FAST GATER

Make the most of him the clock is ticking I really don't think you will see the the likes of him again ,riding at the top level and holding his own in his mid forties.He is a credit to the sport and I hope he has another season or so in him and I wish him an injury free 2013 and hope he scores shed load of points.

IMO when I have been late for meeetings and they have started the most obvious noise is the PA system not the bikes ,when they are racing the noise is there but is not as annoying as music and the announcer .The race lasts 60+ seconds where as the PA can be heard for an hour and a half or more, so from a noise point of view that IMO is a greater problem to those outside the staduim than the actual bikes .

How long is a piece of string sums up what is wrong with this sport ,IMO there is no one factor or reason but my main concern is those that have and do run the sport now.There is no doubt that the costs to riders has had an affect ,the desperate urge for more power and speed which quite frankly is hard to appreciate as a spectator .The ridiculous annual rule changing that seems in most cases to be knee jerk reactions to say the least and the fact that the rule makers have in most cases vested interests in the sport.What has happen to the sport from a youth point of view is that the cost and demands to get involved have increased while the appeal of the sport in general has diminished to the point that I believe the average age of a fan is about 40 yrs old.The product is old dated and in most cases presented in less than desirable conditions in all but a handful of cases ,my wife will not go because of this anymore.The GP'S prove this well presented marketed my one complaint is that there are too many and it has damaged the British league through rider availability ,plus I believe that it has given Olsen far too much power and influence on the sport.The TV rights should belong to the sport and not one individual thus under the right guidance putting much needed revenue into the sport.I am not more dirt on the track ,two valve upright and open face helmet preacher ,the sport can't go back but standard engine and frame specs are possible and workable if peop[le want them to be .To sum up this sport fell apart over many years because of the attitude of no long term planning some very greedy people taking more than it could give.

It maybe that I am deranged in your opinion ( and that is all it is) but I did know that Sky have the rights you mention and in my opinion it would do the sport no favours to be shoved on the likes of BBC3 etc .The reason I mention using NL riders was to try get the interest of a younger fan base as I am lead to believe that most regular s/way fans are by an large middle aged. I maybe all that you say in your post but a least I can express my opinion ( again that is all it is ) without being rude and critical , it people like you that get this forum a bad name.

IMO they should offer PL racing rights for free if it gets them air time what an advert it would be for the sport as long as it was not on in the middle of the night or on BBC3 or alike.Sky is of no use to the PL so why not try other means of putting the sport on the box and attracting a younger fan base back to the sport, use young up and coming riders from the NL to give it a youthful look to the interviews .

IMO with this sort of injury the decision will probable be made for him the worrying thing is nerve damage and the long term affects with regard normal life never mind taming a 500cc motor cycle for four laps .I hope he makes a full recovery and enjoys a life the other side of the fence ,he deserves it and would be a great asset to the sport in a multitude of other ways .

Hope no real damage done joking aside i heard it was a nasty flip and enjoy a well earned retirement maybe it was a hint that it is the right time to go best of luck Dean.

Just remember "ANY" person who rides a speedway bike flat out with three others has "BALLS" and IMO s/way in this country is in a complete mess not just at NL level but across the board "turkeys voting for christmas has always been the problem.

One thing I remember was the clutch side of his handle bars had about two inches cut off ,I assume this was because he found it easier in the turns can't think of any other reason .

Older riders are not damageng s/way the powers that be who are not investing in the sport are to blame ,like any business you have to look to the future and they just pretend to.In the early 70's when I started watching what was the old NL you had a wide cross section of riders coming up Chris Morton,John Jackson,Joe Owen and Kenny Carter and then you had Mike Broadbanks,Pete Jarman,and even Jimmy Sqibb to give a great balance the league IMO.None of the older riders hindered the progress of the younger ones ,quite the contary many learnt and benifited from them being there in the first place.

I understand the premise behind the NL and it should be for developing young riders but they IMO benifit from riding with older riders in their team.I have always felt that a rider should be allowed to race regardless of his AGE and lose his team place to a better rider not be forced out by the system. Also in recent years the sport has lost a lot of it's Vets ,I really think that there are very few of these riders remaining in the sport today and their inclusion can only be good IMO.

Shadders You missed a real treat the track was massive and probable IMO the fastest ever built in this country lined with railway sleeps it was a frightening experience for any visitors.A real engine breaker and the racing was unbelieveable although the Kings were all but unbeatable at home "Happy Days".

Well done tmc another great read as always Kelvin was one of my all time favourites and the fact that he raced the last 2yrs of his career (one legged almost) carrying such an injury.His last visit to Poole when he almost beat Ricco( still at his best ) was amazing considering the pain and effort it took for him just to ride the bike .

I was a Gunners fan but now go to Stoke nice track great fans but it's just not Elle/Port and it's a hike each week.

The track is still in tact they actually race the dogs on the old s/way track what a waste and Stuart was so unlucky killed at a training school by hitting a roller on the centre green.

Rob I think IMO as to the greatest D2/NL rider of that era John Jackson would be my choice but Joe was a great rider strong and brave without doubt.

He also retired a lot better off than 99% of riders do to quote Lannning "he is retiring a millionaire" IMO he has run things for his own benefit .I don't knock him for that but he is no saint he has merely taken advantage of the sport like that midget in the wig has in F1.I don't supose he cares what people think he is too busy counting the cash which I am sure out weighs in his mind how popular he is with the s/way public.

Don't forget John Jackson ,Phil Collins and avery young Chris Morton Happy days indeed :lol:

Would it not be Jimmy Squibb who rode until he was about 55yrs old almost 40yrs unbroken but I maybe wrong?

I was lucky enough to have a chat with Jimmy right at the end of his career( about mid seventies) and he told me he was 55yrs old and wished he was 25yrs old again, great fellow loads of stories and a lots of advice for a then aspiring young rider .

Cyril was my first hero in speedway the first race I ever saw had him in it in his one season at Elle port still got his photo nice to hear he is still about .I remember his brother in law who sat by us getting him to come and sign the photo and have a chat with me a true gent and an unsung hero of the sport IMO .Rode one last season for the then new Potters after his season with the Gunners and then retired I would guess he is in his late 70's by now.

Sounds like Tom my father invited him to our hotel during the 70' on several occasions with his charming wife but never got a return invitation of any sort,he was from farming stock short arms deep pockets as it were!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Was or is he not more plant hire than transport I maybe wrong or out of touch but that is how he started off .

Remember him in the pits at Elle/Port in the mid70s with blisters on his face from falling asleep on a sunbed but always immaculately turn out on the track and nice fellow aswell many happy returns Taffy.

Nice to hear from you no chance of a comeback we need any help we can get at Stoke ,hope to see you a mr Collin's meeting later this month