waiheke1

Very interesting. Agree also that you cant compare the stats from the GP era as the fields are stronger, and the semi-final/final format means top riders meet each other even more (up to 3 times a meeting).

Surely the only way a GP happens in the uk in 2020 behind closed doors. Cardiff clearly not financially viable in that case. Question is whether national stadium would be - whether sponsorship and broadcasting would cover the costs.

Does Garritty divide fans? Or do they all think he's a tosser?

What are your thoughts on Peter Collins who made himself unavailable for test matches for England in 85, and turned his back on British speedway for a year in 1981. Do you think he would have returned to British speedway in 82 if the premiere domestic speedway league was overseas? More or less selfish?

Have never seen such an upright technique as Scarisbrick displays in that race! Did he always ride like that? He had half a season for the Aces in 85 and i dont recall it standing out as unusual.

Surely this is a good thing as you get a refund? Wheras when the GP gets cancelled, if your flight was still valid you wouldn't?

Shouldn't it be "increasingly long"? And surely it will be a fact, not opinion, which is the wordiest? But at a quick glance, the Harold McNaughton thread?

On what grounds?

Not sure why tbh, the charges are a matter of public record. It's different to the Ward case in that that case had someone who's name was suppressed due to age. I think the thread was closed down due to personal insults after the forum bigot showed up...

Darcy only had the one conviction. It was only a very limited number of people who defended his actions. I see very little difference between how the two are being treated on here, with the exception of the absence of certain poole fans. Garritys offence imo is significantly more serious than that which Darcy was convicted of. One was stupidity, the other pre meditated and nasty.

Ward didn't steal the motorcycle. His conviction was for driving/riding under the influence, evading police and having the incorrect license. This was an offence punishable only by a fine. If Garrity is found not guilty, then i would agree he cannot be punished by speedway authorities, in the same way Darcy was not for the offences he was found not guilty of. If Garrity is found guilty, i would imagine there is no way he avoids jail time. On release however, i would assume he is free to continue his profession in the same way anyone else released from prison is. Though i would be very unhsppy to see him signed by my club.

This. And would add to it, those with young kids especially. We at least have a quarter acre garden they can play in, as well as having a range of beaches in easy walking distance. Certainly makes "lockdown" a whole lot easier.

Discussed on another thread. Drugs offences yes. I don't believe so for riders convicted of other crimes. (Not sure if the riders convicted of causing death by dangerous driving returned to the sport)

Is this Arne G? Have to say the rankings look intuitively in line with what you would expect, and seems methodology very similar to what I've used in the past. Good find!

Again, our experience so similar. My first away trip was Brandon in 81, from 82 I dont think we missed an Aces meeting at the Shay, and caught most of their meetings at Brandon. Didn't make Owlerton til 84, made the trek to Dudley Wood in 83 only for the meeting to be washed out...

1982. First full season watching. League champions, with a fellow kiwi, all time favourite rider Larry Ross riding at number 1. Mort and Pc in heat 13. A 16 year old andy Smith making his debut. Quality visiting riders who excelled around Hyde Rd, such as Carter, Gundersen, Penhall, S Moran. Good times!

That is madness!?!

You've answered your own question there. Bauer are massive, and the scale of their payments processed each week will, with no disrespect to Phil, dwarf what the Star will pull in. Interesting you mention Bauer, they are the ones who have pulled the plug on their NZ magazines with immediate effect.

And would add. If plan is to keep publishing while there is no speedway happening with presumably "years gone by" articles to compensate for lack of on track activity, will do my bit by taking out an online sub.

NZs largest -by some margin- magazine publisher (part of Bauer group) announced they are closing nz operations , as result of Covid19 and expected long term impacts on advertising revenues, beyond the obvious immediate short term drops. Will have massive flow on to broader print industry in nz. Hope you guys better placed to survive Phil.

One of the better races i've seen live

I agree. I remember the first time i saw Darcy live, he just seemed to see lines that other riders didn't and be seconds ahead in his vision. Of all the riders lost prematurely to the sport in my era watching, his was the one I was most gutted about being lost to speedway.

get on youtube and watch Ward. imo, the most exciting rider to watch of my era watching speedway (80s onwards)

My understanding is the rules at the time did not allow for awarding of a heat, so the inexplicable part was that Plech was awarded any points, not that PC was given the win?