billywamill

Rest in Peace Bernie. He was Cradley Heath in the early 70s. He was my dad’s hero and I can still remember as a seven year old, the first meeting after he came second in the 1972 world final. Watching him being mobbed by the thousands of fans on the back straight as he made his way round to the pits. Unbelievable memories. Then the afternoon Bernie was staying at the Prince Albert Hotel in Wall Heath where I lived. My dad sent me up to see if I could see him and there were hundreds outside waiting for him to appear. He came outside to meet the fans and sign autographs. Back when the sport was really big !

Thanks Greg for all the great nights celebrating your unbelievable career. For the years at Cradley Heath, where you and Billy gave us fantastic performances both home and away, particularly those unbelievable occasions at Monmore Green against Ronnie and Sam. No one will ever match your Grand Prix records. In the top six for 15 consecutive years. Not 1, not 2 but count them 3, world titles after the age of 40. No one had done that once before you! Ignore the idiots who call you boring or overrated. The silent vast majority of speedway fans recognised you for what you have been. One of the sports greatest ambassadors

Shawn was fantastic. I was a student in Sheffield at the time and lived watching him. I do remember one night though Simon Wigg making Shawn look half pace. He came from behind in one race and beat him by nearly half a lap.

Hancock, was fifth in 2018 and would have ridden this year but for circumstances most people with a bit of empathy would understand. But for injury in 2017, he has been in the top six since 2002, including three world titles since 2011. Think that means he adds something to the series and to insinuate he only came over to Cardiff to get his face on screen and make sure he got his wild card place is a bit low. i think a year out the sport means he’ll probably really struggle, but if there’s one rider who can overcome it, Hancock is the man and he deserves the chance.

It’s hard to pick riders when you follow the sport for so long, but Jan O for me. Perfect balance and unbelievable from the back at any track. The Danes were so professional at the time. I think he would have won the title in 1990. He was ready to emerge from Hans and Erik’s shadows but re-broke his wrist the week before. He showed that a year later when he dominated the world titles. So many great riders though. And characters too !

it's very hard to compare different eras, but at the end of the season, the 1983 Cradley team had a combined average of over 63 !!! Even their number 7 (a future World champion) averaged just under 8. Both very different tracks, but I'd argue Ipswich in 1983 had a similar team to Cradley and overall the Heathens beat the Witches by 6 points. I think that would have been at least the difference if the teams could have met in a fantasy match up.

Well said New Yorker. The racing was brilliant this year and to be fair, Greg was involved in more than his fair share of brilliant races. Just because his passes are more controlled doesn't make them any easier to make. And you're right, The Dectorists is a beautifully observed programme. 😊

Really upsetting news. A great speedway man. His commentaries on World of Sport were just fantastic. I don't mind Nigel and Kelvin but just imagine how good he would have been with the quality of the racing in the Grand Prix? RIP Dave

Noodles - lighten up - it looks like they've nailed the indoor tracks this year. Even Cardiff was half decent so celebrate the fact they have booked in for four more years and based on this year's brilliant event, they will all be 50000 sell outs. And with a field with no obvious weaker riders, I can't wait for it to come round. Every rider has an angle for them. Can Greg continue his unbelievable form? Can Jason bounce back? Please be a yes! Will Tai get back to his brilliant best? Will Nicki return to the form he showed just prior to his injury or struggle again? Will Emil justify his wild card and be a serious contender? And what about the Poles? Which one will push through next year? Then there's Holder, iversen, Lindback, Lindgren, Zagar, Vacilik. It's a great line up!!!

To all those who are getting themselves all worked up that the FIM do not see their regulation in the way they do, get yourselves organised Register at crowdsurfer, ask for donations to fund your court case against the FIM and Hancock, and away you go. Before you know it Tai will be the new champ and those of us who foolishly don't accept your reading of the situation will be thanking you profusely. To get things moving you can even have the 87p I've found down the back of my sofa. I'll even throw in the two buttons and the dog biscuit buried there for the last couple of years. Alternatively, you can accept that Hancock is World Champion and move on.

Bottom line is Hancock is the World Champion - just move on. It might keep some people awake at night but nothing is going to change the situation.

There's as much chance of Greg being stripped of the title as there is of another EU referendum. I read it that a rider would be kicked out of any remaining Grand Prix and I think the lawyers would have a field day if any action was taken. Makes it more interesting for next year though. Looks a great line up. Let's hope Doyle returns 100% next year and claim the title he deserved this year.

Gutted for the bloke - no one has deserved it more. His progress has been amazing so just hope he gets back to full fitness soon. It's put a massive dampener on the final event. And to the cretin calling Greg 'slimey', if you're going to insult someone who's been around nearly 30 years entertaining thousands of people, at least spell the word right.

Terrible let down for Doyley. But as Steve says injuries are unfortunately part of the sport. If you remember, Greg almost had the same himself when he won his last title ironically when NKI lost control. He was fortunate not to receive serious damage to his hand at the time. Doyley has proven he's got what he takes and he's got at least 17 years to win the title 😀 Also It doesn't matter what Hancock does, it's not good enough for some people. When he passes riders, which he had done regularly in this series, it's not because of track craft or skill, no, it's the other riders letting him through apparently.

Uh? Wants to win more than other riders ? No it's because when he isn't at his best, he makes desperate moves. He's done it all his career. He also never accepts it's his fault when 90% of the time it is. His whinging when he's excluded does him no favours Saying that, he'll be back in the Grand Prix next year as the sport need characters of all kinds, and he is still capable of winning Grand Prix and even another title or two.