I've also heard respected speedway people question whether Buckley is too emotionally attached to the event, to the detriment of its potential.
No one can question Buckley's heart though, nor the achievement of winning approval from the sport's European power base. One thing is clear - what could be a brilliant part of the Auckland event landscape is on the skids.
It will be a crying shame if the city loses a genuine international sporting contest that also encourages motorsport, which doesn't always get the dues to match its deep following.
Speedway ticks enough boxes and presses the right buttons for a non-motorsport enthusiast like me. It involves thrilling, cut-throat duels, a series of one-minute adventures with the odd spill, and the sight of riders doing what looks like the impossible in staying on their bikes. The skill and nerve is stunning.
Speedway still has a working class feel, and is full of interesting characters. There is the historical aspect at Western Springs, a unique venue with a big track and impressive bank. Back in the day, the Springs rocked and not just for rock bands.
Some speedway luminaries including America's highly respected former world champ Greg Hancock believe it should follow other motorsport's high tech improvements. Contrasting that, New Zealand speedway great Barry Briggs reckons the bikes have become too powerful, to the detriment of throttle control and combat action. Overall, speedway retains an attractive, traditional feel. Unfortunately though, traditions in this country have been broken.
There is a huge problem for Buckley and the GP - the lack of big-name New Zealand riders in the top echelons. Australia has two recent former champs in Jason Crump and Chris Holder, and three riders in this year's GP series including Darcy Ward, a sometimes troubled character regarded as the sport's most gifted star. New Zealand doesn't even have a GP candidate.
Transplanted Englishman Jason Bunyan carries the flag as the wildcard entry. With all due respect to a man who does his utmost to encourage the sport here, Bunyan is no Ivan Mauger, Briggs or Ronnie Moore. And there used to be other fine Kiwi riders a notch below that famous trio.
A latter-day Mauger - or even a Larry Ross - would fill Western Springs on Saturday night, no billboards needed. The fans rather than a rider will have to rise to this occasion.
Kaino will be included
Pencil Jerome Kaino into your All Black squad and the World Cup. In fact, use a pen. The bruising loose forward has done enough already to show a money-raking stint in Japan has not dulled him. He's also lifted the Blues into being Super 15 title contenders. As for picking a Super 15 winner though, not for this punter. There are too many random variables that determine the final travel schedule in the final countdown. Home ground advantage counts most.
T20 a joke
T20 cricket is a joke. It's a sad bastardisation of a great game, which includes helping push cricket into a match-fixing quagmire. The latest developments in Indian cricket paint a sad picture but there won't be any urgent action from within because too many people have their snouts in a very deep trough.
Lifting tackles must go
The terrible injury to Newcastle Knights' league player Alex McKinnon has rightly prompted debate about rules and punishments around lifting tackles. Hopefully, the McKinnon disaster will promote a change in the attitude of the players. All rules are made to be broken. But if the players come to grips with the dangers they can put their fellows in, a vital leap forward will have been made. Lifting tackles have to be removed from the game. They are incredibly dangerous and horrible to watch.
