spook

Greg is very much still good enough to be at the party .... as he proved at the weekend I see your point with his nationality not being as important for IMG as Pole/Swede/Brit/Dane ..... but then again they do very much need scattered representation from elsewhere to make it at the very least resemble a bona fide world contest If we are talking who brings what sponsorship to the table.... which is what permanent wildcards have sometimes come down to... then I should imagine Greg's drink product placement attempts stand him in good stead.... but who knows what the figures are It was a bit worrying how stale things were a year or two ago but I still think it should come down to the best 15 in the world as much as they can and to stagger the youngsters coming in as much as they can I'd like a Freddie, Bomber and Kolodziej 123 but results over time have thankfully thrown up some shocks .... so maybe we will get another 'zorro' result

I must admit I dont remember it like that at all and instead I thought it happened before the final GP had even taken place with the revenge coming later with the noms....... although tbh 'er indoors is always calling into question my memory so I wouldnt be suprised if I invented that! it is tight and anyone involved in that fight who isnt offered a spot will be unlucky indeed yeah it is true Bomber did have a poor season..... the difference to Tai may be though that Bomber is a racer.. and quite a spectacular one......... his poor gating suffered badly under slick Olsen track prep and I think IMG could be forgiven for wanting to include him after making their statement in moving Ole 'upstairs' a year early..... it is just a shame that the playing field wasnt level for Seb and Greg in the process

quite right ... I had forgotten about Walasek and Ulamek from last year.... maybe you are right and they would do it again...... surely Tai would still have to stick in some very impressive performances though? the wildcard over Andersen was not straight forward as he ended the season with strong criticism of the way the championship was run.... it was certainly seen at the time as a factor in their decision despite it also conveniently favouring the brit quota

how would it be a case of 'ditching'? IMG and SKY dont invest into or train up riders.... they promote and televise the world championship the basic facts are that they offered him a wildcard and he has shown that he isnt ready.... this certainly isnt the first time this has happened and i'm sure it wont be the last......... what has happened only once before though is that someone has been given a wildcard above someone who outscored them and wasnt offered a wildcard.... and it was an embarrassing situation.... I cannot see IMG choosing that route again so quickly the chances are that just like other riders before him Tai will be disappointed with his championship position and will know he will have to go away... lick his wounds... and work a bit harder to get back in .......

cheers Mateusz!

thanks for the clarification.... tbh on that basis although we all try to do our bit for the environment I don't see why it should result in a protest that could ruin someone's championship... Patrick chose well ...it would have been a bit over the top 3000 euros is an astonishing amount and would certainly result in very few protests being made. It could be argued that there is no issue as when someone is caught out then the protester gets their money back but imo the way that this is setup is to take responsibility away from the authorities........ these guys have to ride with each other and realistically cannot guarantee whether rider x is falling foul of the rules or not... they are being placed in difficult positions It should be the responsibility of the authorities to check the right things as much as they need to

this is something that is majorly wrong with the system... the onus is placed on the riders and not the organisation to include effective mandatory checking as part of the process 99% of the time the riders won't even bother complaining..... let alone end up stumping up the money

that is great news! ive never understood why one of the most important meetings of the year isnt televised

with the greatest of respect ... yes that is why I mentioned about "a very real, transparent and effective system put in place" ......... is measuring an engine enough? Is that all that could pervert the system?.... (although it is interesting that it came out under) for the record I have not said that Flemming isnt just doing a good job...... I have said that I am concerned who is saying that Crump or Pedersen havent also turned their hand to the darkside at times? I'm not... i'd like to think not (especially as for me Crump generally comes across as a stand up guy in the sport) but i'm not so naive as to assume so.... why are you reluctant? This is what i'm saying... rather than put in a transparent and effective system that provides the sport and the competition with real credibility it prefers to continue with a system that is fallable and I very much doubt they would flag up anything it found within its flagship anyway (in fact I can very much see a scenario where a private slap on the wrist is followed by slower bikes and a significant change from the previous domination ) indeed what does it say about Gollob's engines?......you use jonasson as an example and yes he was on one of the fastest bikes on the night....does that mean either of them have dubious machinery? ...what does it mean that Gollob rode slower when he hit the front in at least two of the heats (including the jonasson one)? it is easy to focus on individual instances ... the real litmus test is the wider picture over a season and just how easy it is for some riders to consistently anticipate and stay on what appears to be the perfect setup...... we dont get that opportunity with Jonasson but we do with the 15 permanent guys in the competition... I am certain that it could be debated until the cows come home... and that it would come down to perception, favouritism and traditionalism as to who would be arguing what....... it doesnt change the fact that the sport is lagging way behind other world stage motor sports when it comes to inspection and making sure that it stays clean ...and that until it brings itself up to scratch this particular spectre will always be looming am I wrong in thinking theres something of the Subedei about you?

as much as IMG made a statement by picking Tai this season.... and as much as we are short of Brits good enough at the highest level.... I think IMG are going to find it extremely difficult to select him based on just how adrift he is in the series...... it might have been easier if he had continued his improvement throughout the year but the last couple of grand prix he has reverted back to the start of the season and the kind of form that just cannot lead to a Wildcard (as per Rico, Krystof, Chrzanowski etc) As far as the Brits are concerned I think Bomber is in whether he qualifies or not..... and then realistically there are the choices of Steady qualifying, Scott being given a wildcard (yet again)... or only one Brit being involved next season............ I think its becoming increasingly more difficult for IMG to justify 2 brits... but tbh I think thats been the case the previous 2 seasons so I really wouldnt be suprised if Scott is brought back.... IMG seem to be deaf and quite bolshy on the subject of the Brits in the GP's

well thats a funny one because I was indeed one of those non people questioning it as TRick in that season was ludicrously head and shoulders above anyone as fans we are able to recognise when a bike is set up badly... is average..... or perfect...... I agree with the sentiments about professionalism and you certainly expect those with experience and hefty wedges of sponsorship to be able to get the best of it generating........ none of that however changes what we see with our own eyes and how easy it is for a few riders to 'turn those amps up to 11'............ we are not talking here of riders who are searching for the right setups or looking to keep the right setup like other mere mortals..... these are guys who are unfeasably regular and consistent in producing not only fast response at the gate but also the very fastest speeds during the race which makes world class opposition look like mugs Unfortunately there is an attitude within speedway where the very notion that some might not be playing fair is so outrageous that its swept away or covered up rather than a very real, transparent and effective system put in place to make sure that it doesnt happen

As others have said this is probably already an option but one of those things that rarely happen.......I think the problem with it at the moment is that the standard of refereeing in FIM events is currently poor and inconsistent................... someone mentioned the Zorro incident at Newcastle ... which I remember diamond fans raging about on this forum after the meeting... then the video went up and although a hard move it was actually little more than a racing incident that ended badly............... when you have the current set of FIM refs who do you trust to be sensible and not unecessarily mess up the entire season for someone?.......... for example why is it only Tony Steele who manages to see creeping at the starts and the other refs allow it to take place...surely that is something basic with speedway reffing? holta always seems to be on ultra fast engines.... i'm getting concerned with the consistent head and shoulders speed of a couple of riders above all others every gp..... the difference between them and the rest seemingly equates to them having perfect bikes, perfect engines, and perfect mechanics ........... nothing is so consistently perfect they all have to race against the same opposition... yes of course on one level you are correct..... on another though he was left at the start and pulled off as good a first lap as we saw last night to make sure that he wasnt filled in and playing follow my leader.... he deserved what he gained for me it was always going to happen between gollob and emil.... i was waiting all last season for it...... there arent two riders more befitting the young wolf/old wolf syndrome and while Tomasz has managed to smooth off many of those things that used to stop him winning world titles I think he showed us one last night that hasnt gone....... and lets face it despite the genius streak running through both of them... they are complete lunatics who will probably bring the worst out of each other and Nicki? imho it has all been purely down to one thing and one thing only.... machinery when he was on some of the fastest bikes in the competition he didnt have to show his on and offtrack spiteful sides... he was gating fast and coming out of the 2nd bend in front......................... since he lost the reason for his fast machinery a few years ago the old Nicki came back with him over aggressive and out of control on track (inbetween his swan dives on the first bend)..... and blaming everyone but himself off the track I would love to know the real story behind his machinery over recent years I guess we will have a much better picture after Vojens but the cat will certainly be amongst the pigeons for IMG if 2 poles qualify from it with things going the way they are and acknowledging the IMG quota system then I think as permanent wildcards we are guaranteed emil and freddie (2 swedish gp's = at least 2 swedes)... then from the current field IMG are faced with a choice between Greg, Nicki and a Brit..... ordinarily I think Greg would be nailed on but with numbers so desperate for Brits currently I think he would fall victim best case scenario for IMG is for Bomber, Freddie and Lindback/Steady to qualify from Vojens and then they have ultimate freedom with their choices

where have you been? I dont agree with the way speedway allows riders to jump ship but this is not a new thing with riders in general.... aside from all the kiwis years ago.. it happened with my hero Marvyn Cox when he took out a German license.......... and the Rune thing is not new at all...how many years are we talking about now? 5? The Poles thoroughly deserved their win ... and as a wise poster pointed out before.... if it wasnt Rune then it was going to be one of many other guys more than capable of showing up their opposite numbers re: the brits and practise ...... it could well have something to do with practise but that goes full circle back to one of the core issues within the sport in this country and that is the location of the stadiums and the knock on effects of council approved track time.............. the clubs need to move further out into the country to be able to offer more practise time of course in the mean time they could help out in other logical ways... such as fixing assessed averages a bit more sensibly..... offering the same financial support to the brits as are offered for flights, accomodation etc..... a nationwide training scheme to bring more faces into the sport

I guess the issue at the moment is that as soon as we have someone coming through and stepping up to the plate ... we have someone retire........ and sadly in recent years they have been slightly better.... it feels like one step forward ...one and a bit backwards also our 'top guys' have seemed to be touched by the crap gating stick for what seems like decades now...... for sure the likes of Scott and Bomber can overcome that and gain good averages in the EL..... but place them next to the world's best (& Rune ) and it is easy to work out what is odds on to happen and imho it is only going to get worse with the after effects of this tidal wave of antipodean whizz kids..... whatever the reasons are for the low amounts of Brits in the league system, it quite clearly isnt going to improve the quality of our riders at the top end all that said it cant be anything other than disappointing that the young guns who were given their chance last year have not kicked on

thats because he is! oO

top 4 ranking from this year's SWC aside, does that mean that GB are genuinely better than Australia and Russia then? IMHO after adding Emil, Crump and Pedersen ...and Sweden performing as per the quality within their team ..... we are behind Poland, Denmark, Australia and Sweden ..... leaving us on a par with Russia and attempting to defy the odds on an annual basis now Being patriotic I like our riders and the effort that they put in but for one reason or another they are all fragile and have shown this on an annual basis down the years....... its always enjoyable to see them click and stick some results together but the simple fact of the matter is that they are constantly riding against the odds and I cannot see us being propelled back into being contenders until fresh bona fide world class brits come along

yes well done Poland despite pleasing flashes of success today GB are still only top 6 and will remain so until we have a new generation of genuine 9 pointers coming through

that would possibly involve a) the authorities being technologically up to date enough to catch people out b.) allow the relevant funding for a) c) be prepared to name and shame anyone caught out for the record if anyone is cheating then IMHO it certainly isn't just the poles ... but I do think that it is time this was addressed at the top level of the sport without forcing opponents to make formal complaints

Britpete there will be lots of growling in this house with that scenario... as much as I can deal with (and appreciate) polish commentary and pixelation.... the SWC final is not the right time for it!

ive got one for you almost three quarters of previous winners have come from the race off...... reckon Sweden is right on the money

she's alright... she's even managed to get rid of that annoying laughing at nothing thing that she used to do at the end of a question so can anyone clarify what the issue is with the Sky coverage today please?....... and if the red button is used are the virgin users stuffed?

when did he not do this?! It definitely increases the less his bikes are on form though

just to add to the multitude of options I have an XLS spread: this one has been 5 years in the making...... sadly I cant remember who made the original basis for it (if you speak up you shall be credited!) but since then it has been tweaked by both myself and the great Torpedo from the speedway sliders site (not sure what he is called on here).......... it shows gate trends both in points and wins..... and highlights clearly who is and isnt on semi final pace and of course it has a nice rolling total season points page there is a .txt file with some instructions (if you need them) .... but ultimately it is fairly straight forward with a tab per gp.... and only rider number and race points needing to be added http://www.esnips.com/doc/c870c7f5-e428-425b-a3a3-eecfd76ad9f2/GP-Card-2010 (right click and select 'save target as' where it says 'Download GP Card 2010.zip' or it will try to download in a weird way) or there is this option (with the odd dodgy advert) http://www.megaupload.com/?d=D2K3WE8W any issues just ask

It has been a much improved series so far and the better use of the skills of olsen and olsson i'm sure has a lot to do with it...... of course it helps to have what has to be probably the strongest top to bottom world final lineup ever... with the competition for places and points ruthless I'd love to see Tomasz finally win the world title but tbh i'd be happy with any of the top 3 winning it more to the point is that being at the half way stage and on such a make or break track it really could make life difficult for some riders...... Jason has to make the most of Cardiff .... Tai has to keep improving...... Scott cannot afford a stinker if he has hopes for a permanent WC...... Freddie, Greg and Bomber must bang in a good one if they are to stay on the top 8 pace

i'm not sure why he is racing to get back tbh ..... if he left it one or maybe even two more gp's then he would still have a good chance of making the top 8........ and if he didnt who in their right mind wouldnt give him a permanent wild card?! I can think of better more rut free tracks for him to be chasing back wheels on while still healing!