Robbie B Posted July 16, 2011 Report Share Posted July 16, 2011 Well the speedway World Cup is over for another year, and congratulations to Poland, in winning it. But I personally think that now is the time to make some changes to the World Cup format, which would improve and freshen- it-up. So first-up I would change the team format. We all know that some teams struggle to raise five strong riders, for their national team. I would change the number of riders to four per team, plus a reserve. This reserve rider would be used for any unforeseen incidents, such as riders being ruled out of the meeting due to injury. Why should any team suffer from being one rider short? The reserve would also be allowed to replace any rider at any time during the meeting. Each main team member would still be allowed on tactical substitute race, if their team is six points or more behind, during the heats 1 – 16 only. Next thing to change is the racing formula. Now that each team consists of four main riders. The races would now be in blocks of four. Gates positions would be changed, so that all teams in each block would receive gates 1, 2, 3 and 4 once only, in each group block of four races, with no rider being programmed to have the same gate more than once during the meeting. This would put an end to team being disadvantaged, in having mostly inside or outside gates in blocks of races, as is the case now. This formula would be fairer to all competing teams. In theory this would make teams stronger. The number of races in the speedway World Cup as we all know is 25 races, per meeting. With four man teams it would revert back to the old traditional 16 heat formula. But I would expand on this, and add an additional four races, which would all be nominated, with no rider being allowed to race in more than once in these races. This would definitely give the team manager’s something to think about. It would also make it extremely interesting for the crowd. Who as we know like to play team manager during meetings, trying to work which rider would ride, in each of these races? And you must remember that all teams would have each gate only once during these races. This would certainly spice things up, towards the end, of the meeting. Now for the dreaded tactical joker. I think that it should either be completely scrapped, or allowance be given for all teams to use once during heats 1 – 16 only. As currently why should the leading team be penalized, for riding well and then a team struggling for points then be given an advantage, in a race, for double points, it just doesn’t make sense to me, or too many other speedway supporters, that I know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrisB Posted July 16, 2011 Report Share Posted July 16, 2011 First change is to NOT hold the final in Poland next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noggin Posted July 16, 2011 Report Share Posted July 16, 2011 They tried having a reserve before, but this was manipulated by a rider performing badly suddenly becoming too ill to ride. Why not hold the final in sweden next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iNikeAguero Posted July 16, 2011 Report Share Posted July 16, 2011 Why not hold the final at the Millenium Stadium. Sell the tickets before Team GB get eliminated in order to get a good attendance. There should be a independant doctor at the meeting and they should judge whether a reserve can come in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCB Posted July 16, 2011 Report Share Posted July 16, 2011 (edited) Let every team have a reserve, they can take ANY 5 rides plus a tactical. If a team uses to put Crump, Gollob, Sayfutdinov, Harris or Nicki at reserve then thats up to them but if they put them in races in the first 20 heats an a rider gets wiped out in the last round of heats, tough rubbish! Edited July 16, 2011 by SCB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazzatopfuel Posted July 16, 2011 Report Share Posted July 16, 2011 Personaly I dont think Speedway gets any better than what I saw tonight, but if you wanted to spice it up a bit more; what about the top riders from the eliminated countrys forming a team for the final? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krompa Posted July 16, 2011 Report Share Posted July 16, 2011 They tried having a reserve before, but this was manipulated by a rider performing badly suddenly becoming too ill to ride. Reserve allowed max 3 rides per meeting and no such stories like Gollob or Crump at reserve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinny Posted July 16, 2011 Report Share Posted July 16, 2011 Personaly I dont think Speedway gets any better than what I saw tonight, but if you wanted to spice it up a bit more; what about the top riders from the eliminated countrys forming a team for the final? I've always wanted to go to The rest of the world on holiday!!! What a pathetic suggestion, my suggestion is stick to golf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebrum Posted July 16, 2011 Report Share Posted July 16, 2011 As is usual people are calling for change when they don`t agree with the result. The Final was great with the verdict still unsure until the penultimate heat. Think that speedway was yet again the winner. I agree, 4 riders teams have been tried before and was open to manipulation by the use of a reserve. IF there was a better way of running 4 rider teams then its an option. But personally speaking think the formula of 5 rider teams is right. The only dispute of a team not having 5 riders was down to country politics. They should be penalised and made to qualify for there actions. There was NO REASON why Emil couldnt have ridden on Monday because the problem was solved for the race off. A tough stance should be made to let countries know if you dont ensure 5 riders WILL be available then you will be withdrawn and allow the next ranked team to take there place. Russia have proved there an emerging nation, but did themselves a diservice on Monday by there own federation (politics or not). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marmite Posted July 16, 2011 Report Share Posted July 16, 2011 The only thing we need to change is the Joker.. other than that it is a good format, although we can get used to seeing Poland and maybe the Aussies ruling for years to come. The only format change I wondered about I think they tried years ago, but where in each race they have 3 nations, two riders from one nation, then one rider from two other nations. This way it might lead to good team riding and a true team world cup. Sure it was tried, but not sure why it didnt work out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niclas Posted July 16, 2011 Report Share Posted July 16, 2011 I miss the times when the team just included two riders. If you change the World Cup from five riders team to two riders tem more country will be able to participate and its more likely that other team than Danmark, Poland and Sweden will win. For example is it à greater chance Russia Will win with Emil and Laguta or USA with Hancock/Fisher. Even countries like Ukraine and Slovenia will have à chance to mess up à little bit for the topnations. Ride every heat in pairs and let all team meet eachother once. I have no idea how many teams you need in à final to get 20-25 heat but I believe we need to do something to make it more equal for the smaller speedwaynations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazzatopfuel Posted July 16, 2011 Report Share Posted July 16, 2011 I've always wanted to go to The rest of the world on holiday!!! What a pathetic suggestion, my suggestion is stick to golf omg cant come up with your own ideas? whats stoping you going abroad for holls? never been into golf , but if youve any other life guiding sujestions I may tur my back on the last 40yrs riding/sponsering Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topsoil Posted July 17, 2011 Report Share Posted July 17, 2011 In an ideal world I'd love to see a World Cup similar to that of football or rugby union. A tournament in one country over a couple of weeks, two team matches, but unfortunately that would cause too many mismatches. Football can get away with for e.g. Italy v New Zealand in the 2010 World Cup but can you imagine Poland v Hungary or Slovakia at speedway? Maybe a divisional type of tournament? Have matches between Poland / Australia / Sweden / Denmark / GB / Russia? in division one, Czech Republic, Germany, USA, Slovenia, Finland, Italy in division two? promotion / relegation? Having said all that the run off and final this year were extraordinary. The level of skill was a big step up from that seen at league level week in week out. It is a big step up for a lot of riders and this is where I feel the British riders miss out by not being exposed to this sort of level of intensity more often. How many riders did we see this week riding above themselves because they were riding for their county? Anybody watching the sport this week had to be impressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ImpartialOne Posted July 17, 2011 Report Share Posted July 17, 2011 I miss the times when the team just included two riders. If you change the World Cup from five riders team to two riders tem more country will be able to participate and its more likely that other team than Danmark, Poland and Sweden will win. For example is it à greater chance Russia Will win with Emil and Laguta or USA with Hancock/Fisher. Even countries like Ukraine and Slovenia will have à chance to mess up à little bit for the topnations. Ride every heat in pairs and let all team meet eachother once. I have no idea how many teams you need in à final to get 20-25 heat but I believe we need to do something to make it more equal for the smaller speedwaynations. That was the World Pairs, which I'd like to see brought back alongside the SWC. My only gripes with SWC is the jokers and the fact that a team event has an individual format. There should be two teams of two riders in each race. It can be done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CUFC_Brummie Posted July 17, 2011 Report Share Posted July 17, 2011 Don't hold it every year. Every 2 years, fine, but not every year. Joker can only be played once 8/10 points back. Hold the race off at a different track to the final (it can be in the same country though, and I would understand not changing this one because of the logistics, but it'd be nice). Job's a good 'un. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HenryW Posted July 17, 2011 Report Share Posted July 17, 2011 That was the World Pairs, which I'd like to see brought back alongside the SWC. Actually, in 94 they binned the pairs and made the team cup run on the pairs format, but with a third rider available as a reserve. My only gripes with SWC is the jokers and the fact that a team event has an individual format. There should be two teams of two riders in each race. It can be done. They did try running the team cup with pairings in each heat briefly. I think it might have been after they ditched the "pairs" format, so that would have started in 99. If I remember right, it wasn't really popular and they quickly went back to the format where each team has 1 rider in every race. I actually think the current format works really well. The SWC is always one of the highlights of the season for me, so I am happy if they stick with what they have just now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willstaxi Posted July 17, 2011 Report Share Posted July 17, 2011 First change is to NOT hold the final in Poland next year. TOTALY AGREE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jive Posted July 17, 2011 Report Share Posted July 17, 2011 Don't change a thing It's the best it's ever been! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveEvans Posted July 17, 2011 Report Share Posted July 17, 2011 Don't change a thing It's the best it's ever been! As good as it can be it would be even better if it was a real team event with team riding. Make it every 2 years, with qualifying on the off year. Have one country stage all events and rotate it between nations. Main tournment - 8 teams, 6 man teams (plus one reserve), run on old traditional test match format with 2 nominated heats at the end. Straight knock out competition and spice it up with NO seedings - match ups pulled out of the hat. 7 matches in total. The winners of the 1st matches are seeded to the next competition in 2 years. The 4 nations who lose go to qualifying tournaments in the off year (could be four touraments of four teams, knockout, 3 meetings, winner of each goes to next world cup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manchesterpaul Posted July 17, 2011 Report Share Posted July 17, 2011 One change needed the joker surely now HAS to go. Had a couple of newcomers watching tonight and they were stunned at how the commentators were calmly discusing riders to drop to the back of the race if they didn't gate in the lead. How long before we have a situation where two teams at the same time need to be 6 points behind instead of 5 and we have a case of "please Sir you first" "no, not at all dear chap, you go over the line first" "nooooo i insist you first" "certainly not, i must insist you take the point" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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