SPEEDY69

Add helmet colours and that's exactly right, their number is irrelevant. With the old numbers at least for the new fan they could understand who the favourites might be.

It's not about following it though is it - the new numbers do nothing for the fans, you know, the ones who ultimately keep all the riders in employment. At least before their number gave an indication of rank, now it's completely irrelevant to the GP.

This seems a rather pointless change to me. As others have said before, the old 1-16 did give an indication of the riders ranking which will be lost. The main reason I think it's pointless is that the riders who compete change - fine that Hancock will be number 45 but will he be in the GP next year? Helmet colour and livery identify riders, not the number - unless they're planning to remove helmet colours I can't see how this adds anything for the spectator.

You're missing the point here. It's not all about Brits vs foreigners because there was at least one other British rider who was not asked to race at the challenge, and they were ahead of Harris in the qualifiers. Blatant favouritism. As I've said before, it's not his fault but not only have the FIM appeared to make a huge b**ls up, so have the BSPA.

Ahh, but they also ignored the GP qualifying when picking Harris. Kennett and Nicholls were not asked before him. Not Harris' fault I agree but unfair.

You're very trusting then if you've no reason to disbelieve what some poster said on here. Nicholls had not quit international speedway - he merely refused to ride in the World Cup in protest at what he saw as discrimination by the BSPA around the Euro Champs. Kennett at least got way further than Harris in the qualifiers. Both should have been asked ahead of Harris - if they were and refused, that's fine but if not, someone has shown favouritism again

No evidence as far as I can see for the first statement in bold. For the second one, why were Kennett and Nicholls not asked?(they both finished higher than Harris in the qualifiers). I do keep contesting this because people continue to overlook particularly key issues. Why all the smoke and mirrors with the FIM & BSPA - if evidence is presented then no-one can argue.

I am not arguing black is white, nor professing to know more about rules, nor slating Harris etc etc. but my issue is with what you seem to accept as fact - I've put it on bold in the quote above, that "many many others clearly weren't". All I recall is Mr Rising mentioning that Craig Cook turned it down - nothing about others refusing. That is the issue and I doubt whether the FIM would let us know what's going on, as you point out but, as I believe Mr Rising said, it was the host federation who were finally asked to name the reserves. This is where the secrecy lies and if I think it seems unfair then I will only be swayed by fact, not supposition. Good luck to Harris and I will always support British riders but can't stand discrimination.

The fact that the chain of events has been shrouded in secrecy does little to appease thsoe who feel that unfairness has been at play. I've not seen, and although have asked have not had any reply, evidence that the two British riders ahead of Harris in the GP qualifiers (Kennett & Nicholls) were asked to take a reserve place at Poole - never mind the other 20/30/40 or so that were mentioned previously. Unless there's clarity I'll remain suspicious, especially where the BSPA/ACU are involved.

If it turns out true that Harris is in the GP then I find that really disappointing. Not only was he asked to compete at the challenge in preference to a whole host of other riders that were ahead of him in the qualifying (including two other British riders), he then gets in through the back door again on a controversial point - whether Gollob was confirmed in the series or not. Nothing against Harris but everything against unfairness.

Excellent youtube video from Woodee online now. Just search under 'speedway for scoliosis'. I'll be making a donation.

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Who is better than who is simply a matter of opinion. On any given day lots of riders are in the mix. The Euro Champs were done on an invitation basis and has that made the racing any better? Jonsson has had several years in the GP but will never be World Champ so why should he get another shot? Ditto for Lindgren, who has repeadtedly failed to make the top 8. I've actually stopped watching the GPs simply because I'm bored of the seeing the same riders all the time. Either pick all the riders, as the previous poster said, and then call it the SGP series or keep the 'World Championship' element alive and increase the quantity of qualifying positions.

If Cook declined, I wonder if Kennett and Nicholls also declined, as they were ahead of Harris in the qualifiers - I will try and ask them.

I did like the job Google translate did on this page describing "random englishman Chris Harris" - not a dig, just funny. I expect the Speedway Star will cover the subject in more depth (Philip Rising did say he would ask the SCB/BSPA at least)

Nothing against Harris, it isn't his fault. Just wish the BSPA could make a fair decision.

That's a silly argument as you knw full well the host nation has one wildcard entrant. Let's not deflect from the fact that Harris' inclusion appears to have been blatant discrimination by the BSPA.

But surely you can see that that would at least be fair?

Ton answer your first question is quite easy. Eddie Kennett and Scott Nicholls both finished ahead of Harris in the qualifiers for this meeting. Simples.

So, the SGP site says none of the reserves could fill Zagar's place - I don't think they asked all of the riders. Whatever, it then says the home federation chose his replacement i.e. another wildcard, and they opted for Harris. Good luck to him, he's a very lucky boy and to all those overlooked, i feel very sorry for you, especially Kennett and Nicholls who finished ahead of Harris in the qualifiers.

From what i can see on the results site, in addition to those you & F-s-p mention, Nicholls, Wolbert, Sundstrom, North, Kennett, Kroner, Ales D all finished the qualifiers ahead of Harris - has he got some compromising photos tucked away somewhere! Ha Ha. I genuinely cannot understand it?

Even Nicholls, who was reserve in the second semi-final, was ahead of Harris and he can't have been asked can he, even if all the others in Zagar's semi said they couldn't get bikes over here.

Can anyone understand/explain the rules here because I can't work it out. How have Barker and Bridger got in as reserves? How has Harris got in it - he wasn't even a reserve in either of the semi-finals?????? FFS this is supposed to be fair!

Surely Lindgren doesn't deserve yet another wild card does he, I've lost count of how many he's had. Bring in more from the challenge to freshen up the series.