Racer X

Indeed thanks from me too Anders. That was a great summary of the current Swedish sides - I must admit I was confused to see Jonas lining up suddenly for Rospigarrna... All is now clear. Thank you for this.

I'm a little confused here - do you think the racing was better or the standard of riders? If it's the strength of the league that's a little myth that doesn't seem to be bearing out despite a few naturalised fans over here saying it is. I recently watched six Swedish meetings on the web and I can't say that the strength of their league is appreciably stronger than the EL either! Trick is doing better in Poland that he was in the the so-o-o-o weak EL... Burza scored 12+3 yet is only averaging 8.00 in the PL!!!! Ales Dryml scored 7+1 - I wonder whether he would in the EL, perhaps we'll see soon. Miedzinski scored 7 - that's far more than he's managed for Swindon lately. Of course Trick and Gollob are an awesome spearhead but, overall, the league doesn't look that much stronger to me, despite those with a drum to bang on here insisting that it is. Just my two pennies....

Two for me - I had Hancock and AJ each way - at one point I was working out how much dosh was coming my way!

Awful awful GP. Eurovision was miles better - it's the arockalypse! Classic. Never though I'd see this!

I'm glad I'm not the only one bamboozled by the Swedish averages! All I can think of is that they have better statisticians in Sweden than the UK. Here the authorities were unable to get standard averages issued last year within a week of qualifying! Just think what it would be like if they had to work out: I don't really understand why on earth a 2 min exclusion should ever count towards an average even if the rider isn't replaced. He hasn't had a ride or even lined up at the tapes - it seems crazy this should affect his average. Whether he is replaced by a reserve of not is surely academic? This seems bizarre.

The Swedes operate some sort of rolling average that I have never quite determined. I think Kevin Meynell may be able to explain - it may be on his FAQs? After yesterday's meeting Janusz's average in Polish / GB terms is 10.57. (Janusz has an exclusion for 2 minutes although I can't quite fathom whether the Swedes actually count that as a ride)

I see Trick continues to disrespect the league then Sube? What on earth happened to Janusz He looked out of sorts in his one reserve ride in the GP yesterday... Don't tell me he's ill.....

I don't see whay that should just apply to Tarnow - Miskowiak had just one ride - a last - surely that won't sit too well... Although Rempala would be rated that bit better I would concede. I cannot see that this no 8 system isn't going to be expensive and non productive for Poland.

Many thanks to those responsible for giving us speedway starved Brits something of interest! It Is much appreciated I can tell you. Does anyone know how points are scored in these Aussie meetings?

I'm not sure how one good year equates to having a 10.45 average last season and a 10.40 this season - that's two seasons in my book. He also made a fair impression in the Slovenian GP last season as well as having a marginally higher average. He has to prove himself in a big way this year and if anyone is up to it that Matej is... Having said that I would agree with the selection process you outline Mr Melchit - it is the best solution suggested so far in my opinion.

Isn't your suggestion going to make things worse? There would be controversy in the 16 nominees - what about the example of a rider coming back from injury who had yet to establish an average? Look at the meeting where Chrzanowski qualified http://world.speedway.org/2004/wc/i/q/f.sdf He did it on merit and I don't see how this would be different in the scheme you suggest. Ironically he beat a certain Hans Andersen in the semis! One off meetings have a habit of throwing up the odd strange qualifier, and should BSI bring in qualification again - I bet we have just as much controversy from that as the current system. But ther will be (potentially) more meetings staged that will interfere with EL racing - possibly around the time of play offs - is that what you want? Matej Zagar can't beat top riders? How do you explain his showing the Slovenian GP? Don't give me home advantage either - it counts for so little in the GP series, and Krsko is hardly a trick track anyway...

An off night in a qualifying round could feasibly deprive the GPs of a Crump, Rickardsson or Pedersen - would anyone really want that? The qualifying rounds staged in the past have also thrown up some strange names (stranger than Protasiewicz I would argue!)- what a stink there would have been last year if BSI had nominated Tomasz Chrzanowski - so these sort of round are not some sort of magical panacea people seem to think they are. Also I see folks are noe suggesting some sort of GP challenge meeting be held in September - so the most important meeting of the year around the time of the play offs? Think on there, I would suggest.....although I would think this is favourite to return but it could have serious implications for the EL... The selection process in not ideal but a knock out / qualification method also has its drawbacks and should not apply to the top 8 or so riders in the competition in my view.

Hans Andersen is a strange case - he has consistently underperformed at GP level but look at his average - he's above B Pedersen, Hancock, Jonsson, Richardson, Sully etc etc and almost two points above Iversen. Why is he beaten by opponents at GP level that he would beat in EL meetings I wonder? I notice he is saying on the BSPA site that he has performed consistently well in all leagues - and I would agree. At least Zagar has proven he is capable of some good scoring and in one GP finished higher than Hans did, although he struggled a bit in Italy (but wasn't the only one - Pedersen and Gollob also did). I fear it may be too much too soon for Zagar and that a year of improvement in Sweden coupled with his first season of EL would give him a sound base to ride from next year. But I'm pleased he'll get a crack nonetheless Iversen's selection baffle me - surely the Danes would pick Andersen before Iversen? The GP they both rode in Andersen scored 8 points to Iversen's 7. Maybe they think Iversen will spice things up more than Andersen? Its selections like this that won't do the GPs any good because people cannot understand the reasoning. Protasiewicz did pretty well in the GP he was selected for (11 pts in Poland) but the 22 riders with a better EL average than him may find his selction even more confusing than Iversen's! Andersen at 25 is bit early to write off as never going to win the GPs - and the selection of Protasiewicz can't even by justified on age as he's 30. Very strange.

I think the point with Andy is that he is effectively a Pole. If he rides in the same team as another "foreigner" I guess his Polish license classifies him as a "Pole". He could get a British license but that would mean he would no longer be a "Pole" for the purposes of the Polish league and his usefulness would be considerably diminished. (Am I making sense here) What this boils down to is yet another very sticky situation for A Smith...

Some further info is that he's appearing for Newport in place of Craig Watson for the rest of the season He rode for Slangerup in 1999 - 6 away meetings for 3.80. He rode in a few U-21 tests scoring modestly. His 1999 results were pretty good for a youngster. His 2005 scores make him look a decent prospect.

For the uninitiated (ie me!) can you say what shape the track is and what UK track (if any) it is most like???

Brock Gates - what a great name for a speedway rider!

Indeed - so would I congrats to the Pole, expect Shovlar and his crew to be on the blower any time now!!!

This from Stein on the email list Oh no, Schlein falls off in last place on the third lap, while Miskowiak leading from Zagar and Bjerre It looked an easy fall, but then he was hit by his bike. Schlein looks ok, but the final has to be re-run. Silly rule that is, Miskowiak had started his last lap when the red flag came out. Stein

Hmmm - he has a chance to shows us tomorrow doesn't he SCB? 30 heats of speedway will take ??? - "you decide"

I knew this agreement lark would end soon. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Well, I thought it was a fair point! You know I love you really Christopher (in a brotherly way) Stop being nasty to Reading though - you need to build bridges not burn them....

What a crazy situation where Miedzinski scores 13 points and finishes 8th and Schlein is in the final after scoring just 8. I know they are the rules but surely its crackers isn't it ?? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Its gets worse with riders finishing 2nd, 6th, 7th and 8th in the final. Good luck to Miskowiak, while the others have earned the right to be in the final according to the rules, the only credible winner has to be Miskowiak in this race. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Ironically the only "credible" winner let Swiderski past in heat 20... Some credibility!!!!!!!!

About as crazy as a team finishing however many points clear at the top of the league and then having to ride play-off's. Hey, that's speedway. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Thats ELITE LEAGUE speedway. And it IS stupid, as are the crackers rules which sees the top qualifier elimnated in the semis. MADNESS. At the very least the top two should go into the finals as of right.

Zagar's in but beaten again by Schlein. Bjerre bites the dust. Go Matty!

I would imagine it is number of wins followed by number of second thirds then how the riders fared when they raced each other.