stratton

Great post and i will hold my hands up and say i was totally wrong about the GP Series and the younger generation taking over from Crump,Gollob,( ect).I look around we have Tai, others reaching there prime and classy sorts like the Pawlicki bros, Dudek,MJJ sniffing about.WIth myself maybe because the golden time was in my youth it all seemed like a bed of roses maybe it was because i enjoyed going so much.When i see Ward ride and say both the Pawlicki bros i enjoy watching as much now not so much the league racing but it is not all doom and gloom.

Spot on the likes of Bates, Greenwood,Ritchings, should be having extended runs at PL level should not be anywhere near the superbly named EL.!

Yes correct Oldace sometimes these riders only rode at certain tracks once a year i can remember the Robins beating Halifax 63-15 with Cartwright i think? the only rider to split a home partnership.Newport Somerton park ( only went once) a weird shape a massive home advantage (ie for the likes of Street,Trigg,Tebby (ect)

If it happens the draft system will be in shreads already, how hard is it to put a rule in place in black and white so everyone knows where they stand.?

Have to agree in my memory Halifax were often weak travellers away saying that they were always one of my favourite clubs a great track.I think alot of this was because it was slower the variation of tracks were superb and they're certainly was often home track advantage Exeter and Halifax spring to mind.

Great post great memories, Charlie Monk did he ever smile ? Jimmy Mac was a favourite of mine but as you said Paulco Lawson was a legend. The team often took a few battering,s away from home but Steve often carried the ship.

My main point really was the VOLUME of top riders in yesteryear, i think they're were more of them maybe it is a myth.Also i disagree about the second strings i believe in yesteryear they were better alot of them were usually very good home riders alot i know often had home advantage.An example i can remember like yesterday my favourite ever rider Malc Holloway scored 0 at Bradford on the Saturday yet 48 hrs later scored paid 15(paidmax) against the same team beating Carter three times.

Not better but to me they're just seemed more of them someone as an example John Davis ( didnt rate).For a few years when he was on his game he won the manpower got 9 or 10pt averages yet he probably was not in the top 30 riders at any given time the top class riders they're seemed to be a larger volume of them.

. A good post and i can identify with alot of what you have said.In the 90s like yourself i lost alot of interest i still went but i think as soon as Jason Crump started i got alot of my interest back.You are right about the tv coverage the no 1 riders then you might only see them ride once a year then which made it more enjoyable

As an occasion as an (example) Cardiff is not in the same league as Wembley the occasion and atmosphere was electric.Often some of the finals were average but what a day out a day you always remembered.Also in the GPs they're are say at least 8 riders who have zilch chance of winning the WC so is the level any better than the old one off finals? also is the series a closed shop.?

I don't think PC would agree with you.

Good points.

The Ward,s of this world i would agree Vince but my personal opinion is that the sport has got to quick now.The PL what i have seen of it i have enjoyed very much, but our domestic league now for me is not in the same league as the old BL.Every team in those days had an in/out no 1 often supported by 2 in and out heat leaders.As examples Ipswich Louis,Sanders,Davey Belle Vue Mauger,Sjosten,Collins.Now our watered down product of the EL is pretty average in comparison and another point that i think is important there is not the VARIATION of tracks now in the EL.All a bit of a muchness where then you had Sheffield,Exeter,Halifax,WhIte City,Hyde rd, Leicester,Hackney,all different tests.I do agree Vince that it still is a great spectacle when i went away having watched Leigh Adams everyweek you still get that tingle of something special and i have to say the GP series is a great product league racing is not as exciting for me but that is only my personnel opinion.

You are in total Cookoo land,i enjoy the racing still now but at times by about 9.30 i am ready to go home hold ups galore. Maybe we get say 5 good races out of 15 not saying they're was not a load of s.. years ago because they're was the old BL they're is no comparison with this Micky mouse EL now.

Good luck to Joe and the Tigers his enthusiasm could be infectuous i hope they have a good year.

Why stir the sh.. ? did you actually go then? how would you know? same old Witcher trying to get a reaction. People who went in those times i believe would have many happy memories i certainly have i still enjoy the racing now so i am not stuck in the past and i am sure GRW is exactly the same.

i was not a PC supporter i never have been i allways have admired him though top class Lee i was always a big supporter of massive supporter PC he has always been great value,Top class in my book great rider and a decent chap.!

You are correct about loopholes in the rules i don't agree with the reserve rule it has affected the likes of Birks/Auty but fingers crossed it works i hope so.

Great news to beat that lot is something to be proud of well done to PC,wouldn't it be nice to hear PC doing a bit of commentating again.

"Skidder1 this decision has to be the correct one surely for the lad,i was disappointed i was looking forward to Josh riding for the Robins.But common sense has prevailed Rosco acted great in my opinion and as you said surely we need to help and support young lads like him good luck to Josh this year with the TIGERS.

Ricko was never a favourite of mine , Sanders Sigalos and Davey were my favourite ever witches Ricko has to be the best i suppose.

Would not disagree Gorton i really rated Sigalos but for longevity Billy gets the vote.

Sometimes you have to be in the know have a bit of luck did Craig Cook try like mad to get fixed up? he has to double up.

Is Worrall also? it is still tough to get rides though.

Very hard to Pete, easier said than done in Poland and Sweden it very hard to get rides.