waiheke1

Well yes. But your statement was they kept their averagea down to remain as Draft riders. But clearly no riders were forced to move up from the Draft, regardless of how well they did in El or Pl?

Given that no Draft riders have been forced to move up, despite a number averaging more than many heat leaders, I struggle to see on what basis you would suggest this?

Tbh probably a similar success rate to when a similar scheme was tried in 86. I'd say you have to look to a ten year period to guage success, never going to get instant results when you are essentially just promoting an existing talent pool.

I'd imagine not enough to make much profit after bringing bikes back to the UK twice...

If woryna is number 8 he cannot ride for bates or sargeant!?!

Pc was offered to be seeded direct to the ic final in 77 rather than racing in the British final, and he accepted.Rare example of a sensible decision from the powers that be. Not like 84 where England had too potential world champs, one (lee) given a ludicrous ban by the governing body and the other (carter) forced to ride the British semi final with a recently broken leg rather than being seeded. You'd like to think the bspa this year would have offered woffy one of the two seed slots, but after last year's failure to offer one to robert lambert I'm certainly not convinced they are that sensible...

Yep you are right Rob. My mistake. Point still remains for Collins and Mauger though

Of course. Pushing it to call he and dj "greats" though both obviously excellent riders. And the you could say the same about sanders and boocock. All in that category of very good riders, but not quite good enough to be world champ (to be fair Jessup could have been with a bit of luck, or under a go system in 80).

Peter Collins skipped the 77 British final. Riders like mauger, Olsen, Jan Anderson, per jonsson, Bruce pen hall happily skipped their national champs back in the day. Just saying. ..

I'm struggling with who the "great" John is. Assuming it's Davis he'd hardly rank as one of the greats of the 70s or 80s let alone all time. He wouldn't rank in the top 10 brits even in either decade.

Any reason given?

Not quite true. NEVER underestimate Starman

Mr Horton charges pensioners more than regular adults?

The only logical reason would be if there are penalty clauses enforceable on sub-cons if track is not ready by "x" date and therefore by officially cancelling at this stage they would be voiding such claims? Agree the whole thing could barely have been handled any worse. Absolutely gutting on so many levels.

If you need to ask, you clearly have not met starman.

He will be in the team proper when the first set of new averages get released, don't see what the issue is? Much more sensible than the garrity approach imhi.

Ah. Updates have it wrong.

The points he and buzz score riding in the wrong positions should be deducted from poole's score...

Tbh in only ever saw him ride the big tracks. Hyde Rd, where he was always competitive, the shay when he moved to Halifax, then odsal where he obviously excelled.

Far far more than this reply suggests. Believe it or not, this was one of his more lucid postings!

Evitts I think was more an underachiever than Cox. I rated him from his Birmingham days, and the start of the 86 season he was arguably one of the top half dozen riders in the world on form. It was his second ride victory that through the world title open, but 86 was really the peak of his career. I know he had injury issues, but he achieved far less than contemporaries such as Tatum and Doncaster, who he was arguably as talented as.

Pretty sure Steve meant no chance of walking without new medical advances such as the one referred to in his op.

Refer star lady's post

What did kelvin Tatum ride in before appearing for Wimbledon in the bl? Certainly not nl.

Tbf I think those are the only two seasons in the 80s where Sam emerges ahead of Shaun. But clearly ermolenko was the better rider from 91 on, and the fact is his record is clearly superior overall. Basing it in the 80s alone I think u can call it either way, though based on my rankings over best 3 or 5 season in the decade pretty certain Shaun would emerge on top. Homeward bound now from Rio (what an incredible city!) so hopefully can get the rest of the decade finished off in the next week.