fatface

Good point - I'll give you that one SCB. But back to Ivan's era and I still think six world titles was about right for him, even if it had been a GP series. Szczakiel apart, I think the other 70s World Champs - Michanek, Collins, Olsen would still have won titles under a GP system.

I think this debate has been done once or twice before and yes it is difficult to compare riders from different eras - but that doesn't stop it being damn good fun. Personally I'd go for Tony. I just think he's the complete package, he can gate, ride great first turns, can pass inside or outside, can race all types of tracks, is fast, can do it under pressure and is super-professional. I also don't really buy this notion that Ivan would've won more titles under a GP system - was he really the best rider in the world in 77, 79 and even 72 for that matter? Probably not.

Yes, but my point still stands that the GPs need a real international flavour to be successful. And as much as I enjoyed the rough and tumble of the old British Finals...you can't expect the whole system to be changed to satisfy the whims of nostalgia..

Some bizarre suggestions above! Golden Helmet match-races as qualification?!Bring back the one-offs?! Come on guys, it's 2005. You'll be wanting them back on Japs next... I think the GP Challenge does have a lot of merit...and in an ideal world, then yes that should be the format. But I still think that there needs to be a fair amount of flexibility in riders being nominated for the following year. You simply have to have an international mix to broaden the appeal of the sport. It's quite conceiveable that no Poles or Brits would be in the GPs without the nomination process. Quite simply that would be a disaster for attendances and viewing figures. The World Championship is our biggest opportunity to sell the sport to the world - it would be a lot harder to do that with riders from only three/four nations taking part. We're not alone in this. The two biggest sporting events in the world - the Olympics and the World Cup also place great emphasis on internationalism and it certainly works for them. There will be top European teams who will miss out on the next World Cup at the expense of some Asian/African teams who they would normally be expected to beat. Likewise, there will be top American and African athletes who miss out on Olympic places taken by smaller countries. Ultimately, it doesn't affect the winner, the best guys still win, what it does do is simply broaden the appeal and make them into truly global events. That's the challenge for the SGP.

Hi Tomaz, Yes, I'll be there. I'll also be aiming to get to the stadium at 5ish. Just let me know when and where..

Got the disc today youngy - thanks mate I was toying with the 54-54 Eng v USA test, but will probably spike it now to ensure we have a greater variety of riders involved in the book. PC, Penhall, Tiger Louis already get a decent amount of exposure. AndyM - I remember that one too - although I think you've got your facts mixed up. It was actually Larry Ross and PC that got that last heat 5-1 against Erik Gundersen and Lance King in 83. For some reason Chris Morton was put at no4 that day and scored 15. Erm, I'll get my anorak......

Thanks guys. I still can't find that 73 Final though - I see the 73 WTC final, but not the Daily Mirror Final...

You poor lefties...having to adapt like that. I'm useless with my left...you know what, I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous...

Hi all, Following on from my request for classic programmes, I'm looking for some classic videos. Does anyone either have or know where i could get my hands on the following. If anyone can provide me with any footage, i'd be happy to renumerate them generously. 1973 - England v Sweden, Daily Mirror Final, Wembley 1980 - England v USA, Wimbledon (TV were not there, but a little dickie-bird told me there is some cine footage circulating of this one) 1993 - Wolves v Belle Vue, Championship decider 1999 - Wroclaw GP 2004 - World Cup Final, Poole If you can help, please e-mail me at chrisb@scottishathletics.org.uk best wishes Falcace

Hi Sotonian, That's great. I knew the forum would come good! It's probably best to e-mail the images to me at the following address: chrisb@scottishathletics.org.uk Thanks a million, Falcace

Dear all, For a book I'm cuurently help to put together along with fellow Forumer Norbold, I would like to get my hands on the following programmes. If any you can help please e-mail me. Naturally, I'll be willing to pay a fair price. Alternatively, a scan of the front cover of any of the programmes below e-mailed to me would suffice and be very gratefully recieved 1973 - Daily Mirrror International Tournament Final - England v Sweden 1976 - Intercontinental Final 1979 - BLRC 1980 - England v USA, Wimbledon 1980 - Halifax v Hackney, British League 1981 - World Final 1983 - England v USA, Sheffield 1993 - Wolves v Belle Vue, Division 1 1999 - Polish Grand Prix, Bydgoszcz 2004 - World Cup Final Thanks

Remember that one in 81, what a cracker! I was just a wee nipper and my family had only just started going to the speedway occasionally. The season ended for us by going to the BLRC and then the the final league match of the year at Halifax against the Aces, with the firework display and everything. Needless to say, we became full-timers the nest season. Also remember Kenny Carter stuffing Dennis Sigalos into the pit turn fence in 82 - a bit of revenge on the Yanks after Penhall had stuffed him in LA...

Sounds good Tomasz. I'll be staying in Llubjiana, could meet for a beer or two in Krsko though. Maybe we'll have a Falcon to support as well.

Thanks for your advice on this front guys. Me, dad and cousin are all booked up for Slovenia now....can't wait.

Hi all, Looking for a bit of advice on the above GPs. I want to go to one of them this year, but not sure which. Can I get some advice on the following: * How to get to both (cheaply) * Which is the better GP? * Where is a good place to stay for either? I know you won't let me down

One more thing I remember...he's probably the only rider I know of to describe Belle Vue's Hyde Road as one of his least favourite tracks....not a lot of people know that.

I was a wee nipper when he was at his peak and he was always ready and willing for an autograph or a picture. I think he was someone who genuinely cared about the fans.

313 - I'll have a shot at Mark Fiora?

311 - Steve Baker 312 - David Bargh 313 - toughie - Rob Carter?? 314 - Shawn Moran 316 - Kenny McKinna

Agree with above except: 306 - Les Collins guesting also: 301 - Lance King/Shooey 304 - Ian Stead?? 305 - my favourite, your favourite, everyone's favourite - Tony Forward By the way, wouldn't it be great to see a video clip of 302?

Well that's very sad news indeed. Never one of speedway's superstars, but a rider who was the very lifeblood of the sport - a 100% trier. RIP

When did we lose David Smart? That's news to me...

294 - Les Collins and Andy Grahame 295 - Dave Morton (White) and Phil White?? 296 - PC 297 - Bruce Cribb?

Hiya WATTY, welcome back to the fold. 286 - the mystery man is Louis Carr 287 & 293 - Shooey 288 - Shooey leads Larry Ross and PC 292 - outside in: Sudden Sam, Cocker, Cowboy, Wiggy

I've never heard anyone before ever praise Nielsen for his long-track skills. To my mind that was his biggest weakness, he never got anywhere near being the best in that discipline. As for team riding skills, Morton and Collins weren't too bad at that either. To my mind it's also not certain that Hans would have won all those world titles between 85 and 95 in a GP format either. I always thought he was prone to being a little nervy on the big occasion, whose to say he would've been different in GPs. Just for fun, you could flip the argument around with Leigh Adams. Let's say the one-offs had replaced an old GP format. I'd bet there would be loads of people who now be saying "if it wasn't for these one-offs, Leigh Adams would have won about five World Titles by now"