waiheke1

You still haven't confirmed what misdeeds Tai has performed that make you compare him so unfavourably to a "dignified" world champ like Havvy or Lee?

Because Shovvys post was funny?

Smoli 10 more Huckenbeck 10 more Lindback 20 more Lindgren 20 more Emil 60 more Janowski 20 less

Not sure why people think squads are a good thing, for clubs or riders.

But surely not all clubs in Britain can run one of those two nights so some would close. Whereas two leagues with 2 nights CL 5 nights PL all clubs should be able to run and riders get more meetings. Someone like worrall I'm sure would rather have 20 guaranteed domestic fixtures than better availability for possible Polish fixtures.

Isn't it BS that Batch got a ban? Surely he only got sacked?

Gavan have you got a link regarding Batchelors ban? I can't find anything about it?

Wolves will of course pick home leg first, as of course their rivals are unlikely to survive the trip to the horror track with a full complement of fit riders...

Nice work. Have to say, that looks awful as a top flight. Can only see crowds dropping significantly. Racing quality to deteriorate due to gap between top and bottom riders. Surely fixed race nights, with doubling up allowed for Brits is the way to go? If top riders come back great, but the main driver is to eliminate domestic fixture clashes and minimise fixture clashes caused by overseas meetings. While still maintaining a top flight of sufficient quality to maintain crowd levels and allow promising Brits to develop.

Seriously? I thought one of the few positive changes this year was restriction on these. Open up a few for all it will be a shambles

Would u consider Mike lee a dignified world champion?Both he and Havvy had bans as riders for drug use. Lees subsequent issues are well documented. Would be interesting to note what you believe Tai has done that compares him unfavourably with those two riders? Even Peter Collins took some time out of racing in the U.K. , and also refused to ride for the England team in 85 (although apparently wanted to ride in the pairs).

I take it you didn't look into it when being accused of being a xenophobe or islamaphobe?

Was he really saying that. Because dudek isnt Australian either?But you are right, why would we want the best rider in the world riding here if he is occasionally going to express opinions rather than only generic platitudes.

I assume therefore you are not an Olsen fan? If PC was to win 3 years in a row (76-78), I presume maugers 10 must be 68-75 plus 79. Struggling to see that he would have won it 67 or 80, but you obviously think he would have done and Olsen never won a title. Not sure many would agree. Not sure you can legitimately say Jessie was robbed of world titles. An ef first time out before rattling off wins in 78 meant he never really had the pressure on him. 81 penhall would have won regardless of ef. Jessup probably would have been world champ in 80 in a gp system. I'd agree Tai isn't as natural a talent as PC or Lee, but that doesn't mean he shouldn't rank above them. Personally I'd say winning a gp series is a better indication of being the best rider in the world than winning the old world final. PC I would agree was best rider in the world in 76 and 77 and Lee maybe in 79.

As Bwitcher says , probably 99% prefer the TS to the double points ride. I certainly do. The only issue is if people start trying to say the old rule was "fairer" when blatantly in most circumstances it was far more advantageous to the trailing team than the new rule That said I recall someone doing the stats, and the old rule didn't change the meeting outcome significantly more than the new rule (as measured by team using it picking up a draw or win).

So will next weeks headline be Pawlicki Goes Down? Easily and/or Often?

Did people think it ridiculous that a cricket player might play for an English club side, an English county side an IPL side and a big bash Australian side? And surely emerge commentator doesn't need to mention which other side someone rides for -it's when they are missing it may need to be commented.

The simple answer is fixed race nights. Two for top flight, the other 5 for PL. Someone with more than two brain cells to do the fixture planning to avoid clashes with international events. Remove use of guests for reserves, instead mandate cover provided by an "affiliated" NL side. That should remove a lot of the problems. I think fans are ok with guests as I just cover for genuinely injured number 1s (there simply isn't a viable alternative) I find it really interesting the outcry about Poland restricting riders ability to ride on multiple leagues, yet so many on here advocating restricting British riders ability to participate in multiple uk leagues. I would limit doubling up to Brits, or alternatively allow a max 1 or 2 seasons for foreign riders.

Assuming Andy smith was the 16 year old, then it was a year prior to gunserssn being world champ (or otherwise he had turned 17)Also remember him beating Lee from the back as a 17 year old reserve, though that didn't involve Lee being on a TS ride.

U really think that crash last year was Doyle's fault?And which kiwis are fleecing speedway? I assume you mean Briggo but who else?

I wonder if Janowski converted to Islam and Dudek came out which of the three he would least dislike winning...

Seems to happen a bit, recall KL. forgetting MPT was riding in Denmark a week or so ago

what point limit are U assuming?!?!

I think most would agree with that, however he didn't fulfil his potential, and therefore I also think most would not have him as one of the top 3 Brits of all time.

I bet they were rocked if that's what he told them, most Danes are quite capable of constructing a sentence in English!