barrow boy

I've often wondered this myself. The only thing I didn't like about this system though is the way some riders only had 2 rides before being eliminated. I do think though a similar format is more entertaining the way the night builds up in tension and interest. I realize that I am in a minority here but it is just my opinion.

If it's a Swede they require I would seriously consider Jonas Davidsson instead.

Is there anyone else out there who does not understand what I diplomatically replied. I have read it again and I honestly feel it is fairly self explanatory.

It's the one who I said on another thread quite recently would hurt somebody soon if he did not control his starting antics. In fact there was an incident last week in which 2 riders came to grief on the first bend resulting in each suffering broken bones so perhaps I was right. To be fair though as I wasn't there I am not accusing him but all in know is that he was involved in the incident.

I agree but there's is one who is testing this sentiment at present.

I think there are 2 or 3 in there this time that might be considered to be not as good as quite a few others.

Forgive me for highjacking this thread for a moment but I didn't want to start another one. I just wanted to point out that if the GP points scoring system was as follows:- 25 for winning a GP 20 for being 2nd 18 for being 3rd 17 for being 4th 16 for being 5th & 6th ie 3rd in the semi finals 15 for being 7th & 8th ie 4th in the semi finals All other riders keeping their qualifying scores After Latvia the overall scores would be:- NP 157 JC 151 TG 134 GH 126 LA 123 HA 120 AJ 116 RH 72 NKI 69 CH 62 FL 57 SN 57 BP 54 KK 44 LD 39 Not many positional differences but the points differences between certain riders is a bit more interesting IMO and reflects the current series rankings.

I've always thought along the same lines Gem. They should reflect how many points are scored from each gate which I think sometimes the riders take into account when picking their gates.

I think he beats that with 'Without A Shadow Of A Doubt'

Did you hear the one about If Chris Harris wins this one he could qualify provided he finishes in front of Freddie Lindgren.

Now have you all been paying attention? Who is the track record holder?

I once wrote to John P at the then known as BSI on this subject . I even suggested that if such a MIckey Mouse rule was to be retained then at least allow a team not having had the opportunity to double up to do so in the last heat. Australia lost their crown to Sweden because Sweden used their aptly named Joker to catch up and it was never possible for Australia to do likewise because they were never enough points behind. I got a very polite reply but he said that the Joker was a tactic to keep the racing interesting but surely it would still be interesting but fairer to allow all the teams the same opportunities whatever they are.

What will GB's team be, bearing in mind that Chris, Scott & Ollie might still be injured.

He didn't help with his antics though did he. Yes he could have just simply stayed down and the chances were that all 4 would have been invited to try again. If however it is true that the referee made it clear that he would not do this then it is obvious why NP acted like he had been dumped and seriously damaged when in both cases he clearly had not. Yes it is an old trick to gain as much recovery time as possible which might have worked with a more understanding referee without any tactics having to be employed. Like I said in a previous post somewhere, NP always tries it on around the first bend because he knows he is likely to get another chance, well most times anyway.

What ever became of good old straight forward exciting race offs to decide.

Thank you. I knew I could rely on you for all matters Polish Regards BB

Thanks SCB for taking the time to respond. I don't know who the Polish champion is but if it isn't TG then only 2 of the 4 national champions at 1) are currently in the GPs namely NP who I presume is Denmak's and SN for GB. What would happen is that Chris Holder would get in by virtue of being the Australian champion. Providing TG is not the Polish number one then the next 6 at 2) may be LA, JC, TG, HA, GH & FL. The top 3 at 3)could all be new faces or the return of some old ones and the 2 picks at 4) again could be newcomers. So all in all I think it is different to the present system. Whether it would be fairer or change things much I don't know but it was just an idea for discussion,the same as Pete's is.

Hi Pete. How long have you wished it to be done like this? It's quite an interesting option IMO.

I would like to invite your views as to how, if it was your decision, would you decide who is invited to be GP riders. I will start the ball rolling by suggesting that in future the 15 riders could be decided as follows:- 1) 4 riders to be the national champions of the nations that reached the previous year's SWC final. 2) 6 riders to be the next others in line from the previous year's GP series. 3) 3 riders to be the top 3 from a GP qualifying competition 4) 2 FIM picks.

On a personal note I wondered how the scoring would be if say only those riders who reached the semi finals scored points. i.e. both semi final winners 10, both semi final 2nds 8, both semi fimal 3rds 6 and both semi final 4ths 5. Final winner 15, final 2nd 10, final 3rd 8 and final 4th 6. Interestingly the points would then have been:- Holta 23 Lindgren 20 Pedersen 18 Crump 14 Adams 6 Andersen 6 Jonsson 5 Gollob 5

If you are good enough to win a GP then the riders concerned deserve to be involved next time. Normally you would expect there to be just a few such instances and some will be those at the very top but every now and again a Rune Holta or a Chris will come along and break into the club. The remaining places will still go to the highest scoring non winners and heaven forbid those dreaded permanent wild cards.

How about being guaranteed a place in the following year's series if you win at least one GP?

Would love to see it

Perhaps so but could you play the drums like that?

She's OK too