The Voice Of Reason

Jeez. So you don't like people smoking spliffs (albeit for their own, harmless recreation) and you'd also ban nicotine and alcohol. I bet you're a riot down the allotment.

Maybe if millionaire's weren't given tax refunds by this dire, two-faced 'we're all in it together' government; whilst multi-million pound making businesses weren't screwing HMRC, then I may agree that the deficit within the NHS needs seriously looking at. At the same time, if you cannot see that this current 'crisis' is simply a tory led initiative to privatise health care, then you sir are severely blinkered.

Can't believe some of the 1950's, Daily Mail reading, outdated comments on here. Never had a spliff in my life. However, I smoke normal fags, and always will. I also like a pint. Are these also drugs? Am I an addict? And the high and mighty'ness of those on here jumping onto soap boxes and spouting the 'but it's illegal' rant - it truly beggars belief. Well, got a question for you lot. Next time you find yourselves driving over the respective speed limit(s), I do hope that given your 'holier than thou' attitudes, it will see you all driving to the nearest cop shop and handing yourselves in with the words "it's a fair cop guv, I've been speeding and as that's illegal, I need to be punished accordingly". As speeding takes more innocent lives than someone smoking cannabis, I'm sure that you'll all do the right thing.

Have to agree somewhat. When you consider pricing v VFM, I find it very difficult to see where the next generation of new support is going to come from. However, promote it successfully and have £10 ticket deals, and you just may notice an increase in spectator levels (as I recently witnessed at Parry Barr).

Interesting to see that there isn't a Lib-Dem in the line up. Just as well really. They would have looked at Speedway Admission Pricing; and Students promised free admission, would have ended up paying three times as much!

Indeed it was. I stand corrected. Just to add, that I think Peter Shroek may also still be UK based. When I worked down at Lakeside, another guy on the track staff was a regular at Rye House, and apparently Peter often makes an appearance.

When Len pushed to sign Jens and Peter, he had newly introduced European Employment Law on his side if I'm honest. Plus, in the case of Jens, he was married to a girl (Elaine) from Peterborough. They had kids together, Jens moved lock, stock and barrel to the UK from Denmark in 1982, so it would have been extremely difficult not to grant him a licence to ride. Also, let's not muddy the waters. The introduction of so many foreign riders into British Speedway can possibly be laid clearly at the feet of the promoters themselves - NOT the foreign riders that genuinely WANT to ride in the UK! There are some EL clubs (thankfully not mine) that appear to be anti-British in their approach to team-building. Why? I really don't know. For example, in the case of Richard Lawson, our gain is certainly Peterborough's loss (and I don't mean to single out the Panthers, this is just a prime example that springs to mind). At the end of the day, maybe we actually need to look at re-structuring a Speedway Meeting? For example, it is rare for a number 6/7 to race and win against an opposing team's heat leaders. To this end, why not look at additional heats OTHER than Heat 2 where reserve just races against reserve? None of us want to see a novice/low-scoring rider out-classed. That isn't good for either his confidence, point-scoring potential (and finances) and/or our entertainment. HOWEVER, if we have a reserve that's flying, why not let him still have the potential for more rides? It would also ensure that those heats containing just numbers 1-5 would also potentially be more entertaining. Am I missing something - or is this just something so bleeding obvious, that I've been asking this question to myself for years?

I wish those associated with The Dons every success in their bid to get the bikes roaring around again in South West London. However, and with all due respect, would it not be more advantageous to set up an online petition to the aforementioned parties? I would imagine that the amount of Speedway fans within the London area is now quite low. Many of us have moved out - but would dearly love to show our support. Writing letters is (unfortunately) a dying art form these days for many. To this end, an online petition may possibly generate a much greater response? Once again, sincere best wishes in your efforts. Oh for the days of Speedway at Plough Lane, and my beloved Waterden Road.

Don't disagree with any of the above but are we, as a fanbase, tolerant enough to go through 5 years or more of further sub-standard teams? Let's be honest, there are enough whinges already (and quite rightly so) about the lack of GP/World Class riders within the Elite League. If, as I believe tracks should, have a minimum British rider level, where would that decision sit with the average supporter? There would be moans of a further 'watered down product'. We are not tolerant as supporters. If a British rider is brought into a team at Reserve, he isn't given the opportunity, and the necessary time, to develop in my honest opinion. Supporters deem that rider not to be good enough; and more often than not, he finds himself taking a backward step into the PL and, at best doubles up with an EL team. As supporters, we place pressure upon our respective promotions to make changes. It appears these days that all we want to do is win. Doubt it? How many changes did EL teams make by the end of May this year (my own included)? Unfortunately, the only way that I can ever see a quota system operating, and for British riders to be accepted by many, is to amalgamate the Premier and Elite Leagues. The fact remains that the Elite League is now anything but 'Elite'. And to add insult to injury, we have a Team GB Manager who seems only too ready to look to the four corners of Europe for new riders; rather than developing home-grown talent. That, to my mind, is truly incredulous. When I first started watching Speedway in 1975, the British League was undoubtedly the best in the sport. Nearly every World Championship/International level rider rode for a BL team. These days, that simply doesn't happen. The reason, as hinted above, is partly due to the dire GP series that we now have within the sport. I detest it. I won't even watch it. Then we come to the crux of the issue - funding. Due to advancements in machinery and it's ongoing spiralling costs, a rider needs a great deal of money these days to be truly competitive within the top division. Yes, he needs to have the self-motivation and professionalism BUT without necessary sponsorship, how far can he truly progress? Where is the financial support to help him take that next step up the ladder? If it isn't forthcoming, then can we honestly blame younger British riders for apparently not progressing? Now let's look at the support that these guys get from the terraces as they start out within the sport. If you truly want British riders to progress, then ask yourself this question. When did you last visit a National League track? When did YOU last demonstrate the commitment and enthusiasm that you expect from the younger British riders? A couple of years ago, my own Club (Lakeside) re-created The Hackney Hawks. We entered the team into The National League. I was actually surprised at the overall good standard/quality of racing. Unfortunately, the lack of support on the terraces was a complete and utter disgrace if I'm honest. It only lasted one season as the promotion simply could not afford to continually endure the financial losses. Yet, guess what people even at my club moan about? The lack of British riders, and Friday nights during the season when there isn't any speedway. You really couldn't make it up.

Really? I thought most of Eastbourne's crowd were still trying to get in using ration coupons!

To be honest, I always buy a programme when I go to away meetings - although the information about my team within is pretty sparse, outdated, factually incorrect or even all three. Why do I buy them? Because I know it adds just a few bob more to that particular club's bottom line. At the end off the day, I know how much these things cost to print - believe me, they aren't cheap! Scrapping/recycling them would be financial suicide. Also, bear in mind, that when your club's commercial manager goes out pre-season to scoop up sponsorship from local businesses (which must be a nightmare job these days), their advert within a programme is an additional selling point. Company's like to know that their message is getting out there to local, potential customers. That said, if I could just BUY a single page scoresheet at away meeting for, let's say 50p, then I probably would. The profit margin for the club would actually be higher. Just an idea.

During my time at Lakeside, injuries have thankfully been a rarity; particularly over the past few seasons if I'm honest. Just an observation from the other night at Perry Barr. The floodlight posts look decidedly close to the safety fence - and don't have any tyres around them. The wire safety fences along the straights look quite low. I dread to think of the outcome should a freak accident happen (as they often do in the sport) and a rider got catapulted over the top. Unfortunately, despite my biased opinion of Hackney being the best racing trick in the history of British Speedway, we had a few fatalities; and quite a few bad injuries were sustained over the years. But my memories do go back to the 70's and 80's - when safety standards were not deemed as important as in the current era.

MFE - think you must have missed the fact that we had a reserve at number 7 who was 'uncompetitive'.........despite beating Harris, Auty, Barker and King (twice!) during the course of the evening? As mentioned, pits at a number of tracks are now open pre-meeting. Certainly at Lakeside, our riders (and many away riders too) make a lot of effort to engage with fans. Myself, and the other Lakeside M/E's, also used to talk many supporters over what checks we had to do on the bikes pre-meeting, etc. and many riders are only too pleased to pose for pics with the kids sitting on their bikes, signing autographs, etc. However, when the bikes are warming up, it becomes quite a dangerous enclosure. Engines and silencers become extremely hot; there are tripping hazards everywhere - and that's clearly not a safe environment for children. Moreover, during warm-up, this is the time when mechanics are busy making last minute adjustments, and riders need to focus their minds upon their racing. I'm certainly not knocking what you are saying. Engagement is key - but there are limitations. As suggested, get along to the pits early doors and enjoy your time.

Here's an opponents take on last night (sorry, would have posted sooner, but my local in Nuneaton does a decent lock-in ). - Arrived at 7pm only to find promotional people giving out concession tickets like an 18-30's Rep dishes out condoms. To this end, I have to question why the Birmingham promotion even bothered with sending them out in the first place? - Great to see a big crowd taking advantage of the offer - let's hope that Birmingham Speedway get some regulars from the exercise. - Superb track and a professional promotion throughout the meeting. - A meeting that, if nothing else, proved that Double Tacticals and the odd point for an away loss actually benefit the overall outcome. - it was all to play for in Heat 15. - Not having PK is actually like losing two men away from home. - Lewis grow up son......Bjerre may have blocked you for the first lap, but grow a pair and get over it. - Ben Barker - in a similar vein, was the two finger salute to Watty after Heat 15 really necessary? Another little Chav that needs to grow up and act like a mature man. - question to my promotion...........did we really get rid of a young rider like Kim Nillson and replace him with a has-been like Ulamek for any specific reason? Please tell me I'm dreaming. - Yes, we fought back. However, if I'm totally honest, Birmingham were worth all 3 match points. So, there you go. Best of luck Brummies for the rest of the season. I really think (maybe even hope) that it could be your best yet!

I am actually now going as, at the end of the day, I want to support my team. If it costs more, then so be it. As I said, money wasn't/isn't the issue. The principle is. However, let me make it quite clear that it doesn't need me to make the promotion look amateurish in THIS particular instance. I'm not the only one on this thread who's tickets haven't materialised - despite ordering them last Friday around 9am. So are you suggesting that we are both liars? So, just for the record, no I'm not making it up. I always enjoy going to Perry Barr; irrespective who wins. I'm a Speedway supporter and, at the end of the day, enjoy watching good racing. Perry Barr is a track where that anyway is generally delivered. As it's also one of the closest tracks to my home, going to watch Lakeside there is a no-brainer. Oh, and finally, in relation to the Lakeside issue. You are wrong.......yet again. I have never paid 17 quid to watch as I get in for free. I was one of their Machine Examiners up until this season. Here's a shovel mate.........want to bury yourself a little deeper?

Seconded CityRebel. Whilst the dosh saved isn't the difference between life and starvation, I've decided that I'm going to miss tonight. Many thanks for the kind offers from Brummies fans that have spares but, as I say, my decision is purely based upon principle. You don't offer something then fail to deliver. It's totally bloody unprofessional. I was quite honestly bringing along two first-timers from my darts team, and my Bro In-Law (also a first timer but heavily into road racing, and now finally getting interested in Speedway) was coming from Tamworth. It's one thing to have a sound marketing idea, but clearly the promotion/back-room staff at Perry Barr can't organise a p*ss up in a brewery. Oh well, three potential new fans (and myself) that now won't bother. And most teams these days are forever harping on about low attendances. I wonder why?

Well, as of today's post, my discount vouchers (ordered Friday morning) have failed to materialise. Of course I'll still make the trek but, if I'm honest, I can't see the other blokes I was bringing from my local pub in Nuneton, actually bothering now.

Bends at Lakeside are 'tight'? Really? To the best of my knowledge, they are two of the widest bends in British Speedway.

If memory serves me right, I think a few Mildenhall riders were Spanish. They certainly knew how to use their 'El Bows' around West Row. Can you imagine it though - Speedway in Spain. Meetings being cancelled because it's too hot and dry! If only...........

I'm quite certain that the local Council's Health & Safety Executive has no jurisdiction whatsoever relating to a speedway track's perimeter (fencing), the track nor the infield - unless, of course, the track is actually owned by that respective council. The aforementioned are strictly under the ownership of a club's promotion; who must subsequently comply with SCB Regulations regarding track and safety standards. Other aspects of the stadium, etc. certainly are under the local and county council's/emergency services jurisdiction - but the perimeter fence, track and infield are not. The HSE have absolutely no authority over these aspects whatsoever. A track homologation certificate is issued by the SCB, and is valid for three seasons. This covers all aspects of the track, it's size, construction, type of fence, neutral zones, lighting and infield zones. Any deviation from the certificate must be bought to the attention of the SCB immediately who, at their discretion, may order a re-inspection. Moreover, it is general practice for a referee to inspect the safety fence prior to the meeting, and to include the details of his inspection within the meeting's summary report. Any requirement for remedial actions is reported to the SCB for them to pursue. Rest assured, if failures are noted, these are fed back via Rugby and subsequently re-inspected before the following home meeting, by the referee, to ensure that repairs, modifications, etc. have been duly actioned. On the matter of air fences. I doubt whether anyone can disagree that there are substantial benefits regarding their contribution towards safety within the sport. However, they are extremely costly and, the point that I haven't seen mentioned to date within this thread, is that air bags have a limited shelf life. They are certainly NOT a one-off purchase. In my experience, one of the major problems appears to be burn holes appearing underneath when a bike gets trapped - and the silencer/engine burns(s) into it. They are designed to be fire-retardant but the material certainly melts under such extreme heat. Repairs are possible; initially with cable ties and thereafter, more permanently with new vinyl being patched in. Another problem, on the older type airbag design, is that the heavy duty zips become worn and eventually break. The Velcro strips (that hold advertising hoardings) also become worn and need to be replaced. To this end, even during the life of an airbag, there are constant, ongoing repairs. These aren't quick fixes; so another point is that a track needs to have a significant number of spare bags as replacements - temporary or otherwise. Another cost is the generators; coupled with the fuel to keep these working throughout a meeting. However, these costs pale into insignificance when you consider the next one - namely, the purchase of at least one flatbed lorry or truck! Think about it folks; at tracks where the airbags have to be taken down and stored (because of other things such as stock cars, etc.) you also have to find significant, and secure, storage space for the vehicle/bags. In other words, purchase of the airbags is just one aspect to consider when considering overall costs! Just to add that unzipping airbags after a meeting, particularly when they are caked with wet shale is an absolute bloody nightmare. They also weigh a ton - and generally take at least four blokes to fold and lift onto the back of a trailer. I can say through experience that, especially when it's peeing down with rain, it's not particularly a lot of fun.

Irrespective of the hurdles outlined above, if you look at the current Football Association's 'Safety Stadium Management' guidelines drawn up after the Taylor Report, etc. I think you'll find that there are major implications in using Brandon. There would need to be significant investment. It would then beg the question as to whether this investment would be a viable proposition given the reduced attendance numbers - due to, for example, the installation of additional seating and mandatory safety controls (such as CCTV). If we are talking about a whole new dual-purpose stadium being built, then that's another issue. However, there are major obstacles to overcome if the plan is to move to Brandon, and I just don't perceive that it will ever happen. And the fact remains that whilst the stadium is on the doorstep of the Daily Mail reading Hyacinth Buckets of this country (how poignant the series was filmed in the area) then they appear to hold a lot of sway over the prominent pen-pushers at Warwickshire County Town Hall.

Those numbers, in my honest opinion, have the depth of a grain of sand. Anyone doubt it? Tell me how they managed to poach Worrall away from Lakeside then. Maybe they've got the same accountant as Ken Dodd.

So should the same have applied to Peterborough last year, when a certain bloke known as MJJ pulled out of your Away fixture at Lakeside a couple of days before the meeting with a 'bad back' YET YOUR CLUB'S PROMOTION already had Bomber booked in for the meeting as a replacement for him a fortnight previous? People, glass houses and all that. ;-)

So many great memories of my beloved Hawks. This is a VERY interesting article on your brilliant site. Hope that you don't mind me quoting it - as it epitomises the type of excellent content of your site Dave. Maybe, there's a lot of 'food for thought' in Uncle Len's marketing techniques of 45 years ago, in order to kick start some (most?) tracks even in this day and age? An Open letter to Tracktopic man PETER OAKES from Hackney boss LEN SILVER DEAR MR OAKES, During the winter months 1 have quietly endured the inferences in your column that West Ham, or more correctly, Dave Lanning is the only London promotion that is publicity conscious. You have jibed that West Ham have gained space in the wintertime newspapers while others have slept. Oh Mr Oakes, how wrong can you be? Certainly it must be admitted that West Ham have gained space in the newspapers, but what have we read? The big story was the Sunday racing one . . . and what a silly farce THAT turned out to be! Other stories have had little or no consequence, like the tale about Harrfeldt buying some roses. All good strong stuff. But what were we doing while Mr Lanning sat behind the phone talking to his newspaper colleagues? Well, we decided to get our priorities right, and to this end put in a terrific amount of physical work at the stadium so that when the people come, they have a show to see that is worth seeing. Then and only then we thought about publicity and appointed a P.R.O. Mr Peter Douglas. Quietly he went about his business, making his contacts with personal visits and generally making friends of the people who matter. While West Ham released their silly little stories, we were working for a big splash when it mattered most, the very eve of the season. And what a splash we made! With near perfect track conditions at our Press Open Day at the "Wick" the riders were able to put on a fine display of racing for the press and TV and film men present, The result? Half a column in the "Daily Express" that dwarfed all of West Ham's pieces put together! Pathe Newsreel coverage in EVERY A .B.C. cinema three days before we opened and a firm promise of a Speedway programme on TV's "Blue Peter" and a feminine angle in a famous woman's magazine: All this in addition to tremendous local coverage. But were we content to sit back on our laurels? Not likely! We then personally distributed 50,000 yes, 50,000 handbills in East and North London and placed posters ill every conceivable place. Our loudspeaker van also flooded the area with music and news about our opening meeting, if we don't get a crowd on Friday, it certainly won't be for the want of trying, So please, Mr Oakes, be sure of your facts before you criticise. LEN SILVER

Hackney Speedway (Waterden Road) 1. Barry Thomas 2. Andy Galvin 3. Bo Petersen 4. Dave Jessup (always an away rider, but pure entertainment to watch) This is going to sound extremely biased but I truly believe Hackney was the absolute pinnacle of Speedway Tracks for overtaking/close racing. It always appeared ultra-grippy with a raft of different racing lines. The banking on the fourth bend was steeper than anything I've ever seen elsewhere; to the extent that I've seen Barry Thomas come from 3rd/4th to 1st place on ONE bend many times over the years. Hyde Road may have been fast and pacey and was undoubtedly a great track. However, due to the home team's strength/dominance, I never saw as much passing there, compared to our humble little place in Waterden Road, east London. In the good old days of The Speedway Mail/Speedway Star, a regular feature was 'Rider Profile'. It never ceased to amaze me how so many British League (thereafter National League) riders regularly rated Hackney's track so highly. The track may have gone and my beloved Hackney no more. But my happiest memories of Speedway are here to stay.