lucifer sam

For speedway, the government seem to have decided that the top two leagues are "Elite" and NDL downwards is "Grassroots". As other posters have said, it's largely down to whether most of the competitors at that level are deemed to be professional.

Let's hope it's October 1st.

Anyway, IMO it's fine to call it the British Final. Fingers crossed, that as a test event, it's not affected by this morning's news from the government. The BSPA have had to really jump the hurdles to get this on - let's hope all that hard work is not scuppered.

You are missing something - Cardiff 2020 was cancelled months ago.

Just out of interest, at which point? I'd say Vic Duggan was the best rider in 1946-1949, although Parker certainly could have his day, as he did in the 1947 Riders' Championship at Wembley. As for British riders, the top three are Craven, Woffinden and PC. Not sure after that, although I think Lee and Tommy Price are probably ahead of Parker. Maybe Eric Langton and Mark Loram too. EDIT: And just to clarify because anyone else does, even although Duggan wasn't over in the UK in 1946, he was beating all-comers in Australia.

I then looked at the previous two paragraphs, and I'm less sure now. I'm waiting to see what the FIM put out tonight

Hold on, let me quote the whole thing, where the third paragraph seems to contradict the first two paragraphs: Reaching the semi-final ensures a rider will go home with at least nine points. The third-placed semi-finalist who scores the most race points in their five heats will earn 12, with the other third finisher awarded 11. The fourth-placed semi-finalist who scored the most points in the heats will receive 10, with the other fourth finisher receiving nine. Should a rider be excluded or fail to finish their semi-final, they will be ranked lower than a third or fourth finisher who does complete their race. If both third or fourth-placed stars fail to finish, they will be ranked according to how many race points they scored in the heats.

Maybe not so simple, because the official website states: Should a rider be excluded or fail to finish their semi-final, they will be ranked lower than a third or fourth finisher who does complete their race. If both third or fourth-placed stars fail to finish, they will be ranked according to how many race points they scored in the heats.

Ah, so a non-finishing 3rd out-ranks a finishing 4th. Thanks for clarifying.

That's a bit bizarre - so they don't take their figures from the official standings? So I am right in thinking tonight it was: Lindgren 12 (3rd in semi 1) Laguta 11 (4th in semi 1) Doyle 10 (excluded in semi 2 - but after Madsen) Madsen 9 (excluded 1st in semi 2)

Were those standings right? Lindgren finished his semi - Doyle didn't. I think Lindgren therefore gets the place. Very poor if it goes up incorrectly on screen. Don't even the FIM know their own scoring system? EDIT: And thinking about it, Laguta's 4th is also better than Doyle's non-finish.

Major improvement in the pit-lane interviewer tonight - she knows what she's talking about.

I thought it was just a good gate. He hadn't moved before the tapes went up. I wonder how many times Todd Wiltshire would have been unfairly excluded under the current starting regulations?

The other two are still unbalanced - but the Oxford win is impressive because it's unbalanced and they still managed to win!