Ray Stadia

But didn't the Dukes have to move somewhere, due to the lamp standards being too close to the track? Or am I wrong or was that a red herring?

Well, when you eventually get to your first 'up front and personal' speedway meeting, you may end up joining 'The Moaners Club', with the rest of us!

I for one, would never say the end product is crap. I appreciate the sport is dangerous and the riders put on the best show they can and I enjoy speedway whatever level I watch it at. The racing I have no issue with. But it doesn't stop me wishing it was like it was 'yesteryear'. When we had 2 leagues that were full of home grown talent. When teams virtually stayed together from one season to another. When local riders rode for their local team. When the stadiums had half decent attendances. And as has been said, many individual meetings that had meaning and were popular. There is much more I could say. That is what I miss! But, yes the basic product is still there, but for me, I want the 'old fluff' as well!

My dad used to watch West Ham when he was a teenager and yes, he was dewy-eyed about the riders he saw at Custom House, but as a 30/40 something he enjoyed the speedway at Rayleigh stadium and can't really remember him moaning, unless it was early season and it was a bit on the chilly side!

Maybe so, but the point is, they probably used to! So what does that tell us?

Just a shame the 'fluff' has been plucked or has fallen out!

I completely disagree. Many forum members have memories of when speedway was better attended, when English/British riders were the best in the world, when speedway was held in Wembley and not just for a 'one-off' annual meeting. Forum members are not moaning about speedway necessarily, but are lamenting about how speedway was. We want those days back, but I am afraid, they may be gone forever. If the new generation of speedway fans think they can turn things around, then I truly wish you all the luck in the world and hope it happens.

Hi Hammers, I agree with other forum members comments, that there has been negative talk about speedway for many years, however, those that are 'long in the tooth', like me and many others on here, we can see speedway is sadly dying and those that run the sport, do not seem to be doing enough to turn things around. Add to that the many clubs/teams that have come and gone and those clubs that have the Sword of Damocles hanging over them, then you can start to understand the negativity being expressed. But, as has also been expressed, the product, 4 guys tearing around an oval track, is as good as it always was, even allowing for some of the crazy rules and changes that have been introduced that get up some peoples noses.

Someone will now!

Any relation to Brian Foot(e), Rayleigh Rockets rider!

No....but when I was a child and a teenager, I did not relate the Robinsons golly, golliwogs or the Black and White Minstrels with black people! In fact the Black and White Minstrels, surely, were a celebration of black musicians in the south. All that has happened, is a creation of resentment, which needn't have been the case. The banning of the flag will probably do the same thing. Crazy world!

I personally think Somerset should continue using their current emblem and their nickname, however, due to this thread I was drawn to noticing today, that someone in Ipswich had the confederate flag opened out in their lounge window. Why? I have no idea, unless it resembles a local sporting team who also uses the flag. Or is it someone being provocative. If it is the latter, this is always the risk. Things are hijacked for moronic purposes.

Boasting again, TWK!

I exchanged a few posts with the lady in the past, which were always polite. I think I am right in saying she hasn't been on here for a while? But understandable. RIP and condolences to Shazzybird's family.

Oh dear! I am glad you put 'RP' and not 'RIP'!

I did like the group 'Bad Manners' TWK!

Don't mention the 'F' word, you will have Norwich speedway supporters phoning the Samaritans!

I have no idea what the costs are these days, but on that basis Speedibee, how does a promoter pay his riders and run a track, with the number of paying punters through the turnstiles? I watched the back end of a meeting last night on TV, from Sweden. There was hardly anyone in the stadium, yet, it was a high level meeting!

If they were £94.00 in 1987, how much are they now? Spares are expensive and far and away inflated. Recently, a friend of mine forgot to put oil in her Briggs and Stratton mower engine.....broken conrod. New conrod £45.00, new engine, £79.00!

That is scary. Poor Tai had/has to get back on a bike. What was/will be going through his mind? So glad he was unhurt.

Mine was jokey too SCB! Happy Easter!

I think Mike spent the day in the Albatross & Eagle public house TWK! He did come out a bit wobbly!

But you did say you were going to buy SS to 'laugh at some of the expert prediction', is that positive? Perhaps you would have been better picking up a copy of Viz?

2 very good points!

No, not a 'no' to stats, but for those who say 'the injury count hasn't changed', my suggestion could be the reason why it appears/seems injuries are more of an issue?