bill94d

You and I are singing from the same hymn sheet. Go back to the old boring past (or not), do away with points total, let promoters build a team to win, keep it, have promotion/relegation/ no play offs and a real world championship instead of this sponsored circus. Only that way will British speedway stand a chance.

I have been criticised for this before and will be again but this GP thing is killing speedway, and British speedway in particular. If you want to see the top riders race then you can have big events at venues and tracks that do them justice (like the old Internationale). One quarter filled stadiums on essentially a long track was not good to watch particularly after Warsaw. Let's go back to the old world championship at a track that merits it. Tin hat is on again chaps, but it's nothing personal just my feeling of comparing old with new. I can't see how the accountants can justify that event last night.

Harris on the pace? What meeting were you watching? The usual bike length down at the first bend.

Born on 2 Feb 1933 at Ayton, near Eyemouth. Info from 50 Poole Pirates Greats book. Might be able to check parish records if you are nearby. Died a couple of years ago I believe.

No Jack Parker? As a Scot I couldn't possibly comment.

Odds on beating my Scottish team? Started something with that thread!

Can't really disagree Dave with the bulk of the sentiment. Where are the McKinlays?

I said this was only for discussion. I now go with Mckinlay, Miller, Mcmillan, Hunter, Mcgregor, Doug. T., Gilbertson (196 matches, 1707 points for Poole), and Harkins. Anyone better that?

Born in Ayton, Eyemouth. Scottish? If he is he has to be in. I said it was by no means definitive my post.

Haggis will kill me! Let's agree on him as number 8!

I have been pondering this for a while and can't find a thread along these lines in the forum. At their very best who would be in your Scottish (born) best ever team? I am not too familiar with the 80's so am prepared to be shot down over this but here goes. 1 Ken Mckinlay (has to be there, world finalist many times) 2 Tommy Millar (a bit like Brian Crutcher, out of the game too soon) 3. Jim Mcmillan 4. George Hunter (never as good after the Craven crash as he should have been) 5. Gordon McGregor 6. Doug Templeton (out of speedway late 50's when he should have been at this best) 7. Willie Templeton 8. ???? Come on gents. Shoot me down and come up with a better team (complete with number 8)

I have had a rant along similar lines on another topic. We pay a heavy price for this GP thing. Top riders avoid our EL ,the latest being Tai. At least in the old days every rider had a go at the World Championship, and the fans got to see their favourites against the big boys. Play offs are a money making sham. Win the league and you win the league. Simples!

I couldn't understand his point either. The system you described is what I meant in my post.

In the 50's and 60's there were rounds of the World Championship at every track in UK. There were similar on the continent. The qualifiers amalgamated culminating in what people are remembering with fondness at Wembley in September every year. Every rider got a chance. In fact they got 2 chances, since there were 2 meetings in each round till the later stages. I don't understand your comment.

I can't see Chris Harris on anyone's list. With Tai's departure we in UK are paying a terrible price for this GP thing. At least in the old days every rider got a chance. Isn't it ironic that the biggest night in Speedway is Cardiff and yet only 2 or 3 of most people's lists ride in the Elite League. We put on the biggest night for all the riders who don't ride here.

I have made similar comments on a thread about Rebels 2015. Poor effort from both.

I think the side should be as close as we can get to this year. All the boys did well in their own way and are capable of improvement in 2015. I know this will be difficult for a number of reasons, but! We lost the league because of poor scores from Olly's replacements on Friday and Saturday. When did Olly last score single figures round OTA? I don't rate Kennet and never have, even before his misdemeanours . Perhaps he was the best we could get but the unfortunate injury to Olly undoubtedly cost us the title. Could we not have quarantined him in view of the importance of the upcoming fixtures?

I have seen a couple of World final videos. I also watched Mauger in his early days with Newcastle in the 60's. If he had not been allowed to roll at the start how many world titles would he have won? Not as many I venture to suggest. One thing about modern speedway I hate is "gardening" at the start but at least the riders are stationary when the tapes go up. People will argue that they all did it at the time but Craven,Young and Briggs were not fast starters and so their achievements are all the more creditable. Tin hat time again?

Sorry about that. GP challenge has been in UK though.

I rest my case after tonight. How can he justify a place instead of (perhaps) Kildemans, Ward, MJJ, Iversen? It makes no sense this GP challenge thing if it allows no hopers to have one good night on a British track and demean the GP in 2015. Tin hat time again?

Especially down Brandon Way!!

I believe every good thing that has been said about Bomber. He is a 100% trier, BUT.... The number of mechanical issues he has compared to (say) Greg is amazing. His bikes just don't seem to have the power the others in the GP do. Winning races from a bike length back at the first turn in a GP is almost impossible. Nice guy he may be but he devalues the GP. I don't pay to see 3 man races.

Thanks Pandorum. Let's keep this forum civilised and informative.

Give Philip a break. He brings an insight into this forum that I for one am grateful for. If it's in his interest too then so be it. Keep it up Phil.

Ah, Nick. You are right. I had mine put back after parachute landing went wrong just like that. 45 years later it still hurts. It's not funny in years to come if you are not careful.