The White Knight

OUCH!!!!

Come on Chaps. Speedway is a Sport for our enjoyment - not for us to keep sniping at each other. Perhaps the two of you, BOTH of whom I respect, could perhaps agree to differ and move on. It grieves me to see two obviously keen and enthusiastic lovers of our Sport having a go at each other.

I am sure - actually - HE WAS.

I must admit to having a change of mind. After viewing the various Postings on here I am now not as convinced as I was regarding this issue. Johnnie Hoskins is still, to my mind a GIANT of the Sport and largely, with Mr. Hunting, responsible for the DEVELOPMENT and PROMOTING of the Sport from it's early beginnings. I have, because of weighing up the EVIDENCE on here and doing a little research of my own, got to now admit to the fact that there were people 'sliding' moterbikes BEFORE the Maitland Meeting that is widely regarded as the first ever Speedway Meeting. This does not lessen the special place that Johnnie Hoskins has within our Sport. He was clever enough to see the possibilities, he had the vision. I still believe that we have Johnnie Hoskins to thank for the way Speedway is today - BUT - crucially and sadly I have to admit I no longer think that Maitland was the first ever Speedway type Meeting. The highlighted part of your Post Norman - I wish I could use the Avatar of my Teams - Sunderland 'Stars' and Sunderland 'Saints'. Sadly, for me anyway, it seems that Sunderland is a step too far for the Avatar Section. I know I have mentioned this before - BUT - it WAS a long time ago and I apologise to those who are fed up with me going on about it. But I AM trying to keep the name of Sunderland Speedway alive in the Speedway World. Ian.

I basically agree with you I suppose Tony. I do - however - think it is a National disgrace that there IS no Speedway in our Capital City. Very sad indeed. :sad:

Speedway Riders are judged on Results. Carter was a good Rider - but - he did not reach the heights of the other Riders I mentioned. He WAS certainly brave - I am not questioning that. The fact is though that he never really realized his FULL potential. Sad - but - True!!

Good to see some folk coming up with some excellent ideas. Personally - I like the 'Stigg'. I'm sure that with a little thought and maybe, as has already been said, with more than one Stigg throught the Country, it COULD be made to work. The Rider wouldn't really need to be 'unknown' that wouldn't be an issue for me. I'm sure that, if this were put in to practice, advertised and the Stigg Rode Match Races against the top four Scorers in the Meeting, it would bring more people in to our emptying Stadia. :approve:

Hi Matt Thanks a lot my friend. Please let me know as soon as it is ready and I will have a Cheque in the Post by return. Ian

Thanks for your reply Tony. Perhaps I should have put - can you please let me know when it is due out? Sorry. Ian

Could anyone advise the release Date of the CD's covering Riders from the 1960's please? I already have the 1940's and the 1950's and they really are EXCELLENT, a must for those of us from the 'Good Old Days'. I do hope that the 1960's will be produced soon. Cheers Ian

Looking forward to this Issue. Any idea when it is coming out Tony. :)

Very difficult this. Personally - I can't separate them. They were BOTH superb Riders. White Knight sits on fence.

I reckon both Malcolm Simmons, Dave Jessup and Les Collins were ahead of him too.

This just confirms what I am thinking. How can they say that this is the TRUE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP when possibly some of the very best don't appear because of money. It beggars belief. They should either make the GP's pay good money to the Riders AND make the Championship worth riding in.

Yes - they ARE running a business. But the fact is that for the last two years we have had World Champions over forty years of age. Where are the young Riders coming through - particularly young BRITISH Riders - (don't mention D'arcy Ward, he is toying with the idea of staying out of the GP Series so he can ride in Poland. Obviously it is more lucrative for him to do that than compete in the GP's) I would like to see IMG INVESTING in the future of their product and ploughing money in to Training of young Riders (not just British). IF they have the welfare of the Sport at heart they should be doing something like this - NOT just creaming off the Cash from the BIG Events. IMG are NOT in the GP Series for nothing - I don't think they are a benevolent Organisation - I don't think they are good for Speedway.

I think IMG have been a disaster for Speedway. I always thought the F.I.M, A.C.U. and over here the S.C.B. and the B.S.P.A. ran Speedway - not any more they don't. How much/little actual money from IMG's involvement goes back in to the Sport itself?? Do the Riders get a good financial return from being on the GP Circuit - I just wonder after reading some Riders saying that they can't afford to be in it. What sort of a World Championship is that??

I seem to remember a Post saying exactly that twelve months ago.

Ah - but - will he ride in the GP's next Season?? Has Ward not already stated that he would prefer to ride in Poland and could be affected by the one GP Rider per Team Rule there. :unsure: 100% agree with that statement too.

The 'nominations' are about as expected as far as I can see. I don't agree with 'nominations'. :angry:

OH YES IT WAS!!!!! Well - it IS becoming a bit of a Pantomime on this Thread. :party:

Speedway really is a GREAT Sport. People always so friendly and helpful. That has been MOSTLY my experience over forty seven years of watching it. :approve:

Well - I regard Johnnie Hoskins as the 'Father' of Speedway. Always have - and - always will. :approve:

It wasn't the 'S' or the 'Z' I was talking about (The OED acknowledges both). It was the fact that "bowlderisation" is NOT correct it should be bowdleris/zation. I may be being a tad pedantic - but - a word like that deserves the correct spelling. Sorry.

I think you will find the word is 'Bowdlerize'.