Gresham

I was at Somerset v Glasgow the other week, and ended up chatting and watching, with three lads from the press. Two localish, and one from a National. Seems one was working and the other two were invited along by the guy working. One of the Journos piped up...' I think I've covered every sport, including dog training classes...but I've never covered Speedway, it must be the last sport to tick off covering'... He then added...' how did I not know about this sport? It's great... I'd come every week'. Make of that what you will... At least it made a good impression.

It's still good, but not as good imo.

Going on last night's performance I think Somerset are stuffed. The Reserves are way off the pace. Lucky to get 3 points total from either in a meeting. Rowe whilst exciting to watch his progress won't score like he did every meeting. And the chances of the other 4 being on top of their game every meeting is very remote. Shame...some good racing last night and a very healthy crowd. What's going on with bend 3?.two holes both holding water, especially going into bend 3. Track has deteriorated over the past few seasons imo...less banking, less dirt and so much more drier. Heard some interesting comments re Valentine and May. Not as the party line would have us think it seems. Shame. As a neutral though...it was a good meeting.

There are two great articles in this weeks Speedway Star that cover your Nice meeting at the IOW and another by Josh Auty about running costs and how modern speedway is going. It's not rocket Science when you read the quotes from riders about the meeting, and it's benefits and the positives that came out of it. Club Speedway has to go down this route...for every conceivable positive reason. Both for the benefit of fans and riders alike. The only recurring theme is riders saying what do they do with the engines they've already invested in. Just use them in Individual events...sell them to riders for Individual events. The maintenance and tuning costs will catch up over time....to their benefit. As Auty says...the only people benefiting are the tuners. £350 for labour alone to strip a bike before parts Quoted. Madness considering how often that has to happen. Unfortunately riders and promotors in general seem set in their ways...it's so ingrained. And riders are like lemmings...they just follow whoever is fastest and winning. Copy them in the hope of also winning. As Auty pointed out...however much he spent on fast engines, he came to the conclusion it was his technique that was lacking, regardless of how much money he spent. Which is pretty much what we witness now every meeting. Things have got to change...and the 'Nice' way is the way forward imo.

I always found the Parade a little embarrassing...purely as the crowd are spread so thinly around the track. I guess it depends on where you are watching from. Going round bends 1 and 2 on a truck staring at an empty sweet hut and ice cream van can't do much for moral. That space is so wasted...viewing bends 1 and 2 is nigh on impossible at Somerset. However the view down back straight and bend 3 is superb. I thought the pace of the meeting was good last night. I just wish the viewing was better at bends 1 and 2 and that you could look into the pits, as that is also part of the experience imo.

The crowd was decent, as was the racing. The scoreline doesn't do Brum justice, they kept it close for the majority of the meeting. The track had new shale added this week. No blue line. Times were quick. Track was smooth after grading. Took a few riders to get used to it...Henry Atkins was lucky to walk away after lifting whilst leading...smacked the air fence straight on at speed. All in all a good meeting, well presented and fluently. Worth the admission alone to watch Ben Barker team ride excellently with Rowe for four laps...just like the old days...was a pleasure to watch.

Not sure how they didn't know when the interval was, as it was extended. The riders came around the crowd during the extended interval to do the collection. Think the Redcar manager just Ballsed it up as 3 riders were at gate and Wright was on track for at least 30 seconds but not at line. He should also have gone from 15m imo...far better chance of points.

I guess it's inbred, as it's always been that way. Everyday thinking how to make the bike faster... Shame...probably down to the fact that Speedway has pretty much always been an Individual and Club sport. The two don't mix well imo. Would love Speedway in this country to buck the trend and go down the route suggested. One big league, engines sealed and supplied. Lots at meeting. Stick in rolling chassis...then go racing. No averages...wages not points per ride etc. Don't care if all the big riders leave. Would rather have a lower level and new riders develop under a new system. Surely there would be riders that would be happy to ride as Club riders on a wage, and forget about Individual events? No expensive engine tuning...just rolling chassis, keep fit and focus on track craft....

Exactly my sentiments too...all of it. Shame it was so slick...riders were looking for dirt on the outside line, but lost ground when they tried more often than not. Harris tried on a couple times against Wright and then went back to the blue line...he even seemed to shake his head and gesticulate about it after the race. Haven't been a regular for a couple seasons now...has the track been altered? Looks completely flat with no banking at all on the corners now. Used to love watching Charles hit that outside line and ride the fence.

The meeting being held on the Isle of White is exactly how I'd want all Clubs run. Standard engines, draw lots, stick in your own rolling chassis. Should of been introduced at the very start of Club Speedway...we then wouldn't have the farce of riders supplying their own engines to ride for a Club. And I should imagine a lot less expenditure on tuning. I personally couldn't give a stuff who has the best set up and fastest engine...I don't pay money to see that. I want four riders on equal machines, where their track craft and skill is more important. I can't get my head around why riders wouldn't want it like this anyway.

Yes... I'm one of them. I really think the Promotion missed big time this season. No problem dropping down a league, I personally prefer it, but not having any of those riders is a massive blow. Not on results...but the majority of fans had a ' connection' with those three. This year's team is 'meh'...there is just no connection imo. When a rider makes fans get excited to watch a race...run out of the bar etc, then the promotion imo should take notice. All three you mention had a positive effect on a meeting and it's enjoyment. All we want is a connection, excitement and good racing....otherwise it's just a bunch of blokes going round in circles.

No...Steve Gresham was my Childhood Speedway hero...him and Tormod Langli ;-) Did a bit of digging and there is a Bristol Bulldogs Speedway team facebook page that has all of 143 followers A guy named Shaun Honour bought the rights to have the Bulldogs name and get the team up and running again. Last post was December 25th 2017...saying...'Merry Christmas and a happy new year. 2018 we will be back on track.' Well that didn't happen...so none the wiser as to what's happened. As for sites...Best place would be just off Junction 18 of the M4 where there is already a couple of Moto X tracks.

As someone who got addicted to Speedway with the Bulldogs in 77, I fear we will never see or hear the roar of a speedway bike in Bristol again. I have so many fond memories...it's under my skin and I keep logging back into this forum to keep up to date. However...after the demise of the Bulldogs and then following Swindon, Newport and Somerset around the Country...I'm left in despair. I haven't watched one single meeting this past season...either live or on TV. I'm so depressed with how this sport is run. I can't give it my time or effort...it's a complete farce. However...it feels like a son or daughter who has strayed...and you are still thir for them. You can't help the love...but you know deep down it's totally screwed. So sad...yet so simple to resolve. The sooner the old school promoter dies the better...bunch of clowns that only have the interest of their pockets. The sooner Speedway riders realise they aren't like any other Motorsport...the better. Apart from Poland...they are a Garden Shed product...yet they want to portray an F1 type status. It's total bullrubbish...smoke and mirrors. Speedway is followed by Lower working class people with very little disposable income...said with respect...it's run by Promoters that are no better than second hand car salesman, Circus Clowns, found out by TV and sponsorship. It's a total shambles. I just feel for the kid I was at 12yo age....who got addicted and wanted to ride a bike and have fun. And then got a bunch of speedway politics thrown at me. Same for riders....same for public....it's all complete bullrubbish...yet it's totally ingrained in our lives and hard to ignore. Totally punch drunk with the whole affair.

According to the Somerset owners, it's down to the new shale not binding and breaking up. Riders walked the track and said it was fine...it wasn't until it was ridden that they found it wasn't binding and breaking up in places. Not sure what they can do about that, apart from get new shale that works for speedway. Didn't this happen at Kings Lynn last season as well?

Wasn't there last night, but it's interesting to note that the winning times before grading were significantly faster than after.

Imo, it would make more sense if teams supplied Race jackets, Fork covers and Bike covers, rather than team Kevlars. Have the team colours and emblem on the race jacket and covers, with club sponsers names. Have the riders wear and provide their own kevlars, with their sponsers names on. That way you get the best of both worlds. Crazy sport though...more worried about looks rather than running it properly. Team Kevlars aren't going to make the public come flocking back. As Gary May said in this weeks Star...'Crowds across the sport are dropping, yet costs are just the same'. That's got to be looked at, rather than focusing on team kevlars, because lets face it, it's just 'team' in name, not nature. As for the comments about looking professional in this thread...and regardless of what I've said before in this post...how do Speedway bikes look 'Professional' with bits of plastic bike covers flapping about on them? As Speedway fans, we've all got accustomed to them, but to the person outside the sport, you often get cries of derision on how stupid they look. How many other forms of motor sport have such like? Looks cheap and tacky.

Team suits do look more professional in a photograph or for promotional work. However...for me, I find it harder to distinguish who is who in a race, unless I look at the helmet colours and remember who's in the programmed ride. I found it much easier to instantly work out which rider was who, when they wore individual leathers. The individual colours stood out more. Riding styles were also easier to see for some reason. For example riders like Simon Wigg and Leigh Adams instantly stood out because of their colours and style. I'd personally prefer to see riders in their own style and distinctive Kevlars/Leathers with Club race jacket. The Race Jacket being distinctive, and not a small symbol surrounded by massive sponser's name. Birminghams big red 'B' on yellow, and Belle Vue's Large 'Ace' really stand out. Swindons robin and somersets just get lost somehow. Perhaps instead of team kevlars, team bike covers and fork covers would be better?

Ok...I can compare them to a beautiful sunset, a beautiful flower. Why does a human being that can naturally see the beauty in a woman be called a 'Perv'? Are we not meant to be naturally attracted to one another...to pro create? Why fight those natural senses? There are just as many woman who want to work in this type of industry as those that feel it wrong. Men and woman have naturally been drawn to the other sex and have appreciated one another's form since time and memorial. Why does a few in this generation think they know best? The modern image you seem to want...craves everything unnatural. As for your adage regarding men in the role of woman....watch a programme called 'loose woman'...and tell me how if 4 men in a panel spoke about the same things as they do would be right. It's not about being equal anymore...it's about taking over and forcing it down peoples throats. Many a 'grid' girl has come out since and spoken about how ridiculous this situation is. Some saying 'how is any different to going out in a nice dress clubbing of a weekend? Why do woman do it?....To feel like a woman, feel attractive and good about themselves. Everything is so hypocritical....and so far removed from the majority of the rest of the world. It's complete madness...such companies like the BBC standing for such things, yet they show a cartoon pic of Piers Morgan;s head up Donald Trumps arse...imagine if they had done it with a female presenter or politician. One rule for one....etc,etc....there is no consistency and men are being absolutely hauled over the coals atm for everything. The Country it seems wants to ban looking at woman, yet has businesses building sex robots...how totally fecked up. You can see where this world is going....

The majority of the public have common sense. It is only a very small minority who have a very loud voice when it comes to 'Political correctness'...with many working in media and other types of outlets. Has anyone else considered what agenda is behind all of this. Why are we all being asked to conform and agree to it all? Men and woman are naturally attracted to the opposite sex. It's NATURAL and NORMAL...to admire the form of others. What is wrong to naturally look at the beautiful lines of a woman, in the same way we would look at the lines of a classic car, JAP/JAWA Speedway bike or say Spitfire. All are beautiful, easy on the eye and give natural pleasure. What's being forced on us, is everything unnatural imo.

Yes...you are different to the norm. Because you promote with care and thought for your fans. And you provide entertainment and interaction. Even when your team is struggling to win...if the entertainment is right, and everyone feels part of the Club, fans will respond in a positive manner. Orions remarks about fans turning up only if you win is true to a certain extent in the current climate. However...if promoted well, and racing was good week in and week out, and fans felt part of the Club, and they were entertained weekly and the promoters didn't rest on their laurels, then fans will support...regardless.

I acknowledged it wasn't a new thing. It shot itself in the foot from day one imo. Back in the good old days it worked, as times were so different to today. It doesn't feel different now...it is different. Speedway from day one, should have decided to be either an individual or team sport...not both. If it were Individual...riders could race for prize money and do as they do now with their bikes and equipment and tuning. If we had gone Team/Club only, and run the sport as a normal Sports Club does, we would have standardised equipment from day one. Riders wouldn't have got used to having their own machines and everything that entails. They would have got used to slinging their leg over a 'standardised' bike, and thinking nothing wrong with that...and just getting on with it and racing. Everything would have been different...the sport run completely differently to how it is. The void between 'Individual' and 'Team' is becoming wider by the year. One of the most stupid ideas, was to create teams with riders who provide and maintain their own equipment. Imagine racing Ferrari in F1 or Racing for Honda in road racing, and taking your car or bike home yourself to maintain...which is what speedway does. How can you be a team/Club and rely on each individual in your team to maintain their own equipment when representing you? Madness...yet this is what speedway does and has always done. If we had gone down the team only route, I'm sure the thinking would have been different, and Club owners would have invested in their own tracks and facilities, instead of many sticking them around other grounds. Investment would have been better, and they would have had more control over their own destiny. Speedway is like the Magpie of sports...it begs, borrows and steals to survive. Tracks like we have at Belle Vue, should have been the norm for all City's and Clubs. Think about it...instead of thinking 'it's always been like this'...because it's always been like it, doesn't make it right.

The people who do care...have stopped going to watch speedway. You have been left with a minority. More people have left, than watch. Speedway has slowly strangled itself. You can only have one winner in a league...and generally like Swindon last season, when doing well, crowds go up. You then have the majority of the rest of the league where crowds average out. Towards the bottom they may even go lower than average. True...all sports have 'glory hunters'...but in general people want to be entertained and enjoy good close racing. As Deanmachine said in a previous post...most fans wouldn't know whether the riders were on standardised equipment or not. And when you say 'best riders'...are they really? So much of todays riding is reliant on good and fast equipment. Stick many 'middle order riders on the best equipment and you would see some differences. Many riders are of similar ability...the quality of tuning and set up and equipment helps some rise to the top. Others don't have that opportunity. Put every rider on standardised equipment, and you will find the 'best riders' right now, may not be what you think they are.

With respect...my post wasn't pointed at you, rather what was said in the post. It was almost a comment without thought. Something that we've got accustomed too. Yes...you are right, it's not a new phenomenom, but as I suggested in my post...it doesn't make it right. Speedway shot itself in the foot many moons ago, by making it a sport that was both Individual and Team. Imo...it would be a bigger success nowadays, if it had chosen to be one or the other back in the day. Strangely it felt like it was more team biased in the past. Now, it definitely feels it's about Individuals. Preferably it would have been great if we had British World team Champions rather than Individual world champions imo. But...it won't change, and imo, will go further away from 'Team' glory in the future. Personally I can't get excited about following an individual speedway rider...I however can get excited into following a team of riders that represent either my area or Country.

This quote intrigues me, as it imo, proves what is wrong with Speedway. When you say 'better his career'...how so? Individually or as a team rider? What are speedway riders...individuals looking out for their individual glory, or team riders wanting to be the best rider they can for a team? For me...this is the biggest problem in speedway. How many riders early in their career, focus on being the best team rider for a Club? Or do they dream of individual glory, and doing their utmost to use teams and clubs, to further their career in Individual pursuits like the GP's. It's confused thinking, and tantamount to the downturn in Club speedway over the years imo...which after all is what most fans watch weekly. I personally wish Speedway never ever had Individual world Finals or the GP series. I'd prefer World team Cup finals and Test match series. The focus in speedway is too much on individuals rather than teams imo. It's all about teams and Clubs for me...either International or domestic.

How refreshing to see a Promoter take time to come on here and make comments. I've watched IOW from afar and have always been impressed with their commitment and ethos. It just goes to show, you can follow your team, have a great night out, feel part of the club and involved, without it being the 'top riders' in the sport. I'd be happy to follow such a team and set up if it were local to me. We've lost our focus and direction...it's not all about having the 'GP type' riders at your club and all the costs and problems that brings. Great...he's got fast bikes and expensive gear...and can go 4 seconds faster around the track...big deal. I and many other fans would rather watch four riders of equal ability on lesser equipment, racing week in week out...and if they have other jobs like the rest of us to get by...so be it. Fantastic...we can relate.