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Garry1603

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Posts posted by Garry1603

  1. Posted

    23 minutes ago, nw42 said:

    BLRC was such an occasion, all the coaches from every single track, even 2nd division clubs were represented,  I think the capacity was 25,000 and you couldn't move in the place, we always had seats on the entrance to the pit bend but one year my dad forgot to get seats and we stood on the steps in same area, I didn't get to see as much of that meeting but the atmosphere was enthralling.

    BLRC nights were the highlight of my year as a kid - incredible atmosphere, a bit of friendly banter between supporters (and it WAS friendly!), and the feeling that you were experiencing something special.

    Obviously Hyde Road was a great speedway track and there was good racing, but it was the sense of occasion that made it memorable (a bit like Wembley World Finals)

    • Like 2

  2. Posted

    1 minute ago, steve roberts said:

    ...the same Trump who was reported this morning as suggesting that "research into  whether coronavirus might be treated injecting disinfectant into the body" which has been lambasted by the medical profession.

     

     

    Does he own Domestos as well? 

    Maybe he'll move onto Dyno Rod next!

    • Like 2
    • Haha 1

  4. Posted · Edited by Garry1603

    6 hours ago, martinmauger said:

    Other than 'that summer' in 1976, which will be spoken about as almost a fable by elders to disbelieving young children seated in circle in front of the fireside for many years.  It was the year it didn't rain for few days (or weeks or months) and even the temperature stayed more than 10 degrees above freezing for while, I seem to recall 1995 was pretty good weather-wise....

    To be fair it was rather good - I know because it was the year I started work and the weather improved (dramatically) as soon as I was appointed so I couldn't enjoy it (!)

    The following year wasn't too shabby as well.

    Insert other media.url

  6. Posted

    55 minutes ago, Grachan said:

    I think it needs to present itself as much as a team sport as it can. To many people it just looks like random people riding round a track.

    I agree wholeheartedly with that, for me team speedway is the best format of the sport. Having riders who stay with teams for 2/3 seasons would certainly help the fans identify with a team better (especially if the rider is relatively local)  and whatever can be done to foster friendly rivalry with local teams benefits everyone.

    As an aside, I wonder if F1 fans generally follow a team or a driver? For example, do people change their 'team' allegiance if a driver moved to a rival?

     

  8. Posted

    What promoters will have to take into account with 'new speedway'' is the high likelihood that there will be a very big recession after the lockdown ends - many businesses will not open again, jobs will be lost and therefore people's entertainment budget will be really restricted probably for a year or two. Therefore the sport needs to be affordable for families, but obviously sustainable for the promotions as well - not an easy equation I'm afraid. A year of semi professional racing with reduced admissions (or big discounts / free admission for children) might get us through what is going to be a very hard time.

  10. Posted · Edited by Garry1603

    30 minutes ago, Grachan said:

    The issue isn't the music that's available. It's the choice of whoever is selecting what to play. The best thing is to play a variety from all eras - from 60s to current - and mix it about.

    The idea of having meeting music broadcast through an app and through a pair of headphones is, in my opinion, a terrible idea.

    Generally, I'd agree, but it could be an option if somebody wanted it.  I was thinking more of rider interviews, updates, scores from round the country, even in race commentary, just something to keep the customer engaged and feeling part of the occasion rather than as an inconvenience as it sometimes feels.

  11. Posted

    8 minutes ago, waytogo28 said:

    This is a great way forward IF it could be replicated as much as it has been in Sweden. But this is a medium term possibility as I doubt if it coul dbe "sold" to councils and or comminuty groups in a few months.( even in 12 months ).

     

    I suggest that it is entirely renamed - perhaps as "Dirt Track Racing" or somesuch. It needs to be on standard bikes with no tuner add ons and therefore easier to have a go and start riding for youngsters . F2? Perhaps even 250cc bikes ( as the 500cc rockets ships have inherent problems in their use inc safety & cost ) . Perhaps on a single manufacturer's machine. Get the empahasis on talent winning ( and having a beter chance of proving more reliable exciting racing ) and not the increasingly "first away wins". Boring! Include handicap racing - maybe in ability bands to offer a better on track experience for the younger new supporters. What is clear that the same old, same old of at least the last 20 years will not attract a sufficent new audience for the sport to survive. Definitely improve the P.A. everywhere ( so that interviews etc can be heard ) and Please DO change the music played and general style of 1970s presentation. That's the dim and distant past and a turnoff in trying to sell the new style action. Get those yawning time gaps deleted from meetings! Concrete starting grid - so NO gardening and more time wasted. I could go on!

    I agree with all of that - maybe have a 'speedway app' that could enhance the experience for the watching fans as well (and the ones who can't be present at the meeting).

    The bikes don't have to be tuned up thoroughbreds, a good race is four riders closely racing, not follow your leader at high speed.

    • Like 3

  12. Posted · Edited by Garry1603

    As others have said, it looks like there's virtually no chance to have any meaningful team meetings this season, all we can hope for is to be allowed to run some open meetings.

    If, and it's a big 'if', we get the go ahead (say in August / September), how about each track hosting a 'Festival of Speedway' round for the British based riders (of any division) - maybe with a 'final' at the NSS on tv for the top scorers? Maybe even have under 15s in their own category and / or sidecar racing if it were feasible.

    As has been said though - any costs would have to be outweighed by the revenue generated.

    People will be desperate to get out and about again and if it were marketed properly it might just attract a few new fans / sponsors for next season.

    Some say that I'm a dreamer...………...

     

    • Like 1

  14. Posted

    6 hours ago, steve roberts said:

    Just checking John Berry's "More Confessions" and he broke down into three categories when wishing to come up with his best ever. They were for "Skill",  "Equipment" & "Mental Strength" 

    Mauger 9 - 10 - 9-5

    Rickardsson 9-5 - 9.5 - 9.5

    Nielsen 9.5 - 9.5 - 9

    Briggs 9 - 8.5 - 10

    Fundin 9.5 - 8.5 - 9.5

    Olsen 9.5 - 9 - 9

    Penhall 9 - 9.5 - 9

    Collins 9 - 9 - 9

    Gundersen 9 - 9 -9

    j.Crump 9 - 9 - 9

    Lee 9.5 - 9.5 - 7

    Michanek 9 - 8.5 - 8

    His analysis on each rider I found interesting and obviously very much open to personal opinions/observation. Interesting he gave 'Briggo' a ten for "mental strength" but when you read John's close analysis you can see why!

     

    That's really interesting, so basically he regarded Rickardsson as the best 'all rounder' in that respect. Personally I'd have given Mauger a 10 for mental strength as well, which would have put him (slightly) clear at the top.

    Collins and Gundersen would have got a 9.5 for skill for me as well, but otherwise I think that's a very good impartial assessment - and he should know!

    • Like 2

  15. Posted

    Just now, TonyMac said:

    Although Wilkie undoubtedly had a lot of wisdom to offer Kelly, the evidence suggests he wouldn't have listened much to anyone. Ivan (at Hukk) and Briggo both tried but Kelly was very much his own man and a free spirit.

    I'm sure you're right, I wonder if he had 'caught' him early enough though it might have made a difference. 

    A free spirit sums him up perfectly

    • Like 1

  16. Posted

    26 minutes ago, Wessex Wanderer said:

    Got to be Peter Collins. I am not going any further although I am tempted to put John Louis second. . I understand about excluding riders from the later years but if we didn’t I would have Simon Wigg challenging Peter. 
     

    surprised Phil Crump has not been mentioned. He was sensational when he first hit these shores. 
     

    another great thread. Thanks for starting it. 
     

    :)

    You're absolutely right, I just took it that we were talking about British riders, but if not Crumpie senior is definitely in there.

    • Like 1

  18. Posted

    9 hours ago, steve roberts said:

    My order would be Collins, Louis, Lee, Jessup, Morton, Kennett and Davis ignoring the claims of others outside the remit of the old Division Two.

    I would certainly agree with that - might have Dave Morton in there instead of Davis, but to be fair injuries prevented him from achieving his true potential. Might also swap Lee and Louis over as well, but that's nit picking!

    • Like 2

  19. Posted

    Just now, BWitcher said:

    Gundersen was an elite rider though was he not?

    He'd have rose to the GP's just the same in my opinion. So although you might expect Nielsen to have won more, it may not have been the case..

    Fair enough.  Gundersen was also an Elite rider (to put it mildly!), just think Neilsen was a little bit more consistent and wouldn't have any 'poor' meetings which might have ultimately cost him.

    We'll never know, both were superstars!

    • Like 2

  20. Posted

    13 minutes ago, BWitcher said:

    I understand what you're saying.. however, it doesn't always work that way.

    A GP is still a case of 'rising to the occasion' and we've seen since the advent of the GP series certain riders tend to do that.

    Rickardsson was never the most dominant in league speedway.. he was of course very good, but not to the levels of a Nielsen in his pomp. But when a GP rolled round, he stepped up a gear.

    Yet someone like Leigh Adams who you would have thought a GP system would suit due to his ultra consistency.. never won a GP series.

    Yes, I totally except that and Leigh Adams should have benefited from the GP format, but with the greatest of respect to him, I don't think that he was ever quite the world's best rider, he always had a Pedersen or Crump to face who over the course of a season had slightly too much for him. Can I just add that I loved Leigh Adams as well !

    Rickardsson was always an Elite rider, but he had the ability to raise his game still further for the GPs.

    I think the point I was trying to make is that was that if you are already an 'Elite' rider and can also bring your 'A game'  to each GP, over the course of a season you should prevail - that's why I think the Maugers and Neilsens would benefit most.

     

  21. Posted · Edited by Garry1603

    26 minutes ago, Grachan said:

    I think so too. But this is the thing. Does that mean it is harder or easier to win a one-off World Final?

    A one-off World Final was harder to win for Nielsen but, at the same time, probably easier to win for Gundersen, who was more of a 'rise to the occasion' rider.

    You can't say one was easier or harder than the other. At the end of the day/series there is still only one winner,

    Would certainly agree with that. I also think Michael Lee (and most of the Americans) would have struggled in the GPs because consistency over a few months was a problem for them. Neilsen in the 80s / 90s and Mauger in the 60s / 70s would have won even more titles because of their ability to perform every time.

    • Like 1

  23. Posted

    2 minutes ago, steve roberts said:

    I read recently that Alan Wilkinson wished to take him in hand having recognised his great talent but unfortunately Alan's awful crash and subsequent paralysis put paid to that. Perhaps a different Kelly may have emerged?

    Never knew that - I'm sure he would have been of immense personal benefit to Kelly.

    Wilkie was the ultimate captain for me. Just coming into his prime as well when the terrible crash happened...……….. so sad. Can't believe that he's 71 in a couple of weeks.

    • Like 2
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