chunky

Tommy's son Chris is a regular poster on some of the Facebook speedway groups, so there is certainly still a family interest.

He turned 39 in July 1969, and he retired at the end of the season when he emigrated to New Zealand.

Looking at photos of them, they are two totally different people. I can't find much about about Roy's career, but Ron was a well-known grass-tracker who rode for Swindon and Wolves only.

Well, I figured that from your 'Milky Bar Kid" reference! Thing is, he never achieved any real success (I know he made a few appearances for Scunny), so it wasn't like there were that many pics of him doing the rounds. Thinking about it, I could say the same about a lot of the riders mentioned on here! Unforgettable ones for me were Nigel Rackett and Mark Fordham...

That would have been on Saturday, May 20, 1978, and Belle Vue won 47-31. The other rider in the race was Phil Kynman. Wilkie did win the race in a time of 72.4, and Ivan did finish with 7 (2 - 2 - 3 - EF - 2M).

I don't actually remember what he looked like, but I remember a second-half race in the early seventies. He was against Rocky Coutts, Ian Fletcher, and Graham Crook, and in four separate incidents, all four had fallen before reaching the back straight on the first lap...

And a bow tie!!!

Martyn Charles, Gentleman Jim Dormer, Mark Fordham, Peter Thorn, Bob Abell, Philip Lac-Szyrma, Simon Franks...

I'm with you...

Nothing on the BSF should surprise you....

It's all gone quiet over 'ere...

I recall another case (can't remember the track, though), when residents complained about the year-round noise of speedway bikes all hours of the day and night, most days of the week. And we let them get away with lies like that... Still, we have seen how fact and truth mean nothing when people have opinions.

Some people are just going to moan whatever - and we have several really good examples here on the BSF...

Same as when Long Eaton were fighting to survive, and one of the major issues was that residents didn't want speedway as it attracted the "wrong sort of people" (bikers). Really? If people have a legitimate concern, I have no problem with that, but when they simply manufacture these concerns thanks to ignorance and prejudice (or simply resort to downright lies), then yes, I do...

But you also said that speedway was a "pretend sport"... You really don't stop, do you?

By emigrating, I did not "desert" British speedway. As I said, I have attended many British speedway meetings since I emigrated. I never said I wasn't watching the GP's for free; I said I wasn't doing anything illegal or unethical - which you seemed to disagree with. Reminding you politely that you have the right to remain silent is not an insult. I have never argued that British speedway doesn't have problems, but it doesn't mean that I shouldn't still enjoy it. Are you qualified to tell me what is and isn't a sport? Are you qualified to tell me that I am not a sportsman? Anyway, you also questioned American football, and other "strange sports".

All the things there have been previously posted on the forum, so why should I try and hide them or pretend they never happened? As far as the negativity, that is a general piece of advice - not just for you, because there are others on here who can be pretty negative also. As far as your response to ch958, I am astounded that you consider my post a "rant". It was a simple and non-confrontational post that referred to several previously published comments.

Nobody has been more insulting and personal than you. You are offended by the fact that I "deserted" speedway - even though I didn't. You are offended by the fact I moved to the US to be with the woman I love. You are offended by the fact the SGP provides an internet service for people who can't watch meetings on TV. You admitted - in public - that you don't watch speedway, but you "have it on in the background". When I poke fun at you by reminding people that you "have it on in the background", you are offended, and get insulting. Look, there are things in this world that I don't like, or simply am not interested, but I don't dedicate my life to sharing all my pent up negativity, and lambast all those who don't feel the same way. It is downright insulting for you to claim that fans of modern-day speedway are suffering from "insanity". This world is a depressing enough place as it is, and we don't need people you spreading your negativity about speedway (and don't kid yourself, you are NOT a fan, although you may have been once), other major sports that you refuse to accept, and whatever else you can't tolerate. In my last few years on this planet, I want to focus on things that bring me pleasure (including speedway) without having to deal with nonsense from you trying to convince me otherwise. You may feel that you have the "right" to say whatever you want, but I will remind you that you also have the right to remain silent.

You're one of these people who believe that you have the "right" to say whatever you want, and to air your views whenever you want, aren't you?

I don't understand it either. We had "doubling up" years ago, and nobody complained, yet now, there are those who want to use it as one of the main problems with the sport.

I do appreciate your input. I enjoy a bit of banter, but sometimes - like today - it was a little much. Sorry...

As I've said before. it's so easy to people to blame the rules (which of course, many do), but there are so many bigger issues to blame. Sadly, society has changed, and speedway is trying to keep up with the changes. Trouble is, speedway is pretty unique, and not all the changes are beneficial to the sport as a whole. I always preferred team racing, but with the variety of formats, the sport always remained fresh. The main reason it was so good though, was because we enjoyed watching four blokes wrestling their bikes around a speedway track. The desire to win - plus the fact that competitors are supposedly "entitled" to fame and fortune at something they took up originally for the thrill of it - has had a detrimental effect on so many sports.

I do apologise. I honestly didn't expect him to come back with stuff like this...

Were you up all night thinking of what to say here? Not good during school term...

Well, clearly the only sexual satisfaction you get is from posting such witticisms on the BSF....