It must be a recent introduction because in 2013 both Tai and Darcy Ward were given wildcards without doing the qualifiers and they were both not in the GPs.
They give a wildcard to Chris Holder last year and he didn't do the qualifiers. He assumed he could qualify via the top 8 but didn't, surely that's unfair on the other gp riders that do the qualifiers.
If we were going to change Gino it should have been a week ago when his average was over 5. Not worth changing him now, just hope he finds another engine from somewhere.
If Holder doesn't make top 8, I am not sure they will give him a wild card again. Fricke must stand a good chance of getting one. Didn't make the challenge but for a few years now Leon Madsen's form on the continent has been right up there with the best, plus a second Dane would be welcomed by organisers.
I think Scunny need to let Gino go and try another rider. M.kus had a terrible start to the year but with his experience I reckon he would do a job for Scunny at reserve. Maybe A.Lyger if he came in on a 5.2 average.
The racing has been excellent at the EWR but by about heat 12 the dirt has gone so wide and the dirt gets slick and dry . I think it would better to drag the dirt back a little and get some water into the track.