fatface

There's actually one for sale on ebay, alongside a load of other speedway relics. So I think that speaks volumes about what has happened to Wessies HG.

Its really important for BSI to get loads of journalists to the Millenium Stadium, because they really can't fail to be impressed. And will continue to write such articles. Even if I try and step into a neutral's shoes then I think that only really big England football matches and perhaps Wimbledon might compare as a British sporting spectacle.

Watching this thread with interest and have to agree with a lot of what's already been said. Mike Lee was absolutely blessed with talent. Odd really, because he's probably above the ideal height for a rider. Also reckon Joe Screen is incredibly gifted. He was a star as soon as he started the sport. I think he's one of those riders who would have achieved so much more in a different era. He's a racer through and through and the tracks of the 70s would have brought out the best in him.

Great stuff. As much as BSI taking a bit of a "doing" on this forum, I think they have done a great job with the sport. And with posh papers like the Guardian trumpeting Speedway GPs as being better than formula one, well you've gotta be happy with that :!:

I was/am the world's biggest Chris Morton fan. I must admit - from a purely selfish point of view - I loved it when he came back with Sheffield in 93 - just to get another chance to see him ride again. Clearly, he wasn't the rider he had been, but very occasionally he could still produce that little bit of magic. He even managed to win the Northern Riders Champs to put the whipper snappers in their place.

If only sponsorship was that easy :roll: Be an obvious solution but it is a very big IF. The riders would have to use the ferries anyway. What's really in it for the ferry company? I think a discount for bulk bookings would probably be about the best any promotion could hope for. But it would still be an expensive business because none of the riders would be local. There would be a huge outlay for home riders as well as away riders.

Agree totally Salty. I actually reckon that a Belfast or Dublin team would have the potential to attract bigger crowds than all of Britain's speedways. But - as you say - whether that would enough to cover travel costs in another matter.

Funnily enough, I was on holiday in Ireland last week and I took in a night at the dogs in Dublin. There are two venues - Sherbourne Park and Harold Cross. I went for the latter and as I arrived I immediately thought (as most fans would) what a tidy little speedway it would make. There was plenty of room for a track on the inside, a nice little grandstand with behind-glass bars and restaurants and room for the building of some pits. I think speedway in Ireland could do well. The Belfast ice hockey team attracts thousands since they were recently formed and there's no reason why speedway couldn't be as successful. But, if someone did go for it I suppose they would have to go for it big style in the Elite or Premier League and not in the Conference. It would take a big outlay to get a place up and running and to pay travelling costs for riders, so they'd need to recoup it by putting on high standard stuff to attract big crowds. Would be nice though

Thanks for the link Grachan. The photo of Hyde Road stadium before its final demolition is a very sad sight indeed. :-( Does anybody else know of anywhere else where I could get videos of speedway at Hyde Road :?:

Thanks guys

I saw Mike Lee doing something similar to Chris Morton at Belle Vue. Lee had it all didn't he? He could gate, overtake inside or out, ride big, small, grippy or slick tracks. When you think that he won everything (World Title, World Long Track, World Pairs, World Team Cup) and people still say he was a wasted talent - that just shows how good he really was.

Come on guys don't be shy - at least give us a taster

OK - that's me booked up for Prague. I thought I'd left it too late as flights were going up and up in price. Luckily there is a window of opportunity with Easy Jet at the moment. But only until next Wednesday. Prague return from Stanstead, leaving on Friday evening, back Monday morning £100 - not bad I think. If you have not booked up do so now - it'd be great to have a plane full of websliders! Also - can anyone recommend accomodation in Prague?? I've been there before and roughed it in a hostel, but I don't think it would be my dad's cup of tea.

I think we are all a little guilty of getting drunk on nostalgia sometimes. And, even more so about riders who are sadly no longer with us. But if you're suggesting Tommy Jansson could have been better than Peter Collins, well I think that's a big, big call you're making there. And I'm not sure i can buy that. Quick run down of PC: * Won one World Title, but could have won more if not for injury - 77 and sabotage - 78 * Only rider to score three consecutive maximums in World Team Cup Finals (73-75) * England's most capped rider ever * Won 4 World Pairs Titles - all with different partners * Twice on rostrum at World Long Track * 10 point plus average for 9 seasons in British League Even then I think these achievements don't truly reflect his ability. Think hard, would Tommy Jansson honestly have surpassed all this?

This "Hyde Road love in" has got me pining for the old flame again. Has anybody got any videos of Hyde Road meets, particularly from 70s/80s they'd be willing to share/sell?

1. Chris Morton - brilliant team man, superb from the back 2. Peter Collins - just magic 3. Shawn Moran - most natural rider I've seen 4. Sam Ermolenko - very brave, very exciting 5. Kenny Carter - cocky as hell, but could back it up 6. Mark Loram - never settles for second 7. Richard Green - reckless but brilliant to watch Near misses: Les Collins, Per Jonsson, Larry Ross

I think you're probably right Sandman. Maybe the Ruskies' desperation to get out from behind the Iron Curtain was what drove them to be so good at the crazy sport in the first place.

I think its pretty unanimous that Hyde Road was no1. But there are a few others that will always be a bit special to me: The Shay - it was a bit scruffy, but had a great atmosphere Owlerton - 2nd only to Hyde Raod in terms of the track and the smells of the bakery on the way to the stadium - mmm, mmm Brandon and Plough Lane - Very tidy venues that really give you a sense of occasion when you go there County Ground - not to everyone's taste, but with the speed of the place, close racing there is absolutely breathtaking

I think the ice racing is a great spectacle. But I think that it really is like a separate sport altogether. So I don't think it can be compared with the conventional speedway. The surface, bikes, riders and technique are all different. At one time there were a few who did both: Cribb, Stenlund, Verner bros, Evitts, Spinka. But now I don't know of any who crossover, not sure why this is though.

I was never a big fan of Cradley or the USA. But I've got to say that Bruce Penhall's retirement was a massive blow to the sport when it happened. I agree with others that Per Jonsson was magic too. But nobody could match Bruce's pulling power - and I'm sure many of the ladies will agree :roll:

I just don't think there is enough dirt on the tracks now. It seems to me that as the bikes have got faster and faster, the tracks have got slicker and slicker. And as a result, too many tracks have just one racing line making it very difficult to pass.

Chris Morton is my favourite all-time rider, so I've just got to agree with what's been said so far. His World Final record is shocking for a rider of his talent, but anyone who ever saw him stick his neck out for Belle Vue and England knows what a brilliant rider he was.

I'm biased but it has to be Belle Vue's Hyde Road. For me it was the home of British Speedway. Here's why: * Purpose-built for speedway * Never closed during the War * Some of speedway's greatest names donned the ace of clubs - Parker, Craven, Mauger, Fundin, Collins * Great, great race track It had the heritage, the glamour and fantastic racing. I'd go as far to say that its demise was probably British speedway's biggest loss.

I'd go for Screen for sheer excitement and either Howe or Stead for the experience. I wouldn't be surprised if Stoney got the nod though - the Workington hoards could add maybe up to 2,000 on the gate.

Here we go again. :roll: Just like years ago, Kenny Carter always provokes a reaction.