oldace

Testimonials are a relic of an era when sportsmen didn't earn the sums they do today and for most by their mid thirties their careers were over. It was intended for those who had never asked for a transfer, to take advantage of better deals elsewhere and had stayed loyal to one club for ten years. the proceeds would often be used to get a foot in the door of the business world. The proceeds were also exempt from tax. Originally all testimonials in speedway were used exclusively in this way but now it is merely for being in the sport ten years, which in reality a goof 50% of riders are going to qualify for. That said these events only happen while there are mugs willing to attend them. Like JL says above when someone like Krzysztof Kasprzak is awarded a testimonial the it really is time to overhaul the system

You have to love your typical speedway fan. Up in arms that they might be denied the opportunity to line the pockets of a sportsman who has probably earned a sight more in his speedway career than they will earn in a lifetime. The whole concept of testimonials and farewells is totally ridiculous. Mercenary riders now get a testimonial for merely being 10 years in the sport rather than the intended 10 years with one club. Promoters can now use it as a bargaining tool, get a rider to agree acslightly less points deal and get the mugs to make up the shortfall in yet another "thouroughly deserved testimonial/benefit/farewell

Well stop posting it then

Your what?

Really, I must have missed those, the only ones I saw from him were total crap

No it just makes you seem stupid.

Fair enough, wasn't aware PC had taken part in another superstars competition after the 1977 one. Yes the supebike 6 was totally unfair on the speedway guys. All the others missed only there own event but the speedway guys were given ridiculous handicaps on the grass that it effectively ruled them out of two events. Plus the fact they were given two stroke bikes to ride which were alien to all of them, don't think Ivan had ever even ridden one.

You are getting confused between superstars and superbike 6. PC took part in superstars in 1977, the event was held a Welwyn Garden City and he finished second to Dutch speed skater Hans Van Helden, he didn't fall in the cycle race, he didn't win it either. He also took part in an event called superbike 6 in 1978, along with Mike Lee and Ivan Mauger from the speedway world. It pitted competitors from various motorcycle disciplines against each other in all the other disciplines other than their own. In the road race event PC took a right purler and I suspect that is what you are getting mixed up with

Yes can't understand what happened with that, it all seemed so plausible as well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Indeed Gemini. Peter Collins finished second to Hans Van Helden in his heat in 1977, not long before the injury that ruined his world final chances

it was Bobby Scwartz. Kenny Carter and Dave Jessup have been on. Dont remember Jan O being on, or PC to be honest but it seems unlikely that he wouldn't have been on

It isnt possible

Because its value as development land is way in excess of its value as a stadium. They will play the long game I am afraid. Sandy Lane will be allowed to fall into disrepair, travellers move in, the site becomes an eyesore etc etc. Ultimately planning permission will be granted. It needs someone prepared to pay way over the odds for it to remain as a stadium

Like i pointed out at the beginning then, just a pile of crap that serves no purpose whatsoever

That was 10 weeks ago now Phil, how many is a "few" Before Xmas has been and gone and no more news

Absolutely, VAT is 20% of the NETT not 20% of the gross

I am going to speak with an old friend in the pub about it all. I bet he will will fall about laughing at the idea and will probably pass the info onto others in the pub who will all fall about laughing

Quite right as well, how unprofessional would it be for anyone to do just that!!!!

I think everyone bar John understood your question perfectly. In the duplicated thread I answered it for you, copied below Of course John then followed with this gem

Yes but seeing as it closed 50 years ago this year you would have to be pushing 70 to have many memories of the Firs!!!!!!!

Nobody was ever seeded to a world final!!! You might want to do a little research. How did Peter Craven qualify in 1956 ? answer, he didn't, he was seeded What about Briggo in 1958 and 1959 or Ronnie Moore in 1960. The Poles had 6 seeded riders in 1970 They had 5 in 1973 They had 3 in 1979 (Zenon Plech, Edward Jancarz & Robert Slabon) What about Jan Andersson in 1980 Or Henny Kroeze in 1987 Is that enough for now

In the same way the tennis requires different skills on the various surfaces

It isn't a different sport in the slightest. It is simply table tennis with a bit of razzmatazz and a few tweaks thrown in It is like saying Premier League Speedway and Elite League speedway are entirely different sports because a few rules and technical differences exist

Freddie Williams won at his first attempt. So did Havvy. Penhall won his second world final (and third) So did Peter Craven, Ole Olsen, Jack Young, Jerzy Szczakiel, So no Tai hasnt broken any records, he hasnt even equalled any

I wonder if this scenario works in reverse. If we are all to bow to PCs opinions as a once great (my favourite of all time to be honest) rider and accept that that greatness will make him a great administrator then surely Matt Ford, for instance, is wasting his money signing and paying the likes of Ward. As a great administrator then surely that would transfer to the track and make him a great rider.