g13webb 4,254 Posted February 1, 2012 I can see the benefits of both ideas, but can also see the problems they create. I believe the SGP is now getting into the thrones of purely, a money making exercise with little regard to the sport in general. I believe 12 rounds is too many, and that by the end of a season the same riders, racing together every other week, it loses the appeal it should have. Interesting to hear other opinions Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Druid 18 Posted February 1, 2012 I would prefer the one off world final to the SGP crap. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steve0 5,517 Posted February 1, 2012 No competition - the SGPs by the proverbial mile The good thing about the SGPs over the old World Final (similar to the league versus play-off) is that the champion is determined over the season rather than on a night - this, for me, provides a true champion as it levels out the track biases. Like the play offs, the organisers need to be careful that it doesn't just become a money making exercise - they should remember it should be the best of the world's riders - no disrespect to Ljung and Bunyan who aren't! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
B.V 72 1,054 Posted February 1, 2012 The one off finals were the best because it was a few qual rounds and a final.The gp today has to many rounds which in turn has help to destroy British speedway with the top riders to busy to fit the elite league into there to hectic schedules.Rather see one or two of them live at my home track every week than 12 times a year on t.v. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldace 1,678 Posted February 1, 2012 I wonder why no one has ever thought of debating this subject ever before 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stratton 1,491 Posted February 1, 2012 One off finals for me, g.ps going stale same old same old. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
guitar_art 247 Posted February 1, 2012 For Pure drama you just cannott beat the old one of finals. (Would have been even more drama full if they had used the GP formula of a final race tho) Dont really like SGP. And like others have said I believe it is sucking the life out of British speedway in particular. Whats one of the most talked about subjects in Speedway? Penhall V Carter in Los Angeles. Would not have had the same impact if they then had gone onto another eleven rounds. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest wolfhound Posted February 1, 2012 I personally preferred the one-off World Finals purely for the excitement they generated and the knowledge that a rider had but one serious chance each season to be World Champion but then the one-off final did have its downside if a rider had a fall, an engine failure etc meaning almost certainly his chance had gone but that was the magic of it all. The current GP’s in my view have become too elongated with too many rounds and with NZ now joining the series it’s becoming even longer. Should the USA ever decide to make an entrance, would there be any time left for domestic fixtures? Now if there were only 7 rounds, such as Poland, Sweden, UK, Denmark, Australia, the USA plus a.n.other AND each rider was to ‘drop’ his worst score, the series would be more compact, riders would be able to put that disaster night aside and hopefully would also allow them to fulfill domestic fixtures without having such an overcrowded schedule. Unfortunately though I don’t think it will happen, there is too much money involved and the organisers would not contemplate a downsizing of their major attraction. Regarding the one-off finals, they did require qualifying rounds which for the most part were a waste of time but they did at least offer a rider the opportunity to surpass himself and make further inroads in the competition whereas the GP’s are virtually a closed shop and ‘by invitation only’. So one-off finals for me under the present GP system but that is just my opinion, others I’m sure have very different views and maybe haven’t experienced a one-off final particularly one at Wembley - now that was THE night fit for crowning a World Champion! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrMungo 708 Posted February 1, 2012 When the Grand Prix first began, I would have said GPs 100%. In recent years, however, it's all gotten a little bit silly. They're just putting on GPs for the hell of it. European GP, Nordic GP, etc, etc. Going back some 15 years, I really, really used to enjoy the GPs. There was about 6 of them, and they were really something to look forward to. I used to go to GPs quite regularly then. Now I don't bother. I don't think I have been to a GP for 6 or 7 years. So, for me, I would most definitely say the old World Final. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stratton 1,491 Posted February 1, 2012 I personally preferred the one-off World Finals purely for the excitement they generated and the knowledge that a rider had but one serious chance each season to be World Champion but then the one-off final did have its downside if a rider had a fall, an engine failure etc meaning almost certainly his chance had gone but that was the magic of it all. The current GP’s in my view have become too elongated with too many rounds and with NZ now joining the series it’s becoming even longer. Should the USA ever decide to make an entrance, would there be any time left for domestic fixtures? Now if there were only 7 rounds, such as Poland, Sweden, UK, Denmark, Australia, the USA plus a.n.other AND each rider was to ‘drop’ his worst score, the series would be more compact, riders would be able to put that disaster night aside and hopefully would also allow them to fulfill domestic fixtures without having such an overcrowded schedule. Unfortunately though I don’t think it will happen, there is too much money involved and the organisers would not contemplate a downsizing of their major attraction. Regarding the one-off finals, they did require qualifying rounds which for the most part were a waste of time but they did at least offer a rider the opportunity to surpass himself and make further inroads in the competition whereas the GP’s are virtually a closed shop and ‘by invitation only’. So one-off finals for me under the present GP system but that is just my opinion, others I’m sure have very different views and maybe haven’t experienced a one-off final particularly one at Wembley - now that was THE night fit for crowning a World Champion! Dont mention that word closed shop Wolfhound. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cockney Rebel 97 Posted February 1, 2012 I'm with BV72, Guitar _Art and Sydney on this. I remember coming home from the 1972 (I think) World Final with a sore throat and a thumping headache screaming for Bernie Persson to beat Ivan Mauger, I'd been home for a couple of hours before I realised I didn't even like Bernie Persson. Such was the occasion. The GPs are fairer to the riders but not as exciting for the fans. Knowing the World Champion was going to be crowned that night was absolutely the best feeling a fan could have, seeing a rider win a GP but thinking "well he's got to do that several more times this year" is not the same. I also don't like the " If I ride well this year I might get a chance to ride in the qualifying rounds for the GP next year and ride in the GPs the year after that". Under the old system every rider no matter what his standard could dream of being World Champion that year. Thats'the magic of any sport Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebrum 6,831 Posted February 1, 2012 Its a much better way of finding a true World Champion so obviously the GP is the best. Im amazed this thread was even started. Its not like no one has ever mentioned it before! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lucifer sam 3,958 Posted February 1, 2012 I wonder why no one has ever thought of debating this subject ever before Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigFatDave 258 Posted February 1, 2012 Not Again! Is it Groundhog day on here or something? Has anyone heard if Peterboro or Coventry are in the EL this year? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
