The White Knight

That is where I am going BW regarding Kevlars/Leathers - it should be up to the individual which combination of colours they should wear. Regarding the Emblem being on the FRONT of the Race Jacket - THAT, in my opinion should be where the avid Supporter could PLAINLY see for which Team the Rider was racing. All of Teams today have emblems 'somewhere' on their Kevlars - but sometimes you cannot make out where the Team Emblem is situated on the Leathers/Kevlars. In the GPs, for example, the Riders have a tiny little National Flag on their shoulder. People should be PROUD of their Team/Country. In the UKs case - what was so wrong with the Union Flag displayed BOLDLY on the front of the Rider. Same with the Club, a big Witch, Ace of Clubs, Star, Bear, Bandit or for my Team the Big White Diamond. Let's face it - the main name, surely, is the Club Name not the Sponsor's ie Newcastle 'Diamonds' - the Club's Crest should be the main identifying feature to which Supporters can relate. Pick up any 'old' 'Speedway Star' and you can immediately identify to which Club the Rider on the Photograph belongs as the Emblem jumps out at you - nowadays you can hardly tell what is what and who is who. IF all of the changes from the 'old' ways of doing things were for the benefit of the Sport - how come Crowds are dropping so alarmingly? I would suggest that perhaps a small part of the problem is that the Teams have lost touch with their Supporters and the area to which the Team belongs. People, Supporters particularly like to IDENTIFY with their Team hence some of the big badge collections worn by Supporters long ago - you never see that now - perhaps that is because the Identity has been swallowed up in the search for Sponsor's names. I hope that explains where I am coming from BW. Something is missing from Speedway these days, it's colour, flair, individuality and Team identity is not what it used to be.

The Emblem - in our case is one BIG White Diamond. If you couldn't see that you would be blind. Sponsors names on the front these days are largely unseen anyway.

You can see the names when the Riders are on the Track racing though. You can't see the front - unless it was something BIG like the Team Emblem. We want to see more people attending our Sport don't we? It would be good to have something to relate to.

THANK YOU SCB!!! That would be great.

Totally agree with what you say about sponsorship - Sponsors names could cover the BACK of the Rider for all I care - but on the front should be the Team Emblem. They would be seen better on the back too as when the Rider is clutching his handlebars, BOTH of his arms are covering the names anyway - on the BACK - that would NOT be the case. I hope I have explained my point.

HUSH!!! He's quiet at the moment - you might wake him up.

I really don't mind Kevlars - it is the fact that they are all the same that bothers me. There is no way that a Rider can look like an individual today - however, different colour Kevlars/Leathers would provide a bit of variety. Speedway isn't like Football, it is a Team Sport but in a different sense. I believe that taking away the colour and individuality has been detrimental to Speedway because it is no longer as attractive as it once was. Speedway, as well as a Sport should be an attraction. We need to attract people to Speedway - sameness will NOT help with that, with Colour and as I put in my earlier Post - individuality, flair and showmanship alongside some actual Promotion just might.

That is your privilege, but the way Gates/Crowds are dropping - I honestly believe that lack of identity IS a contributory factor with youngster's involvement.. Speedway has always had scope for Riders to show Individuality in the past. Frank Varey - Red Leathers, Ken Le Breton - White Leathers, Boocock Brothers - One wore Blue Leathers (Nigel) - the other (Eric) Red. That is only a few. Bikes you could identify by the set/length of the Handlebars - George Major's great big Cowhorn type set up for example - nowadays even they are all the same. Speedway I know is a Team Sport - BUT - there should always be a place for a Rider with individual flair or dress sense. THAT is the sort of thing youngsters go for - they certainly DON'T go for uniformity which is, sadly, what they get now. There are times I struggle with who is who. Bikes are the same (more or less), Kevlars are the same, Riders look the same. Ohhhh for the days when you could recognise a Rider from the FRONT as well as the Back. Regarding TEAM Colours - the old style Race Jacket was good enough to recognise which Team a Rider was representing. It was so much more impressive than faceless Adverts. I love it when occasionally at Brough Park a replacement/Guest Reserve appears in a Race Jacket with a big White Diamond on a Black background - it really does look good. THAT is Newcastle 'Diamonds' identity - NOT Sponsors names. I'm sorry but Speedway is and always has been about individuality. You have to be, in my opinion, a special type of person to ride Speedway. Drab Teams dressed in Drab Outfits will NOT bring the Crowds back to our Sport - individuality, flair and showmanship alongside some actual Promotion just might.

It did used to be good though - when you could recognise individual Riders by style, even Bikes and, most importantly of all to Spectators the Race Jacket bearing your Club's Emblem. It gave more of a sense of 'TEAM' than the Kevlars that they wear today. Youngsters like to identify with Team/Riders - they can't these days because they all look the bloody same. :sad:

I'm looking, I'm looking - I can't see owt though. :unsure:

GREAT News. :approve:

Same here SCB - I have tried to alter a Name I entered and I cannot - it asks for a Password. I have tried to alter it to Unprotected Sheet in the 'Review' Section but that doesn't work either. Can you help please?

I doubt there was one - BUT - if there was it would have to be another PC. Peter Craven, of course. :approve:

What a STAR you are SCB. With comments like this - you may overtake jacques in my affections as favourite Poster. :approve:

Obviously this Meeting was dogged with problems from the Start. :rofl: :rofl:

No - not 'that old chestnut' Arson. No - that's NOT what I said. I said that "It would be very interesting to know if any of Wilko's detractors have ever Raced a Speedway Bike and not, perhaps, just ridden one"? What I did NOT say is that you are NOT allowed to criticise. You are - BUT there is a big difference between constructive criticism and downright nastiness. Some of your Posts regarding Wilko have not been appropriate in my opinion. Glad you know something about History...................................................................... :rolleyes: Wonderful thing Education.

That is what I have been arguing for some time.

Naughty Oldace. :nono:

It would be very interesting to know if any of Wilko's detractors have ever Raced a Speedway Bike and not, perhaps, just ridden one?

WOW!!!! :shock: I'd NEVER have guessed.

I totally support and agree with the above Post. A 100% effort man - I hope that he does really well and proves certain folk WRONG!!!

Yeah right!! :unsure: :lol:

I'll try Dave - I'll try.

Who - me. :shock: Yes - you are right - I am cynical. Experience has taught me that. The Sport of Speedway isn't what it once was, so I question things. If that makes me a cynic - then so be it. I've never been 'it is all for the good of the Sport' - when I see things I think are wrong - I say so. At least you know where I stand. So cynical - yes, honest - yes. You may not like my opinions but - they are honest and heart felt. By the way Dave - I am not claiming to be always right because I am not.

Oldace - will you please STOP Posting things that I have to 'Like'? :angry: I am NOT used to it. :shock: