Old Saint

My memories of the Golden Helmet go back to the 50s and 60s I never saw any in the 70s so I cannot comment. Certainly in the 50s and 60s, a Golden Helmet challenge was regarded as something special and was definitely looked forward to by supporters.

The original Golden Helmet match races were always held before the meeting started. I can remember that they caused a lot of excitement part of which was due, I think, to the fact that they were only held once a month and therefore held a great deal of prestige for the riders and the track holding the event.

I do not condone either drugs or alcohol. My dislike about alcohol is for the very reason that you like it. Alcohol can be overly social as can be seen by the mess left on the streets. An overly large number of crimes are committed while under the influence of drink. Anyone, speedway rider, celebrity or ordinary person, deserves to be punished for any crime committed.

To a point, I agree with your view. Legalising drugs would allow more control over their supply and use but there will always be someone who seeks to make more money out of the situation. Different drugs would be developed and sold illegally as "being better" than those available through legitimate sources or are "free of tax". I do disagree with your comment that dealers are no different to bootleggers, making it seem a somewhat less heinous a crime. Both are/were lawbreakers and sold potentially very harmful substances for a large profit. Bootlegging and drug dealing both involve a large amount of violence. I do find it incongruous that one of the most lethal drugs is perfectly legal and on open sale to anyone whilst other, arguably less dangerous, drugs are illegal. Alcohol is a big money spinner for governments though so I suppose that is why it is treated less seriously.

I believe that there was a post about this somewhere - either on here or the Poole fans forum. Unfortunately, I woke on that day feeling a little under the weather so did not go despite my wanting to.

Whenever you mention a Saints rider, the comment that he was a "gentleman" is almost always made I am proud to have been a Saints supporter and, although I don't remember seeing your grandfather ride, have many happy memories of those days.

Thank you, Yvonne. Your dad is a link to some great memories I have. I am glad that I had the opportunity of watching him ride in a magnificent team at a magnificent stadium - Banister Court.

I know that it is a little early but please wish him a very happy birthday for me

The influence of Sky would not have a bearing on the former's possible inclusion, I suppose? Certainly in the case of Woffendin he has the potential but I think it a year too early for him. As for Edward Kennet, with the utmost respect to him, I can see no logical reason for him to be selected.

More likely the number of Elite meetings are to blame.

I completely agree - especially regarding Test Matches. Whatever the younger members of the team learned will likely be forgotten by the next World Cup. Regular representative meetings allow for experience and learning and also provide an opportunity to forge a team spirit. I have serious doubts about some of those picked but other than to say that there was an obvious lack of skill shown both on Monday and tonight, I shall not say anything about individuals. Again, such skills can be learned through the medium of Test Matches. As for the "we are not expected to win so we shall just go and enjoy ourselves" attitude, can you imagine the Australians for example saying to someone new, "Don't worry, it is your first experience at this level so it does not matter how badly you do."? No. All of those riders expect to win - even inexperienced ones.

BBC teletext carried a report on the SGP. Better late than never.

That is a very silly and insulting thing to say. I am always amazed that so many people believe that to have a "good time" it is necessary to get as drunk as possible. Admittedly, I once felt the same but then grew up and realised that having a good time is a state of mind and has nothing to do with how quickly anyone can get intoxicated. Being considerate to others who also want a good time, is acting responsibly. If others want to have a few drinks, that is their decision but why must I and others have to suffer the nauseating sight and smell of drunks?

That may well be your opinion but I can only speak of my own experience with BSI and it was extremely positive. I would go so far as to say that the service I received was one of, if not the best, I have ever received from any company. May I state for the record that I have no personal connection with BSI or anyone who works for them, nor am I being prompted to make these posts by any such person.

I contacted BSI some years ago about a problem at one of the GPs and, although it had nothing to do with them, I had a very quick reply from Paul Bellamy. From a purely personal point of view, I cannot fault BSI's customer relations in the slightest and would award them the highest praise.

Little bit further back than the 70s: Bjorn Knutson, Briggo, Ronnie Moore, Peter Craven and Ove Fundin. Golden Helmet match races, Characters - Split Waterman, Brian Crutcher, Charlie Knott, Johnnie Hoskins, Rattles, "War chants", Seats, Tidy stadia, Man walking around selling badges, rosettes etc. Rakers and pushers, Well run meetings, World Championship rounds, Chromed bikes, Deep tracks.

The Ariel Leader had all its workings totally enclosed as well. Hated them!

I enjoyed the meeting but was left with the impression that there was a lot more going on than was immediately apparent. Wonder what was behind Greg Hancock's comment that "there was a lot going on behind the scenes" so he would wait and see what happens about next year?

That was my impression as well and would explain how the steel shoe became entangled with Crump's footrest.

Same problem here but then went through the seetickets site and had no problem.

Exactly, as I said in post #3!

If you get rid of all the "man made tracks", there won't be any tracks at all!

Such a question is almost impossible to answer and even harder to get full agreement on. The only person who really knows is the rider concerned.

As you might expect, I heartily agree with your comments about "The Guvnor" How about the "Big Five"? Those five riders took speedway to another dimension with their complete dominance and battles between each other.

Must admit that I have not lived in Southampton for over 25 years now but the Council was not exactly progressive then and from what I hear, nothing much has changed.