Gresham

Glad they are appreciated....sadly missed....as are all the other great teams of old.

Not sure whether this has been posted before...but stumbled on a selection of great photos from this era. If anyone is interested....keep scrolling through the link....there are loads I'd not seen before....thought i'd share....enjoy :-) http://www.flickriver.com/photos/kwmc/tags/sportscene/

Speedway is a simple sport made complicated. A sport is in trouble when it constantly changes the rules. Speedway is way too complicated. The expense of machinery and servicing is ridiculous and unnecessary. Is Speedway a team sport or an individual sport? I believe it doesn't know. It wants to be a team sport, but is run more for the individual. For me...The league should have Club Engines. Sealed standard engines. Each rider should have his own rolling chassis and should draw lots each meeting for the engine he receives. Fix in and race....simples. When it comes to individual meetings...let each rider do what they want, within set regulations. If he wants to spend a fortune on engines...let him. There would be no less entertainment watching 4 riders on standard sealed engines racing....in fact it would improve it imho. But it would never happen...because the riders wouldn't want it. I get the impression, they feel they are the lesser cousin to other forms of motorcycle racing, and feel the need to 'big themselves up' someway. What's depressing, is that this discussion has been going on for as long as I've followed the sport....such a shame.

Interesting thoughts on the flag on here....worth watching the whole way through. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6SOdFrvWpI

I probably didn't explain myself so well...but that's what I was trying to insinuate. Basically watch the lads racing and forget the politics. I get the team allegiances....ive had three in my lifetime.... Bristol, Swindon and Somerset. Although riders move team so much these days, it's just a 'team' by name very often.

The Sport is just to complicated for it's own good. It feels totally like an individual sport rather than a team sport. I've always wanted to see bulk standard factory non tuned engines bolted into a frame....and then just raced. I used to be really into the sport...travelling the length and breadth of the country. Knew all the riders...the in's and out's of averages and Club politics. It did my head in...the best advise someone gave me, like has been said before...just watch 4 blokes racing and forget the rest. Don't buy a programme...don't follow the results or scores....just watch the racing. It was quiet a moment.

No more Daisy Duke or Boss Hogg ;-(

Worlds gone mental....apparently America has banned 'the Dukes of Hazard' series from being played on TV now. I wonder if a black speedway rider would object to riding for Somerset? Bristol was pretty much built on the Slave trade....we still have 'Blackboy hill' and 'Whiteladies Rd'....no one objects....it's history. Colston was the main Slave trader....the music venue is named after him....we even have a statue of him. Although some bands won't play at the venue, because of what he represented. Look at any flag and at some point in history it represented fear and hatred. You've only got to look at our own flag....we pretty much raped and pilleged the world throughout history.

Thanks so much for the quick replies....much appreciated :-)

....just working out train times to get back home. Last one is 10pm. I'm presuming with engines start at 5pm it will leave me plenty of time? Apologies if this has been covered elsewhere.... I'm looking forward to it....as I'm trying to remember the last time I watched Speedway live, probably a couple of years ago at Somerset. Hopefully I'll get the bug back again. Thank you in advance.

One of my all time fav's... Langli and Gresham were the best pairing i ever witnessed. Not the best riders...but the most exciting as a pair. http://speedwayondisc.blogspot.com/2011/07/speedway-stars-tormod-langli.html Shame he retired after breaking his arm. Hard as nails. In fact when you look at the Bulldogs team of 78, on paper it was won of the hardest set of riders you could ever have. Great memories.

Year 1978, on the bikes of that time. TRACK Somerset / Cradley CAPTAIN: Phil Crump OTHER RIDERS WHO HAD TO BE IN THE TEAM: Jason Crump, Steve Gresham, Andrew Silver, Kenny Carter, Kelly Moran, Roman Matousek. No 8 Peter Nahlin. PROMOTER: Len Silver. TEAM MANAGER: Me :-) ANNOUNCER: Dick Barrie RACE NIGHT: Friday 7.30 MARCH OUT MUSIC: Star Wars Theme Music. 13 Heats...proper second Half, then Golden Helmet. Rules from 1978. Cheese and Onion crusty rolls, Cider and methanol fumes...Chippy on the way home with my Dad...Perfect.

Got to laugh,read that as Columbian Explosion at first.Now that really would lead to a White City,if you get my drift,sniff,sniff...

Oh yeah,red wine & sunday mornings don't mix,banging head...apologies all round & especially Donsking...

Always facinated me,on why certain teams had their relevant nicknames.Was it a case of the promotions sitting around & throwing a few names in the pot & choosing what sounded right?Or was it more deep & meaningful than that... For example,it wasn't until 1936 that Bristol became the bulldogs.This was a suggestion by one of the supporters club members.As Birmingham were also known as the bulldogs,the speedway authorities asked for one of them to change,flakes & friars!!! being suggested for Bristol(why these?),in the end,Birmingham decided to become Brummies. So hope Bristol come back as Bulldogs so Reading become Racers again! Didn't mean to hi-jack your thread Norbold,but thought maybe the two go hand in hand.

Can anyone recommend any.Not looking for anything fancy.4 lads going,so don't need all the girly things...Cheers

Bart Bast

Would love to see Birmingham back.If you've got a 'go-ahead council' that's a rarity these days,hope they are accomodating for you. In Bristol,our council are only interested in the'Arts' & are stuck in the Victorian era still. I think the most forward thinking council i've seen is Cardiffs.If someone was interested in promoting speedway there i think they would be plesently suprised!

Couldn't agree more,my all time favorite rider!

The fan,it was a total disgrace,& i have never seen a rider so dejected & humiliated.

Looking forward to reading the article on Paul Tyrer.Remember him when he rode for Bristol in 78. Also remember him for a altercation he had with a 'fan',who asked for his autograph,then duly tore it up in his face! I believe at the time he was struggling after injury,& if i recall went to see a hypnotist to regain his nerve. They were the days...

Will be buying this book it looks a good read. I do feel supporters are being naive if they are surprised by revelations mentioned in this book.Averages are fixed every year,because of the stupid rules imposed by the governing body.Riders have to look out for themselves,or they will be out of work the following season if their average doesn't fit.Speedway has to be one of the easiest sports to rig.It is also a lot easier to bet on speedway these days.Averages & results are fixed all the time.I don't blame the riders.They are just pawns to be manouevred.I am expecting some more 'revelations' to come out in the near future.There's a whole new world out there for some,& i'm affraid it's a darker shade of grey!

Me too,we were very lucky to have him & steve Gresham at Bristol in 77 & 78.Both would have great stories on their riding exploits.Another i would like to see interviewed would be Andrew Silver,who IMHO could have been a World Champion if he could of gated!

Look forward to reading it when it's published.IMHO it's just what this sport has been crying out for.Well done mate,on taking the initiative.Hope you sell loads.

Jules,also have a read of the information on the link below.Although dated,the information is still relevent.It's the only information i am aware of like this that is on the web,& i have seen nothing published. Good luck. http://www.speedwaybikes.com/handbook/sh_table.htm