Grachan

It's often said about Carter's tyres in 1982, and because Ivan Mauger said it then it's seen as gospel. The thing is, Carter was won his first 3 rides so his tyres couldn't have had too ngative an effect. And looked on for a second place until Penhall knocked him off. Then, of course, his head went totally, but I think that had Penhall been excluded in that race then Carter would have won the re-run and been on a maximum going into his last ride. So he certainly had it in him, but sometimes things just go against you. If he was ever going to win then it would have been that year. With regards Jessup, I never really saw him as World Champion material, but maybe that was because he rode for Reading.

Depends on the system. Using the ko system Gundersen would havewon a few by sneaking into the finals many times via the eliminators, then doing Nielsen in the final. Using the current format Nielsen would probably won them all and gone down as the undisputed greatest rider of all time that he should have.

If you agree he's innocent until proven guilty, why would you want him banned now when he's still innocent?

Not really a relevant argument as Darcy Ward is 22 and Nicki Pedersen won his first World title at 26.

Surely this should be a 2 minutes exclusion for the USA if they sent the wrong rider out,

They gained more than that. They had tac subs too. This was a very good performance by GB.

I remember averages remaining unchanged when Oxford pulled out of the league

I shall probably be going next year. I've got a Hotel booked, anyway. Booked into The Hilton, which was fairly expensive, but I often stay in London Hotels and it's no more expensive than they are. Plus, it seems they didn't put their prices up. I tried for a room in a couple of weeks time, just to see, and that was actually more expensive. One in about 6 months time was about the same. Planning to go mainly because my son has got more into speedway lately, plus t'wife enjoys it. Alo, having a genuine British title contender makes it more appealing too. I think the last time I went was 2007, so first time for a while should I actually make it!

If you had the top riders spread over 18 teams, with number ones having the choice of gates and riding the old 13 heat formula where they raced each other just once and included bonus points in their average you'd get plenty of 10 point plus riders. It's nothing to do with how good they were then and now. I don't see a Mauger or a Neilsen, though, who would consistently average over 11.

I think you need a new computer.

The Northern Irish aren't British.

The first time I saw Tai ride was at Sheffield. I think he was 16 and he just shot out from the start and flew round there, annihilating all the other reserves. I remember thinking he was brilliant and could be a future World Champion. Then I remember thinking a few years later how it's a shame how he never really lived up to that potential. So I'm not sure if I was right or wrong.

Seriously? I used to write for Speedway Mail and got nearly all my information from what was said over the tannoy at Reading on a Monday evening. Still, if you prefer that, then thanks for the compliment.

Wow. People talk about gaps between races in the uk but it seems a lot worse in Poland.

That would have been 1976. In 1977 he didn't ride at White City and they used r/r all year, winning the league title.

I do. I was at that meeting. It's funny how when tracks became slippery everyone would ride slower yet Lovaas would carry on as normal. I seem to recall he used to practice on frozen lakes in Norway.

Best rider in the world if it was raining.

I remember that picture. I had it glued into my folder. I can picture it clearly in my head even now.

Very true. I was 13 when Gary Petersen was killed and I kept all the clippings plus went back through old Speedway Stars and cut out all references and photos and kept them in a folder. It was weird. Thinking back, it was, perhaps, my first "death" experience (even though I wasn't there and I don't think I even saw him ride).

PC later admitted in one of his books that he was actually too scared to ride that night. It was the same with me regarding Gary Petersen and then Tommy Jansson. I saw Tommy ride a couple of times in 1976, and got his autograph at Swindon when he rode there in the Golden Helmet.

The "3 years" was a clever ploy. It takes any immediacy out of things. I don't know why Coventry fans have done nothing. Fan campaigns had a big effect at Swindon and still it carries on at Oxford with certain positive obstacles being passed all the time.

And due to have a road named after him in Blunsdon in the near future.

When have I said I want to bring a whole tribe of Filipinos to the UK? You've clearly made incorrect assumptions there. I'm not trying to bring anyone here. So, unlike Ryan Fisher, I'm not hard done by at all, and neither am I whining about it. No, really. I'm not. Honest. I have no desire at all to bring my immigrant wife's family here (Heaven forbid!! Why would I want to do that?). And even if I did want to I wouldn't be able to. You're just showing your ignorance there. So who are the real blind fools here? If I have an issue with the immigration rules it is that they stop other British people less fortunate with myself from being with their family. They are not stopping me because I'm lucky enough to earn enough money to be considered suitable. My initial post on this topic wasn't intended to be serious anyway. It was a follow on from posts others made in a similar vein. But I think you knew that really. Anyway, enough from me on here. I'm sure people don't want to see a personal spat between myself and the singer of Black Sabbath. That sort of thing should probably stay in General Discussions where it belongs. I just thought I'd respond because of your personal but inaccurate accusations.

I'm fine with your opinions. They always give me a giggle.

I guess the phrase 'no recourse to public funds' is a bit too complicated for you to understand, so I'll forgive you for saying that.