Zoe racers fan Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 damn - what did we miss!! we had to leave after the final finished - what happenend after??? gutted to miss mor than Tim doing 4 laps and the fireworks! Dave mullet took the last 4 laps of smallmead which was fantastic and the fireworks was brilliant to a great evening but also as sad evening All i can say is roll on 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racer X Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 (edited) I'm wasn't suggesting that you didn't understand the concept of a one-off event, rather that, many of the people there weren't actually that bothered about the racing, it was the 'event' they came for. I am well aware of your love for the club, and how much it means to you and so many people, but if there is to be a speedway in Reading in the future, then going on this year, and even the previous 3 or 4 years, I can't see it is a viable option, however much the loyal and devoted supporters want it to be there for them. Ahhh where that's where we will disagree then. These are the sort of comments I often haerd advanced when the footie club moved out of Elm Park! I am convinced that over the last 3 or 4 years Reading has seen a number of decent attedances and has a solid hardcore of support. I have little doubt that had Pat Bliss been Promoting the operation would still be a viable one. It's difficult for a new Promotion to come in and hit the ground running. The right wages have to be paid accross the sport across the countries for the sport to survive long term. The people I have spoken to who are "casuals" are casuals becuase Speedway generally at Reading doesn't feel special. The seats are pretty uncomfortable, the terracing worse, the bars are basic, the viewing from the bar less than ideal, the toilets are bad and the catering very basic. I am sorry, but with these sorts of facilities, any operation is on a hiding to nothing. Even though for the average committed speedway fan the facilities are fine, they aren't for the less than committed fan or especially new blood - these people want more. I may be blinded by my love for the club, but I don't think so. Of course yesterday's event attracted people who were there more for the event than the speedway but neither of us will know just how many wouldn't come back if the package was a good one. I fevervently believe that in a nice compact well appointed stadium, a decent operation can be made to work at Reading. Speaking to a number of people in senior positions last night, that's not an outrageous view to hold it seems. Lets hope the optimisim can be bourne out. I would hazard a guess there are not many speedway tracks making any money at the moment and if the sport is to survive it still has to cut its cloth accordingly. Edited October 20, 2008 by Racer X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairy Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 The seats are pretty uncomfortable, the terracing worse, the bars are basic, the viewing from the bar less than ideal, the toilets are bad and the catering very basic. I am sorry, but with these sorts of facilities, any operation is on a hiding to nothing. Even though for the average committed speedway fan the facilities are fine, they aren't for the less than committed fan or especially new blood - these people want more. I don't disagree with anything you have said above, but the problem is that people will refer back to what has happened over the past five years when they look forward to the future. Regarding football, well I don't care for it much, but if you take away the driving force that moved Reading to its new stadium, would it have happened? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wackie Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 Could really do without your negativity today Fairy!!! Last night was a fantastic reminder of what Reading speedway can be like, and to see so people turn up to see some old favourites as well as more recent one's goes to show that the sport in the town can be viable. If people weren't that fussed about the club, they wouldn't have bothered turning up for one last time. A new stadium and a new era may be the kick start the club needs in the town. If the new stadium goes ahead the hard core supporters will be there waiting but potential new fans will also attend initially out of curiousity, it's the promotions job to keep the majority of those people returning. If BSI were still in charge I wouldn't hold out much hope of that happening, but in Mark Legg & Wellie I honestly believe that they are 2 people who genuinely want the paying fans who walk through the gate to be entertained & receive value for money. Reading Speedway may be on life support at the moment, but it aint dead yet!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairy Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 Could really do without your negativity today Fairy!!! There is a big difference between being negative and realistic, and I'm not the former! I would love to see a new stadium built and compete with all the other sporting attractions in the area, but in the current financial climate, I personally cannot see that happening for 2010, that is real life! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wackie Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 Whatever, negativity or being realistic, can't it wait until next year when the build it due to start. It's less than 24 hours since the last ever meeting at Smallmead began, can't we hold onto the good memories for a few more days at least! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairy Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 Whatever, negativity or being realistic, can't it wait until next year when the build it due to start. It's less than 24 hours since the last ever meeting at Smallmead began, can't we hold onto the good memories for a few more days at least! Well I was responding to the great and might mind of Racer X! For me, it doesn't matter that it is less than 24 hours, my good memories are so much more, and more special than last night And I'm sure we all have those! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyg Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 My daughter is aged 10. This is her goodbye to Smallmead http://www.freewebs.com/speedway1/index.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhidassa Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 I dont know if its been posted, but found a video with interviews/brief clips of last night on the Sky Sports website: End of Era Meeting If its of interest to anyone. And garyg, thats a very sweet tribute from your daughter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arnieg Posted October 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 I dont know if its been posted, but found a video with interviews/brief clips of last night on the Sky Sports website: End of Era Meeting If its of interest to anyone. I have been unmasked Went down today to help the museum crew remove various artefacts. It already looks like an empty shell. Dave Robinson, Petri Kokko and Malcolm Holloway were all there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenB1 Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 loads of great memories from Smallmead, good and bad, far too many to list, but walking out of that stadium from the final time, knowing that I will never goback in was a strange feeling. Hopefully the Racers will return and return better and stronger than ever. For the fans and friends that I made at not just Smallmead, but Tilehurst as well, kepping wishing guys, just maybe it wil happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iffoid Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 Good luck to the racers and all of their fans - really do have my fingers crossed that there is a viable future ahead for you. Really enjoyed the whole event yesterday, as others have said, the line-up was trivial compared to the meeting itself. Was also feeling very sad at the end of the evening, with the scares that us Robins fans have had recently we are also in a position to be looking over our shoulders and losing a close rival club just brings that home even more. I will miss the friendly rivalry - although I must admit, I wont miss the morons stood behind us on the third bend last night who continuously shouted at us and Mads to f*** *** home all evening! but I guess they cant help it - coming from Reading and all that I managed to win one of the race jackets in the auction and brought home a cup full of shale as a momento - boy was there ever a camber on those bends, never realised how much until I actually walked round the track last night! Im starting to sound a little sad now so guess I better shut up. Thanks for the (mostly positive) memories! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orion Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 I managed to win one of the race jackets in the auction and brought home a cup full of shale as a momento - boy was there ever a camber on those bends, never realised how much until I actually walked round the track last night! Im starting to sound a little sad now so guess I better shut up. Smallmead shale best keep hold of that it will be worth a lot of money as it's so rare Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dietbowers Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 Smallmead shale best keep hold of that it will be worth a lot of money as it's so rare Best bet would be to sell it to Lakeside,I heard they are in desperate need of some Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pards Ex Dogs Body Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 At last,i finally get 5 minutes to give my thoughts on last night..(bloody work...) First of all i would just like to thank Mark and Wellie for putting on a great show,great to see all the old riders and really enjoyed all the racing including the side cars and the men in black (was that guy really 81 years old....) Really chuffed to see Ulrich win the meeting and the 3 grand,he fully deserves it for the way he has ridden for us this year,maybe he could buy another Hans Anderson bike with it !!!!!!!!!!!.Must say what a prospect that kid Sundstrom is,he took one heat to figure out the track and then he nailed it........A special mention for Jordon Frampton,superb little rider with a great attitude,the way he went round Korneliussen in the semi was superb,Also another special mention for Chris Neath,said some really nice things when being interviewed after the final,he said that when Wellie rang him up to see if he would be interested in rideing in the meeting he told Wellie that it would be an honour for him to ride in the last ever meeting at Smallmead,what a fantastic attitude to have,did'nt ask how much money he would get just wanted to ride,fare play to Chris,just a shame certain other riders could'nt have the same attitude.....................Great to see Dave Mullett get the final 4 laps,i was stood on the pits bend and when Top P pushed him out and he stalled the bike i really did believe it was Tim Sugar.........But as soon as he flew out of the tapes it was pretty obvious it was'nt him.................... Got myself a bit of shale after the meeting when i had a walk around the track,got it in a pint glass and i'm going to put it next to the glass which Jason Crump drank out off at Sheffield a few years ago............(i know,i know,very sad....) Well another part of my childhood/youth (along with Elm Park,The Meadway School,The Boars Head Pub and the ABC Cinema in friar street) bites the dust,i really am beginning to feel old Well that's it for Speedway and me untill 2010 (be positive,be positive.....) I just can't see myself following another team,i have thought about going down to see Swindle next year as i live in between Reading and Swindle.......but then a cold shiver went down my spine and i started to sweat so that's out of the window I've also thought about following the Isle of rubbishe......I mean no offence to Islanders fans it's just that my wife's from Newport (i think you call them Cork Heads !!!!!!!) and the in laws still live there and when i call the island by that name the mother in law goes nuts so i do it some more !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anyway,i could never follow a team who has Jason Bunyan rideing for them (i will NEVER forgive him for putting Danny Bird in the fence.....).I have thought about maybe going to a foreign G P but there's NO WAY i'm putting money into BSI's/IMG's pocket,it was the day them knobheads took over at Smallmead is when it all started going down hill......................... Being serious for a moment,i was begininng to get pretty dissalousend (is that how you spell it!!!!!!!) with the sport,i think it started at Cardiff this this year when i realised that it isint a family day out anymore but more like a jolly boys piss up for all the knobheads associated with the sport.............Then watching certain riders since about July quite clearly not giving a F**k and being more interested about getting their averages down so they can ride for Exeter and Kings Lynn next year (did i just say that or think it... ).I think i'll have a year out................... Well as they say,finish on a song.............GOODBYE TO YOU MY TRUSTED FRIEND,WE'VE KNOWN EACH OTHER SINCE WE WERE NINE OR TEN..........................................................WE HAD JOY WE HAD FUN WE HAD SEASON'S IN THE SUN............. Stay safe guys... Si. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucifer sam Posted October 21, 2008 Report Share Posted October 21, 2008 Smallmead shale best keep hold of that it will be worth a lot of money as it's so rare I don't believe it. Smallmead shale is about as likely to exist as the tooth fairy or Alun Rossiter. All the best Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucifer sam Posted October 21, 2008 Report Share Posted October 21, 2008 Very sad affair at the end of it all though and I'll admit to shedding a tear as I walked out of Smallmead for the final time. Still quite choked about it now. Here's hopefully to 2010! Wackie - it's quite sad having to read posts from the likes of yourself, Andy P, Racer X and the H Man, because you were all so committed to the club and it's clear that Monday was an emotional time. Keep the faith - and I sincerely hope you're back for 2010. All the best Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arnieg Posted October 21, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2008 I don't believe it. Smallmead shale is about as likely to exist as the tooth fairy or Alun Rossiter. All the best Rob Now now I'm pretty sure Alun Rossiter exists ...the question though is...Why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newbieoldboy Posted October 21, 2008 Report Share Posted October 21, 2008 Now now I'm pretty sure Alun Rossiter exists ...the question though is...Why? PMSL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemini Posted October 21, 2008 Report Share Posted October 21, 2008 Being serious for a moment,i was begininng to get pretty dissalousend (is that how you spell it!!!!!!!) No, but that is a great word. Sounds like a good name for a Dinosaur ......if they were still around. Hope you get back on track in 2010. That's when Leicester are supposed to open as well so fingers crossed for both teams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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