waiheke1

If you were a promoter, would you really want to admit the vitriol spewing Robert72 on the grounds he rode a handful of fixtures 20 years ago? I see tmcs very well articulated argument, but are 99% of ex riders really unable to afford to attend? Why are they so less able to afford it than your average member of the population. Personally I still think it should be down to individual promoters, but would agree that if someone like Peter Collins was made to pay to attend the nss then it is a travesty.

For the nz gp I believe grandstand was equivalent of about 50 quid compared to about 25 for general admission. Not sure you can use eastern European countries as a valid comparison given average wages in those countries.

In my era (80s) I'd go Carter gundersen Morton. Nielsen probably in there somewhere, but wouldn't consider him a Hyde Rd specialist, just awesome everywhere once he hit his peak! Gundersen won two blrc, was in a run off for another, equal track record holder, and was generally dominant there in the league. Maybe not top 6 ever, but cetaonly close - I'm guessing other aces fans may debate whether he or Carter was the best visiting rider in the 80s.

Post corrected due to auto correct and fat finger issues.

Agreed. And a 3 test series against aussie including one at the nss (others at poole and one other track?)would help sort the swc squad as well. You have to think it could be financially viable, and both teams have UK based squads, the issue would be scheduling. I doubt tai would be available, but possibly for one at the nss to give him a meeting before the swc.

It's a world final, you expect to pay a premium for premium seats. Pricing seems well thought out on terms of maximising revenues and ensuring good crowds with affordable options as well. Not to say in don't sympathies with Danny Smith. But 70 quid for premium seats compares pretty well with other sports world final events.

Along with the other pc, Olsen and Carter? Or Mauger? Gundersen? Parker or fundin?

Thoughts on tai saying who he thinks should be on twitter? Personally I think telling roscoe in private one thing, but as captain surely he shouldn't be publicly doing this? His team is essentially aligned with what many on here have suggested: Tai cook lambert and king/s worrall with bates/Ellis at reserve.

Average age of that team would be 25 which is not particularly young. The world team cup winning side of 77 was a year younger on average, I suspect other years younger still.

My mistake on fricke. He's missed 2 out of 3 aces home meetings, but in fact neither was due to injury. I'll still go lambert to win the kl meeting, from fricke and prez.

Not quite the same. Harris is out performing all other brits in the El.

Puzzled by the last bit of your statement Colin. Surely TV now is better than ever. Series like The Wire, True Detective, Luther etc. are,Imo, far far better than anything made in the past. Yes there is dross if u watch reality TV, but the hood quality stuff is better than anything historically. Maybe there's an argument you could say the same about the raving in gps vs the old world champs?

Thing is by the 2nd half of the season most riders will have ridden in 2 or 3 different positions and so averages should start to show a level of normalcy. It's the start of the season where averages are all over the place, especially with edr not having a "rolling" component from prior years.

Agreed re lambert I think he showed he needs to be in the four. The rule is ludicrous though. I still think Harris is in the mix for a spot, wouldn't have him in myself but can understand why Rosco might. The u21 champ who likes big tracks? I know it was wet but bates scored only 1 in a much weaker field than will he in the swc final. That said he or Ellis would be doing exceptionally well to pick up a point if called on so I don't think it will be a factor in gbs performance either way.

As did Peter Collins.

THE RESERVE MUST BE U21 AND CAN ONLY RIDE IN CASE OF INJURY TO ONE OF THE FOUR SELECTED RIDERS Personally I think tai cook and lambert are certainties. Ellis at reserve. Then one of Nicholls Harris king or s worrall,probably in that order for me. I wouldnt totally write harris off tjough. Yes Harris has been poor round belle Vue, BUT the track SHOULD suit him and he has rarely let gb down. And he is top brit in the El averages. Maybe woffy should lend him a bike for the swc. THE RESERVE MUST BE U21 AND CAN ONLY RIDE IN CASE OF INJURY TO ONE OF THE FOUR SELECTED RIDERS Personally I think tai cook and lambert are certainties. Ellis at reserve. Then one of Nicholls Harris king or s worrall,probably in that order for me. I wouldnt totally write harris off tjough. Yes Harris has been poor round belle Vue, BUT the track SHOULD suit him and he has rarely let gb down. And he is top brit in the El averages. Maybe woffy should lend him a bike for the swc.

In what way was norbolds answer wrong KKS?

Light years behind who? Bates? He's clearly talking about the u21 reserve spot for Ellis. Has been covered about 4 times already. Must be u21 and can only replace an injured rider.

Fair enough. Sounds like it's worth me ordering the dvd. Real shame It's not a viable commute to home meetings as track sounds incredible...

The only videos I can see on there Phil link back to speedwaygb website, which just has a comment about the brit final?

I thought he missed an Aces meeting with injury recently? Assuming fit I would say 2nd favorite behind lambert for this I'm one, then the poles and kulakow.

Anyone know if this will be streamed for those of us not in the UK?

Tbh that's pretty standard for a modern stadium I would have thought? Most events you can't move freely between stands.

Obviously initial picks are initial picks, hence I didn't change my original post.Was more an update on where I saw things with a quarter of the series gone. The Danes the big disappointments so far.

After 4 rounds I'd revise my list to: 1 tai 2 greg 3 holder 4 magic 5 zmarzlick 6 Pedersen 7 zagar 8 puk 9 Doyle 10 lindback 11 killer 12 pawlicki 13 aj 14 Lindgren 15 hampel 16 harris You also predicted Harris yo be knocking on the door of top 8!Lindback on last year's form was a good shout for top 8 and gas started well (as he did a few seasons back, recall he was impressive in the first nz gp). Will the possible police charges impact on his season though?