cityrebel

Hard to argue with that, i just hope the change of race might makes it financially viable.

As a neutral i will miss my occasional sunday trips to the showground. I might do a couple of meetings there next season. A weekday race night presents a logistical nightmare for me.

Rye House are still in the premiership section, so the wheels of the moderators turn slow.

Indeed. With the break even figure at Arlington increasing following promotion, the Eagles might need removing as well, in a years time!

H & S would need to sign it off annually.

The thing is Barry, you have time for people and you remember a face. These two things are massively important when trying to engage with your public. I remember being greeted at the turnstiles on numerous occasions by the great Johnnie Hoskins on my frequent visits to Canterbury. He was a real speedway promoter in every sense of the word.

Did you go to the internationale, that was also staged at Harringay that season.

I suppose in len's defence, he did have staging costs and medical cover to pay for. I don't see how Reading can meet that outlay, unless they have some decent sponsors.

I find it hard to see how Reading running stand alone meetings at Arlington are going to pay their way. Apart from friends and family, who is going to turn up. Kent's attempts to run two SDL meetings at Iwade last year, resulted in poor crowds. The public just wont pay to watch this level of racing.

Len was shrewd, he had a stadium that needed big investment and an ever shrinking fan base. Kent was on his doorstep with great facilities, it was a no brainer really.

Len sold BMR a turkey and they ran out of money, it's as simple as that.

That's what happens when you try and take on the establishment. Usually there is only one winner.

If you had experienced Lakeside's end of seasons meetings at Rye, i would say plenty. The car park is a major hazzard with large potholes and no lighting. The stadium itself has insufficient spectator lights, barely enough to fill in your programme in some areas. Add this to the uneven ground you have to walk on. The toilets were disgusting last year and are in need of an upgrade. Some of the temporary stands have steep steps and could be difficult to negotiate for some of the older fans. I know a disabled supporter that won't go to Rye because of access difficulties. Now the track itself, apart from the hill on the centre green, the lighting on the bends are non existant and the temporary lights were removed at the end of the top flight era. The BSPA currently consider Rye as not fit for purpose and i have to agree with them. Lakeside never had a chance of running there this season.

Irrespective of the previous promoters debts, the cost of making Rye House stadium fit for purpose, will be the biggest stumbling block for anyone thinking of taking it on.

I think that's Jack Rackett. He was the clerk of the course.

I also helped Simmo run the short lived winter training school. I operated the starting gate to give the juniors a taste of racing conditions. It's amazing what you volunteer for when you're young and keen!.

Lionel was timekeeper at Wimbledon when i worked in the refs box.

You and me both. I worked in the refs box for a couple of seasons, from memory it was 1982/3. Ken Tozer was still the announcer. I also had the pleasure of updating the old scoreboards at both ends of the stadium, just after turning the lights back on!

I went to Crayford over 80 times between 1975 and 83, including the reopener against Boston and the last ever v Newcastle. It was a small tricky track, but the stadium had great facilities and excellent grub. I started to go more regular in 1979 wnen White City shut. Unfortunately i never got there in the Highwaymen era, but i managed to squeak one in at Romford to make up for it. Thanks Dad!

All five London tracks I've seen league racing at were different in many ways. Wimbledon was ala carte speedway with fine dining and fountains. West Ham had History all over it. Iconic stadium and great track. Wembley famous stadium, venue of legends, but not the best race track. Hackney not the best facilities of the five, but fantastic racing. White City fabulous White elephant of a stadium where the crowd seemed lost at such a vast arena. Produced some decent racing for a 440 yard track. I enjoyed them all and feel fortunate to have visited them on numerous occasions.

Trevor Hedge was another Dons rider that was due a testimonial, but never got one. Like you say, that was the way things were in those days.

The fact that Bushell knows what speedway is, helps. The vast majority of people, have never heard of it. Especially the younger generation.

I remember him losing his rag after being excluded from a race at West Ham, and leaving his bike across the track.

Unfortunately, Barry is a voice in the wilderness.

What an uplifting story.