waiheke1

looks great value, and with the track sorted, should be an excellent couple of day speedway, hopefully with a good effort from the British boys in the final, and the Russians making a full strength appearance - to see Emil in full flight around the new BV would be an excellent sight. Sadly too far for me to make the trip, and no business trips scheduled for June anywhere near the UK, but looking forward to watching online.

I would have supported the morans over say Carter in a world final, and they didn't even ride (at that time) for my favorite team! You can't compare speedway with football, as speedway is both a team and individual event. As a dual narionality fan, in the 80s I would always cheer Larry Ross first, then mort/smith/pc, then the morans, then typically other aces riders, then other kiwis and brits. Today in the gp i support tai, then zagar and bomber. If emil was in the series I'd support him ahead of all bar tai. Plenty of brits who would support someone other than Hamilton in grand prix? Surely it's all personal preference,can't believe gavan is getting so wound up on this.

No you are right steve. I think this list didn't take that into account

He will be officially 15th in the world. I agree that doesn't make him 15th best rider in the world. From memory last year he placed top 40 on my rankings, which I think is about right. Still no disgrace in that.

Harris has never truly been world class. He's a good international quality rider, who has never been likely to challenge for top 3 over a season. If he can average 5 pts a go that is a good effort, as it means he beats a world class rider (I would argue all the others in this year's field are world class or close to it) one in three times, which is a solid ratio. Therefore I don't see how finishing bottom in anyway undermines his reputation. If anything it confirms what has been the case throughout his career, his gating and equipment are not good enough at world champ level and he is a little too "nice" on the track. So why not just enjoy whatever success he does manage to achieve - I think most expected him to finish 15th this year, so to me the odd semi final would be a bonus.

Lambert Kurtz and przedpelski for the wc? Though will they want a swede in the line up? Or piecszek ahead of prez, as he would surely have qualified but for a 2cmin exclusion

Ffs there were rumors of holder average fixing last year too. Far more likely it's a combination of the heat format and not having his best bikes over here. What's the betting that now he is at second string he'll miraculously be "back in form" and banging in good scores?

If king was given a wildcard, then surely bomber should have been elegible for one. Tai and Bomber should both have been seeded through to the British final. But if harris was told he had to ride, that's another example of failing to support Britain's own riders.

Wolves are on form at the moment, fancy them to win by 4.

People complaining about this meeting being decided by reserves are off the mark. Edr swindon outscored kl online 9-6. Sedelgeman scored a six ride max yes, but only two of those were "protected" heats. He rode 3 heats that included 2nd strings, and one heat as a heat leader. So gad he been riding as second string it's likely he would have returned 9 or 10 points, Wright would likely have scored at least 7 as reserve, so we are talking maybe 3 pts difference. Swindon team riding well, but still think they are a hl short when it comes to the business end of the season.

You don't think bring on 6 pts after 2 rides instead of 3 would have made any difference to performance in subsequent heats?!?

It would be ridiculous for a sportsman to give up their place in a world championship just because they started the season badly! Let's face it, looking at this season's field Harris was online ever likely to finish 14th-16th. But there is no disgrace in being 15th in the world at something!

Being posted out before Christmas.

Deleted duplicate post

I think they are decent choices of wildcard. Castagna was probably always on the cards with it being in Italy, and I'm sure the other riders are happy enough with that choice. Lambert as you say was desperately unlucky not to qualify, is one of the sports best young talents, and there are no other brits in the 32 - so a good choice IMHO.

Hampel, Emil or aj/lindback if not top 8 would seem logical wildcards, and all would have a great shot of top 8.Of those currently in the qualifiers, hard to look past kk Freddie and zmazlick, but it's a long season and the challenge some way off.

Let's put some jumps on the track as well, that should make the starts less important... Next thread - why test cricket should be played on artificial pitches...

Top 7: kk, Lindgren, Anderson, Laguta, mjj, pawlicki, smoli?

Let's not reopen the debate about you not attending on the grounds of an unfair rule, which is fairer than the rules that were in place for the majority of your years watching speedway....

I was one of those who PMed you to say you'd be missed from the forum - although I generally disagree with your POV, one of the good things about this forum is seeing different perspectives. However, since you've come back you seem to have posted very little in the way of constructive opinion, and instead seem to be getting involved in petty bickering. Have to disagree Sid. People seem to be arguing that Orion and BWitcher are a little "clique", but fact is they often disagree with each other. It's quite possible to have a reasonable debate with them, but if you present an opinion that isn't supported by facts, they will call you on it. They may occasionally have slightly confrontational debating styles (though yet to see them call anyone out for a fight at Blunsdon ), but both will admit if they are proven wrong in my experience.

The statement is in the context of them having more disposable income than under 25s. Point out where he said that pensioners bought there houses easily - all he's said is that it was easier then than now, and that is a fact. Soem may need to run a car - but generally you only need to run a car to get to work. Otherwise you are using it for recreational purposes and its a "luxury". Obviously some, those perhaps with medical problens or licing in remote areas without public transport, may have a need for a vehicle, but it's fair to say that the bulk don't "need"one, especiallyl given that they get free public transport. It's not a dig at pensioners on his part, simply pointing out that they have (on average) more disposable income than under 25s, and therefore they shouldn't be any more entitled to discounts than under 25s.

Can u explain which part of scbs post is sad,bitter or factually incorrect?

Vincent has explained about 3 times that the main issue is the difference in grip between the concrete and the rest of the track? I'm not sure how your post addresses this?

It made me laugh at least

So many of the old brigade lament what has changed in speedway as the cause if the decline. Whereas in reality it is the failure to change - to effectively use the media, to modernise facilities , to provide modern between heats entertainment, to appreciate that a modern audience don't want to spend 2 and a half hours watching an event that should Take 90 minute etc.