g13webb

A European League is the last thing we need. Like everything else, it is a pipe dream based on personal benefits. This will not benefit British speedway. We want to concentrate on our own league and learn to WALK first, When we've done that, we can then try to RUN ...... On the face of it, we are the weakest nation of the 4 but the only one that puts any importance in this scheme..... What's that tell you?????

I understand what you mean Sidney. The two forms of World championships are worlds apart. Totally different in all but one aspect, in that, the winner is the World Champion. I believe the formulation of the grand prix series allow riders to have the off night and still retain the chance of being the World champion. whereas in the past a bad night in the qualifier would have eliminated most riders. Holders performance in New Zealand last year would have eliminated from the competition and any World championship aspirations would have been over. So yes the current SGP series is more forgiving. harder? possibly, better? I don't know about that, but obviously appealing.. I have always felt it would be better if all the riders had to qualify instead of top 10, getting free entry plus wild cards, for next year....... Don't seem fair to me....

I believe you are missing my point also. Of cause Mauger and Olsen's bikes were different from the rest, they were WORKS riders and enjoyed preferential treatment. But the majority of riders were riding similar machinery and the riding ability was more to the fore then. I've read the article from the old SS about the racing in the mid 60's and understand what they saying, but speedway was far more affordable then, be it as a rider or spectator. We use to have 50 meetings a year, all of them well attended with star names , now we're lucky to get a dozen, and some of them will have riders missing. I will agree the racing today is of a higher standard, but the status of the sport has all but disappeared.

Those people with money to waste, ought to place their bets on Darcy. This is a two horse race with only Nicky, able to stop Noddy winning again. Sure there will be other riders who figure, but when the chips are down, when the pressure is paramount there will only be two riders.... Take your pick........

I believe you are missing the point that I wanted to make, in the fact that racing now is so different from what it use to be. But you comment about the introduction of the 4-valve, I think you'll find that happened before Lee burst on the scene. The time that Mike was referring too, was , when The Street machine, Weslake, Jawa were all on the case, but the development was somewhat similar. Mike was fortunate in that his bikes were always fast, but that was down to the knowledge, expertise and experience initially given by his father.

Its difficult to know exactly when the decline actually started but we have seen a gradual change over many years now. Speaking recently to Mike Lee we talk about the differences from the time he was racing to that of today, and he pointed out the many changes that had happened and the effects of the sport itself. I said people will always have a perception of what was best, but in reality now is completely different sport. Years ago the bikes were more equal to each other and a bigger advantage was created by the riding ability. Now speed is everything, and everyone is trying to attain more power from the bike. The shale on the tracks were different and the tyres also. Regulations have changed and tread cutting is now not allowed. The laydowns have lowered the centre of gravity and bikes can be ridden faster. Throttle control is something of the past. So in conclusion, when comparing different eras is not possible to get an accurate assessment of the actual racing abilities. The only comparison that is worth noting is that the sport of the early eras was more affordable and hence, we had far more people able to try their hand. So when people refer to the 'Good ole days', they are obviously referring to the affordability of the sport and the numbers that attended, not necessary the actual racing side.

I can't believe you lot on here. On one thread your persecuting a genuine, decent man and the next thread your singing the praises of the most selfish and calculated man in Speedway. I for one, wouldn't believe anything Matt Ford said, and what ever he did say, was a calculated response. It most certainly didn't come from the heart. Whereas with Neil, we have a sincere genuine person would help anybody being persecuted for saying the wrong things when he was first asked for his view. If he had the opportunity to see the backlash first, then probably he would have said something different. So please don't compare these two as if Matt Ford is some kind of messiah ...... Give me Neil any day.....

I feel sorry for Neil Middleditch, put in a no-win situation. As manager of a team he was always going to try and justify the antics of one of his riders. that what team managers do. No doubt he was asked off the cuff, for comments about Darcy and whatever he said, he would be wrong regardless, whatever context it was put in.. We've had pages of people criticising him and that he should be hung from the nearest gallows. but Middleditch is a decent man and don't deserve this persecution. I remember nobody did more then Neil Middleditch, in trying to help Mike Lee when in trouble all them years back. So whatever brush he is tarred with. to me Neil is a decent chap and is welcome round our house any time........... That's more then can be said for that juvenile Darcy Ward...... I suggest posters wake up, put yourself in his position for a moment. Sure he said the wrong thing but hey, we have all said the wrongs things at times in our lives....

Like wise......

Saying Darcy needs help is one thing, but I think you'll find there loads of people willing to help him but you usually find these people don't want to be helped. There were loads of people wanting to help Mike Lee, but he turned his back on all of them , it was only much later he appreciated that... No, although Darcy is very talented rider, he'll never become a World Champion. His attitude is always wrong..... Probably, selling Darcy was the best work Buster has ever done......

I feel that equates to most of the decisions, Theres a few more good ones, like the Leagues points . Although the 40-38 scoreline was wonderful, it didn't reward the clubs who tried hard when competing away.

I read with interest the article in the Letters section of last week SS and can relate to all comments in the correspondence from a Mr Bert Harkins, about all the changes that has happened to out beloved sport. Yes, hind-sight is a wonderful thing, but one has to wonder when some of the decisions were made, if the people that were making them, were in fit and sound mind. Will be interesting to hear what other Posters feel, were good or bad decisions...... PS. I liked the bit about the Castrol R being sprayed onto the track giving that strong smell. That's what missing from today's meeting and probably why supporters stay away....

Well, its a sure fire thing that our sport desperately needs Sky, far more then sky needs us. Without the financial input from Sky many clubs would have to rethink the cause, and question the very viability of it's existence. I for one have never missed a meeting because it was on the television. I usually recorded the program to watch at a later time. When we talk of the sport existence without Sky I feel it best described by saying 'Will the last man leaving switch the light off .... Please'

We can all remember the good days and the big crowds, but speedway has changed do much. The biggest single factor is what its cost to be a speedway rider?. That costs dictates everything else. It dictate what the promoters have to pay the riders, its dictates the admission prices we have to pay. It also stops the production line of pulling in new talent. Going back to the time being quoted, we then had an abundance of British talent that appealed to all the supporters, now we have but a few riders capable of producing the same standard. It would be wrong the blame the poor attendances on the admission prices alone, it is a refection of where the sport has gone, and that's down to the way the sport has been governed over the years. In this current economic crisis, times are even harder, for the supporters as well as riders.... A total rethink is needed.... (Added later)..... Getting back to the title of the thread, It is imperative that when there is a good turnout, like last year, it is essential to get it right. The debacle that happened would only destroy the interest of the supporters that did go.

I thought the article in the S/S this week was pretty good ( The Property Market, by John Burbidge) It highlighted all the problems of the asset system. It also pointed out all the issues if it was disbanded, and why it shouldn't happen. My feelings are, if we think only of the good of the sport, there are no problems, it only when we bring in personal thoughts and profits do we have these issues. ( I remembered Kennett being valued at £80K , that was bloody ridiculous) Like the article said rather then a repeat of troubles we had this year, we need stronger guidelines from the BSPA and a deadline date put in place...............Don't wait till next year, lets sort it out now........

Having read all the comments, everyone has their own opinions why the sport is in the state it is today. It’s a shame but nothing will ever change. We go from one issue to the next and nothing is ever learnt from the problems we have. Just recently, we have had issues about rider assets and the problems it creates for some of the clubs. But instead of sorting it out in the long term, a short term answers are given hoping the problem will go away. If we had an independent body, with no bias towards certain clubs, solutions could be sort to overcome all the problems that exist. Long standing supporters have problems, understanding some of the rules and the decision made. If we have these problems, imagine what new supporters must think. Having followed this sport for nigh on 50 years, I’ve given up hope it will ever change. Just except it for the way it is run knowing one day there will be no more speedway to watch.. At least I will be fortunate to be able to reflect back to the wonderful sport we once had…

It's such a shame the meeting of this stature, will be remembered for this instance of the Ref decision. There has been 363 commnets about it on this thread, yet on the Holder- World Champion thread there are only 50 posts, and most of them is about other things. Like I said shame.. cos' Chris Holder really did deserve that World Championship.

I have no doubt this thread will run on and on. Both sides of the argument feel they are both justified. No one will ever changed what happened. Chris Holder is a worthy World Champion. Had this situation had happened in any other race, any other meeting, Holder would have been excluded. and that tells me what was right and what is wrong. Its a pity that the event governed the rules whereas it should be the rules govern the event. The ref took the easy option.

I've seen Pederson get excluded for a lot less then that. And the meeting would 've finished no different, even if the ref done his job properly.

Strange, but all these posts on this thread are so predictable. There are those fans that see it as it happened, and there are the others that can never have anything said against Holder for whatever he does. For my tu’pennies worth, I thought Holder was very fortunate not to be excluded. After picking gate one, he will always get clamped on the line if, he was slow out, irregardless of who is next to him. Having Pederson next to him it was foreseen what would happen. Had Holder have picked gates 3 or 4 he would have had a better chance if he had missed the gate. He only needed a top two finish and his bike was well quick. The race: Pederson had the jump way before the corner, and Holder could and should have eased up, but no, he was aware of what he did and should have been excluded. The Ref: bottled it. He made the decision thinking that he was deciding the world championship. But No-Way would Pederson have won the next two races. He just wasn’t quick enough. So because of the inability of the Referee we have loads of pages arguing (discussions) about nothing. At the end of it all, Chris Holder was rightfully crowned World Champion, not just for last night, but also for consistently performing better then the rest, all year. So may I offer my congratulations to Chris Holder, a deserved World Champion.

Congratulation to Chris Holder. Although, consistant, very quick, and always in with a shout, i thought fortunes favoured him tonight. i think this will signal the start of the younger generation, taking over and winning the top prize from now on. Next year will see the younger riders like, Ward, Vaculik; Sayfutdinov; Lindback; M J J, joining Holder at the front, and the older ones, following Crumpy and calling it a day.

To me Neils epitomises everything that is good about Speedway. He’s a gentleman, he tries to win every race, he doesn’t endanger other riders and he’s a great ambassador for the sport. He’s a top man. For the Danish authorities to name MJJ for second wild card entry is a travesty. What more could Neils have done to warrant inclusion. He led the team in the SWC, he’s top Danish scorer in all the leagues and on top of that he’s the current Danish Champion. One has to question the sanity of the Danish authorities. . … Pathetic decision…..

I trully don't get all this. What was so wrong with what Nicky Pedersen done. It has been happening for years. It's part and parcel of speedway. Why all this fuss now. If that's all you want to remember about the meeting, then I feel sorry for you. I shall remember the brilliant riding from some and the wonderful overtaking that was on show. I don't think this is about what he done, more about peoples dislike of Nicky Pedersen..

I remember back in 1981 at White City, Bruce Penhall had 4 unbeaten rides to lead the Continental Final. In his last ride he was grouped with 3 other Amercians who all wanted to qualify for the world final in LA and Penhall duly obliged by cruising around in last place, giving his compatriots the chance to score the points required. So it's nothing new, been happening for years.............

I can't see what all the fuss is about. So what , if Nicky Pedersen slowed to gift a point to the Aussies to manipulate to usage of the Joker. This sort of thing has been happening for years, going back to the time of the 60's and 70's . The rules are stupid, but thats not the fault of the riders. they just have to abide by them and what Nicky done last last was in keeping with those 'rules'. People on here have said it was dangerous, but he was aware of everything and danger was not an issue I was entertained, The track weren't that good, the crowd was disappointing, Some riders were sub-standard, some didn't want to know. But others including all the Danes wanted this so badly and were victorious in the end. All in all not a bad week. There was more pluses then minuses. Some fantastic Speedway racing with briliant overtaking, Some riders have come to the fore on the world stage, non more so then the young Danes. But if I had to pick out the best rider of the whole week I would have to say CHRIS HOLDER. ( Pity about that spate at the camera. though!!!)