Dave_minall Posted May 7, 2013 Report Share Posted May 7, 2013 I saw earlier that someone mentioned that we don't have anyone else that has a chance of winning a GP round - I completely agree but how many times have we seen a wild card on the continent go out and get all last places? it happens all the time, but at least other countries are willing to put their riders completely in at the deep end so they know how much to step their game up. It's all about experience at the end of the day. Do they expect our riders to qualify for the GP outright and expect to do well? look at Tai, he was (no disrespect) awul in his first GP series, and now he's electric. Riders need a chance to see what the top boys ride like so they can step up to the plate in future. Chris Harris is (as much as I love to watch him ride when he's on it) the wrong choice. He's past it and we'll never see him doing well in a GP ever again. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Know Posted May 7, 2013 Report Share Posted May 7, 2013 THE BSPA were informed last October that the wild card for Cardiff would no longer be given to the highest placed rider in the BF who wasn't already in the SGP series. Believe me or believe me not, there is no bias towards Chris Harris. He was awarded the place because BSI and the FIM believe he is the right and most suitable choice. I have yet to hear a convincing argument for anyone else... Convincing argument? The chap has been terrible for a while now and is not gp standard. Has had so many chances and FAILED. Why all this FIM nonsence ? They dont even know who the riders are and just rubber stamp who the BSI put forward. It is the wrong choice but there you go as nothing surprises me these days with the BSI. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted May 7, 2013 Report Share Posted May 7, 2013 Convincing argument? The chap has been terrible for a while now and is not gp standard. Has had so many chances and FAILED. Why all this FIM nonsence ? They dont even know who the riders are and just rubber stamp who the BSI put forward. It is the wrong choice but there you go as nothing surprises me these days with the BSI. I THINK you will find Armando Castagna (FIM) knows who the riders are. Perhaps it's time for you to change your forum name Andy ... how about I Don't Know? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Humphrey Appleby Posted May 7, 2013 Report Share Posted May 7, 2013 The BSPA are not the body affiliated to the FIM, that is the ACU Yes, but the ACU should still be representing the interests of British speedway. Moreover, are the BSPA not associate members of the FIM, so presumably should have some influence? The selling-off of the SGP was one thing, but to not ensure a cut of any profits from the sport's premier event went back to national speedway bodies was a dreadful oversight. Can perhaps understand why none of those bodies thought the World Championship had any value initially, but it was commercial folly if there was no clause to take a percentage of any profits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigcatdiary Posted May 7, 2013 Report Share Posted May 7, 2013 I THINK you will find Armando Castagna (FIM) knows who the riders are. Perhaps it's time for you to change your forum name Andy ... how about I Don't Know? Lol IT was the FIM. But the BSPA did have the chance to be involved with the British GP when John Postlethwaite first wanted to go to Cardiff but, against the wishes of Terry Russell, they declined. Just as well really. The BSPA are not the body affiliated to the FIM, that is the ACU, and BSI can stage the British GP in the UK without any co-operation from the BSPA. It's probably why the British GP is so successful, the less the BSPA have to do with anything the better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LagutaRacingFan Posted May 7, 2013 Report Share Posted May 7, 2013 Who is The Know? Is it Andy Povey? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT Posted May 8, 2013 Report Share Posted May 8, 2013 (edited) Believe me or believe me not, there is no bias towards Chris Harris. He was awarded the place because BSI and the FIM believe he is the right and most suitable choice. I have yet to hear a convincing argument for anyone else... Here's four (well 3 when you exclude Woffinden) for you, Phil. The top 4 British riders in the EL this season so far; 1. Tai Woffinden 10.49 from 9 meetings 2. Edward Kennett 9.49 from 8 meetings. 3. Daniel King 8.60 from 4 meetings. 4. Scott Nicholls 8.00 from 8 meetings. Admittedly Harris has only had 4 meetings to prove himself this season, but then so has Craig Cook, and... WE would all love to see a British youngster going out and beating the best ... but who might that be? 5. Craig Cook 7.25 from 4 meetings. 6. CHRIS HARRIS 6.84 from 4 meetings. If that's not blatant bias towards Harris, then I don't know what is. I just don't get it. Does he really pull in fans anymore? Would people seriously have reconsidered going to Cardiff if he hadn't been given the Wild Card on a plate for the umpteenth time? It's not as if he's been chosen for his amazing off track personality or suaveness. If Harris had qualified through the British Final, I would have no qualms about him taking his place in Cardiff. It's just a shame BSI's obsession with him means we miss the chance to see someone new representing us in the GP's. JT. Edited May 8, 2013 by JT 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave_minall Posted May 8, 2013 Report Share Posted May 8, 2013 Superb post JT - This is perfect in backing up everybody on this forum who believes that Harris was the wrong choice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldace Posted May 8, 2013 Report Share Posted May 8, 2013 Superb post JT - This is perfect in backing up everybody on this forum who believes that Harris was the wrong choice. Harris has a bit of a pedigree, former British GP winner, British Champion, part of team GB etc. He is marketable and while not talikg thousands would put more on the gate than anyone else. All that being the point of the "wild card" system why then is he the wrong choice 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phillipsr Posted May 8, 2013 Report Share Posted May 8, 2013 Harris has a bit of a pedigree, former British GP winner, British Champion, part of team GB etc. He is marketable and while not talikg thousands would put more on the gate than anyone else. All that being the point of the "wild card" system why then is he the wrong choice Scott Nicholls has all that apart frim a win he has made a final tho and numerous semi finals he is also a 7 x british champion so why does Harris deserve it more than him? Im not suggesting Scott should of been handed it either but its silly to suggest Harris deserved it more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldace Posted May 8, 2013 Report Share Posted May 8, 2013 Scott Nicholls has all that apart frim a win he has made a final tho and numerous semi finals he is also a 7 x british champion so why does Harris deserve it more than him? Im not suggesting Scott should of been handed it either but its silly to suggest Harris deserved it more. I dont say that I agree with Harris but it is entirely the organisers (BSI in this case) and the FIMs choice based on who they think will maximise gate revenue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudflaps Posted May 8, 2013 Report Share Posted May 8, 2013 would loved to have seen Worrell, Cook or even Garrity....... someone young and raw..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Central Posted May 8, 2013 Report Share Posted May 8, 2013 (edited) Harris has a bit of a pedigree, former British GP winner, British Champion, part of team GB etc. He is marketable and while not talikg thousands would put more on the gate than anyone else. All that being the point of the "wild card" system why then is he the wrong choice No one would add on thousands that's certain. It's impossible to know how many Harris would add ... A dozen or so? How big is his immediate family? If BSI are now choosing the GB Wildcard solely on the 'gate' they bring I just wonder why this year and not the last few when they left it to the 'chance' of the British Final? As it is just about 'bums on seats' ... Who do we think would bring the most extra people? I don't suppose they even need to be Briitish if they bring in more cash to BSI, do they? Edited May 8, 2013 by Grand Central Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldace Posted May 8, 2013 Report Share Posted May 8, 2013 No one would add on thousands that's certain. It's impossible to know how many Harris would add ... A dozen or so? How big is his immediate family? If BSI are now choosing the GB Wildcard solely on the 'gate' they bring I just wonder why this year and not the last few when they left it to the 'chance' of the British Final? As it is just about 'bums on seats' ... Who do we think would bring the most extra people? I don't suppose they even need to be Briitish if they bring in more cash to BSI, do they? It was always the purpose of the wild card. The promoter can select who he wants to add value to the event, it doesn't even need to be a Brit if the so wished, wasn't Crump a wildcard in a British GP once. Like you say I cant imagine it making a major difference to the gate but for certain more than Craig Cook, Garrity etc who would be hopelessly out of their depth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave_minall Posted May 8, 2013 Report Share Posted May 8, 2013 It was always the purpose of the wild card. The promoter can select who he wants to add value to the event, it doesn't even need to be a Brit if the so wished, wasn't Crump a wildcard in a British GP once. Like you say I cant imagine it making a major difference to the gate but for certain more than Craig Cook, Garrity etc who would be hopelessly out of their depth How is Harris going to add value to the event? Harris hasn't added any value to a GP since 2007. I would very much like to think that somebody younger that wants it more would be a more exciting prospect than Chris 'I'm having problems with my bikes/crew' Harris would. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Central Posted May 8, 2013 Report Share Posted May 8, 2013 (edited) It was always the purpose of the wild card. The promoter can select who he wants to add value to the event, it doesn't even need to be a Brit if the so wished, wasn't Crump a wildcard in a British GP once. Like you say I cant imagine it making a major difference to the gate but for certain more than Craig Cook, Garrity etc who would be hopelessly out of their depth I agree entirely that the wildcard could have been there to maximise the gate. But it was BSI who chose to have a different idea. No one else. When Harris was a permanent starter I just wonder why BSI didn't choose the wildcard to maximise the gate then. Instead we had Kennett, Woffinden and Nicholls depending on random outcome of the British Final. I don't think any of them added much to the attendance at the time. Surely Darcy Ward would have been better 'Box Office' last year than bothering with with the British Final giving them Nicholls. Of course, when Jason Crump got the go ahead BSI didn't have anything to do with things back then did they? Edited May 8, 2013 by Grand Central Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woz01 Posted May 8, 2013 Report Share Posted May 8, 2013 For me if BSI have to pick a wildcard it would have to be Harris, he has made GP finals and also scores well for GB in SWC events. I would have liked to see Cook as wildcard especially at a track like Cardiff he would certainly get some points. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Know Posted May 9, 2013 Report Share Posted May 9, 2013 I THINK you will find Armando Castagna (FIM) knows who the riders are. Perhaps it's time for you to change your forum name Andy ... how about I Don't Know? You forget i worked with the BSI for a long time. Money talks and whatever you say Castagna, FIM have no say whats so ever in the wild card or how bsi run things ! How about you change your name to, Phil i been around to long, maybe time to move over for a younger chap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT Posted May 9, 2013 Report Share Posted May 9, 2013 (edited) For me if BSI have to pick a wildcard it would have to be Harris, he has made GP finals and also scores well for GB in SWC events. No they don't. By this logic, the Wild Cards for the two Danish GP's last season should have gone to Niels-Kristian Iversen, a rider who fits both the above credentials, and at the time was also one of the worlds top league riders (and still is). Instead the Wild Cards went to two youngsters; Bech Jensen who didn't disgrace himself at Parken and Jepsen-Jensen who won the bloody thing in Vojens. Instead of giving our Wild Cards to an ungrateful whinge bag who has had so many chances and largely wasted them, why not give one of our younger riders a chance? Riders like... I would have liked to see Cook as wildcard especially at a track like Cardiff he would certainly get some points. You said it. JT. Edited May 9, 2013 by JT 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted May 9, 2013 Report Share Posted May 9, 2013 You forget i worked with the BSI for a long time. Money talks and whatever you say Castagna, FIM have no say whats so ever in the wild card or how bsi run things ! How about you change your name to, Phil i been around to long, maybe time to move over for a younger chap. WRONG, wrong, wrong ... how can I change my name by the way? Had it for 67 years! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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