SPEEDY69

That'd be a start! Four who I wouldn't miss - Janowski, Dudek, Madsen, Woffinden.

I remember John Louis breaking the track record at Ipswich in about 1980, 60.8 seconds. I'd expect no matter what the cc, the tuners would have them reviving their bits off and they'd be just as unpredictable but I agree with your argument about changing the equipment is some way.

Exactly. When riders race across the nations it's clear to see who stands above but basing things just on one country is flawed. Kurtz showed both Emil and Doyle a clean pair of heels in Ht15 at their own track last week and is another who could mix it up in the GPs. Predictability is boring as hell

And it also demonstrates how much more money riders have these days, years ago it would be one set of leathers for the season, maybe more, with a bit of duct tape covering any rips

Not this tired old argument again.... The speedway world championships has never been about gathering the so called best riders in the world. It is about selling tickets and using venues where profits can be made. Riders can secure places with sponsorship, their nationality is a feature, this is why many riders have had repeated wild cards. In recent seasons it was clear Nicki P was int he top 15 in the world but he didn't get a place, ask yourself why. Others have qualified but due to circumstance not been included e.g. Smolinski a couple of years ago, ask yourself why. Nilsson qualified and at a recent GP was right up there but won't be in it again but he brought something new to watch, as did Thorsell and Lebedjevs in Sweden. New faces mix it up a bit. I'm totally bored with Madsen, he's as dull as, Janowski will never be champion and Woffinden's star is fizzling out. You may respond "didn't think you could name anyone better" but that's not the point I'm making.

I don't think they are - they aren't that far ahead of the bikes of yesteryear but it's the way that power is delivered which makes then so unpredictable at times. This could be changed but it would need the FIM to implement and of course then tuners are now such a big part of top speedway and need to protect their income.

What about those who finish 7th, 8th 9th-almost always back in the following year with a 'wild card'.

Three of those yes. New faces will reinvigorate it.

But with bonus points it's a different story. Without, it simply penalises, when using them to compare, those riders who are a part of a good team. He's well down the pecking order then. He's cost Ipswich victories on more than one occasion this season, particularly those matches Ipswich were in the hunt of winning and, that stands out to fans. More to blame has been the failure of Riss, Barker and the rising star, where often a blank space would have done as well - not criticising Joe T here because he is nowhere near PL standard and that's firmly at Hawkins' door - look how much better Bailey looked last night.

Good idea - in reality anyone would be better at the moment

But I'd argue a second behind a team mate, meaning you beat both opposition riders is better than a second behind one of them. The original point was not about team building but his worth to Ipswich this season, keep up.

Where are these figures from? On the BSPA site using either the team declarations pages or the rider statistics pages King is nowhere near the best third rider. I'm also puzzled why you'd exclude bonus points.

I think Riss has lost his nerve.

Don't think Hume should escape, was in good positions and gave them away, being beaten by Bailey was poor, 3 points from 5 rides at home not good enough.

Spot on. Think it was early 90s when clubs stayed shelling out for brand new expensive vans rather than the riders buy one or get one sponsored if they wanted one. New equipment every year, totally unnecessary in my view.

I think you're referring to Peterborough here surely - undoubtedly the most expensive and poor quality food outlet across British Speedway I've come across. The stuff served up at Lynn is ok by comparison - the best quality/value I've had is at Ipswich - but the speedway club don't get any of those profits/receipts.

Think it was his cut-out coming/came adrift? (I thought it was the right side of the handlebars)

They also usually mean Schlein gets an Audi

Doyle rides in Poland and the UK, what's your point?

Not mutually exclusive, he could be employed in both jobs. We are not all mercenaries.

Yes and I do. Emil is not British so not comparable at all. Riders should support their home leagues, as nearly all do, if they have one, even more so if you are the world champion.

I'm indifferent to this, never warmed to him and of course it's now that it suits him

Harris was an awful guest. Think he should lose his 'good at Monmore' tag!

And Mulford in an earlier heat and Basso as well.

However the racing has been much better this season and was dire last night. I know the opposition was not the strongest.