Ray Stadia

That is true Hodgy and they are still being scrapped, but in Royal Mail's case, the final salary scheme had been closed a while and wasn't classed as a statutory/public scheme, it was funded by Royal Mail. A year before it was floated on the Stock Exchange, the pension scheme became a statutory/public scheme, which means it is the tax payers responsibility. I don't remember them telling us that, when Royal Mail was privatised.

Off subject a bit, but still relates to Royal Mail. I found out today, that a year before Royal Mail became a PLC, the final salary pension scheme became a public scheme, which means the Treasury pays the pensioners or in other words, the tax payer! This was done, apparently, to make Royal Mail more palatable. For me, this tells me a lot about the reasons why Royal Mail's service is not up to muster!

Surely, that is now academic, even if they run the event until 4 in the morning, the council/authorities can't do a lot!

It's a pity that there couldn't have been a separate speedway farewell event. It would have been nice if ex riders like Kelvin Tatum, Trevor Hedge, Roger Johns, the Luckhurst's, John Davies, Gordon Kennett etc etc, turn up and mingle and say goodbye!

YELLOW CARD!

Good point OFF, I agree. We could operate a 'yellow card' 'red card system', and write it. I think Iris deserves a YELLOW CARD and will send one as a reply to him/her.

I think it could go one way or the other....or perhaps stay the same as last year.

I hope the animals don't get too spooked! (and I am not meaning speedway fans!)

Hi Gustix. So, what will this be? Will it be a parade on the stock car track? How are they planning to incorporate the bikes and riders in the farewell meeting? Obviously there will not be a speedway track for the boys to ride on.

I thought Tottenham is a Jewish area TWK? I hope I am not sounding racist?

Massey Ferguson?

However, from speedway's low point in 1958 the sport became healthier, but I think the average speedway fan, at present, can only see the sport declining further. Is the sport in a healthier state in 2017, than 2016, 2015, 2014.......in my opinion, it is worse.

I remember years ago, looking at the riders in the Rayleigh pits, when most of the boys had 2 valve Jawas, they used to take their plugs out and screw them into a long thin cylinder and shake the plug and cylinder for several minutes. What was in the cylinder and did it really rejuvenate the plug?

On that basis, speedway spares suppliers must be operating a Cartel, allegedly, which if I am right, is illegal.

With all the different racing engines there are, not just speedway, surely NGK are not the only plug manufacturer for a speedway engine? What about a good old Lodge spark plug? I bet JAP and Rudge engines used them! And they are a nice pink colour!

Trouble is, that stadium has the Sword of Damocles hanging over it too!

It doesn't detract from the fact that speedway is in a hell of a mess though, does it? I know you are a 'glass is half full' kind of guy, but even your sanguine feelings must be being tested?

To be fair to TWK, he hasn't said speedway would be better if it was noisier and hot dogs tasted better. But it is a fact far less people go and watch and yes, we shouldn't stand still with technology. Something is wrong somewhere, I think we can all agree on that, surely? For me, I think it is an expensive night out, for what you get. The team identity is definitely a problem. I think a second half event should be part of the programme, although I do accept curfews can be an issue, but that could be accommodated better, if the meeting was more seamless. Regarding the analogy of IBM computers and Nokia phones, these have become cheaper to buy and with more benefits and entertainment value, has the same happened in speedway?

But they brought in oil catchers a long time ago!

I didn't know that. Is that due to the engineering tolerances being tighter? It's been a while since I have seen a speedway piston, but I am not sure if they used to have an oil ring? Or not one like you would see in a car engine, as I recall. Maybe the rings used are different today?

To be fair, most of the above still exists, but not the smell of castor oil! The burger bars smell more than the fumes of burning castor oil! Now, some people on the forum will say, 'castor oil doesn't protect the modern speedway engine nowadays', That is odd, as the engines, mechanically, are virtually the same as when speedway began. Would it be logical to suggest then, that the reason we have lost the widespread use of castor oil, is due to the riders and the tuners. So once again, bugger the paying punters and what they want.

I have mentioned it before and been shot down in flames (not by you TWK), but the lack of/reduction of, the smell of castor oil in the air, hasn't done speedway any favours in the modern era, IMO. The last time I mentioned it I got crass comments, such as 'I think I have a can of Castrol 'R' in my garage somewhere, perhaps I can soak a rag and set fire to it'. Just another nail in the.......

Let's hope it's not like the Don McLean song......'The Day Swindon Speedway Died'!

Regarding Wimbledon.....I once saw John Davis fall off during the pre-meeting rider parade and no helmet on! What's this got to do with anything? Nothing really!

Sad news. RIP Bryn.