Gp Qualifying For 2006

[Robbie B]

Her is a copy of a letter that I sent to Speedeway Star magazine, hopefully it will be in this weeks letters page.

 

With regards the qualification of the riders for the 2006 Grand Prix series.

 

It seems strange to me and other speedway supporters that I have spoken too, that there is no direct way of riders to qualify for the 2006 GP series, with riders most likely being nominated by Benfield Sports International and the FIM.

 

But I have thought of a way that could change all this, and would require just one speedway meeting to give riders a chance of qualifying for the 2006 GP series.

 

My idea is, the bottom eight riders from the 2005 GP series, would race in a meeting like the old GP challenge, with twenty-four riders. These eight GP riders would then meet the top five non-GP riders in the averages from the British Elite League, Swedish Elite League and the Polish Extraleague, with the final place going to the rider who wins the World Under 21 Championship. Eight riders would then qualify from this meeting for the 2006 GP series.

 

Obviously some riders do ride in more then one country; in this case, the British Elite League would take president over the Swedish Elite League followed by the Polish Extraleague. For instance if Mark Loram finished in the top five no-GP positions in all three leagues, he would only qualify as the British Elite League representative, with his place in the Swedish and Polish leagues going to the next non-GP rider in line.

 

To make it completely fair to all riders, a rider must have ridden in at least 60% of his team’s total amount of league matches in any league, by a specific date, for example the 1st September, to qualify for the top five non-GP averages. The 60% mark would allow for any injuries that a rider might sustain, and also make sure that a rider does not ride just six or seven league matches to obtain a high average to qualify.

 

This system would give all non-GP riders something to aim for during the league season, and would ensure that the best riders in the world would contest the 2006 GP series.

 

It would be very interesting to see what Benfield Sports International, and other speedway supporters think of my idea.

 

 

I did email Benfield Sports Internation, last Friday but so far I have had no reply.

 

Please let me know what you think of my idea.

Edited April 20, 2005 by Robbie B

[f-s-p]

For this to be completely fair to everyone, you have to forget about the 24 rider format with the eliminators. If someone takes his 1st heat after others have already been eliminated, how can it be fair? So it's practicly useless.

 

Dont expect any feedback from BSI, most unlikely.

[SCB]

Why will BSI reply? They don't want qualifiers as they want to pick the other riders themselves. The only way to guarentee which riders qualify for the GP's, BSI have to make the decision them selves.

 

They didn't do a bad job a couple of years ago, Nicki Pedersen was a nomination the year he was World Champion.

 

What odd riders have BSI put in? Yet even this year with 2 qualifiers, we have an odd rider qualifying (The Poles who name I can't even remember which says it all!), I actually think nominations CAN if done properly and without bias be done well.

[HenryW]

I have to agree with SCB.

BSI are running a business and want the best riders in the series. It has been proved over many years that the qualification system will always throw up some crazy qualifier who had a good day or was a track specialist....Just go back and try and find a single year where the best 16 or 24 riders took part in the World Championships. I honestly believe that you wouldn't be able to find that year!

 

Of course, with this system there are risks that top riders will be left out because their face doesn't fit, but apart from leaving out Pepe this year, I have never had cause to grumble with the permanent wildcard choices.

 

Lets face it, if a rider is good enough, they will be a good draw for the crowds, and BSI would be crazy to leave them out.

 

Riders now know that they are being judged on every ride in every country that they race rather than just a few WC qualifiers.....is that a bad thing for us fans?

[Dicey]

Yes , have to agree that the current format is the fairest yet.

 

Getting in the top 8 won't be good enough for most and with their points

getting carried forward to their overall GP score, this should prevent the riders slacking off after their first three heats should they have scored well.

 

Some mouth watering heats .. can't wait

[AndyM]

This is either a fix to hand-pick which riders should go into the GP, or it should be open qualification. Personally, I'd much prefer the latter. It might throw up some surprises, but then democracy never does go quite how you'd expect. It should be an even playing field for all, which is why I'd much prefer all but the top 4 to go through qualification each year.

Edited April 22, 2005 by AndyM

[Robbie B]

I do have to agree with Andy M, their should be some kind of qualifaction for the GP series.

 

BSI, will just make sure that each major speedway nation has more or less the same number of qualifiers, each season, leaving riders like David Norris out in the cold. I don't think that BSI would pick him to go into the GP's, despite his performance at Cardiff last year.

 

The only other way that I thought would work is, that the top three in the averages in the leagues mentioned above, would then meet the bottom seven riders in the GP series, and then hold a traditional 20 heat meeting, with the top seven riders then going through to the GP series.

Edited April 22, 2005 by Robbie B

[iris123]

Even with this new system you ain't going to get the best 16 riders.Wait until Lonigo for instance.Is there an Italian rider in the world top 30?Bet there will be an Italian riding at Lonigo,though.Same as if Germany or maybe Latvia go for a GP next year.Wouldn't mind betting that when Gollob fails to make the top 12 or so he will still be getting wildcard places because he is so popular.You don't get the best teams always qualifying for the football world cup or most other competitions but the process should give everyone the chance to dream