Garry1603

Just a thought, has the Speedway Star ever considered going on 'Readily'? I don't know of how it works in regards revenue for the magazine and if it might actually tempt subscribers to look at the 'free' content instead (there's a monthly subscription to pay, but it's for pretty much unlimited magazines). I get monthly issues of magazines on there that I wouldn't ever think of buying a hard copy, but it keeps my interest going (eg gardening, photography etc). There's some really obscure sports have their mags on there which I am sure wouldn't be viable through hard copy sales, so maybe it keeps them afloat? It might just attract former fans back into the fold again and of course it keeps the sport slightly more in the public eye.

Such sad news, a classy rider and a classy guy by all accounts. A rider from Poland riding in the UK (along with Edward Jancarz) was real box office news in those days, but they both lived up to the hype and were real crowd pleasers. RIP Zenon

Yes, all good points. 1979 and 1980 were pretty unsettled years for the Aces

I remember when he joined Belle Vue at the very end of his career when he came in as a reserve. I thought that he could be a really potent weapon there but sadly time had caught up with him and he was a shadow of his former self. A great rider at Sheffield though.

Some riders never quite achieved what they could have done. The bar was so high with Michael though. The fact that Michael Lee became world champion and, in most people's opinion, was an amazing talent, but still we think of "what might have been" shows to me that he could have been one of the greatest riders ever instead of a one off world speedway champion. I'm sure that he's thought that himself many times. I support Belle Vue and can't pretend that I liked the guy for his off the track troubles and the bad publicity it brought he sport, but I was never in doubt when I saw him ride that I was watching a unique talent.

You don't have to be thick to commit his crimes though - just a despicable scumbag with no thought for others.

One of a kind - he was never wired to be 60 years old.

RIP Bernie - a tough, no compromising opponent, but a great rider.

Mine arrived yesterday - read it from cover to cover. Another great issue. Hard to believe it's 20 years since Simon Wigg passed away - I could imagine him in a similar role as Scott Nicholls's tv presenting now.

Very concerning that another of our sports 'grandee clubs' are in danger. We've lost Wimbledon & Coventry in recent years, we can't afford to lose another of the few names that a non speedway fan might recognise. I'm a Belle Vue fan, but my thoughts are with Poole supporters.

A remarkable man who led a life that couldn't have been foreseen. He was a true leader of men and undoubtably the best team captain that the Aces ever had. At the time of his accident he had gone up another gear and may have reached an even higher level, sadly we'll never know. RIP Alan and you were so lucky to have someone like Jean to look after you.

Surely it would help build up local sponsors as well? I own a business and I'd preferably want a long term relationship with a rider than 'this year's model'.

As usual this is compulsive reading! I locked myself away for a few hours on Friday when it arrived and still keep dipping back into it. Although I've always been a Belle Vue supporter, I've always regarded Terry Betts as a real gentleman and a true club legend. I don't see any riders having such an affinity to their clubs for so long ever again - the season at the end of his career at Reading almost felt 'wrong' to me, a bit like Steven Gerrard having a year in Los Angeles at the end of his career. The Steve McDermott interview was also eye opening, Jack Millen must have been a real headache to work with, but what a character!

It's great that invariably the riders get up, brush themselves down and come out for the re run of the race. Compare that to some professional footballers who would be out for three months with a split fingernail.

Now that's an idea for speedway. I reckon England could reclaim the World Title!

Five riders I thought were under rated (even though they all had good careers):- Jim Airey Alan Grahame Tony Davey Larry Ross Martin Ashby

BLRC nights were the highlight of my year as a kid - incredible atmosphere, a bit of friendly banter between supporters (and it WAS friendly!), and the feeling that you were experiencing something special. Obviously Hyde Road was a great speedway track and there was good racing, but it was the sense of occasion that made it memorable (a bit like Wembley World Finals)

Does he own Domestos as well? Maybe he'll move onto Dyno Rod next!

Doesn't exist according to Mr Trump!

To be fair it was rather good - I know because it was the year I started work and the weather improved (dramatically) as soon as I was appointed so I couldn't enjoy it (!) The following year wasn't too shabby as well. Insert other media.url

Probably most promoters favoured route based on the last thirty years!

I agree wholeheartedly with that, for me team speedway is the best format of the sport. Having riders who stay with teams for 2/3 seasons would certainly help the fans identify with a team better (especially if the rider is relatively local) and whatever can be done to foster friendly rivalry with local teams benefits everyone. As an aside, I wonder if F1 fans generally follow a team or a driver? For example, do people change their 'team' allegiance if a driver moved to a rival?

I think a scoreboard is a nice idea, but there are many other things that clubs need to spend their money on first.

What promoters will have to take into account with 'new speedway'' is the high likelihood that there will be a very big recession after the lockdown ends - many businesses will not open again, jobs will be lost and therefore people's entertainment budget will be really restricted probably for a year or two. Therefore the sport needs to be affordable for families, but obviously sustainable for the promotions as well - not an easy equation I'm afraid. A year of semi professional racing with reduced admissions (or big discounts / free admission for children) might get us through what is going to be a very hard time.

Very sad, RIP Blair