chunky

Are you sure that wasn't when Split Waterman sued a wrestling promoter for publicising the wrestler Bert Waterman as "speedway rider 'Split'?

And Brian Maxine!

Honestly, I preferred to old system, BUT it makes sense that the winner of the GP gets the most points. With the old system, it was possible for somebody to win EVERY GP - and not finish in the Top 8! Yes, that IS true, and I have the figures to prove it... The thing that people have to remember is that the 20 heats are just a "qualifier" for the next round (semis and final), same as the Overseas Final was just a qualifier for the Inter-Continental Final, where everyone started again from scratch. With the round-robin speedway format, I never understood we we needed semis and a final, anyway...

I just felt that this needed to be a separate topic... I know that after yesterday, a few people were questioning Jason Doyle's ability, but I have witnessed some really bizarre stuff on some of the Facebook groups. It seems that people really don't think he's good enough to be in the GP's. I just responded to a comment on there from somebody questioning his participation. I said that while he had a bad day yesterday, he has had a great year. Her response was, "he's not consistent enough!" Really? Four finals in six events? That's not consistent? Another idiot suggested that NONE of the riders outside the Top Six should be allowed back the following year, and should be replaced by newcomers! I know some of you question the wildcards, but really? The World number 7 isn't good enough to be in the GP's, and should be replaced by somebody who is probably nowhere near GP standard? Are there really 10 other riders who would be able to "compete" in the GP's?

That's actually something that I've thought about. Only issue is that you'd need the same number of GP's every year - although that SHOULDN'T be a major problem. If you have 10 GP's a year, you could even have a 20-man field, with everybody riding in 8 GP's.

Okay, I've given it a day, so it's time for to prove summat to you lot! What a bunch of shallow, fickle fools we have on this forum! After EVERY GP, we have the idiots coming on here, whining about what a crap points system we have, and how it's total bollocks that the lowest qualifiers for the semis can walk off with the most points. This time, nuffink... So, that only applies to foreigners, does it? When it's a Brit, it's like, "Yea for us"!!!!!

100%. Doyle has been fantastic this season, and but for some silly mistakes, would be even higher in the standings. There a a few riders I would class as pretty much "equals" (both in and out of the series) - steady, with occasional flashes of brilliance, but none that are likely to medal at the end of the season.

No different to Tony Millard's, "stealingamarch", or, "thebattleisjoined"!

Is there anyone "better"? Leaving aside the Russians, it is a struggle, isn't it?

Maybe - but Nilsson qualified by right, and deserved his spot 100%. That is the problem; everyone has the opportunity to qualify, but if they don't/can't, they only have themselves to blame. That is a big reason there is such a small turnover...

Everyone has to qualify for the following season. Riders have to race against the best riders in the world ten times a year, and have to finish in the Top Six to receive a "seeding". It is not actually a seeding, it is "qualification".

You saw, as Dan was ready to make the move, Martin lost his back wheel for a split-second. Not enough to cause any real problem, but he lost his forward momentum, and Dan jumped on it.

Agree 100%. I'm not a Lindgren fan (same as Pedersen, if you ask me), but I honestly don't think he goes out to hurt anybody. Sometimes riders "over-ride" and get reckless, but there is never any intent; they just see a gap and go for it. Trouble is, it doesn't usually end well...

Looked like he got a little wheelspin, while Dan just found the grip.

Great move from Dan!

Makes no sense wharsoever...

Oh, "the track hasn't settled down"... Where have we heard that before? You think they could solve the problem?

Am I the only one who's interested in the racing itself?

I remember Alan doing all the BBC commentary, but unfortunately, his style never suited speedway. Sadly, I'm not old enough to remember most of the early stuff you mentioned!

Very interesting! I have no recollection of that, and I wonder if that is still available, or anyone has a copy?

You ARE old! We are ALL old if we can remember this! Just had a thought, though... Speedway was still something of a new sport on TV, and in fact, I really can't remember any speedway shown in anything more than a newsflash prior to 1972.

As I said before, my parents got rid of a ton of old programmes (including most of the 1950's World Finals, and Malmo 1961), Speedway Stars and other mags, and a lot of the old Astorias annual. Even now, it kills me to think about it...

I have no idea where mine are! As far as I know, I never got rid of them when I emigrated (I certainly never intended to), but I have all my other books, and I'm just missing them...

I had forgotten when they were sponsored exactly. Problem is, I haven't gone through any of the old Speedway Stars for photos, and the Retro Speedway website doesn't have any 1978 photos for either team!

Thanks for your input, but this list is for living riders only; Viktor Trofimov passed away in 2013. Also, the list includes riders who actually rode in a World Final; non-riding reserves do not count.