Parsloes 1928 nearly

Hmm, have a look at the BL top twenty averages for the years 1972 to 1978 and seriously claim that the quality of riders was not better then than now? Sure a lot of you won't have seen many or possibly any of the riders who appear in those averages but these are complete legends of the sport... How many riders riding in last year's EL will go down in history in the same way..? The quality in that era was unquestionably higher than now. But every sport has a golden age and outside of that has to muddle through and Speedway still delivers a good product - but we DO need to more people through the gates...

Eastbourne did indeed stand-out as having exceptionally good 'second halves'. I remember my first visit to Arlington in 1973 had a second half event, The Speedway Mail Trophy with invited riders from other clubs... Also the next season in one second half, former Eagle and by then a Div I rider, Gordon Kennett came and rode match races. He had a dead heat with Paul Gachet and also rode against mult-World Finalist Mike Broadbank(s)! This criticism of looking back is a strange one. Are you saying that there's NOTHING from Speedway's now 85 year history in the UK worth re-visiting as an idea? Even though over most of those 85 years those previous ideas were bringing in far bigger crowds than the sport gets today..?!

Thanks. Though I hope not as was HOPING to fit in an afternoon meeting at Leicester before going onto Stoke to see the Kent Kings' first-ever away match in the evening.. Could be wrong but I'd have thought being the Under 15s etc. and a long meeting in terms of number of races, an afternoon start-time might be more likely...?

Sorry to 'interupt' the PL thread but as the Lions' website is 'silent' on the matter, does anyone on here know the start time for the meeting at Beaumont Park on Sunday 12th. May - the opening round of the GB Youth Champs??

Well you did question my age recently (52 btw...) - but I clearly AM hold enough to remember second halves in their pomp and you can't be, as I can assure you the second halves of the 1970s were NOTHING like you describe. Riders took them every bit as seriously as the main meeting. Stand-outs in my mind were the incredible race between the late Tommy Jansson and Gordon Kennett when Wimbledon visited White City for the opening meeting at Wood Lane in '76. Tommy won an absolute classic race. And the year before on the eve of a World Final which was to see Tiger beat Mauger in a rostrum place run off, when John Louis beat the great Kiwi, then of Exeter to bring the house down in a second half final at Foxhall Heath. The fact I remeber these great races and they were second half finals says it all!

Get ready for equally battling qualities down at Central Park then Malc! Not pre-judging anything, but if I were you i'd keep that famous pony-tail well protected under your trademark baseball cap, as a man with natty strides and a pair of big scissors could be lurking around the place!!!

Very perceptive and respectful summing up by Mr Craze - clearly a well-informed coroner. The words used, "Brave, courageous, extremely talented and experienced": Sums up a great man and a great rider and a great tragedy.

Why would 'satellite coverage' affect the live attendance..? Yes, the best venue would certainly be the OS in London (yards away ironically from the scene of the LAST venue to see a World Champ crowned in this country!)

And when the last time the UK staged a GP near enough the end of the series to have stood any chance of it being decisive? We've gone from being the country who ALWAYS used to see the World Champ crowned to one which will NEVER do!! I'd take my chances on a WF here every five years!

This comment simply makes not one tiny bit of sense... Why would a World Final held in the UK be held at Scunthorpe...? It would clearly be held at the Millenium Stadium and would without question attract a higher crowd than the SGP round held at that same venue currently gets.. Give me just ONE reason why your 'argument' holds any currency whatsoever!

When you got near the sea shore and saw the yellow stuff - did you say, 'Hi Beach'..?!

Tbf (and please note, I've NOT been one of those pointing out any spelling corrections), but this is - mainly - a list of riders' names; and so it is right that, as they are names - IF spelt incorrectly through either a typo or misunderstanding - this should be pointed out so they can be corrected... 21CH certainly hasn't taken any offence and I'm sure it never even crossed his mind to do so!! What was the qualifying period in terms of numbers of matches raced then..?

I thought Connor Coles would be a 3.00 rider...: did he ride enough NL matches last year to get that 4.30 average...?

Certainly is a stronger and more evenly-balanced division this term. Look at the Young Stars for example; THAT'S most certainly not a wooden spoonist line up this time! Last season (with my emphasis on duties in the AJL) was the one where I saw less third tier racing than at any time for a decade; but in 2013 I am MASSIVELY looking forward to enjoying as much NL racing as is humanly possible!!!

My comment is: what a bloody superb effort! Many thanks for doing this, it's really excellent!

That will be good then!

Well yes and so is a whole load of other info, Bryn but this is the BSF and normally likes to be self-sufficient too in so matters!!! You're a star mate! The averages would indeed be handy. Perhaps Bryn knows them..?!

Anyone know what start time is proposed for the May 12th. Rd One meeting at Beaumont Park? Hoping it's early afternoon so can fit this in and Kent's opening NT fixture up at Stoke!

Hmm, as bit cheeky this request (coz I suppose I COULD just do it meself!), but wondered if anyone was thinking of opening up a 'sticky' thread for Confirmed NL Signings for 2013..?

Interview with Marc in a recent Speedway Star. Still got side effects from his head injury. Am sure everyone wishes him well. I think Marc was probably the most talented 14-year-old I've ever seen and I'm sure he can bounce back from the several injury set-backs he's had since then had to realise his brilliant potential.

Yes I do think with a brand new track like this challenging for silverware (remember the season starts off with the Trophy) will indeed further press interest (already excellent in the county) and will add numbers to the gate. Looking good!

I agree Stevie had and I think still has that potential. But this isn't a fall from grace so much as the beginning of a comeback - because he has had a spell out and indeed was concentrating on other sports so I hear - it's fantastic news in particular for the Kent club to have such a local star at their disposal: one to capture the imagination.

By the way it's "you're" not 'your' and criticise is spelt with an 's' not a 'z'... Just saying!

There's a Stadium Rd. and Stadium Retail Park in St. Austell which was the site of the Cornish Stadium home of the 'Gulls' Speedway team up to 1963...

Wooden stands and stadia only really got the kiss of death post the Valley Parade (Bradford City FC) fire. Wonder actually how the wooden terracing at Plough Lane has continued to get a safety cert.