Vic Meldrew

Chris Harris, Jeremy Doncaster, Pete Sampson, Chris Louis, Jordan Jenkins, Mr Smiley and two grumpy looking men!!

I would not want the job either. Thank you for your explanations - you obviously know the Poole track better than I do. I was only giving my opinion on the track conditions as I saw them on that night. The rotating grader may be worth a try sometime subject to financial constraints.

I watched this meeting as a neutral observer whilst on holiday in the area. I have seen many meetings a Wimborne Road over the past 30 years and I have been a speedway fan for over 60 years. Firstly, in my opinion, there is nothing wrong with the shape of the track although the racing surface could be improved. Prior to the first heat I noticed that on the first bend there was virtually no shale on the inside section with the dirt "heaped" along the perimeter. This was probably to accommodate the home riders who prefer the track prepared in this way. There is nothing wrong with this home advantage procedure - it is the same technique at most tracks. Secondly, the track grading appears to be inadequate. The "tiny" blade used hardly touches the track surface - a proper revolving grader should be used to eliminate any ruts. Len Silver could advise on the use of this type of grader and track preparation in general!! A few years ago I did see the famous "hole" on the entry to the first bend which seemed to appear after a few races. I thought that this had been resolved until I saw Tom Brennan hit the hole/ridge and take off into the fence. Proper track grading should have eliminated any such ruts or waves. It was evident after the first four heats that the away team were not using correct gearing or "set-ups" and were consistently out-gated. Apart from the machinery the Poole riders were certainly up for this contest and had a winning mentality. Overall, the performance of the away riders was disappointing. I was impressed with the tenacious riding of Lee Complin last year at Poole when he was riding for Newcastle but he seemed to be a shadow of the rider I saw last year. It did occur to me that he had some machine problems which may have contributed to his poor performance but this is only conjecture on my part.

Yes! I have on many occasions and never had any problems.

Ever heard of public transport?

Probably,with attitudes like yours, speedway was never allowed to progress. Wondering if you are a member of the BSPL.

Forget the Grand Prix round - hold an old fashioned one-off World Final at Wembley - riders to qualify during the course of the season and open to all riders from all countries. How can a rider who amasses points during the various GP rounds be properly called a World Champion when the the riders are competing in a "closed shop" and 90% of speedway riders around the world are not allowed to compete in the GP series (or preliminary rounds, if there ever were such events).

And I thought that Mystic Meg was no longer with us!! I hope that you never appear on a Jury in the English Legal System.

Sorry, Gordon I do not agree. A serious omission from the souvenir programme notes is unforgivable. How many programme notes for rider Memorial Meetings have you seen that make no mention of the rider being celebrated at that meeting?

As I have pointed out previously there is no mention of Peter Craven in last year's programme (21 March 2022) apart from being listed as World Champion in 1955 and 1962 plus British Champion in 1962, 1963. No biographical information about Peter Craven whatsoever. A new spectator to the meeting would wonder who was this rider they were holding the memorial meeting for. Yes, there is a portrait photo of Peter on the front cover but that is it. A very poor effort.

Here is a copy of the match report which should bring back some happy memories. Steward - the great Vic Hinchliffe.

HelloOveFundinFan - The Satellite leagues were split into North and South sections - Partington in the North and Carrs Wood in the South so I do not think that our paths ever crossed. I think that Carrs Wood track built and maintained by Brian Moston was one of the top tracks in the League at that time. Now sadly gone. I think that you may have witnessed one of the Manchester Grand Prix held at Carrs Wood. I am attaching a copy of the more or less final league tables for both divisions.

I rode for Carrs Wood Hunters in that winter "Satellite" league - very cold weather indeed, as I recall. Then rode for the main team in the following summer seasons. Happy days!! I remember the marked out track on the waste ground (car park) near the BV pits entrance.

Really?? You are more delusional than I first thought you were!!

What's gone wrong? - mislaid your thesaurus of insulting words or simply unable to justify/substantiate your points of view?

Thanks, JC - but you have not answered my question regarding an explanation for the terms "juvenile" and "spiteful". Apparently I have now been "called out" and that it is a "cheap shot"!!!

Thank you Ian. I never said that you were comparing the riding status of the two parties. I said that you seem to be comparing the status of Peter Collins and Mark Lemon. If this interpretation is incorrect then my apologies for any misunderstanding. I am well aware that Mark Lemon is the manager of Belle Vue and that Peter Collins is a retired ex rider. If we were comparing the status of the two parties in this apparent dispute over free passes for ex riders how would you compare the status of the two parties and what criteria would you use? You say that PC still thinks that he holds the power position and that he is delusional. How do you know this as a fact?

Thank you for those few kind words. I was responding to Ian Corcoran's post of 16/2/2023 where he seems to be comparing the respective status of Peter Collins with that of Mark Lemon. I am well aware of the riding achievements of Peter Collins and everything he has done for Belle Vue throughout the years but I am not familiar with Mark Lemon's riding achievements. Perhaps you can elucidate how the comments can be classified as juvenile or spiteful.

Perhaps I have missed something here - please remind me of Mark Lemon's achievements during his riding career. Under his "watch" the abysmal Belle Vue programme for last year's Peter Craven Memorial Trophy did not make one mention of Peter or his achievements. The Peter Craven Suite still has no pictures or mention of the late, great Peter Craven.

Does anyone know the details of the conversation between PC and Steve at the book signing? Did Steve appear to be the agent provocatuer at the meeting? There are, of course, two sides to a dispute and we have only heard one side at the present time. We do not know the nature of PC's brain injury - it does not seem to have affected his memory judging by his recollections in his book which is after all his version of events as are all autobiographies. Free admissions for all ex-riders should be provided without the need for any "red tape".

Can all the whingers on this thread please give it a rest!! If you are that concerned about the delay in delivery of your print magazine why not get a digital subscription or better still go round to your local newsagent and buy a copy of the Beano that other great comic.

Len Silver was definitely a pensioner but did not allow concessions when he ran Kent Kings, Sittingbourne. It did however, not stop me from attending every home meeting, as a pensioner, paying full adult price.

I don't believe it - another sense of humour failure ?

They would surely be offended on behalf of everyone at the thought of motorcyclists injuring themselves or colliding with each other.

What has boxing got to do with Speedway? That reminds me - what about the night Craig Boyce ko'd Gollob at Hackney in the Grand Prix. What a punch!!