waiheke1

i can't actually find any rule about an "unsatisfactory start" at all. Basically nothing that indicates the ref should be able to restart a race without excluding someone as primary cause of the stoppage. And unless a rider touches the tapes (or "wrongly prevents raising" of them) then nothing to say they should be excluded so long as they complied with the rule sup to the greenlight going on.

What about Shakespeare - he puns on "country matters" in Hamlet, which is a far more offensive word that the one Tai used. Should Hamlet be banned from schools? Pretty much all of the best programmes on TV contain profanity. The same goes for most modern novels, movies etc. Why is swearing more offesive in the context of an interview when someone is expressing support for a fiend who has sufferred a potentially life changing injury? the most blatant team riding i've seen was the run off in the 82 overseas final, where the two Collins brothers road to keep Shaun Moran behind them (ironically Moran was only in the run off because of the infamous Penhall antics earlier in the meeting). And of course you have the 82 inter continental final where Ole was waving frantically to Eric Gundersen to let Bo Petersen past (as the extra point meant Petersen got a run off for the reserve spot iirc).

Could you elaborate what your issue with the EU is on this issue? Are you saying you'd rather they don't step in to prevent geoblocking? You are right, gp s are now shown live in nz, though on Sky not Fox (fox doesn't screen in nz)

Riders have done other riders "favours" for a long long time. Far less I would say in GPS than in the old world finals

Ok Terry - can you quote a post where scb called Hancock a prick? You'll be aware I'm sure of the difference between looking like something and being something.

Nothing personal bp, I've said the same countless times this season. Just as on the Coventry thread I've said ditching robson would be a better move than replacing Hans.

Disagree. It's porsing you should have ditched, you could have easily replaced with someone who would average 8 as a second string. Replacing bjerre with someone who would average 7+ as a hl would be much more difficult

Tbf someone can be both a legend and a prick! That said, Hancock seems a genuinely nice guy (he hung out in nz with a mate of mine and his son who is a big fan, gave him a heap of clothes etc.) Regardless I don't think scb was saying he is a prick, just that he acts like one in front of the camera.

Yes it's an opinion. But its am opinion supported by facts, whereas the opposing view is supported by...? Of course it's still dangerous, speedway is inherently dangerous and always will be, which is not to say improvements can't or shouldn't be made. Just not convinced that speed is the main issue.

That was an unexpected, but most welcome surprise! Karma for the scheduling you have to say

Less fatalities does not mean it's safer? How about less riders ending up in wheelchairs? The autobahn is faster than nz motorways, but I'd argue it's also safer. Appreciate that speed is a factor, but bikes aren't hugely faster now, certainly not fast enough to offset advances in protective wear, airfences and medical care.

Did u even read, let alone understand the significance, of oldaces list? Did u even read, let alone understand the significance, of oldaces list?

I thought I recalled that was when he was coming back from a bad injury,but obviously mis remembered that one.Point remains there were a significant number of top riders having major injuries. In recent times there is Darcy, Rico and...? Guess you could say holder but his injuries weren't career/life threatening. Am I missing anyone?

You could add gundersen to that 2nd list oldace. Tommy Knudsen had a horrendous back injury that he was fortunate to recover from. Jan o pedersen, Dennis sigalos, Shawn Moran all top riders from that era who suffered career ending injuries.

I really don't think it's true that injuries are worse than ever. Darcy's is obviously horrific. But look at how many riders from the 80s suffered as bad or worse. What makes the injury situation seem worse is a combination of worldwide media, riders racing consecutive days in different countries, double uppers etc. the latter two meaning teams are more oftneneeding to replace riders. Yes safety needs to be a top priority. But its a dangerous sport and not sure there is an easy solution to avoiding crashes like Darcy's, gundersen s etc.

f@#%ing tw@t

As a general rule I agree, but this is a pretty special set of circumstances. The four letter word that stood out for me was "Love"- great that sportspeople are not afraid to express man-love. Is anyone actually offended by the f word these days. Most kids know it, and if not it would have washed right over them. My six year old told my 4 year old the other day " I've figured out what the f word is." Loud whisper "it's " fool!""

But hardly even if kl booked a guest for their missing number one before advising Leicester of the fixture date!?! Surely it was the referee who deemed the track unsafe? Or are you advocating riders racing on an unsafe track in order to get a result?

A good friend has had a potentially life changing accident, in that context surely the use of "industrial language" is trivial. I thought Brandon actually exarcebated the situation by mentioning it - he could have just left it to Pearson to do that.Agree re holder 100%.

Great meeting. Anyone know roughly how far through the coverage the holder interview is? Watched the meeting a couple of hours delayed and fast fwded between heats.

Doyle has plenty of years left, surely too soon to bring in youngsters instead of him? Batch likely to eventually be the one to make way?

Surprised noones lumped it all on Holder. After the week he's had hard to see him being fully focused for this. Alternatively he might score 21 and dedicate it to Darcy

Agree with those.Wild cards then to Emil, hampel, jonsson and vaculik? Would prefer g laguta to either of those last two but can't see it happening. If Emil turns it down again, who gets the extra spot? Mjj or another pole would be the most deserving, but would bsi wildcard to a 4th Dane/pole? Might they give one to Harris/Lambert? Wonder if Darcy's injury will make Emil realise how fragile a speedway career can be, and if u turn down the chance to be world champ now the opportunity may not be there later.

Pilots, air traffic control, truck drivers.. Plenty of professions where there are strict rules around how many hours a week someone can work. That said it would be hard to argue that even 5 two hour speedway meetings a week is excessive.

i went to the 83 BLRC, but actually nothing really stands out in the memory. I remember 81 and 82 for Carter being untouchable, 84 for Mort's run off win, 85 for PC contiuning his superb BLRC record, 86 for Nielsen capping perhaps his best ever season wit his first BLRC crown - but 83 doesn't stand out. 83 overseas final my memory is two of the pre-meeting faourites (and two of my favourite riders) S Moran and PC missing out on a spot in the next round. Larry being in a great position at the interval for a rostrum spot, but then missing out. Surprises in Phil Collins and Shirra making the podium. Pretty wet conditions as I recall, though not as bad as the 85 test match vs USA. It's a shame there is not more footage from Hyde Rd full stop, certainly wish the 80s BLRC/overseas finals were fully covered, and more of the Aces meetings too.