sandman Posted March 18, 2003 Report Share Posted March 18, 2003 Dont mean to take up too much space with my waffling, but was wondering what people view as good and bad changes to the sport in the last few decades. For example, even though they are a necessity, silencers are a downer, as are dirt deflectors. Not touching the tapes, and the general tightening up of all rules. Speedway used to be a pleasure for the working class, have the riders distanced themselves too much from the supporters? I remember Bob Kilby being a part of the whole and even buying everyone a round of drinks in the bar after a good night. Every one of the riders driving Cortinas or similar with bike racks. I know this goes back some but would be interested in everyones opinions. The sport has progressed tremendously, so much faster, so much colour and a bit of glamour, but wonder if there is anyway to improve on it. Thanks, Sandman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jungle Jake Posted March 18, 2003 Report Share Posted March 18, 2003 get standardised dirt deflectors for a start instead of having to pay a bomb load for a Briggo one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehone Posted March 19, 2003 Report Share Posted March 19, 2003 Good call Nora.... £150 just for a Briggo deflector is ridiculous. Bad changes a few years ago was when they were trying to slow things down and kept changing the type of silencer and the carb sizes. When I first bought a bike I could use a 38mm carb, then the rule was changed to 36mm and then 34mm. Carbs are not cheap. Another thing was tyres. We had Pirelli tyres and a few had Dunlop. I used to buy my Dunlop from Bob Humphreys for a couple of quid after he had done a couple of rides on each side, then Briggo (who else?!) started getting the Carlisle tyres from America that were meant to be the muts nuts, but they were so expensive. I think someone in the Control Board must have got jealous as we then had the rule where everyone had to use Barum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jungle Jake Posted March 19, 2003 Report Share Posted March 19, 2003 believe it or not there are a few riders riding today using those 36mm carbs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehone Posted March 19, 2003 Report Share Posted March 19, 2003 are you saying the regs now are for 36mm carbs?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jungle Jake Posted March 19, 2003 Report Share Posted March 19, 2003 nope now its 34mm, it seems north of the border this information has yet to filter through tho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatface Posted March 19, 2003 Report Share Posted March 19, 2003 I just don't think there is enough dirt on the tracks now. It seems to me that as the bikes have got faster and faster, the tracks have got slicker and slicker. And as a result, too many tracks have just one racing line making it very difficult to pass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midnight_Lady Posted March 19, 2003 Report Share Posted March 19, 2003 nope now its 34mm, it seems north of the border this information has yet to filter through tho. Just what do you mean by that comment Nora :?: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemini Posted March 19, 2003 Report Share Posted March 19, 2003 Bong!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jungle Jake Posted March 19, 2003 Report Share Posted March 19, 2003 nope now its 34mm, it seems north of the border this information has yet to filter through tho. Just what do you mean by that comment Nora :?: dunno, maybes someone should check the machinery of some of the Berwick lads more carefully. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
False dawn Posted March 19, 2003 Report Share Posted March 19, 2003 it seems north of the border this information has yet to filter through tho. maybes someone should check the machinery of some of the Berwick lads more carefully Berwick, north of the border? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyclone Posted March 19, 2003 Report Share Posted March 19, 2003 it seems north of the border this information has yet to filter through tho. maybes someone should check the machinery of some of the Berwick lads more carefully Berwick, north of the border? Nope it's in Northumberland - maybe it's just a problem in tracks located in this English county Returning to the thread, one very good thing has been the introduction of air fences in modern times - anything that improves rider safety without detracting from the spectacle deserves praise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemini Posted March 19, 2003 Report Share Posted March 19, 2003 Berwick, north of the border?And a very nice place it is too. Stayed at Alnwick last year so did quite a bit of touring round Northumberland, even made it to Edinburgh and Newcastle as well as Berwick.False dawn.....You'll have to excuse Nora Batty, poor old gal, because her life just revolves around a ten mile radius of Newcastle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandman Posted March 19, 2003 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2003 I just don't think there is enough dirt on the tracks now. It seems to me that as the bikes have got faster and faster, the tracks have got slicker and slicker. And as a result, too many tracks have just one racing line making it very difficult to pass. Totally agree with that. I think back to the 50's on J.A.P. bikes with 35 to 40 horsepower, and trying to race on deep tracks with 22" rear wheels, no wonder they had big handlebars. New safety fences great too, rather hit one of those than a chain link with light stands. sandman: Set "Always allow BBCode:" to Yes in your profile and the quotes will appear as you expect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehone Posted March 19, 2003 Report Share Posted March 19, 2003 never mentioned any good things previously.... but if you're talking about safety, the cut-out was a good thing. used to see the bikes do an extra half lap with no rider but the cut-outs soon stopped that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandman Posted March 19, 2003 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2003 Sorry I messed up the reply text, am new to all this. Sandman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemini Posted March 19, 2003 Report Share Posted March 19, 2003 The best things have already been mentioned, touching the tapes rule, air fences, dirt deflectors, cut outs, etc., but the riders themselves look so much better these days with all the colourful kevlars and team suits. Most riders years ago just wore black leathers, with a few notable exceptions like The White Ghost, Red Devil, Little Boy Blue which made them stand out from the rest. Sandman...Don't worry about messing up the quotes. You will soon get used to everything. Welcome to the forum. You have done some very interesting postings so far. Well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandman Posted March 19, 2003 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2003 Thanks Gemini, I seem to catch most of my speedway on television now, and my first impression was how fast it has gotten. These fellows just fly. However, with the advent of the little handlebars everyone tends to have the same style. It is almost as if everyone tried to copy Shawn Moran. The problem is Shawn was 5'3 or 5'4 so he made it work. Before even if Ole Olsen was covered in mud you could tell it was him. I also think with the horsepower available now they would have no problem with lots of dirt. Case in point, World Team Cup at Peterbourgh. Heavy deep track, I guess thanks to rain, and some of the best ever racing I have ever seen. I dont mean to sound crass because I have a deep respect for all riders past and present, those little bars make them... how do I say it... Monkey up on the bikes. Sandman P.S That is why I like Long Track, poetry in motion man! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jungle Jake Posted March 19, 2003 Report Share Posted March 19, 2003 it seems north of the border this information has yet to filter through tho. maybes someone should check the machinery of some of the Berwick lads more carefully Berwick, north of the border? Berwick is where the trend begins - then it moves further north... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jungle Jake Posted March 19, 2003 Report Share Posted March 19, 2003 Nope it's in Northumberland - maybe it's just a problem in tracks located in this English county Returning to the thread, one very good thing has been the introduction of air fences in modern times - anything that improves rider safety without detracting from the spectacle deserves praise. If people from Berwick don't want to be Scottish, then why do they put on those obviously fake Scottish Accents - is it just one huge joke to them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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