The White Knight

You only need ask Dave Jessop- about that. Yes - the Sport IS getting more publicity - but - at what cost??? The beauty of the 'Old' World Final was the element of chance. How many times, with the advent of the GP's. have we seen the whole thing over BEFORE the FINAL Grand Prix has been run. I don't care if it does show the most consistant Rider as World Champion. What about when Mark Loram won the World Championship - he NEVER actually won a GP that year. How anti-climactic is that??? I am, I might add a big Fan of Mark and rejoiced when he won. Was it right though? - I think not.

I only have to mention a couple of names - Jack Young as a Second Division Rider and Jerzy Sczakiel. Certainly in Sczakiel's case - he wasn't fancied at all. Nowadays - neither Rider would get in. SO - how is that fair?

So - you are more or less admitting that Speedway is no longer a SPORT - but is actually a business enterprise. I know that I am old fashioned but I really did love it when Sport was played on a level playing field - and EVERYONE had a chance. Money corrupts MOST things - certainly has in Speedway. Sold our soul to BSI/IMG - whoever they are? Nobody 'FIXED' it for Peter Craven, Ivan Mauger, Peter Collins or Ole Olsen to be in the World Final they either QUALIFIED or....................................they didn't.

You reckon??? B****y Hell!!! - I give up. :rolleyes:

Who knows spook? Nobody else gets a chance. There is always the possibility of a real surprise from one of the lesser lights. I will trot out my favourite mantra again - Jack Young who won the World Championship as a Second Division Rider would have NO CHANCE nowadays. How can you justify that?

IF that is the case then the Speedway World Championship is DEAD!!! Putting Riders in because of Financial implications, whilst more worthy Riders are left out would make a MOCKERY of the whole Sport of Speedway. Since when did BSI/SKY decide who is to be World Champion this is supposed to be a SPORT - that means the Championship SHOULD be won on ABILITY - NOT - CHARITY or FINANCIAL INTEREST!!! :mad:

I too like 'Bomber' but I think he needs to improve his Gating and his Equipment if he wants to move forward. At present I don't think he is good enough. Regarding the point about age in the above Post - may I, respectfully, point out though, that Tomas Gollob our current World Champion is over 40 years of age.

Not making excuses IO - it just reads that way to me. Sorry - didn't mean to offend.

I think BFD's Post was meant in fun IO. :)

I must admit to thinking that at present Kennett would be out of his depth. The only possibility is Woofinden - has he done enough this year to deserve a 'pick' - I don't think so. I believe it will be 'Bomber' or nobody. The unpalatable truth is that we have, on the face of it - and under this System, nobody good enough. :sad: R.I.P. British Speedway.

Which is why things were better in the old days when Riders actually QUALIFIED for the World Final. If you ask me IMG has far too much say in Speedway. Never mind - it will be great to go to Cardiff etc. next year with no British Rider in the Series.....................................................won't it???? Selection ALWAYS creates a problem. If you QUALIFY you qualify and that is the end of it.

Fair comment brandonbee48. Like IO I was puzzled at first but realised the situation when I saw the Avatar.

I thought that this was the most boring Grand Prix I have seen in a long time, very poor. The only saving grace for me was Greg Hancock who improved his position on the road to the Title - and after a dreadful start too. I hope that 'Herbie' can win it again - on his displays so far, he certainly deserves to. :approve:

Who is???

There IS a certain Logic in this proposal. I am not sure I agree with it though. The idea of a Home Team being 'rewarded' for losing seems a bit odd to me. I can, though, see where Barrow Boy is coming from.

Cheers SH.

I've just read the Two Articles by Malcolm Simmons in this, the current Issue. I enjoyed them immensely - not least because of the sound COMMON SENSE that Malcolm writes. Having got his Book and read it I have come to realise that Malcolm believes in telling things as they are and NOT how we would, necessarily, like things to be. Keep up the good work Malcolm.

Actually - I like that idea. It might encourage Team Riding too, in itself a good thing.

Wasn't Phil Crump in that 'Bulldogs' Team - or - is my 'forgetory' playing tricks on me.

SPOT ON!!! :approve: Glad you arrived home safely Dave.

...........................and there's the rub - DITCH IT!!! Oh!! Did I mention - it's UNFAIR too if one Team is not allowed to use the It's A Knockout 'Joker' (by not falling far enough behind) If ALL Teams can use it - they negate each other - so why have it??? - DITCH IT!!!

You mean as happened to Australia last year. :angry: The Joker cost them the SWC. GET RID OF IT !!!!

Great or not great - Gollob last night INSPIRED his Team to victory. Both he AND Marek Cieslak (sic) the Polish Manager were a class apart. I do hope that nobody says that the Poles were cheating. I haven't heard or seen anything. I would suggest that IF anyone has said that - then sour grapes seem to be the order of the day. BEST Team won!!!!!

I thoroughly enjoyed the SWC Final tonight on the Television. All Riders were committed, the Racing was fantastic and the last Heat - WOW!!! I think, that for me too, it was the BEST Televised Meeting I have ever seen. As most on here know - I HATE the so called 'Joker' with a passion (and I still do). At least the Aussies got to use it this time for a FAIR Result. I thought they may not get the chance at it and lose as they did last year - because of it. No complaints from me this time, all used the Joker, Poland are the best Team and deserved Winners. I thought Crumpy was magnanimous in defeat - a true Sportsman. NICE TO SEE!!! :approve:

P****d Off!!!