lucifer sam Posted November 12, 2008 Report Share Posted November 12, 2008 (edited) one even won with a million to one chance performance There were 49 World Finals, so surely that should be 48-1 not 1,000,000-1 In fact, if you take into account the highly surprising (at the time) wins for Freddie Williams in 1950 and Peter Craven in 1955, it actually works out to odds of around 15-1 that a rank outsider could win a World Final. On the other hand, in the GP series, that has only been one even mildly surprising winner (Mark Loram in 2000) and even that one wasn't a shock for those who studied Loram's performances as an almost permanent wildcard in 1999 (fifth overall despite missing the first round). It's almost impossible for an outsider to win the World Final. If anyone bar Pedersen or Crump wins in 2009, I'll buy a hat and then eat it. All the best Rob Edited November 12, 2008 by lucifer sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Humphrey Appleby Posted November 12, 2008 Report Share Posted November 12, 2008 Sadly speedway is at such a low ebb that there is simply no one better to replace the "ageing line-up" You reap largely what you sow, and it could be argued that the closed shop nature of the SGP discourages potential new talent in the first place. Potential talent is usually in proportion to the opportunities available, as shown by the fact that there used to be enough riders to fill 18 BL teams, but now people are saying the BEL should be reduced to 8 teams because of a shortage of riders. The same principle undoubtedly applies to the SGP - why should riders bother when only a chosen few ever get in? To be practical, I think only the previous season's World Champion should automatically qualify for the SGP. I'd then take the top four riders by average from each of the British, Polish and Swedish Leagues, and then fill the four remaining places from the GP qualifier (with two starting at reserve for the first GP). If the same rider qualifies from more than one league, any spare places are filled from the GP qualifier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srbramble Posted November 12, 2008 Report Share Posted November 12, 2008 Who really cares who the winner will be? The series has a tired format. Not much change from the 2008 line up, and the riders who have replaced the outgoing ones hardly get the juices flowing. I don't expect too much excitement from the series as a whole, just as long as we get a majority of decent meetings along the way, and a good weekend in Cardiff. Probably will be NP again, seeing as he has the same competition to worry about as 2008, and he pissed that. Yawn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Humphrey Appleby Posted November 12, 2008 Report Share Posted November 12, 2008 just as long as we get a majority of decent meetings along the way How many of those did we see in the 2008 SGP? and a good weekend in Cardiff. Ah well, as long as the annual piss-up for British fans takes place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srbramble Posted November 12, 2008 Report Share Posted November 12, 2008 How many of those did we see in the 2008 SGP? Ah well, as long as the annual piss-up for British fans takes place. Hence my cynical attitude. Sorry if its not to your approval Grandad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Humphrey Appleby Posted November 12, 2008 Report Share Posted November 12, 2008 (edited) Sorry if its not to your approval Grandad. You really are a bitter individual. Can you not take comments in the humour in which they were intended and which were aimed at no-one in particular, especially ones that are sort of agreeing you in the first place? Edited November 12, 2008 by Humphrey Appleby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno Posted November 13, 2008 Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 1. Gollob 2. Sajfutdinov 3. AJ il have whatever your drinking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff. Posted November 13, 2008 Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 There were 49 World Finals, so surely that should be 48-1 not 1,000,000-1 Rob If a conference league reserve was given a place in a world final would you consider his odds of winning to be 15/1 Good job you are not a bookmaker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hazzman Posted November 13, 2008 Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 il have whatever your drinking! Local Bydgoszcz brew,. You should try it sometime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucifer sam Posted November 13, 2008 Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 If a conference league reserve was given a place in a world final would you consider his odds of winning to be 15/1 Good job you are not a bookmaker But nobody was "given" a place (bar the odd home representative) - they had to qualify. And anyone who qualified was good enough to win it - as the plenty of examples I've given already have proven. All the best Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno Posted November 13, 2008 Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 Local Bydgoszcz brew,. You should try it sometime. I DID.THAT WAS THE REASON I WAS AT THE GP CHALLANGE AT ZIELONA GORA BUT NOT AT THE GP CHALLANGE AT ZIELONA GORA IF YOU GET MY MEANING|.SHOULD BE AT BYDGOSZCZ AGAIN NEXT YEAR BUT MAY STAY AWAY FROM THE LOCAL BREW.OR MAYBE NOT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Man in black Posted November 13, 2008 Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 Well there is merit in that, but who are the "new blood" riders you would like to see. Sadly speedway is at such a low ebb that there is simply no one better to replace the "ageing line-up" The 12 qualified and seeded riders are probably the best 12 around at the moment, (Chris Harris?) the qualifiers are a bit ropey but those aside who would you like to see in there. OK, here's a suggestion: Let's keep the current seeding / qualification system, but select a further three "wildcard reserves". After the halfway point of the series, the bottom three riders in the standings are out and the wildcard reserves replace them for the second half of the series. This gets rid of the no-hopers and brings in new faces to refresh the lineup. It won't give the newcomers enough time to get a top 8 place, but it will put them in the shop window for a full-time wild-card entry for the next year. Do you think this would work and who would you pick? At the moment I'd go for Holder on ability and as a new face, Hampel because he's good enough to get another chance & Bjarne P. because he shouldn't have lost his place to Harris. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srbramble Posted November 13, 2008 Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 You really are a bitter individual. Can you not take comments in the humour in which they were intended and which were aimed at no-one in particular, especially ones that are sort of agreeing you in the first place? Try seeing things from the perspective of others for a change. Didn't see any humour in your post, to me, it was just patronising. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSmiler Posted November 30, 2008 Report Share Posted November 30, 2008 I think: 1. Nicki Pedersen 2. Leigh Adams 3. Tomasz Gollob 4. Jason Crump 5. Greg Hancock 6. Hans Andersen 7. Andreas Jonsson 8. Scott Nicholls 9. Rune Holta 10. Chris Harris 11. Fredrik Lindgren 12. Greg Walasek 13. Kenneth Bjerre 14. Sebastian Ulamek 15. Emil Sajfutdinov Really can't see much different from that this year. Perhaps Bjerre, Walasek and Harris switching around Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammy1997 Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 (edited) 1. Tomasz Gollob- no way hose 2. Nicki Pedersen 3. Jason Crump 4. Leigh Adams 5. Andreas Jonsson 6. Greg Hancock 7. Grzegorz Walasek 8. Scott Nicholls 9. Rune Holta 10. Seba Ułamek 11. Chris Harris 12. Freddie Lindgren 13 Hans Andersen 14 Kenneth Bjerre 15 Emil Sajfutdinov It for you strange types, but there is possible- It can be champion of world Gollob. Surely it will be prepared for season excellently! Your opinions: No way is Hans gonna finish behind Bomber. Walasek not that high. He'll have one good grand prix in Poland and thats it. My Sister says he'll be like Lindgren, when it comes to it, he's absolutely rubbish. Holta gonna be higher somewhere in the top 8 I would say. Gollob not consistent enough. Top Five: 1st-Nicki 2nd Hans 3rd Greg 4th Jason 5th Gollob 6-8 6th Nicholls 7th Holta 8th Adams. Bottom three: 13th Harris (Sister doesnt agree) 14th Ulamek 15th Lindgren ( I dont agree with that i would say emil. but apparently sister loves him, she hasnt seen him. ) Good year we think for GP's, British elite league to be french knickers. Edited December 1, 2008 by Jammy1997 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UnitedUnitedUnited Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 1. Nicki Pedersen 2. Jason Crump 3. Hans Andersen 4. Leigh Adams 5. Andreas Jonsson 6. Tomasz Gollob 7. Greg Hancock 8. Kenneth Bjerre 9. Rune Holta 10. Scott Nicholls 11. Emil Sajfutdinov 12. Freddie Lindgren 13 Chris Harris 14 Seb Ulamek 15 Greg Walasek dont think that will be far off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
i love tractors Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 1. nicki pedersen 2. hans andersen 3. jason crump 4. andreas jonsson 5. tomasz gollob 6. scott nicholls 7. greg hancock 8. emil sajfutdinov 9. leigh adams 10. rune holta 11. chris harris 12. freddie lingren 13. kenneth bjerre 14. seb ulamek 15. greg walasek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Bee Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 (edited) Crump Pedersen Andersen Jonsson Gollob Saifudtinov Nicholls Adams Hancock Bjerre Lindgren Harris Walasek Ulamek Hopefully that won't be too far off. Highest scoring wildcard - Zagar. Can't believe people are putting Emil down for 15th. Edited December 1, 2008 by Silver Bee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schumi Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 Can't believe people are putting Emil down for 15th. Can't believe you're putting Nicholls down as seventh. And Hampel will likely be the top scoring "wild card". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyHart Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 (edited) Pedersen Crump Adams Andersen Gollob Jonsson Saifudtinov Hancock Holta Nicholls Bjerre Lindgren Harris Walasek Ulamek Edited December 1, 2008 by MattyHart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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