Tsunami

Track Work at Brough Don't forget, if you want to join the track staff for 2016, we will be having a meeting at 2.00pm at Brough. Sheeters, red flag/graders needed. Before that, at 10.30am, we will be finishing off the sheeting and repairing the office floor. Shorter shift tomorrow, but if you fancy helping out, just pop along. See you there

Agree, I was there as well. Great night.

I really don't know that. Probably they use dry shale instead now. i have seen a few meetings when they used sawdust on TV, but not lately. Not heard that one. I have heard of riders pouring methanol on the ground, lighting it to keep warm before a meeting. Risky !!!

Oh the stalker !!!

Newcastle 1928 ? At that time we also had Whitley Bay and Gosforth, but they both dropped out probably in the 30's.

If only we were all as perfect as you think you are.

You would also think that working on a concrete base under a bike would be a secure and environmental solution. Not so, and mats must be used everywhere. In saying that, it is better to work and lie on an environment mat than on rough ground or manky concrete. It looks more professional, but nowt to do with the environment.

Or a good sign of another profitable business.

You can also get black shale, but it can be confused with chippings as mentioned by Steve Roberts above. I believe Scunthorpe use chippings from a local small quarry. Last time I was there, i was told that the massive pile of chippings in the car park, was the last contents of that quarry and Rob had stored it for his future use. Chippings of course are inert and depend on compaction, hence the reason to include clay in the mix. Shale on the other hand is alive and chemically active. It responds to pressure(tyre packing) and water to create a chemical reaction. I am told that if you leave shale down long enough, it tries to return to stone through the effect of the elements. Unlike chippings, shale can be picked up by hand and compressed to see how sticky the mix is. This was the purpose of old engine oil that used to be dropped on the track from the original loss oil systems, and later on poured onto the track to make the top shale sticky and tacky. Using oil of course is not allowed legally, for environment reasons, to be used to bind the shale as used above. I have never prepared a track in my life, but I do ask a lot of questions of those who do.

Thing is with the inflatable ones is that they can be varied for pressure. Blow them up hard and riders and bikes get catapulted back onto the track. Blow them up soft and the momentum is absorbed into the bag and the riders safer.

On a bike or free running.

It's currently being made, I saw it a few weeks ago along with Belle Vue and Coventry's new fences. Price.

Try reading post #24. You don't know me from Adam.

Just like to add my condolences to the departure of John S. In my dealings with him, he was fearlessly loyal to both Rye House and Len, and appeared to be a thoroughly decent human being. I know others will mock the old fashioned image he had , but as said before by others, he knew his way around the rule book more than any of his detractors. I wonder what he will do now, join Len at Kent I wonder. Best of luck whatever he does.

I think the rule book was last slimmed down in the early 00's about 2002.

Something wrong here. TNT, who was at the fans forum, has stated that the fixed night is a must.("and the only way forward for the EL".)

Another good turn out this week and many things achieved. Thanks to everyone. Next week, it is understood that Jonny will be cutting and preparing the track after all the rain, some which is still lying on the 4 bends and the back straight. We intend to start at 10.30am to finish off the sheeting and complete the repairs to the office floor. TRACK STAFF MEETING At 2.00pm there is to be a staff meeting for old and new track staff to agree plans for 2016. It is important that everyone attends. If you want to join the band of workers, or can bring someone else along with you to increase the numbers, please do, as we are several short from last year. With a combination of sheeting, red flag, grading, start and pits gate duties, you get free admission to the meeting, a programme and can bring a guest in. It is urgent that we get additional helpers for this season, so if you can help please come along at 2.00pm or earlier.

Yes, the worst thing was that Middlesbrough could only get Shane Parker as a number 1, whilst , as you say, others hung onto real number 1's and had spares as well. When it was realised that it didn't work, and it was in danger of failing, other teams who wanted cheaper affordable racing were welcomed into the new PL. i know 6 teams who were nearly there to run an ACU approved alternative league at the level of the eventual PL. Some were established BSPA teams and a couple were new teams which were being resurrected. News was leaked to the BSPA, and the new alternative PL league members were invited to join in the new PL we know now. Newcastle was one of them, and it was how i got involved for season 1997.

As you will know, if a thinned down rule book was to ever be introduced, it would be necessary within weeks, when sensible rules are challenged by being too simplistic, to issue supplementary's to stop things that it was never intended to do. It would be a cheaters charter. Exactly the same reasons why the technical issues of F1 run to many many pages and still get breached.

I quite agree with your sentiments, and I only intended it to be directed at the group of people on the BSF who you could also identify as being 'never going to be satisfied'. By opposing and denegrading everything they add nothing to the BSF or the sport. As you say, fortunately there are greater numbers on here, and who actually attend speedway that have opinions and thoughts which, as you say, deserve to be listened to. Yes the BSPA do get things wrong at times, but often the ideas are introduced or considered because they may be better for the sport. A typical example is the much maligned 'green helmet' you mention. It may have been laughed off and changed later, but it's introduction, along with proposed live graphics was thought to be a major contribution to accessing the betting market in the Far East, like it does with live graphics at horse racing called "Palm ???". The green helmet was introduced, but unfortunately the technology and matching graphics did not materialised for various reasons.. Of all the things introduced, the graphics and the green helmet would have been the greatest and had major impact on this sports finances. Instead it became a laughter point. Shame.

And especially 1995 and 1996.

I quite agree it is a good idea listening fans who care about the sport and have opinions that need listening to. Unfortunately, we all know that the non meeting attendees, and the usual suspects, will oppose what is done and said regardless giving promotions good reason to question why bother to listen. What we need is fair mindedness with suggestions and ideas, rather that the usual negativity to try and look big and clever. Possibly attendees to this meeting, before being accepted, should have been asked "are you a usual contributor to the BSF'.

Track Work at Brough Weather looking OK for Sunday with no rain and 7 degrees, phew. Starting at 10.00am this Sunday and concentrating on getting the sheets back around the fence, along with the stones/weights. Should be a shorter shift this week especially if enough extra staff turn up. Still need warm clothing, and plenty of biccies, warm pies and hot drinks to keep you warm. See you there

Why ? Already made your mind up then.

All except one.