fatface

Who sits around waiting for an advert these days?Don't know about you, but I am more likely to be influenced by what goes on between the adverts than the adverts themselves. More likely is that people see a GP on TV, some will like what they see, then have a look on their smartphone or tablet if there is a local track. Some will put two and two together and realise this is the sport that gets covered in their local rag. Sad thing is that most people who do this and attend speedway in Britain are more than likely to discover a piss-poor product a million miles away from the GPs.

It's been so long that surely half of these London fans you talk of are brown bread by now. Of course there could still be a meeting at Wembley as just like the Millennium it could be converted. Whether it would be a success is a different matter. My take is that whilst the novelty of hosting a Wembley GP might be a success in year one, beyond that I have my doubts. To be frank, Wembley Stadium is now pretty soulless and the surrounding areas are pretty crappy too. Terrible isn't it? Why can't we hold Cardiff at the end of the season so we can all shiver outside Wetherspoons in the rain beforehand? Then shuffle home in the freezing cold afterwards. It would really make the weekend. You can also tell by the atmosphere in the stadium, the competitiveness of the racing and the reaction of the riders that it is utterly meaningless too. Pffff, I don't know why we bother. I'll say it again, British Speedway did sod all when it had its chunky cut of the World Finals. It was simply pocketed by promoters and no obvious investment was made in the future, either by more speedway-owned facilities or talent development - nothing. In an ideal world, the BSPA would have conceived the GP and be running the event, making a profit and ploughing it back into the development of the sport. They didn't. And to be honest, they wouldn't have the gumption to make a success if it anyway. They simply lack the vision. But, what domestic speedway can get out of the current system is profile. Ten or so quality meetings (although admittedly some are better than others - that's speedway) beamed into British homes on Saturday nights throughout the summer. Pre-GP there were years when no meeting would be on TV - none at all! Whether, British Speedway makes the most of the sport's TV coverage is another matter. On riders pay, of course we'd be happier if they all did well. But I think the top boys do make a decent enough wedge and to get to their bracket you have to get into the GP and get good sponsors. It's a competitive business, but again, that's sport.

Is that really the main point you are taking from this? I'm saying 1981 was a great occasion - but not as great as we like to recall. But it was also clearly the last of its kind. 13 more World Finals demonstrated that quite clearly.

I could not disagree more. By 1994 our world championship was broken to anyone but the utterly deluded. 1981 was the last great occasion, but even then I think you are being rose-tinted. Penhall's races v Olsen and Knudsen were classics, but it wasn't brilliant racing all night. I also don't believe it was a sell out, a crowd of 75k is more accurate. But I digress, quite simply our World Final had become a very anti-climatic event in pretty average arenas in front of crowds closer to 20k. To suggest we should have simply ploughed on regardless is plain daft. I have no doubt had we taken that route and interest had continued to dwindle, we would have had the sad spectacle of seeing the World Final at Poole or King's Lynn.

Shame then that the promoters did sod-all with that money then. Did any of them actually invest in their facilities and trying to move with the times?

Completely agree with the above post. I think there is often far too much sentimentality over the old system. I have a decent enough grasp of the sport going back to the 1970s and let's be honest, how many great World Finals were there from 1970-1994? Some of the racing in say the last five years of the GP series, particularly from Poland, New Zealand and Sweden has been far superior to much of what we saw in World Finals 70-94. As a side issue. I'm sure there are plenty of sports where it is possible to win a World Championships in your first year. In theory, I could take up the 100m in 2016, run a super fast time, get picked for Team GB and win the Olympic 100m gold. All good in theory, but in reality, utterly impossible. Just as it would be for speedway -such is the high standard of professionalism in elite sport. If a rider is talented enough and highly dedicated, they will get there soon enough.

Could you point out where I say he should never be allowed to work again? Can you point out where British Justice has ruled he should never be allowed to work again?

That's a shame. I hear she finds you very attractive indeed and is a huge fan of your postings on this forum. She must be absolutely gutted to read this. What a strange standpoint you take, taking sympathy with a convicted rapist. Either you put your faith in the British Justice System or in a man who chose take full advantage of a vulnerable teenage girl and got his 'mates' to film him getting his own disgusting selfish way, then sneaking off all behind his partner's back. Personally, I'll put my faith in our system. Although we still have some way to go, I think we are increasingly living in a society where more victims feel they can speak out against sexual abuse and they will get the overwhelming support of others. Perhaps some people would prefer we go back to the 1970s?

I went to that meeting. British Semi at Odsal. It was easily the worst I had ever seen Kenny Carter ride. A few days later, the reason became quite apparent. I also tend to think that his time for winning the World Title had probably just passed. But I still think he would have been a huge contender in 85. In many ways it was a final that was there for the taking. On the day, both Gundersen and Nielsen had bad rides, Ermolenko was very inexperienced and even Kai Niemi went pretty close. Kenny was still very much a top line rider. Had he reached the final, no-one would have had more time to practice around Odsal than he. He might even had done a Muller and made them 'all look stooooopid' For me, he was genuinely unlucky. Some say he was reckless. I thought he was hard and fast, but never reckless. Both times he broke his leg could be put down to bad luck. In 84 he was hit by a trailing rider and in 85 he came off due to atrocious track conditions. Sadly for him, both crashes resulted in bad injuries. He may have won the title in those years, he may not. But no-one can deny he would have been a serious contender.

When you are footballer or indeed any professional sportsperson you represent a community, that comes with the territory. Clubs are only too happy to reflect their community values because there is financial gain to be had. With this comes a reponsibility to reflect community values and ethics. Most communities don't think a convicted rapist is a good reflection of their community values. I agree with them.

A theory I've heard before, but it can only be based on looking at the raw figures and no more. An engine failure and a controversial exclusion (now where's that can of worms?) undid him for the first two finals. In 83, admittedly he wasn't as sharp as he was the previous two seasons. But I think everyone knew the game was up pretty early doors in that final. They might as well have engraved the trophy the night before. Kenny's rather comical interview on ITV from that final reveals much about how he felt about proceedings. But as for 81 and 82, he was at least the second best rider in both finals. In my opinion, he was very unlucky not to mount the rostrum at least once.

It's still worth a read and I think the shift towards Backtrack-style interviews in the Winter has been wise. Really enjoyed the Larry Ross piece. But I thought the White City piece relied a little too much on Wikipedia for much of its content.

Even if it were true that the original sponsor was the source of the title, why retain it? Unless it has been retained due to a sense of grandiosity on their part. Surely not?! Only in America ;-) Anyway, back on topic. The title asks if Mike Bast could have been a force in World Speedway, the more I think about it, the more I have to say no. Talent is one thing, but a willingness to work hard and make sacrifices hugely outweigh that. That's the big difference between Bruce Penhall and someone like Mike Bast. Without that desire and hunger you are never going to be the best. Wasn't there also an Aussie called Chris Watson who was one of their top riders in the 80s or 90s who also never came to Britain? Based on results Down Under he seemed to be every inch the match for the Aussies who did ride in the UK. But again, if the desire and hunger are not there, then it aint never going to happen at the top level anyway.

You would think so. The Californian money and lifestyle are certainly big factors. But I would also say - in this case - that it may be a symptom of American sport. I get the impression that for many American sportsmen being the best in the US is enough for them and - in their mind - akin to being the best anyway. At the risk of racial stereotyping, many yanks simply don't have the international outlook people from other nations do. Isn't it something like only a third of Americans actually have a passport? Like it or not, Formula One is the acid test of motorsport. The Formula One World Champion is recognised as the best driver in the world. Yet, there is not a strong tradition of American drivers testing themselves at the global level, instead preferring Indy Car or Nascar.

Glad to hear people enjoyed themselves. Did he charge an appearance fee or was he happy for all profits to go to the Grass Track Club or Speedway's Ben Fund?

Very cool indeed. It's difficult to define, but there is a certain working man's grittiness in speedway. It works so well on film.

I am sorry to hear that. I went on a few Exeter jaunts to various big meetings in the 90s and he was always a very friendly, welcoming and fun presence. My sympathies to his friends and family.

:-) Let's just hope he doesn't need an alternate use for his dirt deflector...

Is there anything new to know or just old books to sell? Every Barry Briggs fart is reported by Speedway Star.

There's your answer if there was to be such a meeting. Tie it into a big GP, say in Bydgoszcz, the night before the Torun GP. Personally, I have no appetite for it whatsoever. But if it floats some people's boats, then why not?

Maybe. It will need a look into my parent's loft. Leave it with me. Might be a few weeks.

Wow! I could've almost written that myself! My first meeting was also in 1981 v King's Lynn. Our family were hooked right from the get-go. And Mort was always my favourite, though Larry Ross was a great rider for the Aces and probably the key man in the title-winning 82 season. He was very reliable away from home and could always gate when needed to. I agree that Kenny Carter was the best visitor. Mort and PC brilliant at Hyde Road, but they had to be at the absolute top of their game to beat Kenny. One meeting that sticks in my mind is a 1982 British League match v Sheffield. The racing was dynamite all night with Mort, PC and Shawn Moran right in the thick of it. Wayne Brown was also flying for the visitors. The Aces were two down going into the final race. But lo and behold Mort and PC pulled it out of the bag with a 5-1 against Shawn Moran and Reg Wilson. I recall both teams being sent round on the traditional lap of honour,, such had been the quality of the racing.

I went to the Exeter v Russia match and it attracted a huge crowd. It was also covered in a special programme on the local ITV channel that night. TSW I think? Exeter was chosen as most thought it would best suit the Russians. But they just couldn't find their way round the place at all.

One thing they should seriously think about is an independent panel to advise them. As it is they are a motley crew with their individual interests their overwhelming priority. The widespread good of speedway comes a lowly second - if indeed it is that high. I don't see them ever appointing a commissioner to oversee the whole governance of the sport. But they would do well to consider setting up an independent panel consisting of ex-riders, supporters, business experts, marketing experts and high ranking officials from other (succcessful) sports to consult with and advise on matters affecting speedway in Britain as a whole. An official body such as this might just be the best chance to get some unbiased, clear and strategic thinking at these gatherings.

I'd bow to your superior knowledge on that one then Norman!