A later than anticipated getaway from Swindon on Thursday night meant that I was ever so jaded as Steffie (my 17 year old daughter) and I hit the road on Friday morning. The aim was to meet up with Keith Johnson, Rob and John Nobbs and Jamie Wiltshire at the Stadium by 9.30am. Surprisingly, the journey was uncluttered - no road works or any hold ups and so at 9am we entered the stadium via Entrance 4 and swept down the ramp, passed the paddock where the riders' vans were set up, and into the underground car park that stretches far into the bowels of the magnificent Millennium Stadium.

Further on we come to Kenneth Bjerre's pit area. The Bjerre team came under a certain amount of criticism that I heard from the stadium stewards, one of whom alleged that Bjerre's van had actually struck a steward on its way into the complex.

We climbed up the incline that takes us through the "Mouth of the Dragon" and caught our first view of the stadium. The only sounds were muted conversations and the engine of a tractor being driven around by our old friend Colin Meredith. Colin has been doing the track at the stadium since the GP circus moved there 9 years ago.

The track has always come in for its fair share of criticism in the past - it tended to break up and rut and there were always incidents aplenty. This year new material, similar to that used so successfully in Copenhagen two weeks ago, has been brought in together with a team of track specialists from Denmark.

The result, even at this early stage, looks sensational.

Ole Olsen, Race Director and the man around all of the activities revolve, puts in an early appearance with one of his track men. 2,600 tons of material has been put down into the track since the beginning of the week. It has been bladed to a smoothness by a Danish motorway blade driver who has even brought his laser guided motorway blade across with him just for this purpose.

The structure is still the same as in previous years. A massively strong super structure has been built on the stadium floor and reaches up a good four feet. Into this is tipped the shale. All of the grass has been removed and the centre infield is now covered with a green carpet.

The last of the shale has been mounded up at the pit gate - this will be used to top dress the track after practice and put the finishing touches in prior to the meeting itself. It is still quite a fine shale but the clay content is similarly fine so, even without copious amounts of water, it does bind together. Scooping up a handful and squeezing it shows that it keeps its shape whilst not releasing any of the moisture.

We can only stand and stare - the whole thing is just amazing. The roof is shut because it is hammering down with rain outside so everything echoes in the stadium. The corners have a larger cambre than in previous years and the angle is smooth and consistent right up to the boards.

Our first job is to walk the track and remove any stones. Steffie's choice of footwear is now brought into question - delicate little ballet like shoes may look fine indoors or on a shopping day in the sun but the track is wet and the shoes soon fill with shale. We limp round removing several hundred small stones from the glistening wet surface.

Even at this stage we can feel just how hard the base is. Confidence is high that this is the track material that we have sought over the years.

Steffie and I mount guard on the pit gate while the others go off for a breakfast break and then collect their passes. While they are gone I chat with Terry Russell, Swindon promoter, who was obviously pleased with last night's win over Coventry and also comments upon how pleased I looked when Rune arrived. At this point I must thank Terry for helping us out with passes. A mix up means that neither Steffie or I actually have a pass for the Friday but Terry makes great efforts, finds one for me and loans Steffie one of his for the day - it was very much appreciated. Thank you.

We venture out for a breath of fresh air - it's getting rather muggy in the stadium - and meet up with a delightful security lady who is obviously a newly converted fan to the noble sport of speedway. Even though it is tipping down with rain she is enjoying talking with everyone and is clearly relishing the chance to get into the stadium at some stage to see some of the action. We reassure here that nothing is happening at present.

Our first visitors to the pit gate are Team Sayfutdinov. Emil and ace tuner Ashley Holloway are joined by two Polish mechanics and are content to stand and watch as the tapes mechanism is put in place by Steve Gobey and Richie, his mate from Swindon. A real "pocket battleship" of a man, Emil is tiny. I doubt, as he stands at the pit gate, that he could envisage just what would occur literally feet away in 30 hours time!

A new feature for this year is a series of flags, each one with the name and colours of a rider. Attached to a flagpole, they are mounted on large floor based fans. When the fans are switched on the flags flutter. The technician in charge experiments with just one flag initially, one that features rider Number 8. Satisfied that it does what it is supposed to,he brings a van up the Dragon's Mouth and he and I unload the other 15 fans. These are then spread out around the track at regular intervals. When all 16 are switched on they do look quite dramatic - trouble is that I didn't notice if they were used during the actual event - too much else was going on in the pit gate area.

One of the most popular innovations from Sky this year has been the "Mole" camera and its associated cartoon. The Mole camera that we saw at Lakeside earlier on in the season was a very simple affair - a small camera on the end of a cable held in place by a plastic ring filled with shale. The new one is a far most sophisticated affair, carried carefully out onto the centre green by a Sky technician. It is sunk down into the soft material that fills the space between the white line and the yellow boards that mark the edge of the green carpet.

There is much debate about the angle is should be pitched at, and it is moved several times before everyone is satisfied.

It is still much quieter around the pit gate than in previous years. This time last year we were having to manhandle mechanics and sponsors off the track - this year we keep the gate closed but no one seems that bothered about venturing out from the confines of the pits or the motor homes.

The roof leaks. That's just a fact. With something that large and moveable it's hardly surprising that water gets through. In our own mini atmosphere inside the stadium we are blissfully unaware that it is belting down with rain outside, that is until we notice that water id dripping down onto some areas of turns 3 and 4 and on a patch near the start line. Cue, a race for buckets to put under said leaks. Last year it rained so hard on race day morning that we had to lay banners out across turns 3 and 4 to keep the water out of the shale - this year the problem is solved with a set of humble buckets.

Ex Swindon (and Reading) rider Tony Olsson puts in an appearance and chats with Rob Nobbs about his time at Swindon and his range of tasks now. The quietly spoken and genial Olsson is now Ole's right hand man, described in the programme as "SGP Race Director's Assistant."

Down at the bottom of the ramp is the scrutineering area. At present the staff down there are content with handing out the race bibs to representatives of the various teams.

The pit area is filling up and there is a new tension in the air as Draw time approaches.

Walking past the area where the draw will be held, I make my way back down through the pits area. It is certainly much quieter than last year. In fact, some riders still have very little to show for their pit area, notably Mr Nicholls, whose area is vacant apart from a couple,e of environmental mats and a chair.

Sayfutdinov's pit is full of all sorts of expensive equipment and there is no doubt that the young Russian and his team mean business. I chatted with Ashley Holloway before the practice session began and he showed me a sensing device that they use that records temperature, humidity and even the oxygen content of the air. This information is then used to set the carburetors on the bikes for maximum efficiency.

I had spoken with Michael Lee, working with Tai Woffinden, about the problems that racing indoors brought. He explained that while they would be running with almost normal settings for the jets and carburation in practice, the settings would need to be altered dramatically if the roof were to be closed during the actual GP. Apparently, indoors and with 40,000 people plus inside, the oxygen levels in the atmosphere will drop significantly, not enough to make any real difference to our breathing (thank goodness) but enough to necessitate real changes to the carburation of the bike. Should the roof subsequently be opened then the flood of oxygen into the arena would mean a change of carburetors. This is heady stuff and, while I nod as if I understand, in reality what one of our recent ex British World Champions is telling me is flying straight over my head.

Rune has two bikes and a spare engine out in the pit area. He explains that he's pretty sure which bike he will use but can't be certain until he gets out on the track. Last night at Blunsdon he explained that he was slowly getting used to indoor and small circuits but that the big, wide open spaces were the type of tracks that he really enjoyed. The infamous twin cam bike prepared for him by Flemming Graverson will not be considered. Apparently Graverson is recruiting some young Scandinavians to test it more thoroughly before Rune is prepared to use it again. It works well on big, flat and smooth tracks but can be really difficult to control on anything else.

Briefly back up to the pit gate and we bump into Scott who is more than happy to pose for a photograph with Steffie, who has long been a Scot fan. But the area is clearing because the minutes are ticking away towards 1pm and the draw.

The area at the bottom of the slope is now crowded with riders, mechanics, officials and television crews. Young Mr Olsen explains how it will work to Miss Wales, who will actually be making the draw. There is a rehearsal, during which she draws out number 2 (Jason Crump) and then holds it out clearly so that the assorted television can home in on it.

Steve Bryant from Sky announces that the draw will begin and asks for a little hush. There is a good humoured tension about the place. A few cat calls come in and there is much laughter as we settle down for the main event.

Leigh Adams' mechanic Billy sits astride a step ladder for a better view.

Everything goes quiet, Miss Wales reaches out for the bag containing the wooden, numbered blocks and suddenly ... Team Gollob start up a bike. The sudden noise is shattering. A minion is dispatched hastily to get them to stop the engine and calm is soon restored.

Block number 15 comes out first - Emil Sayfutdinov will ride in red off the inside gate in heat 1. Block number one comes out next. There is an audible gasp as everyone realises that Nicki Pedersen will take gate two in blue. Someone makes a comment about the "two poor sods" who will have to line up alongside these two. Kenneth Bjerre is drawn for gate three. Everything goes quiet. The "poor sod" off gate 4 stands a pretty good chance to finding the air fence or the first few rows of seats in the melee that could occur on turns 1 and 2.

Block number 8 comes out. Rune standing alongside me gasps, "That's me, isn't it?" The reaction of all around him who slap him on the back and laugh confirms the dread news. "Oh God, I need insurance!" he utters.

The rest of the draw passes off reasonably quietly.

Once it is complete, the board is displayed, the television lights dim and everyone makes their way off contemplating the potentially explosive line up for heat 1.

Back on pit gate Freddie Lingren puts in an appearance and takes to the track for a wander round, accompanied for the last few metres by Kelvin Tatum.

Tomasz Gollob, looking very relaxed in jeans and a jumper wanders up, nods a greeting to everyone, takes a couple of strides out onto the track and then turns on his heels and walks off.

Team Bjerre arrive en mass in their smart blue and yellow colours while Team Andersen, in more sober black and white gear follow. The instructions we are given is that riders and mechanics should be the only ones out on the track and that no one is allowed to dig (kick the surface). It seems an easy instruction but it's not - quite how we can decided who is and who isn't a mechanic is difficult and asking a rider not to kick a surface like this is like whistling in the wind.

Keith Johnson has a chance to chat with one of his boyhood heroes - Neil Street, father of Phil Crump and grandfather to Jason. Still sprightly at his rather advancing age, eh sports an Aussie cap but is proud of his Newport Wasps jacket. Behind us a Danish crew are interviewing Hans Andersen and the first bikes splutter into life down in the pit lane.

Kelvin takes a last look at the track pre practice and then sets off. The pit lane is now full of bikes although most of the riders have now departed for the changing rooms or their motor homes. Rune's father puts in an appearance and whilst my Norwegian is non existent and his English is faltering, we chat away, remembering last year's GP at Cardiff.

Team Crump are now all ready - except for the case of the missing rider - Jason is off somewhere, probably getting changed confirms a member of his team. Nearby I spy the smallest bike in the pit lane, yes even smaller than Tai's mini bike. In Team Hancock there is Wilbur Hancock's small wooden speedway bike, set up on a special stand alongside his dad's machines.

Steffie makes her way, with the camera, up into the seats behind the pit gate area, where Sky's Charlie Webster is to be found.

And then it all begins. Riders 1, 2 and 3 hammer up the tunnel and wait near the gate. Ole checks the time, the flag marshals and St Johns Ambulance people make their way out on to the centre green, the team who work the gate (two chaps form Newport and Jamie and I from Swindon) go through a quick rehearsal, and then we are off for two hours of mayhem.

Basically this is what happens. Ole signals for the gate to be opened. The Newport guys remove the locking block on the gate, I move between them and kick the air panel out, Jamie holds one side of the back gate in position and then I open up the air bag to allow the riders to leave the pit gate area. They hammer through, with mechanics following. Some riders move around to the specially positioned start line on the back straight whilst others "faff" around with their mechanics in front of me. More often than not a rider at the start line is revving up and heading for their turn 1 (actually turn 3) at high speed while I am still struggling to get mechanics off the track and get the air panel in a closed position. In some cases it gets mighty close! The riders usually blast round for a couple of laps and then go back to the temporary start line, make a practice start, hammer round for a lap and then the red light comes on. We repeat the exercise with the gate to get the first batch off. As soon as they are gone riders 4, 5 and 6 come belting out and off we go again.

It all begins to work quite well until Hans Andersen is late for his practice on the second round. With two riders out, Ole shouting that only two are coming out, I begin to shut the gate. Tomasz Gollob is already at the start line when I hear a roaring behind me and see Hans hammering up the ramp, heading for me and the air bag. I struggle to open the gate as he blasts through, catching me on the arm with his elbow as he goes past. Regaining my balance, it is a close run thing at Tomasz belts down the main straight and I struggle with the bag.

The crowd diminishes as the session goes on but some clear form guides are established. Jason Crump looks frighteningly fast, thumping the main straight boardings with his back tyre each time, the impact somehow accelerating him into the next corner much faster and more aggressively than anyone else. Hancock is neat and tidy but Tomasz seems disinterested and soon doesn't even bother to come out. Of the Brits Kennet looks a little on the wild side whilst Woffinden tries to emulate Crump and raises dust each time he exits turn 4.

A close inspection of the track shows a little bit of wear on the inside of the real turn 1 but given the pounding it has taken, it's nothing short of miraculous. Given that last year you could put a foot in the grooves cut into the surface after practice, this track looks just great. The riders appear to grow in confidence as the session goes on. Even Rune comes up to the pit gate to look admiringly at the surface. "It is really good. I could get to like this track," he admits before thanking everyone around for their efforts - nice touch!

Jason is also impressed, claiming that the track is "superb". Ole is obviously pleased, as is Colin Meredith.

And so the place suddenly goes quiet. The crowd has disappeared, and so have the Newport crew, who have got to get away to attend the meeting at Queensway Meadows. Sadly it means that it is the Swindon crew who will have to muck in and do all of the digging out of the boards.

And so we dig and dig and dig and he moves vast amounts of shale around, slowly building up the level of the track.

It is hot and sticky work and we are soon exhausted from the effort.

But the track is already looking better for the work and the ruts where the riders have been starting are soon filled and packed down by the behemoth.

Sweaty and exhausted, we finish and make our way out through the runnel and own into the pits. It is deserted except for Michal and Krzysztof from Team Holta. Michal is cleaning clutch plates while Krzys is polishing the bike used for practice.

We bid our farewells and make for the cars. The rest of the Swindon lads are staying over at a hotel; Steffie and I face the drive back to Malmesbury.

It's been a long day but an interesting one and we look forward to the big day with some relish. If the track holds up as well as it has done then we could have a very exciting Grand Prix.

As we leave the stadium we meet up with the delightful security lady from earlier on. She waves and wishes us a safe journey, one which takes just over an hour.

It's back down the motorway tomorrow for the Grand Prix.

But that's another blog ... coming as soon as I can get it written.