Midland Red

What has he done to be given one?

Nielsen Gundersen Olsen JO Pedersen N Pedersen I would prefer to include Knudsen instead of Olsen, but this is a Top 5, not a Favourite 5

That's cleared it up, then

Entertainer????????

Knowledgeable entertainer? Who's that then?

TV showed him in conversation with Danny King

Yes, Kennett was a big disappointment - never even troubled the scorers

Overall, I thought the presentation was pretty good Plus points: Natalie Quirke and Steve Brandon; fewer rider interviews between races Minus points: Camera work as mentioned; Brando's time always seemed to be cut short, as if he hadn't quite finished; poor graphics; Pearson (not Pearce, Mr Shovlar!) still Sir Shoutalot Graphics - found the digits difficult to read on some captions, small black numbers on brightly coloured backgrounds. And I do believe that they showed points for riders' 1-5 rides and finishing positions in 6th (semi-finals), without distinguishing between points and finishing position - could have been misleading for those who could read them clearly, and it only happened (obviously) on two occasions! One final point - I would like to have seen the "dodgy starts" looked at in a bit more detail - although Kelvin Tatum thought otherwise, I felt that Barker's first start, which was allowed, was 100% fair - he didn't move till the tapes started to rise. Tatum was quick with his verdict, would like to have seen it checked

I didn't say I was in favour of wildcards - I've repeatedly stated on the forum my opposition to "choices" What I said above was that I would accept them (if they have to be introduced to allow Lambert or whoever to gain free entry, in order to avoid "putting in" a rider who was unable to qualify for off-track reasons) I stick with my own view that all qualification should be on-track, and that individual championships should be 20 heats (plus a run-off if needed) If non-championship events decide to go the 20 heats + semi/s + final route, then so be it - but not a championship

That doesn't give him the right to be "put in" to the final round of a championship because his van (or whatever) broke down before a qualifying round Can you not see - it's a championship, there were qualifying stages, and Lambert failed to get through them - it's not an invitational open meeting to choose the "best riders" to take part Although I don't like the idea of wildcards, I would accept seeding the top four Brits to the final, with 12 qualifying from semi-finals - but never "put in" a rider who has been eliminated in the way Lambert was I'm interested to know the overall views on having heats 21/22 in this event (or 21-23 if there's two semis) There's been support for the idea in the past on the forum (supposedly it's a tv thing, to build up to a climax at the end of the meeting) - would this have remained had Worrall, Schlein or Barker won heat 22 last night, thereby eliminating Cook from the GP wildcard spot? I have always said that any meeting of 16 riders should be decided over 20 heats, top scorer the winner - although I'm very pleased Cook, the best rider, won the final last night, in some ways I was hoping he wouldn't, just to see the reaction on here!

"Put him in"?????? This is supposed to be a professional sporting competition, not an all-star invitational event No wonder outsiders don't take speedway very seriously any longer You suggest that "The British Championship Final", for which there were two qualifying meetings, should be an "opportunity to help push forward the career of a bright young talent" Shame on you - yes, shame on you as a long-standing mouthpiece of this once great sport Oh, and not arriving at a meeting due to delays for whatever reason, is not an exceptional circumstance - it's happened before and no doubt will again - it's tough on the rider affected, but you've got to be in it to qualify, so, better luck next time

Philippe - I think you'll find he didn't qualify

KEITH M, on 15 Jun 2017 - 10:23 AM, said: Ben Barker replaces the injured Lewis Bridger Mmm! Did, didn't it!

I believe he mentioned that Kyle Howarth comes from Stalybridge, though

Don't worry - some on here think a breakdown can earn a wildcard!

No doubt there would then be a number of riders whose vehicles mysteriously broke down on the way to their semi-finals - each seeking a wildcard What a clever way of securing safe passage through a semi-final - "van broke down on the way, sir!" No one should be seeded/wildcarded - points on the track the ONLY fair method

Does it have to be "high" standard? Better that it's equal quality so providing closer, more challenging racing The attraction should be more aimed at entertainment than at win-at-all-costs, by chopping and changing team members Stability amongst team line-ups should be an aim where a competitive side has been achieved And return to 13 heat matches plus second-halves

Imagine if eight riders are seeded next year, how many arguments will there be on here about who's in and who's not! Two semi-finals featuring the top 32 riders gives almost all the decent Brits a chance of reaching the British Final - so WHY CHANGE IT? Robert Lambert had his chance this season, but failed to qualify - no need to mess around with changing the rules of fair competition, or introduce seedings or wildcards They ALL (32) have the same chance

For me . . . Fundin Nordin Rickardsson Knutsson (as spelt when riding here!) Michanek Honourable mentions for Sjosten (Soren) and Jansson (Bengt)

Don't you mean "Barry Briggs MBE"? You plonker with your affectation for capital letters! Why can't you type properly like the rest of us?

You can become World Champion without winning a single meeting A lot of people don't like that You can even be champion before the final meeting A lot of people don't like that And of course, these days, you can win a meeting with just one race win, in heat 23 A lot of people don't like that

The leader after 20 races should deserve it - but sadly it doesn't work like that anymore Maybe bad luck, maybe bad planning - but . . . . he didn't qualify - end of

If Havelock was included, he would be below Woffinden for me (and probably for everyone else) If Carter qualified for the list (which I know he doesn't), I would place him third behind Michael Lee

Tom Farndon, without a doubt Other choices would include Vic Duggan and Jack Parker

Have seen them all, so . . . Craven Lee Collins Loram Woffinden