chunky

Were I still in the UK, I'm sure I would still attend. Maybe not as much as I used to, but then again, how many tracks I used to visit are still there? Of course, Wimbledon was my first love, but all the London tracks, Arena, Reading, Milton Keynes, Crayford etc, were all within easy reach. Even Oxford and Canterbury weren't bad. I never had a problem traveling further afield, but most of the time, I didn't have to! Those were just infrequent treats. Steve

For me, 1976 was special too, and I thought the GP was brilliant. Unfortunately, it soon lost its way, and I'm not sure why. I don't think there was any need to change things the way they did (perhaps the riders complained a full series was too hard on them, I don't know), but I think it started deteriorating the following year when they moved from a summer series to later in the year... Steve

You know, we wonder why speedway is struggling (in the UK, anyway), and then, we see posts like this... There are quite a few on the BSF wobbling on about how sad it is to see the sport in such dire straits, but are themselves part of the reason. When people say that they have no desire to go ever again (even if it was free, in some cases), whether it is to do with the quality of entertainment, or simply because of rules that no longer apply, then you are contributing to the decline. I'm not saying those people are wrong, but I find it a little disturbing that they still consider themselves speedway "supporters", when the reality is that WHATEVER changes and improvements are made, they are not prepared to watch because of simple stubbornness. For me, speedway is not what it used to be. Football, cricket, and F1 are not what they used to be. Tizer, cough candy, and the dear old Curly-Wurly are not what they used to be. You know what? I still prefer to partake than going without... Steve

That is the thing that saddens me. It's not a case of people not being interested, but the fact that we have gone from the second most popular spectator sport in Britain to something that nobody has even heard of... How the hell does that happen? Steve

Why the hell do people have to go on about speedway bikes having "no brakes"? Just because they don't, doesn't mean you can't stop the ruddy things! If you look at the video posted by Dugard, there was PLENTY of time for Cook to slow down - as he should have done. He didn't make any attempt to slow down until he was right on top of the marshal. Of course, that's assuming he was looking where he was going (and saw the marshal waving a large piece of red cloth in broad daylight). Even though he wasn't racing, he certainly should have been watching. No, I'm not saying Cook deliberately rode into him, but it looks to me that he thought the marshal wouldn't get in his way, which under the circumstances, would be foolish to assume. Whenever you are operating a motor vehicle, you don't just assume that people are going to jump out of the way, particularly in a situation like this. Okay, the marshal may have been better not stepping in front of him, but you know, in most situations, the rider would have at least attempted to slow to a crawl at least. The other riders on track didn't seem to have any any problems slowing down and stopping, did they? Steve

I was at the final in 1976; the first of my many visits to Wood Lane. Not sure about tv coverage, because there is nothing on YouTube. Steve

That was certainly the system in the first year, Steve. That was how Simmo didn't win, because he refused to ride in his qualifying round at Somerton Park, which meant he only went into the final with 40 points. Each rider (the three heat leaders from each of the 19 BL teams) had five rounds, and in the final, the points were just multiplied by five (50, 45, 40 etc). There were some tweaks in later years - and don't forget it was also the VW Grand Prix (when Freddie Starr bought a bike for Tony Davey) before switching sponsorship to Berger. I felt that the original system was best (and more rigid), although I think actual points scored rather than finishing position, would have been better. In the end, the GP qualifying rounds were combined with the British World Championship qualifying rounds. I didn't like that, because a British rider's World Championship chances could be affected by riders who weren't even eligible for the WCQR. Steve

Okay, I apologise, but there was no need for you to accuse me of saying something I clearly didn't...

I agree. The thing to remember is that they are both true speedway fans. Okay, they are doing a job, but they are also both human, and they also feel human emotions! Is that really such a bad thing? Most of us reacted the same way yesterday, so I hardly feel that the commentators experiencing similar spontaneous excitement is a reason for people to claim that it ruined the whole event... Steve

Are you really a totally humourless individual who takes everything literally? I NEVER said I wasn't listening to the commentary, and I actually was, believe it or not... I was having a bit of fun (apologies if you found it somewhat misleading), although a lot of their "whoas" and "wows" did coincide with my own! If you honestly think that the event was completely devalued by the commentary, I feel sorry for you. I have always watched speedway (live or televised) for the racing, rather than the commentary. If pronunciation is that big of an issue, then I'm sure you don't remember Tony Millard... Steve

So? Does that devalue the meeting in any way? Of course not! The meeting shall be remembered (and rightly so) for the racing, not for any commentary. Is it really that bad for commentators to get excited? Anyway, I can't really say I noticed anything wrong with their commentary, as I couldn't hear them over my own "whoas" and "wows"!!!

Looking for negatives again, I see??? What I mean by "like us" is old farts who have been around forever, and not only seen everything, but view what we have seen largely as neutrals. So many BSF posters can't get past their own biased opinions, and misguided views that racing was always "so much better back in the good ol' days". This meeting proved that it can be just as good, if not better! Everyone was making comments here that it was "one of the best GP's". Screw that! It was way better than that, and I wasn't scared to say it. It just makes me feel good when respected individuals like norbold (and later, Phil) share that view. I don't understand why it seems perfectly acceptable to criticise and insult people and their views on here, but if you have the audacity to stand out and say how good the modern product is (or can be, anyway), it's a no-no! Not me, I'm gonna tell it like it is. If that makes me arrogant, oh well... Steve

See? When people like us say that - and between us we have seen nearly everything and everyone - it shows that speedway is still an incredible sport. The thing for me tonight was not just passing and close racing; the riders were literally all over the place - at flat-out speeds - looking for the best lines, and some of the moves were absolutely breathtaking. And at times plain scary!!! Of course, it was great to have much cleaner starts, and not have multiple reruns... Steve

... with no silencers or dirt deflectors...

Forget "GP"; that was quite possibly the best meeting I have EVER seen...

Oh, come on! Back in the "good ol' days", that would have been considered a mediocre meeting...

Exactly. Either way, he screwed himself.

Great ride from Vaculik...

Oh dear, IT has escaped from the loony bin again...

But I'd take Polish girls over Essex girls!!!

What about THAT from Emil???

Quit whining, Shov; nobody here can understand you, but you don't let that stop you!!!

Not sure I agree with that... As a Dons fan, I was quite happy with small tracks, and enjoyed the racing at many of them. Trouble is, nearly all of the big pacy tracks (which would be more suited to modern machinery) were closed down. So, that IS a big change. We at least had variety then, but think of it, Hyde Rd, Custom House, The Shay, County Ground etc, and even ones like Earle Street and Kingsmead... I would love to have seen modern bikes on some of those. Steve

Are you saying she doesn't know her onions??? Steve

Don't forget that Norman Clay also lost his life in that crash... Steve