Grachan

So, basically, only riders from Mauger onwards can really be considered for the greatest of all time as he upped the standard from what had gone before.

I think that maybe Nielsen gets a bit overlooked sometimes when looking at all-time greats because he won his World titles in an era when there was no speedway on television. I remember having to buy a poorly produced video to watch his title win in Poland. Because of this, people tend to remember his losses to Erik Gundersen when looking back, rather than the wins. That's certainly the case with me, anyway.

Nielsen is a strange one. Probably the best rider I've ever seen - even better than Mauger. Yet my memories in World Finals tends to be of him over-riding and messing things up - even in some that he won! It depends how you see it. Nielsen was, in my opinion, a better rider than Rickardsson, but in terms of all time greatness you have to put Rickardsson above him because of his World Final achievements. Plechanov, in particular, seems an unusual choice for one of the greatest of all time. Care to give reasons for his inclusions? He's not a rider I know much about.

Yup. That's it. First match I ever went to, one of the sides was using rider replacement. I had no idea! I just put the scores in where that rider was named.

That's of no relevance to newcomers though. It's hard core, long-standing fans that get fed up with stuff like that. There's part of the problem. Long term fans are alienated, but new fans are few and far between.

That's nonsense. Speedway isn't just about watching the racing and enjoying it for what it is. It's a team sport. I know it can get tiresome for people to keep making football comparisons, but if someone asked you the rules of football, you wouldn't tell them not to worry about it and just enjoy how good everyone is at kicking a ball. This is, basically, what you are advocating. One problem speedway has, I think, if getting outsides to fully understand the team concept. A lack of a scoreboard at most tracks, for example, takes a lot away from this. If a newcomer wants to know the rules, instead of being a smart arse, you tell them about the teams, the scoring and so on. Surely?

Yeah, because Jason Doyle can't ride big, fast tracks. He was hopeless in the Aussie GP this year, wasn't he!

In terms of what Troy might end up doing, I actually agree with you. He may well let the team down at some point. It wouldn't be the first time. But I enjoy watching him. My own, personal, perspective on the team this year was not to retain the league title, but having a team that would retain my interest enough to stop me from giving up on going completely. Having Batchelor in the side keeps me interested, as would Hans Andersen have done. If it had been Kasprzak I may well have not bothered with it this year. It was a borderline thing after the winter shenanigans and losing my first ever opportunity to welcome the World Champion to Swindon.

He's on 4.50. http://www.speedwaygb.co/files/downloads/e15_issue_final.pdf

I always thought he was pretty average personally.

I agree he can let himself down sometimes, and has go missing in play-offs in the past. I just find him entertaining and enjoy his bad attitude and charisma. Points wise, I don't think there is a lot to choose between him and, say, KK, but having grumpy old Batch in the side just feels kind of right to me. Personally, I'd much rather have a rider who feels "Swindon" coming in than random average increasers coming in every year. I just enjoy watching Troy Bachelor - even if he's being bad Troy instead of good Troy.

Haven't they eased up on the starting regulations, which might suit Sergeant, who often shot out of the starts only to get pulled back for a re run.

4.50 on BSPA site. Probably never had enough matches.

Personally I don't think it would be very successful. People like to pick and choose meetings these days, and this would probably be something they'd opt out of. I remember the Midland Riders Championship back in the 70's, and even then it never seemed to mean that much.

Just a guess, but whoever it is they are unlikely to be scoring much. I suspect a few options will be tried at no 7 throughout the year.

Not me. I've always liked Batch.

Glad to have Batch back. Was getting a bit worried by all the K K talk. Good top 5. Just a temporary no 7 to go now.

That will explain why you were rather confused, then.

Likewise. I can't see it on the TV guide. Only old episodes on "On Demand".

I guess, from that, that you never read the actual article. If you had, you would have seen exactly why it is relevant to speedway. Because it saysvthat at one time darts was in danger of going the same way as other second division sportsbof the 80's like speedway and greyhound racing.

It's not rap. It's Grime. You clearly ain't been chillin' wiv da mandem, Bruv. Think about it, though. If a 14 year old tells he mates he went to Speedway, and then says they play Stormzy there, then it might attract more interest.

That's the one! "Moving that cornflakes. Rice Crispies" Cracks me up, that song. "Two plus two is four, minus one that's three, quick maths" Classic stuff! My son knows this off by heart and regularly entertains the family with it while holding his phone in his left hand. Not sure how well it would work during track grading between heats 4 and 5 though.

From what I can gather, it's someone who has programmed some generic beat onto a computer and talked using foul and abusive language about their breakfast over the top of it. At last, there is music for the younger generation that I absolutely hate. Which is how it should be. Parents and kids liking the same music had become a bit of a thing that was not really how things were supposed to be.

Grime, if my own kids are anything to go by.

We signed him later, then sacked him and replaced him with Andy Smith (I think).