Reviresco

This is a speedway forum and the posters are fans of speedway (or who have been). Who else would you expect speedway fans on a speedway forum to 'snipe' at - the Council? The Contractors (whoever they are)? The Clerk of Works (who has been suggested was the person responsible for ensuring all the works were done to plan and order)? Speedway fans. on a Speedway forum, will 'snipe' at the entity that they are familiar with and, in many cases - including me - the people they feel are responsible for this situation arising, i.e. the management of the club who will utilise the speedway facilities to host speedway meetings, i.e. the management of Belle Vue speedway club, which is situated at the National Speedway Stadium. If I wanted to 'snipe' at the Council, or the Contractors, I would do so directly to them. Seconded. Great post and analogy SCB. ============================ OK, the weather during the winter and early spring would have made the completion of the whole project run past it's set due date, and this may well have led to the completion of the final part of the project, which appears to have been bends 3 & 4, being rushed, and this, in turn, may have led to a permeable membrane, that Tsunami refers to on another thread, being omitted, or installed the wrong way round, by the Contractors, which, in turn, has led to water seeping up through this membrane rather than down and away from the track surface - but, given the weather caused the delay - (which caused the rush which caused the apparent error with the membrane) - then why oh why did the Belle Vue management not then similarly delay the staging of the Grand Opening Meeting, explaining the exact and honest reasons - before they opened the gates (I'm assuming that the BV management opened the gates to 6,000 people and that we are not saying the the Council or the Contractors (or even the Clerk of Works) are responsible for opening the gates on GOM night?) If the BV management had only done the sensible thing then, I am sure that the people who had booked tickets for the abandoned GOM would have understood and, of course,would not have then incurred the expenditure for their wasted travel, sustenance and any accommodation - as they would have had the opportunity to cancel their bookings. Those people would, I'm sure, have understood the postponement, if only the BV had taken this course of action. We all know what the weather had been like. We had seen the pictures of snow, piles of what looked like shale, and machinery on bends 3 & 4, which were taken and posted here, what, a month before the scheduled date for the GOM. And some of us had read 'speedflash's' comments, saying that he had driven past the NSS a couple of weeks before the scheduled GOM date and that his opinion was that there was no way that the GOM could go ahead on its scheduled date. If people like 'speedflash' were saying that, then why oh why did the BV management not announce a postponement of their GOM (not the Council's or the Contractors' GOM) in good time for their customers' (not the Council's or the Contractors' customers) to cancel bookings and alter their plans for the day? Surely, better to cancel and reschedule the GOM than run the risk of issues arising due to the rush to finish - which the BV management would have been aware of, and risk also a potential fallout - which has become reality now? A postponement / cancellation of the NSS's GOM was within the BV management's orbit. Stories had circulated that there was a problem with the track and that that problem would manifest itself when riders attempted to race on the surface. The fact that the BV management didn't is the reason that I hold the BV management responsible for the abandonment and the subsequent fallout, which has in turn led to forum posters 'sniping' at the BV management on the British Speedway Forum. Oh dear me.....

A while to go yet, but does yesterday's result make the Rebels ante post favourites for the Fours Final in July?

Have you ridden on any of them though to compare, Colin? Seeing a track you may deem to be bad, isn't the same as sitting on a 500cc, highly tuned, motorbike with no brakes and riding/racing it, particularly in this case, on a virgin track. Personally I would take the opinion of an SGP standard rider over a voice in the crowd any day. Particularly if that voice is attached to a body that has never swung a leg over a speedway bike.

You will know this, norbold, but it is Stan Stevens' 82nd birthday on Tuesday, 26th. Many Many Happy Returns Stan and thank you very much for the memories. A good old boy from Ilford, with a story or two to tell, no doubt.

Yes thanks, 99. I do remember seeing this some time ago, maybe because I live in the orbit of the paper that Mike Bacon works for, or simply on the 'Love Speedway' web-site. Some of the figures - the 8% annual loss, the drop in attendance from 6,000 to 700, and the correlation between post code and season ticket sales are very interesting. I think he argues against himself a bit with his comparison of 'insular' tracks and the need for speedway tracks to be located in urban conurbations, I think. Speedway has survived in a number of areas over my speedway following lifetime, in 'insular' locations. (I will dig out my list of defunct tracks visited versus current tracks again to refresh my memory.) My first visit to a speedway track was to Romford. At that time there were a handful of speedway tracks in London. Ten years later they had virtually all gone. It took one lone dissenting local resident, the infamous Mr Stretch, to deprive 5,000 their weekly fix of speedway at Brooklands. As we all know, speedway and urban conurbations are not easy bedfellows. I was watching the excellent Updates site last night and from the comments on there and the subsequent feedback on here, there doesn't seem too much wrong with the core product. What else is it that speedway fans want from speedway? Maybe the answer will be found on this thread.

Eeks, not the Flyin Ryan Frying Pan?! Well, I won't say 'owt else in case it becomes a case of, 'out of the frying pan and into the fire', Sue. I haven't had a fry up for ages, so if you have got a couple of minutes in your hectic, home, work, social and ...... (something that rhymes with social.... no, can't think) schedule, then sausage, bacon, tomato, beans, a couple of 'over easy' eggs and there if there is some room, it doesn't have to be much room, mushroom, would just hit the spot a treat. 7:30 pm this Thursday, second bend, three steps down from the top. Smashing. I might even get you a cuppa (not from a flask), the next time you are texting the Updates. Now, that sounds a great deal (for me) .

My pleasure EIA. If it wasn't for a similar great club man in Charlie Benham, I would probably have adopted Stan Stevens as my favourite too, after he had left West Ham, following the Lokeren disaster, and moved down and over to Romford. Stan rode his first meeting for the Bombers against Rayleigh on 17 July 1971, after a less than successful return from his Lokeren injuries at West Ham at the beginning of the season. Stan recorded two heat wins and two last places in that meeting in the No. 3 position. Stan was never particularly at home at Brooklands but, of course, never complained and just got on with it, always giving of his best with a smile never far from his lips, always making himself available to the fans for a chat, an autograph or even a photo - not as common then as now, with the advent of cameras in mobile phones - who would've envisaged that development back then? Stan's best results came on away trips to Hull and Sunderland, when he top scored for the Bombers. With Romford's forced closure, due to one dissenting local resident (Mr Stretch), Stan then found himself back at Custom House in 1972 with the Bombers relocation there, and was appointed captain, moving on when Custom House closed, to Barrow. I lost track with Stan for a while after that, but was delighted to regularly see him ride at Mildenhall in 1975 and 1976, when in his early 40's. Still the 100% committed club man, still with the smile and the ever approachable nature. Riders like Stan are the backbone of the sport and he added a lasting treasured memory of those days.

That's really good to hear about the riders. Something that used to happen 'back in the day' and seemed to be dying out. Especially LIam Carr, who has a meeting the next day for Coventry Storm - Oh, hole on a minute, that was at the NSS against Belle Vue Colts and, of course, has been postponed . Silly me. Good to hear that Berwick seem to have put a decent 1 - 7 together and the track has produced some entertaining racing. Maybe it isn't all doom and gloom in British speedway at the moment - well, apart from at Edinburgh maybe, after their performance at Workington. No comment needed eh, Scotsman . Hope that the entertainment continues for you guys. Always enjoyed visiting Berwick, back to Wayne Brown's time at the club.

Better a night in Norwich than a trip to Derwent Park, or whatever it is called these days - Gnu Zoo or something, by the looks of it tonight, Scotsman. Run out of 'Likes' so just to say, George, you need to get your ears cleaned out. Scotsman said 'engines', not 'Indians' - that's ENGINES. And by the way, it ain't a John Wayne movie and we mustn't call them 'Indians' any longer. They are indigenous native Americans - or summat like that. (Thanks, George, you did give me a chuckle.) PS, well done the Comets. It looked a decent 1 - 7 when it was put together with Proctor in the line-up, and it ain't doing too shabbily as it is now. Could be an exciting season ahead, lads and lasses. Pleased for you.

Whilst agreeing that the SCB do not licence a track as fit to race on - as I pointed out in my previous post, the SCB do employ both Colin Meredith and Alan Bridgett as Track Inspectors both of whom, I believe, have extensive knowledge of track preparation matters. And the aforementioned Mr Meredith is, of course, the track curator at the NSS...

Totally understood and realise you are, heavily, involved in many aspects of the sport. Would be good if somebody did have the time and inclination to forward some positive viewpoints and criticisms. I guess I could always just e-mail Mr Chapman, no harm doing so. Would be good to have a chat sometime about the sport, if we happen to be in the same place at the same time. Hope the meeting at King's Lynn goes well. I am deciding between a trip to West Row, or to Hoddesdon to see how good these Brummies riders are.

Haha. You did well to escape, relatively, unscathed, which is not what most people in Norwich can say as most of them are (inter) related. Q: why does it confuse a person born in Norwich if you ask them to count to ten using only their toes? A: Because they don't know what to do with the extra two. TBH, I like Norwich and it is a much better place to go out in than Ipswich. It's just a shame Norwich people live there. A bit like the best part of driving out of England into Scotland, is seeing England in your rear view mirror. Oh dear, I really should go straight to bed after I've been out on a Saturday, rather than tuning in to this forum.

Bryn, before this thread carries on, and as, the majority, of replies have been sensible so far, are you planning on recording the responses and taking it any further? There may have been surveys done by speedway supporters in the past, which may or may not have had any affect, but it may just be the right time for this to happen, before speedway disappears into the sporting afterlife, in the guise of a former sport that we used to enjoy.

Ahh, Manor Park, one of my old stomping grounds. All fast food and massage parlours the last time I went there (not to one of the parlours). Was the Coventry Tony, Lomas? And Stan Stevens. What a great servant to British speedway was Stan. From Rayleigh in 1960, to Mildenhall in 1976 with Lockeren and Romford in between.

Sounds like they got it spot on this evening. Appreciation to all involved. Part of me wishes I had gone tonight, but the bigger part wishes I had taken Monday 22 April 1985 as a day off from work and had driven up to Trimley and stayed with the little b@gger for a couple of days. I knew there were some major issues going on in his life, but never expected the outcome to be what it was. When I last spoke to him on the previous Saturday at Swindon, despite having just lost (lent) the golden helmet to Bo Petersen, he seemed brighter and bouncier - almost like the old Billy, but it was obviously more deep seated than I had imagined. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, eh. At least he never grows older - 'age shall not weary him, nor the years condemn'. Blinking good times though... Life moves on. So, onward and upward for the Witches and Paco in particular. Scotsmen are good judges (at least tonight) of Italian talent ... Italian speedway talent

Just to add, on a good night: Even though that post was almost humorous (pal), I have only one thing to say about your following post (pal) and that is: Phbhbhbhblrrrrlrlrlrlrlrphhhh... (By the way, that was me blowing a raspberry, at the Witches' threads uninvited visitor, possibly a troll, type person.) Now, begone with you and never sully these pleasant halls again - unless you want to post nice in future, please. Hope I don't get reported because of the Phbhbhbhblrrrrlrlrlrlrlrphhhh - criticise the post and not the poster and all that.

Wow, thanks Badge. That's brilliant and very pleasing to hear. Just as well I didn't go as the track would've been flooded with tears... RIP buddy.

Haha, Hail on me - all hale and hearty. Pacca and Macca - what a combo, like pizza and haggis, Good grief. How was Naaaaarwich today, Scotsman?

I don't get many of my guesses predictions even fairly close, and as others are saying they said it first, just a reminder above of macca56's ability (almost) to predict the future... So long as we know... PS: Danny lowering his average in a meaningless, as far as the competition is concerned, fixture?

Haha, brilliant. As long as it wasn't with a couple of fingers hidden - or a Mexican version, I am sure he will have appreciated it. Good stuff. Any sign of CL's IFFF ( Interactive Fan thingy) tonight? And what was the crowd like, may I ask?

Just your fingers? Thought your texts were spot on. Informative and unbiased - and far better than those from the usual (I can't say, normal) Foxhall texter. Hope someone got you a vodka. If they score like this when Lewi puts four good heats together - if his Jawas allow, the current line up could do ok. Just hope it wasn't a false dawn, with Sheffield already qualified and their Ressies not the best at Foxhall, making the scoreline look better than it really was. Hope you gave Big Bad Bob a wave Baldyman.

Good to see from Paco, HKP, which made for a good solid 1 - 7 scoreline, even with Danny seemingly looking to reduce his average, possibly? Somerset on Thursday and the return of Romance Tungate could be interesting.

Whoop, whoop. You were right in keeping the faith Scotsman. If he scores in Heat 7, he will be the new local hero. Forza Paco!

Obviously a classy lady Sue. Best bone china only, eh girl? Well, after my bigging up the Updates site, I can't keep complementing the boss, so will just say that I am looking forward to some decent text updates tonight - only joking Sue, of course and hope you enjoy/ed the birthday party. P.S. - and in a whispered voice - looking at a couple of earlier posts, and a couple on tonight's meeting thread, have my ramblings attracted a "troll"? Apologies guys if that is the case. Never had you down as an old fisherman - as on the North Sea, Blu...

An acceptable Scotsman. Never...?! Thanks for the invites guys and, yes, I will for sure. I'll let you know when and you can arrange to sit in different seats that night, or hide. Won't be there this evening though as I have family commitments - my son's last non league game of the season today is due to kick off in a bit - (that's football, sorry Baldy) plus the 23 April is not a happy day for me, when a visit to Foxhall is not usually on the agenda. I wonder if they will mention anything tonight, but I suppose it Is 31 years now, and a generation or more ago. Do they still play 'A Walk In The Black Forest' at the end of meetings? Whenever I hear that, it always brings back memories - mainly of not being able to find my car on the Heath, it not starting, or getting stuck in the queue to get out . "So Long As We Know" as someone once said. I'll be keeping an eye on the excellent Updates site tonight (see what I did there, Sue?), and will be looking for a bit of Baldy humour to give us a chuckle. (I could be "Baldy Mark 2" the way my hair has washed and gone over the last couple of years.) I only registered on the Updates site at the end of last year, to be able to have a chat about the Aussie Qualifiers that the (always excellent) Updates site covered. I'm plain "macca" on there rather than "56" on here. Anyway, hope you have an entertaining evening and The Scotsman, and HKP, are right about Paco. Forza Paco! Finger out of pizza pie, show them your rear end and, Rapido Maschietto! Look out for things being thrown in your direction when the tractor goes past, Baldy. Again, thanks for the invites and for putting up with the ramblings. Very kind and much appreciated. (I see that Romance is back next Thursday with the Rebels, maybe I could get along to that. Would be good if CL could find a regulation to get Auty in as a guest, as it might spice the evening up a bit.) Never know, I may get the Foxhall bug again - not a pleasant thing that particular bug as it has been known to bring on temporary feelings of hope and excitement in the New Year, which are soon followed by cold shivers, lethargy, boredom, poor eyesight and even alcoholism and depression. If not the League Cup or League, Witches will win the Pairs and Fours this season. There, that's positivity for you...