 56.89. 3-3. 15-15
Billy tried to anticipate the start and messed it up but the ref let it go. I have to say that I like this style of decision where the race can continue and the guilty rider is automatically disadvantaged. I just wish it wouldn’t be a Wolves rider! Ronnie and Billy took the 3-3 option.
Heat 6. Crump, P Karlsson, Hefenbrock, Parsons. 56.87. 3-3. 18-18
Crump makes a lightning start and is away for the win. He had a huge lifter on lap 2 but just got the front down and seemed unconcerned. Very cool indeed.
Heat 7. Bjerre, Lindgren, Screen, Lawson. 56.98. 2-4. 20-22
Bjerre outgated Freddie and then held him off for the rest of the race. Freddie was faster but did not seem able to find the real grip. Screen passed William after a lap.
Heat 8. Hefenbrock, Madsen, Wright, M Karlsson. 58.35. 3-3. 23-25
This should have been an easy heat advantage for Wolves. We were on a 5-1, but while Christian leads all the way, Magnus finds reverse gear and is sadly passed by Madsen on lap 2 and Wright on lap 4. A very poor ride that could have had serious consequences.
Heat 9. Crump, Correy, Hamill, Parsons. 57.11. 3-3. 26-28
Crump made the start, but a rocket-powered Correy kept it wound open and passed Crump on the outside of the back straight. As he went round the 4th bend Ronnie seemed to realise what was happening (and how quick he was going!) and had a frisson of panic – then Crump took the lead. Billy packed in behind him.
Heat 10. P Karlsson, Screen, Hefenbrock, Bjerre. 57.89. 4-2. 30-30
PK from the gate. Excellent race from Christian who showed great skill as he was constantly blocked by Screen who was trying to slow him up to allow Bjerre through.
Heat 11. Lindgren, Stead, Wright, Lawson. 57.17. 3-3. 33-33
At the first attempt Freddie gated, but Stead eased William into the fence. In the rerun Freddie again gates (didn’t expect it to work that way again!) and goes on to win. William tried everything to pass Wright but was just 5 yards short on the line.
Heat 12. Bjerre, Correy, Madsen, M Karlsson. 58.04. 2-4. 35-37
Ronnie led for 3.999 laps but Bjerre was awarded the win on the line by the referee – despite TNT’s (Start marshall) touching of the red exclusion disk, and Porky’s disbelieving head shaking. In fact those of us inline with the tapes on the terraces did actually think that Bjerre had just stolen it. Magnus lost third place to Madsen after a brief tussle.
Heat 13. P Karlsson, Lindgren, Crump, Stead. 56.98. 5-1. 40-38
An absolute cracker of a race! PK off gate 1 and Crump off 4 were level down the back straight, PK pushed Crump out on 4th bend (as he does) and pulled away for the win. Freddie took the inside line and battled with Crump for 2 laps before forcing his way through to complete a stunning, and arguably match-winning, 5-1 for Wolves. Brilliant, fair and exciting racing from all three riders.
Heat 14. Screen, Lawson, Hamill, Madsen. 58.49. 3-3. 43-41
Screen led from the tapes for the win but William battled to pass him for the whole race. Billy missed the gate but easily passed Madsen but then had to ride an unusual race to protect William. A very good ‘team’ ride from the American.
Heat 15. Crump, P Karlsson, Lindgren, Stead. 56.92. 3-3. 46-44
PK gated and led for most of the first lap until Crump went round the outside of him on bend four. Freddie battled hard to keep Stead at the back for 2 laps and then left him behind to secure the two league points for Wolves.
As the bonus point was out of reach this 2 point win was all we could have wanted. Heat 13 left many of us with badly affected voices as the quality of the racing was so outstanding. All team members deserve credit for the win and for creating another incredibly exciting meeting at the Green. The track began to become slick half way through the meeting and Belle Vue were taking advantage but the track staff did a great job of bringing it back for the latter heats. This is the sort of quality racing that leaves fans remembering the meeting and wanting more of what is probably the best racing in the league (and NO, CVS did not pay me to say that!).
Comment:
Weather: Pleasant evening – no threat of precipitation.
Track: Good at start, then slicker, then regraded well for later heats.
Attendance: A very healthy stoat of a crowd.
Wolves Performance: All-round good performance despite only winning by two points.
Entertainment: Excellent racing and the right result.
Referee: Rob Perks – Decisions all correct IMHO.
Man of the Match: Very difficult to choose between PK and Freddie but as he exceeded my expectations more than PK did, Freddie Lindgren gets the nod.
Rider Ratings: (now on a scale of ten with 6 being the average expectation)
Peter Karlsson: 8 A great night’s racing and a superb win over Crump. I’d like Pete to win heat 1 a bit more regularly though!
Christian Hefenbrock: 7 He got messed up at the start of heat 1 but otherwise had a good night.
Ronnie Correy: 8 Unlucky in his first race to be blocked but followed up with three good races. Worth more than 6 points.
Fredrik Lindgren: 9 Excellent meeting for him again. Big respect for the great battle with Crump in heat 13.
Billy Hamill: 7 Got the starts a bit wrong after the first one but did a good team job each time.
William Lawson: 7 He outscored his opposite number and deserved more points for his efforts.
Magnus Karlsson : 6 Would have had a higher rating but I can’t forget the awful ride in heat 8 unfortunately.
The remainder of the week sees Wolves go to Peterborough on Thursday and then to local rivals Coventry on Friday. Wouldn’t it be nice to emerge from those two clashes with a league point or two? If you can’t get to the meetings then make sure you log on to the Live Updates on the Wolfcry Fans’ Forum for heat by heat details as the meetings progress.
Proud to be a Wolf,
Lawt
NOTE: It was a great shame that some fans’ enjoyment of the meeting was overshadowed by the moronic behaviour of a group of Belle Vue supporters on the 4th bend who have already outstayed their welcome at other speedway venues. Amongst their other misdemeanours it has been reported that they shouted racial abuse at Christian Hefenbrock and this has no place in any sport. Banter between rival fans is fine, but this sort of crap and the type of incidents previously associated with these people has got to be stopped.
