TheWellBehavedWorrall

Steve, I assume you’re a Poole fan?

That’s a fully fit Claus Vissing though; no doubt an excellent rider around Ashfield, especially. The concern is his fitness. It’s a significant ask to throw someone who required a knee brace last week to take part in a play-off decider, having not ridden in a meeting for however long it’s been. Having said that, what you’ve said is interesting - the average points scored by his R/R. 5 isn’t great.

I’ve got absolutely no idea, but Nepal even have any male riders? Fair play to that young lady.

Both of these are speedway caviar. Both of these were coming to the end of their careers when I first saw them, but I’ve heard a lot of good things regarding how good they were in their day. More speedway caviar. Loram winning the world title without winning a GP in the series was the definition of consistency. He was frightening in the early 00s. Maybe I’m getting old, but as outstanding as the Torun GP was on Saturday, the field Loram became world champion ahead of was miles ahead of it; Hamill, Hancock, Rickardsson, Crump, Gollob, Louis, Adams, etc. These guys were averaging 9.50+ across two or three domestic leagues per-year. I’d say Joe Screen is the second most entertaining rider I’ve ever saw, just behind Shane Parker. Two proper characters, too. I’m sure they’re good friends, as well.

Personally, I’d leave Vissing out. Cami Brown said he was still wearing a knee brace last week, so there’s no way he’s fully fit this week. Then again, is that an option in speedway? It isn’t football, where you can pick and choose when to leave a team member out. The weather here is miserable, lots of rain, but the forecast is sun from around 4PM onwards.

I can’t see anything other than the creation of one league; no more Premiership and Championship because the volume of clubs simply isn’t there. Supporting a Premiership team this season must have been a nightmare for variety, playing the same teams every four or so weeks. Can you imagine that in a five-man league?

1. Nicki Pedersen An incredible talent. You could tell when he arrived on these shores in ‘98 with Newcastle that he was destined for the top. 2. Carl Stonehewer Arguably the Premier League/Championship’s greatest ever rider, especially with Workington between 2000 and 2003 when he was also a GP rider. 3. Shane Parker The most entertaining rider I’ve ever saw, by a significant distance. His ability to protect younger, less experienced teams mates to ensure a 5-1 was the most skilful thing I’ve ever saw in speedway. 4. Brian Andersen The smoothest rider I’ve ever saw, narrowly beating Leigh Adams in that category. He would have looked more stressed ironing than riding a speedway bike. 5. Peter Carr I’m a Glasgow fan and this guy broke my heart, but what a rider, especially around Armadale. He had this line coming off the second bend (now the fourth bend) that no-one could stop. 6. Simon Stead I’m amazed this guy didn’t go further or win more. He had talent in abundance. I used to love watching him and was certain he would reach the GPs, maybe even compete. 7. James Grieves The top boy. The legend. The best rider on this list. The housewives favourite. The man who battered Robert Eriksson, Stefan Danno and Frede Schott with one hand preoccupied with a protein shake.

I tried that, Steve. I bought the meeting on BSN and made a valid, unprovocative observation about Glasgow’s performance, so @Noelinho told me nobody liked me, then @ragdoll64 called me an “idiot” and @Gazc called me a “clown”. At what point do we draw the line? I wholeheartedly agree with you that we should stick to the thread, but I’ve tried that. It doesn’t work.

Is ‘Gaming International’ the holding company that owns Reading speedway? I visited Smallmead a few times - I can still hear the stadium announcer shouting “The Smallmead Bullet… Daaave Mullett!” - and really enjoyed the racing, so I was disappointed to hear they had ceased to exist a few years ago.

Inspired somewhat by @Barrow Boy 2’s topic about his ‘Top 20’, who is your dream team? Your one to seven, plus team manager if you would like to include one. It doesn’t have to be the best riders, it just has to be your favourites, so if everyone wants to include James Grieves, that’s fine. I’ll have a think about mine, then post it later.

Just to be clear; there will be no fighting. I’d lose my job. I grew-up and work in an environment where you’re held accountable for your words and actions. Disagree with me, yes, but call me an “idiot” and a “clown”? No, not on. Let’s discuss it. @ragdoll64 isn’t interested; he bullies from behind his keyboard. I’ve told @Gazc where I park and what time I arrive, so I’m looking forward to understating why a grown man - who ironically, provided the forum with regular reminders that he was ignoring me - has decided to attack me on a forum for no reason whatsoever.

“Ya clown”? Okay, I’ll send you a private message right now, so we can organise a catch-up on Tuesday night. I have, sadly, but he’s almost incoherent. His last input was to suggest being in MENSA meant someone was immune to criticism, but obviously in his own broken English, ending sentences with commas fashion.

Interesting topic, @Barrow Boy 2. Is this based on form, or your personal preference?

I repeat, this is the guy who apparently has me on ignore. He’s become a parody of himself.

There we have it. Comfortable being abusive from behind a keyboard or mobile, but utterly terrified at the prospect of replicating such behaviour in person. Also known as a bully and a keyboard warrior. The worst type of person.

Not a chance that’s his real voice. No way. That’s a voiceover.

To deliver that level of ride under that pressure and those circumstances, is frightening. Untouchable. Well deserved. Congratulations, Zmarzlik. That was a great GP. Proper racing.

I’m sure Zmarzlik just reached-out to Lindgren on the grid before the camera moved to the crowd. Nice touch, if so. This is what speedway is about.

Vaculik seems like a nice guy. He deserves third, based on that interview with Nicholls alone.

Got it. Sorry, I’ve only watched this and the Vojens GP; I’m sure my last one before that was when Craig Boyce punched Tomasz Gollob. Was it every the way I thought? For example, if Zmarzlik scored 10 in Cardiff and 20 in Wroclaw, he’d have 30 championship points?

Hang on… so points scored tonight don’t count towards the overall rankings, it’s a set score for the winner, second, third, etc.?

Yeah, I didn’t like that. Zmarzlik has been the best rider on show, but that was poor from Kubera. You’re your own man and this is the biggest stage of your career; don’t roll over. I thought the exact same. What a shame.

Lindgren’s been so second-tier tonight and for most, that’s optimal, but given his standings in the GP, he must be so frustrated.

I’m not a conspiracy theorist, but what the f*ck was that from Kubera? Wow.

Outstanding from Lambert. Bewley, out with a whimper.