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The last 100 odd pages are the same comments..... Serious case of Deja-Vu

Right,,,, TTT,,, go through it one more time what you think the team will be and why. Your version,,, Flappys version,,, Mr Ts version and Gassers version,,, and don't leave out any details

You might get quite a few if BassoRacingFan turns up with all his imaginary friends

One of the saddest days of my life when Steve passed (Betty) last Wednesday. I've know Steve since I was 9 and he was 12. I feel a sense of loss that I would usually only associate with losing a family member. He always, always took the micky out of me as I did with him but underneath there was much love and respect. I saw Steve at Thameside Hospital last Saturday and he was still talking about beating his illness. If you look in the dictionary under zest for life, the first words say, " Steve Casey". He was the most positive person I have ever met. I have so many memories of time spent with Steve, time he spent with my family. We was the most sarcastic person I have ever met, he was naturally funny even though he wasn't trying to be. He always had plans, he never stood still, there was always something to plan or look forward to and he never gave up. He used to call me and say, I've got a problem Betty with my push bike or my car or that bloody lawnmower lol, then follow that up by saying, dont bother coming round because its unfixable, there is no one alive that can fix it, knowing full well that was a red rag to a bull for me. Round Ide go and we would both get stuck in and we always, always fixed or repaired whatever it was. Steve always got the good biscuits out when I went round for a brew and a catch up, ( well that's what he told me ) He was the most gentle, entertaining, strong, determined, placid, generous man I have ever met. I count myself privileged that he considered me as a friend. My heart goes out to his beautiful daughter Mia and his girlfriend Jackie at this time. He was one in a million and I will miss him until we next meet.

Except that it wasn't.

Blanket free admission based on what? Certainly not any logic. As for PC (or non-PC may be more appropriate) really think you are clutching at straws here, he needs to do the right thing and apologise.

Are people seriously thinking of cancelling PC from their memory because this? And no, it should not have have made public as this course of action was certain to round up a lynch mob, which it has, inevitably raising the toxic level of debate. Frequently on many Facebook postings and on this forum you will you will see Kenny Carter lauded as a hero - and he was a murderer, but apparently many people are happy to overlook/forgive him for that little misdemeanour. When it comes down to it, this is a squable between just a few people and represents a miniscule, even if unsavoury, footnote to the stellar career of PC, a man who, let me remind you, played a significant role in saving Belle Vue from complete extinction. Presumably we can assume that PC will now never visit Belle Vue, so effectively, this should draw a line under the whole sorry matter and we can all move along.

Or just accept it for what it is, a heartfelt apology.

As the publisher of Peter Collins' autobiography, he asked me to post the following apology. A copy of which has also been sent directly to Mia Casey. ----------------------------------------------------- January 31, 2023 AN APOLOGY I would like to sincerely apologise to Mia Casey, daughter of the late Steve Casey, who died recently of cancer, for the extra distress I have caused her over the personal message I wrote in my autobiography to her dad at an event held in Glossop on November 3rd last year. My words were regrettably written in a moment of impulse amid a feud with the Belle Vue management that has been ongoing for the last 35 years, and I’m sorry to Mia for any upset caused. I have had no contact with Steve, or any other member of the Belle Vue management set-up, for a number of years and I was totally unaware of his cancer diagnosis before I signed his book. Sorry, Mia, for your loss and for the extra grief that this has caused you and your family at this sad time. Yours sincerely, Peter Collins

Nice cast

The “regulation “ is as vague as it useless. Of course these “regulations” have been adapted and amended for any promoter who chooses to challenge it for their own benefit. Previously over abused by Poole and Matt Ford it seems Lemon has taken on that role of fudging the regulation. It will just need yet another amendment after the farce of bringing a rider in just for part of the play offs. Yes both Sheffield and Ipswich took advantage of this vague regulation and one may well say they might have abused the terminology but when has it ever been allowed to bring a rider in AFTER the play offs start? It’s never happened before so you have to question why now? If the regulation allows interpretation on the ‘proven long term injury’ line why have no other teams in the play offs been allowed to replace a rider before 2022. The play offs are littered with teams decimated by injury over the years ruining their possible chances of a title victory. Why have those season ending injuries never allowed teams to replace that rider before? Wolves had a season with both Freddie and Jacob have season ending injuries yet permission to use Woffy was denied. Seems there was no such thing allowed in the interpretation that year. Certainly seems it depends on who asks as to whether it’s a yes or no. Let’s be clear here. It’s the regulation/rule that’s the issue as well as the interpretation of that regulation. No doubt there will be changes and amendments after the Lambert farce of 22. That said some promoters will be looking at self interest at the business end of the season when they can potentially open a loophole to gain an advantage. sorry, that’s a total farce. A hollow victory in 22.

I would back Lawson to beat Allen on any track, personally I think it's crazy to try to compare them.

Would Troy Batchelor spanner for Tungate? Or would the spanner be more likely to become embedded in someone's skull?

By his own admission in recent interviews Lawson has said 9 times out of 10 if he's on a 5-1 he will let his partner win the 3 whilst he settles for 2 plus bonus point!! Hence a slightly lower CMA for team building opportunities.

Does anyone know the details of the conversation between PC and Steve at the book signing? Did Steve appear to be the agent provocatuer at the meeting? There are, of course, two sides to a dispute and we have only heard one side at the present time. We do not know the nature of PC's brain injury - it does not seem to have affected his memory judging by his recollections in his book which is after all his version of events as are all autobiographies. Free admissions for all ex-riders should be provided without the need for any "red tape".

I wouldn't worry too much about the SRBF "rules" they are a very compassionate body and do not operate in any way like an insurance company. Their support stretches way beyond injured riders which is highly commendable but not public due to the nature of the circumstances of the beneficiary. Nora affiliated Speedway clubs could make donations to the SRBF or take an initiative that I would like to see across every Speedway track and that is a 25p optional levy on every admission and bespoke SRBF collection boxes inside every stadium. The governing bodies need to do a lot more than the one off (very welcome) track collections every season and facilitating additional donations would be a positive step in the right direction.

Loved Shawfield too. Hopefully the sport won't die out but we need to sort out our cost base. Right now we have a standard we can't afford. If/when the number of tracks falls to about ten, we could have the much hoped for "big league " but at that point the costs need to be brought down to what the lesser clubs can afford. In the heyday of the 70s most riders had a day job and were semi professionals, had one bike and no mechanic. We need to get back to this approach ... but getting there is going to be difficult. However the sports long term future depends on it.

Max Fricke was injured! Why do the whingers keep making it sound as though BV made a tactical change? They had suffered in the play-offs before when losing a rider, and this time they were able to bring in a replacement, within the Regulations. Of course, no-one would batted an eyelid if the Aces had been forced to use a guest or R/R and Sheffield had waltzed to victory ... "Unlucky Aces, play-offs injury curse strikes again", etc. As it was, the Regulations allowed the change because of the specific circumstances of Fricke's absence. In reality, Sheffield lost because of Holder's awful performance (and, to a lesser extent, Howarth's erratic riding) at Belle Vue. But that's speedway.

Don’t be daft. But you do get three snake cards which shift Edinburgh to the bottom of the league every time Blobby has a whinge about the cheque book Tigers. Did you really expect ladders cards as well?

Whilst this could be seen as a calculated, cynical PR attempt to restore his battered reputation, I think that you have to try to take his apology at face value. Hopefully PC may have learned from this sorry episode that life really is too short to carry this sort of petty baggage.

Good grief. A 35 year old fued There have been Mafia or Albanian blood feuds that haven’t lasted that long !!!

The current Belle Vue management have only been in place for 6 years and have no connection to past management teams! And there we have the truth. Collins' beef was with John Perrin, 35 years ago in 1988. Yet he has continued his petty vendetta against every new promotion that Belle Vue have had over the past 35 years. Everyone is at fault except him. And he will continue his vendetta against every future promotion. The Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury could buy Belle Vue tomorrow, but unless he is given Sainthood and 100+ pals can come along, they will be attacked. A great, great rider, but a sad, sad, little man.

...the point I'm making is that riders gaining "freebies" has created an emotive discussion/difference of opinion whereby referees gaining same doesn't appear to have raised the same strong emotion generally. I get what you are saying and understand your personal postion on the subject some of which I endorse.

Your obsessed with stirring sh#t.IMO

If he's exemplary with fans then that's good enough for me.

Presume it means there might be someone in the crowd who could takeover if the nominated ref fails to make it to the track?

At this most critical time in true Speedway fashion they seen to be making a "Right Ruddy Hames" of the whole matter. Could not have made more of a balls up if they had planned it.

Is there, I can never find them

Apart from masters Lawson is the best rider in the league imo.

Exactly! Prince Harry is a perfect example of true 'his version of events'!

Tonight at 7pm the rewind streams continue. Jubilee South League match this one, Gladiators vs Cheetahs from back in July. Enjoy

Of course it's tainted, it took a solicitor to get the Robert Lambert signing done. The rights or wrongs on either side is irrelevant, the title win is in question by many, that makes it tainted. In the same way many of Poole's title wins have question marks over them.

It was, deep down you know it.

Yes I fully appreciate Poole did do some questionable moves in the past and I have never denied it but as they are not in the Premiership and it was about last season I didn't think the fact that I am a Poole fan was relevant but you make a good point. I said in a previous post it wasn't a breaking of the rules, unfortunately the rule book has always been open to manipulation and covered by in the best interests of the sport etc. In 2018 I think it was because the powers that be in their infinite wisdom decided that it would look bad if the two teams had the same rider riding for different teams in the final so Poole has Nick Morris in both legs and Kings Lynn had Adam Ellis in both legs, that is how I remember it.

And probably score 15....!

I don't believe it! Brain injuries aren't just limited to memory, they can leave your memory intact and alter your personality... James Cracknell & Richard Hammond are 2 high profile examples. It's often only those that are closest to the person that will notice this and for others that interact with them they will seem to be "normal". Take a look at this:

Could they not have run it as a national trophy format (therefore all teams would get 3 extra fixtures whereas at least one team will only get one extra fixture). Workington could possibly invite Edinburgh and Berwick over for a 3 team tournament to add to their fixtures if the wanted?

Come on Eileen !

Well at least all Belle Vue fans know that it was a tainted victory for 2022.

That's your opinion, but then again, you're a Poole fan and if it doesn't benefit Poole it's not fair. Grow up and get a life.

The last few years are deja vu..... Ipswich Town are in the third division

For the final: - Martin Haarahiltunen - Top 10 qualifiers - 4 FIM wildcards - 1 local wildcard - 2 local reserves

I can’t personally see a huge problem in that. When you’re largely attracting much of the original fan base, I personally still have great memories of times following my team. There is a large spread in the Speedway star today that has been shared on social media. Makes for pretty grim reading but is a fair reflection I think of the events that have unfolded on social media over the past couple of weeks. Brian White seems to come out of it looking much better than Greg Daniels but at the end of the day, with no speedway we are all losers aren’t we? Again, if the report is 100% factual, then anybody who knows the area will know it’s been surrounded by houses in recent years. The likelihood of getting a 20K music venue off the ground seems non existent - but a speedway venue seems much more viable… maybe wishful thinking though!

I have nothing against Jake Allen but he is a journeyman third heat leader in the Championship. Not in the same class as Richard Lawson. Yes, on his home track he could pop out and beat Lawson but overall Lawson is a much more accomplished rider. I recall Allen having a couple of decent meetings at Poole when he was at reserve. But last season he was nowhere and didn’t get close to double figures if my brain remembers correctly. Can’t really compare the two riders. When Allen rode for Somerset he looked like a talent about to break through but sadly it never materialised.

In normal circumstances I would have agreed with Tony MacDonald that personal disputes should be kept private, but this is an exceptional case, and I think it is right and proper that this matter should be brought to everyone's notice, and as someone who has known and respected Steve Casey for over 50 years, I am absolutely appalled at the way that he and his family have been treated, and fully agree with the sentiment that Peter Collins has now lost the admiration and respect that very many speedway supporters once had for him.

I couldn’t be bothered trying to work out who he rode for in 2021 but reckoned he hadn’t been “no slouch” at Poole in 2022. Jake looked a real prospect when he rode for Somerset but hasn’t really kicked on. Maybe 2023 will be the year he puts his slouchiness behind him and shows his true talent?

Perfect. Free speech - lets shut it down immediately. I see nothing but facts here personally - and if you don't like what is being said then you should jog on. It would be a pretty pointless forum if every thread was shut down on the basis of somebody not liking what they read. As a close personal friend of Steve's over many years - I am happy that a certain ex-rider is being exposed. And I know Steve's family feel the same way. There is way more to come out about this but might have to be on alternatives platforms if people like you insist on shutting down the truth.

Lawson’s last three years’ averages (all averages taken from declarations at the beginning of next season) are something like 8.31 (2020) 8.40 (2021) and 7.97 (2022) allowing - I think - for Brits 2.5% reduction. Over the same three years, Allen has gone 7.28, 7.88, 6.14. So Allen’s best is poorer than Lawson’s worst. And Lawson had his worst of the last three in 2022 not the best years in the last two. In addition, I can’t see when Allen last rode at Poole to be “no slouch” there I’m sure he must have in 2021 and/or 2022 but I’ve not found him! Much will depend on injuries with both teams carrying riders who are injury prone but overall, I’d be stunned if Scunthorpe get as far as the play off finals though things would need to go horribly wrong for them not to make the play off mini leagues. Meanwhile, I can’t see beyond the Pirates making another finals appearance but maybe this time, Glasgow will come out on top?

Lawson has been aTop rider in Championship for the 8- 10 years.Don’t know where you get your facts.

The only information to date is that Charlie Monk won Heat 1 of the scratch races, Ken Sharples won Heat 2 and Sharples beat Monk on the line in a close-fought final.