Onceadon

If memory serves me correctly, it was freezing, the pits had blown away in a strong wind, there were about 6 heats run in about 90 minutes due falls & tape exclusions, the tractor they were using ran out of petrol and then the lights blew. My brother & sister in law (who hate speedway) remember it to this day and have never forgiven me for dragging them down there. A great little place which was a bit like Buxton, and definitely the most scenic track I have ever been to. The views were awesome.

You must have been there on my only visit - when the lights blew against Exeter in 1985. Its still the most amazing and memorable speedway meeting I have ever been to.

You must have been there on my only visit - when the lights blew against Exeter in 1985. Its still the most amazing and memorable speedway meeting I have ever been to.

I know I am in the minority but I think its good for speedway, and I simply can't believe that people stop going because of it. Surely we go for the excitement of seeing four lunatics roar round a track on bikes without brakes, and anything else is pretty irrelevant ? The tactical rule makes matches closer, and therefore more exciting still. That's why it should be there and why I had no problem with two rides per match and still don't. Each team will gain and lose by its presence over the season. What's more its not new. There's very little difference between the tactical rule and the old tactical substitute, which was in operation in the 1960's, which was applicable when a team was only 6 points behind and which was not subject to a limited number of uses. There were very few complaints about that.

Simon got in before me but I'd advise anyone to try West Row before the pairs. Last weeks meeting was an absolute screamer - read the neutrals reports on the thread.

There is a bit in the Speedway yearbook from 1977 that 'at one time it looked an odds on certainty' that he would sign for................................Halifax

Sounds like him. He came over to Scunny for the last meeting of the season and had everyone laughing when he was interviewed over the centre green mic.

Can't help I'm afraid. My mate did know him well when he was riding for Halifax but when he moved away he hasn't seem him since............

Just fit it right.....got my copy of Peter Oakes 'History of the British League' through yesterday !! Birmingham 7.600 Milton Keynes 9.570 1 point BLRC, 11 points, NLRC.

I'd say he is as ready as Bomber is..................

Not so certain it would be viable at PL level but must stand a chance at CL. Reading my old speedy stars and yearbooks, the Gunners mainly stayed afloat by selling riders produced at training schools - the Collins (Phil & Neil) & Carr brothers spring to mind. Gates were never that good and I know that's one reason why they closed down in 85.

I'll ask a mate of mine. He's from Halifax and lived in the same street as my mate.

I went once in '85 and my overriding memory (the Dons got stuffed) is of the pub across the road - 'The Gunners' with its racejackets, programmes and pictures. Went back a few years later and nearly everything had gone.

55 is Gordon Kennett, 1982

You have got to be having a laugh Andy. One of the best riders from the back I have ever seen, and the first one I ever saw take all 3 others from behind in an individual meeting. Mind you, he never could ride Belle Vue. A superb rider, undoubtedly one of my all-time favourites and an absolute professional. Does anyone see him now ?

Keep supporting your home track because you never know when you may loose it! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Best quote I have heard in ages.

Andy, liontamer, one of clubs, - you're all spot on. I first went to Hyde Road in 1984 to the BLRC when Chris Morton won a run off with Hans Nielsen after Erik Gundersen was put out for pushing the tapes. I can still remember Dick Barrie winding the crowd up so that all the neutrals backed Morton - and the incredible firework display afterwards. When I moved to the north I became a regular at Hyde Road during 1986/7 --- Morton, Thorp, McKinna etc. Superb atmosphere and a great race track. I must admit TB that Sheffield is a superb race track. I can remember going there in the late 80's and seeing some terrific meetings. The problem for me is that now the surface is so biased in favour of the home team away riders simply can't race it and that's why although its the closest track to my home I never go there.

Ronnie Greene and Johnnie Hoskins definitely. The other for me has to be Charles Ochiltree. I have heard many other promoters (such as John Berry, Reg Fearman & Ian Thomas) say how they copied and admired his methods, and imitation is always the sincerest form of flattery. Nigel Boocock once said that Coventry Speedway was run like a solicitors office, it was that professional, and John Berry's comment was that the CO never forgot that the business of speedway was entertainment, and that the entertainment of speedway was a business.

I find it hard to appreciate how clubs keep going with the sort of spectator numbers that are being quoted here and, to be honest, I have little reason to doubt them. I tried to count attendance figures when I have been to matches (very approximate I must admit) and at Berwick against Stoke last year there could not have been more than 400, and it was probably closer to 300. Workington v King's Lynn at the end of the season was nearer 900-1,000. SCB, perhaps you can enlighten me how a club can keep going on gates of 400 a week, because I can't believe that they manage to. What amazes me all the more is that new clubs are opening up or potentially opening, such as Scunthorpe, Middlesborough, Long Eaton & Halifax. Why don't the promotions set fire to £20,000 and be done with it ?

Shazzy, Those days are not gone. This season, I took in Worky on Saturday & Newcastle on Sunday after travelling from my home in Halifax. I stayed at a hotel that was awful and cost me £50 for one night. I didn't want to stop going, so I bought a tent and at the back end of the season did the same trip plus Berwick & Newcastle at a later point, then Worky at the very end of October. It was very cheap (about £10 a night, but on one occasion (the best) just £5), I got to go to places I have not been to before, the weather was (luckily) terrific and the speedway as good. The best thing though was that the last time I did both camping and speedway at the same time I was 17, so at pushing 40 it was like going to summer camp. I am already planning and very much looking forward to another trip next April: Saturday Stoke Sunday Newport Monday Exeter Tuesday IOW Wednesday My beloved Dons Thursday Swindon Friday Somerset Saturday Worky (if I can cope with the drive from Somerset) Sunday Newcastle. There's one other bonus - my wife doesn't like camping or speedway, so I can do what I like !

I remember when John Davis, on his debut for the Dons in 1984, crashed on his way to the tapes......

I don't think there ever has been, but there were a lot of rumours about speedway starting up there in the 1980's.

I am sure someone could help with this one - Gordon Kennett.

I never had a problem with Wolves or Cradley, although I only ever went to Dudley Wood once but couldn't have timed it better - 1984 when the Dons ended Cradley's long winning run at home in the British League. I was there when Eriksen smashed into Tatum, though. Eriksen's backside fell out when Gordon Kennett went for him after the crash.

I have been out of the game for a while and I find the new tactical substitute rules confusing too. I also experienced first hand last week Andre Compton throwing a race during Sheffield v Hull. Its something I never saw under the old rules, so back to them ASAP. Given a ridiculous but entirely possible conclusion, you could have two riders trying to finish behin an opponent..........