No - but it all goes to add to the flavour.
Of course I would say that - I was a big fan of the late Jack Millen (Crazy Jack, Mad Jack, Millen the Villain). When Jack was riding against Frank Auffret (Teeside) their clashes were legendary. We still talk about them today. There were many more true characters in those days - Taffy Owen, Doug Wyer, Tony Childs, Arthur Browning, George Major - I could go on.
Characters are needed in Speedway - Niki Pedersen, as has been said, seems to be the only one left these days.
The Sport has become too sanitized - to it's cost.