RPNY

Schumi I dont really agree with you on the arrogance / lack of spirit but again you do make some valid points. I still say he's top 10 & am quietly confident he will get an automatic GP place for next year. Though I believe that he probably thinks himself that he should be doing better than just getting an auto GP place for next year..

Stuart I would for the most part agree with you there, I think it's pretty hard to disagree with what you say..I'd put him in top 12 in the world tho! Certainly top 16.

I'm not saying the guy is world champion material. Im just saying that he is a very good rider, much better than yourself, Subedei etc make out. Lets be honest the top 5 in the GP's evolves very slowly, if changing at all. Most of the guys there now have been there a few years, Hans being the exception. It was a shame that he had to get seeded through to this years series, but if I remember rightly he missed a GP thrpugh injury last year & yes he started off badly in the 07 GP series, but I was at Lonigo, and that was one hell of a smack up he had.. Once again, I dont think he's the greatest rider in the world, but by the same token the 'too fat', 'ex British Champion', 'not worthy of GP place' remarks are over the top, on Par with the stupid remarks Hans A recieves on here. Your just mugging yourself off when the guy is obviously not doing too badly on the world stage riight now - and I repeat, not world no.1 material, but not doing too badly.

Im talking about current form, which in sport is all that matters. Also the title of this thread is implying Nicholls is back to his best form. So really, even though you are correct that he should have made more finals over the years, going on about his past under achievemnets have no releveance to this subject.

When it comes to sponorship there are 2 reasons you do it. 1) Exposure of your company/Product which he'll receive through Scott being in the GP's 2) Because you want to back someone you have an interest or you support. Alan Ham isnt stupid, I dont think he was backing Nicholls and expecting him to become world champion. He's probably doing it to give a brit rider the most help he can. Also, if you see Nicholls in normal clothes (ie not his race gear) you will see he's not remotely over weight. After 3 Semi finals including a final apperance you still you put him down.. Taking blind hatred to a new limit!

The Danish GP will be moved? Really? I thought they had a full house this year.

What a waste, Laukkanen will finish last, he's not even doing it in the premier league this year.

Complicated break of his had apparently. He should definately be seeded through next year, no question. I hope PK gets a few GP's beore the season's out, he's a class act.

I'd pretty much agree with you there. I definately think they need to have a system where the bottom rider (maybe even bottom 2) are replaced from GP to GP.. It would make the competiton even fiercer. I believe they did for the first couple of years in the GP.. Someone Lindgree/Sullivan would be putting on a much better show than Tonio right now.

Thank you all for your help. Hope you all make some dosh!

Could anyone cut & paste the odds for Saturday for me please. My work wont let me look at betting websites Thanks a lot, Tex

I have to say, I think the Brits were a massive let down. As previously mentioned here, look at the riders who won heats, Bjerre, Iversen, Sullivan & Watt - are we really saying we have no rider on a par with them. At least one that can win a heat? And the GB manager coming on TV & saying that our equipment is not up to scratch is a joke. They have ridden the track before, they were at the race off on Thursday, there is NO excuse for poor preperation. 1 point from the first 5 rides was a total embarassment. & then Middlo comes on TV and says well at least Olly will get a run out so that'll be nice.. This is not a testimonial/benifit meeting, it's the World Cup. What sort of response did he want from the GB fans with that comment? Our preperation, performance, everything was unacceptable. And as my previous posts will show, I'm a big supporter of Scotty, Bomber & team GB. Im just p1ssed off with us coming up with excuses time after time. Tex

I think Middlo needs to go. He seems to be mates with the riders rather than their boss. There's been a few different things over the years that has led me to believe he's no longer the man for the job.

If I wasn't on holiday I would have been there. A big meeting at Coventry is LONG overdue.

oki cheers Sandie

Seems a bit odd that neither are riding.. Or Ronnie Correy.

Big slice of humble pie for me.. Wanted the guy to do well but thought he would be out of his depth.. I'll stand facing the wall with the Dunce hat on for the rest of the afternoon.

My suggestion would be to find a fairly quiet pub & then ask if they'll put it on for you..

Apologies if this has already been discussed on here, but was just wondering where the data came from with regards to crowd sizes.. It's been mentioned a few times that the 2002 crowd was the biggest so far, however last year they kept on saying how it was the biggest crowd at a speedway meeting for 25 years...

Is it just me, or does it seem the 2nd qulifier is a fair bit easier than the first?

Well he certainly needs to change something cos he's not up too speed at the moment.

There definately seems to be a missing link with Scotty somewhere... I dont agree he is just not good enough. We've all seen him on his day, he can beat anyone. All the pundits, fellow riders all say he is good enough. He seems to have the finaial backing these days, but it's just not working for him and it's seems there is no obvious reason. He should be pushing the top 5 at least by now. Maybe he needs a few more experts in his pit crew & a few less mates/family members..

I have to say I love the GP series. Think without it Speedway would be in serious trouble, as it has given it some much needed exposure. However I believe it should have stayed at 10 rounds max. The last 2 years we've had the world title already won with a round or 2 to go & that is not ideal. If anything IMG should go back to what BSI were trying to do a few years ago & try & get every GP round into top class stadiums. Maybe only have a 1 round in Sweden/Poland & sacrafice places like Latvia if you want GP's in USA, Far East, Oz...

Didnt Billy comment on how much he enjoyed riding in the competiton last year tho?

Steady's got to be given the wild card surely.. Carrying a very poor team on his own at the moment & he's only 24, not exactly a Vet is he...