stevebrum

Shamek qualified for 2018, Piotr was in 2017 and didn't finish in top 8 and wasn't a pick for this year either. Nor is Piotr but CVS has confirmed he will be reassessed. So will be same for Lindback. I read that last week too Philip, any reasons why it was changed and when it's going to be confirmed? I'd imagine it would depend on the outcome of the TV deal?

Too many do think if was always better in the old days and I'm sure the promoters are the worst for thinking it used to be so good back then if we tinker a little we might get it back again. We won't. Times have changed, and not always for the better. When speedway was booming and classed as 2nd to football in popularity we STILL had the individual glory. So something must have been right! I'm not sure why some clubs and promoters struggle and others manage. What I do know despite promoters pleading poverty the riders, particularly the top boys seem to be doing very well from the big leagues. Something seems strange about that I reckon. The Cardiff GP seems to prove that people WILL turn out in big numbers for the top boys, and not for a team match. Maybe that says more about where speedway is at in the modern times, not that I agree of course.

Couldn't decide which alias to be and fell out with itself.

Exactly Mikebv. It was generally all about the top boys and individual - world's, inter-continental, British finals seemed to be the range on the main TV stations. With the occasional live or prerecorded team match. At least these days there is way more team racing available to watch on various TV platforms.

My comment was in no way 'without thought'. I fail to see where you think speedway "shot itself in the foot'. Right from the earliest days of the sport there has been a league structure with a yearly world title. Nothing has changed. I agree that it 'feels' different these days , and that's down to the power switch that's happened in world speedway that Britain is no longer the place to be and the lack of riders means teams are made up of riders who ride for other teams too. Not ideal at all. Following a team is still as good as it ever was. Also remember back in the good old days there was more individual racing on TV than team stuff so if anything team racing has the better coverage these days. It's like I said. Not a lot has actually changed. Only a perception of what things were like in those days.

That's a fair point. I personally can't see that changing but then it did for Ash so it's possibly. It's worth pointing out that Ash didn't have the NL to fall back on to either. Clegg shouldn't have been this year either but as soon as he dropped his average and dropped to reserve he was off back to the comfort. Until he gives that up he will never move forward.

Sorry, have to disagree with you here. Ash doesn't all 2017 in the main body of the team, something Clegg has yet to achieve. He has been up into the main body but has failed to stay there. Clegg achieved an average of 4.15 , with a large chunk spent at reserve again for Edinburgh. Ash spent a whole season in the main body at Newcastle for an average of 4.88. On paper less than a point between them, in reality Ash earned his higher average from a more difficult position. Clegg has never been the same level as Ash IMHO.

Anybody that enters a sport as a professional would want to be the best they can be. If that sport has the potential to crown you a champion then there is nothing wrong in having that as the ultimate goal. Most will never get close, some will be good enough to even be considered worthy of a chance. Even fewer achieve that dream. What is wrong in that? As long as speedway has been speedway it has always been as much about the individual as it is about the team. Who wouldn't want to be considered the best team man in the sport? ? Many I'd imagine. And what a great thing to accomplish. There has always been riders that are more for themselves than have been for the team. This is not a sudden, unique or latter day trait. It's always been that way. Lambert choose to ride in Germany from age 14 because he wasn't allowed to do so in his country of berth. That shows me a rider who want to progress the right way and on his terms. Why not? ? The UK/BSPA didn't look after him at 14 why should he put them first now? I applaud the lad for progressing his OWN career the best way he can. If he proves to be a good team man along the way that I'm sure is a bonus for him. Ambition over riding in 2 leagues in Britain going nowhere fast???? Is really any one more right than the other??? Don't get me wrong I'm more about the team too, but I like riders with ambition who want to achieve more. And if they are British and/or Wolves riders even better. Let's just not kid ourselves that this is a new phenomenon.

One of the many aliases.

Wrong, as usual.

The troll never gets things right. It will be back to spread more lies no doubt.

Well said Najjer. Isn't too difficult a concept to understand is it?

Apologies, I thought he had dropped down. It's more other's over the years that have hyped him and I've never really seen anything to justify that hype. But you have a fair point that he SHOULD be more than capable of achieving that standard.

Didn't he ride some meetings at reserve this season and his average is still shocking? Probably one of the most overrated riders around.

Got to disagree with you on that one. He has shown on his form over here that he is a 4-5 point rider. Nothing more.

Of course they are false! ! If some riders who didn't ride here in 2017 are deemed to have 'outdated averages' then that simply can't apply to some others as then having true averages! Either ALL that didn't ride here in 2017 are outdated or none are. It's pretty simple I'd say! I can't believe anyone will actually argue that it's completely fair to grade some and not others. Well one I can understand will and already has. If you don't want clarity in the rules then fair enough. But bringing in ringers will continue and help to lose yet more fans from the sport. It's a joke to grade some and not others, it's as simple as that. And the rules allow it!! Beyond crazy.

They are, and every year they seem to suit some clubs and not others. Rules should be fair and transparent. So sadly every year some promoters will sign a ringer that will alienate a lot of speedway promoters. Wolves got a lot of flak signing a ringer 'Tai' in 2016 that a lot of people, and promoters no doubt, were unhappy about. Low and behold they have closed the door on that one by reassessing Tai and riders of a similar standard. Sadly the BSPA have yet again left the door wide open to allow ringers in on false averages given how much they have improved massively since last time they were here. It's like they never learn. Rules are there for everyone, sadly some benefit and others don't. Yet again the rulings stink and yet again teams will be accused of signing ringers that give the sport less and less credibility everytime. Any teams that sign a ringer will get flak, it could have been avoided.

No there not. They weren't in 2017 (with the multiplier ) and won't be in 2018 with some being reassessed and others not. Rules on averages seem to change every season, yet bizarrely they are allowing some riders who didn't ride here in 2017 to keep their existing averages yet regrade some at the same time. Bizarre in the extreme. The hopes of eliminating clubs being able to sign a 'ringer' sadly still exist. Just when you thought the governing body was going to make the rules fair for every team.

Seems Lambert is as cheesed off as Woffy with the governing body. If only the BSPA would look after its own both boys might still want to ride here plus they have done naff all to help their career. Lambert certainly is on the same mould as Woffy thank god, riders that want to better their career instead of staying safe in both British leagues and going nowhere fast.

Exactly. The riders hold all the power. Any rider will ride where they want.

Troll alert ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

It only affects riders with a top flight average of 6 and over Skidder1.

Likewise, wouldn't wish ill health on anyone. Having gone thru a health trauma some years ago I know how tough things can be. Can only echo the get well messages of others too.

Unless he signs for Poole he will just be an asset of Poole, not a Poole rider.

Unless rules have changed you aren't allowed to reintroduce a rider that rode for you the previous season that didn't start the following year.