Wild Cards 2014

[TheSmiler]

It's good, but he shouldn't be there. He failed to get through the first round and fluked the wild card for the final challenge.

 

Don't agree with it personally but nothing will change it now

[PHILIPRISING]

Whilst I imagine the thirty or so riders ahead of Harris in the qualifying rounds will be seriously disgruntled, the 14 other full time riders will be very happy with one less world class rider in the series. Even though Gollob was inconsistent towards the end, at least he was a threat when he felt in the mood. Harris was average to dire the last time he was in the GP's and his form has dropped even further since then.

 

The big question is why did they ask Gollob in the first place? There were strong rumours he was going to bail out after his injury. Now the series has been weakened both on and off track. A blockbuster icon replaced by a journeyman who isn't even in the Polish Elite League. A massive cock up.

 

Good luck to Harris, it isn't his fault, but it's a shame we miss the opportunity to see an exciting up and coming rider instead.

 

JT.

 

GOLLOB was asked in respect of his record since 1995, his massive contribution to the SGP and the fact that through his manager he made it known that he was anxious for another crack at the WC. The major reason behind his withdrawal is his loss of his Monster sponsorship, which he obviously didn't know about at the time of campaigning for a wild card.

[markw40]

 

GOLLOB was asked in respect of his record since 1995, his massive contribution to the SGP and the fact that through his manager he made it known that he was anxious for another crack at the WC. The major reason behind his withdrawal is his loss of his Monster sponsorship, which he obviously didn't know about at the time of campaigning for a wild card.

 

I think he did. The fact I heard this in October in Torun and that Tai would replace him. Then Tai had the Monster bottle in his first interview as world champ suggests he may have knew what was going on

[iris123]

GOLLOB was asked in respect of his record since 1995, his massive contribution to the SGP and the fact that through his manager he made it known that he was anxious for another crack at the WC. The major reason behind his withdrawal is his loss of his Monster sponsorship, which he obviously didn't know about at the time of campaigning for a wild card.

Could it be that he was in a way forced out?This is just me speculating,but of course FIM,BSI + Monster are all fairly close.Once it became known Gollob was still going to maintain contact,indeed ride in the SEC could it have been seen as detrimental to the GP competition to have a Monster rider in the rival series?

[PHILIPRISING]

Could it be that he was in a way forced out?This is just me speculating,but of course FIM,BSI + Monster are all fairly close.Once it became known Gollob was still going to maintain contact,indeed ride in the SEC could it have been seen as detrimental to the GP competition to have a Monster rider in the rival series?

 

WAY off target. Don't think Monster's decision was taken as early as markw40 suggests above but no influence from BSI or FIM.

[iris123]

Ok Phil i take your word for it.Although your word is slightly changing now.First you stated "he obviously didn't know",Now you say "Don't think Monster's decision was taken as early...."At first sure,now not so sure......

[PHILIPRISING]

NOT really. I don't think Gollob knew of Monster's decision when he was campaigning for a wild card. How could he? The specific reason he has given for withdrawing from the SGP after originally accepting the invitation is that he couldn't afford to compete having lost such a big deal. So, if he knew that Monster weren't renewing, why would he ask for a wild card?

 

I also don't think that Monster's decision to sponsor Tai automatically meant them not renewing with Gollob.

 

But these are just opinions. I never pretend otherwise even when they might be based on some solid information, which can also change.

[iris123]

So we are pretty clear that the Monster deal was lost around the time the FIM were trying to get tough with the SEC,even if this had nothing at all to do with it?

[PHILIPRISING]

THE FIM have been getting tough with FIM Europe over their deal with OneSport for over 12 months. You are trying to establish a link that simply isn't there.

Quite clearly BSI and the FIM wanted Gollob in the SGP otherwise they wouldn't have offered him a wild card in the first place. Therefore, if they were trying to influence Monster in any way (and they weren't) it would be to continue with Gollob to ensure that he chose the SGP over the SEC.

 

My own view (that word again) is that Monster first started to lose a little patience with Gollob during the SWC.

[iris123]

Ok Phil.A simple "yes" to my question would have sufficed lol.No ok i accept your explanation.But if they have been getting tough with the SEC protagonists for 12 months or so it brings us back to the telephone call/email that didn't arrive at the DMSB's hq asking for them to supply a rider for Poole......possibly also the Poles also weren't asked as seems to have been hinted at here.Two of the main players in the SEC.None of it really matters now i guess,but in my opinion enough suspicion remains

[markw40]

I can tell you for sure Monster knew they were not renewing Gollob's sponsorship in October. I have no agenda to say otherwise. I have no clue if this is why he isn't racing in Gp but I was told this prior to GP by a very reputable source and that they seen Tai as part of the brand with his look ect

Edited December 10, 2013 by markw40

[iris123]

Dave the mic isn't going to like you contradicting Phil.Fear we are in for another lecture!!!!lol

[PHILIPRISING]

I can tell you for sure Monster knew they were not renewing Gollob's sponsorship in October. I have no agenda to say otherwise. I have no clue if this is why he isn't racing in Gp but I was told this prior to GP by a very reputable source and that they seen Tai as part of the brand with his look ect

 

BUT did Gollob know?

[f-s-p]

So why didn't Gollob take a few tats and pierce his ears? Where's his dedication???

 

I also heard a lot of good stuff during the year. The scale of TG's Monster deal was along the line's of a full GP season and still getting paid... So no wonder he felt a little out of pocket.

[Woz01]

Harris took his chance in the GP challenge and thats a fact although I do agree how he got to ride in the meeting is a bit 'lucky'.

[markw40]

 

BUT did Gollob know?

 

I don't know. You would like to think he did if it was Common knowledge in Torun that weekend

[JT]

Confirmed again here;

http://www.speedwaygp.com/news/article/3050/harris-replaces-gollob-in-sgp

 

No comment on Harris from Bellamy, perhaps he's speechless. Talk about diluting your product...

 

 

The Pole's aren't exactly overjoyed either;

http://www.sportowefakty.pl/zuzel/403531/oficjalnie-chris-harris-zastapi-w-grand-prix-tomasza-golloba

Some of the comments (apologies for the slightly comical Google translation, but you get the gist);

"Smolinski Harris Totally bottom"

"But as someone wrote this may be retaliation as the Poles are organizers of the SEC"

"Harris starred in the Challenge as a maximum reserve of the track, so it should not be taken into account when determining the reserve GP. BSI undermines the prestige of the cycle by such strokes but apparently they have other priorities than the quality of the show"

"This is a joke???????????????"

"players like Harris Smolinski will smell"

"This is a misunderstanding by me with Harris and where our Dudek Janowski?"

"Lindgren, Smolinski, Harris, GP level will be worse than in the days when went there Chrzanowski or Protasiewicz."

"It's a scandal! This is the biggest scandal since the scandal which sparked Torun escape from the Green Mountains! The wild card in place of Tom should get a Pole, and it is OBVIOUS. BSI once again spat on your head Polish speedway"

JT.

Edited December 11, 2013 by JT

[SteveLyric2]

Back the Brits I say!

[SCB]

Confirmed again here;

 

http://www.speedwaygp.com/news/article/3050/harris-replaces-gollob-in-sgp

 

No comment on Harris from Bellamy, perhaps he's speechless. Talk about diluting your product...

 

 

The Pole's aren't exactly overjoyed either;

 

http://www.sportowefakty.pl/zuzel/403531/oficjalnie-chris-harris-zastapi-w-grand-prix-tomasza-golloba

 

Some of the comments (apologies for the slightly comical Google translation, but you get the gist);

 

"Smolinski Harris Totally bottom"

 

"But as someone wrote this may be retaliation as the Poles are organizers of the SEC"

 

"Harris starred in the Challenge as a maximum reserve of the track, so it should not be taken into account when determining the reserve GP. BSI undermines the prestige of the cycle by such strokes but apparently they have other priorities than the quality of the show"

 

"This is a joke???????????????"

 

"players like Harris Smolinski will smell"

 

"This is a misunderstanding by me with Harris and where our Dudek Janowski?"

 

"Lindgren, Smolinski, Harris, GP level will be worse than in the days when went there Chrzanowski or Protasiewicz."

 

"It's a scandal! This is the biggest scandal since the scandal which sparked Torun escape from the Green Mountains! The wild card in place of Tom should get a Pole, and it is OBVIOUS. BSI once again spat on your head Polish speedway"

 

JT.

Well reading all that you'd never guess sportowefakty is the SECs media partner would you? Isn't it Gollob that has spat on polish speedway here and not the FIM? And were the Poles saying the same about a couple of Poles qualifying for the World Under 21s when they started the meeting as reserves? No.

[pandorum]

Chris has been very Jammy there with Gollop being put in as a wild card.

If he had turned down the WC we would likely have seen someone different.

Hell many of us criticised Tai when he got a WC and maybe Chris might shove it back in our faces and make it a GB two in a row

Edited December 11, 2013 by pandorum