Gresham

His son was one of my favourite all time riders :-) Met him a few times in La Plagne whilst skiing. Always had time for a chat...nice chap.

Yes...realised he'd had an accident...didn't realise it had led to partial paralysis. As for Standards...I agree...I think standards have changed from the past. However...people banging on about a rider, doing the same as pretty much everyone else his age isn't going to change things. It's wasted negative energy. It's a British thing...we'll find the slightest thing wrong in a person and create pages and pages about their faults...yet few pages about the good thing that happen.

Because I've not followed speedway consistently in recent years, I've never made comment on GH, as I don't know of his recent background or circumstances...but having watched him of late, my first impression is one of massive dope use...he reminds me in the way he slurs his speech and the look in his eyes and face of some of my colleagues who smoke it daily. That's the impression I get...apologies if I'm way off the mark. As for people being 'upset or offended'... get a life and sense of humour... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHMoDt3nSHs If your little darlings are 'offended or upset'... good...thank god they are safe and aren't being bombed in Syria. It's the least of their worries.

I'm as sure, as what you are, in what you know about Tai... ;-)

So it's better to watch a rider 'racing' who you know couldn't give a flying feck about the meeting and is testing his bikes...really? So he uses the same swear word to a journalist, couldn't give a toss about his own Championship, tests bikes at it...imo, that is a slap in the face to all the other riders competing in the meeting...shows no respect to them....and you deem him more professional than Tai. Speechless.

Yep...the same NP that recently came out and quoted to a journalist 'I couldn't give a Fu** about the Danish Championship' and inferred he used it to test bikes. Undoubted talent and entertainer....but your tirade against Tai has now become ridiculous...and bordering on obsessive. Give it a rest.

I wouldn't say that it has changed dramatically when it comes to young people. All those things you mention have been going on for years with the younger generation... People have been taking drugs regularly and swearing and being 'anti establishment' pretty much since the 50's/60's. What has changed, is you hear more about it, through different forms of media. I'd say morals as to what is shown via the media has changed as well. And it has become more acceptable in many cases to swear on tv etc. Do you blame the young one's of today for how it is...or do you blame the generation that started the moral slide downwards in the first place? 40 years ago, you had Punk, Riots, 3 day weeks, strikes, hooliganism, apartheid, mayhem. Oh...and what about all the nice cuddly auntie beeb types that were fiddling with kids... Yep...much better days back then... It's the same now as it has been for years... The difference now...we have forums where people find a moral high ground, and act like they've never made a mistake in their life and judge everyone else. I've been lucky to avoid a lot of it growing up...was too much into my sport. However...I'm not going to look back through rose tinted glasses and think it was any different...of course it went on...

He's surrounded by the worlds media...he knows there are cameras and microphones following his every word. He knows full well it will be picked up. Tai's 'scenario' on Saturday is pretty much like every other event I've been too, where a sportsman or Artist has been in the 'moment's and swore...not through anger but joy. Did you not watch Glastonbury and Adele's performance? Littered with swear words. All in front of a family audience. It's the norm these days. People aren't going to stop going or be put off because they heard him swear...in fact they will actually see him as very normal for these days. I'd rather hear a young lad express his joy and excitement with an expletive...as now a days it's not seen in the 'traditional' sense of the word....than someone ranting and raving in anger and swearing. People complaining all the time over drivel like this, is far more harming to the speedway community than what Tai said on Saturday. I suggest you never go within hearing distance of any Sporting event, music or comedy event...or even the Queen's Garden party...because you will be highly offended. It's time a few of you realised that the world didn't finish in 1950 and start moving with the times. The days of the Raj, afternoon tea and 'it's not cricket' have moved on...as anyone who attends cricket will tell you. You may not like it...but times have moved on. Not having a dig at you Star lady...but what Tai said is far less damaging to Speedway than what is written on this forum. Any 'newbie' would never enter a Speedway meeting after reading this forum. It's pathetic how many people complain every day over the most trivial matters. This forum is far more damaging to speedway than anything Tai has ever done.

Really?...Old Phillip is renowned for swearing in front of cameras and the public...one example... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N05CApWqp_M I don't like swearing...but for so many people to post and complain about young Tai it's embarrassing. Hearing one swear word...and the whole bloody forum is offended. I'm more offended by the people complaining. I'm offended by Speedway fans making noise for the sake of making noise...empty vessels and all that. Yes forum members have a right to complain...but that's all you lot seem to do. Complain about everything. In answer to your question...if my child said that...I'd probably laugh and then tell them it's not appropriate...but I wouldn't keep going on about it, like it's the end of the world. If it was something that was continuous...then that would be a different matter. Swearing has been going on at sporting events and music events for as long as I've been alive. One swear word...and it's gone freakin mental on here. Having witnessed the joy young Tai brought to kids and families at the GP on Saturday...I don't think the 'F' word is going to spoil their occasion. I bet you lot write into the BBC complaining as well don't you.

FFS you lot...listen to yourselves. Does anyone actually pause for thought before they press 'post' and actually think about what you are typing? Do you actually read what you are posting...does it not make you cringe that you have actually taken time to post such trivia. I've never seen so much drivel written by self righteous, butter wouldn't melt in their mouth, pedantic, nagging old fools. You want the 'youth of today' to respect you and behave? Listen to yourselves. If you lot are so put out by swearing...please do not go to any live sporting events...even the likes of Cricket, Polo, Rugby, Tennis...the air is blue. It's ok for Prince Phillip and the Royals to swear within hearing distance of microphones and make jibes...but not for a pierced tattooed oik from Scunthorpe. Yes swearing is not ideal...but get over yourselves....this whole forum is becoming/has become like an old peoples home for disgruntled sad depressed old gits. No wonder this country has gone to the dogs...not because of the youth...but because too many old gits sit around complaining and actually DO very little...apart from complain about others. You negative bunch of whining old tossers....and that's coming from another old git.

Sponges in a fuel tank, will float on top and then soak up the methanol. Fuel in speedway tanks are gravity fed. The sponge will eventually be sucked towards the bottom of the fuel tank and restrict the flow of methanol to the engine. Hard to detect to start with...and would feel like it could be an electric fault as flow could be intermittent. It would affect performance.

Bang on... I get the impression Forums bring out the worst in people, and often reflect what's actually going on in a persons life. I've never known a fan base moan for the sake of moaning. Constructive criticism I can get...but many just moan, moan, moan. People won't like this...but it's definitely an older generation thing. Way too much time on their hands, which leads to them over analysing, nit picking, and constantly moaning because they now have time too. I've seen it first hand with my parents and their generation of friends. Constantly moaning and complaining, because things in the world aren't how they used to be and standards have dropped. It's energy sapping and so negative. No wonder they all end up depressed and taking medication....and often over eating to make themselves feel better. Which leads me to Cardiff GP... I people watched at the fan zone on Saturday...what a freakin state. It was reminiscent of the bar in Star Wars lol A great majority of Speedway fans should take a long hard look at themselves. Never seen so many people congregated, that were so obese, miserable and an embarrassment to society. Anyone would think a great majority live in Macdonalds and don't own mirrors. I know it's a working class sport...but really? No wonder the youth of today are put off. So in short...over 50's...stop friggin moaning, stop living in the past, LIVE for the future, you still have one...living in the past is NEGATIVE....young people have piercings, tattoos and swear...it's different...get over it. Embrace Speedway...it maybe not how it used to be...but nothing is anymore. Try being positive...as being negative all the time, makes you depressed...which in turn leads to depression...which in turn leads to over eating and a penchant for fluorescent jackets and a size too small Speedway tour T shirts...matched with tracksuit bottoms with elasticated waist band, built for comfort for the ever expanding gunt...and freaking Crocs...a crime to humanity...rant over...feels so much better lol Said with tongue firmly in cheek...but tell me it ain't true. ;-) yours truly Gok Wan

I miss the days of just reading Speedway Star and Mail, 5-1 and longing for the Yearbook... Those days made me happy and filled me with a desire to go to my next meeting as soon as possible. I wish it was that simple again...as I've become addicted to reading parts of this forum daily...an addiction that leaves very little joy, lots of sadness, and often a sour taste in my mouth asking 'why do I bother'.

Somerset really does suffer from the elements. There is usually a breeze or strong wind. It dries out the track very quickly, which is a shame. I think having the PL pairs there is a good idea, as it makes a good weekend linked up with the GP. If Newport were still open, I would have suggested there too. As for home advantage...many riders say how much they like Racing at Somerset, as it's seen as a neutral track that suits many riders.

I travel there most Friday nights. From the North side of Bristol, it takes me two hours. Coming back...just under an hour. I know people who used to follow Bristol, then became regulars at Newport....then Somerset. The majority have stopped going as they can't stand sitting on a Motorway for two hours or more. They've just given up. It's the most idiotic night to run speedway on, being situated where it is. Can't understand it myself.

Can someone tell me, in all seriousness, why Somerset run on a Friday night? Has anyone ever asked them? Have they ever been specific as to why they do. Considering where the Stadium is, Friday evening is probably the worst time they could hold meetings there, apart from a Monday morning lol

Massive pile up and car fire on M5...tail backs galore. Leave early people...

Looks like the forecast is for crap weather for the whole weekend....shame was looking forward to fan zone and food festival...looks like it's gonna be a wash out.

I need to get two more adult ticket...if I buy them off the SGP website today, do you have to collect them on the day?...can't see them posting them out.

It's all very well having these proposals...but imo, they will just plaster over the bigger problems. He wants 25 home fixtures....I agree, biggest problem is continuity. Having a weekly fixture is a must. However...no way are you going to get 25 home fixtures done without many rain offs. It for me, is the biggest killer to this sport. The slightest sniff of rain and people wont bother turning up. Then they find something else to do...as they have got fed up with this farce. It arguably rains more in our summer months. Modern tracks and bikes are sensitive to water and need almost 'perfect' conditions for riders to race. I've never seen so many meetings called off down to the weather. How in nearly 100 years Speedway hasn't found a way of covering the tracks is beyond me. How they haven't found a way of evolving, so that tracks and bikes can race in wet dirty conditions. It's complete madness, trying to run a sport successfully, when it can't run in normal British weather conditions. I'm all for changes...but imo, it has to change drastically. It's not about the top riders...it's about the very basics of the sport that need to change. Tracks and bikes and riders mentality...lets start there firstly.

Funnily enough, that's not exactly 100% correct, although I do get your drift. I had a family of three in front of me last night at the turnstile, that had never been before, but they were there because it had been better promoted and the price dropped to £10. They came because of that reason only. They asked about where it was best to stand, a young lad on his own, took them in hand and spent the evening with them, showing them all the ropes. I spoke to them again on leaving, and they said they had loved it, and would return again, but only if it was the same price. They basically couldn't afford the prices...regardless of whether it's good or not. I can't help but think Speedway needs to reduce costs across the board if they want to attract more fans on a regular basis. As for the meeting...having watched it live and then parts today on youtube...it was a far better meeting live and not on TV. What you do get from watching on SKY are constant updates by managers and riders alike during the meeting. Why Speedway can't incorporate that during a meeting when SKY isn't there is beyond me. Interviewing riders and managers more frequently in the pits over a mic, keeping the public interested in what's going on is something that could and should be tapped in to imo...if they can do it for SKY, why not all the time? If only Speedway could incorporate a way of watching the pits action at every meeting. If I was designing a new stadium, it would be one of the first things I did. Incorperate box's, hospitality and a public paddock raised viewing area overlooking the pits....it adds so much more to the speedway experience.

Re Woyna acting like a prat...couldn't help thinking it would have been the type of thing GH would have done at that age...not professional, but I get the impression the Coventry set up with GH as manager is rather 'relaxed'.

I totally agree...I just don't get the mentality of the people that run the sport, or the riders for that matter. What's the point of having these high revving bikes, that are unpredictable and harder to ride? What do they achieve...apart from lining the wallets of engine tuners... Are they more entertaining to watch? Are crowds flocking to the sport, to see riders and bikes a few seconds faster than before? Are riders spending an absolute fortune to find that extra bit of speed? Dwindling crowds, less money in the sport, and engine costs going up...what's not to like? I get frustrated watching talented riders, having to focus and spend so much time and energy and money on finding the right 'set up' each meeting. It's a joke tbh. As a sport, how has it come to this. One of the GP riders recently said, that at that level they are all pretty much the same in ability...it's just who's found the best set up on that day....mental when you think about it. Basically, you are paying to watch a sport, where it's down to who's got the best engine. Great...rolls eyes. Last night I watched KK have an awful off night...It wasn't him, his riding ability...it was purely his bikes. It has become like F1 in many ways. Stick Hamilton in a Lotus and you just know he won't win, regardless of talent or being a racer. From the outside looking in...it's all a bit silly when you think about it.

War cry's are not the most cringe worthy, although I'll agree they've had their day. As a kid it was always fun to chant them, especially when you had 8000 doing it regularly. The most cringe worthy thing I've seen in recent years, is the St Johns and track staff marching out onto the track and centre green, to marching band music. It was like Dads army had met Mr Blobby on acid...wtf!!! I almost died of embarrassment with the girl I was dating at the time. Do they still do that anywhere? It's even worse when the riders come around for a 'Victory' parade on the back of a pick up...7 blokes staring out to a few old gits sucking Werthers...I personally can't look them in the eye anymore. Makes my toes curl.

I was there last night...a very strange meeting indeed. It's hardly 'Elite' league is it. The majority of riders that actually looked good are Prem league regulars. KK and Harris...did they look 'Elite' compared to everyone else? I've never seen a Swindon track so difficult for a rider to pass on. Is it the track is it the bikes? What's made it so different, to when the likes of Andrew Silver, Leigh Adams and Jimmy Nilsen could miss the start, but could easily make up ground and find a way past?