waiheke1

I think most would agree with you Gavan which is a very rare occasion Is Lambert better than Vaculik or Holder? Not sure he is BUT he has more potential and would like to see him get the nod. A pofium finish in SEC would hrlp the argument

Yes he was 100%

Gardening is no worse now thsn the past. Starts are cleaner than ever, which id one reason why racing at the top level is better than ever. Not a single rider was ready to race at 0.00. So regardless of where thet were, all should have gone or none. When u take into account zmarzlik s actions, hard to see it as anything otger than polish conspiracy. Surprising Zmarzlik wasnt ready at tapes though if he knew that was coming

It wasn't the last lap either. As they came round to complete the first lap the start marshall had his flag out. You can see itbon youtube - first heat of the meeting.. Tbf it was nowhere near as bad as the woffy decision

Tbf that is standard practice. He disadvantaged himself, so presumably would have been on a warning if he got another ride. In that instance i tjink refs call was ok.

Seriously, of course they pay for dudek.. Awful gp, but how much rain was there in build up? Example of why its good meetings get called ofc easier these days? Terrible decision on woffy. Hard to see it as anything other than cheating. What was zmarzlick doing waving to ref well in advance of the last 20 seconds of count down. No rider was ready to race at 00.00. Hope he can hang on to the lead. Going to need to start making some gates. Zmarzlik also got lucky with the cook ef. Have to say i was hopoing cook would let Woffy past. A couple more performances like that from holder and maybe he will get a wildcard?

I think you are both actually aligned with the point r&R was making...

It used to be in the 1980s no refund at all once heat 6 had been completed. Tbh its probably similar in cricket- no refund even if you have an incredibly truncated match or days "play"

Mostly correct. Smudge made a handful of appearances for the aces end of 1982 once he turned 16. Everything else you say is spot on

His old man a slow burner? As a 17yo i recall him beating a peak mike lee. In his 2nd full season he was an england international. In his 3rd he was a meeting away from the world final, beat a world class field to win the peter craven memorial and was a genuine top flight hl while still a teenager. Yes injuries slowed his progress and he was 23(?) before he made his world final debut. But really he made an instant impact.

Because in football they get the linesmen to carry spare shirts in case a player comes out in the wrong kit...seriously, how hard is it for the manager to make sure each rider has the right helmet colour? End of the day it gave some light entertainment to the crowd.

This. Surely the test of the qualification system is does it allow for the best possible field, taking into account the need for some level of diversity of nationalities. Who is missing this year that would have added to the series and been capable of finishing top 10? Hampel? Don't think Madsen, Milik,Lambert, Drabik, Puk or Lindback would be ahead of Doyle in the standings. And tbh it's a long time since we have had a terrible wild card pick. You can argue about Holder, but he's just missed out on the podium the previous season. And he's riding better this year than Lebedevs, who a long eith Milik would have been the popular alternative. Maybe the only issue with the pick season is the "monster factor" - but imo this is more perception than fact. People saying Greg would only get a pick due to sponsorship are overlooking the guys record (and he's a long way from being my favourite rider)

Why would he cause a headache? If he finishes 9th or 10th he'll get a wild card. Because he deserves it by being better, imo, than alternative wildcard candidates.

Agree somethings would have to change. But the idea of a series to qualify means you are more likely to have stronger riders taking the qualifying spots (this season has not been an issue, not much quality difference between Nki kolodziej Lindback vs Madsen Hampel Lambert.)

Or is it more that you can't compare Madsen with Emil as a series drawcard?

Alternatively using top 3 in SEC as the qualifiers, rather than a one off challenge event

Surely not clear cut that Vaculik gets a pick ahead of Zagar?

Doyle and 9th place surely nailed on for wildcards. Then I would imagine a Dane, both Nicki and Madsen (if he wins the SEC) have decent claims, based on the comment from Phil would assume Nicki. Then after last night you'd say one of Lambert and Vaculik, and there you suspect Lamberts age, nationality and desire for a new face in the series likely to see him get the nod?

Western Springs to kick it off followed by one in Aussie. 10 European ones, 3 being in Poland (take your pick from the brilliant race tracks), Cardiff, NSS, Daugvapils, Prague, one each in Sweden and Denmark, leaving one more somewhere else...not Teranzano though nor Teterow, nor that track in Finland which hosted a couple...

Tbf it also proposes Oreti park for the season finale...And some people thought Norden didnt do the world final justice..And I speak as a proud kiwi who would love to see GPs bsck in NZ but...

RIP. True kiwi speedway legend and alltime great. One of the riders I wish I had been born early enough to see ride.

Greatest 10 I've seen: Mauger Collins Olsen Nielsen Gundersen Penhall T Rick Crump Hancock Woffy Entertainers: Collins Morton Andy Smith Moranx2 Ward Emil Carter Nicki P Gollob

Lambert 570 more

If it stays as is surely 9-11 get a wildcard. Bottom 3 drop out. And then between holder and Lambert, at a stretch Fric ke or Milik, for the final wc. I'd say Holder most likely, but wouldn't be surprised by Lambert. Like others I can see Laguta dropping out of top 8, but surely deserves a wildcard if it happens. Hampel, Drabik, baby Pawlicki all unlucky in that if they were not Polish they would be right in the mix for a wildcard.

Thanks R&R and good luck to those remaining