Steve Ribbons Posted March 14, 2008 Report Share Posted March 14, 2008 …”russell has been at all the str meetings over the last 12 months and has moved back to these shoes so speedway espana despite the rantings of steve ribbons is a dead duck”…… Oh, Badvock, Badvock, Badvock, where would all us poor benighted speedway followers be without your pearls of wisdom! However I do have to say, - “Why don’t you stop being such a complete fool and do something positive for a change”. Just a few points – 1 if I’m ranting at least I’m man enough to do it under my own name unlike you. 2 Russell has put his money where his mouth is and is trying to achieve something extraordinary…. unlike you (again) 3 Unless you have moved in with him (which I doubt) you will NEVER know exactly what’s going one (sucks, trying to be a know all doesn’t it) 4 You, personally have got no chance of doing as much as Russell has to get speedway going in Spain up to now and yes, I do personally take offence when people put him down as I know what he has had to do to get this far and If you want to talk about it trying doing in face to face with me down at Rye House one evening – here’s my phone number ring me and I’ll make sure I meet you. 07784 330494 And the next fool is, - “I predicted all this would happen in a letter to 'Speedway Star' about three years ago. The Spanish do not like speedway - the races are too short and not enough riders involved in the races.” Speedguy, or should I say John Hyam, you are a complete hypocrite! Never had much to criticise all those years you were earning a nice living as editor of the speedway star did you? You were trying to spoil the party way back at the Wimbledon re-launch press release (yes I know it was you, I was there remember) and over the last two years you have done nothing but try to wind up the few Wimbledon fans who use this site. Let me explain, and I will say it loudly enough so that you can hear it through your ear trumpet. - ONE DIRTY WEEKEND IN BENIDORM BACK IN THE SEVENTIES DOES NOT MAKE YOU, OR ANYONE ELSE AN EXPERT ON SPANISH SPEEDWAY. Love and kisses Steve (yes that is my real name) Ribbons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave67 Posted March 27, 2008 Report Share Posted March 27, 2008 Have you considered anger manaqement? :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shazzybird Posted March 27, 2008 Report Share Posted March 27, 2008 Love and kisses Steve (yes that is my real name) Ribbons. Go Stevie Go Stevie Go Stevie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwi Posted April 1, 2008 Report Share Posted April 1, 2008 So Steve, Have there been any further developments in the efforts to get Russell Paine's track in Spain running? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedyguy Posted April 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2008 (edited) And the next fool is, - “I predicted all this would happen in a letter to 'Speedway Star' about three years ago. The Spanish do not like speedway - the races are too short and not enough riders involved in the races.” Speedguy, or should I say John Hyam, you are a complete hypocrite! Never had much to criticise all those years you were earning a nice living as editor of the speedway star did you? You were trying to spoil the party way back at the Wimbledon re-launch press release (yes I know it was you, I was there remember) and over the last two years you have done nothing but try to wind up the few Wimbledon fans who use this site. Let me explain, and I will say it loudly enough so that you can hear it through your ear trumpet. - ONE DIRTY WEEKEND IN BENIDORM BACK IN THE SEVENTIES DOES NOT MAKE YOU, OR ANYONE ELSE AN EXPERT ON SPANISH SPEEDWAY. Love and kisses Steve (yes that is my real name) Ribbons. Over the years I have made a study of Spanish speedway - especially the post-war attempts that involved Ted Gibson, Wally Mawdsley and Ian Hoskins. This embraces the years between 1948-1971. All had initial success, then attendances fell away. Two very good friends of mine, with whom I am still in contact, Dave Collins and Vic Ridgeon, rode in Spain in 1953 - and it was from them that I gained the information on how crowds start off very large then declined as interest rapidly declined. Spain also tried speedway in the years before the start of the Civil War in 1936. Spanish riders appeared at several London tracks in the early 1930s and I am certain they also had a rider in the qualifying rounds of the first World Championship in 1936. A further add to not knowing anything about Speedway in Spain. In Tom Stenner's early 1930s classic 'Thrilling the Million" he mentions that the King of Spain and his family were regular visitors to meeting at speedway track in Madrid. Yes, I was at the launch of speedway's return to Wimbledon at the stadium (was it 2001?). As I was there in my capacity as a local newspaper reporter, the questions I asked about break-even crowds etc were acceptable, as were the others that I put forward. I feel the questions I asked were in order and it was as a result of them that afterwards I had a discussion with the then press officer Barry Pickering. It also led to the start of a long-standing friendship with the then main promoter Dave # Name Removed #. I seem to remember in your brief stay at Plough Lane, trying several times to contact you by phone - it was never very successful, in the end I went to Dave # Name Removed # - and that was a different and fruitful affair. Steve Ribbons quote: Let me explain, and I will say it loudly enough so that you can hear it through your ear trumpet. - ONE DIRTY WEEKEND IN BENIDORM BACK IN THE SEVENTIES DOES NOT MAKE YOU, OR ANYONE ELSE AN EXPERT ON SPANISH SPEEDWAY.: quote That's great! In 1971 I married a Spanish woman, we are still married. Over the years I have made many visits to Spain to see the now Spanish side of the family. Luckily, none of them to Benidorm. I have tried to watch speedway on SKY with them and they just don't want top know - but watching the Moto GP is another matter for them. Edited April 1, 2008 by speedyguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puma23 Posted April 5, 2008 Report Share Posted April 5, 2008 I know some riders from Spain: Fernando Aranda - prewar speedway Angel Arche - prewar speedway '30 (Spain, UK) Maximiliano Berardinelli - Individual Argentinian Championship [summer] 2002 - Postion 30 Points 0,5 Francisco Cobo - prewar speedway '30 (Spain, UK) Guillermo Garcia - prewar speedway '30 (Spain, UK) A. Moro - prewar speedway '30 V. Naura - prewar speedway '30 Amelian Sanz - prewar speedway '30 (Spain, UK) Alberto Sirvan - '50 (France, Spain ?) Manuel Simo - prewar speedway '30 Jose Vinal - prewar speedway '30 (World Championship) Juan Vinal - prewar speedway '30 (World Championship) ? Zanelli - prewar speedway '30 Speedguy do you know others spanish riders ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedyguy Posted April 5, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2008 (edited) I know some riders from Spain: Fernando Aranda - prewar speedway Angel Arche - prewar speedway '30 (Spain, UK) Maximiliano Berardinelli - Individual Argentinian Championship [summer] 2002 - Postion 30 Points 0,5 Francisco Cobo - prewar speedway '30 (Spain, UK) Guillermo Garcia - prewar speedway '30 (Spain, UK) A. Moro - prewar speedway '30 V. Naura - prewar speedway '30 Amelian Sanz - prewar speedway '30 (Spain, UK) Alberto Sirvan - '50 (France, Spain ?) Manuel Simo - prewar speedway '30 Jose Vinal - prewar speedway '30 (World Championship) Juan Vinal - prewar speedway '30 (World Championship) ? Zanelli - prewar speedway '30 Speedguy do you know others spanish riders ? I am certain that in pre-war Spanish speedway there were two brothers, Poto Primo and Poto Segundo. There was also a rider I have as Sans from pre-war days but that could be the Amelian Sanz that you have listed. Arche rode again after the war. My records show that in 1949 these riders were active Gomez II, Ayuso, Vinals II and Quesada. The annoying thing is that a custom of Spanish sport is identifying participants by surnames only. I do know that quite a few English riders have raced in Spain over the years - from before the war like Cliff Parkinson to many after the war including Dennis Newton, Ted Gibson, Dave Collins, Johnnie Hayles, Bluey Pay, Vic Ridgeon and Reg Luckhurst. Alberto Sirvan, from the 1950s, was definitely Spanish but I am certain only raced in meetings in France. Amazing what you can learn from a 1970s dirty weekend in Benidorm! Edited April 5, 2008 by speedyguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsloes 1928 nearly Posted April 5, 2008 Report Share Posted April 5, 2008 I know some riders from Spain: Fernando Aranda - prewar speedway Angel Arche - prewar speedway '30 (Spain, UK) Maximiliano Berardinelli - Individual Argentinian Championship [summer] 2002 - Postion 30 Points 0,5 Francisco Cobo - prewar speedway '30 (Spain, UK) Guillermo Garcia - prewar speedway '30 (Spain, UK) A. Moro - prewar speedway '30 V. Naura - prewar speedway '30 Amelian Sanz - prewar speedway '30 (Spain, UK) Alberto Sirvan - '50 (France, Spain ?) Manuel Simo - prewar speedway '30 Jose Vinal - prewar speedway '30 (World Championship) Juan Vinal - prewar speedway '30 (World Championship) ? Zanelli - prewar speedway '30 Speedguy do you know others spanish riders ? There was a lad whose name I think was Marshall Pugh who was the star of the show when Ian Hoskins promoted briefly at Majorca the mid-'70s. I believe he did pay one visit over here and rode some second-halves at Canterbury (run then by Ian Hoskins' dad, Johnny)... Does speedyguy know anything about that Majorcan project..?? BTW, best wishes to Russ and Claire. D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedyguy Posted April 5, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2008 (edited) There was a lad whose name I think was Marshall Pugh who was the star of the show when Ian Hoskins promoted briefly at Majorca the mid-'70s. I believe he did pay one visit over here and rode some second-halves at Canterbury (run then by Ian Hoskins' dad, Johnny)... Does speedyguy know anything about that Majorcan project..?? BTW, best wishes to Russ and Claire. D. I do recall Marshall Pugh, your comments on him, and the Ian Hoskins venture in Majorca, for which Reg Luckhurst was the rider-manager. Pugh did have second-halves at Canterbury but, from I remember, had problems adapting from the 250cc engine bikes they used in Spain (modified road bikes) to conventional speedway bikes. Not really a Spanish rider, as my memory serves, but the son of Brits who had gone to live there - maybe?. I believe the whole venture was dealt with in some depth in a series or articles by Ian Hoskins which appeared in 'Speedway Mail' sometime in the mid-1970s. Memory serves me that Hoskins told the old story about a Spanish speedway venture - good crowds at the start, then just a loss of interest. There were Spanish riders - I have no names - in these meetings. Edited April 5, 2008 by speedyguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedyguy Posted April 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2008 (edited) I too have visited the Speedway Espana website from time to time for news on the progress of this project and posted good wishes on previous threads on this forum. Sadly the lack of updating the website with information does not inspite me with confidence that it will ever come to fruition. If those of us who are genuinely interested are not kept informed (why bother with a website if its out of date) we are unable to ask friends who are expats or holidaymakers visiting that area to check it out. SO Russell or Claire update your website please! The more I look at this, the sadder it makes me feel. A tremendous amount of effort - then frustration at the end of it all. Rider-promoter Ted Gibson had the right idea (to a certain extent when he promoted in Spain in the early 1950s). He just set up deals at various bull-rings and, because the tracks were so small, just staged three rider races. Edited April 11, 2008 by speedyguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryn Posted April 9, 2008 Report Share Posted April 9, 2008 The more I look at this, the sadder it makes me feel. A tremendous amount of effort - then frustration at the end of it all. My old pal Ted Gibson had the right idea (to a certain extent when he promoted in Spain in the early 1950s). He just set up deals at various bull-rings and, because the tracks were so small, just staged three rider races. Having seen and spoken to Russell on Sunday when he rode in the STRA meeting at King's Lynn, I can tell everyone that he's now back in Spain and he tells me that the project is NOT dead but much depends on the outcome of various meetings which, apparently, are taking place today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedyguy Posted April 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2008 (edited) Having seen and spoken to Russell on Sunday when he rode in the STRA meeting at King's Lynn, I can tell everyone that he's now back in Spain and he tells me that the project is NOT dead but much depends on the outcome of various meetings which, apparently, are taking place today. The latest Russell Paine developments in Spain look interesting but I'm sceptical about it getting off the ground although I hope to be proved wrong. Additionally, I have heard that a dirt track is planned for the Rhonda region, to be used for cars and will probably be laid to USA sprint/midget car track specifications. But it could also be used for speedway bikes as such tracks are in New Zealand IMO. My contact from Malaga was rather hazy and not personally interested. He just mentioned it in a matter of passing talk. However, he is an in-law so I'll see if he can find out more for me. Edited April 10, 2008 by speedyguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Rocket Posted April 10, 2008 Report Share Posted April 10, 2008 The latest Russell Paine developments in Spain look interesting but I'm sceptical about it getting off the ground although I hope to be proved wrong. Additionally, I have heard that a dirt track is planned for the Rhonda region, to be used for cars and will probably be laid to USA sprint/midget car track specifications. But it could also be used for speedway bikes as such tracks are in New Zealand IMO. My contact from Malaga was rather hazy and not personally interested. He just mentioned it in a matter of passing talk. However, he is an in-law so I'll see if he can find out more for me. Hi Mr S My recollection of Rhonda is it's a devil to get to by road, i.e. tight mountain roads going on forever! Interesting though. Mind you, I think they have a Bull Rink there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedyguy Posted April 10, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2008 Hi Mr S My recollection of Rhonda is it's a devil to get to by road, i.e. tight mountain roads going on forever! Interesting though. Mind you, I think they have a Bull Rink there. I'll keep a jaundiced eye on the suggested Rhonda venture in much the same way as I do Russell Paine's project. I don't really hold out much hope for either of them. I know Rhonda well - it's where my brother-in-law lives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedyguy Posted April 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2008 Any update from Russell Paine regarding his meeting on Tuesday this week (April 8 2008) with Spanish town councillors regarding his proposed track and if they have given their sanction to the venture? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedyguy Posted April 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2008 It was last Tuesday (April 8) that Russell Paine was due to meet the local council in Spain regarding his track there? Did anything transpire - if only to let us know the meeting did or did not take place. Where's his 'spokesman' now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryn Posted April 15, 2008 Report Share Posted April 15, 2008 It was last Tuesday (April 8) that Russell Paine was due to meet the local council in Spain regarding his track there? Did anything transpire - if only to let us know the meeting did or did not take place. Where's his 'spokesman' now? Have you never bothered to get Russell's phone number then John? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedyguy Posted April 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2008 Have you never bothered to get Russell's phone number then John? I can't afford a call to Spain! Surely that's why Paine has a website - to keep people updated? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedyguy Posted April 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2008 (edited) Just had a look on Russell Paine's Spanish website. As they say, 'the silence is deafening' in regard to a meeting last Tuesday (April 8) between his local councillors and himself in regard to the venture. Or, is it a case of 'no news is good news'? Sadly, I don't think it's the latter. By the way, I cannot find out any more about the midget car-sprint car track (possible speedway) in Rhonda. But I am trying...! Edited April 17, 2008 by speedyguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedyguy Posted April 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2008 (edited) We were told that Russell Paine was expecting some news last Tuesday (April 8 2008) on the prospects for his track following a meeting with local offcials. Nothing has been forthcoming. The last Post on his website was in March this year. It read: "March is now an extremely critical month for us as if there is to be the tinyest of possibilities for us to open, we must make some progress in the next four or so weeks." A while back, the usually lucid Steve Ribbons also assured (?) us that fears for the venture were unfounded. Isn't there now a need for some further assurance for those of us who have, for many years, followed the various speedway promotional efforts in Spain to know what is happening? It is a subject in the public domain (there is a website). Time for a further comment, please. Edited April 18, 2008 by speedyguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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