fatface

Yes, I wouldn't have thought so. Not in England. Not among some English men.

Two things about this story... 1. Peter Oakes has a nose for a story and is still highly effective at shoe horning speedway into the tabloids. Top work 2. It's absolute balderdash. Speedway will not be returning to Wembley. We (speedway fans) are a dying breed. It would do well to get 40,000 into Wembley. The crowds are shrinking and the average age of the crowd is rising. The numbers don't add up. Wembley gets repurposed to put on days and days of Harry Styles/Ed Sheeran/Adele type gigs and gets 80k turning up night after night. It's low risk, high return. Does anyone seriously believe they would repurpose Wembley, including laying of a track for one night of speedway? There might have been a chance when the new Wembey opened around 2007 and they were desperate to recoup money. Not anymore. The Principality is as good as it will get for speedway in the UK.

Heard a podcast where he was quite honest about the mistakes he made not venturing further. He definitely had a load of talent. As well as that GP win, he was also brilliant in the 92 World Team Cup Final which was absolutely loaded with top, top riders. As well as not making the move to a bigger track or really testing himself overseas, he also seemed to get embroiled in too many petty spats. Don't know if he was trying to prove he was a tough guy or what...but it's not the sort of stuff serious professionals would get involved in.

Thanks Steve. That's a kind and classy post to make

That's true. But frankly the horse has long bolted and it was entirely avoidable with tact, sensitivity and a little foresight. I have long made the case that this project should not have seen the light of day. I am very much on the periphery of the sport, but even I was aware of the open secret that since his brain haemorrhage PC is not the man he used to be. Tony and Retro Speedway, being way more connected with the sport for decades and the many surrounding individuals would have been much more aware of it than I. PC is still a name in the sport, so this always had the potential to be a money maker, but also morally questionable. The former has trumped the latter in this calculation. You can take the financial benefit or the moral highground, but in this case you can't have both. You can't bemoan PC's unsavoury grievances being made public when you created the platform for them to become public. I have been pretty heavily castigated in this thread for making these points and plenty have weighed in to support that. I hope some will reflect now on previous assertions and assumptions. All that said, nothing is ever black and white and no-one needs to grab their pitch forks quite yet.... To reiterate, Retro Speedway and Tony have made a really, really positive overall contribution to the sport. Their books are a welcome presence on my bookshelf. This one will not join them and is a project that was - I believe - a bit naughty. I don't believe Peter Collins to be a bad guy. It is certainly never a reputation he had in the sport in his heyday and beyond - and as a young fan, he was always approachable and happy to sign a programme and interact with supporters. Some of his recent behaviour, I believe, is more medically related and - I hope - doesn't taint what should still be legendary status. Steve Casey I had the fortune to meet on a few occasions. A really positive, easy to talk to, likeable and inoffessive fella. He lived and breathed the sport. He is a sad loss to all those who knew and loved him. I wonder if a way to salvage some of this is a donation from the book's profits to a cancer charity?

WWE is hardly dripping with credibility. I am being a tad facetious of course. I accept speedway's lack of credibility is an issue. But its not the biggest issue. If you had a time machine and brought 70s and 80s British Speedway back to the modern day and presented that to a 2023 audience, it would still be badly struggling.

I think it goes deeper than marketing. We have to be really honest and say the overall product isn't up to the mark. And I don't mean the racing, I think the pure sport is actually pretty good compared with some more successful sports. Then again, I am biased. I mean the overall experience of going to speedway in the UK. Catering, spectator facilities, entertainment, crowd interaction, presentation..its all light years behind what other sports and other attractions offer in 2023. I'm sure there's plenty on here like me that have had that awful uncomfortable experience of taking newbies to speedway and seeing it through their eyes. All the things you have come to accept - dirty terraces, bars in portakabins, poor presentation, standing around waiting between races - is so very dated to people outside the sport.

I apologise for not being on here every day to respond to every miniscule point. I've got priorities Steve! You'll have to look to different posters for that level of commitment (or lack of?). Seems like a fair point that paid referees shouldn't get free access. Was that in PC's book? Or not? Steve, your posts are generally good, courteous and constructive. But you are misguided on this one. No business can plausibly give free lifetime access to former employees. Furthermore, have one of those well-paid employees (sporting legend or not) have the say-so on who gets free passes. ...and I wonder how many turned up on the off-chance of meeting a journeyman county cricketer or boxer from the 1970s? Sports that never would have been considered as competitors to speedway 30-40 years ago have moved so far ahead of the sport its probably beyond retrieveable. You can add women's football, darts, MMA to the list too.

You know, that' not a bad idea and that's why it will never happen in speedway. The sport is run like a failing pub that panders to its shrinking hardcore regulars. Unfortunately, the sport's core following is those who bemoan its demise, whilst decrying anything that would take into the modern day. The experience of going to speedway in the UK is pretty much the same as it was in the 70s and 80s, that's why it can't reach new audiences and the few who do attend are broadly 50+ and were around then. Cricket, rugby, horse racing, netball, boxing have all upped their game, moved with the times and replenished their crowds. Speedway has not...and worse, will not.

I'm really not sure if folk actually read my whole post or are trying to find a way to be affronted. It seems more to me that we agree on riders like Barry Ayres. So, we will leave that at that. I understand that raising the brain injury is uncomfortable. But it is an unavoidable factor in this project. I'm no expert and no-one on here is. But brain haemorrhages are known to change people's personalities - not in all cases - but in some they can result in symptoms of memory loss, paranoia, irritability, anxiety, depression and so on. I have seen this in people I know who have suffered. There are plenty of first hand accounts that suggest that PC also has been adversely effected in one or more of these areas. That's why I question the validity of his take on events and indeed that they should go into print, on the record as it were, without the takes from previous and current BV management or indeed Angela Collins. Given the circumstance and PC's status in the sport, I think this whole area should be handled more sensitively and diplomatically. It hasn't. Hence, I think Tony has been naughty. On your other points around on track injuries, particularly the 1977 incident. Yes, there is great validity to them. Different times of course, life pre-health and safety rules wasn't all golden. Very pleased to hear you have made such a great recovery. I'm quite comfortable being the minority view on this. My over-riding concern is that both PC's nor Belle Vue's reputations aren't unnecessarily and unfairly sullied from unfortunate circumstances. My points are perfectly valid and I've yet to hear a convincing challenge to them.

Hmm. I think you are being a tad disingenuous. To be really clear, I'm talking about you making a few quid in not ideal circumstances. Not PC. Look, I think your contribution to the nostalgia speedway market has been very good and I've been a happy customer. I think the Kenny Carter and John Berry books stand up against any speedway book ever. And Backtrack had some good stuff before running out of steam. But, I also think the use of a lot of footage in the DVDs is a bit naughty....I assume ITV Sport and BBC Sport haven't handed over distribution rights to these? I think producing a PC book is also a bit naughty post-brain injury. As a consequence, sadly, I don't think he is a reliable source and his words against others should not be put into print unchallenged. The Belle Vue management past and present are really in a no-win situation, there is nothing to be gained for them coming out against PC, a bona-fide club legend. Equally, for this particular issue of all ex-riders getting free admission, how can any speedway club operating on fine margins (in realty loss making) start ushering 200+ folk through the gate for free each week. I have long worked in PR and there aint any mileage out of Barry Ayres* heading in free every week. It means very little to the 50+ year olds who might remember him....and literally nothing to any new crowds they need to draw in. I'm not surprised a PC book has been rolled out. He is a name that still means something to people, hence this thread. But given the health circumstances, I don't agree with it. * sorry to Barry Ayres if he reads this! He had a crack, fair play. But wasn't up to it. I could have chosen from many others.

Sorry Tony, I can't buy that. Unless we have the exact number and names between Wee Eck's 180 and your "tiny handful" it's pure conjecture. I also can't go with the notion of riders "putting their neck on the line". I have admiration for anyone who gets their head above the parapet and goes for it in life, particularly if that is something dangerous like speedway or stepping into the boxing ring. But let's not pretend they are risking their lives for some greater noble cause and sacrifice. These are not volunteers marching off to war. They are sports people in it primarily for selfish reasons, personal glory and remuneration. Without those, they wouldn't be doing it. In PC's case, often very well remunerated, squeezing out as much as he could get from BV in his latter seasons. And fair play to him too...it's a short and dangerous career. What makes me uncomfortable about this book is that it is a one sided take from someone who has had a brain injury. This has had an effect and as such, his interpretations are questionable at least. And, to be really, really honest, it's only been published because there is a few quid in it. We can't take it as some sort of historical document without the views of all other parties involved be they past and current BV management. You can't have your cake and eat it. I was a big fan of PC and I've enjoyed lots of your output over the years. But let's say this as it is.

Interesting, I don't agree though. Chris was always bound for better things than Dave. Even being 2-3 years younger, he had reached a World Final and won the British under 21 title. Dave hadn't. I do think Dave could have been better though were it not for bad injuries,

I worked at Tesco's for 4 years as a student. Can you believe they won't let have free food now? There's a difference in your comparison. No one would question the right for PC to enter for free as a lifetime guest of honour. But riders who were paid for their time back in the 80s and 90s....Mark Crang, Bernie Collier, Barry Ayres, Paul Embley and hundreds of other wannabees, why should they get lifetime passes - that's the issue.

I think you misunderstand me. I'm talking about investing in it as a business. not whether you buy it. No worries. Yes, the paper quality has notably dropped too. You will see other areas of quality rescinding in due course. The market is shrinking and so too is the demand for the product as it is. Hence the cutting of overheads, rather than a rethink of the product. Which is madness really. Quite simply, there is no scenario where Speedway Star's business will pick up in its current model. So, change or die. I have always admired some of the work of the folk behind the Star, particularly the work that goes into the foreign news and Peter Oakes' excellent pages. But that work badly needs redirecting to reflect a modern media platform and the demands of consumers. And that does not mean a Pdf of the pages.

And would you invest in a print-only media title? The demise of regular print is a reality every media platform has to confront and those who stick their head in the sand die. Send me a letter and we can continue the debate

Harsh but fair. On a more serious note, I - like many - on this forum have a life-long affection for Speedway Star, so I say the following in kindness and with a little expertise in the sport media landscape. It needs a completely refreshed approach to survive in the modern digital era, otherwise it is heading for oblivion. When other specialist publications like The Ring, Running Fitness, Athletics Weekly, Boxing Monthly, Trail Runner magazine are falling by the wayside or prioritising digital, the writing is on the wall for weekly print. And they are in sports where the audience is growing or relatively large. Here's five things I would do: Change the printed magazine to monthly and focus on quality features, interviews and photography and broaden your emphasis to the international scene Use your vast library of heritage to produce themed specials and more digital visual content Modernise your website and prioritise daily news and set up a subscriber system for exclusive video content - use your black book of contacts! Use your social channels for behind the scenes video content - audiences are thirsty for this type of content, go live at press conferences etc. They are not thirsty for a jpg of your latest magazine cover Employ some translators and get the website live with Polish and Swedish versions - you are scratching the surface of an already small speedway market in the UK only All of the above will offer a better experience for subscribers/readers, hold more appeal for advertisers and get your fresh international eyeballs on your product. Over the years, plenty have taken bites out of what should be your market...and Speedway Star has let it happen. Fair play to Tony and Backtrack, but the Star should have been owning that space, same with podcasters, YouTubers...they are taking bites from your market. Even this forum! None of these have the potential reach of Speedway Star, none of the existing content, none the network of reporters, none the contacts across the sport. Use what you have, get a clear vision and modernise your product!

Never easy when comparing eras and I think this is one of those where its an apples and pears job. For Mauger and the like the British League title was the second most important competition of the whole season behind the World Championships, just as it would have been for Tony Rickardson had he shared the same era. Fast forward to Rickardson's era and you think Mauger and Olsen would have put as much emphasis on success in the British League had they been competing? Truth is they would have been prioritising bigger money in Poland and each GP far above speedway in Britain, if they would have bothered with Britain at all.

Probably my favourite "Did you know" of speedway history is that. Probably those mentioned above are the only others who ever had a chance of emulating that. I don't know the year, but I know even Ivan Mauger had a crack at Ice Speedway once and wasn't at the races.

To be honest - and risking the wrath of a few folk - I always found watching league racing at Odsal a bit of an unsatisfactory experience. The place was just too big. To borrow a Jasper Carrott gag, I said to the bloke next to me "OI!" Much preferred The Shay.

I stand corrected (maybe). The point I'm making (admittedly clumsily) is that Hyde Road (1929-1987), Brandon (1929-2018) and Plough Lane (1929-91) are venues that were primarily renowned for speedway racing first and foremost over a long unbroken period. Wembley and Odsal, impressive as they were, are more closely associated with football and rugby league.

I'm talking venues where speedway was the main sport and had decades long histories of hosting league racing. Not sure Wembley or Bradford had that.

Not sure the move to the hounds was in his thoughts at all. Never heard any suggestion of that before. The rest I agree with though. For the six years he ran it, he upgraded the track and stadium and always invested heavily in the team (not always successfully). The end was always inevitable given the Bradford City fire and the scale of redevelopment required of a wooden stadium, the value of the land in Manchester and the relatively limited income potential of running a speedway/stock car venue. I also understand he had a divorce from Pat to pay for? Hyde Road, Plough Lane and Brandon are the nearest the sport has had to iconic venues....and they were all allowed to slip into the wrong hands and outside of British Speedway's control. The sport never has had any vision or long-term coherent strategy....hence its lost its most cherished assets. It's still a miracle the new Belle Vue got built. Chris Morton and David Gordon deserve a medal for that at the very least.

I think its doable assuming a similar stature. I know Chris Morton was influenced by Soren Sjosten for example....and whilst he adapted it, it wasn't a bad starter point for the similar stature he was. On the flip side, I'd say guys like Andrew Silver and Simon Stead were unduly influenced by trying to copy an American-style Kelly Moran/John Cook approach and I think it held them both back. Both were unafraid of going full throttle, but at top level, they over slid around the corners, lost speed and couldn't step up. Kelly in particular could get away with it because he was a real natural and could carry the speed using incredible balance....but its not a style that just anyone should copy. Not everyone is Kelly Moran.

Yep. It's my local track now. I've been a handful of times and can't really recommend it. Far too small, the riders never seem to get going, minimal overtaking. It's a novelty track, but no more.