British Final And Semi Finals

[21st century heathen]

I personally think Tai and Lee should've been seeded in. A British Final minus two of the top British riders just isn't right to me and I can't help but think that we were cheated of more good racing between the top riders.

 

 

Sorry mate, can't agree. And I, like you, admit to being an EL snob (although I am watching all 3 leagues this season). We weren't cheated of anything. Rico and Tai failed to qualify because they weren't good enough on the day. I have no problem with that. Do you think the GP Quali Final should be seeded to make sure all the best riders are in with a chance or are you happy with the Qualifiers being run?

 

British Finals years ago didn't take place on a Monday night did they, might have been a few more fans in attendance had it been on Saturday night like it should be, or even Sunday afternoon!!

 

 

Hmmm... Perhaps in this day and age you have a point, but as I said there were fans from all over the country rather than just locally from Wolves, Heathens, Brummies and Bees.

 

Umm When?? Sky said they were going to show MORE PL this season..so far only 1!!

 

 

I would like to see more PL action too, but I don't for one minute think there will be more than 2/3 a season at the moment. In years to come? Perhaps, but I won't hold my breath. I wonder whether Sky would consider more PL speedway through the early summer when there is no league football taking up half its schedule?

 

Correct me if I am wrong? I was at the meeting and was none too impressed with the track, given I was looking from terraces and not riding it!The second bend in particular seemed to be causing no end of problems but hey I am no Track Custodian it is just an observation!

 

 

It wasn't absolutely perfect but there wasn't anything particularly wrong with it. It was grippy and riders and machines are not really used to it so it took some of them a ride or two to settle (Allen for example was better later on - though unlucky in heat 1 in my opinion when squeezed out). Monmore is more technical a lot of tracks and you have to turn the throttle both ways which some riders don't like to do. It's almost a case of slow down a bit and you'll go faster. Turn two catches out much better riders than the like of Clews, Frampton, Lanham etc. No disrespect to these guys, they're good at what they do. For example Lanham is best known for being able to pootle around the curb on a slick track. The fact that he drifted out on a grippy track was no surprise to me. Ryan Sullivan, for example, never got the hang of Monmore and even when Dryml was flying in the GP he was crap at Monmore. KK can't ride it unless it's slick and he makes the start. Zagar, likewise. He actually pulled out of his first two rides at Monmore and then was flying later when it slickened off. AJ and Rico aren't great there and openly don't like it. What I'm trying to say is that although it appeared to have a couple of patches that were a bit dodgy, no doubt caused by all the heavy rain, most of the mistakes seen were due to either riders that aren't very good at Monmore or riders riding too hard.

 

My real 1st choice would be to have it at Coventry but that would be to unfair with the amount of Bees riders in the field at present...

 

I think I counted 8 past and present Cov riders in the field. Who says British clubs don't invest in British riders?!

 

The biggest problem with the qualifying system this year was having the 2 semis at big flat out open tracks then having the final at Monmore.

 

I'm not knocking Monmore, love it as a track, but the reason some of these boys made the final was because they are big track men, to then put the surprise packages round a track that's completely different to the one they've qualified on seems ridiculous and was half the reason the meeting wasn't as good as it should have been.

 

A significant factor, but I still agree with having semi-finals. And having them at the lesser riders preferred track type makes for more open semi's, which can only be a good thing.

 

Hall was never going to beat King at Monmore but he was there on merit after doing a good job in the semi. Even the bookies knew he had no chance. King was 50-1 to win the meeting even though he had to come through that run-off. Hall was 500-1.

 

Not really fair to say Rico wasn't good enough. His bike packed up in his first ride and he fell in his 2nd ride leaving him unfit to take his other 3 rides.

 

 

So he had poor equipment and rode poorly.

 

 

[barrow boy]

I thought the occasion deserved a better theatre at somewhere like Coventry or Poole or any other stadium that had fans on show on all parts and not just the starting gate area. It would have looked more impressive.

[London Witch]

Do you think the GP Quali Final should be seeded to make sure all the best riders are in with a chance or are you happy with the Qualifiers being run?

 

 

 

Permanent Wild Cards are in place for that reason, so I'm happy with qualifying as it stands.

 

If the British Final was a stepping stone to the GPs then I'd agree with you, but apart from the winner being British Champ and wild card at Cardiff it doesn't actually mean anything, therefore all the best riders should be in it to spice things up a bit imo.

[Authorised]

 

I think I counted 8 past and present Cov riders in the field. Who says British clubs don't invest in British riders?!

 

 

 

I can get to 10....

 

Harris

Nicholls

Barker

Kennett

Bridger

Allen

Clews

Frampton

Robson

Stead

[liverpool chad]

I thought the occasion deserved a better theatre at somewhere like Coventry or Poole or any other stadium that had fans on show on all parts and not just the starting gate area. It would have looked more impressive.

 

Agreed, Monmore as never been the same since they did away with the stand on the back straight many years ago.

On another note, while im in no way knocking Chris Harris's determination to win the meeting, i don't understand his win at all costs attitude that could well of not only hindered his GP chances but also his and Coventrys domestic season, surely his priority should be stay out of trouble in the british final, as he is already at Cardiff and carry on with his good form at Torun on Saturday. Some of the moves he pulled on Monday left me wondering if he felt the british title was worth more to him than a top eight finish in the GP's. As for the other three from Coventry, well, i feel someone is going to get hurt if they don't calm down a little.

All in all it was a good meeting and IMHO the track looked fine from where i was stood and i couldnt understand why so many riders chose the wrong set up, most of them took a look at the track pre meeting saw how much dirt was on there and then seemed to choose a set up for a slick track where power from the start is paramount!

[21st century heathen]

I thought the occasion deserved a better theatre at somewhere like Coventry or Poole or any other stadium that had fans on show on all parts and not just the starting gate area. It would have looked more impressive.

 

One could argue it would have looked a lot worse to have a spread out crowd that was on the low side for a big meeting. The crowd on Monday was no bigger than we're getting there for the Dudley Heathens meetings.

 

...but apart from the winner being British Champ and wild card at Cardiff it doesn't actually mean anything...

 

 

Thankfully the riders felt that was enough and showed plenty of determination to achieve the honour of being named British Champion.

 

I can get to 10....

 

Harris

Nicholls

Barker

Kennett

Bridger

Allen

Clews

Frampton

Robson

Stead

 

 

Quite right. 10/16, or 18 with the reserves, is impressive. I was just trying to remember what I had counted rather than actually counting again in my head.

 

 

[Dornier]

Agreed, Monmore as never been the same since they did away with the stand on the back straight many years ago.

On another note, while im in no way knocking Chris Harris's determination to win the meeting, i don't understand his win at all costs attitude that could well of not only hindered his GP chances but also his and Coventrys domestic season, surely his priority should be stay out of trouble in the british final, as he is already at Cardiff and carry on with his good form at Torun on Saturday. Some of the moves he pulled on Monday left me wondering if he felt the british title was worth more to him than a top eight finish in the GP's. As for the other three from Coventry, well, i feel someone is going to get hurt if they don't calm down a little.

All in all it was a good meeting and IMHO the track looked fine from where i was stood and i couldnt understand why so many riders chose the wrong set up, most of them took a look at the track pre meeting saw how much dirt was on there and then seemed to choose a set up for a slick track where power from the start is paramount!

Chris wanted to beat Scott Nicholls which was his main priority and rightly so . It also strenghtens Bombers hand at the end of the season when the GP places are handed out , I think it swung it for him this season .

[liverpool chad]

Chris wanted to beat Scott Nicholls which was his main priority and rightly so . It also strenghtens Bombers hand at the end of the season when the GP places are handed out , I think it swung it for him this season .

 

That's a fair point in regard to next seasons GP spots if winning the british final gets him into next years GP's. But on current form a rider of his ability should be confident enough to back himself to go one step further and qualify for next years series by finishing in the top eight! And you have to admit that had one of his falls on Monday resulted in a break or fracture as it so easily could have, then he would of lost his place in this years series, missed out on being british champion resulting in him not making next years GP's. IMO Mondays show of, at times, reckless riding was not warranted as he has a dammed good chance of making the top eight this year.

And if his main priority for is performance on Monday was to beat Scott Nicholls, Then you are probably right, better to qualify at all costs! because that shows a total lack of both ambition and confidence! And thats not the Chris Harris that i know!

[linus]

...if he felt the british title was worth more to him than a top eight finish in the GP's.

 

Fancy that! A British rider putting being national champion over participating in a three-ring circus! OMGosh!

[Dornier]

That's a fair point in regard to next seasons GP spots if winning the british final gets him into next years GP's. But on current form a rider of his ability should be confident enough to back himself to go one step further and qualify for next years series by finishing in the top eight! And you have to admit that had one of his falls on Monday resulted in a break or fracture as it so easily could have, then he would of lost his place in this years series, missed out on being british champion resulting in him not making next years GP's. IMO Mondays show of, at times, reckless riding was not warranted as he has a dammed good chance of making the top eight this year.

And if his main priority for is performance on Monday was to beat Scott Nicholls, Then you are probably right, better to qualify at all costs! because that shows a total lack of both ambition and confidence! And thats not the Chris Harris that i know!

to have beaten scott nicholls in the british final will have done bomber no end of good , his confidence will be sky high and that is what he has been lacking lately . To let nicholls walk away with that trophy would have been catastrophic , Nicholls thinks hes britains number one and has never forgiven bomber for winning cardiff , something he has been unable to do . I was a scott fan until that night in Gelsenkirchen when he ruthlessly brought bomber down .

[liverpool chad]

Fancy that! A British rider putting being national champion over participating in a three-ring circus! OMGosh!

 

And by saying Quote, "three ring circus" You mean what exactly?

[liverpool chad]

to have beaten scott nicholls in the british final will have done bomber no end of good , his confidence will be sky high and that is what he has been lacking lately . To let nicholls walk away with that trophy would have been catastrophic , Nicholls thinks hes britains number one and has never forgiven bomber for winning cardiff , something he has been unable to do . I was a scott fan until that night in Gelsenkirchen when he ruthlessly brought bomber down .

 

Beating Scott Nicholls in the british final should not be Chris Harris's number one goal. But if you are right, then more fool Chris Harris for having such low ambitions! And come on "catastrophic" Do you ever remember Ivan Mauger thinking it would of been "catastrophic" letting Barry Briggs or Eric Boocock win a british final on the way to a world final? Because remember thats all the british final was a steeping stone to the greater prize! Now it's not even that!

Come on get real! Bombers number one goal should be climbing the rankings in the GP's not going out at all costs to win the british final that now means very little in world speedway if at-all it ever did!

[Dornier]

That's a fair point in regard to next seasons GP spots if winning the british final gets him into next years GP's. But on current form a rider of his ability should be confident enough to back himself to go one step further and qualify for next years series by finishing in the top eight! And you have to admit that had one of his falls on Monday resulted in a break or fracture as it so easily could have, then he would of lost his place in this years series, missed out on being british champion resulting in him not making next years GP's. IMO Mondays show of, at times, reckless riding was not warranted as he has a dammed good chance of making the top eight this year.

And if his main priority for is performance on Monday was to beat Scott Nicholls, Then you are probably right, better to qualify at all costs! because that shows a total lack of both ambition and confidence! And thats not the Chris Harris that i know!

The name of the game is to get as many trophys in ya cabinet as you can , It also helps coventry speedway when they can advertise that the british champion is riding there . And lastly it will help bomber when he is negotiating his 2011 contract with Matt Ford

[T.N.T.]

I thought the occasion deserved a better theatre at somewhere like Coventry or Poole or any other stadium that had fans on show on all parts and not just the starting gate area. It would have looked more impressive.

 

Apart from the main thing .... the racing !!!

[topaz325]

Some disrespectful comments regarding PL riders and some strange decisions by the referee.

 

I also think Tai Woffinden should have been awarded the title with Lee Richardson in second place.

[Bagpuss]

Seems to be the British way though, lets knock the guy, the guy who has tonight shown he is the 3rd best Brit when it matters. It's ok saying Tai, Simon and Rico have higher averages in the league but in individual meeting Ben has shown he can step it up. We have a young British rider I the rise and some can only slag him off.

 

Exactly. Love or hate Barker you have to admit that he's got something about him. If he rides well over the next few weeks then he could give Mr Lyon plenty to think about regarding the SWC team.

 

 

 

 

In an EL type meeting , then no.

 

Dear oh dear.

 

Was disrespectful to the teams who pay the vast majority of Schrammy and Lanham's wages to leave them off the captions. They weren't even consistent as they had Frampton down as Rye and not Swindon

[stevebrum]

Dear oh dear.

 

Was disrespectful to the teams who pay the vast majority of Schrammy and Lanham's wages to leave them off the captions. They weren't even consistent as they had Frampton down as Rye and not Swindon

 

 

Actually that is the part i agree on.

SKY should have really got the captions correct, but im sure they are happy if they can link a rider to an EL club because of there doubling up role.

 

Technically the double uppers ride for both teams tho.

[SCB]

I don't know they they didn't just run a single race with 4 seeded riders, Nicholls, Harris, Kennett and wild card Chris Schramm. Why bother with the 20 heats and the semi? We all knew it was between Harris and Nicholls, we should have just had a run off with 2 riders for the title.

[topaz325]

I don't know they they didn't just run a single race with 4 seeded riders, Nicholls, Harris, Kennett and wild card Chris Schramm. Why bother with the 20 heats and the semi? We all knew it was between Harris and Nicholls, we should have just had a run off with 2 riders for the title.

[Old JAP Lover]

As someone who does not see regular live speedway these days apart from Sky Coverage, I must say that I enjoyed the meeting on Monday. Yes the track was grippy in parts, but nowhere was it "bald as a badgers" which led to some interesting heats.

I have over the years got a little tired of the full throttle hang on to the bike type of rider who has been coming through the ranks on the poorly (in my opinion) prepared tracks and it was interesting on monday to see that by and large the riders who got into trouble were not the PL lads, they rode within there capabilities, but the more "experienced" globe trotters who are used to the slick modern day surfaces.

 

Bomber always rides on the edge and is prepared to use the whole track whatever the conditions in an effort to win, be it around the boards or front wheel over the line, and I am pleased to say that his years of experience coming through the ranks from his early days are now beginning to show in the GP's especially on the deeper grippier tracks, but even he was caught out somewhat on Monday in his quest for yet another good entry on the CV, and managed to beat Scott fair and square twice in the process. Whilst the Nicki's and Jasons are perhaps struggling somewhat.

 

Lewis Bridger I was pleased to say I watched with interest when he started at Weymouth but seems to have lost his way a little and needs to go back to basics, calm down and take some sensible advice from someone who has been there and done it before him.

 

Ben Barker I remember as a mouthy little know-all when riding in the NL, I am pleased to say he appears in his interviews to have matured a little since those days (I have never sat near to him at Cardiff thankfully). He now looks to have good equipment and I am sure his day will come when things will fall into place, but again he does fall into the full throttle, hang on type of rider who I fear is going to be involved in a "big one" before too long.

 

Looking back to the 60's - 80's I remember the days when everyone who was a rider got the chance to go through the qualifiers to eventually perhaps reach the world final, a much fairer way for all than the 18 - 20 who are seeded and picked these days. Can you imagine a PL Rider becoming the World Champion these days - no, they do not get the chance. But Jack Young managed it years ago against all the odds as a second division rider.

And please come back the days when we have the likes of Boocock, Jessop, and Co who can ride any surface and track to challenge for our National title let alone the World Championship.

 

Old Timer