The Voice Of Reason

Name calling eh? Wow. The kind of thing generally associated with children in playgrounds - but hey ho. In response to your point above. Actually, I wouldn't. You see I've possibly been actively involved with this sport (in a certain capacity) just a little closer than you have over the years. Suffice to say that I know only too well that, at many tracks, it doesn't matter if the catering outlets/bars earned fifty grand a week - the Speedway Club wouldn't earn a copper coin out of any of it. And if living in the past meant seeing more racing, then so be it. Giving people more value for money may, just may, attract people back. You see, the alternative is people like you living for the present - and accepting a sub-standard, overpriced product that (given dwindling attendances) potentially doesn't really have any future.

SCB I think we'll have to agree to disagree as we clearly have different views on this issue. Suffice to say, I really don't think it's a simply a matter, as you suggest, of Lewis Bridger asking for a loan and the Coventry Promotion saying 'No'. I think it's more a case of, as previously mentioned, Lewis Bridger being offered support to obtain equipment (new, purchased, hired or borrowed) and now that offer isn't forthcoming. This obviously puts Lewis Bridger into an untenable position, given his current financial situation. Whatever the case, and we'll probably never learn the full facts, you surely cannot overlook the sheer incompetence of your promotion signing him in the first place; without the necessary equipment to compete.

Oh right - so the Coventry Speedway Promotion are that blasé/unprofessional in their approach to building their squad, that they signed a rider without any bikes; nor without the capital to invest in any? A sheer masterstroke. As for him not being offered assistance, I suggest that you read your local paper: http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/speedway/coventry-bees-looking-another-rider-8708671 And this still doesn't answer the point that if financial assistance WASN'T actually offered, why doesn't Mr. Horton categorically state this within his response? Maybe you think silence is a form of defence. I certainly don't.

Whilst I take on board many points about Lewis's apparent lack of professionalism, let's not get de-railed and forget the main issue here. It appears, and Mr. Horton hasn't denied this, that the Coventry Speedway Promotion agreed (possibly via a verbal 'gentleman's agreement') to help Lewis out financially. If that is the case, then it appears that they have rescinded upon that agreement. So, irrespective of Lewis Bridger selling his equipment; holidays taken from profits; people's perception of him as a person, etc. the Coventry Promotion do not appear to be honouring their prior commitment to him. THAT my friends is THE reason why Lewis Bridger isn't riding now riding for Coventry Speedway. Everything else is completely immaterial. A smoke-screen if you will, for the very real root cause of the problem that's arisen. It is highly probable that when Lewis was approached, he would have made it clear that he didn't have engines, etc. Not having the money to buy these (irrespective of the reason) I can imagine that he was subsequently offered financial support. IF that offer of support has now been removed, for whatever reason, then how on earth is the guy supposed to take his position within the team? We aren't talking about the old days when a rider was part-time and had one bike strapped to the back of a Ford Granada, we're talking here about one of the most successful teams in the top-tier of British Speedway. It is obvious that there would have needed to have been considerable investment in equipment - that was race-worthy for the Elite League. If this support had not been offered, then I'm quite certain Mr Horton would have alluded to that fact in his clubs' defence. Allegations made by Lewis Bridger would surely have been defended if they hadn't been true? Sorry but Mr. Horton's subsequent statement of response says absolutely nothing, yet at the same time (from my perspective anyway), it says EVERYTHING about who's the guilty party in this instance. And this incident comes on the back of the Kenneth Hansen dispute. As the old saying goes "there's never smoke without fire" - and whilst I fully expect Cov supporters to perhaps say otherwise, it's apparent that the Coventry Promotion (and in that I include Mr Gary Havelock) clearly have a major problem with how they deal effectively with some riders. To my mind, Lewis Bridger had that financial support pulled for a reason - because it's a simple solution for removing him from the team. And I may be cynical, but I cannot imagine that reason being for any other purpose than replacing him with someone else already lined up - particularly this close to the commencement of the 2015 Season.

Clock on the centre green (Max of 2 minutes from the start of heat siren to tapes up) and secondly, bring back concrete starting grids. But here's the problem guys. We are all looking at various potential solutions that will most likely never be enforced. And why is that? Simple. Promoters are happy these days stretching out 15 minutes of racing over 90 minutes - 2 hours. Gardening and messing about at the tapes doesn't cost them anything. Heaven forbid we ever go back to second halves with 'Rider of the Night', or Silver Helmet match races. Let's just continue to dilute the product with a myriad of lesser-skilled riders (dressed up as 'British Development') and raise admission prices for speedway's ever-ageing faithful. After all, they are all quite happy standing in the freezing cold, watching a tractor go round (and round, and round) whilst listening to a Woolworths 'Top of the Pops' album from 1972.

Of course not. After all, he's British.

To the best of my knowledge (which I wasn't simply told by a bloke in the pub, but someone closely associated with Lakeside's Promotion) the 'old deal' only paid an EL Club the amount of money lost on the gate through a decreased attendance when SKY were in town. Heaven above knows what the 'new deal' provides! Suffice to say it's a good marketing USP for teams when they are attracting sponsorship but to my mind, it's a waste of time in actually promoting this sport to potential new fans. Attendances at the majority of clubs has probably decreased since SKY got involved; albeit admission prices, coupled with a watered-down product (i.e. just 15 heats of racing) surely hasn't helped. I truly don't believe that SKY attracts many new people to Speedway. However, if it was on BBC/ITV (as in the 70's/early 80's) it would undoubtedly reach a much wider audience; and this could be much more beneficial raising the profile of the sport in the long run. But no - it's on SKY. And generally on a Monday night when there's also usually a Premier League Football match on. Guess what most people choose to watch on SKY Sports; either at home or at the pub? Still, I can think of two people that must be laughing all the way to the bank with their 'nice little earners' - in particular, one clueless numb nut who plods around in the pits all night as if he truly knows what he's doing. The term 'Chuckle Brothers' could possibly never have been more apt.

Well, not surprisingly, I fall into the most popular bracket. Maybe, if this information is shared for marketing purposes, we could get new sponsors into this sport - Brut, Old Holborn and 'Hernias R Us' spring instantly to mind!

I couldn't care less about all the 'big names' I've seen over the years. Most were just good trappers if I'm honest. But the one rider who, since a young lad I'd watched give it 100% in EVERY race, and wouldn't ever give up until the chequered flag, is Hackney Legend himself - Mr. Barry Thomas. I can't remember having seen any other rider in my lifetime make so many passes, nor produce such close racing. In particular, his performances around the boards upon the hallowed shale of Waterden Road are locked in the memories, and hearts, of all Hackney Speedway Supporters. Tommo to me was the ultimate Speedway 'Racer' - a unique riding style coupled with a never say die attitude. Add into the mix one of the nicest guys I've ever met - who home and away, always made his way to the bar afterwards to have a chinwag with ANY supporters. Unfortunately, most riders these days seem to forgot who pays their wages. And finally to add, a rider that had TWO testimonials for Hackney; having given over 20 years loyal service for the same club. I can't imagine that ever happening with the shuffling of the pack we get in this day and age. Barry Thomas, for the aforementioned reasons, is the greatest speedway rider I have ever had the pleasure to watch race.

I said elsewhere Saturday that it was probably my last post on this forum. I have certainly finished with this sport for good. However, reading the Poole debacle and people's sheer frustration as a result (including the similarly negative comments from some fair-minded Poole supporters), the speedway community is still awaiting a response from the BSPA, SCB and/or Phil Morris. Moreover, supporters are also awaiting comment from their own respective promoters. My perception is that no such statements will be forthcoming via these aforementioned parties. The whole situation absolutely stinks. By comparison to what's gone on over the years, the FTR grading scenario could even be considered a minor misdemeanour given Mr Ford's 'previous'. However, the manner in which this most recent plot of subterfuge has been swept under the carpet appears to have riled many. Oh, and don't we just know that Mr Tatum and Mr Pearson, and all at Sky Sports, will not dare mention the damage that this further example of pure skulduggery will have upon the sport. Their agenda is undoubtedly quite clear. They want to see a play-off final between Kings Lynn and Poole; and what great box-office it would be to see the season's underdogs come good in the final heat. Real 'Roy of the Rovers' viewing for it's audience. Elsewhere, one of the good guys on here has mentioned having banners to show at the commentary box of the aforementioned dynamic duo when Sky are in town. Good idea in principle, but it would have no effect whatsoever. Our two chums are positioned in a scaffold studio high above the track; and with good camera editing/positioning, you wouldn't even be seen. And would your beloved promoters even allow this? You'd be ejected from the stadium; or possibly face a heavier punishment. So how do we get the sport's governing bodies AND promoters to realise that, as fans, you are saying 'enough is enough'? Very, very simple. YOU, AND ALL OTHERS, SIMPLY BOYCOTT ALL HOME MEETINGS WHEN POOLE ARE IN TOWN. This will hit promoters in the pocket. They will not like it. Who knows, it may even get them to grow a pair, and take on the antics of the aforementioned parties. It will cause an embarrassment for Sky. What response would Messrs. Tatum & Pearson be able to give when apart from the visiting blue & white scarves, they are the only ones on the terracing. It WILL send out a clear message, from genuine speedway fans to their clubs owners, that fans do actually exist, have a voice, and most importantly - need to be heard. It's certainly not an action that should ever be taken lightly. It is however, a lawful one. It is something that may even attract the interest of both local and national media. And before anyone says that it is potentially bringing the sport into disrespute well I'm sorry, if something is already in the gutter, the best thing that can happen is that it's dragged out of it kicking and screaming. What I do know is that comments upon forums simply fall on deaf ears. Clearly, that's evident by the complete lack of response, or any statement to date, from those people running this sport. What I also recognise is that it would need YOU, via word of mouth, social media, etc. to advise others accordingly. Maybe those with some form of relationship with local radio or media could spread the message via those channels? The media love a story with controversy; particularly during the Summer when, very often, sports news is somewhat thin on the ground. I have totally walked away from this sport for good, after a love affair of 40 years. I do not for one moment expect you to do similar. But I would ask you to consider this idea. It is, to my mind, the ONLY way left to make your voices heard. It is the ONLY way in which you can make those in authority recognise the difference between fairness, and unfair changes that are sucking the very lifeblood from this once-great sport. It is, to my mind, the ONLY way in which people-power can potentially overcome the injustice that is so prevalent within Elite League Speedway; and make those in authority listen and take notice. I will not make any further comment, as there is nothing more for me to say. I wish each and every one of you health and happiness in the future. The future of British Speedway is potentially in your hands. Please don't lose the opportunity.

The weather is significant for ANY meeting - we can't control it, so we have to stop whinging and just deal with it. But that's another issue entirely. Yes, of course we all want to see our regular 1-7 line-ups but given the way speedway is structured (coupled with injuries), this doesn't happen - across all 3 leagues. And unless the sport is supported at ALL levels by people coming through the turnstiles, then it simply won't have any future in the UK - FACT. We need look no further than Birmingham.

I'm a neutral but I'm going (if the rain stops). By the very nature of NL riders and their double-ups, not having a full team doesn't help. However, it's still your team, and NL Speedway that ultimately needs support. Jeeeeezus - if every fan took the stance that unless their full team was riding that they wouldn't attend, then the terraces would be even more sparse than they are now!

Being back the concrete starting grids.......problem solved.

Pity he only ever used it to it's full advantage in the poxy 'Rider of the Night' heats Tel!

Great story Mike........albeit I was imagining quite a different finale to that one!

We would not expect our beloved Thommo to do anything other than his true Captain's role, and lead by example!

My local (where I am a die-hard regular) will always put it on for me and a mate in the second bar. First choice goes to Football - fair enough as the pub has quite a few Villa and West Brom fans in attendance. Suffice to say it's also a REAL pub that has regular lock-ins, and the appearance of ashtrays in one of the bars at a certain time at night. Any surprise it's one of the busiest pubs in the area........and NEVER has any trouble?

One of my favourite all-time riders at Hackney was John Titman. Let's just say that Tito had a reputation of 'borrowing' things that weren't his. I once saw him nick a tyre from the the spares van at Hackney and throw it in the bushes whereby he'd obviously collect it later; come walking back quickly from the Away Team area of our pits and chuck something under his bike cover - followed a few moments later by Phil Collins (Cradley) who was scratching his head looking at the floor (whilst John just sat on the bench whistling as if butter wouldn't melt); and, after a double header meeting at Eastbourne (V first Hackney then Wimbledon), I remember Kai Niemi saying in the Speedway Star that he'd had a very expensive pair of hand-made snakeskin shoes nicked from the changing room. Only guessing at this one, but I wonder who looked around the same size? Another occasion at Waterden Road, Hackney's most hated Ref - Lew Stripp, with a host of 'previous' dire decisions, had excluded Bo Petersen when he was clearly knocked off (think it was by Doug Wyer?). Next thing, a guy comes running and screaming through the inside area of the grandstand with an AXE in his hand that he's (presumably) gone to get from his car. Finally calmed down by other supporters, he'd actually managed to get two massive whacks into the refs door - the holes of which were in it for years. Had he succeeded in getting in, I really don't think to this day it would only have been the beer at Hackney that was headless. These days, with mobile phones, no doubt it would have appeared on YouTube and armed police would have been called. Away at Mildenhall, 1984 or 85 KO Cup. Alan Mogridge fell off (there's a surprise) as he was riding along the straight, up to the finishing line, in a race with just 3 riders. We needed that additional point to bring us level, so it was vital. So there was Moggo lying on the deck with the bike on top of him and grabbing onto it for dear life; and 4 of the Mildenhall track staff - (all wearing long red coats and looking like teddy boys) trying to drag the bike off him so that it would have been an automatic exclusion. Then running out from the pits like a greyhound appears Andy Galvin - who at that time was about 18 and looked as if he weighted about 6 stone. He's launched himself into the middle of these guys, fists flying and kicking out to enable Moggo to stand up, pick up his bike and literally drag it over the line before collapsing again. Meanwhile, Galvin was fighting one on one with a Mildenhall track guy about three times his size. The away crowd in the home straight stand were going mad; albeit it was difficult trying to decide what to watch - Moggo or Galvin. These days, it would probably lead to fines, warnings, etc. but in those days, it was all just part of the entertainment.

George Michael?

Agree that many aspects of a stadium are simply out of the hands of what a respective promoter can achieve. Major refurbishments, improved facilities, etc. are, in many cases, the responsibility of the stadium's owners; many of whom seem unable/unwilling (possibly both) to meaningfully invest. As for my own team - Lakeside. Undoubtedly, one of the worst places you could imagine. Very little cover, toilets are a disgrace and it's location (particularly on Friday nights) is a nightmare. On the plus side - visibility is excellent (albeit a long way from the track), food outlets are generally reasonable, the car park is free and, despite the rhetoric from those on here still apparently living in the 90's, the standard of racing is very good. I know first hand just how much Cookie and Duggo have tried to improve facilities. An example of this is by renting a better P.A. System for each meeting. Unfortunately, their enthusiasm to make ongoing improvements is seemingly not shared by the Arena Stadium owner(s). However, one area where Hammers Fans desperately want to see improvements, is in the area of merchandising. Over the past few years, it's become a complete and utter farce. Whilst I believe our Promotion are pretty forward-thinking (ride & slide days, training track, excellent sponsorship, community involvement, etc.) I do find it pretty frustrating that they don't appear to be able to tackle the relatively simple issue of selling club merchandise. Whilst there are (apparently) restrictions selling this within the stadium, it really isn't too difficult to set up an ebaY shop, is it? At the end of the day, we make the best of what we have. With a pretty solid fan-base, it's quite a successful club. However, when I compare Lakeside's stadium with my now local clubs such as Coventry, Birmingham and Wolves, it's frustrating to see what can actually be achieved.

You are right about some shale being placed on the rubbers to hold them in place. However, one thing that we've done is to drill and double-affix the rubbers with cable ties - the Velcro fixing is insufficient in our book. And the clips on Lakeside's are different than you describe. As far as I'm aware, Lakeside's is a first generation Briggo; they are zipped together and the plastic clasps are all the same design - namely male/female. The outside of the bag is also attached to the retaining straps with metal spring clasps. These have a lovely tendency to rust and subsequently stick during the course of a season. Unzipping the airbags at the end of the meeting is a nightmare. If anyone can imagine a thick metal zip (often with some teeth missing) and caked in wet shale, there's no surprise that it's one of the tasks that's hated by most. Just to add that unlike many tracks, Lakeside also has to build the track each week, and take everything down at the end of the meeting - given that the venue is also a banger car circuit.

With all due respect, it wasn't the actual safety fence that killed Denny Pyeatt at Hackney. In a freak accident, his back wheel was clipped by Marvyn Cox going into bend 3; which threw Denny high into the air, whereupon he hit (head first) one of the flood-light poles. Unbelievably back then, the tyres around the base of the poles just didn't go up high enough. Would airbags have saved Denny? Quite possibly, simply because they would potentially have taken a lot more of the bike's impact; and not therefore thrown him so high (if at all) over the top. And that's a misnomer I often see about airbags - that they make a rider bounce back into the path of other riders. In my experience, that simply isn't the case. Firstly, to hit the airbag generally means that the rider (and obviously his bike) are out on the furthest perimeter of the track. That isn't where guys tend to ride these days. But more importantly, as already mentioned, the airbag AND the restraining straps on the posts are designed to move; and as well as taking the weight/momentum of the impact, they actually deflate enough momentarily so that a 'bounce back' (in most instances) doesn't occur. The restraining straps themselves are a similar material to a seat-belt in your car; and they clip/unclip easily into place. Just to add, these straps are not actually fixed to the wooden posts - they tend to run through u-shaped brackets - so that they have added 'give'/movement. At the bottom of the air bags (certainly the Briggo ones that Lakeside uses), there is a very thick, heavy-duty rubber flap that lies flat against the shale, and holds the airbag down. However, fluke accidents can occur, even with airbags. Only a few seasons ago, Niels Kristen-Iversen hit one at the base and it actually lifted - sending him head first through onto the stock car track. Fortunately, he wasn't injured and could actually see the funny side of it when I went to check out his crash helmet for damage. I think that potentially, their major disadvantage is when a rider lands completely underneath one; and is potentially trapped with his bike on his body. Although the cut-out should disengage the engine immediately (and cut-outs are ALWAYS checked pre-meeting when the bikes are warming up) the heat of the exhaust, engine and particularly the silencer are tremendous. Whilst the material used on airbags is non-flammable, a bike can certainly melt holes into them. And whilst kevlars are designed to withstand considerable heat, I have noticed that there are a number of occasions when they've tended to cut/split quite easily. Burning parts on bare skin are therefore a nightmare scenario - hence the reason that as track-staff, you are trained to get that thing lifted up pretty damn quickly and get the bike away from the rider (if necessary). And believe me, both airbag and bike are extremely heavy bits of kit. It's also frustrating when you have to wait for that bloody red light to come on - refs are generally exceptionally quick but, at times, it seems like an eternity. Just an added bit to bore you with - track staff can make absolutely no contact with the rider - even if he's crying out on agony (as they often are when they first hit the deck). That's entirely the responsibility of the medical team. However, it does enable you to learn just one or two swear words in Scandinavian and Polish, etc.!

Couldn't agree more. As stated, I know a number of people that smoke a spliff purely for recreational purposes; from all walks of life and various ages. Personally, it's just never 'floated my boat' to try it. I am not aware of ANY of them becoming a financial drain on the NHS. And whilst I'm not making a pro-drug argument (I don't preach how people should ever live their lives), cannabis is possibly doing less harm to people than junk food; particularly if we bring the UK's apparent ever-increasing levels of obesity into the equation. But there you go. There are always going to be people such as E I Addio who don't just have an opinion (which is fine) but are actually opinionated. As for the 'dull lives' reference. Can we HONESTLY say that someone who smokes a spliff has a duller life than us lot - wasting countless hours each year, typing away on a forum associated with a minority sport?

Jeez. So you don't like people smoking spliffs (albeit for their own, harmless recreation) and you'd also ban nicotine and alcohol. I bet you're a riot down the allotment.

Maybe if millionaire's weren't given tax refunds by this dire, two-faced 'we're all in it together' government; whilst multi-million pound making businesses weren't screwing HMRC, then I may agree that the deficit within the NHS needs seriously looking at. At the same time, if you cannot see that this current 'crisis' is simply a tory led initiative to privatise health care, then you sir are severely blinkered.