Will We Ever Have A British World Champ Again

[Subedei]

That maybe so Cornishman, but I think you'll find the Poles have already handed both Kasprzak and Kolodziej at least one "wild card" go in the GPs as well.

We stick with the semi-dependables. It's a fair chance when Cardiff comes around next year, if there's a "wild card", it'll be Norris or Loram again.

Edited July 10, 2005 by Subedei

[Cornishman]

That maybe so Cornishman, but I think you'll find the Poles have already handed both Kasprzak and Kolodziej at least one "wild card" go in the GPs as well.

We stick with the semi-dependables. It's a fair chance when Cardiff comes around next year, if there's a "wild card", it'll be Norris or Loram again.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

and bombers had a wildcard too

 

 

ok that was before he got his new equipment etc, but still he was given a chance.

 

 

he will do much better given another chance though. was gutted he didnt even make track reserve this year

[Wildcat Steve]

The U15s are our future and we must give them every chance to race that we can and on as many different tracks

From our point of view things are changing with invites now from quite a few clubs like Coventry when George will ride there on the 22 august (George is looking forward to that one) and also the chance to ride on tracks where he cant normally get rides like at Poole when he will get some races there when he rides in the academy league.

Its great that the chances are now opening up on EL tracks so hopefully things are changing

[Cornishman]

From our point of view things are changing with invites now from quite a few clubs like Coventry when George will ride there on the 22 august (George is looking forward to that one)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

woooo!

 

 

go George

 

 

 

cant you make it the 19th August though

 

 

seems like ages since i've seen you ride (except cardiff of course )

[Wildcat Steve]

woooo!

go George

cant you make it the 19th August though

seems like ages since i've seen you ride (except cardiff of course )

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Hi Cornishman

George will be at Somerset this week got some U15 races in the second half.

George took a heavy fall at Weymouth in the second half fiday hit the fence abit hard and bent his frame rushed over to him while he was down on the track knew he was Ok when he looked at me and said " Stupid place to put a fence" He has a swollen knee at the mo hobbling a bit but went swimming in the sea yesterday at Weymouth. So should be fit for Friday. Do come and say hi to us.

[Mr. Clemens]

The interesting thing reading through this thread is the depressing and pessimistic conclusion from one and all that in effect there won't ever be a British World Champion again. There are plenty saying there could be, should be, might be.

 

Personally I think that both Nicholls and Richardson can raise their game to become consistent GP contenders and win the series too. The self belief of a rider is multiplied by the injection of belief in them from their sponsors, the supporters and promoters. As it is reduced by the apathy of those around them.

 

I don't actually know if there is anyone on this forum who has 'clout' in the sport but I do know if there is then they ought to start using it. Speedway is at a crossroads in its development so the question is does everyone want the sport to go forward?

 

People can argue about whether or not young British riders are given the oppertunities to develop themselves in the sport. These things should be taken as read not presumed or assumed by anyone. If the oppertunities are not there then the sport is going nowhere too.

 

There should be programs in place that ensure there is a co ordinated system between tracks to take and develop these riders as a matter of course. There are plenty of retired riders of all nationalities who should be willing to pass on their knowledge.

 

There should be a system in place where our young riders should be able to go to Sweden, Poland, Denmark and even Australia to gain experience. A process of exchange for young riders to get experience on all tracks everywhere.

 

If towns and schools and such can create exchange systems, how is it that speedway can't? This sport has been living in the 'twilight zone' for far too long now. Time for those involved to 'get this show on the road'. Time to take out that road map and plot a destination and dispel this 'set in concrete' image the sport being forever on the 'road to nowhere'.

 

I imagine that any young British rider, no matter what grade they have achieved thus far in the sport, would get very depressed when reading what has been said here. The ethos being that no matter what the effort or how hard they try to succeed no one really cares as they are 'left stranded at the gate' before the race even starts'.

 

For these are 'circular argument's' going 'round and round and up and down we go again >> like we did last summer' and every other summer for the duration of the sport.

 

Is there anyone out there with this 'clout' I mention who can and will take the sport by the scruff of the neck and give it the shake up it needs. Because this sport is jaded and needs an injection of 'spirit of intent' to electrify the sport.

 

I know there are those who will respond to this who will say that things are being done to promote the development of young riders here. I don't doubt there is but it's not good enough and it's not comprehensive enough.

 

My belief is that if there had have been access to such a forum as this 30 or 40 years ago that the supporters I knew would have been making waves. We would have whipped up a storm that would have made people listen. This is what those involved here should be doing now instead of wallowing in a sea of pessimism.

 

As I often tell people 'you can always give a 1000 reasons why you can't do something but not 1 reason why you can'.

 

See you all at Coventry tonight I will give you all a wave.

[AndyM]

Not that there will never be another British champ, Mr. C, only that for the country steeped in speedway and with a substantial infrastructure for the sport, we've manifestly underachieved. We've never had any champion score more than two victories, and since 1962 there have only been four individual triumphs. The frequency and quality of our wins must be improved, and at present all we're doing is knocking up the occasional semi-final qualifier at GP level, let alone being anywhere close to winning the series.

 

With the academy, there are some grounds for confidence that we may have future champions. And yes, it's true that Nicholls had a good GP that he fluffed at the semi stage, but I'd question whether your belief that Nicholls or Richardson is capable of sustaining a consistent effort over 9 GPs is justified, particularly while we he have the likes of TR, Crump, Adams and Pedersen ruling the roost. Look at this year and you'd think they're already being overtaken in the GP stakes by the likes of Bjarne Pedersen and Lindback, who look much more likely to score victories. Call it big match temperament if you like - they can pull out the key races.

 

This is why we need effective national coaching from people who have been there and done it, and not just from any retired riders. Even if Middlo did put in the time and effort, he was scarcely a World Champ himself. The one reason why we can is contained within that experience - if we take advantage of it!

[Mr. Clemens]

I understand completely what you are saying Andy what I am talking about is going above and beyond all that. I am aware of the history of the sport and know what the score is with British World Champions.

 

Yes of course my opinion of Nicholls and Richardson are justified. There is no reason that they cannot move on and improve in the sport. If they will or not is down to them and those who support them.

 

The very fact you say that we have stoodstill for 40 years and more is the very reason I said what I said. This being the reason I post my thoughts here. I have not been to speedway for 18 years but all the arguments put forward here are the same debated when I did watch it regularly.

 

The underlying point I am making is that the sport should have been unrecognisable to me as it had progressed so much since 1987, but it isn't.

 

I don't know much about this Academy so if there is a weblink someone post it for me please.

[AndyM]

With respect, I and plenty of others have also put down a lot of ideas about what ought to happen to revive British prospects in the championships, but it's simply not going to happen. Nobody in the BSPA regards urgent action to develop and improve our riders into consistently world class superstars as a priority. They don't invest in it and never have. The academy is the ONLY improvement in the past 40 years; yes, the CL might have been but it's not doing the job and in any case without changes to the way PL and EL are run it's making no progress on where we always have been in terms of giving young riders tryouts.

 

Accuse me of pessimism if you like, but in the absence of anyone with vision and drive in positions of authority, none of these measures will ever come to fruition. In this light, how can we hope to move Nicholls or Richardson up a notch towards the Crump/Pedersen/Rickardsson bracket? League form is irrelevant - it's a completely different mindset required.

[Subedei]

There should be a system in place where our young riders should be able to go to Sweden, Poland, Denmark and even Australia to gain experience. A process of exchange for young riders to get experience on all tracks everywhere.

 

Exactly.

But the young riders have also got to get themselves into the top flight over here at the first opportunity as well. It's far too late to be breaking into the Elite League at 23. You've got no hope.