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On Ivan's last visit to the UK to promote his book around 2010/11 "Ivan Mauger: The Will to Win: The Autobiography" I bought myself a copy and in there he said "if you can ride Brough Park you can ride any track in the world" and that was when the track was not only longer than today's track but approximately a whole lane narrower and the bends didn't really open out as much as they do now... so much more of a trick track back then I would say. The best laugh was I was standing in the pits with Kenni Larsen whilst Dalbers was interviewing Ivan on the centre green and he asked "Well Ivan what do you think of the track these days" Ivan's response was "you've ruined the place! you've made it far to easy to get round now" and Kenni turned round and said "whose this old nutter who thinks this is an easy track to ride" and when I explained who Ivan was and what he had done winning six world titles and when at Newcastle had an average of over 11 points... Kenni who had never heard of him previously was in awe of the guy and by the end of the interview was well impressed... Kenni even had a chat with him later on in the meeting and Ivan said he was impressed with Kenni's starting ability and his style on a bike. (which I think was fair praise indeed) Great talent Ivan and a true speedway legend sadly missed (and on the track side of things at Newcastle you could say the same about Kenni) Regards THJ

He says that it`s more than a 50% pay cut.- not sure that`s a final decision

Im 60,I had it, was no walk in the park for me in fact I couldn’t walk, 10 days in hospital on oxygen, been out 10 days now and can just about manage a shower before having to rest again, no underlying health problems either. Give me flu any day

I think you're right, although it's typically a moniker that you would expect someone to pick up later in their career than as a youngster. As you say, The Main Dane was definitely how Hans was described. As an aside, I only posted that race because I loved the way Loram & Gollob went at it, absolutely enthralling battle, so much so that I never even looked at Hans, there's no doubting his prowess but he was never one that I relished seeing ride. I would've travelled to watch Erik Gundersen though. I was lucky enough to see the Aces of the late60s/early 70s, Ivan was the master but my first favourite rider was Soren Sjosten, I suppose I've always preferred the racers over gaters.

I think it was Sky's Keith Huewen who started the whole professor thing. I remember in those days they used to have three or four guests (Briggo, PC, Wiggy, Tatum) in the studio at once...a lot better than just Natalie and Scott.

I am pleased you have been following the British Junior System which is improving and evolving year by year. I agree 100% with your reasons and hopefully this is being addressed to ensure the next generation are guided, protected and educated professionally. I reiterate the (Bold) words in my original post, which will happen again and again and again

Good for you. Pleased it didn't hit you too hard. Im also over 50, I'm not obese and no underlying health problems. But I was in hospital 5 nights. It's now 5 weeks since I was discharged and still having side effect health problems. For example I still can't walk properly. Very little is yet known about this virus in terms of individual biomedical factors causing it to effect some more badly than others. Broad patterns have emerged, for sure, but at a far more nauanced, micro level there's a long way to go. There's also the possibility that some people are just unfortunate enough to cop a big dose of virus, and that this has an impact on severity. So count your lucky stars!

With the plethora of talent emerging through The British Youth System, it appears you must not follow it. With all due respect to so many emerging riders, they do not require any burden imposed upon them by naming them. The press are always there to build up budding stars and then demolish and demoralise them. Just look on this forum how easily riders, promoters, authorities, etc are criticised and demoralised by spurious comments.

Not a fan then I remember one time at BV (I think, must have been a BLRC) when he tried to give Sam Ermolenko the nickname "Emperor Sam"!!!! This was after about 10 years of him ALWAYS being referred to as "Sudden Sam"... still makes me laugh

Wolves late 70’s he was Hurricane Hans Nielsen

Glad you recovered. However reality is, and its absolute fact, flu is more dangerous AND causes greater illness than covid-19 for the vast majority of the population. For some Covid-19 is very dangerous of course.

I was there- the night before the Munich world final.

Not exactly a classic, but an intriguing battle from speedway legends from three different eras.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4WPPzFhXt0 Deprivation is kicking in now, more and more I'm taking to youtube in search of another fix, it's a fantastic resource and I would be lost without it. Seeking out odd random heats for this thread has been interesting, seeing some meetings I'd never watched before and some I attended but had forgotten about.

iainb i think it could of been a Peter York creation? i see alot of Hans from 1984/89 and went to Oxford weekly.Peter York for me was the only negative on going there weekly often commentating on the mike on some of the last laps in races bloody annoying.That meant often persuading us to have a few extra pints along the way a good night out though. And though i was never a fan of Hans appreciated just how great a rider he was he certainly is in the top 8 riders in History.

Gate 1 was the master!

Taking Robert Lambert as already a 'star' given he has been in the GP's, rode Polish top division, and held his own at SON level, (but still has much potential), my picks would be Dan Bewley, Jordan Palin and Leon Flint... To reach the higher echelons of say top 25 in the world, the glide path for UK riders seems to be that usually within four or five years of starting, they are riding (comfortably) at heat leader level in the top league in the UK.. Bewley is already there at that heat leader level and now needs to make an impact overseas, and I think Palin and Flint show the potential to go a long way in the sport..

If the present season does get going, could it be extended into November if needed. I know it's a rarity these days, but in the 1970's and 80's November meetings were quite common.

Everyone is different Steve, when it comes to putting things into words. Variety is the spice of life.

This is the point. Most people get a bit of a cold and call it the flu.. it isn't. Flu knocks you about always. Whereas Covid, 80% of the time does nothing of the sort. However, if you are vulnerable (especially the elderly) covid can be very dangerous indeed as we have seen.... hence the need for such groups to be protected. Its not rocket science. For the rest, its less dangerous than the flu.

Paul Tyrer, Wilkie,PC, - Rochdale/Belle Vue Eric Broadbelt - Belle Vue Colts , Rochdale, Belle Vue. Chris Bailey - Belle Vue Colts, Rochdale, Halifax.???

Absolutely. I had real flu one christmas. I was bed ridden for several days. When i did start to recover i had to retrain my legs on how to walk.

No, I never have had flu. I have had my flu jab for the last few years.

I actually do a lot of the cooking, I value my health. Stepson would eat my Thai curries every night if he could, just hope her indoors never clocks these posts

Sounds terrible. But, out of interest, have you ever been bed-ridden with flu for three weeks? It’s not the “cold” that people make out!

I'm certain they will ride unless Poland get a huge spike in virus cases. The plan is published and fixtures published. No other sport has done that so far. If riders like Bewley and Batchelor miss 2020 in Poland is that a huge loss ? There will be loads of young Polish riders willing to replaced them and make a name for themselves. With the Polish authorities telling riders they must accept pay cuts for the good of the sport I wonder if the top overseas riders who choose to miss 2020 will be unfavourably treated in future years by sponsors and clubs. The Poles are doing there best to keep the sport alive so maybe clubs / sponsors will have long memories. Could this encourage overseas GP riders move to Poland for five months. Players in other sports like cricket, golf and rugby have extended time away from home so what is the problem. Didn't one Aussie rider based in the UK say he spends 6 months in the UK every year to ride speedway. Tell me the difference to what Poland are doing. The use of just one mechanic could be a positive. If it works well it will cost cut in the future. Maybe the ref will allow a little bit longer between heats for mechanical changes to be made to give something back.

Unlikely. Australia has only a handful of tracks that stage regular meetings, and unless they ride for free they won't get enough rides to make it worthwhile.

I've got that meeting on DVD...some great riders there!

I'm over 50, i had it, and it was a walk in the park compared to the flu ...

Oh dear. Peter York.

Sometimes it pays to be as explicit as possible when starting a thread as there is often some 'smart arse' out there only too willing to question what has been initiated and/or intended. Slap wrist for Tony Mac initiating a long titled thread when listing the latest editorials in "Backtrack"...not sure how he could improve upon it?

Great racetrack Brisbane.. Another one of those more circular ones that always seem to deliver great racing..

First Polish meeting I watched. I think 2011? The disparity between Gollob on a Sunday and a Tuesday was rather striking. However his consistency from 1996-2011 (in Poland) is unrivalled, certainly in modern times at least. Great thread btw.

I don't think so Sid. Remember Dave Lanning in the early days followed by Tony Millard (SKY sports commentator) intoducing the action with a rendition of "Sussex by the Sea". We used to holiday just down the coast at Bognor and travel to Beachy Head and have a picnic before venturing onto Arlington in the afternoon and finishing the day with an ice cream walking the promenade at Eastbourne. Great days!

I`m pretty sure it will- the TV money is so great the clubs will do everything they can to make it happen, however there is i`m sure going to be a lot happening in the transfer window as clubs will want to be competitive.(brinkmanship on both sides !!) It could be the only opportunity for the riders to earn money this season, after no doubt spending heavily pre- season.

I would also like to point out that in the early years at Eastbourne we had the late Arthur Nutley who took I keen interest in the junior grass track scene in Kent, extremely vibrant in those days. He found the likes of Dave Jessup, the Kennett's, Roger Johns Paul Woods to name but a few. Eastbourne could offer good training facilities on the main track and this tempted a lot of riders to join the Eagles. When Martin and Paul Dugard came along, Bob Dugard built the junior track and Peter Johns built scaled down bikes for them with smaller engines and the Eastbourne schoolboys club was born. This gave many riders lots of track time moving up to 500's and then onto the Senior Circuit. In both cases, whether it was junior grass track or junior speedway, by the time the kids got to the age of 16 they all had many years experience of riding/racing so a lot hit the ground running. This shows the importance of a vibrant youth system for kids to move up into a professional sport, something the swedes and poles latched onto years ago while we have slipped down a bit but as I previously said, a lot of this goes down to owning the stadium. The poles and Swedes have this luxury too.

It was that SKY presenter Keith whasthisname who gave him that title...never referred to by that in his Oxford days. I believe that Dick Barrie (whatever happened to him?) christened him "The Main Dane".

For Eastbourne, the following riders have been missed out: Dean Barker David Norris Dean Standing Paul Dugard

Realistically, what's the alternative? The British leagues cannot afford to run behind closed doors. Therefore there will be no speedway until social distancing rules are relaxed, which will be June/July at the earliest. Then at best it will likely be a reduced calendar. Or, if you're offered a team place in Poland, you get a full season at an albeit reduced rate. Logistically it will be a bit of a ballache, but realistically how many nights a week do you think Doyle spends in his own bed during the season? Seems like a no brainer to me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3wsSo5Ei2g

NICKI Pedersen talks about racing in SGP events at Cardiff, Paul Burbidge gets a variety of views on whether rider and bike weights should be co-ordinated and we reveal why a railway yard in Poznan has some connections with speedway ... all in SS this week as we battle to get through these difficult times.

..and make them all sweat so each of them weigh 72kg and not one 1 gram more or less. Also for aerodynamics the shorter guys need to wear higher helmets so the "drag" is equal on all.

So? Do it with riders that are willing to come.

Staggering to see some sticking to their guns on this. Some nailed their colours to the mast early doors on this virus with their “glorified flu” nonsense and clearly don’t like to admit they were wrong on the internet. It’s ok to hold your hands up and say you misjudged just how bad this horrible virus was/is!

I hope you don't lose family or friends like I have. Maybe if you had you'd not be so arrogant and have some respect?

Go check the number of fit under 50's dying and show some respect!

I see you have requested only your pics or pics related to you are posted. Think that is a good idea to stop the group becoming yet another with the same photo posted over and over

For me, all 2007 riders were on their way down while the 2019 ones are on their way up. Did any of the three get a team place in 2008 (or do well if they did)? Yes, Gjedde only at Belle Vue. Pretty much the end of his career though. Easy choice.

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.

Speedway returns to a famous old venue in Central California. After a gap of 43 years a motorcycle speedway meeting will again be staegd at Bakersfield ! It's the first annual Digger Helm Speedway Classic on Saturday, March 14th, in memory of the former promoter of the Bakersfield track.