Kent Kings 2014

[Jonny the spud]

IMO all speedway riders should aspire to be professional . If you want to be an amateur, that's what grasstrack is for .

[Guest]

IMO all speedway riders should aspire to be professional . If you want to be an amateur, that's what grasstrack is for .

 

What about groups like this -

http://www.southerntrackriders.co.uk/

= and similar organisations?

[waco]

We were referring to National league riders not being hobbyists ,,Southern Track riders and other such organisations are amateurs who enjoy the sport at a slower pace,, and some of whom improve, and go on to earn money in the National League..

[Guest]

IMO all speedway riders should aspire to be professional . If you want to be an amateur, that's what grasstrack is for .

 

We were referring to National league riders not being hobbyists ,,Southern Track riders and other such organisations are amateurs who enjoy the sport at a slower pace,, and some of whom improve, and go on to earn money in the National League..

 

I do apologise but I was taking the comment at its face value. I thought the answer had transgressed away for National League 'hobbyists' to non-league speedway generally. Obviously a misunderstanding on my part.

Edited November 17, 2013 by Guest

[Parsloes 1928 nearly]

IMO all speedway riders should aspire to be professional . If you want to be an amateur, that's what grasstrack is for .

Well yes, depends how you define 'professional'. Speedway (outside of the STR & Dragons' kind of set ups) is a 'professional' sport in the strict definition of being paid. And that applies to the NL - riders get points money etc.

If you mean 'professional' as in full-time and not needing or having another job/form of income then for very few at NL level will that apply.

My analogy was with Football's Ryman League where players are paid too - so are 'profesional' in that sense but no way are any of them 'full-time'.

[Kent Whistle Gang]

Let's not get too hung up on the word 'hobbyist'. In this context I used it to describe someone who rides for fun, for the love of the sport. They take the sport no less seriously than anybody else, but the reward for them is the joy of riding, not necessarily the money it brings in. More often than not, because of the expense involved in breaking into the sport, it will apply to riders who are winding down their speedway careers. They would not find it insulting. In fact, they are more likely to nod in agreement with it. That said, I think that debate has little to do with this Kent Kings thread and I would like to suggest we either put it to bed now, or move it to a new thread. What do you say?

[Hector Austin]

 

 

I do apologise but I was taking the comment at its face value. I thought the answer had transgressed away for National League 'hobbyists' to non-league speedway generally. Obviously a misunderstanding on my part.

 

Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jeez

[Ray Stadia]

IMO all speedway riders should aspire to be professional . If you want to be an amateur, that's what grasstrack is for .

I agree, Grasstrack should be considered as an amateur training ground for Speedway, especially at centre level. National and international level is different, however, purist Speedway fans will cock a snoot at Grasstrack. The connection with Grasstrack and Speedway in the 60's and 70's was strong, when Speedway flourished. Many riders doubled up in both disciplines, but not so much now. And hey ho, both are struggling. A common denominator I think.

Edited November 18, 2013 by Ray Stadia

[Guest]

I agree, Grasstrack should be considered as an amateur training ground for Speedway, especially at centre level. National and international level is different, however, purist Speedway fans will cock a snoot at Grasstrack. The connection with Grasstrack and Speedway in the 60's and 70's was strong, when Speedway flourished. Many riders doubled up in both disciplines, but not so much now. And hey ho, both are struggling. A common denominator I think.

 

There are some very talented riders competing in British grass track racing, as the regular reports of the formula in the 'Speedway Star' show during the season. Some very well known names taking part reflect.

The competition standards IMO are far above being "an amateur training ground for Speedway."

[TMW]

IMO all speedway riders should aspire to be professional . If you want to be an amateur, that's what grasstrack is for .

Why not go the whole hog and say that is what Grasstrack and MX is for. Grasstrack isn't speedway for beginners it's a different sport all together

[Ray Stadia]

Why not go the whole hog and say that is what Grasstrack and MX is for. Grasstrack isn't speedway for beginners it's a different sport all together

Grasstrack is about as close to Speedway as you can get though! It's not a different sport all together! A 500 cc Grass bike is a Speedway bike with rear suspension!

[waco]

Theres a lot of pretty pointless debate going on here,,could we not find something more interesting to talk about,,,zzzzzzzzzzz

[TMW]

Grasstrack is about as close to Speedway as you can get though! It's not a different sport all together! A 500 cc Grass bike is a Speedway bike with rear suspension!

It's ridden on a field (often ondulating), with 8 riders, bikes have gears and brakes I'd say the only similarity is it's on an oval...ish track.

 

I would say you are doing the grasstrackers a disservice by calling the speedway for beginners. I agree that the riders that compete in a couple of disciplines tend to do better

Edited November 19, 2013 by TMW

[Ray Stadia]

It's ridden on a field (often ondulating), with 8 riders, bikes have gears and brakes I'd say the only similarity is it's on an oval...ish track.

 

I would say you are doing the grasstrackers a disservice by calling the speedway for beginners. I agree that the riders that compete in a couple of disciplines tend to do better

Oh dear, you do not know Grasstrack do you! For one, no brakes! They used to have to have one in centre meetings, but no more. Some have a 2 speed gearbox in the 500's but some have just a countershaft and those that have a 2 speed, tend to leave it in 2nd and use it as a countershaft. As for 'often undulating', not sure what you mean. I can only assume, you mean bumpy, some can be, but in the main they are flat and that is why they have rear suspension. I suggest you attend a Grasstrack meeting as it sounds like you have never been! I am not doing Grasstrack riders a dis-service, Scott Nichols, Simon Wigg, Kelvin Tatum, Jeremy Doncaster, all started on grass. I think I am right in saying, so did the Collins brothers!

[Guest]

Scott Nichols, Simon Wigg, Kelvin Tatum, Jeremy Doncaster, all started on grass. I think I am right in saying, so did the Collins brothers!

 

Another talented rider on both speedway and grass track for many seasons was Steve Schofield. It was because of a serious accident on grass at the Collier Street grass track in Kent that he was forced into retirement.

[TMW]

Oh dear, you do not know Grasstrack do you! For one, no brakes! They used to have to have one in centre meetings, but no more. Some have a 2 speed gearbox in the 500's but some have just a countershaft and those that have a 2 speed, tend to leave it in 2nd and use it as a countershaft. As for 'often undulating', not sure what you mean. I can only assume, you mean bumpy, some can be, but in the main they are flat and that is why they have rear suspension. I suggest you attend a Grasstrack meeting as it sounds like you have never been! I am not doing Grasstrack riders a dis-service, Scott Nichols, Simon Wigg, Kelvin Tatum, Jeremy Doncaster, all started on grass. I think I am right in saying, so did the Collins brothers!

Not using them is not the same as not having them. Thank you for the advice but I have attended

[Ray Stadia]

Not using them is not the same as not having them. Thank you for the advice but I have attended

Whatever, take it from me, a good Grasstrack rider, with the right motivation and desire will convert to Speedway. Grasstrack is a great place for an aspiring Speedway rider to start and hone his skills. As I said earlier in this thread, for some 'strange' reason, Speedway supporters are sniffy about Grasstrack. I remember seeing Mark Loram at the Collier Street, boarded track, Kent, full lock, coming out of a corner and yes, on a Grasstrack bike, no brakes, stuck in 2nd gear on his 2 speed gearbox, brilliant!

[Rockets]

Ray

As a way of increasing the value for money element of speedway is it feasible to make a small grasstrack in the inside of a speedway track suitable for juniors such that after say every third speedway race you could hold two junior grasstrack races?

[Jonny the spud]

What happens with all the dirt that gets thrown onto the speedway track ?

[Ray Stadia]

Ray

As a way of increasing the value for money element of speedway is it feasible to make a small grasstrack in the inside of a speedway track suitable for juniors such that after say every third speedway race you could hold two junior grasstrack races?

I think you are having a 'pop'. I also think Speedway fans of today forget that many Speedway riders in the 60's and 70's and probably before then, used to race Grasstrack on Sunday's. Especially the old National League riders when their racing was just the UK. Probably to earn a bit more dosh and to keep up race fitness. Sadly, it appears the 'valuable' connection is virtually severed with todays fans, which in my opinion, is Speedways loss.

What happens with all the dirt that gets thrown onto the speedway track ?

Well according to someone on here, Grasstrack is nothing like Speedway, so the grass and dirt will stay on the track, so not a concern! So don't fret JTS!