cyclone 943 Posted December 31, 2016 'there are none so blind as those that will not see' or words to that effect. It isnt about Mark Riss, Campton, Gappmaier, Wallner or any other individual rider. Many get too hung up about an individual favourite from their own team rather than the bigger picture. Its about setting a standard at 5 which seemed a sensible level only to alter the next year to suit rather than stick to an agreed principle. UK Speedway would be more credible if it did not impose artificial averages on any rider based on nationality, once they have achieved an actual GSA. No problem with overseas riders being given an assessed starting average which reflects their previous experience (foreign league exposure, SGP participation etc.), but once they have an actual GSA , they should then be treated the same as UK nationals. When Speedway was thriving in the UK, we did not have this nonsense of discriminating against overseas riders. If they were not good enough, they were binned, and if anyone believes that a Promoter would hang on to foreign duds, I'd be interested to know if anyone can give examples and whether they sought an explanation from the said Promoter. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StevePark 2,783 Posted December 31, 2016 UK Speedway would be more credible if it did not impose artificial averages on any rider based on nationality, once they have achieved an actual GSA. No problem with overseas riders being given an assessed starting average which reflects their previous experience (foreign league exposure, SGP participation etc.), but once they have an actual GSA , they should then be treated the same as UK nationals. When Speedway was thriving in the UK, we did not have this nonsense of discriminating against overseas riders. If they were not good enough, they were binned, and if anyone believes that a Promoter would hang on to foreign duds, I'd be interested to know if anyone can give examples and whether they sought an explanation from the said Promoter. It depends on what you call "good enough" though, doesn't it? New Aussie coming in on a 5, achieves a 4. Good enough? New Aussie comes in on a 5, been around for years, still hasn't achieved a 4 and is now classed as British. Good enough? New Aussie comes in on a 5, a few years later becomes World Champion. Good enough. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gavan 5,050 Posted December 31, 2016 Mark Riss on a 4 is an absolute steal IF Pickering can do a decent job then this team is better than last year. I will have some of what your smoking please The heat leader trio of Masters , Wolbert and Fisher is stronger than this years Masters, Wells and Riss Second strings last year the Riss brothers are stronger than Pickering and Clegg And this years reserves Riss and Davey similar to Clegg and Bewley last year. A half decent side now the limit is lowered but better than last year? Not by a long shot Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dontforgetthefueltapsbruv 10,706 Posted December 31, 2016 When Speedway was thriving in the UK, we did not have this nonsense of discriminating against overseas riders. dont think thats the case. During those times there were only a few non Brits outside the top tier (coming in on a 9 I think) and those in the top flight had to achieve 6 to stay there. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tyretrax 2,253 Posted December 31, 2016 To Cyclone, Wolbert at Glasgow. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bagpuss 10,784 Posted December 31, 2016 If we need to discriminate against foreign riders by assessing them all on a minimum of five to get rid of the sub standard ones then so be it. If they were that good clubs would still sign them on five. As for Davey, I don't really like the fact that he is clogging up a team place which a youngster could potentially take up but at the end of the day he has a British passport so there is no argument. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jenga 2,998 Posted December 31, 2016 happy new year to our friends over the wall . 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Endeavour 681 Posted December 31, 2016 If we need to discriminate against foreign riders by assessing them all on a minimum of five to get rid of the sub standard ones then so be it. If they were that good clubs would still sign them on five. As for Davey, I don't really like the fact that he is clogging up a team place which a youngster could potentially take up but at the end of the day he has a British passport so there is no argument. Agree with you to a certain extent. Trouble is there is a severe lack of promising GB "youngsters". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cyclone 943 Posted December 31, 2016 dont think thats the case. During those times there were only a few non Brits outside the top tier (coming in on a 9 I think) and those in the top flight had to achieve 6 to stay there. Where did you get this information from ? I can provide some hard facts regarding National League newcomers in 1990:- Edinburgh's Danish newcomer, Frede Schott was assigned an initial GSA of 2.00, whilst Aussie first timers, such as Ipswich's Shane Parker, started on 3.00 Can you provide provide actual facts to support your memory/thinking Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scaramanga 907 Posted December 31, 2016 If we need to discriminate against foreign riders by assessing them all on a minimum of five to get rid of the sub standard ones then so be it. If they were that good clubs would still sign them on five. As for Davey, I don't really like the fact that he is clogging up a team place which a youngster could potentially take up but at the end of the day he has a British passport so there is no argument. and if the likes of craig cook and a few others had polish passports do you think they would get a ride instead of a upcoming pole i think not Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paulco 7,080 Posted December 31, 2016 Where did you get this information from ? I can provide some hard facts regarding National League newcomers in 1990:- Edinburgh's Danish newcomer, Frede Schott was assigned an initial GSA of 2.00, whilst Aussie first timers, such as Ipswich's Shane Parker, started on 3.00 Can you provide provide actual facts to support your memory/thinking As did Jason Crump in 1992 , happy new year Cyclone 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dontforgetthefueltapsbruv 10,706 Posted December 31, 2016 Where did you get this information from ? I can provide some hard facts regarding National League newcomers in 1990:- Edinburgh's Danish newcomer, Frede Schott was assigned an initial GSA of 2.00, whilst Aussie first timers, such as Ipswich's Shane Parker, started on 3.00 Can you provide provide actual facts to support your memory/thinking devils advocate would say post 1990 doesnt represent when the sport was thriving.... Perhaps the two are linked.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cyclone 943 Posted December 31, 2016 devils advocate would say post 1990 doesnt represent when the sport was thriving.... Perhaps the two are linked.... Nice sidestep to avoid providing hard facts to support your thinking Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bagpuss 10,784 Posted January 1, 2017 Agree with you to a certain extent. Trouble is there is a severe lack of promising GB "youngsters". I would say that the NL is churning out more and more youngsters each year. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scaramanga 907 Posted January 1, 2017 there are a few riders in nl yes but are they ready/good enough for higher leagues some can hold there own against the lower end riders yes but most are not ready Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
