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To be honest that’s the least of our worries there is people are dying of this virus up and down our country- if speedway season starts all well and good we will be on top of beating the virus - until then in the big picture speedway doesn’t matter.

There are thousands of people up and down the country that are finding it ‘really hard’. However, at no point does that make it acceptable to go out and rob a vulnerable adult at knifepoint. The very fact you’ve even tried to defend or even understand his actions is very worrying. He deserves every bit of punishment that comes his way the absolute lowlife scum.

Crewe and Crayford where in the days of uprights, these days you have laydowns struggling to negotiate tracks that were OK for uprights but are too narrow and the wrong shape for laydowns (with a very small number of exceptions). We've had loads of Speedway meetings on YouTube etc over the last few days, some of them were advertised as 'great meetings' and as someone who started his Speedway involvement in the early 50s, I quite looked forward to them but in the main it's been a borefest. I hope it has a future but I see it more as a part-time or amateur sport here, as it is it's unsustainable.

On a sad note 2 ex comets no longer with us, Tony dart and Blair Scott, both seamed to have had some mental health issues. RIP both

If your THAT desperate to rob anybody at knifepoint you clearly deserve that everything comes to you

Your original post was amazingly stupid.

The biggest problem with some tracks is they cannot change their tracks down to sharing with dogs ie wolves Newcastle to name a few. But do agree with you that track preparation does need to be a lot more consistent

You'll not be disappointed...try and obtain some of the back copies if you can?

I was there! Great race again.

I think it needs to present itself as much as a team sport as it can. To many people it just looks like random people riding round a track.

may be you should go and read last weeks Speedway Star. Nicholls / Harris and King review various Tracks, looks like they are going to do an A - Z. All Class riders and all saying the same thing broadly. There is a place for all types of track, the ones where you stick you backside on the back guard and throttle full on (often boring and processional in my opinion as there is only 1 line) and the ones that are far more technical and require throttle control and rider to turn the bike (can be equally boring as the riders who have the ability to do that are often head and shoulders above the rest and a dying breed) Converse thinking is you can and do have great racing at big fast and technical tracks. I've seen great racing at most tracks and equally boring racing at those tracks, Generalisation is easy. If every track was built like NSS which I think is a good track but over-rated wouldn't racing be boring in general as the vast difference in types and skills required would be nullified. The greats could ride anything, from Crayford to Crewe, they never moaned and complained. Look at the 10 point average riders in those days, cream rose to the top, look now, there aren't any basically, as all much of a muchness. We have a generation of riders (those that came after Nicholls / Harris and King who can ride anything) who only know one way to ride, very few have actually learned proper throttle control and the engines are revved to destruction. De-tune, limit revs, bring onus back on to throttle control not throttle bashing and the sport would improve overnight. I did Trials and Road Racing, I learned how to ride fast and how to ride the bike properly. I didn't have the natural ability to excel at either but I'll tell you this, anyone can ride a bike flat out, takes a rider to learn throttle control!

I think it is, yes. I think it should be on display at all times. I don't always know the score if I'm watching a match and have to look at someone's programme. Having to listen out for announcements should not be necessary but an enhancement.

Rest in Peace Blair. I found this story from 2001. Which shows what a hero Blair was on a cold November morning. "A YOUNG speedway star was beaten up by thugs who used his face as "a trampoline" after he tried to rescue a woman from being attacked.Edinburgh Monarchs rider Blair Scott, 21, was kicked unconscious when the thugs pounced on him and his 22-year-old pal as they tried to stop a fight between the gang and the woman.The gang broke Blair's nose and fractured his cheekbone from a series of blows and kicks and his injuries were so horrific his own mother said she didn't even recognise him.During the fight the woman managed to run away and call for help, while the gang of thugs later fled the scene by jumping in a taxi.Blair was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment.His friend, who was not named by police, was also taken to the hospital and treated for a suspected fractured nose.The attack happened early on Saturday morning as they made their way back from a friend's fancy dress party in Musselburgh.Officials at the Edinburgh Monarchs club, who compete at the speedway stadium in Armadale, West Lothian, yesterday extended their sympathies to the rider.Their spokesman, John Campbell, said: "He is one of our up-and-coming stars - it's a great shame."Blair is planning to travel to Australia next month to ride through the winter as a member of the British Lions team.His mother Margaret, who lives in Niddrie, Edinburgh, said yesterday she did not regret her son's heroic actions despite the injuries he sustained.She said: "They used him as a trampoline and made a real mess of him."His face was a complete and utter pulp and they weren't sure if his neck was broken. He's unrecognisable. I wouldn't have known him."He's pretty sore but he's keeping his chin up. I'm so proud of what he did."Police yesterday said they were anxious to track down any witnesses.A spokesman said: "The attack happened at around 1.40 in the morning on Saturday on the Edinburgh Road near the Shell garage."We are looking into the attack and are keen to find the men involved as it was quite a vicious attack on two young men."Founded in 1948, the Edinburgh Monarchs are one of Britain's most successful speedway teams.The club moved from Edinburgh to their new home in Armadale in 1997 and have won a number of the sport's biggest trophies.As he recovered last night, Blair said: "I don't want a lot of publicity making me out to be a hero."I am not afraid of repercussions. It's just that I just find the whole thing very embarrassing. I want to forget the whole thing.

Some of the more progressive Promotions have already announced that this will be the case. I highlighted last week a few who have already made announcements with Free Offers and significantly reduced Admission Rates. Other Clubs will no doubt follow once the actual position about chances of Racing in 2020 are known. It's not all doom and gloom out there far from it. The biggest danger as I see it are the dinosaurs amongst the current Promoter population just carrying on regardless and killing the Sport in the process. A breakaway of the progressives at some point might be the best solution and that takes us full cycle back to the 60's.

I understand what you are saying, and agree to some extent. Just a look at history though, and the great recession after the Wall Street crash in 1929, which was one of the high points in speedway history and then the real peak period for the sport in the UK was directly after WW2. So it could be that sport is a way of forgetting the daily problems. But I doubt in this day and age speedway will profit . Live in hope though

Just been reading Jason Garrity has been a naughty boy... Looks like he will be doing some compulsory social distancing and social isolating at Her Majesty's pleasure... What a tool... and a waste of a talent... Regards THJ

Interesting that the old 15 year survey on another thread had only 30% of fans attending in the main to 'support their team', and only 10% went based on the quality of riders on show.. And that was when more 'top names' rode over here.. Therefore, presuming the %'s are still similar, (and I would think they are not a million miles away), what an opportunity to put on 'entertaining Speedway' in whatever guise it can.. When 70% go and watch and are not unduly bothered which team wins, then they are a real target market for each track to have them go away thinking "that night was great, I'll be back next time".. The promoters should spend this down time working out how to deliver 'a great night out' when the sport returns, rather than spending time getting slide rules out to determine whether 'Rider A' can guest for 'Rider B' in a meeting that only 3 in 10 fans in attendance are bothered who wins... A huge opportunity for fundamental radical change.. Will it be taken?

Going back to that print that was advertised, I decided to make my own memories on photoshop of the 1999 season onwards. It's desktop wallpaper size (2560x1440) so feel free to use , the high resolution version can be downloaded here - https://imgur.com/a/oYLZw2n

I think that you are spoiling what could be an interesting thread by living in cloud cuckoo land. 90% of tracks are the shape and size and have the dimensions they do out of decades old necessity. You write off one track based on a video clip and have an obsession with another. Any rebirth or renaissance has to be practical possible and sensible. I'm out.

Back in the 1960's I used to watch racing at Wimbledon, Hackney, West Ham and New Cross. As a kid I never liked West Ham because there were such large gaps between the riders after the first lap. I loved New Cross as they were all bunched up and even if they never passed each other it looked good. Wider, I would agree makes passing easier but that can be a double edged sword as the top rider misses the gate and can easily make a pass on the reserve who made the gate! There are arguments for and against all sizes and shapes of tracks but the thing that is a problem is that the current engines cost far too much for the riders.

Me too... I remember Ole & Bruce lifting both at the same time right in front of where we were standing

QUITE CLEARLY DESPERATE....many many people are desperate but don’t go out and rob your neighbours. Your tone and rationale is amazingly stupid, how you can try to equate riders finding things tough with this type of thuggish behaviour is astonishing,

The common thread between everyone reading and posting on this thread is that we are all Speedway fans. Even if our opinions on the whys and wherefores differ, the majority of us, I think it is safe to say, agree that something in British Speedway needs to change. This isn’t a viewpoint driven by the current situation regarding Covid-19 either but a long standing belief held by many of the most important people in the sport. The fans. Each of us have an opinion of what the main problem is with the sport - that one thing we would like to see fixed personally. But in reality the issues are deep rooted and multi-faceted. There is not one quick fix for British Speedway and I don’t think there has been for as long as I have been a fan. I began to make a list of things that could be seen as issues within the sport here by fans. It is not exhaustive, I'm sure we could add to it, but it is very long. These issues are not necessarily my opinion either. Some of the issues overlap of course but that just proves that the troubles within the sport are not black and white: Racing isn’t good enough. British riders aren’t good enough. Too many foreign riders taking spots Brits could fill. Riders want to be paid more money. The sport is too expensive for the fan (no value for money). Meetings take too long. No additional entertainment at meetings. Race night issues, clashes with foreign leagues. Doubling up. Competition and race formats. Guests, R/R etc. Averages and average manipulation. No big names in the top league. Facilities aren’t good enough. The reality of the situation is simple. We must rip it up and start again. Now is as good a time as any to do so. With correct planning we could reboot British Speedway in time for the 2021 season with a model built for the long term success of the sport in this country and aspirations for it to thrive once again long term. 2020 could still be salvaged depending on how much of a summer we are left with, however this could be focussed less around the team aspect of the sport and more around an individual element, with a focus on the British Championship, perhaps being run over a series of qualifying rounds culminating in a small GP style competition.

It would be more relevant if Munich was in Poland.

Juicy Brucie

FINALLY took out a subscription. Mrs did it to so i have something to keep me quiet. Is such a great read. This will be like the Star from now on. NEVER MISS A ISSUE.

Yes, Alan Sage made his debut with First Division West Ham in 1971 and then moved on to Ipswich. He rode four consecutive seasons without missing one single match. He then moved to Second Division Crayford and carried on the record through 1975 - 1978 completing an incredible 327 consecutive appearances in official fixtures before breaking his leg in July 1979. Even then, when he returned to the saddle mid-season in 1980, he never missed another match for Crayford; and was ever-present again for Arena Essex in ’84 and ’85 and then for Canterbury in his final season of ’86. So, in 16 seasons from 1971 to 1986 Alan was ever-present in 14 of them. An incredible record!

Alan Sage rode for West Ham when they were in the First Division not the Second Division.

The resizing of our track is not really possible due to the many other users of the stadium.

THANKS. No credit to me I might add but editorially Andrew Skeels and many contributors are doing a great job while Art Editor Mick Smith puts it all together.

There were a few riders over the years who were not really ready for the BL even before the junior scheme came in.King's Lynn gave a few raw youngsters chances over the years ( i.e.) Sparshott,Dye, Framingham, Mallett Swindon- Simpson, Cross Halifax- Westwell, Stansfield, Baker( decent) Whittaker, Oxford- Butler, Surman, Stevens,( i liked) Cradley as you said Fryer( RIP great value), Leaver,Bostin.In the old days if a top rider was out somethimes you promoted a number 8 which was a big ask but a few riders developed there careers coming through that way.

I think a scoreboard is a nice idea, but there are many other things that clubs need to spend their money on first.

Spot on excellent post we need riders to show more skill not speed .

Might I refer the honourable member to my previous answers! Do you not think that alternative sites have been sought and refused/rejected for a variety of reasons?

Watched loads of recent meetings on YouTube and there is a huge clear difference between the racing standards from track to track.. In no particular order.. The NSS, Somerset, Redcar, and Scunthorpe seem to have the majority of their races close and with passing, with Glasgow, Berwick and Peterborough having several 'very decent races' in the next level down.. Not seen too much from anywhere else to be honest other than an odd decent race per meeting, with some tracks getting you to 'move on' to the next coverage after four or five heats such is the lack of any close action post bend two.. It must be hard to sell the racing at some tracks..

Agree ,but like you say it’s for a good cause. Cribby was popular when he was a Bandit.

Sandhu owned the garden centre as well ,he applied for permission to build a hotel but that got turned down , just like all his permission for the stadium site . so maybe he or his nonexistent partner sold that to brandon estates as well

I still think we can work with the tracks we have ,one of the great things about the UK is the smaller tracks in the past riders come here to "hone" their skills, I loved the big open spaces of Crewe but riders then had to negociate the likes of Crayford .The sport needs to address costs and it will be easier to adapt what we have than start from scratch ,we don't have the goodwill other counties seem to enjoy for the creation of new tracks .In fact we are often battling to save what we have how long and how much did the NSS cost ,IMO it will probably be that last new stand alone track ever built in this country .

...and wasn't that just the case for many years. Tracks squeezed into some restricted stadiums...Somerton Park instantly come to mind! Trouble is that many tracks were not created in custom built stadiums (unlike many in Sweden) and had to share the space with other sports.

And they are still inferior to the NSS so therefore could be better. To survive in the 21st century you have to get away from the perception (and actually the reality) that there is very little racing/passing at most tracks and first out of the start wins. For any newly built tracks the rules should be changed so the minimum size is 300m and also changes to minimum widths on straights and bends to that of something approach NSS dimensions, I can't give a dimension for that as I don't know the relevant widths. For existing tracks, efforts should be made to increase dimensions, bend radii, etc. where possible. There are currently too many fundamentally flawed tracks.

Aah, from Bridget Jones's diary!

That for me is sadly ineveitable. It's dinosaur promoters and not dinosaur supporters that endanger the sport in the UK.

Mystery solved - rider has been identified on the Hackney Facebook page as a Dutch junior called Rene Hellzinger

WTF........

It works in Sweden but that is a different society and economy to ours. I think the Isle of Wight meeting mentioned by someone earlie=er is this one:

Well ave got an unopened one too as it happens from a guy I helped to get a job with a good reference but I have had it before and it wasn't to bad... bout 25 quids worth and fair play to the lad he's trying... like the thing I am watching now it's a starter for 10... you could have a good one there... ideal for wetting the head of the first grandchild and don't worry it won't go off... Never mind the daughter he's a keeper if he's buying you drink... Regards THJ

The Swan Lakeside Hammers, come to mind.

If we add the effects of our departure from the EU the days of cheap and simply-organised foreigners has hit the buffers. I suspect that apart from a fully amateur grass roots league the only way forward at the higher level is a semi-professional set-up based on riders who are based here for the season and can commit to a full season here. This would effectively be a rebirth of the highly successful National League model of the late seventies and eighties, with a pool of British and Commonwealth riders. Those who wish to take Poland's money could be allowed to, but at the Polish club's expense. If they can pay megabucks per point they can pay the air fares.... Whatever level emerges it must fit one simple principle. The costs must not outweigh the revenue.

Always a great read, I lock myself away for a couple of ours when it comes! What a life that Kelly Moran had - frustrating, talented and lived his life to the full. I'm sure that he wouldn't have changed much.