customhouseregular

A nice variation on my theme.

Sorry about that...my abacus is broken.

Hard to argue with the stats.

You have gone back more than 25 years Mr.W. You can't have Ermolenko in list A. Also Knudsen in list C, unless I am mistaken was more than 25 years ago. (Apologies if my stats are incorrect). List D with Ward, MJJ, Zagar and Zmarzlik would give list A a run for their money.

12 in to 7 don't go!

Ok, I know this is just a bit of fun but why not play along. Select from riders competing over the past 25 years and make 4 lists. list A Riders who won the World title once only. list B Riders who never became World Champion but finished second at least once. list C Riders not in either of the above categories but who finished third at least once. list D Riders who have won a GP but have not medalled in the World Championship. Pick 4 riders from each list to make a 4-Team tournament. Who would have been top individual scorers?. Which team would have won?. You may be surprised at the strength of the team from list D.

It's hard to pick 7 when there are at least 10 who should be in the team .

I would not have Jerzy in my top 7 even given his performances against Mauger. Sayfutdinov should be in but who do leave out?. Away from Poles and Russians, how about Zagar?. Plech, Jancarz and Woryna were always good to watch. As I recall there were a few good Czechs around in late 60's/early 70's.

No Plechanov?.

Although with the likes of Nielsen, Gunderson, Pedersen how many Swedes, outside of Fundin and Rickardsson would make the top 7?. My heart says I have to include Harrfeldt and Knutsson. World titles say include Fundin and Rickardsson. That leaves a lot of great names vying for 3 places. If I leave out Sverre and Bjorn i can add Nielsen, Gundersen, Pedersen, Olsen and Michanek. Anyone disagree?.

Shall I start this off? Jack Milne Cordy Milne Wilbur Lamoreaux Greg Hancock Bruce Penhall Scott Autrey Eric Chitty

Would any non-Polish or Soviet/Russian riders make the list?.

Because the thread title is Best Australian Team Ever...the clue is in the name. p.s. As this thread was started by Norbold, whose knowledge, insight and understanding of Speedway far outstrips mine. why question the format? I never saw Stanley Matthews, Fangio or Donald Bradman. Does that preclude me fro acknowledging their prowess?.

Certainly.

Hard to compare Mick as Jason Crump apart we are talking different eras. In World Championship terms Norbold's list is better though I can't disagree with your's being a great list of Aussies. If Holder wins another WC and Ward reaches the top then I might just concede your list is better. It's all relative though, is it not?.

No weak links there Norbold.

What a pity Krasnikov is only doing this round.

Does anyone know why Krasnikov opted out of the series?. He obviously still has the hunger and the will to win. p.s. If we accept that Krasnikov is the greatest Ice racer ever, and that all competitors in the WC are European, then should he win the EC this year will that make him de facto World Champion? (assuming all the top Russians contest the EC).

Apologies my friend. I shall revert back to NZ for this thread. Would anyone have Graeme Stapleton in their team?. Or was he not a Kiwi?.

You are absolutely right Wanderer. Cheating is endemic in most sports and goes totally against the sporting ethos.

Thanks for the link. I should have remembered he rode for West Ham!!!. Back to my copy of "Hammeri' Round" I think.

Thanks for that. Oddly I was only thinking about Basse Hveem earlier this morning.

I believe so.

Ahead of Shirra maybe?. How about some Regional teams?. Best Scandinavian...add Harrfeldt and Olsen to your favourite Swedes. Best East European...think Plechanov and Samorodov. Best North America...Eric Chitty anyone?. Best Australasian...how many World titles between the top Oz and NZ stars!. Any other Regions?.

With only 7 to choose, who do you leave out? Bengt would be my no. 8 though.