AndyM

I'm inclined to think that we should take the athletics approach, hold qualifiers and stick to the results, even if they aren't the ones we hoped for. Everyone knows where they stand now. If the results are going to be overturned, it doesn't give any rider an incentive to take part, does it?

OK Sandie, but you can see why people might be suspicious. I'm quite sure there are behind the scenes deals going on in speedway, even if Rory is very ethical and honest.

Suspect Rory sought assurances that he would be selected in advance. Might have been a done deal before the meeting.

The other question is whether the loan of the land is intended to be temporary or permanent. Is the museum a temporary exhibit or a feature of the Park in the eyes of Pete Sampson?

What proportion of the admission charge goes towards the upkeep of the museum, if any? If none, is it still being supported by donations?

True - we are incredibly lucky to have that degree of support, though PPwould undoubtedly factored into that calculation increased revenues they expected to earn.

Following the debate with interest. Paradise Park is a great day out and has a lot of attractions to offer for all the family. My kids have (or used to have) season tickets and regularly go with their mates every Friday during the summer. Not yet been to the museum myself, though it should be accessible separately for those who don't want to do the full park experience. I expect the park owners would object on the grounds that they want to leverage some benefit from having speedway fans visiting, though bringing people to the area and allowing them to see the opportunities should convey a lot of goodwill too. There should be a bit of cross-marketing to advertise both the park and the museum. It's out in Broxbourne woods, a few miles from the sprawling metropolis that is Broxbourne and a short drive from Hoddesdon and Rye House speedway. I live in Broxbourne on the Herts/Essex border and Paradise Park is about 4.5 miles from home.

I was there as a neutral spectator, funnily enough - due to family living in Coventry. Yes, it was a huge crowd and an electric atmosphere, though I think 25,000 is overstating it. The police would probably say 12-15k!

Just makes me think what would happen if clubs were not allowed to sack riders and had to stick with them for a whole season. What difference would that make to team selections?

By arrangement, any friends visiting the museum and Paradise Park could always pop into my place for a cuppa!

OK, so not pre-70s but my hero was and is PC. Watching he and Mort riding for the Aces was a golden era of speedway for me (and Andy Smith as a youngster too.) Speedway will never be that entertaining, ever again... sigh!!

Wonderful idea, bringing back fond memories of the tournaments in the early 70s, though I think you've drilled down to too low a level, Vicar. Sure Australia v Canada or South Africa would be a nice even contest! You could adopt handicapping, of course...

Funnily enough, I have friends who emigrated to Auckland about a year ago. Only asked them this week what speedway was on there nowadays. Still awaiting their reply.

Absolutely - as a rider he was far more unpopular than Mauger in my circles, and in his current role he often seems to go out of his way to antagonise many people. Nevertheless, if he has a constructive opinion on the way ahead let's hear it.

Because there is so much competition for leisure time over here. Sad to say this, but speedway has failed to reinvent itself to keep pace with all the other ways British spectators have to spend their time. It's just not as exciting or interesting, and our promoters have steadily diluted the leagues, tinkered with the rules and left many fans disillusioned. And unlike SCB, I don't agree about cost being the biggest factor. If anything, our sport has become totally devalued and underpriced to make it a viable business. Sure, there are some people for whom that is the deciding issue, but the vast majority of potential and ex-fans will probably spend much more on other leisure pursuits because speedway just doesn't cut it any more. Doesn't matter if you give it away free, you'd still not get the volume of spectators week in, week out that we had even 20 years ago. Unless the sport changes its approach, the haemmorage of spectators will continue and domestic speedway will die out as a viable entity here in the UK. Sorry - doom-mongering over, but what I say is unquestionably true.

Thankfully, he came back for the Aces in 67 and won his 5th title, and the rest is history!!

Quite right. At its best it was a 1-leg contest with the weaker side at home, and just occasionally there were upsets. Also true that the stronger clubs had everything to lose (in terms of reputation and pride) and not a lot to gain - but then, the same is true in the FA Cup 3rd round, and fans love that. Any reason why this event should not capture the imagination? After all, we still go to watch meaningless challenge matches...

Yes, I know that the track record changed with the track, and I'm pretty sure Dave Morton held it at some point thereafter. Makes me wonder what the record might be if the track was open now for riders on modern machinery - probably about 60.4 seconds!

And what about Rex Harrison? Granted his speedway career took a bit of a back seat behind starring in stage and film musicals but I reckon he might have been one of the greats - leg trailing while singing The Rain In Spain? haha

Wot u on about, Schumi? I didn't mention or refer to the Andersen/Hampel clash. Chill! As for Mr Gollob, I watched it several times and it looked as clean a drive through a narrow gap as you're likely to see. Yes, Nicky did congratulate him though I suspect he was cursing a bit in private at being overtaken by anybody once he had his nose in front.

It was a great manouevre, perfectly safe and without touching anybody - vintage speedway worthy of my hero Peter Collins! Nicky was probably shocked that anyone could pulled it off! My point was simply that he's been known to do similar things himself, which is anything but an insult. Do you disagree?

Well that was an incredible final, and one of the few truly worthy of winning a Grand Prix. Fantastic ride by Gollob, though he only seems to do it in front of his own fans nowadays! Bet Nicky is a bit sore after getting a taste of his own medicine!!

Is it me or is that the slickest track on the GP circuit? Appalling!

My son went with his mates on their usual weekly trip to Paradise Park last week. He loved it, though it needed someone to explain to him who all the riders were and what historic events were being commemorated. However, he did say they weren't charged to look around the museum, so I don't know quite how they managed that.

I won't go into the full story, but I once wrote a play about a boy who was intent on committing suicide and did a lot of research into the subject. Still got the books, in fact. What fascinated me was the fact that many people are making a "gesture" and never intend to actually go through with it - just make a cry for help. Yet for one reason or another many people still manage to die pointless deaths because they can find no other way to express their misery. Sad.