spiegal

Well to be honest we are sick and fed up of Cardiff hotels hiking up costs...this year by some 60% in some cases...The Marriott want £265 a night....with a 2 night minimum..... at least Dick Turpin had a mask !! So this year we are trying a fabulous 4 star (real real quality) Hotel Bristol in Bristol right on the harbour with all its bars, restuarants etc...and a huge NCP car park next door. Then we coach people in to Cardiff centre at 2.00pm...add the Somerset meeting on friday...2 nights hotel....all for £179 which is heaps less than 1 night at Cardiff (which you can't get !!) Maybe it will work..but I personally am fed up to my **se begging for rooms and IMO being overcharged...one day they (Cardiff hotels) will realise Speedway people are not prepared to pay Rugby match rates.

Actually I am saddened by the news. i have had my (very) well publicised "run-ins" with Paul...but he has always acted in a totally professional way, and has never held any grudges. He has worked long hard hours on behalf of BSI and indeed Speedway, and has achieved far far more than his detractors would accept or even care. Believe me the hours he has put in at very unsociable times has to be admired. and he has visited many many Countries in an effort to broaden the attraction, places the various detractors would be impressed. Rally cross is expanding and like all of us, both they and he would probably benefit from fresh challenges. We at Travel Plus Tours will miss Nic Sands, and even more Gemma Fordham who has been an amusing, erudite, hard working, grafter who has worked her preverbials off in the cause.Without Gemma we would never have been able to get masses of pit passes for our clients. Torben will do well, and who knows these guys might not be the only names shortly to depart teh world of speedway.

You have just totally made the point I am making..... sadly there are people around who would agree with you. again and again and again and again you are missing the point....how sad for the sport is that. 99% of people who watch speedway thirst for genuine entertainment not the self important few who treasure their closeted view of the sport.

Once again we get the "purists"..following every minute details which interests them but sadly means ***k all to the general public. speedway is not chess..it is not golf..its "Entertainment"...and far far too many people lose sight of this. Jim Lawrence used his judgement for the betterment of the crowd, the TV and the general ambience of the sport. Was the meeting poorer for this decision..no....did it show a modicom of pure commonsense..yes..... Speedway must address the general wishes of the public who pay either at the gate or via TV. The rule book is rediculous, far too much sub standard garbage...get real........ the days of the fan with a bobble hat..3 programmes, stopwatches.slaving over the times of races..etc..are gone. The sport needs all the fans,sponsorship, media coverage, "entertainers" it can muster, or else the only 15 fans left will be those who are obsessed with pointless self gratifying trivia.

Interested in taking a group tO ALMATY......have found a way of getting there without breaking everyone's bank...anyone got any idea of firmed up adtes...or if/when these will be available...ta

That's such a classy reply Philip !!!

If a foot rest goes into a front wheel, that by all reason means that one bike was in front of another. As Riso said, if there is even the slightest doubt should always be all 4. It spoilt an excellent meeting and robbed the crowd of a top race...he's a strange man indeed. Had my moments over the years with Grodski....perhaps the most unfathomable FIM standard official I have ever encounted. There are "refs" on this forum, be interesting to see their comments.

Totally wrong..they were dispensed with as a way of saving money...I was actually involved in that era when the changes were made. Equally at least 3 of those races were for Juniors and at Ipswich that helped development of Lanham, Jones,Hines..etc..etc..but that's probably before your time. The best ideas were the Junior leagues...but they were found to be expensive....and again many tracks simply did not concern themselves with youngsters..it was cheaper and easier to just hike ina Pole/Swede/czech/Aussie All down to costs,and short tem expediency but it must be said that at last these development leagues are working, althoug to mind British Speedway has to re-jig itself at a lower base.

A fair point of view...

And Jason Crump was born in Bristol !!!

Master Woffinden is a smart kid....he refers to Perth as "my home"....he hangs about with all teh Aussie boys...no crime in that..they are good company...he viewed the Aussie Team..Holder..Crump (in early years)....Ward..Batchelor.....I suggest he thought..now where can I be an undisputed "Top Dog"....so lets set up camp as Englands No.1.....clever ..shrewd...and good thinking...so who's the MUG ??

No Garbage isn't harsh at all.....The 1970's was full of truly high standards..England had at least 12 riders all of whom were a country mile better than anything (given that Master Woffinden is an aussie) we have today. The names of BETTS (racer)...Ashby (racer)...Pusey (racer)..Wilson (racer and hard)...Reggie wilson (same)...added to those above. They were great days, fans travelled miles to see meetings....the big hope..is the emerging National League with great racing, improving gates, regular teams, few mercenaries....scrap the farce that is the Elite League..merge the 2 other leagues and you then have a chance....if only !!

Then obviously you never saw the race between JL and Bruce at the BLRC.....believe me I have been at Foxhall since 1955...and saw him in his majesty..throughout the 1970's....every single week home and away he passed riders....I note that your "team" is Halifax...says it all dear.

That is such a load of B***ocks....JL was a true racer...a great team man who carried lesser riders with him...he was an Icon..a great and genuine Captain. Chris was indeed an excellent "Rider"...and was equally an icon at Foxhall...but NOBODY but NOBODY incl Siggy..Cookie..Donc..etc came within light years of JL.

I was fortunate enough to be with Tony Mac when he interviewed Cyril. It had long been an ambition of mine to set this up, it took 3 years, but we eventually got the family to agree. Cyril was delightful, had a wonderful memory and recollection, and Tony Mac's gentle and skilled interviewing ability got the very best out of the old boy. It was a day I will long remember, I hope that we get the opportunity to go to his Funeral. A legend from the days before I was out of short trousers, but I can just recall him at Foxhall. Sleep well old timer James I was fortunate enough to be with Tony Mac when he interviewed Cyril. It had long been an ambition of mine to set this up, it took 3 years, but we eventually got the family to agree. Cyril was delightful, had a wonderful memory and recollection, and Tony Mac's gentle and skilled interviewing ability got the very best out of the old boy. It was a day I will long remember, I hope that we get the opportunity to go to his Funeral. A legend from the days before I was out of short trousers, but I can just recall him at Foxhall. Sleep well old timer James

When I was a kid in short trousers Tich was a hero at Foxhall. A round teh boards merchant, full throttle just inches from the crowd. tiny in stature but with a massive heart. Fabulous to watch always giving every race total dedication and courage. Later he starred at other Southern tracks.....a modest and pleasant man whom I had the pleasure of meeting some years ago. Thanks Tich, you gave me and thousands huge pleasure and to this day your name is famed around these parts.

absolutely delighted to be associated with such a great meeting. well presented...thanks for all the "plugs" Porky...great friendship from both sets of fans...and the Riders were polite and amusing after the event. May all associated with PERRY BARR have a great season.... You deserve huge crowds, good sponsors and fine weather Thank you james Easter Travel Plus Tours

To be honest I think that any Sponsor should be made welcome....Meridian are long term sponsors and should be a good addition to the event.

Not so sure about this Tim...years since I was at LODZ....at that time they had no lights...am told start time is 1600hrs..4.00pm...

Sadly a nasty painful; 1st turn gutser for Ritchie Hawkins at Foxhall tonight. Not a good start for the lad, said to be a couple broken ribs..very painful. Nice re-union of all the old boys from 1970/80's....good to catch up with Shrimp Davey, a young looking Kevin jolly, Colin Cook, Tim Hunt, Ron Bagley, Preben Erickson, Alajn Sage, Carl Baldwin, Ted Howgego,Mick & Andy Hines....a wonderful turnout to mark Billy Sanders tribute. A fine night of great memories and laughter...and teh many years we were one big family....10 years of wonderful fun, time doesn't erase teh memory. Thank you Chris & Julie Louis..JL and Peter Thorpe....such a happy evening with such sad memories of Bill. James Easter

Indeed very very sad news....Eddie was always a friendly face with a cheery greeting..a sad day.

Don't think for 1 minute this is new.....for YEARS we have had riders who spout "I want to ride for England/GB" who were teh worst examples of money orientation....Only interested in teh money available..turning up with not even 2nd rate bikes..arriving late...complaining throughout about the money. The list contains many major names, who caused many a sleepless night for teh Manager..who invariably got stick for not producing. Sweden early 1980's went back to basics with home grown youngsters...England is now at last on that route.....it won't be cured in 1 to 5 years but it will come good as long as the BSPA keeps faith with the "Feeder leagues".....the money from Sky has been spent on keeping tracks afloat...a double edged sword...if you have no tracks you have no sport. If you have a strong National Side it creates interest..see Cricket/hockey/bike road racing...etc..etc. It does need vision, but most of all it needs courage..

So when we will be able to see the 2015 meetings in czech please .....any ideas ?? ta ever so

In fact Foxhall is now owned by the Company who bought the Stock Car business from Spedeworth.(Les Eaton and sons)... Not too sure of the guy's name but he now owns Foxhall. Years ago John berry spent a great deal of money and time trying to unravel the ownership, and the subsequent children etc of the original Directors. he got to within 80% of sorting the various trails...but like many factors, he simply decided that teh time/money involved wasn't worth the effort. Nothing at Foxhall is permanent...you could bulldoze the lot in about 3 days, I do believe that this was always the pre-requisit of the original lease. Of course it would fetch ZILLIONS if they could get planning for housing.

Yes it was ...we put it together too late.....and everyone transfered to teh Torun weekend