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my pictures from the Celebration of Speedway at Paradise Wildlife Park on Sunday https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_womble/albums/72157713252321707/page1

Not my kind of rider.. if he don't gate he don't win.

Staff meeting Wednesday 26 should be a bit lively when the diagrams are handed out showing them where outside the stadium they are all parking.

Here here well said

It's not baffling at all, it's completely natural to develop an affinity with the team you pay to watch every week.

Probably end up with Grondal and Ulrich.

Good pics, Steve. You must have got there too late to take a picture of my stand... It was a good and very rewarding day for me and, I hope, the WSRA. It was like this....The World Speedway Riders' Association have plans to rebuild and expand their Memorial Garden dedicated to deceased former speedway riders, so I took along some of my books to flog with all the proceeds going to this worthwhile cause. My table was next to Jeremy Luckhurst. Jeremy was selling some speedway memorabilia such as race jackets and speedway related sign boards. So anyway, before the "Celebration" even opened to the public, I sold £50 worth of books to a dealer and then, once it opened, sold a few more to the general public. After about an hour Jeremy said to me, "How much do you want for the lot? I'll buy them all." So he did and we made a nice wodge for the Memorial Garden. Thank you Jeremy. Good to meet up with several old friends as well and a good day was had by all.

As Jim Morrison said "Nobody gets outta here alive" but at least Len gave it a good shot-like Kirk Douglas!! RIP Len.

Its just how we used to live, different world now.

could it be tony jackson or a three letter word ?

Please let it by Pipe! Then we might just get a team manager at Newcastle. But could it be our George? We get all the Bears rejects so about time you got one of ours.

The continuity of that would be desirable IMO - thecrepluca shirt aspect is as strong a pull as any

Seems perfect proof that the club was/is and will remain bigger and more important than any individual. Perhaps those previously offended in the past and thus continue to stay away from race nights need to understand their ego/pride is the reason they are now staying away which is a shame because if last season is anything to go by they are missing exactly what they wanted in the first place. i.e. many good nights of speedway and an incredible season of success.

What a ridiculous statement, I could easily name half a dozen world class riders who didn't "stay fit", there's a lot of luck with any motor sport.

In all other sports opportunities are grabbed, gained and lost by either being good or not good enough along with a bit of fortune. All sports persons at the top of their game got there through dedication, hard work and because they did what it took to get to the top. In contrast Speedway can at times reward mediocrity and potential whilst genuine steady improvers can be frozen out. The numbers game is a harsh game and there has been a massive list throughout the years of good riders who never made it and it will grow year on year. The only way to guarantee a team place is to be so good that everyone wants to sign you.

A bit of an empty soundbite that one, often substandard British riders** can be as damaging to the team and themselves if just given a team place solely based on where their passport says they are from. This country already offers development leagues for riders to cut their teeth and improve their skills, find a pathway into the sport etc. If people are being asked to pay money to watch the product, they should be given a decent return on that investment for doing so rather than simply having to pay the wage of someone solely based on their place of birth rather than the talent and skill they posses. I would question if it is a sensible message, or even a true pathway of development in the long term to give a rider team spot based on where they are from either, in what is seen as a more "professional" league". I am not entirely convinced that actually benefits in the long term creating a psyche of an entitlement rather than earning it. ** not applying that to those mentioned, but simply applying a broad stroke statement as so many do on these subjects

Well I'm definitely not young as I'm 80 soon but I never look in the 'Years Gone By' section so I wouldn't have known otherwise. RIP Len.

Yes some still there but look like they have flattened a few

Firstly, there are reserves in place who are well prepared to come in at any point. And the chosen first reserves especially will know from recent history that there is a good chance they will be called into action. Secondly he desperately wanted to ride and have another shot at being world champion again, unfortunately his wife needs continued treatment for the cancer and he didnt want to be away from her and the family. So its a bit harsh to say he didnt make his mind up soon enough

Will do mate, hope all is well for you, Sarah and the family too. Makes sense as you’ve got the track on your doorstep, would be silly not to go. Maybe one day there’ll even be another northern tour for the Rockets.

Why not? That's his wife, married not long ago. Good to see them doing something that clearly means a lot to them.. and enjoying life.

Fair play, many would dream of making such a video with their loved one. Great memories for them to look back on. I hardly think they were expecting 'critical acclaim'. In a world full of doom and gloom and negativity, nice to see something positive.

There is enough places to eat, just depends what you fancy. Pawpaw beer heaven is a decent bar, around 80 beers on tap and pizzas, burger type food. Last time I asked the barmaid for advice she recommended ‘this is a beer you can drink all day and not get drunk, and later you can go on to something stronger’. Pity she forgot to mention it was 7.9%.

Have just received the latest edition of "Backtrack" and the list of riders who averaged over nine points is a real "Who's Who" of riders back then during speedway's last 'Golden Era'. Michanek, Mauger, Olsen, E.Boocock, Simmons, Lovaas, Boulger, C.Pusey, M.Ashby, Louis, Betts, Lofqvist, Eide, Valentine, T.Jansson, Ray Wilson, Jessup, Cole, Persson, S.Sjosten and McMillan. Again interesting reading Martin Rogers' comments regarding the Old Anglia and Central Junior Leagues quoting "...worthwhile proving ground for young riders on the rise" and "...It should also be noted their presence on the back-end of the programme was a popular value-added component of the night." I always find Martin's observations very pertinent having been General Manager/Promoter/Announcer/Journalist during that era and although I have taken issue with him in the past (which he answered honestly) I find his input very refreshing!

Nicklas Porsing