Ron Butler

I haven't heard it mentioned in my local Spar. Maybe I was in Tesco at the time.

Jack Parker ran the family stone haulage company in Alperton simultaneously with riding speedway. Before taking up speedway in its pioneer days he was a works rider for BSA. His employers sent him to High Beech to survey the sport and report back so that they could decide whether it was worth their becoming involved. History does not tell us what report Parker gave (if any). Suffice to say that Jack immediately switched from trials to speedway. I am one of thousands who rejoiced in his decision.

Jennison's Ale House, Hyde Road. Near the main entrance to the Belle Vue entertainment complex.

Opposite what was the main entrance to the former Belle Vue amusement park and zoo on Hyde Road is Belle Vue Street. The land once occupied by the firework island is now the home of a hotel. The amusement park and zoo area is now a multiplex cinema, fast food restaurant and billiard/snooker hall. The mecca of true speedway once known as Hyde Road Stadium is now an extensive car auction site. The whole area is a sorry site to me as someone who spent many happy hours enjoying the various aspects of entertainment provided by Belle Vue (Manchester) Ltd. The real Belle Vue - in memoriam.

No!

We rarely get a white Christmas in Britain now, Tony. Here on the outskirts of Manchester we are enjoying a bright Christmas.

They win internationals!

Not 'the FSP' but f-s-p who is the Scandinavian correspondent of this forum.

Thank you for that reminder, Dekker. My sincere apologies to any promoter reading this thread.

QUOTE (Rob B @ Dec 4 2008, 11:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> In view of the world wide credit crunch and growing demands for higher wages that are coming from our speedway riders, there is a real risk of financial instability in Polish speedway. It is quite possible that, if nothing is going to be done, then the 2010 season might have to be suspended. Having this in mind, we, the shareholders and chairmen of speedway clubs that make up the Polish Speedway ExtraLeague, have decided to take up rigorous steps to overcome the growing problem of financial crisis. The blue print of new regulations is being prepared to create a work market in 2010, adequate to the financial situation and financial capabilities of Polish ExtraLeague clubs. As a result there won't be enough openings for the average level riders. This in turn should lower the ever growing financial demands when it comes to contracting riders. We want to retain the high standard of our ExtraLeague , the standard our supporters over the recent years, have become accustomed to. Therefore we are determined to carry out our plan as we see no other alternative. Signed by - club chairmen and shareholders of the Polish Speedway ExtraLeague Ltd If this happens the GP riders will be running back here in a hurry. I'm impressed that the Polish promoters are, at the end of the 2008 season, already drawing up plans for 2010. British Speedway Promoters Association to note!

Norbold, I vaguely remember a lad named Norman Parker who rode for Wimbledon. Someone told me he was the kid brother of the great Jack Parker. Is that true? Seriously, Norman, what fantastic riders those brothers were! What a thrill to watch them pitted against each other, it was virtually impossible to forecast which one was going to win the current heat until one had crossed the line. When they were paired in the national team it was an almost certain 5-1 to England. I think it was that doyen of speedway reporters Eric Linden who once remarked that the brothers Parker must be telepathic so well did they know each others on-track moves intentions. Club loyalty aside I would be hard pressed to say which is the greatest of these to grand masters of speedway racing. There is one thing we can both be certain of, Norman; when these two men were on the track we were guaranteed true racing for four laps. Best regards Ron.

Belle Vue - Hyde Road of course - sometime during the 1946 season. The sport was just restarting after WW2. Can't remember much about the meeting or the men who became my leather clad heroes Belle Vue had operated throughout the war years staging open meetings with whatever riders were available. The whole atmosphere was like a new world to fourteen year old Ron. The smell, the noise of the engines, the track staff marching out from the pits to the tune of Blaze Away and so much more. That was the start of a love affair that has lasted some 62 years. That's longer than my love affair with the adorable Margaret [54 years and still going strong]. I've missed a few years along the way due partly to National Service and a few seasons following the track death of Belle Vue's Tink Maynard, a friend from our cycle speedway days. It's hard now that I'm restricted to being a keyboard based supporter of the sport - not just Belle Vue. Due to the constant year-by-year changes we supporters have to endure it's becoming harder to maintain my level of enthusiasm but it seems that whatever changes are made I still can't tear myself away on match nights. Perhaps I'm addicted - but what a glorious enslavement. I hope you all enjoy your speedway as much and as long as I have. There's no sport like it! Ron.

So you are saying that, on this discussion forum, we are only allowed to post favourable comments about these two men? Even the much maligned Health and Safety Executive have not dared to restrict our freedom to comment, favourably or otherwise, on any rider be he a World Champion or one with all the potential to become an abysmal second-half failure. Within the law of the land and the rules and guidelines of the forum I will continue to express myself, with all due courtesy, on any subject raised for discussion.

A cow bell, Bunny?

Thanks for that, Dave. Lot of interesting stuff on that site.

Norman, didn't Lionel van Praag establish a commercial airline after his retirement from speedway?

I agree, Jeff. Would the superstars of speedway or any professional rider, take the risks they do if they were not paid what they consider they worth to their employers. Most of them are like the rest of us in that they want to provide the best for themselves and their families. Basically they are guys doing a job they enjoy doing and which pays them well.

I had a large handbell, Steve, that my big sister painted up like your rattle. Sure made a racket and was almost as lethal as a rattle if mishandled correctly. To quote Mary Hopkins 'Those were the days my, friend, we thought they'd never end' They did though and what have we now? No rattles. No bells. Only a few air horns competing with blaring music. Sanitised speedway!

I assume this post relates to speedway and not to the world financial and economic situation?

What do we miss about '70s speedway? Sadly I can't answer that - can't place my memories of the sport into years now due to primarily that my two remaining little grey cells have jumbled all my memories into a confusing heap!

You must give credit where it's due, Shaz! That post takes first prize fir the longest thread title; at least I can't remember a longer one Personally, I prefer input that briefly and clearly outlines the theme in the first three or four lines and then, in the requisite number of sentences and paragraphs, develops the basic theme into a foundation for discussion. I think the author of this thread wishes us to discuss the future make-up of the British international team. Can you confirm that, please?

Is that physically possible? I tried it; I lifted both me feet up at the same time but me bum made very solid contact with the ground!

Crump has had several well-deserved places on the World Championship over the past few years including the top spot. Sadly, I think he's becoming a little desperate now. I fear he sees Nikki Pedersen as his potential successor. Have we seen the last of Jason Crump as World Champion, I wonder!

A most apposite point, Salty.

Could you?