Ray Stadia

So you are out to 'sanitise' threads on the forum? If only the world was perfect.

So, it sounds like you too are fully aware of the sport's shortcomings, rather than as the opening poster suggests, we should all be saying 'the Emperor's wearing clothes'!

I would have thought a Workington fan, would have a few gripes about the sport? You must feel shafted?

I have recommended the mods remove this thread. It's creating confrontation.

I think it's a very good point. After all, you wouldn't expect to watch Moto X, Grass Track, Moto GP, F1 during the week. The only other mid-week stuff I can think of is TT racing and other road racing motorcycle events. If there was a mid-week Moto X event, I wonder how many fans would turn up, compared to a weekend? Years ago, when speedway was more popular and had more tracks, the bulk of the fans could probably walk to the tracks or use public transport, but now with far fewer tracks and fans thin on the ground, those fans who are interested, have to travel and that is a put off for a mid-week event. It would still work in a city, such as London, with the good public transport it has.

I think as well, yesteryear there was more interest in motorcycles. 16 year olds were able to ride a 250cc motorbike on a provisional licence and of course if you were 13 years plus in years, many would be counting down the days to their 16th birthday. To get a motorbike licence nowadays, you have to 'jump through' many hoops and have to obtain your licence in stages, so for a youngster to be naturally interested in motorcycles and motorcycle sports, is going to be few and far between.

I personally don't think that is fair (above in red), as I believe no track makes a profit, some may just about break even. I think the central problem is the basic product is still good, but the world has moved on and speedway hasn't. But without a massive cash injection, it can never move on. The sport without cash will either 'tread water' or go further in decline. Up to a few years back, it was treading water, but with the closures of last year, it has declined severely. I really don't think the Spivs and Wideboys, know what to do about it.

I think it was about Grecian 2000!

Now that's sorted....we just need to sort out Brexit!

Ok. A team sport it shall remain!

Are we any nearer to a conclusion, whether speedway would be better off as a series of individual meetings or continuing to run as a team sport? Perhaps we need a forum referendum? Pinny can't vote though, as he isn't in Britain, apparently. Or would it only be those that attend speedway meetings that can vote and have to prove they had attended by CCTV evidence? Or they still have their beefburger napkin as evidence?

Right, so I can be clear (as the politicians like to say), unless you attend the sport of speedway now or watch the sport of speedway on TV and even though you used to be a regular paying customer of speedway for many years, you have no right to make any comment on the way speedway is run today? No wonder this country is so messed up!

I can introduce you to Gustix if you wish Pinny?

But it's not the same comparison. Moxey can still have a passion about speedway without going to the meetings. How many football fans say they are Man United fans, but never go and watch them live, but may still have an opinion about the club.

But to be fair, even if Moxey went to speedway, it wouldn't change the sports fortunes here in Britain. The sport is on life support here. We can all say the glass is half full rather than half empty, but you still don't have a pint!

I don't suppose you have missed me. I didn't mean it to sound as though I was knocking the subject/section. It's just that the forum creators have 'buried' 'Years Gone By' to the bottom. I was just supporting 'Kipper' for why he may not have realised the passing of Split was in another section. I didn't realise either, so was glad Kipper posted it where he did. And don't be so flipping touchy!

Actually, when I had company cars, I treated them better than the cars I now have to buy myself!

That is true. The Grand Prix is an individual meeting, which attracts big crowds, so I suppose it depends on the quality of the field, how individual meetings are marketed and if individual meetings are the only speedway model, hardcore fans, I imagine would support it. I do think the sport needs a complete overhaul, but we have all discussed that for many years now and we are still where we are!

I suppose the only problem with a series of open meetings, is most venues are not owned by the owners, so you are asking the stadium owners to keep and maintain a speedway track for the odd open meeting. That could be the death knell of the sport. I have wondered whether speedway had a more chance of survival, by having open events with 'a track in a field', similar to grass track and something on the lines of the now defunct Collier Street Boarded Track.

Didn't baffle me...stick with Allemand!

I remember Paul, he was unusual, especially at the time, as he was a mixed race young man. And I remember his dad, who was a black man. It happened at Hackney, the old Hackney track, I recall.

Nor me, last time was the Warners holiday camp, Puckpool! Now, long gone, but was used in the film 'Tommy' and 'That'll Be The Day'. I had the pleasure/misfortune to come into contact with Oliver Reid when there!

The same Pugh that sold the stadium to Barrat Homes! (off subject I know, just wanted to put the boot in!).

I suppose one might have to say, 'Be careful what you suggest'!