Eastville Bulldog

Thats Tim Korneliussen rode for Hackney 1990

How many riders here would be interested in a training track in the Lancashire area. ? I'm trying to establish how much interest there would be, should the plan come to fruition. It's not worth pursuing if figures are negligible. The more support I can generate the better case I can put forward with the land owner. Ineed to show it's a viable proposal, able to generate an income. Please do not ask location as its early days yet.

The site is close to Manchester, with very easy motorway access. If enough people can give me a 'thumbs up' that would be great. It wouldn't be good having a handful of riders turning up each weekend ! I need to show it can work.

With permission from BSPA for the 'use' of the name to run, the new promoter of the 'Bristol Bulldogs' declared a return to racing for the 2018 season albeit on away tracks. Yet no racing, no team, no news. . .Nothing. Has this ambitious plan gone done the pan like everything else? It's very disheartening not only to myself but all other Bulldog fans who are left in the dark.Does anybody know anything as to what is happening? Any news would be much appreciated!

http://www.bigpicturedesign.co.uk/Avonmouth Speedway.html Here is a link to the proposed site at Avonmouth, Bristol

Ungrateful ? I wouldn't say feeling annoyed and disheartened by a lack of information towards their teams fan base is being ungrateful - it's FAR from it. If fans were unconcerned about progress they'd sit back, give up and move on - and NOT be annoyed. What harm is there just releasing the odd press release stating what's happening ( however trivial) surely as fans, don't we deserve some credit? After all it will be us and our money going into the teams coffers. I don't know perhaps I expect to much.

Andy Hewlett was the person who pushed for a Bristol revival. After creating and promoting the Rebels he sought to reestablish the Bulldogs. He (as a member of Bristol City Council) had good contacts within the planning depth and secured a plot of wasteland at Avonmouth. . .a few miles to the North of the city. Unfortunately nature lovers complained of problems to birds flying into Slimbridge wildlife centre up the coast in Glos. The planned area is now a WIND TURBINE site !!!! A new promoter took over the 'cause' a couple of years ago. But nothing as yet has come to fruit. It's knock back after knock back.

No Markyb he's not 'the' Mr Gresham. . . It's really frustrating that the promotion is silent about anything relating to the development and birth of a new team. There's been nothing in the local press, nothing in SS, on the web etc. There's a wall of silence. At least AH kept us up to date with his plans but this is wrong. I too think it's safe to say it's fallen through, never gonna happen, all a big pipe dream. Gresham's right, why kid ourselves with this BS ? Truth is promoters, stadium owners, local councils don't give a f*ck for the fans or the security and advancement of the sport in general. It's like peeing in the wind.

Who remembers the events held during the break between first and second halves of racing? There was the 'longest wheelie' contest, and the 'fastest flying lap'. I also remember Neil Farnish going round on his grass track bike during the interval. If I remember correctly Steve the heave held the record for the leg trail wheelie contest. There was also the 'lucky ticket holder' who had the chance to go in the pits, meet the team and get all the 'bulldog merchandise' too. Star Wars theme before each race and 10,000 renditions of 'Baker Street' by Gerry Rafferty. The sun setting over 'Tote End' the smell of castol R' and hamburgers. The mandatory face full of shale, God those were the days. Who also remembers Steve Greshams antics at Eastville? Namely with John Davis and Michael Lee?

This would be exactly what happens! There would be chaos in the pits. Top riders will walk out if issued 'a bad engine'. A low points earner could end up with a good one. It would be a lucky dip and the top boys would not tolerate this. Top riders will not jeopardise their ability to win races. It would cause divisions and kill the sport IMHO.

One other issue is the fact that no two engines are the same. Two identical off the shelf engines could be as much as 4 or 5 horsepower difference, giving a rider an advantage over a team mate. In theory all engines would need dyno testing before each meeting and something done to bring all to the same standard. Different engines may wear at different rates and in different parts. Keeping a 'level playing field' would be a nightmare.

Tell me about it!

My apologies, that's the bloke! I thought it was Thatcher in at the time,lol. The bloke was a Burke whichever party was in. As I remember he was presented with the council's banning request and he granted it immediately with out reading the counter petition from the fans and the letter Clark Osborne from BSG had sent him. Newport fell foul to money making. You're correct there Ken. Bristol had a rubbish track, rubbish stadium. But A WHOLE LOT of fans and as Brucie would say "what do fans make?.... MONEY"

Back in 77 the Bulldogs promoters and Bristol Stadium Limited just put two ofingers up to the council and said 'We're having speedway, lump it or like it'. This went on for two years. The council couldn't legally stop it. The stadium company (as a sports venue) had within its operations contract a clause which basically stated 'it could hold within reason any sport which the facilities were able, safely and adequately cater for'. Or words to that effect. The council eventually got the conservative environment secretary Peter Shaw to shut it down on noise grounds. Bristol Council are anti sport.

What happened to Andy Hewlett and his attempts? Did he step down?

Pop down to Oak tree and you'll see the Bulldog program boards, badges and the occasional scarf (partially hidden of course) lol

Bristol recorded huge numbers for league matches. Well over 10,000 for the open select match in April '77.Some sources quote 14,000. I can't remember a home match with an attendance less than 8,000.Speedway is/was bigger to Bristolians than it is to the Polish!

We need this project kicking off ASAP, while the poker is still hot. The Bristol faithful are getting older and 40yrs is too long a gap. Fingers AND toes crossed!

Scott was living in a house on the outskirts of Poole when riding for Exeter. Steve was living just off the M4 near Bristol in a cottage, apparently he had a visit from the police after complaints of black choking smoke after he set light to his worn bike tyres. If you want to find out more about Steve, see John, the machine examiner down at Oak tree arena, he knew Steve well. If you want to find out more about Steve, see John, the machine examiner down at Oak tree arena, he knew Steve well. If you want to find out more about Steve, see John, the machine examiner down at Oak tree arena, he knew Steve well. If you want to find out more about Steve, see John, the machine examiner down at Oak tree arena, he knew Steve well. If you want to find out more about Steve, see John, the machine examiner down at Oak tree arena, he knew Steve well.

Steve and Scott came to Britain together at the same time. You would think they were total opposites, Scott...the humble quiet polite guy, Steve...the arrogant, loud aggressive guy. But Steve off of the track was actually very quiet, polite and well mannered.Competition brought out the worst in him, I saw it first hand!

Great engines, icons of speedway

Sad news indeed

I would presume a fair few. I would think Somerset would loose half its fan Base as many Bulldog fans adopted the Rebels as temporary replacements.

I would hope a little higher than the SDL!

I was chatting to Malc at Oaktree Arena back in 1999/2000 about Steve Gresham. He told me some stories about him and I was in stitches! He said he was the scariest rider he ever met, he said SG had no regard for safety nor did he look after his fellow team rider on track. If you got in his way you were gonna get knocked off whether you were on his side or the opposition. Mad Wellie was still quite annoyed at the fact that he lent Gresham a spare back wheel and tyre and he never gave it back - well he couldn't not really... He went back to the US the following week and took it with him.