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One of the best Speedway videos I have seen. Struck the perfect balance between racing and the human element. Every track should strive to match the way this promotion treats its customers whilst maintaining a professional approach and a desire to win without having the extreme “win at all costs” attitude which pervades too many tracks these days. It was a bit like going back before the “me” culture of the mid 1980’s kicked off the rot which has led to a steady decline in the sport ever since. good luck to the Glasgow organisation, they deserve all the success possible. Any locals who see this will surely be tempted to go along to sample what is on offer themselves. And that my friends is what should be the absolute priority of ALL promoters.

Today’s issue is first class !!! Lots of innovative articles and interviews. Really enjoyed the riders reviews on the tracks. I would like to see the star continue in this way once the pandemic is over and we resume racing. in the age we live in now the vast majority can access results and local reports from every club so perhaps less emphasis should be given to the results and a bit more on new features. I do enjoy the retro side but only if it’s of the time I’ve spectated otherwise it’s of no interest. This week’s issue imo is spot on. Well done to all involved.

Yeah, brilliant issue of the Speedway Star this week, including part 1 of a UK track anorak's paradise . I do love reading rider's opinions of the tracks, 'Subscribe To The Star'; you know it makes sense....

I'm hoping to see some Brummies Away matches down South at some point in 2020. £19 at Kent and no concessions for OAPs like me! Poole and Eastbourne letting my NHS working wife and daughter in for free and Poole offering me concession price and Eastbourne reportedly £10 for early meetings or a concession if not! Bit of a no brainer for us!

If its spent then the only thing that will come out of Peterborough will be if you want a cash refund we will be forced to fold.

I don't recall pork sandwiches on sale at the track until the 1980s. Fairly certain they were not available in 1965.

Some of the comments show that while news (or gossip) is plentiful online, it takes the Star to give accuracy and perspective. The features in this week's issue are excellent. It shows the strength of the magazine how faced with an appalling situation it can rise to the challenge. The rider analysis of tracks is a superb example of what the Star excels at. I just hope that these efforts are backed-up by the supporters. There's many times I've needed the Star. Now it's time to repay.

So, years of being fed the wrong information in the press? Good thing that couldn't happen today!

Yes Bruno he got paid 2 from 4 rides v Sheffield then he scored 9 points in his next meeting.I remember him scoring 7 at Swindon with two heat wins and the next time i see him he rode very well in the Manpower at Reading looked classy.

The Lemon Drop Kid ! Never a great star but IMO a very underrated rider. One of the reasons for speedways golden era was not just that there were some outstanding riders at the top but there was also a strong second tier of riders to keep the top dogs on their toes. I stand to be corrected but I think PLJ never made a British Final let alone a World Final, or if he did he didn’t do very well, yet he was really a very good rider. That was the quality of the sport in this times. oh, where did it all go wrong ?

According to The British Speedway Handbook, with statistics by Bryan Seery, Peter Jarman appeared in 27 league matches, with 108 rides, scored 221 points, with 14 bonus points, giving a total of 235 points. That gives a calculated match average of 8.70. Jarman also rode in one KO Cup match, at Exeter, scoring 12 plus a bonus point from 6 rides. The total official match figures should, therefore, be 28 matches, 114 rides, 233 points, 15 bonus, total 248 points. This gives a CMA of 8.70. JoeW has pointed out the reason for the error in the History of the British League book.

Streamed last night and a very enjoyable meeting to watch as well.

...perhaps then one-time King's Lynn co-promoter Bill Barker wouldn't have been 'robbed' of the days takings some years ago when he took the money home with him and left it in his house overnight the story being told in Malcom Simmons' (co-promoter at the time) in his most excellent book?

you will be glad to hear that we will have a card facility at Birmingham once we get started again ! Peter has sourced a system that does not require a wi-fi connection

On the 1965 averages issue I think this is the position: The principal source for the Oakes History of the BL came from Speedway Star season reviews. From 1966 onwards the stats in these showed matches, rides, points, etc. BUT for 1965 (and earlier years) they only showed matches and points, no rides. So in order to produce an average (without researching every single match in 1965) it was assumed riders had four rides. Mostly they did but rides missed thru injury, tac subs and reserve rides will mean that over the season the numbers won't be right.

No, it was bloody awful wasn't it. The crowd booed and stormed out of the stadium never to return. It's pretty clear you're just trolling now. I'm no Harris fan but that was one of the greatest moments in recent speedway history... in fact of all time.

Very much afraid you are right. I know Carl Johnson has sent my request for a refund to the big boss, but as expected in typical Speedway fashion have heard sod all.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=220392442713359&id=100042278136793

Apologies, I didn't realise. So if I've understood you correctly, the Dugards no longer have any involvement in the running of the speedway then? How come a number of them got involved in the Glasgow fracas last season?

We're due a further 3 weeks lockdown any minute, dread to think where you 2 will get with this in that time!, still whatever keeps you sane .

Saturday 18th

Thanks. That makes me feel a whole lot better about missing out.

I'm so sorry... The pork and stuffing sandwiches, and incredible pork scratchings, were worth the trip alone!

Honestly You would think that though wouldn't you because you are just an antagonistic A-wipe who should crawl back under your rock... So now you have had a bite you can "pull the heed of the chicken" and give yourself your cheap thrill... and move on... A total tool... who talks complete and utter keache... What people have mainly expressed is how they are impressed with the effort and support to the local community the promotion put in and how they are promoting the club and supporting speedway... genuine positive comments about a genuine club and genuine people... Best laugh is I bet you haven't watched the documentary you have just made the comment for effect... Sooner the schools go back the better... Regards THJ

...and one of my favourites, Gordon Kennett, achieved 9 plus averages for 7 seasons (1976 - 82)

Apparently! You couldn't make it up really.

Didn't he leave his window open because the dog farted?!?

Lee Kilby has done fixture lists for a May/June or July return. The first 2 he reckons we could still get a full season with cooperation from all promoters. The July return would be trickier and probably involve 1 home and away league fixture. At least the BSPA seem to have contingency plans.

Too many Clubs are still in dark ages of Cash only.

I doubt that any events in stadia will return this year.

I'm sure that Ronnie would have added at least a couple of further championship wins if he hadn't retired in 1963 Sid.

Yes, Malcolm Simmons started the season blacklisted, but realised he would not be able to ride in grass track events, his first love at that time, so he applied for his licence back. This was granted on condition, of course, he rode for a National League team and Tommy Price signed him up for West Ham. And yes, it was Bobby Dugard he replaced. Dugard moved on to Wimbledon. And in that memorable 14 August meeting at Wimbledon, Simmons beat Dugard once in the match and once in the second half. Yes, Simmons' second season; Hunter's third.

He did fall out with Parker Addio who was known to be very ruthless.But Parker has to go down as one of the greatest promoters in history even though he was far from being Mr popular.

Thanks Norbold great stuff, for me Mirac is the interesting one he broke a leg in 1963 at the age of 30 and had a six year exile from the Uk ..He returned in 1969 aged 36 reaching the World final he could of still been in the mix saying that reading up on his modest manor and the way he approached certain meetings i am far from saying he would of won more titles.

Countries will slowly you would think slowly relax social gathering and start to define numbers. What will constitute a "large gathering" and when. So it's currently 2! At the point it becomes 1000 or 2000 and at the point at which the significant majority of people are prepared to be in Crowds of 1000-2000 then in the UK we have Speedway (subject to Medical Cover). When that is ??? The Government will dictate the ability to stage an event by numbers that's the easy part, the general supporting public being convinced it's safe will be harder! NOBODY knows. I am now reconciled to it being no sooner than early 2021.

Germany has extended ban on large gatherings until the END of August. (although I note that tickets for Teterow at the end of May are still on sale on the SGP site ) Although I hope there are some relaxations of lockdown before then I think it unlikely that we will be significantly out of step with other European countries on this matter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3Ic4sLUPIE

Aren't averages always worked out that way? Or are you saying that TS rides were not included in the number of rides but the points are still included in the total, thus giving a falsely high average?

Again, our experience so similar. My first away trip was Brandon in 81, from 82 I dont think we missed an Aces meeting at the Shay, and caught most of their meetings at Brandon. Didn't make Owlerton til 84, made the trek to Dudley Wood in 83 only for the meeting to be washed out...

You could always wait until travel restrictions are lifted and go to Nigeria to collect in person

Gave the chap on Tesco checkout a fiver yesterday to have a pint on me. You'd have thought I'd offered to pay he's mortgage he was so grateful. Made me think I don't reckon many had made the gesture. Then again I don't know where he's going to buy the pint

No disrespect to either of the above posts, but its not about you enjoying it live (As we all do) But it is at this time, airing it to a newer, wider audience and capturing their imagination as to what it would be like attending a live meeting. This is why it does not move forward to new audiences, as long as it suits me I don't care!!!!!!!!!!

Were they really two of the greatest races ever seen? Would the similar races in a league match be seen the same way? It was the very fact that they were World Final races in a packed Wembley stadium that made those races stand out through time. For me, possibly the best race I've ever seen was the heat 13 at Belle Vue, when Max Fricke went from last to first while the other 3 riders kept changing positions. The races between Penhall and Olsen/Knudsen never came close to that. But they are the ones that will go down in history. And that is because they were at a Wembley world final. You talk about poor racing at Cardiff, but Harris beating Hancock to win a Grand Prix final was on a par with the Penhall races from Wembley.

It was, and West Ham was a great place to enjoy it.

I know more pressing matters at moment, but sent off £480 in January for season tickets. Had an acknowledgement but cheque not cashed till I believe March. I have doubts that we will see any Speedway this season , in fact the longer this goes on I fear we will not see Panthers again. Asked for money back and told request sent to accounts department, nothing heard since. If it helps Panthers I am willing to let things be , but I am not willing to help management who treat disabled fans in such a shameful and callous way.

From a long standing fan of over fifty years, i just don't think speedway makes good TV viewing. The amount of meetings i record and never watch is substantial, yet i attended 80 live meetings last season. The whole product needs a revamp, but with a worldwide recession on the horizon, this seems very unlikely.

Let's also not forget Covid-19 hasn't killed 115,000... 115,000 have died who happened to have it. Or in some cases.. it was 'guessed' that they had it. Significant difference.

Spanish flu killed 100 million worldwide. Covid has killed 115,000. That’s perspective. Put in the current flu and pneumonia figures and you’d have a much more up to date perspective that people could relate to. Unfortunately that does not suit the agendas of the government and the media, to control and scare the public.

Just arrived with this months"backtrack" off to a quiet beach nearby where no one goes to sit on a bench and read in peace .

Watched Mildenhall v Peterborough few days ago Mick Hines got so much stick that day from the fen tigers fans but it didnt help him racing in his tigers colours with a panther on his chest. Fish and Chips always made the trips to west row more enjoyable.