salty

I always remember in the Cradley programmes of the early 70's in the "Murmurings from the Management" we were never referred to as fans or supporters, but patrons! As in "patrons are reminded to desist from crossing the the greyhound track during the after match tractor ride"

Well you learn something new every day! I'll have to look in my 1973 programmes to see if I was at a match when he rode at reserve. Strange for Cradley to be the beneficiaries of "special dispensation" - we always thought we were on the wrong end of such decisions! Apologies to Andy M for doubting your memory!

To be fair Kelvin rode for a few more years didn't he? Carter was only really operating at the peak of his powers for 3 seasons (1981-83) as his last 2 seasons were ravaged by injury.

Not 100% sure but I always got the impression that the support of Mr Cearns was a key factor in Speedway continuing as long as it did at Plough Lane. When it closed in 1991 I thought that was linked to the fact he had recently stepped down from the board... I stand to be corrected on that point.

Clever use of stats! I would only be interested in run-offs for the Number 1 slot, so I have Hans 0-3, Ivan 1-1, Erik 2-0.

I guess that's a fair point, I'd forgotten that he finished with 3 wins in Amsterdam. Much of the same in Munich I guess, as without the m/f he would probably finished with 14. I think it's fair to say 1986 was the one he wasn't interested in a podium spot. Strange that the Danes would put so much faith in Hans in the run-offs as his record in the World Championship run-offs was poor. Could it be that Hans would have found the A Finals similarly too much pressure????

But as I said before Rob, I feel once Erik knew he wasn't going to be champ then he wouldn't be so driven for the rest of the meeting just to try and get a rostrum spot. 2nd or 3rd meant nothing to him hence the lower points hauls when he wasn't champ. Still reckon if it had been a GP format then you would have seen a more consisitent Erik. Anyone any strong views who would have been Champ in 1983 under the GP format?

Firstly - who cares. Secondly - the "What's my Line" thread started with a question related to Speedway. Not sure about the other two threads you mention, but the "Strictly Come Dancing" nonsense you posted had no place in the Speedway History section.

To me that is the core of the problem when it comes to the performance of the Brits. Rather than them having to finish top 8 or qualify top 3 in the Challenge a Brit knows that 10th would be enough to ensure selection for next year or even worse as long as they maybe have a couple of decent performances at the end of the season. Having this safety net does them no favours. Tai will go into 2010 knowing that the chances are he will also be guaranteed a slot for 2011. Unless he is totally out of his depth (possible, but unlikely imo) or 2 other Brits qualify as of right for the following year (possible, but highly unlikely imo) then Tai will know that he is likely to be back. For years Nicholls - and now Harris - have known that as long as they finish top 10 or 12 and there are no other contenders then they will get a pick in all likelihood. This must affect their attitude to their racing. Compare the way Rune Holta seems to ride his socks off each year to get into the top 8 - the difference being that Rune knows if he doesn't make that cut-off it is unlikely he will get a seeded spot.

That theory could well have a lot going for it. As I pointed out when the Kennett rumour surfaced, if Rune pulled out GB could have ended up with 3 riders in 2010 - which would have been a farce. However, I suspect the powers that be would have pressurised Holta for a fairly quick decision. As you rightly point out now if he does decide to give it up then he would be replaced by Pepe.

Woffinden was actually eliminated in his qualifier, where he only finished as reserve. He then got into the Motala semi through injury, but again failed to progress. I think his seeding for 2010 owes a lot to his improvement throughout the year as well as the impact Emil made in 2009 showing that youngsters could make an impact. Not to mention that he made the wise decision to ride under the British flag.

But you could say that about every rider who didn't qualify by right. Harris failed to qualify via finishing in the top 8 and also failed via the GP Challenge. This is now his 4th nomination as a seeded rider which is becoming a bit comical.

A couple of weeks ago if someone had told me Harris had got another nomination I would have been pretty miffed, but once the Kennett story surfaced I have to say I am glad that particular nonsense has been overlooked. Harris is a very lucky boy and it really is a joke that GB has to yet again rely on the powers that be to get in the GP's.

Was going to post something similar. If Janice Nicholls was at the peak of her popularity today then Max Clifford would be involved and she would beamed into our living rooms from the depths of the Australian rainforest. If memory serves, from my time living in the West Midlands, after her brush with fame she went back to the day job, settled down with her husband and raised a family. Think she lived in the Cannock area, though I might be wrong.

Not a problem. Apology accepted etc etc As for the 1980 figures I just took a quick glance and saw both riders had figures of 10.70. Closer inspection confirms that PC was .0057 better than Hans.

Rob, I quoted the guys who topped the BL averages in response to Bobbath's post. "I know that Nigel Boocock topped the top div. averages in 1965-but who did it in the years you missed out Rob"

Some of the missing years: 1973 - A.Michanek 1977 - M.Simmons 1978 - M.Lee 1979 - S.Autrey 1980 - P.Collins/H.Nielsen 1982 - K.Carter

Original posting from TMC (in his Philip Rising guise) asked for our thoughts on who were the best 15 riders in the world, regardless of whether we thought they would be in the 2010 series or not. Adams might have stood down for next year, but in the eyes of most he is still in the top 15.

Will have to agree to disagree about Erik's likely chances in a GP series against Hans. I just have a gut feeling Erik would have been able to adjust his approach to focus on the key 8 GP's As for 1982, I agree it is a toss up between Bruce and Kenny. Would his impending departure from the sport caused Penhall to lose focus over a 8 meeting series? Would Carter have had the temperament to be at his best for a whole season? 1983 is even more difficult to call - arguably any one of Sigalos, Carter, Nielsen, Gundersen, Sanders or Lee could have prevailed (and I have probably missed out a couple of other candidates).

I knew you would come up with that argument! No question Hans was more consistent, whilst Erik was arguably more effective in the one-off Finals. That was more a question of Erik basing his season about peaking on that night in September. Don't think it is inconceivable that if the GP system had been in place then Erik would have been able to adjust his approach and rise to the occasion. Guess its all conjecture, but I personally think Erik was talented enough to have triumphed whatever the format used. PS I don't hold much store to the points scored in the Finals. I always got the impression that Erik wasn't that bothered riding for a rostrum place. Will be interesting to see who gets the nod for the 1982 and 1983 seasons.

To be honest when I read the "blurb" for this issue I thought it might it might mirror the article in last months Backtrack which used comments from the "A track I wish I could have visited" thread. I agree with others that Mauger would have continued to collect more Championships throughout the 70's regardless of the format. In the next issue attention turns to the 80's - woe betide them if they try to give Erik less than 3 titles!

Interesting to read in the latest "Backtrack" Tony Mac and John Berry's thoughts on who would have been World champs in the 70's using a Grand Prix system.

Nicholls qualified by a run-off against Harris at Gelsenkirchen in 2007. Can't remember the time before that. If you are asking about a Brit qualifying via the Challenge, again I'm not too sure. Screeny got through one year, but that was when there were 6 qualifiers to the series.

Was hoping it might be a mistake via the other source, but thanks for confirming the news. Regardless of what people believe Ed will achieve in 2010, never has a rider been so undeserving of a nomination. Utter joke. Another thought - if Holta decides not to ride in the 2010 series then I believe Harris will be next in line?

Top quality comedy mate! Doesn't quite tally with the facts unfortunately. Much as Ed has improved year on year since his arrival, he has never made more than a ripple on the world stage. This year's performance in the Pocking qualifier (5 points) and in the WTC round at Peterborough (3 points) just about give a true reflection of where he is, not to mention the 2 underwhelming performances at Cardiff.