Jump to content
British Speedway Forum

those were the days, something to smile about.


Recommended Posts

15 minutes ago, iwright71 said:

That's a cop out. More money is being spent on watching live sport than anytime in history. Most  sports our flourishing ,  The reason speedway is not is not because of society.

Isn't that because you have to pay to watch it on tv now.That could be the reason more money is being spent on watching live sport.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 hours ago, tellboy said:

Isn't that because you have to pay to watch it on tv now.That could be the reason more money is being spent on watching live sport.

I dare say that's why every day at this years Ashes will be sold out at 100 pound a pop because alternatively  you have to pay to watch it on Sky or those who went to every sold out session of this years World Championship darts don't have Sky. Most sports fans watch live sport and have Sky , BT. If Satellite TV is a cost issue why are fans not flocking to watch speedway live ? 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, iwright71 said:

I dare say that's why every day at this years Ashes will be sold out at 100 pound a pop because alternatively  you have to pay to watch it on Sky or those who went to every sold out session of this years World Championship darts don't have Sky. Most sports fans watch live sport and have Sky , BT. If Satellite TV is a cost issue why are fans not flocking to watch speedway live ? 

I was merely pointing out more money is being spent on watching live sport because people still go to events and have satellite TV. And the ones that don't go to watch football etc live may still have pay TV at home. People will always fill the stadiums for the Ashes, football, formula 1 etc. They always have. But back in the day the only money being spent to watch live sport was by actually going. But now they have the addition of money being spent on live sport by subscribing to Sky, Virgin, BT etc. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This is all about context - this is a good race because of what depended on it, England winning an international.

A race like this, a good chase and 1 pass, should be pretty much a minmum for most heats at all tracks.  It's not, and that's mainly (but not exclusively) because the tracks are no good.

This is nothing compared to the classic at the NSS last year.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It was a great race...but generally the races in the 70's weren't any better than today...today's GP's are generally better racing wise than most meetings back then...I lived 70's speedway and went every week at Hyde Road and quite a few away matches....I was probably spoiled a bit with Collins and Morton but I can remember some terrible strung out follow the leader meetings if I'm honest...today's meetings cannot match the crowds and atmosphere of back then but it can definitely match and better  the racing in many cases and definitely can at GP and world level

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes today's racing at various tracks do produce as good and sometimes better racing than the era the clip is from, however back then there was more and I'm pleased that I had the pleasure to live through it.

  • Thanks 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

For me it was never the quality of the racing - it was the experience and everything that went with it.  Although people rave about the NSS, I can't abode having to walk through a car park, miles around and up a steep grassy bank, greeted by one overpriced catering van and some portaloos and have to stay there all meeting.

Now we have robots who appear, ride around and f off, all to the background of some person mumbling along between someone's music collection whilst you stand around doing nothing apart from occasionally visit a filthy hole called toilets.  It's now an experience only real enthusiasts bother with.

Peoples' expectations, mine included, have moved on but speedway as a live event has not (Cardiff excepted). 

Edited by SPEEDY69
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, SPEEDY69 said:

For me it was never the quality of the racing - it was the experience and everything that went with it.  Although people rave about the NSS, I can't abode having to walk through a car park, miles around and up a steep grassy bank, greeted by one overpriced catering van and some portaloos and have to stay there all meeting.

Now we have robots who appear, ride around and f off, all to the background of some person mumbling along between someone's music collection whilst you stand around doing nothing apart from occasionally visit a filthy hole called toilets.  It's now an experience only real enthusiasts bother with.

Peoples' expectations, mine included, have moved on but speedway as a live event has not (Cardiff excepted). 

 

46 minutes ago, ouch said:

You should try the NSS. 

????????????

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 1/24/2019 at 6:23 AM, Shadders said:

Not the only reason. There’s simply more on offer these days. There were only 3 TV channels in 1973, now there are hundreds, along with Netflix etc. Many kids would rather stay at home gaming. 

The major programmes had millions watching them too. Wasn't the choice back then so those programmes like Coronation Street have also suffered with diminished viewing figures over time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, 2ndbendbeerhut said:

The major programmes had millions watching them too. Wasn't the choice back then so those programmes like Coronation Street have also suffered with diminished viewing figures over time.

Yeah, over 18 million watched the 1985 World Snooker final!! (It was exciting though)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, SPEEDY69 said:

 

????????????

I’m the same, can’t work out why more fans don’t visit the NSS on a regular basis. 

I’ll start off chewing the fat in the Craven suit before going round to the south stand for a mooch about. Viewing is great over there and you really feel close to the action. The same can be said of the main stand, if I’m in there I have a gander at the pits early on then take my seat near the start though I do like wandering over to bend four as there’s some terrific moves to see there. 

 

Can’t wait till March. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Does anyone remember Rye house in the early 60's?. We stood right up against the fence on the first bend and ducked down as the riders went past to avoid a face full of dirt. Magic!.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

7 hours ago, customhouseregular said:

Does anyone remember Rye house in the early 60's?. We stood right up against the fence on the first bend and ducked down as the riders went past to avoid a face full of dirt. Magic!.

Not Rye House, but I remember going to Poole in the late 50's and the fence was made from old air raid shelters, solid steel sheets, and you bought a pair of "gas goggles" as you went in, and ducked like you said when the bikes came round, went home looking like a black and white minstrel character it was not shale in those days. the fence is still there only it is the outside of the dog track now, those were the days.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

There used to be a guy at Hull, Boulevard who wore goggles and stood right up against the fence on turns 1 & 2.   You could do that in those days, if it were your bag, no 2 metre safety zone.  My Nana lived just around the corner from the Boulevard and I popped in to see her on Wednesday nights, she often told me many times how "you dad and aunties and uncles would be black from the speedway (Hull Angels 1948 / 49) on a Saturday night covered head to foot in cinders, they looked just like crows"....

Edited by martinmauger
added vintage cinder content (!)
Link to comment
Share on other sites

18 minutes ago, martinmauger said:

There used to be a guy at Hull, Boulevard who wore goggles and stood right up against the fence on turns 1 & 2.   You could do that in those days, if it were your bag, no 2 metre safety zone.  My Nana lived just around the corner from the Boulevard and I popped in to see her on Wednesday nights, she often told me many times how "you dad and aunties and uncles would be black from the speedway (Hull Angels 1948 / 49) on a Saturday night covered head to foot in cinders, they looked just like crows"....

I well remember visiting the boulevard, believe the particular meeting Hull Vikings  V   Peterborough Panthers was in 1972 and what really stood out all those years ago was the heat 2 pre race spectacle as the riders were lined up at the tapes , Panthers team manager Alec Ford noticed that the 2 Vikings reserves  Glynn Facey  and his brother I presume Clarke Facey were on the wrong gates , Ford sprinted across the centre green from the stand side to intervene and the Vikings team manager at the time Colin Tucker chased after him and eventually bringing Ford down with a rugby tackle . All this to no avail as the referee did spot it before the tapes went up anyway

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 1/28/2019 at 11:07 PM, hrhbig said:

Not Rye House, but I remember going to Poole in the late 50's and the fence was made from old air raid shelters, solid steel sheets, and you bought a pair of "gas goggles" as you went in, and ducked like you said when the bikes came round, went home looking like a black and white minstrel character it was not shale in those days. the fence is still there only it is the outside of the dog track now, those were the days.

I remember getting seriously filled in at my first visits to Romford and Exeter. A painful experience that has never been forgotten.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 1/20/2019 at 10:43 PM, SPEEDY69 said:

Because people have wised up to standing around in the rain at a dunghole venue for two hours to see half an hours of entertainment. 

This is not about amateur football :(

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. Privacy Policy