oldace

I think that is definitely the case. Polish speedway is currently recreating British speedways mistakes from 35 - 40 years ago. They are paying out more money than is coming in and upping admission to pay for it. While crowds are still high compared to here they are well down on their peak and in real terms speedway in Poland is as expensive, or even more expensive, than here. Like Britain after the war, Poland, post communism, was a nation starved of live entertainment and flocked to the (then) relatively cheap speedway tracks. As Poland becomes more 21st century speedway is slowly not the attraction it once was. The big Sunday afternoon paydays of Poland will fizzle out inside 10 years.

To answer the original question the reason that riders were exclusively riding in Britain was simple. Firstly pre 1989 and the fall of communism Poland, and the rest of Eastern Europe, wasn't readily accessible like today and they certainly weren't awash with money at that time. The odd touring party used to go either way (the Poles often with security to make sure they went home) but that was it. The fall of the Berlin wall opened up Poland to the west and, if I recall, it was Hans Nielsen who first took the opportunity by signing for Motor Lublin? Swedish speedway from the mid sixties was in pretty poor shape and was played out to only a handful of spectators, little money for the home based Swedes let alone flying them in from the rest of Europe. The early 90s saw something of a resurgence and, like Poland, the Eurpean based riders happily jumped on the bandwagon. These things happened at the same time British Speedway was falling from the publics favour and very very quickly Britain went from number one priority league to number 3.

A little research can often save making a right t!t of yourself you know. By the 1970s there were plenty of sports events taking place on Sundays. Those who attended will remember they were all "entry by programme". This was not the matchday magazine as we know it but a liitle flyer flyer type thing that cost whatever the admission would be. This then got you "free admission" As Mr Snackette says this was entirely to do with the lords day observance society regs

With the obligatory "friend in the pub" who couldn't stop laughing when he heard about this scoring system and vowed never to go while it was in place

The final nail in the coffin of rider control was Ole Olsen's refusal to go to Hull in 1976. Rider control allocated him there so he was effectively Hulls rider but he would not ride for them so Hull ended up selling him on to Coventry. Hull got quite a few quid for a rider who had never ridden for them and used that money to lure Barry Briggs out of (a couple of months) retirement.

Ivan didn't decide to leave Belle Vue , in facy he was prepared to give Britain a miss rather than be forced to go to Exeter where rider control allocated him. Of course when John Richards tripled his salary and still gave him the opportunity to race the lucrative Sunday scene on the continent he changed his mind but he had sat out the first few weeks of 1973 before it all got resolved

War or no War, being already dead would have severely hampered his chances

They don't have to put up with it. If they revert to a long stroke motor most of the problems will go away. The silencers have merely compounded a problem that the riders created in the first place.

Of course there is. What kind of shag you like for instance.

No Penny is correct on that. The Scenic Railway had a brake man on a platform at the back of the train. The "bobs" was taken down in 1971 and really never replaced. It was, by the standards of the day" a white knuckle" ride which along with the scenic railway was about the only decent ride in there by then. The scenic railway limped on to 1980 before it too was demolished. By then the fairground was little better (if any) than your average travelling funfair. If I recall THF then leased it out to a third party to run for a couple of years before the inevitable selling off for houses.

Good post. I suspect though that you are mixing up the fairground rides. The bobs did't really afford a view inside the stadium but the scenic railway certainly did, it towered over the first bend with its steep climb to the top. That was most likely the ride you were on

Ingy (Ian Ingleson) sadly died quite a few years ago now

1984. Kenny carter was best man

Hyde Road 418 yards before its final ateration

For sure valley parade was a nail in the coffin of hyde road but its demise really began long before that. Aside from the odd tin of paint thf leisure invested nothing in either the stadium or grounds and by the time bamforth bought the stadium (which by then was the only thing left of belle vue) it really was a crumbling relic. For me the three things that cast a massive shadow over belle vue were the death of pc the first, the accident to wilkie in 1978 and the loss of hyde road

If it happens you can bet your sweet ass i will. I doubt i would ever be a week in week out type fan again but who knows. Might even buy you a pint in there one day old timer.

Although on his day mike lee was no slouch round hyde road. But to answer your question sidney it was really a place like no other. Not just the racetrack but the whole stadium. The old wooden enclosed stands generated an atmoshphere that no where else could replicate. It is true that not every match involved 13 classic races but rarely did you leave hyde road bored. Also back in the day you then moved on ghe funfair or a few beers in the grounds. No doubt it was a place of its time and half of its problem was that it failed to evolve, in fact from the mid seventies it had become s pitiful place to to, speedway aside. I feel priveliged really to have watched most of my speedway there and its demise was really the start of my losing interest in the sport, although i lingered on fir nearly 20 more years

You as well Ticketmaster nigeria told me they had overinvoiced a ticket by 20 million nicker and wanted to share with me. Sent my bank details last week. Will invest a few quid in the aces once the money comes through.

Are you lessening the achievements of a World Champion who didn't do the full qualifying route then. Riders like Barry Briggs and Peter Craven should have wanted to qualify. World finals were known to have as many as 6 wild cards (seeds if you like) but everyone seems to hark on as to how fair the qualifying system was back then

Are you under the misguided opinion that anyone cares what you think. Your opinion is as valid as Tsunamis'. You are both more in the objects of ridicule category rather than someone to be taken seriously. I am pretty sure Shawn wont lose sleep that mr "5 league titles in a row" thinks he is an idiot, in fact he probably sees it as a compliment

So are everyone's Phil, mine included. People are allowed opinions that are contrary to yours without it being slating or moaning. Being doubtful that something will happen is a world away from hoping it doesn't despite what a few wallies on here will have you believe.

And your point?

Admission cost though is relative. For a tenner i expect a tenners worth of entertainment. For £100 i expect to be entertained to that value. For me, and clearly nowadays, thousands of others that vfm threshold was long since tipped into the negative. £20 isnt actually a fortune for a reasonable night out. I have paid a good few hundred for theatre tickets and the pre show meal and been more than happy with the vfm. I have been to speedway for £12 or £13 and felt cheated. What should be worrying the promoters though is that when someone with a love of the sport doesnt want to go what chance of attracting new fans

Well no but i had hoped you might take the hint

Anyway following on from that does anyone have a contribution that is not straight from the mouth of a complete halfwit. How you getting on convincing people of the aces 5 league titles in a row by the way