Worlds Top Riders Coming Back To The Uk.......

[oldace 1,678]

 

Home track specialists were a lot more pronounced in the past in my belief. Some riders were superb on their home track and garbage at others. You still get that to an extent now but nowhere near to the levels that you used too.

 

 

Indeed you did, for the very reason Sidney pointed out, variety of tracks. Exeter being the prime example but, as Sidney says, there were other. Ian Cartwright was often an 8 point man but it was made up of a 10 point average round the Shay and 6 elsewhere. Newport, Hull, Wimbledon etc all produced a good advantage for the guys who rode there and as a visitor you really only went to these places once a year so it took years to master them

[stratton 1,491]

Indeed you did, for the very reason Sidney pointed out, variety of tracks. Exeter being the prime example but, as Sidney says, there were other. Ian Cartwright was often an 8 point man but it was made up of a 10 point average round the Shay and 6 elsewhere. Newport, Hull, Wimbledon etc all produced a good advantage for the guys who rode there and as a visitor you really only went to these places once a year so it took years to master them

Yes correct Oldace sometimes these riders only rode at certain tracks once a year i can remember the Robins beating Halifax 63-15 with Cartwright i think? the only rider to split a home partnership.Newport Somerton park ( only went once) a weird shape a massive home advantage (ie for the likes of Street,Trigg,Tebby (ect)

[g13webb 4,254]

It's only natural to remember the good times, and Speedway is no different. Life now, to what it once was, has completely changed, and when looking back it's easy to distort feeling with what was actually facts. Years ago we never had any of the X boxes, Computers , or Smart phones. We led a boring existence and looked upon any past time as wonderful. Speedway fell into this category. This is why the crowds poured in and created all the atmosphere and excitement.

 

I look at all the SGP and really enjoy the spectacle. And yes, it is as good if not better then anything we use to watch in those glory days. Back then speedway was not regarded as full time sport and most riders supplemented their riding doing a part-time job. I remember once when attending a season Press and Practise day at Lynn, Michael Lee was the only person, who was turned out with all the sponsored leathers and equipment. The rest was just in black dirty leathers, probably still got last years dirt on. The difference now is that most riders are professional and are all turned out like Lee did.

 

I find it annoying when posters rubbish the greats of yesterday. Top riders like Mauger, Olsen, Briggs, Penhall, Lee, Collins, Gunderson, Nielsen were really special and would have coped with todays stars very well. I feel speedway today is better in so many ways. Machinery, Tracks, Organisation, Media have all help to move the sport forward. What a pity that the greats from the past will never have the benefits that todays riders enjoy......

[BWitcher 12,453]

Excellent post GRW.

 

I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone rubbishing the greats of yesteryear to be honest though, its usually the other way round, the starts of today being rubbished in comparison.

 

Apart from that, you hit the nail on the head though in my opinon.

[stratton 1,491]

It's only natural to remember the good times, and Speedway is no different. Life now, to what it once was, has completely changed, and when looking back it's easy to distort feeling with what was actually facts. Years ago we never had any of the X boxes, Computers , or Smart phones. We led a boring existence and looked upon any past time as wonderful. Speedway fell into this category. This is why the crowds poured in and created all the atmosphere and excitement.

 

I look at all the SGP and really enjoy the spectacle. And yes, it is as good if not better then anything we use to watch in those glory days. Back then speedway was not regarded as full time sport and most riders supplemented their riding doing a part-time job. I remember once when attending a season Press and Practise day at Lynn, Michael Lee was the only person, who was turned out with all the sponsored leathers and equipment. The rest was just in black dirty leathers, probably still got last years dirt on. The difference now is that most riders are professional and are all turned out like Lee did.

 

I find it annoying when posters rubbish the greats of yesterday. Top riders like Mauger, Olsen, Briggs, Penhall, Lee, Collins, Gunderson, Nielsen were really special and would have coped with todays stars very well. I feel speedway today is better in so many ways. Machinery, Tracks, Organisation, Media have all help to move the sport forward. What a pity that the greats from the past will never have the benefits that todays riders enjoy......

Great post and i will hold my hands up and say i was totally wrong about the GP Series and the younger generation taking over from Crump,Gollob,( ect).I look around we have Tai, others reaching there prime and classy sorts like the Pawlicki bros, Dudek,MJJ sniffing about.WIth myself maybe because the golden time was in my youth it all seemed like a bed of roses maybe it was because i enjoyed going so much.When i see Ward ride and say both the Pawlicki bros i enjoy watching as much now not so much the league racing but it is not all doom and gloom.

[BWitcher 12,453]

Great post and i will hold my hands up and say i was totally wrong about the GP Series and the younger generation taking over from Crump,Gollob,( ect).I look around we have Tai, others reaching there prime and classy sorts like the Pawlicki bros, Dudek,MJJ sniffing about.WIth myself maybe because the golden time was in my youth it all seemed like a bed of roses maybe it was because i enjoyed going so much.When i see Ward ride and say both the Pawlicki bros i enjoy watching as much now not so much the league racing but it is not all doom and gloom.

We're all like that Sidders to be fair.

 

My happiest days as I said before were in the Ermolenko/Correy/Karlsson/Jones era at Wolves. I was a teenager, they were my heroes. Nothing will ever beat it. I almost don't like watching the DVD's of the matches from that era as in some ways it tarnishes the memory! Better to just remember it as being bloody brilliant every race, every week

 

If only the powers that be could use some imagination to get bodies back onto the terraces. Big crowds make the whole spectacle so much better.

 

I like the GP's and they bring a sense of big time speedway, but for me, you simply cannot beat seeing your own team in a vital match in front of a big crowd. It's why I love the playoffs so much.

[stratton 1,491]

We're all like that Sidders to be fair.

 

My happiest days as I said before were in the Ermolenko/Correy/Karlsson/Jones era at Wolves. I was a teenager, they were my heroes. Nothing will ever beat it. I almost don't like watching the DVD's of the matches from that era as in some ways it tarnishes the memory! Better to just remember it as being bloody brilliant every race, every week

 

If only the powers that be could use some imagination to get bodies back onto the terraces. Big crowds make the whole spectacle so much better.

 

I like the GP's and they bring a sense of big time speedway, but for me, you simply cannot beat seeing your own team in a vital match in front of a big crowd. It's why I love the playoffs so much.

We're all like that Sidders to be fair.

 

My happiest days as I said before were in the Ermolenko/Correy/Karlsson/Jones era at Wolves. I was a teenager, they were my heroes. Nothing will ever beat it. I almost don't like watching the DVD's of the matches from that era as in some ways it tarnishes the memory! Better to just remember it as being bloody brilliant every race, every week

 

If only the powers that be could use some imagination to get bodies back onto the terraces. Big crowds make the whole spectacle so much better.

 

I like the GP's and they bring a sense of big time speedway, but for me, you simply cannot beat seeing your own team in a vital match in front of a big crowd. It's why I love the playoffs so much.

I always preferred league racing was never a mega fan of individual meetings even though i see quite a few.But if i was an outsider looking in the GP series does look a excellent and professional product not like the days of a rider having a fag in the pits black leathers (ect) .WIth the rules as they are and the sport not being strong and UTD,that is the frustrating thing it could be so much better the potential is there but in my memory the sport has always managed to shoot itself in the foot. Edited March 13, 2014 by sidney

[The White Knight 9,041]

It did used to be good though - when you could recognise individual Riders by style, even Bikes and, most importantly of all to Spectators the Race Jacket bearing your Club's Emblem. It gave more of a sense of 'TEAM' than the Kevlars that they wear today. Youngsters like to identify with Team/Riders - they can't these days because they all look the bloody same. :sad:

[Tsunami 10,219]

It did used to be good though - when you could recognise individual Riders by style, even Bikes and, most importantly of all to Spectators the Race Jacket bearing your Club's Emblem. It gave more of a sense of 'TEAM' than the Kevlars that they wear today. Youngsters like to identify with Team/Riders - they can't these days because they all look the bloody same. :sad:

 

Disagree. In every other sport I can think of, all teams wear team clothing with either their name/number on them to identify them. The bike and it's covers are all you need to use to keep your identity.

[ruffdiamond 6,115]

It did used to be good though - when you could recognise individual Riders by style, even Bikes and, most importantly of all to Spectators the Race Jacket bearing your Club's Emblem. It gave more of a sense of 'TEAM' than the Kevlars that they wear today. Youngsters like to identify with Team/Riders - they can't these days because they all look the bloody same. :sad:

I do think the team kevlars is a better idea,,, it helps riders aswell, recognising their partner,,, I do hear what you say about individual's leathers/kevlars helping youngsters reconising different riders, but their number and helmet cover is there for that,,, maybe youngsters should pay more attention to those details, instead of just chatting to their mates, or texting in stuff, lol

[The White Knight 9,041]

 

Disagree. In every other sport I can think of, all teams wear team clothing with either their name/number on them to identify them. The bike and it's covers are all you need to use to keep your identity.

 

That is your privilege, but the way Gates/Crowds are dropping - I honestly believe that lack of identity IS a contributory factor with youngster's involvement.. Speedway has always had scope for Riders to show Individuality in the past. Frank Varey - Red Leathers, Ken Le Breton - White Leathers, Boocock Brothers - One wore Blue Leathers (Nigel) - the other (Eric) Red. That is only a few. Bikes you could identify by the set/length of the Handlebars - George Major's great big Cowhorn type set up for example - nowadays even they are all the same.

 

Speedway I know is a Team Sport - BUT - there should always be a place for a Rider with individual flair or dress sense. THAT is the sort of thing youngsters go for - they certainly DON'T go for uniformity which is, sadly, what they get now.

 

There are times I struggle with who is who. Bikes are the same (more or less), Kevlars are the same, Riders look the same. Ohhhh for the days when you could recognise a Rider from the FRONT as well as the Back.

 

Regarding TEAM Colours - the old style Race Jacket was good enough to recognise which Team a Rider was representing. It was so much more impressive than faceless Adverts.

 

I love it when occasionally at Brough Park a replacement/Guest Reserve appears in a Race Jacket with a big White Diamond on a Black background - it really does look good. THAT is Newcastle 'Diamonds' identity - NOT Sponsors names.

 

I'm sorry but Speedway is and always has been about individuality. You have to be, in my opinion, a special type of person to ride Speedway. Drab Teams dressed in Drab Outfits will NOT bring the Crowds back to our Sport - individuality, flair and showmanship alongside some actual Promotion just might.

[stratton 1,491]

That is your privilege, but the way Gates/Crowds are dropping - I honestly believe that lack of identity IS a contributory factor with youngster's involvement.. Speedway has always had scope for Riders to show Individuality in the past. Frank Varey - Red Leathers, Ken Le Breton - White Leathers, Boocock Brothers - One wore Blue Leathers (Nigel) - the other (Eric) Red. That is only a few. Bikes you could identify by the set/length of the Handlebars - George Major's great big Cowhorn type set up for example - nowadays even they are all the same.

 

Speedway I know is a Team Sport - BUT - there should always be a place for a Rider with individual flair or dress sense. THAT is the sort of thing youngsters go for - they certainly DON'T go for uniformity which is, sadly, what they get now.

 

There are times I struggle with who is who. Bikes are the same (more or less), Kevlars are the same, Riders look the same. Ohhhh for the days when you could recognise a Rider from the FRONT as well as the Back.

 

Regarding TEAM Colours - the old style Race Jacket was good enough to recognise which Team a Rider was representing. It was so much more impressive than faceless Adverts.

 

I love it when occasionally at Brough Park a replacement/Guest Reserve appears in a Race Jacket with a big White Diamond on a Black background - it really does look good. THAT is Newcastle 'Diamonds' identity - NOT Sponsors names.

 

I'm sorry but Speedway is and always has been about individuality. You have to be, in my opinion, a special type of person to ride Speedway. Drab Teams dressed in Drab Outfits will NOT bring the Crowds back to our Sport - individuality, flair and showmanship alongside some actual Promotion just might.

WK i loved the individual having they're own identity, Booey, Cowland,Major (ect) it does not bother me to much now they're are more important thing's they need to address.I would say though after Jason Crump suffered those horrendous burns are the Kevlars thick anough? they do look flimsy. Edited March 13, 2014 by sidney

[The White Knight 9,041]

WK i loved the individual having they're own identity, Booey, Cowland,Major (ect) it does not bother me to much now they're are more important thing's they need to address.I would say though after Jason Crump suffered those horrendous burns are the Kevlars thick anough? they do look flimsy.

 

I really don't mind Kevlars - it is the fact that they are all the same that bothers me. There is no way that a Rider can look like an individual today - however, different colour Kevlars/Leathers would provide a bit of variety. Speedway isn't like Football, it is a Team Sport but in a different sense. I believe that taking away the colour and individuality has been detrimental to Speedway because it is no longer as attractive as it once was. Speedway, as well as a Sport should be an attraction. We need to attract people to Speedway - sameness will NOT help with that, with Colour and as I put in my earlier Post - individuality, flair and showmanship alongside some actual Promotion just might.

[george.m 3,063]

Youngsters like to identify with Team/Riders - they can't these days because they all look the bloody same. :sad:

Just trying to think who else looks like Antonio Lindback.

[ColinMills 1,728]

i personaly preferred individual leathers, i liked seeing davis, louis, mauger etc stand out in there leathers.i believe there was far more team riding in yrs gone by, so identifying there partner was never a problem..i do believe we need new fans, but not to the extent of ignoring the older fans..guest riding and doubling up, is a big no, no for me..to attract the new support, you need less farcical rules, you need a team, to feel like YOUR team, and not sharing ridrs around, and seeing them 1 week for you, then the next week against you..i also feel, regarding play off, if you 5th and 6th mid season, fine, but if your sitting 12pts clear at the top, how do you motivate your fans to an away game, knowing your just waiting for the real stuff (play offs) to kick off in a few weeks time?..also notice lack of team stickers on cars these days....i recall following a swindon sticker 1 day, before sat navs, to an away game, unluckily for me, that driver wasnt going to speedway that day and i got well lost!!!