Ray Stadia

Gosh! Will it be in our lifetime? Might not be mine by the sound of things!

Out of interest, what is going for planning permission? I thought planning permission had already been sought and found? Is the true reality, the funding of the project is still not found?

Estate bottled rum? Is this some kind of moonshine, 'knocked up' on a housing estate?

I think you are having a 'pop'. I also think Speedway fans of today forget that many Speedway riders in the 60's and 70's and probably before then, used to race Grasstrack on Sunday's. Especially the old National League riders when their racing was just the UK. Probably to earn a bit more dosh and to keep up race fitness. Sadly, it appears the 'valuable' connection is virtually severed with todays fans, which in my opinion, is Speedways loss. Well according to someone on here, Grasstrack is nothing like Speedway, so the grass and dirt will stay on the track, so not a concern! So don't fret JTS!

Whatever, take it from me, a good Grasstrack rider, with the right motivation and desire will convert to Speedway. Grasstrack is a great place for an aspiring Speedway rider to start and hone his skills. As I said earlier in this thread, for some 'strange' reason, Speedway supporters are sniffy about Grasstrack. I remember seeing Mark Loram at the Collier Street, boarded track, Kent, full lock, coming out of a corner and yes, on a Grasstrack bike, no brakes, stuck in 2nd gear on his 2 speed gearbox, brilliant!

Oh dear, you do not know Grasstrack do you! For one, no brakes! They used to have to have one in centre meetings, but no more. Some have a 2 speed gearbox in the 500's but some have just a countershaft and those that have a 2 speed, tend to leave it in 2nd and use it as a countershaft. As for 'often undulating', not sure what you mean. I can only assume, you mean bumpy, some can be, but in the main they are flat and that is why they have rear suspension. I suggest you attend a Grasstrack meeting as it sounds like you have never been! I am not doing Grasstrack riders a dis-service, Scott Nichols, Simon Wigg, Kelvin Tatum, Jeremy Doncaster, all started on grass. I think I am right in saying, so did the Collins brothers!

Grasstrack is about as close to Speedway as you can get though! It's not a different sport all together! A 500 cc Grass bike is a Speedway bike with rear suspension!

I think a dose of PL Speedway could be good for Peterborough and their fans. They will have a greater number of teams to race against and perhaps be able to create a home grown team. Maybe a part team swap with Leicester?

I agree, Grasstrack should be considered as an amateur training ground for Speedway, especially at centre level. National and international level is different, however, purist Speedway fans will cock a snoot at Grasstrack. The connection with Grasstrack and Speedway in the 60's and 70's was strong, when Speedway flourished. Many riders doubled up in both disciplines, but not so much now. And hey ho, both are struggling. A common denominator I think.

Didn't invite us to the p155 up did they ch958! LOL! I too, do not really understand the post, started to, then lost the plot! LOL!

I reckon Slough Speedway will be running, before even the foundations are laid!

Kerry Gray! Thanks Mike, that's the chap!

I have a feeling this is a type of Grass Track in Australia. There was a rider who came over from Aus, circa 1983, I think his name was something Gray (possibly Chris?) and he excelled at this particular discipline. I believe he may have had some outings with Rye House?

We used to get a lot of raw talent via Grass Track many years ago, but the sport, like Speedway, is dying. Many British Speedway riders from the past started out riding Grass Track and many continued to do both. I am sure I am right in saying that Speedway promoters would only look at a good Grass Track rider if and when the rider decided to take to a promoter's training day. Promoters should be out there watching the Grass Tracks at centre level and scout for the raw talent. In addition, encourage motorcycle clubs to put on Grass Track events. Britain is starved of Grass Track events as clubs are more focused on MX and Trials. If there were more local centre Grass Track events, youngsters, boys and girls, would compete and some, become the stars of tomorrow, both on Grass Track and Speedway.

But there you are, in the days of Peter Collins and all his riding brothers, we had so many British born riders, home grown, riders who rode in Britain year in year out. With so many foreign riders in both the major leagues, there are so few good riders who are British. The promoters really do need to look at the bigger picture, but I am afraid they won't.

As I have said in an earlier post on this thread, unless the engine is a single cylinder engine, burning methanol, ideally lubricated by castor oil and linked up to a counter shaft, many will say 'it isn't speedway'. I can understand that view and hold it too, to some degree. However, we all agree that we wouldlike to see speedway survive into the future and cost control will help achieve that. The MX engine idea is clearly creating a barrier. MX engines have been used successfully for many years in Grass track, but Grass Track has a history of using whatever you can get into a Grass Track frame. Speedway for many years has never had that legacy. The engines have always been specifically manufactured for speedway. Yes, in the pioneering days you would see all sorts of engines on the track. Therefore, for F2 to be successful and I think it could and should be, the bike/engines on offer need to resemble first class machinery, but on a budget basis. Whether that means GM/JRM producing budget versions or sourcing a manufacturer to produce an engine which is cheaper to buy and service. Maybe see what China has to offer? Russia? And perhaps the Royal Enfield people in India, they are used to producing single cylinder engines without gearboxes, although I believe their latest Bullet is a unit engine.

Interestingly, there's the rub, I don't think the average speedway supporter is that worried about the track facilities, they just want good racing, good track surface and value for money! Tarted up stadiums do not automatically provide what I have mentioned.

I hope this is now working, had some trouble yesterday! Like TWK said, I truly hope there are no casualties. It is that time of year when we hold our breath though. Although the economic client is still not good and gates are still not good, I thought speedway was perhaps a little firmer, but maybe I am wrong. I haven't heard any rumours.

This isnt Ray now.... Sorry ray just adding to your post to see if this helps - does it look as if I have done anything different to what you did? Can you edit this? Sending you pm so you know Ive done it!

Personally, in terms of looks, a clean/polished pair of chrome rims under the lights look the dogs cobblers! But all the weight from steel rims, would mean the bike would be a plodder!

Therefore, BAGS subsidises the entry fee. Parlsoes suggested that Saturday night was rammed and the entry fee, as per above, is £7. Does this mean and an old chestnut I know, that if speedway were to lower the entry price, the terraces would be more healthy? Probably with rider demands on what they want, I doubt whether £7 per meeting could be achieved. I wonder what children are charged? I would imagine they enter for free.

If from the above post you are saying Romford is successful and Wimbledon isn't, as a dog venue, why should that be? Is it because 'Essex man' is more of a dog fan than 'South West London man'? Or is the Romford venue, better run/promoted and offers more palatial surroundings?