chunky

Oh, I know that; I just love using logic, reason, and fact to annoy people!!! Of course, I really am better than Phil, though... Steve

Of course titles mean nothing. Larry Ross was FAR better than Mauger, Briggs, or Moore. I played darts professionally for 25 years, and the fact that Phil Taylor won over 200 major titles - including 16 World Championships - doesn't prove that he was better than me... Of course, back in the day, the world final fields were so much tougher. However did those World Champs beat riders like Josef Hofmeister, Per-Tage Svensson, Jerzy Trzeszkowski, Hans-Jurgen Fritz, and Petr Ondrasik... Steve

Give 'em time... Steve

Again, equipment isn't particularly relevant. All the top riders today have pretty much the same equipment, and as has been said, Zmarzlik has the fastest bikes. Back in the day - whichever day you wish to talk about - the riders were all on similar equipment. Steve Edit: as far as the number of "gold medals", Tai doesn't have as many as others from past times, because he doesn't have the quality of partners/team-mates that others did...

You gotta no respect! Steve

Just thinking about league averages... If they were used to determine world rankings, then from 1966-1973, Eric Boocock would have been the fourth best - at worst - rider in the world. Well??? Steve

Ah, okay! So Britain is the SECOND strongest speedway nation, then? Steve

Not true. "A Pole" has only been number one twice, but as a nation, "the Poles" have been number 1 thirteen times. If you think I am splitting hairs, then you try convincing everyone that Britain is the strongest speedway nation currently... Steve

And who says speedway is predictable? Next, you will be saying that speedway is "first out of the gate wins", or that Woffinden is the best ever British rider... Steve

No it SHOULDN'T!!! This thread is about Tai being the best ever BRITISH rider! No Mauger, no Rickardsson, no Pedersen... All has been said is that he is on course to break the records of Mauger and Rickardsson. And yes I know you prefer the 70's... Steve

You started it by stating Mauger was British Champion three times, which - YET AGAIN - has no bearing on this thread... Steve

Andy Smith did that, so he was as good as Ivan? Not as good as Scott Nicholls though. Anyway, Smith was German, so he doesn't count... Steve

That's what you get for allowing Australians like Ronnie Moore into World Finals... Steve

Anyway, how can we even talk about how good Tai is when we have been reliably informed that he couldn't have even got in the 1972 Belle Vue team, let alone being classed as good as a dozen British non-world champions... Steve

See, you ARE wrong! Please note MY smiley!!! Steve

No, 'cos Mauger isn't relevant to this thread. He wasn't BRITISH (in all World Finals, anyway...) Steve

I'M SAYING HE IS YOUNGER!!! FACT!!! Steve

And he is younger than Rickardsson was when he won his third... Steve

Again, Ermolenko is the one that sticks in my mind. Olsen in 78... Steve

AGAIN, please try to stay relevant. This thread is about Tai being the best BRITISH rider ever, and you KNOW that - troll... Steve

Don't even ask, because we all know the answer to that... Steve

A few days ago, I did suggest an idea for an overhaul of the qualifying system. Because of injuries affecting qualification for the following year, I would still like at least one. However, I would like to see the GP Challenge AFTER the GP's have finished (maybe at the start of the following season, in order for riders to get over any injuries). Perhaps the Challenge would include the riders who finished 9-12 in the previous year's GP's; kind of a repechage. At least they would have a chance to qualify "by right". Steve

It amazes me how short-sighted people are when they say, "Oh, it's a lot easier to win this way blah, blah, blah.." or it was "More difficult in those days blah blah blah..." If it is "easier for Tai", then it is EASIER FOR EVERYONE! If it was "More difficult back then" then it was MORE DIFFICULT FOR EVERYONE BACK THEN! Whatever system/format is used, ALL riders go into it with the same chances! They ALL know the format, but like it or loathe it, it is the same for everyone! Jeez... Steve

Which is completely irrelevant... Steve

I agree. As I said, though, I believe that he is still worthy of a place; certainly more of a contender than a couple of the riders this year. Having said that, if a rider qualifies by right, then good luck to them! Steve