Ray Stadia

Aldershot used to run speedway at the old stadium, but it didn't last. Not sure how many seasons it ran for. With the army camp being there, I would have thought it would have been well attended? Arena Essex/Lakeside was a small track. Aldershot say their track is 350 metres. Arena Essex was 252 metres.

If I was far younger and yes, I would have loved to have been a speedway rider, I would have preferred to have had a job/career, and speedway was my hobby. I would have accepted that the only way my costs were met or exceeded, would be based on results. There is no way speedway will survive as it is presently, with people (promoters) running a team hoping the gate (the income) will pay the outgoings. Speedway will survive, but not in it's current form.

Things can be twisted, to suit someone's agenda.

What is happening, especially in the UK, is there is everyone else and there is that horrible scum, labelled 'white privileged'.

But you are disrespecting those people who choose to believe!

Phillip Rising, used 'capitals' in parts of his messages!

Probably first year after Rayleigh folded, so 1974 I would guess?

I agree, that would be the situation now, but could have been introduced years ago! We have 3 cycle speedway tracks in Ipswich, The Ipswich Cycle Speedway Track and Great Blakenham Cycle Speedway Track, not sure about Kesgrave. The tracks are in superb condition, but as far as I know, the Castrol R version, pays little attention!

I think over the years, speedway missed a trick. Tracks should have insured they all had their own cycle speedway teams, with cycle speedway tracks actually built on the infield. That way, youngsters would feel that they were part of their local speedway team, with aspirations, perhaps, to move to the motorised version. Cycle speedway is down in the dumps, but a few hang on. But, to my knowledge, none of the cycle speedway clubs are affiliated with the methanol version.

There are two ways to look at professional. Professional as in 'run professionally' or professional from the point of view the riders earn their living from speedway. As we know, riders do earn money from speedway and in my opinion, this is where the problem is. In the 'old days' most riders in the 2nd tier leagues would be semi-professional riders, they would have a job too, which made up their money. Yes, probably most of the top tier riders would have been fully professional. This has been mentioned many times and to cut to the chase, the costs riders spend on their gear is astronomical, with no sign of reducing costs. The gates are reducing each year, so the circle is not being squared. You either radically change the sport/activity or watch it go up its own fundament!

That is true, but I don't think the rate of closures we have seen over recent years, was seen in the 60s and 70s, but maybe I'm wrong?

Some people might be offended by blasphemous words!

There is also a black very good American moto X rider, James Stewart.

There has been a couple of black riders that I know of, Paul Muchene, lost his life at Hackney, very sad and of course Antonio Lindback. There could be others. I think there was a rider who rode second halves at Wimbledon, in the mid 80s, who was part Asian, I think.

Sorry, I meant to say 'woke up'!

A play on the word 'awake' I suppose. Maybe those who have 'woke up'?

My understanding, is it's a word to describe people being 'very awake' to issues such as racism, LGBTQ issues, saving the planet issues, championing veganism, and other current issues.

Well there you go, we had a healthy exchange of opinion.

I haven't stated an opinion, I was merely asking whether speedway had had any issues. I haven't stated I am anti-woke. Everyone has the right to an opinion. But in my experience, people who are woke or are snowflake seem to think opinion is one way.....theirs. So, respectfully, wind your neck in!

I will just quickly say, the trouble with 'wokes' and the trouble with 'snowflakes' is nobody outside their bubble, is allowed to have an opinion! I hope that was quick enough for you!

It would appear, Azeem Rafiq might have 'shot himself in the foot', according to the news today!

I suppose it's done to try and create union and solidarity.....something that speedway is not very good at!

And also, in other countries, whether you are Irish, Northern Irish, Welsh, Scottish, get called 'English', which must get up their nose! The Germans, during the 2nd world war, constantly referred to being at war with England! How many New Zealanders are mistaken as Australians? There are many examples.

The word is simply a shortened version of Pakistani, as Aussie is a shortened version of Australian, therefore, they are similar. But, society and certainly the Asian community has decided it's a derogatory term. I watched a film on Netflix the other day, it was a 15 film and the 'C' word was used. I was surprised and a bit dumb struck that the 'C' word is acceptable for 15 year olds. Obviously 15 year olds know the word and many may use it, but is it acceptable to be used in a 15 film? Words can be sensitised and desensitised.

I've never heard anyone called the 'P' word and I have moved in some 'dubious' circles in the past. As I've said, when talking about Asians collectively, yes I have and I have used it myself in private. I am surprised that in the cricket fraternity, it has been used, in direct reference to an individual or individuals! I did think the game was better than that. Regarding speedway, we have had a few 'dark skinned' riders and I can't say if they suffered racism. Therefore, speedway is not a good example of racism. But some riders, especially 'up and coming' riders, may have experienced various bullying. We all know that promoters can be 'hard nosed', therefore, I can imagine some riders have had an unpleasant time.