lucifer sam

That sounds like the days when the World Final draw was known before the final. In his last ride in the 1987 ICF, Hans Nielsen deliberately let Jimmy Nilsen through, so that Nilsen finished second in the meeting and Nielsen third. As a result, Nielsen had gate 1 in both rides against Erik Gundersen (the winner of the ICF) in the two-day final. Nielsen and Ivan Mauger had it all planned out. It didn't pay off on Day 1, but then paid off big time early on the second day. Nielsen sped away from Gate 1, while Gundersen was slow off Gate 4 (very poor on Day Two, only Nielsen won from it). The whole final was transformed with Nielsen now in command. I can see Peter Adams planning this to Tai's advantage in the case of a close championship battle. That's, of course, if the wording is wrong on the Speedway GP website and it does mean draw number (which surely it must).

The Speedway GP site, however, states: Once qualifying is complete, riders will then take turns to choose their gate positions for Saturday’s meeting, with the fastest rider getting first pick and the slowest selecting last.

It is what it says. I only hope it's poorly worded and means the rider can pick his "draw position" rather than his "start position", as it states.

Seems a bizzare move. Surely the best races often occur when a top rider is often a less than favourable gate and has to pick their way from the back. One rider gating seven times from the same start position does not provide the best racing.

But Peterborough headed the league table, heading into the play-offs. Were Reading that unlucky, when they failed to top the league table and subsequently also lost the play-off final? After all, if the second leg was at Smallmead, it could be argued that it may have panned out differently and Racers snatched the verdict. Having the second leg at home can be a big advantage in a tight situation - and Racers didn't win that right. I'd plump for Poole 2010 instead, who headed the table by a mile, but then lost to Coventry in the play-off final. To me, they were more unfortunate, although that's not denying Coventry, by far the better team in the play-off final.

It was your initial reluctance to place any praise at all on Belle Vue, and put it all down to Wolves' injury crisis. On balance, it's always a combination of the two. As others have said and I've agreed with, Wolves were very unlucky. But, at the same time, Belle Vue made some inspirational team changes, and came from nowhere to the league title. On the night in question, their riders showed the greater steel, while one or two of the younger Wolves bowed to the sheer pressure of the occasion.

Never liked Olsen, even before that. Steve Roberts has detailed why.

Great thread. BWitcher being a sore loser - and then denying being a sore loser. PS Wolves '93 are one of the most unfortunate teams in terms of missing out on a league title. I would also suggest Belle Vue '78 and Harringay '53.

Limited to riders I've seen and with the clarification that's it favourites rather than best: Hans Nielsen Jens Rasmussen Jan Staechmann Charlie Gjedde Niels-Kristian Iversen Erik Gundersen Jan O Pedersen Brian Andersen Per Sorensen Thomas Jorgensen I never saw Arne Pander ride, while Ole Olsen wouldn't be included in my favourite 1000 Danish riders - he was a complete git to Hans Nielsen!

5.30pm: http://www.scunthorpe-speedway.com/?page_id=9468

2019 fixtures: http://www.scunthorpe-speedway.com/?p=9504

Yes, he's a nice chap and a great photographer.

Steve, I reckon a lot of it is cosmetic. The track needs a few grasstrack bikes going around on it to rip up the weeds, and the terracing could be sorted by a gang of fans. The only areas where a lot of cash might be required are the complex interior (which would be preferable, but not essential, in terms of speedway) and the speedway pits, which are a bit dilapidated.

Top-flight titles for Pirates: 1969, 1994, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2018. Starman, would like you to borrow that abacus, so that you can count up to 10?

I somehow doubt he'll post on here again, even after his release.

No, because he rode for Sheffield in 2018, on an average of 5.20. That will remain the same. That's how it works.

Nearly unique then The point is, that if a rider competes in a league, and doesn't do enough meetings to gain an average in that league, then he retains that average, even if the conversion factor changes.

Don't be daft - he rode for Sheffield last season on a 5.20, so will retain that average. Likewise, he will retain his 4.00 with King's Lynn. I think it's probably unique for a new rider to compete for two different teams, and not do enough meetings with either to gain a new average.

Scorpions open on Friday, April 5th vs Leicester: http://www.scunthorpe-speedway.com/?p=9437

In a word - yes.

Last year, it was only top 3. 3 x 4 qualifies plus 4 wildcards in the GP Challenge.

Glad to hear. A club with the heritage of Eastbourne would be a welcome addition to the Championship.

Just remember team building is like a jigsaw. At one point, Scunny may have only been able to fit in a certain rider. Then another rider may change. Rob G knew all along which riders were entitled to the 2.5% discount. Personally, I'm quite happy that we ended up with Jason Garrity. Steve Worrall's rolling average may be higher, but going on just last year's performances alone, then Garrity was the more accomplished performer.

Scunthorpe are Fridays at 7.30pm