Gresham Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 ....to actually go and watch a speedway meeting. The last one I attended was the last Cardiff GP. I recently read the latest copy of Backtrack and the interview with Steve Gresham...my childhood speedway hero. All the feelings came flooding back... but is it worth it... am I going to be left disappointed again? I read about the Belle Vue debacle, the constant rain offs...plus I haven't got a clue about the rules anymore. It all seems so negative... Do I go again...or just wallow in happy memories and watch videos from the past...suggestions? What am I missing? Probably need a tin hat for some incoming retorts... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 (edited) Just say No!.... I have been there my friend.... I too read the Star one year after many years of abstinence from the sport.. Its professional appearance, in depth articles and comprehensive coverage of all the track's led me to believe that Speedway was again the thing for me and with the magazine appearing so professional surely the sport must be ran the same way too.. Sadly, it was not to be.... However by then it was too late... I had once again succumbed to the inevitable frustration, let down and disappointment, once more never able to confess to even my family and dearest friends that I partake of Speedway now and again... Its so bad now I spend most of my time typing Bollox on Speedway websites rather than having the life that normal people aspire to.... Save yourself, my friend,.. Save yourself... Edited April 8, 2016 by mikebv 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foamfence Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 ....to actually go and watch a speedway meeting. The last one I attended was the last Cardiff GP. I recently read the latest copy of Backtrack and the interview with Steve Gresham...my childhood speedway hero. All the feelings came flooding back... but is it worth it... am I going to be left disappointed again? I read about the Belle Vue debacle, the constant rain offs...plus I haven't got a clue about the rules anymore. It all seems so negative... Do I go again...or just wallow in happy memories and watch videos from the past...suggestions? What am I missing? Probably need a tin hat for some incoming retorts... Best take the dog, otherwise you'll be lonely. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marko Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 Gresham the off track issues will only get you down if you let them, if you go to a meeting and purely for the sake of wanting to watch four riders blast around an oval track, enjoying the noise and the smell you might find you actually enjoy it. I try to stay off the bsf because it's so very negative and if you keep having people tell you this is rubbish, this is not fair, this is not right it will cloud your way of thinking, if you go to speedway convinced you probably won't enjoy it, you won't. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woz01 Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 The off track stuff gets to me but once I'm at a meeting it disappears. Unless we are losing to Poole and then I blame it all on them 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gresham Posted April 8, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 Gresham the off track issues will only get you down if you let them, if you go to a meeting and purely for the sake of wanting to watch four riders blast around an oval track, enjoying the noise and the smell you might find you actually enjoy it. I try to stay off the bsf because it's so very negative and if you keep having people tell you this is rubbish, this is not fair, this is not right it will cloud your way of thinking, if you go to speedway convinced you probably won't enjoy it, you won't. Trust me, It's not the forum that gets me down...it's the people who run speedway...and the riders tbh. They all seem to want to live for the moment...and look at speedway short term instead of long term. I started watching Speedway in 1977 and travelled the length and breadth of the country, as well as abroad following the sport for approx. 20 odd years. Lay down engines and bike covers started to kill it for me...it's been downhill ever since. The last domestic meeting I went to was at Somerset at the beginning of last season. I've never felt so sad...it felt like a funeral. I find it so frustrating...I love the sport, the idea of it and the past memories...but nowadays it's like watching a car crash in slow motion. I want to scratch my speedway itch...but I have a gut feeling i'm going to come away feeling angry and frustrated again. Sorry for the ramble and rant...I just need a time machine built I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Smith Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 ....to actually go and watch a speedway meeting. The last one I attended was the last Cardiff GP. I recently read the latest copy of Backtrack and the interview with Steve Gresham...my childhood speedway hero. All the feelings came flooding back... but is it worth it... am I going to be left disappointed again? I read about the Belle Vue debacle, the constant rain offs...plus I haven't got a clue about the rules anymore. It all seems so negative... Do I go again...or just wallow in happy memories and watch videos from the past...suggestions? What am I missing? Probably need a tin hat for some incoming retorts... I'd say go but choose carefully. Pick the venue Pick the visitors Pick the weather Do that for all of 2016 the sport may suck you back in ready for 2017 on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Johnson Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 Come to Scunny then, well run and great racing, foods good, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Countershaftcounter Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 Trust me, It's not the forum that gets me down...it's the people who run speedway...and the riders tbh. They all seem to want to live for the moment...and look at speedway short term instead of long term. I started watching Speedway in 1977 and travelled the length and breadth of the country, as well as abroad following the sport for approx. 20 odd years. Lay down engines and bike covers started to kill it for me...it's been downhill ever since. The last domestic meeting I went to was at Somerset at the beginning of last season. I've never felt so sad...it felt like a funeral. I find it so frustrating...I love the sport, the idea of it and the past memories...but nowadays it's like watching a car crash in slow motion. I want to scratch my speedway itch...but I have a gut feeling i'm going to come away feeling angry and frustrated again. Sorry for the ramble and rant...I just need a time machine built I think. When someone puts the " lay down engines and bike covers started to kill it for me " i just start to fall asleep and don't bother to read the rest of the post . I hear daytime TV does lots of 50's re runs to keep you amused. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtimer Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 Trust me, It's not the forum that gets me down...it's the people who run speedway...and the riders tbh. They all seem to want to live for the moment...and look at speedway short term instead of long term. I started watching Speedway in 1977 and travelled the length and breadth of the country, as well as abroad following the sport for approx. 20 odd years. Lay down engines and bike covers started to kill it for me...it's been downhill ever since. The last domestic meeting I went to was at Somerset at the beginning of last season. I've never felt so sad...it felt like a funeral. I find it so frustrating...I love the sport, the idea of it and the past memories...but nowadays it's like watching a car crash in slow motion. I want to scratch my speedway itch...but I have a gut feeling i'm going to come away feeling angry and frustrated again. Sorry for the ramble and rant...I just need a time machine built I think. Surely not that bad, perhaps you mean little atmosphere ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screm Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 Only one way to find out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star Lady Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 Wait until the Met Office issue a heatwave warning, then be prepared for sun delays 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mouncers monkeymask Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 When someone puts the " lay down engines and bike covers started to kill it for me " i just start to fall asleep and don't bother to read the rest of the post . I hear daytime TV does lots of 50's re runs to keep you amused. Why post something so sarcastic ? why not just say why you disagree with his point . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gresham Posted April 8, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 Well I took the plunge, and made it down to Somerset v Isle of White And tbh...although not a patch on what it used to be like...I really enjoyed it. Racing wasn't the best...but I enjoyed watching some of the younger riders learning the ropes and improving each ride. Was nice to see the names... Dugard, Chessell and Smart...are the last two related to Gary and Dave at all? Was really hoping young Henry Atkins was going to hold onto his lead...but the young en put up a good show. I've now a new favourite rider to follow...how exciting to watch is Bradley Wilson-Dean! Really impressed by him and his riding style. Anyway...I will be making many more returns...getting close to the starting gate and exit of bend 4 got my juices flowing again, and came away smiling...so speedway has hopefully got a new supporter back. Only two small constructive criticisms...if the club are going to play music between heats ( nice selection btw ) then turn the volume up...you may get some atmosphere...at that level it has the opposite effect. Plus...why are there other nations flags flying but no British flag? Bit weird that... 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knowle Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 Well I took the plunge, and made it down to Somerset v Isle of White And tbh...although not a patch on what it used to be like...I really enjoyed it. Racing wasn't the best...but I enjoyed watching some of the younger riders learning the ropes and improving each ride. Was nice to see the names... Dugard, Chessell and Smart...are the last two related to Gary and Dave at all? Was really hoping young Henry Atkins was going to hold onto his lead...but the young en put up a good show. I've now a new favourite rider to follow...how exciting to watch is Bradley Wilson-Dean! Really impressed by him and his riding style. Anyway...I will be making many more returns...getting close to the starting gate and exit of bend 4 got my juices flowing again, and came away smiling...so speedway has hopefully got a new supporter back. Only two small constructive criticisms...if the club are going to play music between heats ( nice selection btw ) then turn the volume up...you may get some atmosphere...at that level it has the opposite effect. Plus...why are there other nations flags flying but no British flag? Bit weird that... Perhaps the music volume is out of respect for neighbours. Glad you enjoyed the meeting. Personally I resisted the urge to attend this one. Have to become more selective these days I'm afraid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gresham Posted April 8, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 Perhaps the music volume is out of respect for neighbours. Glad you enjoyed the meeting. Personally I resisted the urge to attend this one. Have to become more selective these days I'm afraid. That did cross my mind 'Knowle'...and I wondered whether it would be better to have no music at all, as it made you feel too relaxed instead of excited. It was like listening to music that was on in the living room whilst you were stood in the kitchen so to speak...made me want to go and make a cup of tea and put my feet up, rather than feel excited and get my adrenalin going for the next race. I decided to go to this meeting, as I could concentrate on watching some young ens developing rather than being fixated by the result. Glad I went :-) Although I'm astonished on how Speedway can run on such small attendances...such a shame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arnieg Posted April 9, 2016 Report Share Posted April 9, 2016 Welcome back Luke Chessell is Mark's son (and therefore Gary/Martin's nephew). Lee Smart - no relation 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halifaxtiger Posted April 9, 2016 Report Share Posted April 9, 2016 It all seems so negative... What am I missing? Personally, I find that the majority of negative comments on here are made by people who don't actually go any more, and some of those say they wouldn't go if it was free. If they have so little interest, I wonder why they remain as members of this forum. Having said that, there are (and will be) many occasions when the sport leaves you frustrated, disappointed and even angry. Crap tracks, appalling public relations, annoying, self important presenters, disastrous mistakes (Belle Vue being a good example) and ridiculous, unnecessary delays seem to be part and parcel of attending and following speedway . On occasion, though, you are reminded of why you love it so much. Lakeside last night was one of those occasions - a close meeting, brilliant racing, excellent presentation and finished in 90 minutes. Great stuff 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baba Posted April 10, 2016 Report Share Posted April 10, 2016 Gresham do a weekender up Scotland and take in Edinburgh friday, Berwick sat, and Glasgow sunday. Each track can provide superb racing and and we're a friendly bunch. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screm Posted April 10, 2016 Report Share Posted April 10, 2016 Gresham do a weekender up Scotland and take in Edinburgh friday, Berwick sat, and Glasgow sunday. Each track can provide superb racing and and we're a friendly bunch. Shouldn't that be Scotland with a little piece of England. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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