Star Lady Posted August 12, 2017 Report Share Posted August 12, 2017 (edited) Every time riders complain about that tracks are dangerous we get the comments that modern machines are unpredictable and can buck an rear. Some of those comments come from well qualified people i.e. Kelvin Tatum amongst others. That being so why don't riders complain about the modern bikes? Surely if the bikes are unpredictable they are as dangerous as badly prepared tracks. It's not just UK tracks, the comments come during GPs as well. Or is it the "he's got a shiny new toy and I want one syndrome"? It's something that has puzzled me for some time. I'm all for rider safety and this seems to be an area that everyone ignores. Edited August 12, 2017 by Star Lady 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ouch Posted August 12, 2017 Report Share Posted August 12, 2017 I had the exact same thought the other day. Tracks have been the same for decades apart from the addition of the air fence yet riders fanny about with bikes then want the track changing? I'm awaiting the day footballers ask for a shorter pitch as running the full length is too knackering. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foamfence Posted August 12, 2017 Report Share Posted August 12, 2017 The fact is that the majority of tracks can't be significantly changed or replaced, so the only answer is to change the bikes. Slower bikes with better tyres would be safer. The silencers are another thing that needs looking at, they are better than a few years ago but there's still room for improvement. The sport here seems that it would rather go bankrupt than introduce radical changes to reduce costs and aid safety, all to allow riders to use the same equipment as GP riders and those who ride in wealthier leagues. If we are going to continue with a two league set-up, maybe the top league could continue as now and the lower one introduce something different, safer and cheaper? Personally I'd prefer to see us going for a cheaper and safer option, even though it will upset some riders and possibly drive some away initially. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostwalker Posted August 12, 2017 Report Share Posted August 12, 2017 Does it have to be either? Can it not be both? The bikes' engines and silencers are what they are but that doesn't that the tracks sometimes also cannot be blamed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted August 12, 2017 Report Share Posted August 12, 2017 Does it have to be either? Can it not be both? The bikes' engines and silencers are what they are but that doesn't that the tracks sometimes also cannot be blamed. Mostly the Bikes though. You are asking Riders to perform on 1928 Tracks, in some cases, on 'Rocket Ships' compared to the Bikes of years ago. There are far more injuries these days than ever I can remember. Most of them caused by the Bikes. We need to go back a bit and use Bikes that are more compatible to the Tracks we have today. Two Valve Uprights could be the answer. Awaits flak. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star Lady Posted August 12, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2017 Awaits flak. No flak from me. I'd rather see riders demonstrate their riding skills than a pilot trying to control a rocket ship. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Long Eye Posted August 12, 2017 Report Share Posted August 12, 2017 No flak from me. I'd rather see riders demonstrate their riding skills than a pilot trying to control a rocket ship. Yeah because that doesn't take any skill? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star Lady Posted August 12, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2017 Yeah because that doesn't take any skill? It's a different type of skill. It tests split second reactions and the expensive skill of the tuner. I prefer the other type of skill based purely on riding ability but each to their own. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted August 12, 2017 Report Share Posted August 12, 2017 As I said elsewhere, they would have my sympathy if they complained about unsafe situations across the board The fact that most riders have lined up against guys they knew were worse for wear because of alcohol or drug consumption lessens their case.They don't want to rock the boat when one of their mates is blotto..... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Long Eye Posted August 12, 2017 Report Share Posted August 12, 2017 It's a different type of skill. It tests split second reactions and the expensive skill of the tuner. I prefer the other type of skill based purely on riding ability but each to their own. Speedway has always been about split second reactions. Can you cope with that revelation? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star Lady Posted August 12, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2017 Speedway has always been about split second reactions. Can you cope with that revelation? As I've watched it for 50+ years now....let me think.....can't remember Olle Nygren having super tuners nor Ove Fundin but by god they had fantastic riding skills 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
False dawn Posted August 12, 2017 Report Share Posted August 12, 2017 Increased torque = quicker starts but also = a lot more lifting in the corners on grippy tracks Increased bhp / revs = faster top speeds but also means less time to react to trouble Big sweeping tracks without a lot of shale are an answer to both of the above. Pay your money, and take your choice. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trees Posted August 12, 2017 Report Share Posted August 12, 2017 As I've watched it for 50+ years now....let me think.....can't remember Olle Nygren having super tuners nor Ove Fundin but by god they had fantastic riding skills Can't stop progress, everything has got faster, men have a need for speed, some women too lol 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted August 12, 2017 Report Share Posted August 12, 2017 Hancock said it all in SS British track are not up to modern day machinery,but it will fall on deaf ears as usual,fans having being saying the same thing for th last few years. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badge Posted August 12, 2017 Report Share Posted August 12, 2017 Hancock said it all in SS British track are not up to modern day machinery,but it will fall on deaf ears as usual,fans having being saying the same thing for th last few years. that's ok then, let's close them all!!! The tracks are what they are, they can't all be like NSS or bowling balls like Poland and Sweden Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsunami Posted August 12, 2017 Report Share Posted August 12, 2017 that's ok then, let's close them all!!! The tracks are what they are, they can't all be like NSS or bowling balls like Poland and Sweden And why did the major European riders come to the UK early in their careers. Because they were different, and to learn the skill to ride them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted August 12, 2017 Report Share Posted August 12, 2017 that's ok then, let's close them all!!! The tracks are what they are, they can't all be like NSS or bowling balls like Poland and Sweden Think it is time to modify the machinery.Most other bike sports and Motor Sports have done it succcessfully.I am not a Hancock fan but there is some truth in what he says. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waiheke1 Posted August 12, 2017 Report Share Posted August 12, 2017 Mostly the Bikes though. You are asking Riders to perform on 1928 Tracks, in some cases, on 'Rocket Ships' compared to the Bikes of years ago. There are far more injuries these days than ever I can remember. Most of them caused by the Bikes. We need to go back a bit and use Bikes that are more compatible to the Tracks we have today. Two Valve Uprights could be the answer. Awaits flak. I disagree that there are more injuries - certainly there are less serious ones these days, largely due to improved safety measures e.g airfences. I recall in the 80s most years the final was missing a star rider due to injury eg 84 sigalos 85 carter 86 s moran 89 Jan o The only career ending (or worse) injuries to top riders that I can think of in recent times is Darcy (and Rico) but go back to 80s/90s I can name countless riders. I'd say the sport at the top level is increasingly being raced on big tracks and I'd also say the quality of racing at that level is better than it has ever been. You can't tell me that the likes of Darcy Tai Emil Zmarzlick etc are less skilled than their predecessors - different skills perhaps. So no way are changes going to be made on a global scale to accomodate the fact that the uk has some small/tricky tracks. And why did the major European riders come to the UK early in their careers. Because they were different, and to learn the skill to ride them. Don't recall zmarzlick or dudek spending too much time over here. Emil only a short stint. Vaculik never. Pawlicki 1 or was it 2 seasons? I think the new generation will not necessarily race in britain and I doubt they will struggle as a consequence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star Lady Posted August 12, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2017 Hancock said it all in SS British track are not up to modern day machinery,but it will fall on deaf ears as usual,fans having being saying the same thing for th last few years. But it's not just British tracks. How many times do we see riders in GPs lift and veer violently across the track and they are supposedly the best riders in the world. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Science Posted August 12, 2017 Report Share Posted August 12, 2017 Agree with what most have said on here. Will never be a fan of the new silencers , they took some of the soul out of the sport. The heavy based clay surface we have on most tracks in Britain is not conducive to todays machines, particularly if we have rain and it becomes deep. Unfortunately not all tracks in Britain are like the new Belle Vue. No chance of anything changing thou with the F.I.M in control. If its ok in Poland then nothing will change Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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