Anders Michanek

[Guest]

I can see where Parseloes is coming from here talking of comfort zones.

 

The GP system is still something of a closed shop, and sadly contains rather too many veterans for my liking. (Due regard to the outstanding efforts of Crumpy, Adams etc but where and how is the new talent going to emerge?).

 

My only wish is to see the GP qualification process opened up further with the re-instatement of the FIM qualifying rounds, culminating in a 16 rider GP Qualifier with the bottom 6 riders from the GP standings joined by the top 3 from say the Continental Final and top 6 from the Intercontinental final.

 

This way, the existing GP riders get the opportunity to prove themselves worthy of another crack at the title.

[Parsloes 1928 nearly]

I can see where Parseloes is coming from here talking of comfort zones.

 

The GP system is still something of a closed shop, and sadly contains rather too many veterans for my liking. (Due regard to the outstanding efforts of Crumpy, Adams etc but where and how is the new talent going to emerge?).

 

My only wish is to see the GP qualification process opened up further with the re-instatement of the FIM qualifying rounds, culminating in a 16 rider GP Qualifier with the bottom 6 riders from the GP standings joined by the top 3 from say the Continental Final and top 6 from the Intercontinental final.

 

This way, the existing GP riders get the opportunity to prove themselves worthy of another crack at the title.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

You say the bottom six from the GPs..: then what about the top ten..: surely that's far too many to be allowed to stay in every year..?

 

I'd say only the top four from the GPs stay in and only the next four go into the GP Challenge. Others who fear they're going to miss out on the top eight will need to compete in the World Championship rounds in order to try and qualify.

 

This is NOT the sort of system I want to see really (there should be a world championship which stands alone in the year it's competed for, not one based entirely on the previous year..!); but if we have to stick with the GPs, this would at least mean that we don't have the sterile, pointless cosy boys club we currently see.

The idea of missing out on qualification but this not mattering because you're bound to be nominated provided you come from the right country as we currently see happening makes an utter mockery of the sport..

[speedyguy]

You say the bottom six from the GPs..: then what about the top ten..: surely that's far too many to be allowed to stay in every year..?  

 

I'd say only the top four from the GPs stay in and only the next four go into the GP Challenge.  Others who fear they're going to miss out on the top eight will need to compete in the World Championship rounds in order to try and qualify.

 

This is NOT the sort of system I want to see really (there should be a world championship which stands alone in the year it's competed for, not one based entirely on the previous year..!); but if we have to stick with the GPs, this would at least mean that we don't have the sterile, pointless cosy boys club we currently see.

The idea of missing out on qualification but this not mattering because you're bound to be nominated provided you come from the right country as we currently see happening makes an utter mockery of the sport..

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

That's how it works with GPs in all motorcycle disciplines under FIM rules. If you have objections, suggest you write to them with your views.

 

 

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway

Edited November 1, 2007 by speedyguy

[speedyguy]

The GP system is still something of a closed shop, and sadly contains rather too many veterans for my liking. (Due regard to the outstanding efforts of Crumpy, Adams etc but where and how is the new talent going to emerge?).

 

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Yes. It would be great to create an age barrier here as well we hve in UK speedway - where it is ruining the sport. It's ability not age that should decide GP and all speedway placements.

 

In the USA, Gene Bonsignore has just won the season-long East Coast points championship and he's nearly 60 years old. Good job he's not trying for a Conference League place. Someone would find an obscure 15 year old to replace him!

 

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway

Edited November 1, 2007 by speedyguy

[Guest]

Age barrier? Where did I say that?

 

Do you not agree that it's far harder to get into the GP series than it is to get out of it? As to Crumpy and Adams, if they and the other "veterans" finish high enough up in the rankings then they fully deserve to retain their status in the World's elite.

 

My worry is that we are in the business of providing entertainment, and the inclusion of younger, hungrier world class talent may help give the sport a shot in the arm.

 

In terms of precedent look back at the early 1950's. The likes of Parker, Duggan, Price and Kitchen were quickly swamped by Moore, Briggs, Craven and Fundin. This "new wave" of talent led the way for a decade or more and encouraged a new level of professionalism within the sport.

[speedyguy]

Age barrier? Where did I say that?

 

Do you not agree that it's far harder to get into the GP series than it is to get out of it? As to Crumpy and Adams, if they and the other "veterans" finish high enough up in the rankings then they fully deserve to retain their status in the World's elite.

 

My worry is that we are in the business of providing entertainment, and the inclusion of younger, hungrier world class talent may help give the sport a shot in the arm.

 

In terms of precedent look back at the early 1950's. The likes of Parker, Duggan, Price and Kitchen were quickly swamped by Moore, Briggs, Craven and Fundin. This "new wave" of talent led the way for a decade or more and encouraged a new level of professionalism within the sport.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

The transition took place as a natural progression. There was none of the fast-tracking of kids by shuffling averages that takes place in some sections of the sport in the UK these days.

 

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway

Edited November 1, 2007 by speedyguy

[Parsloes 1928 nearly]

The transition took place as a natural progression. There was none of the fast-tracking of kids by shuffling averages that takes place in some sections of the sport in the UK these days.

 

"Fast-tracking of kids"..??!!

Can't see any of that happening in respect of the World Championship.

 

If Tai Woffinden had been riding in the mid-'70s I'd predict he'd have been a World Finalist by the time he was 20. Under the GPs I'd be surprised if he's allowed anything beyond a pointless 'wild-card' in a home GP before he's, what, 26/27..

By then will he be interested in applying himself to a championship from which he'd effectively have been prohibited for so long..?? The Ed Kennett situation suggests, perhaps not.

But it'll be okay..: Greg Hancock will still be collecting his GP pension in it..!!

[speedyguy]

"Fast-tracking of kids"..??!!

Can't see any of that happening in respect of the World Championship.

 

If Tai Woffinden had been riding in the mid-'70s I'd predict he'd have been a World Finalist by the time he was 20.  Under the GPs I'd be surprised if he's allowed anything beyond a pointless 'wild-card' in a home GP before he's, what, 26/27..

By then will he be interested in applying himself to a championship from which he'd effectively have been prohibited for so long..??  The Ed Kennett situation suggests, perhaps not.

But it'll be okay..: Greg Hancock will still be collecting his GP pension in it..!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

No objections to Tai Woffinden getting a GP chance. Cannot see the AMA agreeing to no Americans in the GP at the next FIM Congress. So what Brit would you like to see go out to make way for him?

 

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway

Edited November 3, 2007 by speedyguy

[newbieoldboy]

If things go the way Messers Olsen and Posslewatsit seem to want them, then a young rider will get in at 18 if he can bring enough sponsorship money to the series, the same as all the other minor motor sport world championships.

[Sir Jasper]

Hold on Trick qualified for every gp series he was involved in, usually by being the defending champion.

 

Also what is to stop somebody like Tai Woffinden going through the qualifying rounds now?

 

Perosnally I think he would struggle to score more than 6 points in the british final at the minute.

Edited December 31, 2007 by Sir Jasper

[spin king]

Hold on Trick qualified for every gp series he was involved in, usually by being the defending champion.

 

Also what is to stop somebody like Tai Woffinden going through the qualifying rounds now?

 

Perosnally I think he would struggle to score more than 6 points in the british final at the minute.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Are you basing that on last seasons final if so Tai is a very quick learner, and I would not put it past him to surpass your expectation's.

[BASIL]

You people who say that Greg Hancock is only making the numbers up in GP are laughable. He is in it because he is still in the top eight in the world, does not need wild cards like some of the so called superstars ? As for youger riders not being able to get in to GP's I do agree that there should be a better way.