Grachan

To be fair to Poland they are just doing a similar thing to the UK with the one rider over 8 rule, but using GP riders as the guidline instead. This is more a personal choice by Darcy Ward than anything if it does mean he is rejecting the GPs.

So if Darcy turns it down then why let him in in the future? It's an interesting scenario. Given a couple of years - if he's still turning it down - we could have a situation where the rider who is possibly the best in the world is not in the World Championship. It'll be like Ali/Fazier all over again. Who's the real champ? The champ can't be the worlds champ coz he ain't beaten Darcy! Maybe others will drop out too. Then we could see a split and two seperate "World" championships - a GRand Prix and a one-off individual one. Sounds far fetched but it's happened in other sports so it could happen. Can see a big thrilling meeting in Manila deciding it in the end.

Both systems are ok by me

Oooh. Rory Schlein won it did he? Bet that went down well with the Swindon faithful. Har har.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Grachan#p/u/26/spjW95dYAQQ Another good one from the 1973 World Team Cup. You'd never guess who turned out the winner if you tried to after a couple of laps. http://www.youtube.com/user/Grachan#p/u/20/5LDH5QO47BA

Personally I'd rate Kenny Carter as one of the best British riders of my time watching speedway. Not as good as Lee or Collins maybe, but I've always thought of him as better than Havelock and Loram even if he didn't ever make it to the top of the world. Carter should, maybe, have won in 1982. That was the year he could and should have won it really, and I finally saw good quality video of the incident with Penhall a couple of years ago that confirmed that he was taken off by Juicy Brucey. If Penhall had been excluded, I think the title of World Champ would certainly have fitted with Carter better than Les Collins and I think he would have won had he been in the re-run of that race. Remember going to see Halifax v Swindon in the early 80's and Phil Crump beating him twice in the match and again in the second half final. And it made for a fabulous night because of that. There aren't many British riders that have had such an effect as that. I mean to say, Phil Crump was a great rider yet we were, like, "wow! He did Kenny Carter at the Shay" I agree that I don't think he would have had an impact on the Neilsen/Gundersen era though. Would have had to do it before then.

I'd say it's pretty much a given that Darcy Ward will become champion - and probably sooner rather than later. He's a great young talent, and the fact that the old boys still sominate the top of the sport says to me that there aren't many great young talents about. Tomasz got his title. Greg made history. Anyone else due a swansong before the new boy takes control?

Must admit i'm a bit with Orion on this. Was quite relieved to read his post actually because it made me realise it's not just me! I do kind of shake my head in disbelief at all this "amazingly popular rider" stuff. All that grinning and smiling don't wash with me I tells ya. All very strange. And blatently advertising that drink product during his national anthem had me metaphorically reaching for the sick bag. Good and fair rider though. No arguments about that.

My biggest Golden Helmet memory is also of Tommy Jansson. It was him and Martin Ashby at Swindon. I can't remember the races, but I remember Tommy sat in the pits during the meeting waiting to take part in the second half and I leaned through the gap at the back and got his autograph. He died soon after that. I always get the same image in my head of him sat there when I think about it.

Or Stoke maybe, having Googled it. Remember Broady riding for Stoke, so probably more likely.

As someone has said, some great riders in that 1971 line-up. 1973. Mike Broadbanks, Chesterton? This was one year before I strated going and I never knew there was a team called Chesterton! Presumably they morphed into Peterborough.

Nothing on the BSPA website at the moment. No statement in the Press Release section there either. Is this the first announcement of this? If so, is using this forum to come on and have a rant really the way to go? Sure, a lot of people have got it in for the BSPA at the moment - including me!! - but there's only one side of the story here and it's clearly been posted in an area where the BSPA can not respond.

Who knows if it's good or bad. I think the one thing in our favour is that the current stadium doesn't get demolished until the new one is built I believe.

Hi. I've been quite intersted in seeing this film for ages, but don't seem to be able to send you a PM. Could you try and send me one. Cheers!

And Shawn McConnell. The ones who matter to Swindon fans were there. Anyone who sees fit to try and have a pop at this meeting can go stuff themselves as far as I'm concerned.

Who's proposing this? What a wonderfully stupid idea.

I believe it's 12 matches, or if a rider has ridden less than 12 but over 8 then the 8 match average applies if it's higher. Something like that anyway!

It's not really a problem. Coventry didn't use a facility. They can drop a rider and use their no 8 any time they want. Swindon, for example, did the same with Morten Risager and Justin Sedgman a few times. It is, perhaps, a bit sneaky by Coventry but there's nothing wrong with it. I would, however, expect Pawlicki to be given his higher average for team building next year having had more than 8 matches.

It's a tricky one this year, with so many big names outside the top 8. So, yes, Andersen and Jonsson could well miss out with N Pedersen and Emil surely getting picks. So pleased that Harris looks set to qualify by right. Britain was becoming too much of a charity case. Not sure we'll get a second Brit next year. Woffinden will learn from the experience and hopefully be back. Rico and Nicholls are better riders than Tai but have probably had their day now. Would like Kolodjiez to get a pick. Always good to watch.

Raced for Exeter in 1967 and raced against Barry in the Golden Helemt match race at Swindon. Lost.

Did it. Fair enough. Missed that.

If he has then he'll win the run-off. Great little rider but questions over coping with the pressure now. Hope he does it. Love to see him in the GP.

http://www.hqtv.com.pl/newtv/

Game, set and match to Ladyluck. So, Waguta it is then. Fancy that. http://www.omniglot.com/writing/polish.htm

Wow, she was good. It says broke she beat the lap record at Portsmouth by 26 seconds in 1930!