OveFundinFan

To me Humphrey, being a professional wanting to be number one, means you have to be dedicated at what you are doing to achieve the ultimate prize. Sure there are professionals who earn a good living from what they do, but to be no 1 it takes something special. The hours and hours an athlete, swimmer, cyclist, boxer etc etc puts in to achieve the pinnacle of fitness to do what is required to be no 1 takes dedication, serious dedication Obviously Darcy was not dedicated enough. If he had been dedicated, totally dedicated he would not have "risked" being over the limit the following day, and it doesn't matter how much he was over the limit, he was over. He was "on the edge" and it tipped the wrong way for him and now he is paying the price. 2014 was a year he could possibly have been world champion, and he screwed it up.... for what.... a few pints of beer. Just a few pints of beer he could have enjoyed another time, even just 24 hours later. So he demonstrated to me, that he is not dedicated enough - my opinion which I am entitled to. It may well be that 2014 was his one and only chance, serious chance to be the champion of the world, who knows. Certainly none of us know and neither does Darcy, history will tell us. You grab your chances whilst they are there, not fritter them away by having a few pints.

Dave Jessup was a nearly man, unless my memory is playing up again. Did he not have an engine failure at Wembly 1974 (I think) when leading - push rod failure? Then he went on to score 11 points. A win in that race would have made him world champ on 14 points

There must be plenty of us still around Bob, we're still youngsters really - trapped in older bodies. lol Yes that was a good night when Knutsson won. Shame Plechanov could not have done the same. For him, and Boris Samarodov, to come to Wembly and do what they did was remarkable really. I have no doubt if there had been the GP season then, like now, one of them, at least, would have ended up world champ.

Why would a true professional want to do ANYTHING that would risk the chance of being a world champion? Top of the pile. That applies to anyone in any sport. He knew speedway was providing him, and his crew around him, with a living. On that Saturday evening in Latvia, Darcy knew he was in a season long competition to become the 2014 world champion. More then that, he knew he was really in the competition as a leader rider and true contender for the ultimate prize - being world champion. That real opportunity of being world champion may only come once in your career - why risk throwing away that opportunity by drinking alcohol, any amount of alcohol, the night (or day) before a world championship meeting. Its been said that Nicki Pederson abstains for the whole of the speedway season, no matter what you think of Nicki's riding tactics, THAT is a sign of a dedicated professional. And if he does that to be SUCCESSFUL world class rider, what else does he do to achieve his goals? And it pays results - he has been twice world champion. In that respect Nicki is a really good role model. Other riders may do the same to achieve their goals. Other riders will learn from their peers, and not only learn from peers in their own chosen sport, but from top pros in any sport. Tai did. He chose to pummel his body and mind when he got a second chance to go for the world championship. Fitness training, eating habits etc - did it pay off? It sure did. Did Darcy take any notice of all these examples? Apparently not. He chose to "punish" his body by drinking alcohol the night before a meeting, a world championship meeting, a meeting he had a chance of winning, a world championship he had a chance of winning and he threw it away. Sure people will say "he was only doing what young people do". Foolish counsel that Darcy maybe had heard. But the number of competitors that have been foolish and world champion in the same year will probably be quiet rare. You are either a pro or your not a pro. Darcy chose not to be a pro, and displayed that to us all, by drinking alcohol on the lead up to a championship meeting. I hope he learns from his mistake(s), and when he resumes his speedway career (whenever that be) he will be a reformed character, knuckles down and takes his chosen profession seriously. He needs to surround himself with sensible managers, pit crew, advisers, and true friends who all will be sensible and honest enough to give him sound advice before he makes poor decisions, Surround yourself with foolish people and you are very likely to be foolish. Surround yourself with wise people and you are likely to become wise. I wonder what Darcy will do? Will he have learned from this hugh hiccup in his career that he has brought upon himself, and turn himself around?

I can remember some fantastic Golden Helmet (and no Golden Helmet) races at Belle Vue between Peter Craven and Ove Fundin. Really close races from 2 riders with completely different riding styles. Complete respect and trust between the two. Amazing. Pity video camera shots in high quality were not commonly available then as they are now.

and that was the top 150. I probably only recognised about 8-10 of the names, but Sweden has a lot of winter sports celebrities I woudnt know noticed there was a Soren Nordin, wondered whether they meant Soren Sjosten or Gote Nordin lol. A UK top 150 would be full of footballers, cricketers, rugby, boxing, swimming and athletics. Motor sports forgot about.

Does anyone know who are the riders in the 2015 Challenge, the riders wanting to qualify for the 2016 GP series.? Just wondering whether Emil has entered, as he said he would come back to the GP series via qualification and also Martin Vaculik, who said he wanted 2 or 3 years to mature as a rider. 2015 will be his 2nd year out of GP's OR does anyone know when we hear who is in the GP Challenge?

I can see where Blazeaway is coming from KK did very well early on, then the accident stopped a good run, he got back into it again, but when that bit extra was needed at the end of the gp year, he flunked it as if mental pressure got to him. With help he could get to overcome it. We shall see.

serious memory loss there. Thank you Norbold

I can remember Nigel Boocock and Ron How being on 10yds but there must have been many others that I can remember. I presume Ken McKinley and Bob Andrews would have been 10 yarders. Anyone?

and James Stewart is a BIG draw in AMA Supercross - puts bums on seats, but not 2015 apparantly

and why not. Your opinions, sounds reasonable to me.

Too much of a long shot to say Emil so not putting any money on him. Think you have to look at the top 4 from 2014, and now Nicki has had an op clearing up some old injuries apparantly I reckon it could be him. and I agree Gavan, sadly Zagar IS too inconsistant. Could be an outsider if he overcomes that problem.

Comparing the old one off world final meeting with the modern day GP series is like comparing chalk and cheese. The one off certainly had a fantastic atmosphere. The crowd was buzzing, so electric. And whoever won had to have a very good night, notable by the fact some who should have been the champ that year didnt do it on the night. The GP series does have crowd excitement to some extent (only done Cardiff) and, barring injuries, I think the best man over the season is the true world champ. It can be difficult to be on top form all season, and each rider seems to have good and bad days, but overall its right. And of course, more of the "world" gets an opportunity to see the top 16 riding together. I love both styles.

what a courageous and determined guy.

Dont know what the job description is/was, but it looks interesting. I dont know Phil Morris neither, but I hope it goes well for him and the sport.

I agree too, a good and informative site. I lived in Warrington for just over 40 years and heard about the speedway track that was, visiting the web site I could see it. Take a visit and see the unusual shape of the track - its a good size as well. So - Thank You.

Well, I hope we dont see him ride util later 2015 ie a 12 month ban from the date of the offence, meaning no GP's until he qualifies - no one off wild cards, no wild card entry into 2016. Sure he is an exciting rider, but he must learn to work within the rules, and to stray outside of them means its going to hurt. He probably missed out on a top three world spot this year - tough. He should miss out on the opportunity of it in 2015 - tough. Can only blame himself. And the comments above are from someone who does not support any team - just likes good and fair speedway.

I have been away from speedway for too long to have any support for a team, but if Poole supporters keep putting anyone who criticices DW attitude/actions into the same mold as Poole speedway haters I could just start not to like Poole supporters. As for Chris Harris,I have been critical of his GP performance during 2014 (though I have also said he looks an exciting racer). I judge things as I see them, irrespective of what club or even country they ride for.

Seems like NKI is wishing british promotors meeting was held earlier then November so riders can plan for the following year earlier.

No photos sorry, but would be interested when the book is available. I lived in the same village as Dave, brother Chris, the Collins clan and all the others that came from Partington. They were just a few years younger, me and my age group went for the cycle speedway plus the messing about on old motor bikes. They messed on old motorbikes and a lot of them were successful at the "real" speedway.

No good FIM announcing their verdict if at the end of the day WDC has a say - may as well FIM pass their findings and conclusion over to them then when a decision comes it is final. Asuming that is the case, I dont know.

Actually pugwash. not all who agree with Grand Central are Poole haters, though they can still be regarded as decent people. I have no grumps about Poole, or indeed any other team. I have been away from speedway for around 30 years, just come back in the last two years. I dont know about the politics that have been going on behind the scenes over those years, but I am aware of the fact DW tested positive for a non approved substance in his body, and a stiff penalty is due under the regulations. So I take exception to your statement that "decent people" are like minded Poole haters.

I read that cabin crew of an aircraft that was preparing to take off reported the pilot to the police as they thought he was acting as if drunk. Does it matter whether he was caught over the limit before he took control and flew or after he had flown. Of course it does! If you were on that plane knowing the pilot had been drinking alcohol and was over a limit, would you have stayed on the plane. If "you" had been on that plane I am sure you would have been grateful he had been reported before he flew rather then after - that is if they got to the destination safely. In the case of DW, there were 17 other GP racers that might be mighty pleased that he, or anyone, was found to be over a limit for alcohol before a meeting.

I cant agree with the point you make, Shale Seacher, tha in the 70's and 80's tractor grading was done after every race. I was a Belle Vue regular and one of the main reasons I stopped going was because the track was not being graded. As the shale was shifted to the outside, the racing line followed, so much so you could see the track base on the inside sector of the track and virtually all riders were racing in the outer third of track and it was a bit like follow the leader. Every so often a rider would dive for the inside but it was a bit suicidal as there was no grip. Shame really, Belle Vue was a wide track with different racing lines, with many not being able to be used to good effect. I recall the Golden helmet match races between Peter Craven and Ove Fundin where they were dicing round the white line just inches apart. Then again, I have seen some brilliant races where different parts of the track width was used. Thats how it should be. So I am up for regular track grading, perhaps not after every race though.