cityrebel

Nail on the head.

Maybe the jocks could enter a European 'super league', when they leave the union.

Not at all, I've been to over 100 meetings at Central Park, and I've seen some excellent racing. At NL level there is always a vast difference in the abilities of the riders on show. This does mean some races are always going to be processional.

I do mate, not all of them good. The dreaded GRA were largely responsible for wiping out speedway and dog racing in the London area.

I come from a dog racing and speedway family. My mum worked in the racing office at Wandsworth & Park Royal in the 1960's. I was Taken as a child to Stamford Bridge for the dogs, years before i went there for football. I worked for the GRA for 22 years, working mainly at Wimbledon, but also Catford, Harringay, Wembley & White City.

Top flight racing on a Saturday night, did pull in very good crowds at Rye. A lot of those were not present when the Rockets were in the middle tier. The crowds had really dropped off during Len's last season at Hoddesdon. 'Big' names can still attract the fans, if the race night is favourable.

I don't. The training school and the Dragons are probably dealing with the owners of the Kart circuit.

The track itself looked fine on sunday, far better than the one line concrete bowl BMR served up every meeting. I was told that the stuff dumped on the centre green is in fact contaminated waste. If this is the case, how much would it cost to clear and make good, any ideas.

Both clubs went bankrupt, and it's left a massive void in the South East. Luckily, I've still got Eastbourne, Kent and the Island within striking distance for me living south of the river.

I did hear a rumour that Lakeside were offered the use of Arlington. If true, surely that would have been a better option than a 'run down' Rye. With a massive home advantage, the Hammers might have picked up a couple of trophies!

Demand is where, Rye's crowds have been falling for years. Len never hangs around when a track starts losing money. The BMR honeymoon was enhanced with Lakeside dropping down to the NL, the same season as the Rockets moved up. The Hammers then moved back up and the Rockets were forced into fixed race nights. The writing was on the wall. The disastrous decision by Lakeside to move into Rye all but finished the track off. I applaud the kart people if they are going to revamp the old place. I hope they succeed where BMR failed.

Sitting there empty. People are creatures of habit. Demolishing the popular long bar was a big mistake by BMR. It was the start of the decline in my eyes.

Someone said there was going to be a gym built in it's place. Seems strange to me.

Fair play to anyone who's prepared to put the money up in this day and age. Personally i can't see a future for either sport, and i worked in the industry for 22 years.

I think the Karting people own it now.