Gemini

Did Bluey ever ride for Leicester? I ask because I've got an old black/white photo of him in one of my albums (I'll have to sort it out) which I took en route somewhere so I presumed he was a Leicester rider. But perhaps not because back in my teens/early 20's I probably took a photo of anyone connected to speedway.

I think it was taken pretty recently because it shows what is left of the Long Eaton track. I don't drink but I'll treat you to some of those lovely fish and chips from the shop on Station Road. Mind you that's probably gone as well now.

So if the Pavillion was knocked down 20 years ago what is the building in the photo? It looks like a pub but I don't know what it is/was called.

I thought The Pavillion was still in use whilst Long Eaton were running, but you know what my memory is like so perhaps not. Isn't this The Pavillion? http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2796586440047007148tfOSGJ

Oh dear. It must have cost them a lot of money in the first place to try and get things going in Spain. Shame it's all come to nothing.

Good question. Wasn't it Ole who wanted to change the surface of speedway tracks completely and have them riding on tarmac or something? Perhaps this is all part of the changeover. Can't stand him personally. Sorry Ole - he's probably a nice guy but I never did like him. Perhaps something to do with the fact he rode for the Bees and used to be the main thorn in the side when riding against Leicester. But saying that I've never been very fond of Danish riders; even Brian Andersen when I transferred to supporting Coventry. Hans Nielsen, Hans Andersen, Morten Risager, Nicki Pedersen.

You don't think I go on the rides do you? I'm not that daft. Our visits to Drayton Manor and Alton Towers were just family ones with the grandchildren. I just watch. I think the last ride I ever went on was years ago and was called Squirrel Nutkins, which consisted of a car going round on rails about 12 feet off the ground. I'm scared of heights and even with my eyes shut I think I screamed all the way round; much to the embarrassment of my grand daughter.

Any idea what the price for a child is at Thorpe Park, Alton Towers or Drayton Manor? I've not been to the latter two for a few years now but I know it was quite expensive then. The comparisons may help to put things into perspective.

Well most tracks seem to have an escaped village idiot (in the nicest possible sense.) The sort of fan you hope will not come and stand next to you and there was certainly one at Long Eaton. Young chap about 19/20 who used to get very wound up. Fortunately he didn't seem to stand in one place for very long so he soon moved on somewhere else, if you did have the misfortune to have him yelling in your ears. My biggest memories of Long Eaton - perhaps it's just the bad things that stick in my mind unfortunately - was the lovely Summer evening when Ove Fundin and his wife were in attendance and the track had been over-watered so we never did see any speedway. I drove back to Leicester with the sun shining brightly & was somewhat disgruntled to say the least. Another time was the 65-0 drubbing of ....I think Middlesbrough....when they refused to ride so the Long Eaton riders just went round for 5-0's in every race. Anyone remember why Middlesbrough wouldn't ride as I forget? Of course there were numerous other very enjoyable matches with some brilliant racing. I miss my trips to Long Eaton and it's such a shame they've closed down.

Hope it's not yours 'cos I bet it doesn't sell.

The problem being of course that the usual track staff don't get to prepare the track do they? It's prepared how Ole Olsen wants it....slick.

Well I blame Subedei for Scott making such a desperate move. He probably reads the forum and couldn't stand the thought of another 12 months of being called a beggar (amongst other things) if he didn't qualify.

Probably a stupid question but what happens to the shale afterwards? Has the Parken shale stayed in storage for future use in that stadium or does it get returned to the quarry with a refund, minus the amount that disappears over the crowd?

No thanks. Getting rid of the eliminators was one of the better moves by Sky, along with the stupid helmet camera.

Don't set them off again! Come to think of it most of them seem to have disappeared now the Wolves season has gone down the pan. What's happened to Stevebrum?

Well he can be as long as it's not to Coventry. I reckon he'd fit in very well at Wolverhampton.....back where he belongs.

And how your opinion has changed! Only a few days ago your opinion was "And anyway, I think the former British champion will struggle to finish 9th, with superior riders such as Jagus, Hampel and Jonsson breathing down his neck - I think he'll finish 11th." So has Scott got 8th place in the bag now or will be finish 11th? Make your mind up. You're more changeable than a woman.

Yes, on the dreaded gate 3 position I also thought Scott was going to come last in the final. Well done Scott. More of the same in Germany please.

Please let it be Chris Harris or we're going to have another load of "Nicholls is a beggar" posts that will last for the next 6 months.

At the risk of being a geek Andy Smith must surely be in that roll of honour. Probably way before your time Sandie.

Strewth! This has all gone a bit over the top following a simple question in the first place. I wouldn't worry too much TheCedarMan as he's missed the 't' out of Fawlty so it won't stand up in court.

Shall we call a truce? I don't like disagreements and it's sometimes hard to put into written words what I mean. It's much easier to talk to someone face to face when things can be better explained. I apolgise that I've involved you in my posts about Sub. Edit......Strange I've just found out that I can read Sub's posts when I'm typing one out myself, even though he's on my ignore list. He actually seems to be doing some good, more constructive ones today now he's not repeating himself about Nicholls over and over again.

I'm not implying anything about you. You've misunderstood me. I was referring to Subedei, known in his previous life as Bila Hora. He seemed a nice chap who didn't keep ranting on about Scott Nicholls being in the G.P's back then and used to post about other more interesting things. Hence my nomination for Best Newcomer of the Year.

Seems about right to me, but "they" will find some way of picking holes in it.

Okay Scott Nicholls. Not really one of my favourite riders but an out and out racer who always gives 100% and deserves to be in the G.P's whether in the top 8 or not as he must surely be amongst the top 16 riders who compete. BSI (or whoever they are now) have always taken a horses for courses approach and picked a wild card/s appropriate for each country's G.P. to encourage local fans to attend. So would you be happy to just see Scott and perhaps Chris Harris as wild cards for the British G.P? Then the other G.P's could be filled with less qualified foreign riders. That should sort it. Really? I suppose I could go around checking other forums but I do know Sub has also been going on and on about Nicholls on the Arena Essex forum, like he does on here, because I am a member. Try reading http://www.faiz.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPI...874&whichpage=2 Sounds like some of their members are fed up with his rantings as well, but you would know that wouldn't you because you pop up again following one of his posts. Well it does seem like you always come along in pairs with your posts whenever Sub gets any criticism and I can't remember you ever being like this before. Mind you Sub always seemed pretty nice as well when he was Bila Hora. I remember voting for him as the "best newcomer." Mmmmm.....