srbramble Posted September 22, 2009 Report Share Posted September 22, 2009 What makes you think that? He is just another average rider with potential in Poland and Sweden. Let him achieve heat leader status in all three leagues then he will be ready. I'm not doubting he will be in the GP's one day, just think next season is too early. And anyone that thinks Kennett or Bridger will ever be GP riders must have been at BFD's stash. I'm sure I will be proved right or wrong very soon. Who would you give a wildcard to? If it is to be a Brit, who would be a bigger draw? Tai will put bums on seats more than any other Brit. Fresh new face, the underdog, charasmatic, oh, and a rather good rider too. New sponsors would undoubtedly get on board with him, and he would have equipment second to none. He can already put most of them to shame in that department. Lets wait and see who gets it. I say Tai, you say.......mmmmm, easy to scoff at peoples' suggestions, but not prepared to stick your neck out. That's about right for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wotnoaj Posted September 22, 2009 Report Share Posted September 22, 2009 I think it's fair to say that there is no British rider that is really worth a wildcard at the moment. We all know however that the bods in charge want at least one Brit for commercial reasons, which is totally wrong but more than likely to happen. Tai is the one I'd pick if I had to. Harris, Nicholls and Richardson have all been there, had a go and failed. Not much is likely to change for them if they are included. Kennett is a talented rider up to a certain level and is a nice fella; unfortunately being a nice fella won't win him races. Bridger I feel will never be a GP quality rider as long as he has a hole in his arse. Again, a talented rider up to a point but drops his head as soon as he is beaten or makes a mistake. Both are good Elite league riders, as are the main team GB riders, but that is their level. Tai has the potential to do better than the others. I don't think he is there yet but if he is put into the GP's, I don't think losing will dent his confidence the way it would the others. I feel he has more mental toughness about him and will learn from his experiences. Maybe thats the Aussie spirit in him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blazeaway Posted September 22, 2009 Report Share Posted September 22, 2009 I'm sure I will be proved right or wrong very soon. Who would you give a wildcard to? If it is to be a Brit, who would be a bigger draw? Tai will put bums on seats more than any other Brit. Fresh new face, the underdog, charasmatic, oh, and a rather good rider too. New sponsors would undoubtedly get on board with him, and he would have equipment second to none. He can already put most of them to shame in that department. Lets wait and see who gets it. I say Tai, you say.......mmmmm, easy to scoff at peoples' suggestions, but not prepared to stick your neck out. That's about right for you. Just wondered why you thought Tai would put bums on seats, a question you answered well. Just a shame you have to have a snidey dig at the end but that's about right for you. My three picks would be Zagar and whoever finishes outside the top eight from Nicki, Holta and Hans. All four riders head and shoulders above Tai, at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted September 22, 2009 Report Share Posted September 22, 2009 Just wondered why you thought Tai would put bums on seats, a question you answered well. Just a shame you have to have a snidey dig at the end but that's about right for you. My three picks would be Zagar and whoever finishes outside the top eight from Nicki, Holta and Hans. All four riders head and shoulders above Tai, at the moment. It has been stated on the web that if Denmark only get one rider in the top 8 they are assured of 2 wildcard places.Then again,as i mentioned about a week ago,it was stated on Polish tv that if Harris failed to get through the GP Challenge then Tai would get a wildcard....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srbramble Posted September 22, 2009 Report Share Posted September 22, 2009 (edited) Just wondered why you thought Tai would put bums on seats, a question you answered well. Just a shame you have to have a snidey dig at the end but that's about right for you. My three picks would be Zagar and whoever finishes outside the top eight from Nicki, Holta and Hans. All four riders head and shoulders above Tai, at the moment. We all know Zagar should be nailed on, and the other 3 regardless where they finish. I was asking for your Brit pick, so either of us might be able to say, " I told you so". Edited September 22, 2009 by srbramble Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blazeaway Posted September 22, 2009 Report Share Posted September 22, 2009 We all know Zagar should be nailed on, and the other 3 regardless where they finish. I was asking for your Brit pick, so either of us might be able to say, " I told you so". Sadly there are no Brits that warrant a place, if I was pushed I'd possibly opt for Rico. But only if I had to chose one. Don't get me wrong Tai will be an excellent GP rider one day, just think next year may be too soon. Or perhaps there are other reasons why he wants to be a GP rider sooner rather than later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colincooke Posted September 22, 2009 Report Share Posted September 22, 2009 (edited) This is the way i see the wild cards going. Whoever is in 9th in this years series will get a pick , be that Nicki, Freddie, Rune or Bjerre, Andersen will also get a pick, which leaves 2 remaining. Of those currently in the series, Nicholls has stated he wants a year out & i don't think Adams will want one either, Walaszek & Ulamek won't be considered imo as there will already be 3 Poles, so that leaves only Harris of those currently in the series. 2 things go in Chris' favour, the above stated plus he's next in the pecking order after Freddie from the GP challenge. So on this imo Harris will get in, that leaves 1 more nomination Who? Lindback? Zagar? Tai? Laguta? Iversen? Edited September 22, 2009 by colincooke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT Posted September 22, 2009 Report Share Posted September 22, 2009 (edited) Harris has never finished in the top 8, nor has he ever qualified for the Grand Prix Series through the qualifying rounds. He relied on a nomination for the 2007 series and in every season since. Does this record deserve yet another permanent wild card? His highest score since that Grand Prix win has been 10 (again at Cardiff) and his average in the 25 meetings since Cardiff ‘07 has been 5.64. Benfield Nomination 2007 – 9th 2008- 13th 2009– 14th By the way I really like Harris as a league rider, I just think he is too inconsistent for a full Grand Prix series. I'd be quite happy to see him as a Cardiff wild card, but he just doesn't deserve YET ANOTHER full series nomination. JT. Edited September 22, 2009 by JT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwi Posted September 22, 2009 Report Share Posted September 22, 2009 It should be the best 16 riders in the world at the end of this season. If they all came from one country who cares. You are seeing the 16 best ride against each other. Thats what a World Champion should be, the best not the manufactured best. is there anyone out there that can come up with the top 16 using british, swedish, polish etc league averages, individual meetings for this season (not including SGP and SWC averages) that will give you the best most consistant 16 for next season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pollyanna Posted September 22, 2009 Report Share Posted September 22, 2009 It has been stated on the web that if Denmark only get one rider in the top 8 they are assured of 2 wildcard places.Then again,as i mentioned about a week ago,it was stated on Polish tv that if Harris failed to get through the GP Challenge then Tai would get a wildcard....... Strange that, since Tai didn't even make it to the Final of the GP Qualifier! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchy Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 From the 1st Sept Green sheets it's got to be Richardson. His average is 8.66, next would be Harris on 8.45. After Harris you've got Kennet 8.03, then Woffinden on 7.15. Hopefully I've not missed anyone (not sure on some of the nationalities). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russian Fan Posted September 25, 2009 Report Share Posted September 25, 2009 I think Woffinden or Lee Richardsson , but Lee has some troubles with health Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seb the Snail Posted September 25, 2009 Report Share Posted September 25, 2009 Sadly there are no Brits that warrant a place, if I was pushed I'd possibly opt for Rico. But only if I had to chose one. Exactly how I see it. The notion that GB "deserves" a GP rider is absurd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wotnoaj Posted September 25, 2009 Report Share Posted September 25, 2009 (edited) I see Bomber has put his case forward to be in the GP's next year, reminding the powers that be that he is the British Champion and the only Brit to make the GP qualifier. Does this mean two Brits next year? Surely not! Don't get me wrong, I want the Brits to do well in Speedway, but fair is fair, if they are not up to standard, then someone else deserving of the chance should be there. The higher quality the field, the more likely we are to get different winners of GP's and more exciting racing. At the moment, you can usually have a good guess as to who is going to make the semis. Edited September 25, 2009 by Pearcey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spook Posted September 26, 2009 Report Share Posted September 26, 2009 Exactly how I see it. The notion that GB "deserves" a GP rider is absurd. I 100% agree ... and we are becoming far far removed from a world championship........ but........ we cannot deny who 'owns' the GP's and what their motives are........ while GB have riders 7.00+ the championship will have GB riders in it personally I lean towards 'the good ol' days' and the road to the one off world final but I can see clearly that with decent tracks prepared and a level playing field with no bias (on the night) that the GP's are a great spectacle.......... because of this I cannot blame IMG/BSI for protecting the Cardiff GP attendance at all costs........ if that GP went sour then the deck of cards could well come crashing down and i'm not at all sure that is a good scenario Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srbramble Posted September 26, 2009 Report Share Posted September 26, 2009 Exactly how I see it. The notion that GB "deserves" a GP rider is absurd. I totally disagree with you. It may be the case that there isn't any British rider that merits a place, but the series needs a Brit to maintain the interest from the British fans, especially with the biggest and best GP held in this country. I will admit I believe it will obviously be a business decision, but as all the big speedway nations have representatives in it, it makes no sense not to have a British rider in it, so my vote is for Woffy, who will generate huge amount of interest at every GP, and for the publicity alone, it is a must, regardless of how they get there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulco Posted September 26, 2009 Report Share Posted September 26, 2009 I totally disagree with you. It may be the case that there isn't any British rider that merits a place, but the series needs a Brit to maintain the interest from the British fans, especially with the biggest and best GP held in this country. I will admit I believe it will obviously be a business decision, but as all the big speedway nations have representatives in it, it makes no sense not to have a British rider in it, so my vote is for Woffy, who will generate huge amount of interest at every GP, and for the publicity alone, it is a must, regardless of how they get there. Which just goes tp prove the GP circus is a joke . Surely it should be the top 15 riders on merit ( plus the wildcard for local interest ) , and not having riders in it because they're popular with the media and the fans . Woffinden will make the GP's on merit in time , but he might be a year or so away from being ready . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spook Posted September 26, 2009 Report Share Posted September 26, 2009 Which just goes tp prove the GP circus is a joke . Surely it should be the top 15 riders on merit ( plus the wildcard for local interest ) , and not having riders in it because they're popular with the media and the fans . Woffinden will make the GP's on merit in time , but he might be a year or so away from being ready . I do wonder what would actually happen if the top 15 riders in the world (or at least close to it) were included regardless of nationality............. I think in terms of attendance the biggest issue would actually be the Polish GP's ......... as we have seen in the past with SWC race off attendances not involving Polish riders.................... but the money generated from Cardiff and the other temp venues dwarfs the others tbh I think IMG are making the correct business decisions.............. and it has to be considered what happens if they start making the incorrect decisions and it all hits the fan agree about Tai btw and I fear for how he will cope next year if he is included.............. the timing is wrong and the field is probably going to be its strongest ever Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Silvers Posted September 30, 2009 Report Share Posted September 30, 2009 Already gone to Tai " Sky Suck My Ass" Woffinden. You dont like him then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted October 3, 2009 Report Share Posted October 3, 2009 the money generated from Cardiff and the other temp venues dwarfs the others Cardiff is, of course, an important venue. But how many fans would NOT go to Cardiff just because there was no British rider in it? Very few I would think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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