chunky

I don't disagree with you on that, but modern sport seems to be littered with wildcards. For me, the big problem with the old system was that there was no consistency, and everyone had different routes and a different number of meetings. I'm not sure, but I think there ,may have been some kind of rule in place. Of course, it was very different from previous years, with the first four from the British Final making the World Final... Steve

The thing to remember is that : In order for Tai to become World Champion, he had to compete in 12 meetings (the same as everybody else). In order for Egon Muller to become 1983 World Champion, he had to compete in 5 meetings (fewer than some) In order for Ole Olsen to become 1978 World Champion, he had to compete in 2 meetings (fewer than most) In order for Jerzy Szczakiel to become 1973 World Champion, he had to compete in 1 meeting (fewer than anyone else) Steve

Bur remember, ALL the riders back then were so much better than today's...

I hated him, and thought he was a psycho tw*t, and what he did was terrible. However, we can't change history, and he was a great rider.

Wish people felt that way when talking about Carter, but no, we're not supposed to mention him...

Which is pretty much what I said. Yet according to Sidney, that means I classed him as an also-ran...

And he has qualified every year since...

We know that the media has never been reliable or consistent, and they just choose what they want to - or don't want to - cover, without there being any valid reasons. We have to ask ourselves this : Is the current state of British Speedway responsible for the lack of press and media coverage? Is the lack of press and media coverage responsible for the current state of British Speedway? Are the two inexorably connected, or is it just coincidence? Even leaving aside our old friend Dave Lanning's contributions, we had the Sunday Mirror World Championship, results posted in the Daily Mirror, the Daily Express Spring Classic, the LBC Dons, results announced on Radio Luxembourg, team lineups posted in the London Evening News, the Yorkshire TV Trophy, and plenty more. So, why???

That is slightly unfair, particularly in regard to a team like Wigan. Speedway never caught on there, and there were only a few odd seasons, so it is not surprising that it remains largely unknown in the area. Having said that, you are correct in saying that enough is not being done by MOST clubs. Sad thing is, that was always the case...

Nobody is saying that there aren't crap tracks and crap meetings. Thing is, there ALWAYS were; it's nothing new! The problem is that so many people live in the past, and even though they THINK things were better in the "good ol' days", it wasn't always what we think it to be. The overall package was far better in the old days (certainly as far as British speedway is concerned), but that wasn't a result of the actual racing. I have a lot of old meetings and other footage, and although I still love watching it, I look at it, and realise (generally) that the racing was often very poor. Yes, the sport is very different from the sport I was raised on, but again, while it certainly doesn't feel the same, it doesn't mean that the racing is worse. Steve

Pity they didn't have all the Belle Vues running at the same time; you could have done three like that!

In the late 80's, all the southern NL teams promoted ad a whole. Not only was there a full page ad in Speedway Star, but they all gave discounts to ticket season holders at the other southern tracks. Okay, it wasn;'t a HUGE saving, but it was certainly enough to encourage me to take in some meetings I may not have otherwise. I am sure there were plenty of others too. There really is a value to working together... Steve

I didn't usually go to London tracks on a holiday! I did Hackney once, I think after Lynn and Ippo. Oxford was a usual morning stop, and I also did one when I headed north to Cradley and Wolves afterwards. Another time, I went from Milton Keynes to Canterbury. I just loved the variety...

Sad, isn't it? Made for some good Bank Holiday action! Steve

The keys to it - like I said - are "might well have been", and the actual longevity.

You wonder why I get p*ssed off? STOP CLAIMING I HAVE SAID THING S OR FEEL A CERTAIN WAY WHEN I NEVER!!! Where have I ever intimated that I considered Lee an also-ran? NOWHERE!

It's all conjecture... Lee was not THAT superior to Collins, Olsen, Mauger etc. IT IS NOT EASIER!!! If it really is, THEN IT IS EASIER FOR EVERYONE!!! WHATEVER THE FORMAT, EVERYONE IS EQUAL!!! Having said that, the old system was very unequal, as all the riders competed in a different number of meetings in their quest to become World Champion.

You feeling okay mate? I think you need more than a bleedin' chill pill... You really abhor the fact that others challenge your unsubstantiated opinions, don't you?

I am giving you a detailed explanation as to why I feel Woffinden is better. You just state that Lee is with nothing to back it up...

So, the fact that I live 4000 miles away is being held against me? When was the last time you attended a speedway meeting in the US? Works both ways! On nearly every trip back to the UK during speedway season, I would go several times. And not just to local tracks either, so yes, I was supporting British speedway.

You have an opinion, end of. Please stop acting like you are the only one qualified to classify every rider in history. Let me explain this to you. Lee MAY have been more talented and possessed more potential than any other rider in history, The fact is that he wasted it. Temperament, reliability, consistency, achievement, and longevity are all factors in the way people are judged. Woffinden has Lee well beaten in every department. THAT is why he is better. Just saying, "He was better. End of" means nothing...

Yawn...

It's not that WE lose interest, but the more the tracks - easily accessible tracks - are being taken away from us, the more we are effectively being pushed away from the sport. Certainly when it comes to physically attending... Steve

They were lucky to 'ave a car! I used to carry t' bike on back o' t' bicycle! Straps? I had t' use stale chewing gum to keep it in t' place... But we were 'appy in those days...

Thank you for confirming what a number of us have been saying - that the quality of the racing is not the problem! It just doesn't feel the same with only a handful watching... Steve