Gresham

I couldn't agree more...great post :-)

They interviewed Josh, and he said the riders were finding the track difficult because of how dry and slick it was. Funnily, since asking my question earlier about the track, I noticed an interview with Josh in the programme, where he states how much he likes the track, how he's had to come from behind a lot, and that there are plenty of lines on it. He states...'It's nice to know I can go in the dirt as I like to and there will be some options there...but sometimes it works better than others, because it depends on how the tracks been prepared'. Which suggests, there has been more dirt in previous meetings? Also...it's down to what the promotors prepare and not what the riders ask for?

Interesting...what is it that doesn't appeal to you? I've often found watching the development of riders really appealing. When a second half meeting wasn't scheduled, I'd often watch 'Juniors' coming out after the main event, trying to hone their skills. You mention the football...again, when I used to live up near Manchester, the family business had season tickets to Utd. I'd find myself going to watch the reserves more often. Watching the youngsters develop was exciting to watch. Plus being able to sit anywhere you want and have a chat with Olly Gunnar, Bobby and Alex who would mingle afterwards, was reward in itself. I Scout development footballers for a Championship Club...so perhaps it's in my blood so to speak. But when watching the youngsters at Speedway, for me, it's great to see them improving week in week out. I guess we are all different, as I'm not particularly worried about results...just like close racing and seeing riders improve and do their best....each to their own of course.

Question...is the track normally that slick and dry this season at Swindon? It must be so frustrating as a rider, to miss the gate, and know you have very little chance of catching up and overtaking, unless the rider in front makes a mistake. You could see on a few occasions, riders trying to make moves, but once of the quickest line, they often lost ground. There was a little extra right out near the safety fence, for those that really dared...but nothing to speak of. Which begs the question...who has say in the tracks these days? Having only watched at Swindon and Somerset this season, I'm seeing less and less dirt, slicker drier tracks, and very little opportunity to pass. Is it something the riders want...or the promotors...cost etc? Any thoughts? Funnily...I got talking to one of the young Aussie entourage yesterday. He commentated...Quote...'Once you get past the idea of these bikes having no brakes, these bikes are relatively easy to ride these days, especially on slick tracks.' He said he didn't ride anymore...as he found it repetitively boring and went back to Moto X. I found that quite astonishing tbh.

...just interested to know what extra races, Clubs are putting on for us fans at different tracks? Is it something that you enjoy? I mentioned it in another thread, that Somerset have another 6 heat meeting planned this Friday...Exeter v MDL select. 21 heats for £15....good value for money imo...and something I always look forward to.

Looking forward to this meeting already....seems ages since the Rebels were in action. Weather forecast looks favourable too :-) RR for Jake Allen though. Great to see another second half meeting booked. 6 heats of Exeter v MDL select. Great value for money... Hopefully they have the track set up better than last time.

Indeed the racing and track, were left wanting. As for the presentation of the meeting...I actually thought it wasn't too bad compared with what I've seen recently. The band played more than one song...they played for at least half an hour before the meeting. It was enjoyable in a macabre type way though, as they murdered pretty much every song ;-) Like you, I took someone....they had never seen speedway before and knew nothing about it...so no preconceived ideas or knowledge of the past. I got many positive comments from her...the one negative stuck in my head though...'Why do the majority of people look so grumpy and bored?' The scoreline kept it interesting...the racing didn't...I noted 3 passes all meeting...very processional, and imo, because of the track, very little chance of overtaking. In the past, it was often just as processional, but I remember fans urging their teams rider on, when trying to make moves to catch up and pass. Yesterday...it felt like everyone knew it was almost impossible...hence the slightly dour feeling in the crowd? Who knows...but it certainly felt like that.

Not really fella...some nice people on here...just a few that constantly misquote. I'm totally over them and will continue to ignore. They are quite level headed though, as the same quantity of rubbish dribbles from both sides of their mouths ;-)

On this occasion yes...but at £4.40 a pint, its hardly going to attract any new fans who would like to come along with friends is it? £1.10 more than what it is at Somerset. Like you say though...you don't have to buy it.

I'd agree with that. I was very impressed with the turn out. First time I've been back to Swindon for a few years. Enjoyed the way Swindon presented the meeting...a huge improvement on the last time I was there. It was the girlfriends first meeting ever...she loved it. Hasn't stopped asking questions since. The crowd size and close result made it...not the track or exciting racing. Have seen and heard more excitement, and seen better racing at Somerset this season. But it was still entertaining. So will be back. Only criticism....£4.40 a pint...really?

Looking forward to this....taking someone who has never been to Speedway before. Are there any roadworks locally to be worried about?

Cheers fella...all the pics are from an artist named Roland Davies, who illustrated a Daily Mail publication. Someone posted them up on a Speedway Artist FB page...I sent a message to explain, but have heard nothing back. Are your pics of Harringay online? Would love to see them. I have a Harringay Race Jacket up in the loft somewhere...got given it by Pat Tapson back in the day.

wow...seems i've got a stalker...total infatuation.

Why the constant hostility...you've taken my words totally out of context. I implied in my second comment to you, that Speedway has fewer away wins, percentage wise, over a season than many other sports. It's not a throw away comment. The details are their if you choose to google it. I have no grievance...I was just adding a thought to a forum debate. You and a few others, seem intent on trolling and making snide comments. If you don't agree with what I say...why not just ignore it? I do on many occasions. A few of you seem to get off trolling people on here. I don't understand the constant bickering and hostility. It's really one of the most unfriendly forums. As for the bloke who called me a Tool...nice. I'd like to see you do that to my face...easy behind a keyboard isn't it. Coward.

In your opinion...plus I didn't think you would be interested though...as it would disprove your point. You asked for facts...they are there...it's not a throw away comment as you suggested. Over a season...Speedway teams are less likely to win away from home, compared to many other sports. In fact football broke the record this season and it went up to 35% away wins...a trend that's continuing. Don't let facts get in the way of your agenda though...as you were :-)

There is data, if you google it, showing 10 years of football percentages, taken between the leagues. Over the 10 years, it ranged approx. from 25 -32% away wins. Does Speedway have a stat where over a season, teams won between 25-32% of their away meetings? If you are interested enough, I'm sure you could troll through different sports, league tables, to see how it compares with Speedway over a season.

Maybe if you compare it with other team sports over a season, it may be different.

Indeed....I totally agree. It was indeed a 'night at the Speedway'. I can't think of anything more boring than watching your team hammer the opposition. Nothing better than a close fought meeting...the old adage...'happiness is a 40-38'. I realise Promotors have tried to keep a meeting close, by introducing the double points rules etc...but it just hides a glaring fault in Speedway. The Away team very rarely wins in Speedway. Or has a chance of doing so. Home advantage is often way too much it seems. How many other 'Team' sports have so few away wins? In saying that...I don't have an answer...unless all tracks were made to the same playing field so to speak, which is impossible.

My office needed a bit of colour, so got creative and produced some pictures for it. I really like the look and feel of this type of Artwork, that era, style etc. Does anyone have any links to Speedway Artwork of a similar ilk? Have looked on the net, and there seem very few. The pics I made were from Illustrations in a Daily Mail Speedway book. http://i.imgsafe.org/7f763ae997.jpg

I'd agree with that...most other 'motor sports' have a following that seem to have a keen interest in the bikes or cars, many riding or driving, or tinkering. Speedway has a few...but far less, from my experience, who could actually tell you about the workings of a Speedway bike, or have any interest in it what so ever. Seems to be a following made from football, train spotting and darts :-) If Speedway could find a way of harnessing that 'Club' feel in a better way, like football or rugby, then I feel things could improve spectator wise at tracks.

Yes, all different scenario's, but the more I read, the more I think Swindon may go the same way. From London, you had the M4 corridor, where it was a blast up or down the motorway to get to all 5 tracks at one point or the other...now it's just Somerset, which is nuts when you think about it. I just wish someone could get Bristol Speedway up and running...with Multi Billionaire Steve Lansdown creating Bristol Sport, you would get the backing and guidance of a very shrewd businessman. Creating a 'Barcelona' type sports emporium...backing football, rugby, Car racing and Karting, basketball, badminton, cycling and by all accounts looking to add Gloucester ccc to the stable. I noticed one of the Racers is Somerset based...would love Somerset to come under the Umbrella.

Can anyone else see this going the same way as Oxford, Reading, Bristol and Exeter?

I'm halfway through the book...it is a good read. Shame I never got to see him ride. I liken him to the Swedish Bruce Penhall.

In the last race, Barker could clearly seen looking up at the refs box when passing and shaking his head and gesticulating...making his thoughts known. They interviewed Josh whilst grading, he said there was a slight berm that needed to be taken out, and if they graded level they could continue racing. They took so much off it looked like an ice rink by the time they'd finished. I've watched Somerset since it opened, and it is a great race circuit...but I've noticed there is less and less shale/dirt each season. Last night was ridiculous...I've never in all my life seen speedway cancelled for such little water...and complaint of slight berm...there was hardly any dirt. I don't blame the riders...it's because these bikes cannot race on less than perfect conditions for them...which is slick and dry. Which when you look at the big picture of Speedway...is a mental situation to be in. What other motor sport would have been cancelled with that little amount of rain last night? I took this photo as they were doing a track inspection before the last race...if Speedway bikes can't ride on that, then the Sport needs a complete rethink imo. http://i.imgsafe.org/7b662e8.jpg

I agree...and It was hardly wet though was it...complete farce. These bikes are great when conditions are perfect for them...ie little dirt and dry...they can't even deal with a slight berm...there was no dirt to speak of, yet when they come off the slick race line, they almost high side. Speedway is a sport open to the elements, and we live in a Country that rains a lot. So they've allowed the sport to evolve into something that can't even operate in damp conditions. It doesn't add up...and people question why crowds are low. If that track had deeper shale/dirt on it, and bikes that could cope with those conditions, there would be no way it would even be considered to cancel it. It doesn't make sense how Speedway has evolved to what it has become, when you take into consideration the elements we have. As promotors and ruling bodies of the sport, shouldn't they have been looking at every conceivable way of getting tracks and bikes suitable for racing in at least damp conditions?