SPEEDY69

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.

Don't forget this is another opportunity for amateur riders to get racing within an excellently run meeting. If you're interested give Linda a call on 07875140019. (www.southerntrackriders.co.uk)

Can't afford it? Rubbish. The riders expenses for the meetings will more than be covered by the money on offer - especially someone expected to score well. Sometimes you have to see the bigger picture and take the hit of earning a little less in expectation of future rewards.

In my view the wildcard place, if it's required to be a Brit, should be the one with the highest EL average for this season - if they decline then go to the next highest. This seems the fairest way but this is speedway we're talking about!

It was a close meeting last night on typical slick continental track. I thought Bridger showed up ok given the circumstances but Barker & Harris were poor. We're not the only nation struggling, Sweden have little backup to Jonsoon & Lindgren and they have more opportunities for inexperienced riders. To say that we have nothing in the UK is not actually true. There is s thriving amateur scene in the UK with different tracks giving practice and racing opportunities such as STR, Scunthorpe, Dragons, Northside and others. Those riders with the desire and talent will still be able to come through. There were no more opportunities for riders starting out years ago when Britain dominated the world stage in the seventies, in fact possibly less. What is true is that league places are now taken by riders from across Europe that have already reached a certain stage. Reducing the EL schedule here from 40 to 28 meetings does nothing to encourage Brits to move up from the PL, where some of them earn a very tidy packet - and that is different from 40 years ago when most riders had full time jobs elsewhere. Where I disagree from many on here is that simply by chucking inexperienced riders into World Cup meetings will not turn them into credible international riders - in fact it could destroy their confidence and reduce sponsorship openings for them. For a World Cup, you have to pick the best side on current ability. When they're ready they'll get a place.

To all those on here simply focussing upon payment, that wasn't the primary reason for Scott removing himself from possible selection - if it was then he wouldn't have ridden in any of the previous World Cups. As mentioned by me in an earlier post detailed reasons were reported some time ago and they were principally about the lack of support given by the BSPA to British riders - nothing to do with pound notes in his own wallet.

Steve, the reasons for his absence were widely reported/commented upon previously - have you been in hibernation? It was a culmination of things to do with the BSPA i.e. support for riders' development; support for riders when competing for GB; knowing that the Cardiff GP wasn't to be based on the British Final a long long time before the event but not telling the riders; preventing GB riders from competing in the Euro Champs (he could still have done it, as Andersen did, but didn't want his club Coventry to be penalised). The latter point is now even more farcical in that they've gifted a place in the finals to Woffinden.

I think that with a full side including Scott instead of Kennett we could have got closer to the Danes but it was always going to be hard. I don't subscribe to youth is best in any sport - it should be the best ones that get picked irrespective of age. If a youngster wants to be involved then surely that's the motivation to get better! If you're good enough you'll be picked on merit (unless it's up to BSI of course ) The race off looks perfectly winnable for Team GB - who have the Aussies got bar Ward that is not beaten regularly in the EL. Tai cancels out Ward then it's Batchelor or Bridger, both are unpredictable and could win everything or lose everything. Next Harris or Doyle, fairly even and finally Barker vs Woodward/North, again honours even in my view. All to play for and this year is one of our better chances to get to the final of recent years as so many teams are very weak.

It really depends upon what 'floats your boat'. I went to Latvia a few years ago and had a great time - I got a coach from Riga (which is a lovely city) but Latvia itself is very rural and not at all like the UK outside of the capital. Daugavpils was also nice and is very cheap - the stadium offers decent viewing and the racing wasn't too bad.