JT

Nice work, really interesting reading. Protasiewicz has always been woeful at Grand Prix level, but the next Pole in line, Janowski, would be an interesting addition to the series. His links to Hancock (but not his Red Bull sponsorship!), World Cup win and former status as World U21 Champion may work in his favour as well. Out of interest, where does Harris sit on the list? Out of the Swedes, I think Jonsson has the best shout. I know it shouldn't go on past glories, but 2011 World No. 2 should put him ahead of the serial wild carder, Lindgren. Holder, Gollob, Janowski and Jonsson? JT.

Oh for Christ sake, surely Harris isn't even a consideration? There are about 25 riders ahead of him in the Elite League, let alone around the world. I had hoped BSI had finally seen the light and given up on him now we have a world class Brit on the scene. Contrast the effort the likes of Woffinden and Iversen have put into their careers (fitness, machinery etc), versus Harris just plodding along, constantly relying on charity. I know he's popular in some circles, but even his biggest fans can surely see he isn't Grand Prix quality?

I thought that was superb, and a highlights package, without the long delays, would be great to watch back. Some will still complain, but to my eyes that was one of the best ever GP's on a temporary track. C'mon Tai in Torun! JT.

YES PUK! Bloody brilliant. A rider who prior to this season would never receive another Wild Card in a million years, but showing hard work and not constant charity is the way to get ahead. What a meeting! JT.

Aside from Dryml, I can't think of a more boring rider than Hampel in this years GP series. Fair play to the guy, but I hope Woffinden can recover by Torun. JT.

You've hit the nail on the head. I also have no problem with seeded riders IF they fit your description above. I just find it utterly baffling that Chris Harris' name is being banded around for yet another wild card next season when he's not even among the top Elite League riders any more, doesn't ride in the Polish Ekstraliga, is probably about 20th in the Swedish Elite League averages, and prior to his gifted place in the Grand Prix challenge, was way out of contention for a Grand Prix place after a dismal qualifying performance in round 1. However I'm confident from Phil Rising's posts, that even BSI have given up on him now Woffinden is on the scene. Holder, Ward, Jonsson (token Swede, Swedish champion and probably the biggest name in Swedish speedway) and another younger rider (Janowski/MJJ), would make for another top GP line up next year. JT.

Out of interest, do riders get appearance fees? In golf and tennis for example, top players can demand sizeable payment or a slice of admission fees for entering a tournament. Someone box office like Pedersen, or an in form Gollob in Poland for example, would be much more of a draw than someone like Dryml. I guess the answer is no in the GP's, and it's the extra revenue from sponsorship drawn in by TV exposure, that compensates for the apparently poor prize money? On the subject of sponsorship, does anyone know roughly how much it costs for decent size sponsorship space on a riders bike and kevlars? I've noticed a few riders (Woffinden included) with gaps on their equipment. JT.

This mysterious 'Red Bull Medical Centre' sounds like something out of an Ian Fleming novel... I readily admit I totally underestimated Woffinden pre-season, after years of watching dross don the British race jacket in the GP's, I expected more of the same. Where Woffinden differs massively from his predecessors is in his meticulous approach this season. He could've treated his Wild Card as a right, and just bumbled along, expecting the same charity year after year. Instead he totally re focused, both on and off track, and the rewards are there for all to see. Obviously luck plays a part, but nobody can accuse Woffinden of not working hard this season. I have a lot of time for that. Good on him. JT.

I love the air of mystery surrounding the Sayfutfinov camp, but surely he won't return this season, let alone this weekend? That crash was horrific... JT.

Out of Britain (where he is a mid-rainking heat leader this year), I'd be interested to know how Harris is considered abroad. Here we have a rider who no Polish Ekstraliga club wants, is 21st in the Swedish Elite and was 38th in the GP qualifiers before the above chance opportunity. Yet somehow, he is being considered by some, a worthy candidate for a Grand Prix Wild Card. JT.

The plot thickens... I wonder how many riders were actually contacted before Harris was given the nod? Interesting wording in Harris' press release as well; “I’m pleased I got fifth when I wasn’t even in the meeting a week beforehand." I'm almost certianly reading too much into the wording, and strictly speaking it's true Harris wasn't in the meeting a week beforehand, but we were told Zagar pulled out the day before, not a 'week beforehand'. I'm sure Pavlic would have made the journey if he'd known a week in advance. When was Harris told? JT.

The fact he was said to be 'irate' when King got one for this meeting, suggests he expected to be seeded straight through. Does that mean he entered the qualifiers fully expecting to ride in Poole, however he fared? Who knows? Look, league wise, Harris can be thrilling, I accept that. But the GP is a very different kettle of fish and unless he qualifies by right, I just don't think he should be a full time rider. That's my opinion and you're entitled to your different one. Of course it isn't his fault he keeps getting offered wild cards, but aside from raising his profile (and obtaining sponsorship), I don't think the constant wild card picks have benefitted his career in the long run. Look at my earlier reference to Iversen, who's realisation that he'd never receive one again, transformed his career. I'm not sure if Harris' gating will ever be good enough, but it would be nice to think he would try this approach, and publicly vow to qualify on track, not via the wild card system. JT.

Touché! I really shouldn't get so irate, apologies for my inane rambling. Too many glasses of red… On a more positive note, I actually think a German in the series will be good for speedway as a whole. I can't see Smolinski finishing in the top 8 overall, but his inclusion should raise more interest in that part of Europe. JT.

*You're right, let's all just give up. Who really cares what anyone on here thinks? The Harris debate is a distraction anyway, congratulations to the top 3. JT.

In summary, yes. Thanks for taking such a keen interest. Now move on. JT.

I'm sorry, but after all the opportunities he's had (and largely wasted), I have absolutely no sympathy for Chris Harris. I'm sure there are plenty of riders who give '100%', but haven't received the charity he has. The fact remains, in his home country, in a meeting he didn't deserve to start, he still couldn't qualify. JT.

I agree. JT.

Iversen is fifth in the Grand Prix series, with a good chance of finishing on the rostrum. Hardly 'the best of the rest'. Only once has he scored under 7 points this season. He's a totally different class to Harris nowadays. Hunty is right regarding Smolinski, at least the bloke has actually bothered to change the way he approaches the sport and has put in the hard yards this season. JT.

But surely NOT Harris. He had yet another golden opportunity today, and in his home country, against riders who had fought far harder to get there, he FAILED, yet again. It's beyond a joke now. JT.

So Harris fails AGAIN. Quel surprise. And in his home country. Let's hope he takes a leaf out of Iversen's book and never relies on a Wild Card ever again. I won't hold my breath. You remarked earlier that BSI are happy with their current British quota. Surely they won't waste one of the places on Harris AGAIN will they? I can see them using his fifth place here as an excuse to get him back in, but I hope they see sense. If next years line up is as follows, I'll be very happy; 1. Tai Woffinden 2. Emil Sayfutdinov 3. Jarek Hampel 4. Nicki Pedersen 5. Niels Kristian Iversen 6. Greg Hancock 7. Matej Zagar 8. Tomasz Gollob 9. Krzystof Kasprzak 10. Kenneth Bjerre 11. Martin Smolinski 12. Chris Holder 13. Darcy Ward 14. Andreas Jonsson 15. Grigory Laguta JT.

Surely Smolinski 4th, he beat Harris in their first heat and had two wins versus Harris' one. Thank God for that! Harris first reserve next season if PUK finishes in the GP top 8? JT.

A simple solution; the Wild Card and any home reserves shouldn't be able to qualify for the Grand Prix series, even if they win the meeting. By all means include them to promote local interest, but it's a slap in the face to the riders who finished ahead of them in the earlier rounds, that riders like King and Harris get the chance because of their nationality. JT.

I don't agree with King's inclusion either, but at least he hasn't sponged off the authorities before. Like I said, Harris has failed on almost every occasion, give someone else a go! TNT's point is very valid by the way, why not give Buczkowski a go? Or one of the other 37 riders who finished ahead of Harris in the qualifiers? JT.

See my reply, one above your last post. JT.

Maybe someone who hasn't had about 8 chances? How many more opportunities do you think he'll get if he fails tonight? Lindgren is the Swedish Chris Harris (albeit a much better league rider). Iversen is essentially the ideal role model for those looking to break into the GP's. A few years ago his career wasn't really going much further, a decent league rider and OK in the World Cups, but inconsistent. Realising he'd never get a Wild Card ever again, he reassessed his approach to the sport. Now he's one the best league riders in the World, top 5 in the GP's and the captain (and national champion) of arguably the most talented speedway nation in the world. That's the way to sort your career out, not sit around waiting for a piece of charity every season. JT.