IainB

It is true, the GP series and finals were introduced to attract TV coverage and make money. So everybody knew who the winner of the event was at the end of the meeting without having to study a programme and working out all of the possible permutations.

No need to cancel the GP's that would be stupid, just be fair on where they are held

IT IS UNFAIR

TV/Money

You think it's totally fair that 6 rounds in an 11 round World Championship are held in one country. In these days of marginal gains, where riders spend thousands of pounds on machinery, hours in the gym honing the body, special diets, psychology consultants, physios, mechanics just to get the slightest advantage over an opponent but it's fine to hold half the rounds in such familiar territory for a few of the riders. Even Jason Doyle said he was feeling home sick for his dog (and wife) in the last GP.

Yes, I meant 8, semi finalists, they even award points in the semi at the moment for the losers based on the 20 qualifying races

Wasn't on the forum in those days... if there's anything else you want my retrospective opinion on please do let me know

Agreed top 10 should only get points like in F1. They're effectively running 2 systems in one at the moment

That was a flaw... easily changed though, they just elected not to

Just checked... yes it was, what a memory, couldn't recall that at all. Eagles were already operating R/R that night for Georgie Wood (what happened to him). Eastbourne used 2 guests and R/R. Lawson took 5 rides and the even put 2 riders out in heat 15!!!

But... the first 20 races also decide the bottom 8 placings based on the points scored in those 20 races

Depends what the money's like doesn't it. Some people are prepared to up sticks and move their whole life and family to the other side of the world to sit on a bench at the side of a football pitch every week... And talking about being fair to participants... I assume you're referring to the Poles having 6 home GP's

The perfect system would be to do away with heat points altogether... but as that's so ingrained into speedway it's unlikely to happen, that was another positive to the knock out system, 2 lasts or thirds and you were out.

I personally preferred the old knockout GP system starting with 24 riders and then cutting them down to a final 4. The racing was really cut throat in those days. Obviously the riders didn't like that because they could be going home after 2 rides. So we have to put up with a flawed system whichever one it is

It's not so much the fact that Ed Kennett wasn't there for me, the bigger issue is that this news was hushed up until 18:55 and at that moment the whole match became a non-event. They basically mugged off everybody in the stadium... I'm lucky I only travelled 3 miles and not the 380 miles a lot of Eagles fans did. I'm sorry to say this but the sport doesn't need promotions like this... but of course, some will say, we need to be grateful to these people.

Yep, people can go a bit daft when it comes to merchandise! You can't get near the merch stalls at music concerts for people wanting to pay over the odds for their bands merchandise!

Ah, there's a whole new topic there! I'm sure Leicester will have some agreement that's beneficial to the club that's based on sales

I bought a couple of Rock FC shirts from EMP, a Guns n Roses one and a Volbeat one... about £40 a pop!

I know... and they didn't

His confidence will be flying high after the 6 home GP's he's got to come... oh, hang on a minute, there's only 1 GP in Russia, how can this be?

No, the crowd were just told "illness"

I don't get it with Drew Kemp, he's very highly thought of but I've never seen him have a good meeting

It was a nice tribute for Phil Rising and the presenter handled it brilliantly. Lawson also didn't take his R/R ride

On a positive note, how good was young Tom Brennan! One of the most impressive visiting riders I've seen at BP this season... hope he gets paid

Bad reaction to Covid jab... must have felt a bit of a prick