Gatwick Rocket Posted June 13, 2014 Report Share Posted June 13, 2014 I remember back in the late 80s / early 90s at Rye House many occasions when riders couldn't see the red lights had come on because of the sun. For some reason I recall Colin Cook getting quite agitated by it whilst riding for Exeter, and rightly so given how dangerous it is racing full throttle with impaired vision. Don't recall them delaying racing though, so it must have been a case of get on with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsunami Posted June 13, 2014 Report Share Posted June 13, 2014 I remember back in the late 80s / early 90s at Rye House many occasions when riders couldn't see the red lights had come on because of the sun. For some reason I recall Colin Cook getting quite agitated by it whilst riding for Exeter, and rightly so given how dangerous it is racing full throttle with impaired vision. Don't recall them delaying racing though, so it must have been a case of get on with it. I remember in the early 00's at a meeting at KL, riders at the tapes couldn't see the green light on the fence, in front of the start Iine, because of the sun. I think eventually someone had to stand behind the green light with a big board behind it. First and last time I have seen that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star Lady Posted June 13, 2014 Report Share Posted June 13, 2014 Several years before that they used to have a cardboard box handy for that very purpose Tsunami Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsunami Posted June 13, 2014 Report Share Posted June 13, 2014 Several years before that they used to have a cardboard box handy for that very purpose Tsunami It mustn't have been sunny in the earlier meetings. Thanks for your comment SL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Clemens Posted June 14, 2014 Report Share Posted June 14, 2014 It's a different kind of sunlight these days, down to lack of ozone layer perhaps? When I was truck driving in the 70's and 80's you could drive with the sun direct in front of you and it would be a problem but something that could be coped with. I wore photo-chrome glasses and they alleviated the problem to a great degree. These days I have noticed the sun appears to be brighter and sharper. From where I live you drive down the road and turn right. I have noticed that if when make that turn at approx. 9:30 am, on a fine sunny day, and the sun is direct in front of you, you literally can't see a thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*JJ Posted June 14, 2014 Report Share Posted June 14, 2014 It's a different kind of sunlight these days, down to lack of ozone layer perhaps? When I was truck driving in the 70's and 80's you could drive with the sun direct in front of you and it would be a problem but something that could be coped with. I wore photo-chrome glasses and they alleviated the problem to a great degree. These days I have noticed the sun appears to be brighter and sharper. From where I live you drive down the road and turn right. I have noticed that if when make that turn at approx. 9:30 am, on a fine sunny day, and the sun is direct in front of you, you literally can't see a thing. Less pollution? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sussex bulldog Posted June 14, 2014 Report Share Posted June 14, 2014 I can remember a previous incident at Arlington many years ago but agree they have not been common. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dontforgetthefueltapsbruv Posted June 14, 2014 Report Share Posted June 14, 2014 When meetings drag out it can be a pain in the backside. If its cold and damp then it can be unpleasant and you can understand people getting peeved with it. However on a balmy summers evening surely its no bad thing anyway. Relax, chat with your mates and enjoy it. And at the end of the little siesta you have more Speedway to enjoy - happy days!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted June 14, 2014 Report Share Posted June 14, 2014 When meetings drag out it can be a pain in the backside. If its cold and damp then it can be unpleasant and you can understand people getting peeved with it. However on a balmy summers evening surely its no bad thing anyway. Relax, chat with your mates and enjoy it. And at the end of the little siesta you have more Speedway to enjoy - happy days!! Precisely. In the sun you can turn your delay in to a Social occasion. In the cold - all you can do is bloody freeze. You can still moan about it though - so you are still being Social. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Smith Posted June 14, 2014 Report Share Posted June 14, 2014 Less pollution? That is the correct answer. The death of dirty manufacturing, coal power stations, cleaner polluting vehicles, increased gas / oil / electric central heating over fossil fuel burning etc. This has made a tremendous difference over the last 10-15 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deano Posted June 14, 2014 Report Share Posted June 14, 2014 Tony Steele pushed for the interval to be held early at Sheffield last night due to problems with the setting sun on the third bend. Later on, there was a full moon over the second bend, but as Werewolverhampton weren't riding, there were no issues. You always get one fat drunk bloke on a stag party who has to flash his hairy cheeks.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*JJ Posted June 15, 2014 Report Share Posted June 15, 2014 You always get one fat drunk bloke on a stag party who has to flash his hairy cheeks.... Was it Piggy (whatever his nickname is ... )? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted June 15, 2014 Report Share Posted June 15, 2014 Was it Piggy (whatever his nickname is ... )? Malone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YAMYAMBANDIT Posted June 20, 2014 Report Share Posted June 20, 2014 Some folk are getting hacked off with how long meetings can take to run, and one factor that appears to be regularly mentioned, is for racing to be temporarily suspended due to the sun affecting the riders vision. Having been a fan for over fifty years I do not recall this being an issue until recently. I do remember that during the summer months, the riders used either tinted goggles or a tinted visor clipped on to the peak of the helmet. Given that technology has advanced since the 1960s, you would imagine that there would be a suitable accessory available to combat the effect of intense sunlight. I was discussing this with a Clerk of the Course, and as far as he is aware, there is no regulation prohibiting riders from wearing the likes of Ray-Ban sunglasses when racing. NOT A PROBLEM Oakley produce anti glare iridium lenses for their goggles, FIRE IRIDIUM lenses are ideal for giving clear vision with anti glare technology, while BLACK IRIDIUM act more like sunglasses darkening but incorporating anti glare technology. A few season ago at Berwick, Kings Lynne held the meeting up because it was too sunny for them, the irony was most of the team were Aussies. I had made sure every Berwick rider was equiped with suitable lenses, so no problem for our team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triple.H. Posted June 20, 2014 Report Share Posted June 20, 2014 (edited) As your forum name is Tourettes shouldn't your opening line have been. Not a F×××××× problem. Edited June 20, 2014 by Triple.H. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shale Searcher Posted June 20, 2014 Report Share Posted June 20, 2014 I think the problem is pretty bespoke to each track, I know at Leicester, it's going from blinding sunshine to near darkness, the eyes cannot adjust quick enough and all you see is bright glare, then a very grey image... This is going down the back straight into turn 3.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YAMYAMBANDIT Posted June 24, 2014 Report Share Posted June 24, 2014 As your forum name is Tourettes shouldn't your opening line have been. Not a F×××××× problem. Saving it, for when I see someone face to face Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike.Butler Posted June 24, 2014 Report Share Posted June 24, 2014 chill, get a tan. early evening is ideal for browning without burning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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