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Should Ex Riders Get Into Speedway Free?


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surely allowing ex riders in for free is an attraction for spectators

 

people might recognise them, bump into them having a chat etc. then go home extra satisfied

I'd agree to a certain extent.

 

Nothing better than chatting to ex riders and hearing old stories, plus getting their perspective of the riding action on the night.

 

You learn a lot and it gives an added dimension to the meeting.

 

Same with other sports as well...watch it with someone who's been there and done it at the highest level, and you get a whole different understanding.

 

It's not like the terraces are bursting at the seams is it....

 

I'd also take it further and invite all school children in free with paying adult...and all under 18's in for free that are in education.

 

You might as well have these people in for free, spending on refreshments etc...than not. You get them hooked and then that generation pay ( hopefully ) in the future.

 

Plus...if people watching on the TV see a full house, especially of a younger generation, then they might be inclined to come as well.

 

Just thinking outside the box a little.

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Must investigate what's required to obtain this licence :t:

 

£123 to obtain the relevant licences. ACU licence is required to obtain an SCB licence

 

ACU Licence £38

SCB Licence £85

 

Game on I'd say :D

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I have commented on this before. I think Speedway needs to get to grips with these freeloaders who seem to get in to Tracks everywhere and stop that happening. Sort that out before picking on ex-Riders.

 

I also agree that Club Legends should probably get Free Admission - but if you allow that, then what about legends of other Clubs that have closed down. I quote Cradley Heath as an example - should Billy Hamill or Bruce Penhall be allowed Free Entry to other Tracks? Greg Hancock when he retires?

 

I just pose the question.

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As i say Mark Loram doesnt pay at Ipswich but then should he also get in free at Poole, Lakeside and Eastbourne for example.

 

Fine line as you say about where to draw the line on who should pay and at what tracks.

I'd say with Mark Loram that as I believe he was married to Chris Louis sister (apologies if I'm wrong) and a close friend of Chris and suffered his career ending injury at Foxhall while riding for Ipswich that he's got a pretty good argument for getting in free.

Maybe he sponsors or advertises and free entry is part of that deal.

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I'd say with Mark Loram that as I believe he was married to Chris Louis sister (apologies if I'm wrong) and a close friend of Chris and suffered his career ending injury at Foxhall while riding for Ipswich that he's got a pretty good argument for getting in free.

Maybe he sponsors or advertises and free entry is part of that deal.

I heard about a paralyzed young rider having to pay to get in where he had the accident that put him in the wheelchair for life,that I find disgraceful.

 

I also know a mascot who has to pay to go in as does his dad.

 

I have a friend who was a league 1 pro footballer he can take 2 people free to loads of games because they seem to look after ex players.

 

The answer to ex riders getting in free should come in how many riders have raced for your team and how many ex riders do you see each week. If hardly any then they should get in free and not be lost to the sport.

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You can't just let every rider who's thrown his leg over a bike come in every week for free. Places like Coventry and Belle Vue who have a long history would just be packed with ex-riders.

 

I wouldn't expect riders who have legendary status to be paying, and I'm sure if Ole Olsen was in the country he'd be invited to Coventry for free. The same goes for Tony Rickardsson at Poole.

I wouldn't expect the likes of Peter Collins, Alan Wilkinson, Jason Crump, Jason Lyons to pay at Belle Vue, nor Terry Betts at King's Lynn, Martin Ashby at Swindon, Sam Ermolenko or Ronnie Corrie at Wolves etc etc.

 

But I wouldn't let every Tom, Dick and Harry walk in without paying every week, as some feel they have the right to.

 

A lot of ex-riders who want to attend every week give their services anyway as managers, machine examiners, clerks of the course, or working in hospitality.

Football clubs often use ex-players to look after VIPs in hospitality. Garry Stead takes on this kind of role at Belle Vue and is very good at it.

 

So I say let in club legends, and find a role for riders who want to give something back to the sport, but no automatic right to any lesser ex-rider who wants to come along every week and just get sozzled at the bar.

We're not talking about a great influx of riders on mass surely wanting to access a speedway at any one time?

 

As regards Olsen, I remember the occasion he wished to access the pits at Coventry whilst riding for Wolves and the 'job's worth' on the gate asked for his name to which Olsen replied "Ole" and the man then asked "Ole who?" And that's when he was riding! Chances anyone knowing him now!

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I heard about a paralyzed young rider having to pay to get in where he had the accident that put him in the wheelchair for life,that I find disgraceful.

 

I also know a mascot who has to pay to go in as does his dad.

 

I have a friend who was a league 1 pro footballer he can take 2 people free to loads of games because they seem to look after ex players.

 

The answer to ex riders getting in free should come in how many riders have raced for your team and how many ex riders do you see each week. If hardly any then they should get in free and not be lost to the sport.

I too find it disgusting if a paralysed rider was asked to pay.

If you're the team mascot surely in a small way you're involved in the "show"

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Many clubs have their own 'Hall of Fame'; 'Legends Lounge' or similar. Surely everyone that is included in those should be given free admission. Of course many do keep in touch with the respective promotions and simply have to ask for a pass rather than just turn up and argue the toss at the pit gate or 'guests entrance'!

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I too find it disgusting if a paralysed rider was asked to pay.

If you're the team mascot surely in a small way you're involved in the "show"

yes totally disgusting but had he been Darcy ward he would of had the red carpet treatment with his entourage coming in free with him.

 

Yes to charge a mascot is simply wrong as he has to pay for bike fuel ect (or his dad does) so it's not a cheap night to do 3 or 4 laps.

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yes totally disgusting but had he been Darcy ward he would of had the red carpet treatment with his entourage coming in free with him.

Yes to charge a mascot is simply wrong as he has to pay for bike fuel ect (or his dad does) so it's not a cheap night to do 3 or 4 laps.

So are you being truthful or are you just looking for an excuse to have a go at Darcy Ward?

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I am being 1000% truthful, I found it disgusting.

Why have a snide pop at Darcy then?

 

I'll reserve judgement and opinion on the other matter as you've not given a name for the rider or track.

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Not right to give out names and I won't

Why? You were happy to name check Darcy Ward.

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