Midland Red

Totally agree - I'm only the "messenger" here, never touted it as my opinion

Answer = probably nothing. Tai is World Champion (OOFC version) and clearly is the best in 2018. Never disputed that. Don't twist things your way. The riders I listed, I suggested they were names of some of a number of British riders who might well have been better riders than Tai - but we will never know, therefore it cannot be stated as A FACT that he is the best British rider of all time If pushed, I would think Peter Craven, Michael Lee, Kenny Carter and Peter Collins WERE better than Tai - but we will never know, because circumstances and conditions have changed so much There is NO FACT to prove that Tai is a better rider than those four It is similar to an article I read this morning which states that Allison Becker (Liverpool) is the best goalkeeper in the Premier League this season - number of goals conceded suggest this, but I doubt that many would have an opinion that he is better than some of the others around - do the facts (goals conceded) outweigh opinions?

I don't believe I ever mentioned riders' averages - do try and keep track of who you're discussing with! And . . . are you really convinced that you haven't stated any opinion? I thought it was your opinions against the world! There is no doubt that Tai has won three individual titles - fact Opinions vary as to whether he is the best British rider of all time, and will continue to vary - you have yours (despite your apparent denial) and others have theirs The several personal comments you have made on this particular thread over the days to various members do you a disservice as you try to bring us all round to your way of thinking You may be right with your opinions - but that, at the end of the day, is all that they are

Just an opinion

It's all about facts and opinions - sadly some on here cannot tell the difference it is a fact that Tai has won three world individual titles (courtesy OOFC) It is an opinion that Tai is the best British rider of all time

Quite clearly your opinions are totally correct and there is no need for me or anyone else to have any different opinions I thank you for your educating me in this matter, and I look forward to digesting your opinions on further subjects

Here's some (all within my 50+ years of spectating)! Brian Brett, Peter Craven, Nigel Boocock, Eric Boocock, Ray Wilson, Terry Betts, Kenny Carter, Simon Wigg, Malcolm Simmons, John Louis, Dave Jessup, Les Collins, Kelvin Tatum And before you ask, by gold medals I meant World Individual Speedway titles, those things which Tai has more of (3) than the others It was common place for riders to maintain their bikes themselves, or with the help of a mechanic - a far cry from what Tai has at his disposal

Me too - and I can add 10 to your 45 I don't dislike Tai - having recently suffered a heart attack, I value life too much now to dislike anyone! - but I do think there have been better British riders than Tai, who don't have the same number of gold medals that he has, partly because they didn't possess equipment on a par with his

Perhaps the local cart dealer could take over from the present incumbent - or at least become the main sponsor

"Speed" and "quick" suggest superior equipment rather than rider ability

I didn't name any of "his rivals"

Personally, I don't think Woffinden is the best ever British rider, in the same way that I don't see Lewis Hamilton as the best ever British racing driver They both have access to machinery far and away ahead in terms of performance of that which the likes of Craven, Crutcher, Brett, Boocock N, Carter, Loram, Betts etc / Hawthorn, Collins, Moss, Surtees, Hill (father & son) etc could even dream of Woffinden is the best in 2018, of that I have little doubt, but comparison with those from the past is almost impossible to gauge

"Progress is being made"

Perhaps the cart dealer could take it over?

Highlight of the night

Grudging praise from the self-proclaimed cart dealer

see the above thread

Kerb, Shoveller - cart dealer's blooper!

Just shows that expensive "star names" don't guarantee entertainment

Would Wolves prefer a Friday - like they used to be?

Would probably pay more than being the cart dealer he currently is

What part of mid-morning is 12.30 in the afternoon?

It used to be an opportunity for up-and-coming riders to ride at a higher level, to progress their experience Now it's used purely to add to riders' income - there can be no case for a top level rider (purely as an example, Chris Harris) to double down to the second tier I have no problem with an up-and-coming Brit in the second tier being given opportunities in the top tier - but not on a permanent (season-long) basis

There's the difference - it used to be that they were speedway meetings, an evening's entertainment, never was there a meeting that "didn't matter"

Play offs have coincided with a downturn in interest in the rest of the domestic season This shows how spectator attitudes have changed, as I alluded to earlier They have also coincided with, and generated, a move away from entertainment for the spectators, replaced by rule-bending, greedy and selfish attitudes of certain individuals, on both sides of the safety fence "Let's get away with 10 heats" seems to be the norm now, rather than provide an evening's entertainment of 20+ races