Gemini

Disappointing that Quest only showed 9 of the 15 heats. Judging by all the comments on how good the racing was and the fact that it only takes just over one minute for a race I thought they would show all of them.

I did and have the video as well which proves there were only about three exciting races. I could never understand why some think it was a brilliant World Final. It was just the atmosphere that made it seem better than it actually was. Tonight's match sounds amazing though judging by all the comments and I am looking forward to watching it on Quest tomorrow.

Not much fun I can tell you. The ambulance taking me to Bangor Hospital after I broke my hip in Snowdonia [5 years ago today actually] broke down on the way. I dont know how it was removed, RAC or AA, but I eventually got transferred to another one.

Perhaps because the City are at Crystal Palace at 2pm and the match is on Sky?

It may not have been invented as a team sport but that has always been the main thing that attracted me for 70years and I don't think I am the only one who has no interest at all in individual meetings.

Just about every channel. Personally I was more interested in the word "Absomutemy" by Bagpuss and when I find out what it means I am definitely going to use it.

By 'fun and games' I don't mean a second half like in the programme you quoted with perhaps a few unusual races. ( I have still got mine too.) I mean a bit of banter between everyone that usually happens on the final night of the season and 'Goodbye, see you next season' little speeches from the riders. None of this happened whereas it did on every previous season. I was 43 then and can remember thinking how strangely it all fizzled out.

So why wasn't that last meeting like the usual final meeting of a season with rider farewells, a bit of fun and games etc? I had followed the Hunters/Lions since 1949 and it was completely different that night in October 1983.

Something I have always wondered about because the last match in 1983 was nothing like any other final meeting. No goodbye speeches from the riders, see you next season, no nothing. Very strange.

So..... it meant that some Leicester fans held a grudge forever and would never set foot in Brandon. Not me though as I transferred to the Bees in 1984 being as it was just a quick drive up the M69. I could never understand the long lasting anger at the Coventry promotion because there was a team of directors who made the decision, not just Charles Ochiltree. Not only that but it was nothing at all to do with the promoters who followed after the Ochiltree's sold out.

I doubt if his confidence is shot. He has been desperate and dangerous for years.

I remember that. I don't think the idea lasted long though.

Yes that sounds like something Martin would do. Nice to have a promoter that thinks about the paying fans.

Yet they were ignoring the majority of fans who were in the grandstand and the few of us who braved sitting/standing on the 3rd/4th bend, in spite of. Peter York trying to encourage them to go round. Really used to irritate me.

I don't care if it's the same or not they should do it. At Leicester the winning rider does a victory lap with a flag but at Coventry most of them just headed back to the pits, which gives the impression they don't give a monkeys about the fans.

Ah...that would be the lovely Border Collie Thomas. He really enjoyed his Speedway and watched every heat enthusiastically. My two were regulars at Leicester, Coventry and Peterborough but unlike Thomas just used to go to sleep on their blanket while the match was on. We have been right next to the track at Buxton and Lucy is not bothered but on TV it's suddenly very exciting.

Absolutely hate it when riders go straight back to the pits. When Martin Rogers was promoter at Leicester he used to stand at the pits gate and keep it closed until they had done another lap and acknowledged the crowd.

Yes so was I but it proved to be rather difficult.

Answer 1] YES. 2] YES. 3] YES. Otherwise No you haven't missed much and it's nice to see you back again. Hope you are keeping well.

Yes.....Broc Nicol will probably agree with you there. The most reckless piece of riding I have seen at Leicester and it makes it easier to know I won't be there to see him ride again.

They are concerned at Leicester as there are often sun breaks due to the affect on the third bend.

Ah....okay thanks.

.Does he still own it?

How am I supposed to like or not like the answer if I dont ask the question? There are too many uptight miserable people on this forum now with no sense of humour so I will leave you to carry on arguing with each other.

Had you missed naming one of the streets on your map after him then?