ImpartialOne

I think you're being over dramatic with this. The Grand Prix series is the best thing to happen to speedway for as long as I can remember. 15 world class riders giving nothing away in some of the best stadia we have witnessed and a professional outfit steering it in the direction, attracting some big name sponsors. Admittedly the tracks aren't always up to expectation but if they could get that right there is no better spectacle. I know you are a stickler for tradition and the good old days; so am I in many respects, but you only have to watch world finals from 1987, 1989, 1991, 1992, etc to see things weren't always perfect and no longer do we have to endure the five Continental Final qualifiers who by and large were a waste of space. There will always be weak links in any competition as they can't all be in the top eight, but riders in the bottom half like Harris, Holta, Kolodziej, Pedersen, Lindback and Lindgren have all been competitive at some stage and are hardly making up the numbers like the Continental Finalists usually did. Only Laguta could be classed as a wasted place, for want of a better phrase. To me, the SGP is a great advert for the sport (track preparation apart) and along with the SWC, puts domestic speedway in this country to shame. Times change, things move on, it's called progress. You have to move with the times or get left behind. The mayor of Las Vegas once said, "Everything moves forward. If you stand still you go backwards." IMG have the foresight to keep moving forwards and improve things every year. Its not about selling your soul, more staying on your toes. Promoters here could learn a lot from that.

Harris Bjerre B Pedersen Crump

I was indeed, with a cheeky play on the word channels.

Maybe instead of making a statement he should go through the appropriate channels.

Well said.

After 2 rounds: 1. Maciej Janowski (Poland) 14, 12 = 26 2. Denis Andersson (Sweden) 14, 11 = 25 3. Darcy Ward (Australia) 14, 9 = 23 4= Martin Vaculik (Slovakia) 8, 11 = 19 4= Patrik Dudek (Poland) 9, 10 = 19 6= Michael Jepsen Jensen (Denmark) 8, 10 = 18 6= Przemyslaw Pawlicki (Poland) 9, 9 = 18 8. Bartosz Zmarzlik (Poland) 3, 10 = 13 9. Piotr Pawlicki (Poland) 12, 0 = 12 10= Simon Gustafsson (Sweden) 2, 8 = 10 10= Joe Haines (Great Britain) 8, 2 = 10 12. Oskar Fajfer (Poland) 3, 6 = 9 13. Aleksandr Loktaev (Ukraine) 0, 8 = 8 14. Dino Kovacic (Croatia) 6, 1 = 7

He was actually the most consistent rider on show last night.

The reserve could win it yet! 133=7

Kolodziej has had injured kidneys all year hence his absence last night and I would guess his poor form all series. You basically echoed my points on Nicki though. He should have to qualify like the rest now.

Is there a lottery tomorrow? Try 14, 17, 22, 37, 38, 41.

It makes no difference, he's missed the point. The question was, was Darcy Ward's performance the best GP debut (since Martin Dugard, but we'll ignore that as it's not fact). Nothing about wild cards was mentioned.

Yes it can. Comfortably.

Bomber has had far too many chances and generally isn't up to it. If he gets a wild card next year the GP series will become worthless. If they insist on having a Brit in then they should give it to Barker. I think he could ruffle a few feathers and he would add some entertainment along with Darky to counterbalance Piotr Protesiewiczzzzz and Byawne Pedersen. I would also have to question Nicki Pedersen's right to a wild card should he not improve on his current form and position. He may be 3 x World Champion and at times controversial but he is on the decline now and failing to qualify two years running would not warrant a return in my view.

Good one I noticed somebody picked all 4 finalists. I hope they put a bet on that!

Not forgetting Gollob in 1995

They have to put him in next year. With Bjarne and Protesiewicz coming in we need some exciement to balance it up. Very impressive tonight, especially heat 12. I didn't think there was room down that back straight but he made it and showed 2 world champions how it's done

I know but it sounded like people were struggling to find a stream.

Blimey, you only just scraped in there by a minute. Good job too!

Yes I make that a big fat 25 points!

Try my link a few pages back.

I don't see how it can be justified even on commercial grounds. Harris isn't worthy of a place and won't be an attraction riding like he is. I'd be happy to see a better rider in his place who may add excitement to it all and just have the wild card at Cardiff next year if need be. If they really must put a Brit in next year I'd rather it go to Tai or Barker.

What happens if Gollob isn't fit to take his place in semis? Do they put the next in line in or go with a 3 man semi?

i struggled too.. but found one eventually. Streaming Platforms

Wild Card Lindback Jonsson Holder

Of course they should but they didn't qualify. If we are to just pick riders at random it becomes the closed shop it was 6 years ago. As much as I find Bjarne boring and Pepe Proposterous, they all had the same opportunity to be there. Lindback on his form of late is a worthy inclusion though. Just a shame he blows hot and cold because I like to watch him when he's in hot mode.