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Same with the Russians in ice-racing... Steve

Dudek - obviously... Vaculik - deserves one after a troubled, but not totally unsuccessful year. Pedersen - not great this year, but can still be better than the rest. I am not a fan, but he adds to the GP's. The rest? Zagar - Like Pedersen, better than the rest, and undoubtedly would have qualified had he not missed Krsko. Madsen - still not heard any specifics, but it doesn't appear he is a candidate. Lambert - Perhaps a year early, but has the potential, I feel. Steve

The idea of a GP system us to score the most points. Tai scored more than anyone else. This also applies in most other motorsports. Yes, a rider CAN win a meeting without scoring the most points. Yes, that is an anomaly. However, a team can be league champions without winning the most matches/scoring the most points. A rider still has to score most points (or equal most and win a run-off)to win the Championship. Steve

That is true, and the important thing is that if somebody hasn't been in these situations, it is impossible to know what the participants go through. The problem is that you can't really stop things like negative thoughts or adrenaline rushes from happening; all you can learn to do is to deal with them and handle them the best you can. The more you find yourself in those situations, the better you can handle them. That is what I think Zmarzlik's downfall tonight stems from. Regarding the "watching", I hope you will appreciate my comments here. My dad was one of the top players in the 70's, and I know what I went through watching him. He didn't get it, until he started watching me in major tournaments! Steve

As with any GP system or league format, the winner is the one with the most points... Steve

Every GP has a local "wild card". However, those wild cards can not become World Champion. Steve

It is a lot more stressful watching than competing. When you are competing, you do have control over what you do; when you are watching, you have NO control whatsoever! THAT is the problem... Steve

That is why none of us have. We have only compared him to British riders - who have never achieved what Tai have. To compare him to the REAL legends, only time will tell,,, Steve

Okay, referring to posts on other threads on the BSF, claiming that Tai isn't as good as riders in the "good ol' days", and that there are "no stars" out there, how about this? Woffinden, Zmarzlik, Laguta, Doyle, Janowski etc ARE real superstars of speedway, and deserve to considered as such! Steve

You can get good overnight, but you can't get experience overnight. Zmarzlik has the ability, and he will undoubtedly learn from this. Look how long it took Nielsen to get over the hump... That's why I find it comical when keyboard warriors claim this and that, yet they have no concept of what happens mentally in professional sport. Steve

That is what has been most impressive... Steve

Anyone else think that Tai just threw in the 2-minute exclusion and fall for dramatic effect??? Well done, lad! Steve

I said that, but realistically, unless two riders go through the season only dropping points to each other, it is now impossible to point to one single incident... Steve

Plus, while people are looking at isolated incidents and refereeing decisions, having a whole season drastically reduces the luck aspect. Sure, they can have an effect, but when you have 70 races to complete, nah... Steve

Thing is, this drama has gone on for for three GP's now! That never happened before... Steve

Anyone still feel that the GP's don't have the drama of World Final night? Steve

Feel bad for Emil too... Steve

We will know after heat 13 who is in control... Steve

That was a fun race! Steve

Absolutely. Lucky he didn't high-side it... Steve

Can't really see any other outcome... Steve

You know, I'm not entirely convinced by Tatum's claim that Milik was switching his line... Steve

I really can't add anything to that... Yes, I am one of the old farts who grew up with Fundin, Briggs, Mauger, Olsen, Collins, Penhall, Nielsen, Gundersen, Rickardsson, etc... Brilliant, brilliant riders, the lot of 'em. However, when I look at Woffinden's style, and some of the moves he makes, he really does make it look easy. I was a great admirer of Gollob, and he could do things on a bike that I've never seen anyone else do, but he never made it look as effortless as an on-song Tai. I know that everyone has their own reasons - or alleged reasons (WTC wins/maxima can't be used to "prove" one rider is better than another) - but looking at it realistically, it is difficult to find a "better" British rider than Woffy... Steve

Qualifying by finishing in the top 8 of the previous year's GP series is no less a method of qualification than finishing in the top 3 of the GP Challenge... Steve

...and every final was held on his home track... Steve