The White Knight

Greg deserves all the superlatives and plaudits that he is getting on this Thread. It is GREAT to see him as World Champion again. I always hoped this would happen - but - was always wondering what would go wrong. Thankfully nothing did. :approve: CONGRATULATIONS!!! Greg. You are now one of the true legends of our Sport, and such a nice bloke too :approve: Good luck for the future and dare we hope for a repeat in 2012. GO GREG!!!!!

Difficult choice. Speedway MUST win though - in the end. :approve:

I was under a misapprehension. I apologise to everyone, particularly to Diesel and Blazeaway. Thank you for your information HenryW.

I would argue that Nigel Boocock was at least as good as Eric. Les Collins finished second in a World Final - that's why I put him above those you have mentioned.

A very good Rider - but - NOT the BEST Rider we have ever produced. Collins (Peter & Les), Morton, Lee and Simmons and possibly Jessup were better. From previous eras Peter Craven, Freddie Williams too were superior though these sort of things can never be proved. For courage though - many were as brave as Carter but none more so. Just my opinion.

As SKY now OWN Virgin - WHY aren't the benefits of BOTH SKY and VIRGIN made available to BOTH sets of Subscribers??? :unsure:

No - but perhaps they should be. :rofl:

It makes me VERY sad - but - I have to agree with that Statement at present. :sad:

I like Holta. Should have taken time out to allow his wrists to heal. He IS a gutsy Rider but with his wrists in the condition they are - he could end up hurting himself or someone else. I don't like the 'Picks' idea - but - if we have to have it I hope Holta will be back next year. He is an exciting Riuder to watch.

BEST by a long way!!! :approve: .............as is evidenced by a THIRTY ONE Point lead in the Series. :approve: I cannot understand why anyone should call Greg Hancock boring - could it be because he comes over as a perfect Gentleman, as opposed to some of our Antipodean friends who think it is clever to swear on the Television.

FLAMING TENNIS!!! :angry:

Yes - you are probably right. I thought it still looked messy on the Television. I felt sorry for the Riders - they didn't seem to have a clue what was going on. More worrying - neither did anyone else for a time. Still - mistakes do happen. Not a great advert though, I'm afraid. :sad:

SUPERB!!! from Greg tonight. I really do hope that he can go on and win the Championship. As little as I like the GP System I would be very happy to see him triumph. :approve: GO GREG!!!!

Naughty. :nono:

Yes - I am currently watching it on Virgin - No problem. :)

Great Research Bob. :approve:

I believe there is now. THERE'D BETTER BE!!! :angry:

Cheers Tony. :)

Cheers Eddie. :)

IF memory serves me correctly I THINK John Louis (Ipswich) defended the Silver Helmet (successfully) at Sunderland against George Barclay sometime between 1971 and 1974. My pal (scarletrider) reckons that Dave Gatenby (Sunderland) challenged for the Silver Helmet at some stage too. Sorry tmc - that's the best I can do.

GROW UP!!! I'm not keen on Carter OR Penhall as Riders - but - your last statement is pathetic and childish. :angry: Who appointed YOU judge and jury???

Excellent reasoned reply IO. I suppose I am one of those folk who believe that Traditions are important. I was brought up that way. However change is OK as long as it is for the good of the Sport. I don't feel that the BSI/IMG deal is good for Speedway though. As you say, perhaps I am living in the Past. I do HONESTLY believe that Speedway in the Sixties and Seventies was a far superior product than it is today. For me, anyway, it meant more excitement, racejackets that meant something and not advertisements quite as prevelent on the Leathers as they are on the Kevlars today. The days when you could look at a Bike and know who rode it purely by the distinctive set ups are now gone. Nowadays they are all the same apart from the colours. Perhaps I am an old 'fuddy duddy', a reincarnation of Victor Meldrew, but I know what excites me at the Speedway. The Sport is STILL basically good - only - not as good as it used to be. That IS my opinion, I'm afraid, and I can't change that. To Quote: L.P. Hartley - from his book: The Go-Between. "The past is a foreign country, they do things differently there". Perhaps I belong there too.

Alan - I don't think British Speedway is in a position to insist on anything. The Grand Prix Series is now out of the hands of BSPA and other Motor Federations - it is SOLELY in the hands of BSI/IMG. They can appoint Riders, dish out Wild Cards, get their Track Consultant to produce slick Tracks, decide where the Races take place and rake in all the PROFITS. It seems to me that the BSPA and others just have to hold out their hands and take what is given them. When I said Speedway had sold it's soul - I meant it.

Thank you for your kind words. I don't think you are right however.....................

SO - it's all about ENTERTAINMENT and NOT fairness and a level playing field for aLL..... THAT makes us no better than the WWE - but - at least they are honest about it. I too would like to see the top QUALIFIED Riders in the World Chamionship - at present we are NOT getting that. WE SHOULD BE!!! Three questions :- What BENEFIT does Speedway get from the GP Series, having sold it's soul to BSI/IMG?? Does Speedway make any money out of the GP Series OR do the profits all go to BSI/IMG?? Why should BSI/IMG have ANY say in who is riding in the GPs?? They are no more qualified than you or I to decide who rides. In fact we are probably MORE qualified as at least we are Supporters of the Sport and NOT just in it for the money. We are a Sport, supposedly, we are NOT the WWE.