Ray Stadia

I think there must be more to your story, for the police to be involved. Bovver boots, rolled up Levi's 501 and Ben Sherman shirts spring to mind!

True. And maybe, we are all guilty of that.

Except, he/she is suggesting, 'others' are whinging, but he/she isn't! I say he/she as he/she maybe using a pseudonym.

Maybe automatic gearboxes...'I thought I was pressing on the brake pedal!'

But if they had a good point at the time, but some on here wanted to believe all was rosy, when things were not, surely they have a right to point out 'I told you so'.

I can't believe anyone on here secretly wants speedway to die. However, I think many of us are frustrated and sad that speedway is dying, especially as many of us saw the rot setting in years ago, but we were slapped down for being negative, if we voiced our opinion.

I think, sadly, the survival of speedway clubs, goes a lot further than some speedway supporters not being able to attend meetings, due to driving in the dark.

I think the human rights brigade, would soon leap on any attempt to bring in legislation. However, at the tender age of nearly 63, I am finding driving in the dark more of a challenge now, especially with the lack of street lighting or poor lighting in many areas.

It was only a few months ago that the news was full of the death of Phil Spectre, who died in prison having committed 2nd degree murder (manslaughter as we call it). Was there a news suppression of his contribution to music, was there heck! The BBC and all the rest made sure we knew all about his 'wall of sound' and all the stars he helped bring on. Yes, there was a cursory mention of the young lady he shot, but not much made of it. Therefore, it is quite normal, perhaps bizarrely, that we do still remember the great things people have achieved, even though they have committed atrocities at some point.

I agree, if it was pre-meditated. I think the chances are, it was spur of the moment. Who knows what we are all capable of in the heat of the moment. I'm sure we have all seen 'red mist' at certain times in our life, I know I have!

Some people don't have sympathy with people who take their own life, however, I do sympathise. A lot of people had contempt towards Kenny Carter before his death and what he did. Therefore, there is no reason why that contempt shouldn't continue into his death. Billy was thought of, by many, in a different way to Kenny Carter, when they were both alive. As for the condemnation of what Kenny Carter did, absolutely it should be condemned. What drove him to such a drastic action, as I said earlier, I don't know, I seem to recall it was a domestic incident and something in the back of my mind recalls Pam may have been threatening to leave and take the children. Whatever, in my opinion it's more complicated than 'Kenny Carter is a monster, end of'.

I think describing Kenny Carter as a monster, is a bit over the top in my opinion. We are talking about one tragic event not a series of diabolical events. We still talk about Billy Sanders talents on track, but sadly took his own life, which I understand was due to problems with his private life. Perhaps that event could have ended differently, if Billy had 'turned right' instead of left. 'There but for the grace of God'.

Actually and not saying it counter balances the awful things Jimmy Savile did, but he did raise a shed load of money for charity. In the case of Kenny Carter, I personally do not know why he did what he did, but I have always presumed he was pushed to some kind of limit, which many of us have experienced, but fortunately, the 'off switch' has activated just before something irreversible occurs.

I see what you mean. It hasn't been properly thought through. Definitely could have been better worded. Not sure it's disgusting or disgraceful, in my opinion.

I'm probably being thick, but I don't get what you are saying. Aside of what befell Kenny and Pam, he was still a great rider and sounds like, had he lived, he would be 60. Maybe not a celebration, but moreover, a fact.

The usual stock answer. Which is a fair answer, but doesn't help the future of speedway.

Of course, as we know with most, if not all motorsports, seeing it on TV is nothing like being there. It's the same whether it's F1, British Superbikes, Moto GP or indeed Speedway. Speedway has mostly been 'first from the tapes' forever, but most fans accept that, but now and again, you get a cracker of a heat! You say that yesteryear meetings on YouTube wouldn't be entertainment now and yet, there have been fans on this forum who have said they enjoy National League meetings more than the higher leagues. Fans are not only looking for spectacular heats, they are looking for the atmosphere, the sound, the smell, the camaraderie, the riding improvement of the second strings, the sportsmanship and in many instances, a nice pint and a tray of chips!

Speedway has moved on, but only in terms of the Grand Prix. League racing, in this country, has gone backwards, in so many ways. I agree, reverting back to the 70s type set-up won't save speedway in this country, however, what was good about the 70s was speedway was more affordable for the rider, the promoter and the fans. Until that bit is sorted out, it will remain on the life support machine, I'm afraid.

That sounds complicated. I think you would need one one of the 'specialists' modelling the spread of the virus, to work that out!

I've said for many years and been criticised on here for my opinion, that the only way, the activity of speedway can survive, is to be virtually amateur only and have tracks which are 'tracks in a field'. Speedway cannot continue pretending it's something it isn't. It needs to go back to it's roots and maybe it can grow from that level. The biggest thing killing speedway, is the cost. Costs for the riders, promoters, fans etc. The tracks would have to run weekends only, so the riders and the club members can earn money elsewhere during the week. There is no point starting each season on a wing and prayer. Losing Rye House, Lakeside, Stoke in recent years, in my opinion, was the final nail in the coffin for speedway. Reduce the costs for everyone, I believe it can survive.

But not including Kelly!

I wasn't suggesting we should switch back to uprights, just wondering about the wisdom of why speedway switched in the first place.

I have never fully understood why speedway moved to laydown engines. I believe the argument is lower centre of gravity, so a rider can go faster around corners. But there are people who say the bikes are too fast. I wonder if the sport changed to laydown for the sake of it being novel and gave engine manufacturers and tuners an opportunity to make money, as the riders switched.

Surely the stock cars will need a car park? Or is it that bikes need to be covered and the stock car boys are in the open? I would imagine most riders have the coverings that pull out from the side of a van or a gazebo?

A very popular rider, Neil Copestake has sadly passed away. I knew of him, rather than knew him, but I do know he was well known in the Grass Track scene. RIP