chunky

Only on Polish tracks, though...

...as he was still busy grasping at straws... You really do need some new material. Personally i think it's unfair to have any GP's in Poland as it's obviously a huge conspiracy just to fix it for a sub-standard rider like Zmarzlik to win the World Championship. There, satisfied?

I did think of Jack, but it is Aub Lawson. He was born 5 April, 1914, and was 46 years and 5 months when he rode in the 1960 final.

Should be easy enough to find out. Must admit, Aub was the first one that sprang to mind...

I know that lack of a crowd can affect sports like football and darts, where you are surrounded by the crowd and the noise. The adrenaline rush when it comes to motorsports - I believe - will largely negate that. Besides, the crowd doesn't have to be supporting you to make a difference; true competitors will raise their game in front of a hostile crowd too. You can benefit from any kind of atmosphere.

As I said, I am sure not every track could, but which ones, I don't know. 1) Where did I say that a partisan crowd doesn't make a difference? You mentioned some manoeuvres by ONE rider, and again, I think he would ride like that with or without a crowd. 2) We are talking about speedway, not football.

Exactly. That's why I married a foreigner, and live in a foreign country,...

So, totally unlike England then...

They aren't going to put the double-headers at certain tracks just because you want them to. I'm sure several of the tracks just can't host a double-header, or at best, just may not be suitable. And yes, Zmarzlik would make those moves anywhere, at any time.

No, it still is. Every rider still has EXACTLY the same opportunity on a familiar track...

The other thing to remember is that the eventual World Finalists all had to take different routes with a different number of meetings. I think it was Olsen who only rode in one qualifying round (maybe two, I can't remember) before the World Final. They whole system these days - including the GP's themselves - is a lot more equitable for everyone.

I always said that it was the variety of formats that kept us happy! Three or four league matches, then a cup tie. Then an individual meeting. A couple more league matches, followed by a Test Match. Then a couple more league, then a 4TT...

Jusr like the odds used to be stacked in the British-based riders' favour (but that was okay, wasn't it?)... The difference now is that everybody is used to riding on the tracks, and as OveFundinFan says, it negates any home advantage. Like he also says (and like I said previously), if it gives us a full season of GP's, then just be happy and make the most of it!

To quote Arthur Foggen; "then's then, and now's now". Honestly, I still have trouble believing that we have Saturdays in summer with no bloody speedway...

My point is that not only did it suit British speedway, British speedway fans "expected" it. Everyone was up in arms when it went to Malmo. The thing to remember is that the world is a mess right now - and probably will be for a while to come. Would you just like to see one GP held in Poland? As a speedway supporter, I want to see a lot of speedway. If most of it happens to take place on Poland, then so be it. They have the best riders, the best league, the best tracks, the best stadia, the best fans, and the most money... At least we are getting a full season. In addition, think about it; people on here complain about meetings taking too long. Would I want to travel across Europe and back for 90 minutes action? Hell, I drove to Berwick for that, and I flew to Glasgow for that! Having a full weekend really adds incentive, and gives much greater value. I'm not saying every GP should be a two-day affair, but were I still in the UK, I would be all over them...

Was it better when every World Final was held at Wembley?

Truest post yet...

While I agree with you regarding the change from 20 heats, 1951 IS relevant to the conversation. Bob is questioning how Mark Loram could win the title without winning a GP. I made the point that the winner was decided on points total, not meetings won. I further elaborated by stating that the old World Final was also decided by points total, and not on races won. Although it didn't happen, it was possible for rider to win the World Championship without winning a race...

Totally irrelevant, Bob. With any simple points accumulating system, it is all about that - who gathers the most points, not who wins the most meetings. Same with F1, and most motorsports. If a guy finishes second in every meeting, and gets the most points, he deserves to win. Look at league racing in speedway. Your team may win 12 of the 13 races, and still lose... EDIT : Jack Biggs won more races than anyone else at the 1951 World Final - and finished third...

You sound exactly like me...

Don't know what you're laughing at, jrs; I'm sure Zmarzlik could do it!!!

We've had missing footrests and missing seats in recent weeks. I'm waiting to see someone ride with missing handlebars...

Makes it interesting for the last couple of places... Doyley does it way too often.

Yeah, Woffy is finished...

The surface was really wet last night, but it is so much better today. Yeah, Robert really had some speed there! Could be a tight battle for the semis...