billywamill

Nicki has a 'win-at-all-costs' attitude which borders on dangerous. He has a tendency to blast deep into the bends, straight lining on occasions, such that when he invariably touches a rider, it's unexpected and they lose control. He's not the only one though. The number of riders lifting or pushing it to the limit seems to have increased in the last couple of years. Makes for great racing though and every sport needs controversy to keep the interest going.

I think the bottom line is that Greg was lucky to escape a ban... And he doesn't get an easy ride from the others... And the British Grand Prix should be a cracker!!!

You're like my teenage son, you seem to have an answer for everything. So the guy he was racing for the world title last year, didn't push as hard because he is sponsored by the same company. Yeah - right. The data is on the Grand Prix Web site, Do a bit of analysis and try to explain why his record against all the non-Monster riders is no worse??? Why was that it last year he beat Pedersen more than lost? And in 2012? Don't even take a look at those figures

Interesting - so who are the other Monster boys? - is that Tai, Chris Holder and Darcy Ward? Why for example, would Tai as reigning world champion last year, looking to retain his title, not push Hancock? Darcy Ward had some brilliant races against him before doing what he did, and Chris Holder was fighting for a top 8 spot for most of the season. Why would he give up points and risk not qualifying? Have look at this: Naughty Darcy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgXL-TtFJn0 If you're going to state an opinion and say it is the truth, have some argument and reasoning behind it.

Not sure where Bwitcher gets his ideas that riders give Hancock an easy time. Why would riders let him win? The sport is not a charity. Take off your Wolverhampton blinkers BWitcher - just because the bloke rode for Cradley and Coventry, see things as they are. For example, he has won three world titles on merit - 1997, he was far and away the best rider in the series; 2011 he won by 40 points - not even close - and last year he would have won the title more comfortably if he hadn't been injured by an out of control Iversen in Poland - unbeaten in the meeting at the time with four outings to go - the 'gullible fools' couldn't get anywhere near him until Iversen decided to spear him. Even taking into consideration the missed meetings for Woffinden and Kasprzak, he was the most consistent, highest number of wins, points per race etc. during the series. The fact is Hancock, when racing, doesn't take risks - rides within his abilities - doesn't have to take chances and maximises the talents he has - and to be racing at this level at 45 is unheard of in the sport. The last couple of years, I think there has been an increase in the number of such hard (dirty) or desperate moves and there has to be something done to curtail it. Saying that, if Hancock has attacked a rider after a race, that should be taken more seriously. A ban should be given - riders expect 'protection' (not sure Pedersen needs it) from such actions. With regards to the kids, its great they can mix it with the big boys, just got to do it time and again and get to their level on a consistent basis.

One of my best ever memories - watching it on a big screen in a back room of a club at a Caravan park on the Isle of Wight. Just me, my brother and our wives in a massive room to ourselves. Getting louder and louder as the meeting progressed and the glare on my brother's face when someone popped their head into the room just prior to the final ! Then visiting Ryde and doing a ceremonial lap around the track in Billy's honour the following day - except that the track was massive and we were knackered! Who knows? Every year seems to throw up something unexpected. That's the exciting thing about the SGP.

Or the 1996 Vojens Grand Prix when the three Americans finished in the order in their last ride together which meant they all qualified for the final and meant HNS Neilsen was out of the Final. That allowed Billy Hamill to win the final and take the crown. That was a lucky coincidence I think. Totally agree - it was a great series. It's just a pity two of the top six riders are not in it next year - Imagine a top twelve of Greg, Krystof, Nicki, Tai, Matej, Chris, Niels, Andreas, Jarek, Troy (really enjoyed watching him this year - well deserved his wild card) plus Darcy and Emil!

i didnt say Nicki didn't deserve to finish third - what I said was Tai was the third best rider in the series and in my opinion I felt it would have been justice to him over the series if he had come third. Again that's my opinion and wouldn't hold up in any Court of Law. Quite funny too, as Hancock is the most professional rider of them all,

Also it was the third time he'd done it in the series - remember the Zagar incident? And yes, Greg did let Tai through on both occasions but I think it would have been justice for Tai to finish third overall. He was the third best rider in the series - Greg, KK and Tai were the top three throughout the year by a long way.

You reap what you sow I'm afraid. Don't think any of the other riders will be losing any sleep about any perceived bias against Pedersen. He got away with things in the past when he was Top Dog but not anymore. My view was that his bike dragged him slighty quicker into the corner than he expected - he seemed to shoot forward slightly just as he arrived at the bend, which resulted in the contact which KK didn't expect. It was a 50/50 call and I think either rider would have been unhappy with any decision against them. Agreed - I was shouting at the TV as he went down the back straight - "Inside! Inside!" Seemed a little naive. I thought the same in the Semi where Tai gave Nicki loads of room to come between Hampel and himself.

Sam? He never really got near to Nielsen and Gundersen in the late 80's; after that Jan.O and Per Jonsson would have been the next two to dominate if it wasn't for injury before Rickardsson , Hancock and Hamill came through. He wasn't even the best rider around his home track, he never even scored a maximum against Gundersen or Pedersen around there - averaged less than 8.50. The two Danes got one or two in return - Erik averaged over 11 there and scored almost 20 maximums and Pedersen over 10 and 10 maximums.

That's not true. His scores vary as much as anyone else, just less so. You're implying he wins less races and has more second places than any one else. Just look at this year's meetings for example - who has the most race wins? Give you a clue - he's American and smiles a lot. Good point - both good points in fact.

It's hard to say if Hancock would have won more or Loram would have won one at all. Personally, I think on his night, with his set up and professionalism, he would have won at least a couple of one-off meetings (1997 definitely - he was heads and shoulders above the rest) and Loram deserved one just for his entertainment value. Not sure what you mean by second is good enough. He wins as many grand prix as any other major contender.

Spot on - totally agree - Think Gollob was a massive attraction for the Polish supporters and he has been a loss this year. Hopefully in the next couple of years, Kasprzak can maintain his performances and another Pole can make the break through.

I would quote another of Capt Mainwaring often used phrases when he spoke to Pike, but that would be a little cheeky! If it happens and there are only two riders in the race, then so be it. I'm not sure what the rule would be if your scenario came about and there was only one finisher in a semi (which could happen anyway with four riders), it would be interesting to see what the FIM ruling is. This would probably have been the case on Saturday if the NKI/GH race had been their 5th outing, meaning either three riders in both semis or one with only two. The bottom line is the top 8 qualify. That is not only fair, but logical. You're not being rewarded then for 'failure'. If a runner in the 100m Olympic final pulls out before the event, they don't call up the fastest non-qualifier. If a Tennis player pulled out on the morning of the Wimbledon Final, they wouldn't call up the player they beat in the Semi Final. If a car cannot make the starting Grid of a F1 Grid Prix, they don't all move up one space.

I agree Philip - Nicki did not make the top eight and therefore should not be given the opportunity to get six more points. That could make the difference for a rider between World Champ or Runner-Up, eighth place and automatic qualification or ninth and relying on a wildcard. Let's hope Greg does ride in Vojens. He is the best and safest rider in the world and it would be terrible if he lost the title through admittedly, a racing accident, but something that was no fault of his own. And to those who say he is boring and wouldn't be missed when he retires, he was brilliant on Saturday and it would have taken a fantastic ride to have beaten him. He never rides out of his comfort zone and never endangers other riders.. He may 'only' have been World Champion twice, but the man is incredible and hugely popular. We're privileged to be able to watch him doing what he does, mixing it with others half his age and showing them how it's done. I think you state it rather well yourself : non-qualifier - as in he didn't qualify. Leave it as it is. Just because you have an exception when only three ride, doesn't mean you change the rules. .

Definitely speculation but Jan.O still had an outside chance of winning in 88 and was fighting for a podium spot at the least in his last heat - Hans won have only scored 11 at most in 86 if he had been excluded - nothing to ride for. Pedersen would have walked a Grand Prix series in 91. He had missed out the previous two years through injury just before the final and he was fully prepared and at a different level in the World events to the other riders that year. The loss of the Knudsen, Gundersen and Pedersen in 1992 followed by Jonsson, opened the door to Havelock and Ermolenko prior to the arrival of Rickardsson, Hamill and Hancock. I don't think either won have won otherwise, although you can only beat those riding.

Tommy wouldn't have won in 1986 anyway. He'd already dropped 2 points and what was the likelihood of Nielsen beating Pedersen in Heat 20 to give Tommy the chance of winning? Not high... I think you forget the best rider in the World that year. Apart from one engine failure in the World Pairs Final, Pedersen was unbeaten in all three World Championships: 15 points in the World Final, 15 points in the World Team Cup, paid 15 points in the World Pairs. He would have won in 1990 too at Bradford and would have dominated the sport for several years before the arrival of Rickardsson.

I think you'll find the young un's have finally come through in the last two years. Woffinden Ward Emil Holder Iversen Hampel (although he's been around the SGP a few years now) Bottom line is Greg deserves his place as do Gollob and Pedersen. It's a great mix of riders for next year- I for one can't wait! And with regards to gating and being boring - I used to have the same argument with my colleagues 25 years ago about Jan.O Pedersen (who incidentally was the most spectacular rider ever...) and Erik Gundersen. Erik won multiple world titles based on his fantastic gating and first corner skills, whilst Jan.O although unbelievable in his ability to pass anyone, did not fulfil his potential until he finally learnt to master his gating technique. In 1991 when he won all three world titles, the only points he dropped in 16 races were due to an engine failure, but he gated in every race - it's what you've always needed to become top in the sport. Darcy is fantastic to watch and some of his moves are unbelievable, but the bottom line is gating is 80% of the job.

Only passed four riders having messed up ? Not bad, but not in the class of this man : Greatest racer the sport has seen.

Talon of the Track was a superb comic strip. Check out 1976 for a fantastic annual cover! My link

Hay-in-Wye is a fantastic place to visit. I collect Enid Blyton first editions so know a fair bit about her, but I've never heard about her following Speedway!

Would be great to get back to the younger generation mounting a serious challenge. The Grand Prix format appears to suit the 'more experienced' riders. People knock Hampel and Jonsson, but they are the only ones who have really threatened the older generation in the last two or three years. Harris and Lindgren appear to have reached a plateau and riders like Chris Holder and Emil needs to push on to the next level. Hopefully all four will come through in the next year or so and give some variety to the championship. The sport could do with some new faces and Ward would be a fantastic inclusion.

Jan.O Pedersen - so many times. In a 1980s meeting at Monmore Green - trying to split the team riding of Sam Ermolenko and Jan Staechman for four laps and then in one move on the final bend going outside one and inside the other. Incredible. Another 1980s meeting this time against Oxford. Hans Nielsen dropped just ONE point that year away from home - when Jan.O raced him for almost 4 laps and finally flew round the outside on the final bend and pipping him on the line. The crowd went mental. 1990, again at Monmore Green - Jimmy Nilsen gating ahead of Jan.O and Simon Cross. Crossi managing to get past at the end of the 3rd lap, then Jan.O blasting around them both, again on the last bend, to complete a 15 pt max and draw the meeting. Wolves fans reminisce about Ermolenko at Monmore Green, but the truth was he couldn't cope with Gundersen and Pedersen. He wasn't in the same class. A challenge match at the start of 1992 at Swindon. Missing the gate against Leigh Adams and Jimmy Nilsen - both virtually unbeatable at Blunsdon at the time - then reeling them in one lap at at time to complete a 15 pt max. Stunning. So many more - the greatest racer the sport has ever seen.

Hate ? You don't even know the man you idiot. Retired because he was scared ? He had achieved all he wanted to and had nothing else to prove. The man was a legend in the sport - one of the FEW riders the general public would have heard of - the only time Carter was well known were for reasons we all know too well - at least Bruce won't be meeting him when he passes on - he'll be going upstairs.