SteveEvans Posted October 27, 2012 Report Share Posted October 27, 2012 (edited) On one hand its great that a new place like Prague has the final. However, from the standpoint of Team USA, it makes our 2013 all the tougher. This year we tracked our best team since the first time in 2006 and ended up 8th in the World, which was our goal. We knew we were good enough to qualify and anything beyond would be a pure bonus. The next obvious goal for us would be to displace the #7 (Czech) and thus not need to qualify for 2014 It's not so much the Czechs are in the final for 2013, but now are seeded for 2014. The gap between the Czechs and the next team (Team GB) is quite something for us and even to catch the Czechs and get 7th under normal circumstances is a hard ask! Regardless we will give it our all though our real job is the rider development occuring in the USA led by Billy Hamill. Edited October 27, 2012 by SteveEvans Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bavarian Posted October 27, 2012 Report Share Posted October 27, 2012 On one hand its great that a new place like Prague has the final. However, from the standpoint of Team USA, it makes our 2013 all the tougher. This year we tracked our best team since the first time in 2006 and ended up 8th in the World, which was our goal. We knew we were good enough to qualify and anything beyond would be a pure bonus. The next obvious goal for us would be to displace the #7 (Czech) and thus not need to qualify for 2014 It's not so much the Czechs are in the final for 2013, but now are seeded for 2014. The gap between the Czechs and the next team (Team GB) is quite something for us and even to catch the Czechs and get 7th under normal circumstances is a hard ask! Regardless we will give it our all though our real job is the rider development occuring in the USA led by Billy Hamill. Steve, the USA actually did finish seventh this year, they outscored Germany (last placed in the other group), while the Czech Republic reached the race-off and finished sixth overall. It is this sixth place that your team USA is chasing, since the seventh and eighth placed teams both have to go through the qualifying rounds again next year. As hosts the Czechs are seeded to the final in 2013 and can't finish worse than fourth overall, thus will definitely avoid the relegation. This is of course another unfair side effect of the seeding of the host nation's team to the final. The SWC event groups will have Denmark, Australia, Russia, Sweden, Poland and Great Britain, plus the two qualifyers, one of which might again be the USA. Tough task for the Yanks trying to kick out one of the big six. Best of luck, boys. THE use of the beloved Joker will not be allowed in the final four heats of SWC meetings next year. Tactical substitutes will be allowed. Team managers will have a free choice of which riders they want to use in each of the final four heats. I have one question, I hope You can answer. WHO decides changes like this? Is it BSI/IMG, is it the FIM, or a combination of the lot? In the old days there used to be a track racing commission of the FIM, the CCP, but is it still in existance? I would really like to know the names of people, who are making decisions like this new SWC rules and the change of the points for the SGP finals. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveEvans Posted October 27, 2012 Report Share Posted October 27, 2012 There were 9 teams in the tourney this year with the Swedes seeded. As we outscored the Germans we are ranked 8th, they are 9th. Shame we never got to the easier Lynn round where we could have raced the Czechs and had a better measure of if we are better or how far the gap is to bridge. Certainly full respect to the Czech team who did well at Lynn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted October 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 Steve, the USA actually did finish seventh this year, they outscored Germany (last placed in the other group), while the Czech Republic reached the race-off and finished sixth overall. It is this sixth place that your team USA is chasing, since the seventh and eighth placed teams both have to go through the qualifying rounds again next year. As hosts the Czechs are seeded to the final in 2013 and can't finish worse than fourth overall, thus will definitely avoid the relegation. This is of course another unfair side effect of the seeding of the host nation's team to the final. The SWC event groups will have Denmark, Australia, Russia, Sweden, Poland and Great Britain, plus the two qualifyers, one of which might again be the USA. Tough task for the Yanks trying to kick out one of the big six. Best of luck, boys. I have one question, I hope You can answer. WHO decides changes like this? Is it BSI/IMG, is it the FIM, or a combination of the lot? In the old days there used to be a track racing commission of the FIM, the CCP, but is it still in existance? I would really like to know the names of people, who are making decisions like this new SWC rules and the change of the points for the SGP finals. THE FIM have the final say but these decisions are made after consultation with BSI/IMG as the commercial rights holders and the company responsible for staging both competitions. The CCP (Track Racing Commission) still exists although in a slightly different format these days. Those on the CCP are now appointed and work under a Director (currently Roy Otto). Ilka Teromaa and Armando Castagna are senior members along with Tony Steele. Ole Olsen (FIM Speedway Director of Sport) and Tony Olsson (SGP AND SWC RAce Director) would also be consulted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted October 28, 2012 Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 THE FIM have the final say but these decisions are made after consultation with BSI/IMG as the commercial rights holders and the company responsible for staging both competitions. The CCP (Track Racing Commission) still exists although in a slightly different format these days. Those on the CCP are now appointed and work under a Director (currently Roy Otto). Ilka Teromaa and Armando Castagna are senior members along with Tony Steele. Ole Olsen (FIM Speedway Director of Sport) and Tony Olsson (SGP AND SWC RAce Director) would also be consulted. Crikey!!! Is there anything Ole Olsen is NOT involved in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manchesterpaul Posted October 28, 2012 Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 When I saw the Title of this Thread - I thought they were going to scrap the damned thing altogether. Me too it was a massive downer when i read it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbie B Posted October 28, 2012 Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 (edited) So the teams can't use a joker in the last four heats of a meeting. This still doesn't prevent any team from using the same deplorable tactics of slowing down in the earlier races. Last year final was embarrassing to watch, so please can the FIM scrap the joker completely, for the good of the sport. Edited October 28, 2012 by Robbie B 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCookie Posted October 28, 2012 Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 There were 9 teams in the tourney this year with the Swedes seeded. As we outscored the Germans we are ranked 8th, they are 9th. Shame we never got to the easier Lynn round where we could have raced the Czechs and had a better measure of if we are better or how far the gap is to bridge. Certainly full respect to the Czech team who did well at Lynn. Lets be fair, once Hancock retires it will be a long, long time before USA are even close to Czech. I'd have thought they'd be enjoying being this high in the world when they can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveEvans Posted October 28, 2012 Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 Lets be fair, once Hancock retires it will be a long, long time before USA are even close to Czech. I'd have thought they'd be enjoying being this high in the world when they can. Not with talent we have in the pipeline. Much work but a bright future is upon us! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bavarian Posted October 28, 2012 Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 There were 9 teams in the tourney this year with the Swedes seeded. As we outscored the Germans we are ranked 8th, they are 9th. Shame we never got to the easier Lynn round where we could have raced the Czechs and had a better measure of if we are better or how far the gap is to bridge. Certainly full respect to the Czech team who did well at Lynn. True, Steve, I forgot that with the one extra team that is seeded straight to the final it is now nine, not eight teams in the SWC events. Sorry for getting that wrong. Indeed, You guys were very unlucky to be in that Polish SWC event when it would have been much more convenient and the easier group at King's Lynn. USA had its best team in years in the 2012 SWC, they rode very well, and I would also agree with You that the future for the sport in California doesn't look that bad. Not at all. You just need to find some really committed youngsters, who want to do their speedway racing not just for the fun of it. But, wait, here is a suggestion of how you guys could easily get into the SWC proper, and soon, and without having to go through the qualifying rounds at some obscure locations in Eastern Europe. Just do what the Czechs do, apply to host the event. The FIM will seed Your team straight into the SWC final. All You have to do is convince your main sponsor MONSTER to provide the financial backbone for the USA to host the SWC race-off and final event in sunny California. Simple idea, isn't it? And at the tiny Costa Mesa or Auburn tracks, I bet that the Team USA would have a pretty good chance to do well even against the best of the rest of the world's teams. THE FIM have the final say but these decisions are made after consultation with BSI/IMG as the commercial rights holders and the company responsible for staging both competitions. The CCP (Track Racing Commission) still exists although in a slightly different format these days. Those on the CCP are now appointed and work under a Director (currently Roy Otto). Ilka Teromaa and Armando Castagna are senior members along with Tony Steele. Ole Olsen (FIM Speedway Director of Sport) and Tony Olsson (SGP AND SWC RAce Director) would also be consulted. That's exactly what I wanted to know. Thanks for giving me this straight answer to my question. I find it rather surprising, that while there is a Swede (Tony Olsson), and a Brit (Tony Steele), and of course the great Dane (Ole Olsen), there is no one from Poland, but a Norwegian, a Finn and an Italian. The Nordic countries are certainly a bit over represented, aren't they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveEvans Posted October 28, 2012 Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 Great ideas and yes, would be great if the SWC landed in the USA! None of our regular tracks are FIM sized and as with a US GP, this is probably the biggest issue as things stand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bavarian Posted October 28, 2012 Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 Great ideas and yes, would be great if the SWC landed in the USA! None of our regular tracks are FIM sized and as with a US GP, this is probably the biggest issue as things stand. Just go ahead and ask for a reduction of the minumum track length required for FIM speedway world campionship events. Easier said tahn doen, You think? I tell You, this can be done in no time, if You have the right connections, and a big MONSTER behind You. See that just a few weeks ago the world long-track championship has made a drastic change and accepted to reduce the minimum track lengths required for long-track racing. It used to be from 500m to 1,000m long tracks for world championship event, but now world champion Joonas K. suggested it would be a good idea to use some of the bigger and wider speedway tracks, such as are found in many Eastern European countries, for long-track events as well. This Joonas K. is good friends with newly appointed FIM long-track race director Thiery Bouin, and hey, just a couple of months after first suggesting it, the allowed minimum track lengths for world long-track racing has indeed been reduced to ... wait, it's true, it has been reduced to just 350 metres !!! Wow, I mean, if long-track now begins at 350m - and that's the case from 2013 on, that's a fact - so You may just as well try getting the the allowed minimum track length for a world speedway event reduced to let's say 150 metres. MIssion accomplished, the US tracks would fit and You could host the World Cup finals. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted October 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 MIGHT have confused you a bit. Tony Olsson isn't a member of the CCP but is consulted on things that involve the SGP and SWC. Ole Olsen isn't on the CCP either. There are other members (can probably find the complete list on FIM website) with representation from Poland, Germany and other speedway nations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bavarian Posted October 28, 2012 Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 MIGHT have confused you a bit. Tony Olsson isn't a member of the CCP but is consulted on things that involve the SGP and SWC. Ole Olsen isn't on the CCP either. There are other members (can probably find the complete list on FIM website) with representation from Poland, Germany and other speedway nations. O.k., I understand that Olsen, Olsson and IMG/BSI (Paul Bellamy) are the ones who are consulted by the CCP when making rule changes re. the SGP and SWC. And I understand that it is Roy Otto, who is the director of that CCP, plus as regular members there are Armando Castagna, Ila Teroma and Tony Steele. And as You say there are some others, seemingly irregular or fluctuating members on this CCP committee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted October 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 THE actual CCP Bureau members are: Roy Otto, Ikka Teromaa, Armando Castagna, Tony Steele and Christian Bouin. There are also a number of officials who act as Jury Presidents, etc, at various levels. These include Christer Bergstrom, Wolfgang Glas and a few more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Humphrey Appleby Posted October 28, 2012 Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 This Joonas K. is good friends with newly appointed FIM long-track race director Thiery Bouin, and hey, just a couple of months after first suggesting it, the allowed minimum track lengths for world long-track racing has indeed been reduced to ... wait, it's true, it has been reduced to just 350 metres !! 350 metres isn't even a particularly long speedway track in some countries... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Know Posted October 29, 2012 Report Share Posted October 29, 2012 THE FIM have the final say but these decisions are made after consultation with BSI/IMG as the commercial rights holders and the company responsible for staging both competitions. The CCP (Track Racing Commission) still exists although in a slightly different format these days. Those on the CCP are now appointed and work under a Director (currently Roy Otto). Ilka Teromaa and Armando Castagna are senior members along with Tony Steele. Ole Olsen (FIM Speedway Director of Sport) and Tony Olsson (SGP AND SWC RAce Director) would also be consulted. i thought bsi did as they wish, fim has no say in how they run it. just rubber stamp what the bsi want. Great ideas and yes, would be great if the SWC landed in the USA! None of our regular tracks are FIM sized and as with a US GP, this is probably the biggest issue as things stand. They dont need a regular track, hundreds of stadiums in usa they can put temp track in as they do for the supercross. Sam Boyd in vegas be great :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted October 29, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2012 i thought bsi did as they wish, fim has no say in how they run it. just rubber stamp what the bsi want. NOT true. FIM still have big say in many areas. They dont need a regular track, hundreds of stadiums in usa they can put temp track in as they do for the supercross. Sam Boyd in vegas be great :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Know Posted October 29, 2012 Report Share Posted October 29, 2012 maybe it has changed, but during my dealings with them them dont think that was the case. FIM happy just to take there money and let bsi get on with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted October 29, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2012 CERTAIN people at the FIM much more likely to stick their oar in these days... incidentally, you are posting everywhere. Having a quiet day or just bored? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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