Skid Sprocket

There is much discussion on the BSF on what is wrong with the way speedway is run today. I would like to see, from time to time, these opinions culminating in a vote so that, just maybe, the powers that be will see a clear picture of what a large group of speedway supporters are wanting. To get the ball rolling (or wheels turning) I thought an anonymous vote on whether or not to publish attendance figures. http://www.speedway-forum.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=84163&hl=

Its football, how could it be interesting?

"Wishin and Hopin" the great song by Dusty Springfield comes to mind. Everyone wants things to improve but no one wants to do anything, at least thats how it looks from reading these pages and personal experience. From late last year and into the new year I ran a competition inviting schools and colleges to design a poster for our local club, out of the 40 invited only one entry was received. There must have been many speedway supporting parents and grandparents of students that could have encouraged the schools/colleges to take part. The one entry was of such good quality that it was put into print and announced on our club forum that copies were available but not one enquiry was received. While the BSPA deserve criticism there is a lot that the keen supporter can do to spread the word very easily to get the numbers up.

It could happen if we all pulled together as a group and put pressure on the BSPA. I suggested a poll of members a while ago to see if there was sufficient numbers wanting to know but no one came up with a way to set up a poll. Even if we cant be told the figures I would like to know the reason why not.

Vanishing posts. i have signed up to be notified when new posts are made. Today under this topic I have been notified of at least two posts but when I log on to the forum the new posts are no where to be seen, any thoughts? Are we being censored?

I think mainly from the cruelty point of view, the treatment of retired greyhounds, in which they have a point but it will put many speedway supporters between a rock and a hard place.

Something in the People last Sunday about the possibility of Greyhound racing being banned, anyone see it? That would really put a spanner in the works.

This debate about publishing attendance figure has come round again for the umpteenth time. Can we have a poll set up to see what members want? Does anyone know how to set up a poll?

It matters more that they aren't published because that raises the more serious question "why aren't numbers published?" There is no reason why this can't be run alongside the other concerns mentioned. Every person passing through the gate should be counted no matter what the paying status, that is the attendance figure.

There has been a renewed interest in the speedway cartoon booklet recently and we are down to a handful of copies left. As 2017 is the 100th anniversary of the birth of Reg Smythe, the Museum of Hartlepool are having an exhibition of Reg's life and work which will naturally be dominated by Andy Capp but I have been asked to submit examples of his earlier work which includes his speedway character Skid Sprocket. This museum exhibit may trigger a new interest in the booklet and I am considering ordering more copies. If any forum members would be interested in a copy and help the SRBF could you let me know as it will help me decide whether to order more.

Thanks Tigerite, You have understood exactly what I was looking for when I started this thread, any more to complete the list?

Any figures for comparison?

There may already be a list somewhere that I have missed but what are the fastest track speeds (not times) in each league, track length divided by track record, eg length 271 metres x4, record 52.2 seconds = 20.76 m/sec. Not very scientific because longer tracks should have proportionally faster speeds. Redcar = 20.76 metres/ second.

I've just read this in a speedway magazine; "For months now speedway supporters have been protesting to the BBC against their decision not to broadcast speedway results at the end of the 10 p.m.news bulletin. In acknowledgment of the hundreds of letters sent the BBC have replied to the effect that after consideration they regret not being able to accede to the requests. Not the least of the difficulties involved is that meetings take place too late in the evening to be included in the 7.25 sports summary, and present commitments do not allow a regular place to be given in the later bulletins for league results." And the magazine? Monthly Speedway World. July !949. Nothing changes!!!

I think you are right. I know that edition no.1 of the Monthly Speedway World was issued in June 1949 (of which I would like a copy or even a photocopy?) but when did the weekly Speedway World start and were Reg Smythe's cartoons in that 1st edition?

I have now obtained a copy of Monthly Speedway World, issue no. 3 dated August 1949, and Skid is featured in it. Does anyone have no. 1 June 1949 I would like to buy it if available or even a photo copy (at my expence). Copies of the cartoon booklet Smythe's Speedway World is all but sold out but I am thinking about a reprint especially if there is interest from the museum display. Would anyone be interested in a copy with all income going to the Ben fund?

Kevin Keay on BBC Tees 21/2/17. 46 mins. in; http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04rmd6r

A great effort by all who donated to the Bears burglary replacement fund now standing at £940 it would be good to see it pass £1000. Anyone want the honour of breaking through the £1000 barrier? https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/RedcarBEARS?utm_id=60&utm_term=zJA5b9qXK%C2%A0

I don't believe it has anything to do with money. If the BBC charged sports for airtime then they would make a fortune from football, there would be no need for a licence fee. It seems to be left to what interests the presenters. Our local BBC radio will send up to three reporters all over the country and Europe to follow the local football team but to get them to come to our local speedway track about a mile from the studio is an impossible task.

Some 7 years before Reg Smythe created Andy Capp he created a cartoon speedway character called Skid Sprocket. These cartoons were published in Monthly Speedway World, the first issue was June 1949, but I'm not sure if Skid was featured in the very first copy, I have no. 11 dated April 1950 and he looks to be well established by then. I have been asked by a local museum to loan them any materiel that I have on Reg Smythe'e pre Andy Capp days and so i would like to appeal to anyone who has any info on this dated magazine to please get in touch (or any dated in the 1950's.

The estimate for replacement/repairs at Redcar after the recent break-in is £3000 to £4000. The just giving appeal total raised to date is £940 a great effort by all who donated but still looking for a few £'s more . https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/RedcarBEARS?utm_id=60&utm_term=zJA5b9qXK

There is already a topic on national media see; http://www.speedway-forum.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=83484

Fund raiser for replacements, https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/RedcarBEARS?utm_id=60&utm_term=zJA5b9qXK

It is understandable for newspapers and commercial broadcasters to chase the ratings to attract advertisers, having said that the commercial media are always telling us that they are doing a public service. This is where our "great British institution" the BBC should come into play with fair, even, and unbiased coverage of all sport and news covering any minor sport that would otherwise never see the light of day, but what do we get; wall to wall football.

If you are referring to my comment on having a "referendum", it was a joking way of making the point that if a clear message was to come from supporters maybe the powers that be will take notice. If someone has the time and know how it must be possible to get a consensus of opinion on a list of priorities of what should be done to ensure speedways survival that the majority can agree on.