thrillpool

I miss that young tattooed Australian boy that used to ride for Wolverhampton.

Never mind the car park, until the Rye House management acquire sturdier plastic cutlery for the fish bar, they risk alienating an already dwindling fan base.

I went home buzzing on Saturday night but as it turned out, I had a bumble bee in my pocket. However, my thoughts on my first visit to Rye this year are thus: The track shop had no lucky bags but were selling those trendy 'snapback' hats that the kids like to wear these days. Looking at the average age of the crowd, they'd have been better off selling Fedoras or tweed caps. The cutlery in the fish bar was appalling. By the time I'd finished my fork was devoid of its prongs. Would it hurt to provide quality plastic cutlery capable of piercing overcooked chips? I lost count of the number of times I tripped over the big bit of MDF crudely nailed over the top of a hole in the wooden terracing. Common sense would dictate a big sign saying 'trip hazard'. But worst of all, and this is where the new promotion are completely shooting themselves in the foot, the lack of 'Those Magnificent Men' as the riders and track staff march out ready for the parade. I mean, it's like going to Tower of London without seeing a Beefeater. It's not all bad news though, for us old traditionalists, we've still got Craig Saul in the announcer's box. His ability to sound like a magician at a kids party is always refreshing. All in all, it was a bittersweet night. Some of the things that make a visit to Rye seem unique have gone forever. No more processional racing, no more 'Magnificent Men...' and no more lucky bags. Alas, I can see Saturday night being my last visit to Rye for a very long time, it's just not the same anymore...

Any chance that they can delay the second heat so I can pop back home and get my hard hat and rigger boots?

Weather permitting, I'm planning on attending this attractive fixture tomorrow evening. It'll be the first time I've been to Rye House since Len handed over the reigns. I do hope the new promotion haven't done anything to spoil the ambiance like modernising the place and dragging it into the 21st century... If you see me, come over and say hello. I'll be the one wearing my 'Tai Woffinden - Pride of Australia' t-shirt.

Unless these big music acts were Florrie Forde, Vera Lynn or Glenn Miller I doubt it would have affected the attendance at the speedway.

Well I think this is a bonzer of an idea. Fair dinkum to Tai for offering this to the next generation of British riders, they'll be stoked.

A beautiful afternoon here at the Showground. All the old people have come out in force and the fact that I was short changed at the entrance isn't dampening my spirits in the slightest. 13-11 to the home side after 4 heats.

Come on Shadders, how can an afternoon listening to Nik Kershaw and Adam Ant be anything other than awesome?

It's interval time here at the Len Arena, 30-18 to the Bandits and the 80's tunes are thumping out over the tannoy. I'm a bit worried that the old guy at the starting gate isn't here...has he finally spontaneously combusted?

As a fibre glass dinosaur looks down on proceedings, you can't help but chuckle at the irony. Anyway, the Bandits are 'stealing' a march here...12-6 up after 3 heats.

That's from a few years ago and unfortunately I've put on a bit of weight since then. It's probably all the fish, chips and mushy peas from the always excellent and reasonably priced Rye House Fish Bar.

1234 come and see the Rockets score! Looking forward to visiting Rye House for the first time this year, I do hope they don't run out of mushy peas before I get there. I'm also hoping the old chap that stands near the starting gate is in good voice and that the referee makes plenty of controversial calls to whip the locals up into a lather! If you see me, please come and say hello. Today I'll be wearing my Castrol GTX jacket with sewn on patches.

I'm really looking forward to tonight you know. I'm sure the crowd will be behind Team GB you know. You know it's going to be a tough meeting for the boys you know. But I'm confident that, you know, we'll have enough to see us through. The last thing we need is to have to go through to the race off you know. I've got everything crossed for Rosco and the boys...you know.

Tonight was a disgrace and heads should roll for this. How do people expect ice cream men to make a living when they don't get a full 15 heats to sell their Mini Milks, Feasts and Choc Ices.

Tonight's attendance: Eileen, Ted, Kevin, Norman, Barry H, Barry P, Maureen, Dorothy and Malcolm.

Well here I am at the Racetrack of Dreams for the final time this year. The fish looks awful, there's no curry sauce and 'Those Magnificent Men...' Is booming away over the tannoy. On the plus side, they've still got some mushy peas remaining from the industrial sized drum I donated a few weeks ago. The winner of the raffle, a pink ticket apparently, has claimed their prize which includes the stadium, the promotional licence and John Sampford. 12-6 to the home side after 3 heats and the atmosphere is electric!

Brilliant, so what am I going to do with this industrial sized tin of mushy peas I was going to bring and flog to the punters?

Not sure I would appreciate a load of teenagers loitering on the terraces with their side partings and espadrilles. Speedway is ideal for the mature sports fan and we should embrace the anoraks, badges, plastic bags and flasks. I was at Rye House on Saturday night and the old lady next to me smelt of Murray Mints which is far more preferable than Obsession for Men or whatever it is the kids wear these days.

I reckon Modd is Hazel. If this is the case, next meeting I'd like to meet you and discuss the issue of mushy peas with you personally.

There really is no sugar coating this. Tonight was an embarrassment for the home promotion and there is no wonder the loyal Rockets fans are becoming restless. How you can run a fish bar with no mushy peas is beyond me. Come on Len, give the crowd what they want.

Oh dear...not looking good for the loyal Rockets fans here tonight. There's no mushy peas at the fish bar!! Oh and the home side are getting a good old fashioned pasting, 18-42 after 10.

Get battering the fish I'm planning my first visit to the Launchpad of Dreams. Looking forward to a warm can of beer, tiddler and chips and a long and drawn out three hour meeting. Can't wait...I really don't understand why the crowds are dropping over in Hoddesdon?

Not sure about the pit area but if you get to Rye House an hour before tapes up they sometimes let you behind the counter of the fish bar.

I didn't realise Jimmy Savile posted on here...