BluTiger Posted October 13, 2013 Report Share Posted October 13, 2013 How about Adrian Miedzinski as a wild card , after all he won as many Grand Prix's as Tai Woofinden did this season I would agree with that, along with Holder, Gollob and MJJ. All riders that can win a GP, instead of the token Swede that wont even get close. Don't need a token gesture in the line up, we have Smolinkski already.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gavan Posted October 14, 2013 Report Share Posted October 14, 2013 I would agree with that, along with Holder, Gollob and MJJ. All riders that can win a GP, instead of the token Swede that wont even get close. Don't need a token gesture in the line up, we have Smolinkski already.. MJJ and Miedzinski won gp's in their home country not sure they would do anything anywhere else. I remember Gerd Riss making gp finals in Germany. Put a gp at Edinburgh and im sure Cookie would do well. You say about token riders but to be fair most people thought that of Tai and to a lesser extent Iversen and look what happened there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinsgirl Posted October 14, 2013 Report Share Posted October 14, 2013 It needn't BE the best line up. It should be for those who have fought their way in to the GP. That is what Sport is about - not giving Riders a place for the fun of it. OF COURSE picking the BEST Riders gives you the best line up - I have never said that it doesn't. I always believed and STILL believe that in Sport you strive to be the very best that you can be by matching yourself against those with, sometimes, superior ability. Now and again, and yes - Woofinden is a case in point here - someone will win against all odds against the Giants of the Sport. My WHOLE argument is that EVERYBODY deserves a chance to upset the odds, not just the selected few. To those who say that the old World Finals had a certain amount of selection about them too - you are correct - BUT - I stick to my position - THAT was not RIGHT either. All I want from Speedway is a level Playing Field for ALL. I DON'T SEE WHAT IS SO VERY WRONG ABOUT THAT - AND NEVER WILL!!! You are right Niamh - I don't. Places in the GP should be earned NOT given on grounds of good business, nationality, BSI Favourites or for any other reason than that they have EARNED their right to be there. If I had my way - at the end on one GP year the World Champion would be proclaimed - that would be the end of it. The following Season ALL Riders would start from scratch INCLUDING THE TOP EIGHT!! THEN WE COULD TRULY CALL SPEEDWAY A SPORT!!! TWK, it's a complex situation on a few fronts... right at the lowest level of qualifying such as regional, county, state and national championships going back to the early days there has never been level playing fields as with many events only allowing 16 competitors, some were not allowed in or 'chosen' so is that fair?. "Truly call speedway a sport"......... what about tennis or golf, I think sometimes their top players are seeded into world events and you'd get a few arguments saying they are not sport. It could be said that the Wildcards have earned their place by performance on the world stage, if not via the formal qualifying put in place. I think they have the mix about right, although top six might allow 2 more qualifiers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluTiger Posted October 14, 2013 Report Share Posted October 14, 2013 MJJ and Miedzinski won gp's in their home country not sure they would do anything anywhere else. I remember Gerd Riss making gp finals in Germany. Put a gp at Edinburgh and im sure Cookie would do well. You say about token riders but to be fair most people thought that of Tai and to a lesser extent Iversen and look what happened there! I never doubted NKI who was not a wildcard pick, and Tai was an improver. MJJ is class, he could win anywhere... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gavan Posted October 14, 2013 Report Share Posted October 14, 2013 I never doubted NKI who was not a wildcard pick, and Tai was an improver. MJJ is class, he could win anywhere... dont agree with you on that. he has failed miserably to even get close to the series. just because he is young doesnt guarantee the right to be in it. Yes he won once but Zmarlik got to a final last year should he be in it? Dont agree with the 'have to have a swede' thinking but i think it will happen. Last place in my eyes should be Laguta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCB Posted October 14, 2013 Report Share Posted October 14, 2013 MJJ and Miedzinski won gp's in their home country not sure they would do anything anywhere else. I remember Gerd Riss making gp finals in Germany.Which GP did Riss make a final? In fact, I'll be nice and say make the top 10, in fact, top 15! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldace Posted October 14, 2013 Report Share Posted October 14, 2013 Which GP did Riss make a final? In fact, I'll be nice and say make the top 10, in fact, top 15! He actually did make the final in Abensberg in 1995 believe it or not and finished 7th in Pocking a year later Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Humphrey Appleby Posted October 14, 2013 Report Share Posted October 14, 2013 "Truly call speedway a sport"......... what about tennis or golf, I think sometimes their top players are seeded into world events and you'd get a few arguments saying they are not sport. The players that automatically get berths in events in these sports generally do so on merit. They have to earn ranking points by playing in a number of competitions over the course of a season, and are not just arbitrarily selected by the event organisers. There are a few wildcard places in each event for local interest, but they're one-offs rather than season-long selections. Golf does have exemption from qualifying for former champions etc.. as well, but again these are earned rather than granted. The SGP line-up should be selected on some sort of ranking criteria based around rider performances in various leagues and other competitions. You might not actually get a better line-up, but it would be more credible from sporting perspective. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted October 14, 2013 Report Share Posted October 14, 2013 The players that automatically get berths in events in these sports generally do so on merit. They have to earn ranking points by playing in a number of competitions over the course of a season, and are not just arbitrarily selected by the event organisers. There are a few wildcard places in each event for local interest, but they're one-offs rather than season-long selections. Golf does have exemption from qualifying for former champions etc.. as well, but again these are earned rather than granted. The SGP line-up should be selected on some sort of ranking criteria based around rider performances in various leagues and other competitions. You might not actually get a better line-up, but it would be more credible from sporting perspective. Well said Humphrey. Not ideal but far better than the current System. :approve: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostwalker Posted October 14, 2013 Report Share Posted October 14, 2013 I would agree with that, along with Holder, Gollob and MJJ. All riders that can win a GP, instead of the token Swede that wont even get close. Don't need a token gesture in the line up, we have Smolinkski already.. It seems you have forgotten already about Nicholls & Harris... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fullbore Posted October 14, 2013 Report Share Posted October 14, 2013 Well said Humphrey. Not ideal but far better than the current System. :approve: Even though "You might not actually get a better line-up", but then you don't actually want the best riders in the GP series. Niamh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostwalker Posted October 14, 2013 Report Share Posted October 14, 2013 According to http://www.speedwaynyheter.se/jonsson-far-wild-card-2/ Andreas Jonsson, Tomasz Gollob, Chris Holder and Grigoruj Laguta have been offered wild cards for 2014. However Gorgorij have asked for some more time to decide if he wants it or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluTiger Posted October 14, 2013 Report Share Posted October 14, 2013 It seems you have forgotten already about Nicholls & Harris... Not forgotten that at all. I don't remember ever saying they were competitive selections, maybe you can remind me when I did... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blazeaway Posted October 14, 2013 Report Share Posted October 14, 2013 (edited) According to http://www.speedwayn...ar-wild-card-2/ Andreas Jonsson, Tomasz Gollob, Chris Holder and Grigoruj Laguta have been offered wild cards for 2014. However Gorgorij have asked for some more time to decide if he wants it or not. I am confident in saying Freddie will get a Wild Card nomination by Sweden ....... even as a Wolves and Freddie fan I can understand everyone saying he shouldn't be given it after a poor 2013 season in the GP's and to finish with a very poor 2 points in Torun. However I have heard the views of some people who may have a say in who is selected as Wild Cards and that's why I think Freddie will be given the Swedish spot ...... rightly or wrongly ! No one should question Holder and Gollob getting them really so it's the final two nominations that are really up for discussion and with Freddie (most likely) to get one then it's the final place that will be up to who gets the nod According to http://www.speedwayn...ar-wild-card-2/ Andreas Jonsson, Tomasz Gollob, Chris Holder and Grigoruj Laguta have been offered wild cards for 2014. However Gorgorij have asked for some more time to decide if he wants it or not. So no WC for slow Freddie then? TNT in utter garbage shocker... Edited October 14, 2013 by Blazeaway 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salty Posted October 14, 2013 Report Share Posted October 14, 2013 To be fair, Speedway Star this week said "It is unthinkable that the GP series would not be staged without a Swedish representative and, after finishing 11th in the standings, Freddie Lindgren has to be the man for the job" Suppose they took into account AJ missing a couple of rounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gavan Posted October 14, 2013 Report Share Posted October 14, 2013 According to http://www.speedwayn...ar-wild-card-2/ Andreas Jonsson, Tomasz Gollob, Chris Holder and Grigoruj Laguta have been offered wild cards for 2014. However Gorgorij have asked for some more time to decide if he wants it or not. And those were the 4 i mentioned a while back. Holder Gollob and Laguta were obvious just a toss up between Jonsson and Lindgren Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phillipsr Posted October 14, 2013 Report Share Posted October 14, 2013 Really hope Laguta does accept love to watch him ride Really hope Laguta does accept love to watch him ride Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blazeaway Posted October 14, 2013 Report Share Posted October 14, 2013 Really hope Laguta does accept love to watch him ride Really hope Laguta does accept love to watch him ride Me too Me too 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted October 14, 2013 Report Share Posted October 14, 2013 Really hope Laguta does accept love to watch him ride Really hope Laguta does accept love to watch him ride Me too Me too Does he like doing re-runs. :rofl: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waiheke1 Posted October 15, 2013 Report Share Posted October 15, 2013 The players that automatically get berths in events in these sports generally do so on merit. They have to earn ranking points by playing in a number of competitions over the course of a season, and are not just arbitrarily selected by the event organisers. There are a few wildcard places in each event for local interest, but they're one-offs rather than season-long selections. Golf does have exemption from qualifying for former champions etc.. as well, but again these are earned rather than granted. The SGP line-up should be selected on some sort of ranking criteria based around rider performances in various leagues and other competitions. You might not actually get a better line-up, but it would be more credible from sporting perspective. tbf , the riders they have selected are the best three in the world not already qualified (according to my ranking system anyway) plus the token swede . Id be against a pure ranking system method though purely because past performance is not the only guide to future performance and such a system may inhibit rising talent from joining the series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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