The Voice Of Reason

Can't believe some of the 1950's, Daily Mail reading, outdated comments on here.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.

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.

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.

Decent idea to be honest. However, some further points need to be put into the mix. First and foremost, at many tracks that share facilities with stock cars and/or other motor sports, any retaining devices/covers/other items on the centre green MUST be removed at the end of the meeting. Often, that is at the jurisdiction of the landlord, and also to meet safety criteria set down by other sports. Moreover, if these devices, coupled with the covers, were even allowed to be left on the centre green, then they would be destroyed within a few weeks. You only have to see the damage that Speedway Tracks sustain now where facilities are shared. When Sky were in town at Lakeside for Monday night coverage, we'd often set up as much as we could on a Sunday evening. To watch bangers is a bloody nightmare. When they are smashed to the point of utter destruction and have to be towed off, where do you think they are taken? Yep, the centre green - and they are more often than not dragged across the speedway track to get there. Diffs, gearboxes, exhausts, tyre-less wheels, etc. cause deep ruts in the surface that are a nightmare to grade out. The point I'm getting at is that if anything was left on the centre green, basically it would be destroyed. Forgive me, but the average stock car driver is not usually the sharpest pencil in the box, and basically doesn't give a damn about anything in his way; or so it often appeared at our track. So this brings us to the next problem. If covers were required for a track, it would need at least two flatbed trucks/lorries to transport them/store them on after a meeting. That is major additional expense for the promoter; and probably overlooked by many that simply see the only investment being the actual covers themselves. And now, the human element comes into play. At Lakeside, and other tracks whereby the track has to basically be dismantled, it needs a team of at least 15-20 guys to take down, load and store the fencing, airbags, advertising, spectator barriers, etc. With a full crew, it can usually be accomplished within 90 minutes - 2 hours. Very often, they'd be around a dozen of us (max). Now, if there are additional heavy covers, fixings and two additional flat beds to load, then you can add another hour on (at least). Now let's be honest about this. Just how many volunteers do you think come forward, that are physically very fit, willing & able to work until around 1am voluntarily, in the peeing rain, ending up caked in wet shale and all for the love of their club? Well yes, there are some; but believe me, many that join with every best intention last a fortnight at most. Now admittedly, I am looking at the worst case scenario BUT the purpose of this post is just to outline some of the logistical, financial and manpower constraints that also need to be considered. Again, I truly hope that some long-term solution can be found. That said, I don't think that one size will ever fit all; simply because speedway tracks have vastly different criteria and restrictions to work within.

Jim, I'm not trying to make you believe anything. Believe whatever your want old chap. However, just ask yourself this simple question - IF it was possible, then why don't promoters do it, rather than endure substantial losses through rain-offs? And the point that your response DOESN'T address is WHO EXACTLY is going to pull the covers on and off as you suggest? Don't just say the track curator, as a task such as this needs more than just one guy! I'm not going to get into an argument with you; suffice to say that before I worked as a member of track staff, I would possibly have asked similar questions.

Maybe - but remember that the vast majority of track staff work voluntarily; often getting to the track late evening after they've finished work. To get the track fully covered, and subsequently uncovered, in such a short space of time, on either non-race or race day, requires significant manpower and resource that the average Speedway Promoter could just not afford to shell out for; particularly given other financial constraints. In an ideal world, all tracks would have 10-20 blokes on standby to get the track (which are MUCH bigger than they often look from the terraces) covered quickly when rain is due and, as outlined above, IF it actually comes. In the real world, that's simply a pipe dream. I'm not trying to find reasons why it shouldn't be done, or indeed trialled. Believe me, I sincerely hope that a solution can be found. Clearly, nobody likes to have rain-offs. For us supporters/track staff, it's a let down/inconvenience. For promoters, who often have to pay rent on the stadium to a landlord, and wages to riders, etc. irrespective of whether the meeting goes ahead or not, it's an utter financial nightmare.

It's a valid question about covering the track. However, let's consider the following. The track is covered throughout the day and, for example, uncovered at 5pm when the rain stops. In this instance, there is just insufficient time to prepare it properly. If racing goes ahead, it will just be a dust bowl, racing will be at a premium and spectators will go home dissatisfied. Having worked at Lakeside, I learnt a few things. Firstly, a track isn't just prepared a few hours before a meeting; nor even just on the day. In Lakeside's case, their track curator starts work on a Tuesday; grading and watering the track in readiness for Friday night. He's continually grading and watering from 6am until evening each and every day. Track covers would clearly make this task impossible. Secondly, the amount of water that you put onto a track IS an exact science. Having worked all afternoon (until 7pm) sweeping the porridge off the track after morning/afternoon rain, just a 5 minute cloudburst has previously waterlogged the track and took it into a point of no return. It's bloody heartbreaking at times (especially at Lakeside where the entire track's fence panels and airbags have been put up and then taken down again for absolutely nothing - this alone takes at least 2 hours at a time). Some tracks are more susceptible to water than others - depending on the base NOT how much shale is on the surface. Some are clay based and others are chalk. It's an art form knowing just how much water to apply; and having to gauge this with ongoing, changeable weather forecasts. A lot of track curators have access to the most reliable updated weather forecasts via the net; a service (forget it's name) that costs money to use BUT gives updates every 15 minutes. I think it was last year (or maybe the year before) when we saw a huge bank of rain clouds heading our way from the Oxford area around 4pm. It was due to hit us at Purfleet around 7pm. However, in the interim, the wind gathered momentum and it was then due to arrive just after 6pm. So, a track curator has to make a decision of how much water to apply, and more importantly, precisely when to apply it. In this particular instance, the rain blew off course about a mile before it was due to start. So we got let off the hook but due to his experience, Lakeside's track curator (Gerald Richter) made exactly the right call. And that is the next point - the natural elements such as wind and sun. Wind can dry the surface of a track phenomenally quickly, and this again has to be taken into careful consideration. Hopefully, this gives some insight into track prep and the next time we look at our track curators, remember that their job doesn't start and end with them arriving on race day, and simply driving around in a tractor and grading between heats. Without these guys, we wouldn't have Speedway meetings - it's as simple as that. Sometimes, a few may make a wrong call - but let's not shoot them for it. So having flown off at a tangent (apologies), it just isn't possible to cover a track. The material (not just the top layer of shale) needs to breath in order for us to watch good racing on a well-prepared, consistent surface. And if you ask most riders (who generally fully appreciate that all tracks are different) it's a consistent track that they are looking for mostly - in order to perform their job safely and to their best of their ability.

NO outdoor speedway track can absorb 9 hours of (more or less) constant, heavy rain. Drainage doesn't even come into it. However, just bear in mind the phenomenal amount of meetings staged by Leicester in 2012; despite it being the wettest year in our history.

I believe that his plan is to be back on a bike and practising within the following week.

On hindsight, possibly the best stance to have taken from the outset?

So are you suggesting that he's not telling the truth then? Based upon what evidence exactly? What would YOU have done to improve the track; I'm asking that particular question based upon the assumption that you have the experience of being a Speedway RIDER and not simply a Speedway SUPPORTER?

Apparently, Bomber has had a practice session on it - and given it a thumbs up. No disrespect, but I'd personally take the advice of Chris Harris re: overtaking lines and track shape rather than words of wisdom from supporters - particularly when their only experience of a speedway track is being in the grandstand looking at one.

I agree with so much of what's been said. However, the single most important issue in my eyes, is the price of admission. Particularly in these austere times, it's one hell of a lot of money to pay; particularly for a family. Despite an argument to the contrary, at the end of the day we are actually getting around 15 minutes of sport to watch for our £16+. Now I'm a Speedway die-hard, but even I can appreciate that's a lot of dosh to pay out - particularly in The Elite League whereby the increasing number of 6 man teams consist of, what appears to be, a never-ending stream of guests and lower league riders (no offence intended to these blokes).