Ray Stadia

Moto Ball! A great interval entertainment! I remember seeing it in the MCN years ago, 'spot the ball' contest. Never seen it advertised though. Is it still going?

'Some' of the names may have changed? I think you will find at some meetings 'many' have changed. It may sound like nit-picking, but many forum members complain about team member inconsistency. How long will they remain fans before calling it a day? Perhaps it is a bit like the old Eric Morecombe gag 'all of the team will be riding for the Club, but not necessarily at the same meeting'.

Will there be a day that an EL rider, when interviewed says something like 'am I riding for Belle Vue today?, sorry, I was riding for Coventry last night and got confused'. Probably difficult to fill in any programme 'neatly' as you are not sure who the hell is in the meeting or in the heat! Yes you may get a muffled incoherent notification over the tannoy!

I do think the original thread poster has a bit of a point. I think we are at the stage in Speedway where the sport is trying to hang on to being a team sport, but pressure is there for it to be individual only. Until the sport is able to field, virtually, the same team of riders week in, week out and season in, season out, the grumbling will continue. It is getting worse and looking through my rose tinted glasses, didn't happen to the same degree, in the not too distant past.

I remember back in the mid 80's seeing Gordon Kennett at the beginning of the season, wearing brand new goat skin leathers, which were very thin looking and I doubt he had much more than a back protector! Having said that, the more protection the better!

I reckon they are going to announce that Speedway will be returning to ITV on Saturday afternoons, 'World of Sport', with Dickie in the chair and Dave Lanning doing the commentary! Free to view. Reason for the delay, they are getting Dickie and Dave down the gym to get them 'fit for purpose'!

We can all see that things are not right in Speedway, but much of the issues are outside of Speedway's control, such as, the state of the economy. I know the politicians would like us to believe otherwise, but we live in the real world. The promoters are the ones that put their 'necks on the line', financially. So obviously we need them if we want Speedway to continue. I think there is a possible belief on the forum, that if you talk something up, it will happen. The movers and shakers in Speedway probably don't read the stuff we post and probably don't give a cuss either! I have learnt over the years in Speedway, if it happens it happens, if it doesn't, it doesn't. But every closed season is stressful for supporters, with the 'will they, won't they?'. I think that will always be the case, even in the 'so called' good times.

I truly hope you are right TWK. I suppose, some of us are suffering from the 'Norwich returns syndrome'. You get carried along with the hype and ballyhoo, only for things to fall flat. Having said that, I was sceptical about Sittingbourne and was proved wrong, so let's see.

Perhaps the rhyme should be..'catch a SKY broadcaster.....' !

Or free beer at all Speedway events for 2014!

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.