JT Posted October 7, 2012 Report Share Posted October 7, 2012 Yep, me too..... Me three.... I think Hampel (injured for most of the season, former World No.2 and 3), Ward (unable to ride in the qualifiers, arguably even better than Holder) and Vaculik (finished ahead of Harris despite missing half the rounds) are certainties (or at least they should be). Jepsen Jensen (GP winner, World Cup Winner and likely World U21 Champion) should be the final rider, but this won't stop those in charge thinking up some comical excuse to include a mediocre British rider instead. Hopefully Harris' constant whinging hasn't paid off and he is told his charity is up after yet another dreadful season. However this opens the door for another also ran from our shores to get a call. Tai Woffinden shouldn't be anywhere near the series, but for commercial reasons he almost certainly will be. 2013 Grand Prix Series 1. Chris Holder 2. Nicki Pedersen 3. Greg Hancock 4. Tomasz Gollob 5. Emil Sayfutdinov 6. Antonio Lindback 7. Freddie Lindgren 8. Andreas Jonsson 9. Jarek Hampel 10. Martin Vaculik 11. Darcy Ward 12. Tai Woffinden 13. Krzysztof Kasprzak 14. Matej Zagar 15. Niels Kristian Iversen That's a very strong GP line up in my eyes.. JT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badge Posted October 7, 2012 Report Share Posted October 7, 2012 And me!!! I'd pick Vaculik, Ward, MJJ and Hampel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted October 7, 2012 Report Share Posted October 7, 2012 MANY people on here, but not necessarily elsewhere of course, may bitch about a Brit getting a wild card but that is the way it is likely to be, just as there is always likely to be a Swede, a Dane and a Pole. Maybe even an Aussie. It just so happens that right now (and perhaps for ever!) we don't seem to possess a rider who can make it on his own. Perhaps that will change over the next 12 months. But anyone who thinks commercial considerations don't come into the equation is living in cloud cuckoo land. The Masters is a golf major, considered by some as the ultimate prize. It is an invitation only event. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
June01 Posted October 7, 2012 Report Share Posted October 7, 2012 Maybe even an Aussie. It just so happens that right now (and perhaps for ever!) we don't seem to possess a rider who can make it on his own. Perhaps that will change over the next 12 months. Would love to think so, but there's far too much greed and egotism in speedway. No individual can change the future of the sport, but every time a good idea is put forward it's shot down, every time a motion is on the table, it doesn't fit with someone's agenda. If ever the promoters, riders, stadium owners, sponsors etc, realise they're all in it together we might have a slim chance, but until then I won't hold my breath. Every winter I shake my head despondently at the events that unfold, and each year seems to get worse. There's only so far it can go before we reach breaking point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheReturn Posted October 7, 2012 Report Share Posted October 7, 2012 Personally I think the SGP should be the pinnacle of the sport, and therefore it should be the best 15 riders in the worlds, even if 10 of those happen to be Polish, Aussie or whatever. Lets not just stick in a British rider for the sake of it, or if in ten years time there are no top Poles, lets not stick a Pole in just to keep Polish fans happy. Always the top 15 riders in the world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT Posted October 7, 2012 Report Share Posted October 7, 2012 "MANY people on here, but not necessarily elsewhere of course, may bitch about a Brit getting a wild card but that is the way it is likely to be" How patronising. It's not 'bitching' as you so eloquently put it, it's stating an opinion that many people seem to share. Let's be honest, Woffinden and Harris are mediocre riders who have had lucky breaks because they are British. Harris has had a few high moments, but by and large he has been no better than the Walasek's and Protasiewicz' of this world. Now BSI have exhausted every excuse to put him in the series, they are focusing their efforts on promoting the British No.3. A rider who speaks with an Australian accent, can't win the British Title on his home track and has already expressed a desire to avoid racing in the UK next season. In the warped minds of those in the upper echelons of speedway power, a Grand Prix season without Tai Woffinden will see British fans throw their Sky Boxes out the window, desert the Millennium Stadium and make Paul Bellamy's life a living hell.... JT. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racers and royals Posted October 7, 2012 Report Share Posted October 7, 2012 MANY people on here, but not necessarily elsewhere of course, may bitch about a Brit getting a wild card but that is the way it is likely to be, just as there is always likely to be a Swede, a Dane and a Pole. Maybe even an Aussie. It just so happens that right now (and perhaps for ever!) we don't seem to possess a rider who can make it on his own. Perhaps that will change over the next 12 months. But anyone who thinks commercial considerations don't come into the equation is living in cloud cuckoo land. The Masters is a golf major, considered by some as the ultimate prize. It is an invitation only event. I might be being slighly Pedantic-but the masters is not purely an invitation event as seen here http://golf.about.com/od/majorchampionships/f/masters-qualifications.htm and for what it`s worth just back from torun i would wholeheartedly agree all 4 back was the correct decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted October 7, 2012 Report Share Posted October 7, 2012 Would love to think so, but there's far too much greed and egotism in speedway. No individual can change the future of the sport, but every time a good idea is put forward it's shot down, every time a motion is on the table, it doesn't fit with someone's agenda. If ever the promoters, riders, stadium owners, sponsors etc, realise they're all in it together we might have a slim chance, but until then I won't hold my breath. Every winter I shake my head despondently at the events that unfold, and each year seems to get worse. There's only so far it can go before we reach breaking point. ARE you talking about the SGP or domestic speedway. If the latter, would certainly agree. I might be being slighly Pedantic-but the masters is not purely an invitation event as seen here http://golf.about.co...lifications.htm and for what it`s worth just back from torun i would wholeheartedly agree all 4 back was the correct decision. I MAY be wrong but I believe that even the players in the world's top 50 actually receive an invitation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
June01 Posted October 7, 2012 Report Share Posted October 7, 2012 ARE you talking about the SGP or domestic speedway. If the latter, would certainly agree. Domestic, but that's where the impetus needs to come from for the GPs. We're never going to have anyone who can compete in them unless we get our act together collectively. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 Domestic, but that's where the impetus needs to come from for the GPs. We're never going to have anyone who can compete in them unless we get our act together collectively. WOULD agree with that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedcarRacer Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 I still cant for the life of me understand everyone banging on about MJJ - yes he is a fine prospect but he is not that far ahead of Woffinden, indeed would put them very much on par - I think Tai can offer the GP series a lot, can be controversial, speaks his mind but more importantly he CAN beat the World's best riders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 Oh come on,he came in as a WC and won a GP!!!How many riders have done that?And he is in a good position to win the world U21 title.Now compare that to Tai's or any other current British rider.Michael is rising fast.And i don't see Vojens as being so significant.He was only a Vojens rider for a couple of years in his career and they don't ride too often at home.In fact in his first season he had to do a number of div 1 meetings(6 or 8,can't remember which)before he was even allowed to ride in the Superliga team,so that was really the first half season gone before he had done that.And in div 1 they have only 2 or 3 home meetings per season.So riders in the other main countries probably have more meetings at home in one season than Michael has done on the Vojens 500cc track in his career......Tai is making steady progress,but after a steady start Jepsen Jensen is having the sort of season Tai can only dream, of.No comparison.If he was a Brit he would be a dead cert for next season and Tai wouldn't get a mention 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratton Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 I still cant for the life of me understand everyone banging on about MJJ - yes he is a fine prospect but he is not that far ahead of Woffinden, indeed would put them very much on par - I think Tai can offer the GP series a lot, can be controversial, speaks his mind but more importantly he CAN beat the World's best riders. I agree, with the competition fierce for spots MJJ has not done enough to get a place.He has had all the help and more opportunities than most and got 0 in the pressure meeting.His time will come as he has amazing ability but i think he will come in with the likes of Dudek,Janowski,when the older statesmen drop out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostwalker Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 (edited) Oh come on,he came in as a WC and won a GP!!!How many riders have done that?And he is in a good position to win the world U21 title.Now compare that to Tai's or any other current British rider.Michael is rising fast.And i don't see Vojens as being so significant.He was only a Vojens rider for a couple of years in his career and they don't ride too often at home.In fact in his first season he had to do a number of div 1 meetings(6 or 8,can't remember which)before he was even allowed to ride in the Superliga team,so that was really the first half season gone before he had done that.And in div 1 they have only 2 or 3 home meetings per season.So riders in the other main countries probably have more meetings at home in one season than Michael has done on the Vojens 500cc track in his career......Tai is making steady progress,but after a steady start Jepsen Jensen is having the sort of season Tai can only dream, of.No comparison.If he was a Brit he would be a dead cert for next season and Tai wouldn't get a mention I agree with you Iris. Sure, MJJ didn't do to well in the GP Challenge, however he had just won his first GP so Its not to hard to understand if he gad problems refocusing. MJJ also have ridden very well during the entire season so I would also pick him before Tai. Edited October 8, 2012 by Ghostwalker 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noggin Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 I'd pick Vaculik, Ward, MJJ and Hampel. Would be the Best 4 for me, Jarek would have been in barring Injury, Martin has done brilliantly and MJJ & ward are the 2 best of the young brigade. Next years lineup looks to be the strongest ever. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Know Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 MANY people on here, but not necessarily elsewhere of course, may bitch about a Brit getting a wild card but that is the way it is likely to be, just as there is always likely to be a Swede, a Dane and a Pole. Maybe even an Aussie. It just so happens that right now (and perhaps for ever!) we don't seem to possess a rider who can make it on his own. Perhaps that will change over the next 12 months. But anyone who thinks commercial considerations don't come into the equation is living in cloud cuckoo land. The Masters is a golf major, considered by some as the ultimate prize. It is an invitation only event. what does a britsh rider bring to the series Phil, its not sponsors or bums on seats. unless its sky i can see no reason to have a britsh chap in as a whipping boy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vic Ridgeon Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 Leaving aside for a second the pros and cons of Woffinden getting a wildcard pick, looking at some of the comments on here it's no wonder as a nation we're so rubbish! Not liking Woffinden (or Barker or any other Brit for that matter) is one thing but some of the venom on here means there isn't much more damage that needs inflicting on GB by other nations after we've finished with our own. And the fact that some of you are still spouting this Aussie nonsense about Woffinden just shows how small minded some of you are. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 what does a britsh rider bring to the series Phil, its not sponsors or bums on seats. unless its sky i can see no reason to have a britsh chap in as a whipping boy. SOME would argue that it helps to show other British riders what they can and should aspire to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 SOME would argue that it helps to show other British riders what they can and should aspire to. Aspire to what? Become the third best rider of a pretty mediocre bunch, then sit back and wait for a charity pick from the organisers? On the contrary, this 'money for nothing' type attitude is exactly the thing we should be discouraging. JT. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratton Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 (edited) I agree with you Iris. Sure, MJJ didn't do to well in the GP Challenge, however he had just won his first GP so Its not to hard to understand if he gad problems refocusing. MJJ also have ridden very well during the entire season so I would also pick him before Tai. Entire season? averaged under 7.60 in the EL and did not qualify through the qualifier on the pressure night why should he get a card why have a qualifier.? Edited October 8, 2012 by sidney Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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