nw42

That photo got me reminiscing while sat here, can remember that team well and had many Thursday evening trips over to the wrong side of the Pennines via Woodhead, my dad driving like a lunatic to get us there for the first race. Always loved going to Owlerton, the pits were so much more accessible than @ Hyde Rd, on the odd occasion that we got there early we would always go for a look over the low wall/fence into the pits, it reminded me of a stable rather than a pit area. Of course the racing there was nearly always top notch and the crowds were good. on a side note, I've always thought Bob Paulson wore glasses but he isn't wearing them in that photo, anyone confirm?

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Don't be daft, you know what you wrote. It's Sheikh, google is your friend.

Obviously I can't confirm any figures regarding how the money is divvied up from such meetings but, as Halifax Tiger has pointed out, the current arrangement must suit all as there don't appear to be any complaints. If you lived nowhere near Manchester then you would have to make a decision as to whether or not you were prepared to travel for a big meeting, just like everyone did when the BLRC was staged @ Hyde Rd. Let's have it right, there isn't another track/stadium combo in the country to touch what has been laid on in Manchester, SCB can have his digs about queues, toilets, food etc but I'm sure he is referring to the part of the stadium that was temporarily utilised for the World Cup, his complaints are never going to typify the general consensus. As for weddings etc, I think it was Phil the ace who said there have been some functions held there since it opened, also I don't see the problem with them attracting wedding receptions, birthdays etc but most wedding reception venues are booked at least 12 months in advance and nobody would take a chance on booking when the place was a building site. The lounge will make a decent venue for all sorts of corporate gatherings but again this takes time and proper marketing. So you've exhausted all your other negative aspects and decide to denigrate the locality, it's just as well Sheikh Mansour didn't adopt that attitude. edit, apologies HT, you type much faster than me and had already covered my points.

It's already been pointed out that the money can be shared around with the other operators, this doesn't necessarily mean they can't hold the vast majority of prestige meetings at Belle Vue, as others have said why not use the best venue available as long as the impact on other potentially viable tracks is minimised, seems fair to me.

Stick around, he can do much better than that. The point you were making was quite obvious to anyone with an ounce of common sense, unfortunately that poster seems to be short by about an ounce.

Therefore it's worthless.

Well I guess we're all of a certain age and our minds have a tendency to wander off on tangents, I'll consider myself told and try my best to stay on topic.

I know you're one for records, so you putting Carter ahead of Mort & PC is no doubt based on points etc but my rose tinted specs still can't get my head around that one. Carter was known for having fast machinery and on a track like Hyde Rd this was obviously imperative, he could also trap a lot better than Mort or PC but I just see them reeling him in over 3 laps and then lining him up with a big swoop on the top bend, so much speed on the back straight and going either side of Carter then team riding the pit bend to claim a 5-1 for the right side of the Pennines. Either way these match ups are mouthwatering prospects, PC, Mort, Screen & Loram would be a race I'd not want to miss.

Also being mentioned in darts circles. https://twitter.com/search/dave+lanning RIP Dave, the best speedway commentator there ever was, 'the flying hairpin', absolute quality. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFbpKyAyuCA

He's brought it on himself over recent months, the facade has slipped and we're seeing he's just like plenty of others. So no he's not that bad but he sure ain't what he has presented himself as for all these years. He couldn't have picked a worse time to do what he did in terms of this forum, there's hardly any speedway to digest, so he's the focus of attention.

Ah right, well in that case where can I sign the petition to strip Hancock of the title? Seriously though there should be a heavy price for what he did in walking out of the meeting.

Just got in and caught this thread, interesting but the burning question for me is, does this mean we may have to suffer Bjerre getting a place now? If so then it may be best to leave well alone and let Hancock keep the crown.

Well I'm not part of any brigade but you're right, he did help Holder to win the event, well spotted.

Don't you start on him too, I felt bad enough over 'ungroppious' but it did need addressing.

Spot on, that's my gripe too, the race throwing was dealt with swiftly and I was impressed, Hancock's subsequent actions are what turned me totally against him, as you say he gave no thought whatsoever to the people who had shelled out their hard earned to watch the meeting. I hope they give him a ban and a heavy fine for walking out. I was sat here thinking what great wordage but I had to look it up for a literal meaning, no luck though. So is it anything to do with Donald Trump type behaviour with the Monster girls? If so then he's gone even further down in my estimation, those poor start girls....

I don't who makes up the jury but I'm sure it was Castagna who gave Hancock his winners medal and a kiss on each cheek, surely he must have some bearing on such a decision. Couldn't agree more about them making the decision straight away, totally unexpected on my part, thought it would be another of those things that get dealt with in secret, it was refreshing to see it dealt with so quickly, sends out a warning to any potential cheats and lets all the riders know who's boss.

I'd have to re-watch it but I didn't think either Kelvin or Nigel picked up on it during the race, I'm sure it was only after a couple of replays that they even discussed it, then again were they actually over there, or just sat in a UK studio? I've always been neutral regarding Hancock but his withdrawal from the meeting was the wrong move imo, lost a lot of credibility in my eyes. He will definitely be remembered for today's antics and they will overshadow his fantastic achievements. Shame on you Greg Hancock..

You too mate, time for hibernation

Don't be so hard on yourself, your post isn't that bad.

Holder gifts Masters a point and then uses a cigarette butt to make it look like bike problems, where will this end..

Well there is some really determined racing going on for the top 8, great ride from Iversen there.

Ok I take that back, he is now a disgrace to the sport, pulling out of the meeting should cost him dearly, I'd love it if he were stripped of the title but I doubt it will go that far.

Well I wouldn't go that far but he's certainly let himself down just there. I doubt he will care in the long run but at least they didn't mess around with retrospective punishment and actually showed some teeth.

That's the way to deal with cheating, hit em hard straight away, very unsporting of Hancock and he got what he deserved.