waiheke1

a while back I devised a ranking system, which rated riders on performances across World Championship qualifiers, World Final, British League, Internationals (all 22.5%) and BLRC (10%). For the years 1979-1989, the top three were: 1979: 1 Lee 2 Olsen 3 Mauger 1980 1 Jessup 2 Penhall 3 Lee 1918 1 Penhall 2 Carter 3 Knudsen 1982 1 Penhall 2 Carter 3Sigalos 1983 1 Nielsen 2 Gundersen 3 Lee 1984 1 Nielsen 2 Gundersen 3 King 1985 1 Gundersen 2 Nielsen 3 S Moran 1986 1 Nielsen 2 Gundersen 3 Jan o Pedersen 1987 1 Nielsen 2 Gundersen 3 Ermolenko 1988 1 Nielsen 2 Jan O Pedersen 3 Gundersen 1989 1 Nielsen 2 Gundersen 3 S Moran In terms of how that compares with who I think would have won GPS. 1979 – as per above 1980 – as per above, though possibly Lee to pip Penhall for 2nd 1981 – Penhall by a mile. Not certain that Carter would have been part of the 81 GPs, so I’ll plump for Jessup as runner-up (but for his two engine failures at wembley he would have finished 3rd in the rankings instead of 7th). 3rd spot could have gone to Knudsen or Gundersen(4th in rankings), but at best one of them would have been wildcarded in the series – so I’ll plump for Olsen to take 3rd, the last GP medal for the “old brigade” from the 70s 1982: As per above, assuming Siggy was given a wildcard, otherwise Hans to take 3rd. 1983: Per above, possibly Lee to finish ahead of Eric in 2nd 1984: I’ll go Erik ahead of Hans (his ranking was pulled down by his BL tape sexclusions), and Shawn Moran (4th) to finish in third 1985: Per above 1986: Per above, except I’d go Knudsen (4th) to take third ahead of Jan O 1987: Per above 1988: Hans to win, I’d say Erik to be 2nd ahead of Jan O 1989: Nielsen to win. Erik despite his injury may have had enough of a buffer to hold onto a medal spot especially with Shawn Moran’s FIM ban for failing an alcohol test ruling him out and Jan o and Sam both injured. I’ll go Tatum to pick up third spot.

Disagree, i'd rank him well ahead of all of those. 3rd in the world on debut at 19, three injury plagued years, 5th in 85 then could have been world champ in 86 if the ref had ruled differently. bombed out of quslifying in 87/88.I'd have him in the same category as carter and sigalos, though a touch below both of then.

Where are you finding all these british riders?

initially no, as in the early 80s he wasnt as good round hyde rd as gundersen carter penhall s moran. But he was world class 83 onwards and peaked around 86. So he never met penhall or lee when he was at his best. Put penhall lee gundersen and nielsen in a one off race at their peak and I would bsck any of the other s. Put them in a gp series and I would pick hans, possibly against any rider in history. In terms of "all time greatness" hans would undoubtedly rate above any other riders from the 80s in my view.

Agree, but he was unlucky in 86 as the decision could have gone either way. He also had a terrible run with injuries which hampered him. I think definite parallels with kenny carter, though I'd rate carter slightly higher.

Maybe they'll do what they did with shawn moran, let him ride the remaining meetings then strip him of his medal...

Off the top of my head, in world finals h2h gundersen beat nielsen 8-3, and finished ahead of him 5-3.

85 gundersen 86-91nielsen 92 jonsson 93-94 nielsen

Hans in 94. 90 you could mske arguments for hans, jan o, moran or jonsson. I reckon hans would have won a gp series both years.

Tbf, the naturally talented claim is probably correct.Its just that natural talent doesn't always equal success. Ivan mauger was far less naturally talented than the likes of collins lee morans etc, but achieved far more due to his professionalism. Tai reaped the rewards last year from changing to an ultra professional regime. Hancock is still racing at the top level at 45 due to his professional approach. Its also worth noting that all multi world champs have been very handy gaters. Id suggest that shows at least two aspects ward needs to improve to truly fulfil his potential. There is also arguably some argument that the most naturally gifted sportsmen seem to have a higher propensity to go off the rails - Maradona, best, gazza, botham, mike lee, kelly moran etc. Maybe because they don't need to work so hard or can get away - for a while- with a party lifestyle and still compete, maybe because their managers are more tolerant, maybe the blurred lines between genius and something less savoury?

Wasnt use of coke, weed and speed in common use by the yanks in the 80s ("allegedly"). I don't remember any of them faiking drugs tests though schwartz was fined for being caught with drugs at Heathrow and of course Shawn was stripped of his silver medal for fsiling a prior test (though that was for something a doctor had prescribed from memory). Ward is nore naturally talented, a better racer and team rider. He is the best rider in the world to watch. BUT you cant argue with results, and they say that both tai and greg are better than darcy, primarily due to their consistrncy and darcys comparatively poor gating.

Monster is an energy drink, not a sports drink (e.g. powerade). It makes no claims about hydration, and there are much better options (including water) for that purpose.

Hasn't he been found guilty, and is now effectively awaiting sentencing?

I like dudek, and hope he has a long and successful career, but no way should a suspended sentence be considered acceptable. Hecmay be telking the truth, but how many people admit to cheating when caught by a drugs test? Surely it has to be six, more likely 12, months minimum? Less than six would surely be a travesty and set an unwsnted precedent for people caught. Out of interest, did Shawn moran cop a ban for his infsmous failed test in 90?

Agree with your sentiments phil. In reality what is best case for dudek - 12 months? Still young enough to come back at the end of the ban and hopefully just a blip in his career.

Tbh, I could see a ban to the end of tge season, but him still getting a wildcard for next year. He would have missed out on possible medal this year, and thousands of pounds in lost earnings, which may be deemed sufficient penalty? An eight month ban like danno would effectively be the same, given absence of nz gp next year.

I doubt that was darcy s first drink in fifteen days, but similarly I can understand that its not news you would necessarily get over instantly. Would be interesting to know however whether this particular saturday night was any heavier than a typical ward saturday.

Tbf though he did also say that it doesnt excuse what darcy did. Yes he probably should have said nothing, but it's hardly "all the kids are doing it."

I think it's a pretty traumatic experience to go through tbf, and think it would be the response of more than a few young people. That doesn't make it the sensible response, and clearly not acceptable for anyone needing to work in a zero alcohol tolerance profession the next day. Compare with emils response to his father's death in winning a gp in his honour. Based on nicki pedersens comments though, it seems this is reasonably typical ward behaviour, with or without bad news. I think it's a bit rough to have a go at middlo on this occassion however.

Speedway star report indicates that darcys bad news is the separation of his parents. Also a reasonably lengthy quote from middlo in the star.

Ok lets try this. He's not the place a beautiful helen is from.

Thats fine then. Good to know that if I were to get pukked over fir drink driving, I could just say sorry occifer, only meant to have one, accidentally turned into seven or eight, should have hydrated better. Or sorry sweetheart, didnt mean to sleep wiyh your sister, one thing just kind of led to another but I didnt mean to shag her when I called round to her place at midnighr. Whst on earth are u upset about, there was no intent on my part...

So, ward was tested about 1pm? With equivalent of over a pint in his system. So assuming he stopped drinking at midnight, it would seem he'd consumed around six pints.Not a massive amount, but certainly enough to be at least slightly intoxicated, and certainly unacceptable and dangerous given his occupation and schedule the following day. Plenty of professions it would be fine to drink thst much and go to work the next day (so long as not driving to work), but dpeedway rider is not one of those. Obviously! It was a rhetorical question in response to the postings from Ray Stadia, who has clearly decided that, in the continued absence of Starman, the forum idiot quota needed filling.

I drink half a dozen beers. Two hours later I decide to drive. At the time I dtunk those beers I didnt intend to be over the limit two hours later but wasnt sure how fast my body would process the alcohol (and I forgot to hydrate). Should I be punished if I fsil a breath test? I was feeling fine to drive.

Disagree, given that is the final match of the "league" season. If it was a performance enhancing substance he had tested positive for id agree, or if there were sides he hadnt raced against twice, but as it is dont see how their opposition can feel disadvantaged?