Nigel

Flattery ..I like it.. That's the problem speedway is unfashionable, not cool.. like a pair of flared trousers its outdated, the young generation will steer clear of anything that is not fashionable Modernise or die is the reality. Engage with the young generation, Im an old fart but all for modernising ..... too many Luddites about. I dont want to go down this road its done to death on other threads but for the record Drury put the team together, every one said it would win nothing, wooden spoon they said. but by chance and unexpected form of some riders and the fantastic efforts of Phill Morris the team clicked... Phillips never rode a bike! I am an old fart.... you seem to have plenty of reasons for doing nothing, but non for doing something. You seem to suggest that declining markets cannot be halted or reversed and therefor we should not attempt to save our sport but let it slowly bleed to death. May I respectfully remind you that among many other things even Football was at one time a declining market as was Rugby... where are they now, May I also remind you Speedway was almost dead in 1959 with 7 tracks but the decline was "reversed" in the early 60s in one of the biggest booms in speedway history, again. the declining market hit speedway in 1934 and it was down to a handful of tracks but it reversed the decline with a pre war boom, pity Hitler spoilt it.. People keep writing off speedway as finished but it keeps bouncing back thanks to positive people with a can do attitude, Are you suggesting that previous entrepreneurial failures mean their can not be future successes? the harsh reality is we must modernise or die.....that is my unrealistic and unqualified opinion. Although I grant you no one has arrested the decline in Marks and Spencers market.... cloths for old farts ..not appealing to the younger generation ..has a familiar ring to it dont you think? We seem to have the expertise at Cardiff... great show ,,,, the skills are out there

I am somewhat disappointed to see a negative and down beat post against modernising speedway and I am not swayed by your arguments. Without wishing to be rude, you seem to be stuck in the past, surprising since no doubt you are much younger than me. Philips did nothing to bring in the crowds, he drove them away.... a PR disaster You think bare bones Speedway is sustainable and will survive..? but this is about the future not the past. we must move into the 21st century or die

I believe it is a widely held view that Tony Mole will be the saviour of Birmingham Speedway. ( if he runs it) It is a view I disagree with. My argument is this:- Over the years Mr Mole and his bed fellow CVS, have been and still are highly influential men at the BSPA, during which time I have not witnessed any leadership, influence or direction in encouraging investment to modernise the sport, taking it into the 21st century and appealing to the younger generation. The only initiatives in the face of the downward trend in spectator numbers appears to have been based on the Mole /CVS business model, “Cost Cutting” i.e. 2013, fortnightly meetings, 2014, draft riders. Ask yourself this:- If Mr Mole is running Brum in 2015 will he......... a)Invest in modernising the the sport fit for the 21st century and appeal to the younger generation, and therefore more likely increase spectator numbers.............or b)More of the same old thing, “I’m sending some riders around the track please come and watch” , pull the purse strings so tight that even the moths asphyxiate, with a budget premier league team that won’t win anything, but he will still turn a profit from the ever decreasing crowd numbers until it finally closes. The Mole ‘business model’ will not in my view solve any of Speedways problems, it is the problem... focused on cost cutting instead of investment. Any business whatever it may be cannot survive without investing in the future/modernising Speedway needs a new generation of go ahead young promoters who will modernise the sport. Should Mole be running Brum in 2015 I believe we will get nothing but bare bones speedway, not so much as a flag on the centre green , certainly not 2 paramedics as at some other tracks, so you will still be twiddling your thumbs for 20 mins while the medic puts a sticking plaster on a rider’s finger. No improvement in the inadequate outside viewing. A huge screen on the back straight with all the possibilities for modern showmanship and presentation ....and possible interaction with the i-phone generation.. Absolutely no chance... I firmly believe that Brummies want speedway but not at any price, we are in the age of sophisticated computer technology, speedway has to drag itself from the 1930s and its nostalgic attitudes. A modernised show would I believe pull in the crowds at Perry Barr. And to pre-empt the obvious accusations, I have nothing personal against TM (or others) I am sure he is a decent human being of integrity. My argument is against his and others methods of conducting their Speedway operations and its impact on the health, well being and future of our beloved sport. Speedway the extreme sport 0-60 in 2.5secs and no brakes, its dangerous it’s terrifying, it’s Awesome

They could go and watch darts, cheapest tickets at £20 plus or better still they could take a holiday in Cyprus... give them plenty to moan about!!!

Have just recieved my copy of "Crystal Palace Speedway" (A history of the glaziers) by Norman Jacobs. The front cover invites the reader in to what is IMO a very well researched and written book that keeps the readers interest all through. Many photos, some of which I have never seen before. From my perspective one of Norman Jacobs best books. Enjoy

Tongue firmly in cheek. I believe 'The News of the World' has vaccancies...

I believe Jack Geran and Neil Street were 2 of the riders

(Gentlemen sorry to interupt your sensible illuminating and well written posts. ..... but I cant resist) As you hurl abuse at Norbold you have the gall to point an accusing finger at me.... a pox on you sir I must appologise for my spelling but I only found one big typo that was 'Plato', it should have read.. Platopuss...... er is that how you spell it?

Such stunning oratory, oh the superb rhetoric, I am left gasping with admiration, move over Plato.......

Sez the man who should put his own house in order first, with respect to all the above quote . I respectfully suggest you lean the difference betweem facts and opinion. Sez the man who point blankly refuses to accept facts or to accept opinions other than his own and attempts to trivialise those who give an honest and friendly presentation of facts. Christian charity Huh!

The Magazine as usual keeps up the high standard with some excellent articles, shame then that it publishes what I consider a propaganda article by Philip Dalling. I can only assume it was written with a view to help pay the mortgage and his tongue was firmly in his cheek, if not, then his theatrical attempts to draw a parallel between the Hoskins factions, Cavaliers and Roundheads fell flat. It is perhaps unwise of Phillip to use that analogy, as the Cavaliers in their desire to discredit Cromwell and the Roundheads re-wrote history to suit themselves. Equally bizarre is the comment that facts published by historians particularly in Australia are in some way distasteful. Is the truth that unpalatable? I would like to know how much research Phillip has done on Australian Speedway history. In the apparent attempt to put more spin on Hoskins career the roles played by those who deserve the credit are played down, although Phillip grudgingly admits they played a part. The article I believe infers that the dedicated band of enthusiasts who research speedway history are in some way part of a conspiracy to discredit J S Hoskins . . Again this story denies credit to those who deserve it, pushed into the shadows once more by the Hoskins propaganda machine. The only evidence Phillip offers for Hoskins contribution to speedway is the fact he is apparently remembered by many.

I found some forgotten items in my computor files...a cutting for two adverts in a Rockhampton (Australia) newspaper .. "Trotting and Motorcycle sports" at the showground (Sept 22nd) Rockhampton agricultural society........... also "Motorcycle sports" at the Showground (August).. Central Queensland Championship, the year 1919

The Ilford clubs first choice of track was the disused Parsloes park trotting track.Permission for its use never granted. In 1928 Blackpool and Greenford trotting tracks were used. The blurb in a 1928 Greenford programme says they believe that dirt track racing is best seen on big trotting tracks, were did that info come from (USA?) seeing as the Australians thought that 440yrds the optimum size. I have reports of dirt track racing on trotting tracks in Italy 1911 and South Africa as early as 1908. California 1902. Jack Parker I think only rode in Trials. Gus Kuhn(see his website)did road racing(TT), trials,Path racing and Grass track but this was a completely different animal to the grass track racing we know today. edit:-whoops ...looks like you have beaten me to it Norbold Whoops again ..I forgot to mention Audenshaw and Droylesdon although the later was not a trotting track in 1927 as is commonly believed.

'Oval racing In OZ' Motorcycle racing on oval tracks started around 1902 although this is not a definitive date. Banked wooden and concrete cycle tracks were used for racing what were little more than motorised bicycles. Many sports fields, football and cricket pitches were surrounded by hard rolled cinder tracks which were used for cycling and athletics, they also saw racing. Some type of board track racing seems to have taken place in Oz but not as the Americans would know it. Horse trotting or harness racing as it is called was popular and many tracks existed, usually between half to one mile in length. The surface was, it seems, mostly grass although some may have been rolled dirt. How much grass was left on the turns can only be guessed at. On the country tracks and/or club meetings I think it would be a case of racing whatever you turned up on. At the more serious meetings bikes were I suggest more like their American counterparts, no brakes no gears etc. real dirt bikes. There may have been as many as 12 riders per race or as little as 2. Maitland was a Grass covered trotting track. In Oz racing on these tracks probably started before the First World War as it did in most civilised countries, except it seems Great Britain. New Zealand also had grass covered Trotting tracks; I have a photo of Ray Crawley seated on an American Excelsior Dirt Bike ....no brakes etc. at a grass covered track, the date 1916 It was not Speedway as we know it (1923). That evolved during the next 4 years (Thank you Australia) As for the first Floodlight meeting on an oval track, that honour I believe goes to the Americans who had done this before the First World War with Board Tracks. Hope this is of some use. It could be argued that Maitland was the catalyst that started it all in much the same way as High Beech. In my view Maitland was less of a Speedway meeting than High Beech and again to draw parallels I suggest Maitland was, like High Beech, down to a number of people and a particular set of circumstances. It is seldom the case that one person did it all but is frequently the case that one person claims the credit.

I was in Tescos