steve roberts

Thanks for that. I respect your findings regarding recent years however I have no working knowledge or understanding of current speedway regulations and have stated all along that my views and opinions were based on my experiences of attending speedway up until 2003. Interesting all the same.

But what are the facts? As I have indicated heat formulae have altered over the years so it's very difficult, if impossible, to compare like with like as the examples I gave in an earlier post indicated. Personally I'm not sure why people have an issue with tactical moves in sport...in football a defender maybe replaced by an attacker in the hope of pulling a goal back or vice versa. I'm sure that tactical ploys are also active in other sports. I just didn't like the 'double points' scenario later adopted in speedway...wasn't the system abused during a Speedway World Cup Final or something? I can't recall the facts (after my time!).

...that scenario wouldn't have taken place under the tried and tested 13 heat formula. In fact subsequent heat formulae have varied considerably since with both fifteen and sixteen adaptations over the intervening years (The National League operated a 16 heat formula during the late seventies early eighties). During the late 80's/early 90's (?) heat 14 was often a reserve only heat prior to the last nominated 'top scores race'. In fact I do recall one season at least whereby the last three (?) heats were all nominated thereby negating that scenario. ...I recall having the misfortune of standing next to a Wolves fan at Monmore Green who continually barked at all those surrounding him if they dared to disagree or contradict him. Sound familiar?

...never said I did however I prefer to take on board what John Berry had to say than your good self!

Have to agree...his books and comments in the 'Backtrack' Magazine were always worth reading. Sometimes controversial but personally I feel he was up there with the best! Yes all genuine promoters who knew the sport inside out. Interesting comments Humph! Remember, with relish, the two matches when Oxford came from eight points down with four heats to go if I recall (perhaps Rob can clarify) during the 1984 season at both Wimbledon and King's Lynn (much to Martin Rogers' disgust!) On both occasions 'The Cheetahs' claimed three 5-1's in the last four heats using tactical moves and riders raising their game to achieve narrow wins! Brilliant stuff! Of course it happened against us on occasions when 'we wuz robbed' during last heat deciders but I remember reading ivan Mauger's book when he commented how satisfying it was to pull a match out of the bag with a last heat 5-1!

Agree Sid! He would have been the right man for the job but when his name was put forward he did the sensible thing and backed off because he soon realised that he wouldn't get the necessary backing from the Promoters of the day to implement his recommendations...an opportunity lost in my view. As regards the Tac.Sub. rule I do remember Exeter occasionally naming Ivan Mauger as number two at the County Ground to deflect any possible tactical moves by the opposition! That was the days when you could declare your 1-5 in any order and not based on average. Number Four was another that was used to that effect, especially when riding away, to give the team a strong last heat pairing. Both Exeter and Belle Vue (amongst others) used that tactic often.

To quote John Berry (who I admired and corresponded with on a couple of occasions) from his most excellent book 'More Confessions' "...the tactical substitution rule was there to keep interest in a match when it was becoming one-sided. It would have been pointless had it not allowed a team the opportunity to actually get back into a winning position but merely closed the gap a little...I find the current replacement (c2006) for the tactical substitute to be a poor alternative. I am not one of those "purists" who screamed about Mickey Mouse aspect of the new rule. After All, the Tac.Sub. rule itself was hardly 'equitable'. No, I just think the new rule is transparently artificial as to look silly"

It was interesting, however, that when Arena Essex (as they were then known) first entered speedway (1984) with a fenceless track it proved unpopular with some riders (Barry Thomas in particular) who argued that they were unable to gauge the exterior of the track often over running. I well recall the sight of marshals having to dismantle the starting tapes post and running with it to the centre before the bikes entered the second lap!

That 'Flying Pig" is having a whale of a time at the moment!

Great image...but look at that safety fence! Some great looking motorcycles!

Sad news indeed.

If I recall the Speedway Star used to quote the British attendance figures during a short trial basis?

Interesting article in the recently published magazine 'Broadslide' which has an article about "Board Track Racing' in the States and how it was deemed too dangerous and a loose surface was soon adopted and, as they say, the rest is history!

Interesting articles in the recently published magazine 'Broadslide' regarding engine developments over the years...recommend the magazine to anyone who's interested in the technical side of the sport.

As a matter of interest does anyone remember how the R/R/R was administered during the seasons of 1976 & 77? I recall Gordon Kennett being able to take up to two rides for the missing Dag Lovaas but towards the back end of the 1977 season wasn't able to take any. I know that it was obviously based on averages and recall Henny Kroeze being the first rider to achieve a seven ride maximum when Halifax were utilising the facility in 1976 (?) It was always very confusing I seem to remember.

Never said anything about whether the system was fairer...only that I didn't agree with the 'double points' scenario. As I commented I can't comment on any present legislation as I'm unfamiliar with the present day ruling as regards the T/C implementation.

Just bout it today...looks good!

Personally I never had a problem with the old Tac Sub regulation (don't know how it's administered nowadays for obvious reasons) despite its flaws...but the 'double points' scenario just didn't/doesn't add up in my view...and it was a view shared by John Berry who I admired greatly. I used to have more issues with the R/R/R whereby it was changed constantly in its interpretation and subsequent administration causing confusion on many occasions...not only with fans but with Team Managers also! Also silly regulations that didn't allow Team Managers the choice of whom to place where in riding number order (other than the reserves of course).

How's that?

I stopped attending speedway many years ago (well documented on this forum elsewhere) but regulations that constantly changed were a real bug-bear with me at the time. However the introduction of the 'Joker' was one of the silliest in my view. As a matter of interest is there any other 'professional' sport in this country that has a similar ruling? Two 'boring' sports (in my view) which would benefit from such an initiative would be snooker and Formula One!

Never liked the joker 'thingie' where points counted double. If I recall the rider chosen started 10 yards (?) back and if was successful and managed to win the race (with a little help from his team mate who would spend a best part of the race looking behind him...which I always thought was an excludable offence) allowing him thru' on the last bend to secure an 8-1 heat advantage. I saw it happen on at least a couple of occasions (Martin Dugard was involved in one) and always thought it a joke!

That takes me back days travelling pass the Hoover Building on Western Avenue on my way to White City! One of my favourite buildings as I do enjoy a bit of Art Deco.

Agree with the gate positional change...never liked the idea of 'fixed gates' in the first place as the formula that was in place when I used to go allowed an advantage to any one team who had successive inside/outside gates amongst other issues.

I have stacks of stuff...recommend that you contact Richard Simmons on june451947@aol.com

Always remember Colin shaking his head and waving his arms about at the start line when Hans Nielsen would get yet another fast start from the tapes beating his be-loved 'Heatherns' to the first bend!