The History And Status Within The Sport Of The Bsf

[manchesterpaul]

Hopefully this is the best place for this topic??? I first clicked on 'This Forum' but that only seems to offer outlets for announcements, testing and support. Besides i think the BSF is an integral! PART of the sport in this country and a topic on it deserves a wide audience instead of the section where you need to log in to view. Also i inadvertently started it in the limited access 'general discussion' section of the forum. In view of some of the very tenuous threads running here in 'speedway news and discussions' i would hope this is an acceptable place for what i see as a valid 'speedway' thread.

I stopped watching speedway when Belle Vue's Hyde Road track closed down when i was little. I'm guessing i was away from the sport all during the 80's and 90's (unsure). I only returned after catching sight of it on Sky TV. Struggling to remember what was around when particularly regarding the internet, hell including the internet itself lol. I know i was very busy with the ladies and music and fighting (Martial Arts i should clarify lol) and would not have had anything to do with computers when they first hit the public mainstream. I was very much a late, late, latecomer indeed to computers. Soooo......that brings me on to several questions regarding the BSF if anyone can answer the odd one or give their thoughts on the subjects as I'm presuming there ain't no Wiki for the BSF (unless someone now starts one).

When did it come into existence? - methinks on the 8th day as God saved his best work to last.

Is it under control of the original owner/s?

Has it ever had any rivals or is it of legendary Speedway Star status and has seen off all 'rivals'?

Without going into details hasn't it's existence been threatened on occasions, legal/financial/too much hassle?

Who has given it the best praise from within the sport on the promoters and rider front.

What percentage of riders and promoters are likely to regularly read it?

What percentage of fans who attend meetings are probably members or at least read it?

Bearing in mind one can always block posters who flame, bully, be silly or annoying, don't we all really, really love the BSF?

Would it be detrimental to the sport and it's fans if it wasn't around?

Anyone else got any questions about the foundation or history of the forum?

LONG LIVE THE BSF

Edited January 6, 2014 by manchesterpaul

[Gemini]

The forum first started in 2001 and as far as I know is still owned by Phil the original instigater. (Thank you Phil.) I joined a couple of months afterwards when False dawn told me about the forum at Coventry. I didn't even have a computer but soon got a second hand one so I could join. There were only a few members at the time but it was good fun back then as everyone got on with each other. Nowadays that's not always the case but is to be expected with such a large group of people. I still love the forum and as you have said it's easy to block anyone who you really don't like - I've just got two on my ignore list - so it should be enjoyable.

I think it was taken off for a few days during the 'Duchess of Sherborne' episode - that post didn't stay on for long anyway - but long enough for me to read it. Also again for a few days during the run up to the Darcy Ward trial, but I could be wrong about that. Otherwise it has been all systems go and we all owe Phil. our thanks for providing us with the forum for so long free of charge.

[Paulco]

Despite the negative aspects of the forum , the know alls , the bitching , the bullying . The BSF has greatly enhanced my enjoyment of speedway . Before i would go to a meeting , then go home and have no contact with speedway till the following week's meeting . Now i can come on here any time i like and communicate with fellow fans .

Plus i've made some very good and long lasting friends thanks to this forum , people i would never had the pleasure of meeting otherwise .

[iris123]

Changed the whole way i look at the sport really,has the forum.Before it was all so simple.4 guys going hell for leather round a dirt track.I never gave it much thought if they were doing it for my entertainment or for the dosh.I never used to know about slick or grippy tracks.They were either dry or wet.I never payed much attention to who could fit into the team over the winter period.I just used to turn up at the first meeting of the season and everything was sorted.I looked in the programme and there was the team and the opponents and the rules.Job done.I didn't even know that some not very nice people went to watch speedway either.Everyone i came into contact with at speedway was friendly........

[orion]

The forum was so much better in the old days ..all the people were so great and nice to each other . If only Eurosport were about at the time

Edited January 6, 2014 by orion

[Starman2006]

To be honest I think there is a lot of people who would miss the BSF if it was taken away. Yes people bicker but they only defend their clubs, and rightly so.

[Guest]

Despite the negative aspects of the forum , the know alls , the bitching , the bullying . The BSF has greatly enhanced my enjoyment of speedway .

 

 

I know what you mean. Just try to live with it. The trouble is that you tend to get known from your Posts rather than the 'real life' person who "your foes" have never met.

The BSF is indeed a great addition to speedway enjoyment.

The forum was so much better in the old days ..all the people were so great and nice to each other .

 

Yes, it seems there is a tendency by some to create confrontation over what a Poster has put on the BSF. It's seems increasingly - and I say this not for the first time on the BSF - that many actions are "Attack the Poster and not the Post" when the reverse should be the case.

[orion]

Yes, it seems there is a tendency by some to create confrontation over what a Poster has put on the BSF. It's seems increasingly - and I say this not for the first time on the BSF - that many actions are "Attack the Poster and not the Post" when the reverse should be the case.

Whoosh

[RonButler]

Due to advancing years and poor health I'm not now able to attend meetings. This forum is now my stadium; my desk and chair my grandstand.

 

My consolation is that the weather is always good here!

 

Thanks to Phil and all the texters and updaters. My best wishes to you all for the coming season. May all your EL teams finish below mine!!

[Guest]

Due to advancing years and poor health I'm not now able to attend meetings. This forum is now my stadium; my desk and chair my grandstand.

 

My consolation is that the weather is always good here!

 

Thanks to Phil and all the texters and updaters. My best wishes to you all for the coming season. May all your EL teams finish below mine!!

 

I am in much the same situation myself and fully agree with what you say. The one difference - I no longer support any team. The last track I visited was Wimbledon during the Conference League era while the team I used to support (although New Cross was my local track) was Belle Vue - mainly in the great Jack Parker era.

Edited January 6, 2014 by Guest

[Star Lady]

I joined in 2003 (had to look it up cos the memory is going ) I've changed my name once, due to the club I supported changing names. I've never been banned Never even had a warning (I'm deprived as well as depraved). I've met many members in the decade or so and with one exception have got along with all of them and indeed consider quite a few of them friends even tho our meetings are few. The last few years I've contributed far fewer posts than in the early years because my love of the sport waned a bit and to be honest the sense of humour of some members nowadays seems well camoflagued. Lord knows how some of them would have coped with the chat room in the early years!!!!! The whole atmosphere of the forum has changed over the years and not for the better IMHO. I used to post quite long and detailed match reports, usually with my tongue very much in my cheek - I dread to think what some people nowadays would make of them. I no longer post much, I have become a lurker.

 

To answer the OP question, I don't think any promoter has ever praised the BSF, most have steered well clear. That IMHO is how it should be. The BSPA have their meetings to talk about fans and the fans have the BSF to talk about them. I recall quite a few riders being members over the years which was quite amusing at times when not everyone knew who they were The BSF will never rival the Speedway Star, which is that far up the orifice of the authorites at time it can't see daylight , it's not meant to.

 

I missed the whole Duchess episode and have been scared for life because of it to such an extent I think I shall have to have counselling on the NHS (just to increase the burden non OAPS are having to bear).

 

 

 

I've always been grateful to Phil and his team of mods for running the forum, It's a thankless task and they will never please all/some the people some/any of the time. I'm quite happy to go along with what he decides is best for the forum and when I no longer think that way, I'll either quit or set up a forum of my own.

[Tsunami]

 

Hopefully this is the best place for this topic??? I first clicked on 'This Forum' but that only seems to offer outlets for announcements, testing and support. Besides i think the BSF is an integral! PART of the sport in this country and a topic on it deserves a wide audience instead of the section where you need to log in to view. Also i inadvertently started it in the limited access 'general discussion' section of the forum. In view of some of the very tenuous threads running here in 'speedway news and discussions' i would hope this is an acceptable place for what i see as a valid 'speedway' thread.

I stopped watching speedway when Belle Vue's Hyde Road track closed down when i was little. I'm guessing i was away from the sport all during the 80's and 90's (unsure). I only returned after catching sight of it on Sky TV. Struggling to remember what was around when particularly regarding the internet, hell including the internet itself lol. I know i was very busy with the ladies and music and fighting (Martial Arts i should clarify lol) and would not have had anything to do with computers when they first hit the public mainstream. I was very much a late, late, latecomer indeed to computers. Soooo......that brings me on to several questions regarding the BSF if anyone can answer the odd one or give their thoughts on the subjects as I'm presuming there ain't no Wiki for the BSF (unless someone now starts one).

When did it come into existence? - methinks on the 8th day as God saved his best work to last.

Is it under control of the original owner/s?

Has it ever had any rivals or is it of legendary Speedway Star status and has seen off all 'rivals'?

Without going into details hasn't it's existence been threatened on occasions, legal/financial/too much hassle?

Who has given it the best praise from within the sport on the promoters and rider front.

What percentage of riders and promoters are likely to regularly read it?

What percentage of fans who attend meetings are probably members or at least read it?

Bearing in mind one can always block posters who flame, bully, be silly or annoying, don't we all really, really love the BSF?

Would it be detrimental to the sport and it's fans if it wasn't around?

Anyone else got any questions about the foundation or history of the forum?

LONG LIVE THE BSF

 

To get back on subject......

 

Phil is the owner and, as he joined in Dec 2002, I reckon that was probably the start of the BSF.

I don't think it has any website opposition, but there are groups of folks on here who talk speedway on Facebook

There was a time when some of us made donations, because of the costs to Phil, but I think then Tony McDonald(tmc) then sponsored the site by his excellent Retro magazines. A few years ago Phil offered to sell the rights to the BSF, but after much discussion on here, nothing seem to change, and Phil remains as the owner.

Legal issues were raised when the Ward/Norris case came up a few years ago. Phil, quite rightly banned certain info on the site as, as the legal owner, it is he who would be responsible for allowing comments on the site, which should not be made during and leading up to the trial.

Generally most promoters, and an even bigger percentage of Riders, give the BSF a wide berth whilst they go about their business. A handful of promoters read and only a couple actually post only occasionally. Riders who do post on here , usually get reminded that it is wise not to by the replies back to them.

Probably about 1%, if that. And about 70% probably are NOT regulars, if you believe their own posts.

I wouldn't use the word love it, but it is a very useful source of info that gets shared, whether it is true or false of course doesn't matter. Gives some people a platform if that is what they need.

I think it is very useful for fans to express their views or opinions, and of course gives others the chance to correct them. News travels faster due to the BSF than if it wasn't here to read or write on.

 

 

Good post by the OP, BTW

[The White Knight]

I am very grateful to Phil for his running of the BSF. In some ways the Forum is my friend. I can always come on here and have discussions with various folks with different viewpoints. I enjoy the banter and the argument. If anyone attacks me personally - I have been known to come back at them - BUT - I do try to stay away from personal attacks.

 

Often, during the week, I am at a loose end and the Forum is where I turn for company. I suppose you could say that this Forum acts as a Social Service in a way. It does for me anyway. (I know that some of you will think that I am a bit sad).

 

Finally I would like to thank all the Posters on here for giving me things to think about - I have learned a lot, both about Speedway and also other things too. I hope that I can have many more years discussing issues both Sporting and Topical on here.

[orion]

 

Generally most promoters, and an even bigger percentage of Riders, give the BSF a wide berth whilst they go about their business. A handful of promoters read and only a couple actually post only occasionally. Riders who do post on here ,

Where do you get your figures from ? unless people post in there name what they don't it is impossible to judge how many riders ,Promoters post or read what is on here .

[Tsunami]

Where do you get your figures from ? unless people post in there name what they don't it is impossible to judge how many riders ,Promoters post or read what is on here .

That's a bit naive isn't it.

[orion]

That's a bit naive isn't it.

Not really just asked where you got your figures from ..I would say it's naïve to think that all riders etc are going to post under there real name .

[Tsunami]

Not really just asked where you got your figures from ..I would say it's naïve to think that all riders etc are going to post under there real name .

Not hard to work it out but.

[orion]

Not hard to work it out but.

In other words you made it up ...it's common sense that it is impossible to know unless your naïve enough to think that riders etc post under there own names .

Edited January 6, 2014 by orion

[pandorum]

I'm actually Chris Harris

[george.m]

I'm the Slough promoter.