Derrickn

Halifax ran on a Saturday and it was ideal,as after the speedway a lot of fans drifted off into the local pubs and clubs,and fish and chip shops,so it was a winner all round.

Now that was a man who knew how to prepare a track.

I would think Harris would want a mid week track,to leave the weekend's free for riding grass/longtrack abroad.

There are several videos of the meeting,taken from different points.There is practically no one on the big banking,and those in the stand are all to the back few rows.Sadly,Odsal is far too big for the crowds that attend,and that includes the rugby.It must be almost impossible to maintain an old venue of that size,and you have to fear for its future.

It was said BV had signed Lambert as a Long Term replacement for an injured rider.Well that was a load of BS.

There is a video on You Tube from the latest stock car meeting at Odsal in October.The crowd is very sparse,to the point that I don't see how it can pay its way.Could be trouble ahead for Odsal yet again.

As the rugby football league are one of the sponsors of the proposal,there is no chance of the rugby club leaving.They are certainly not happy with the width of the pitch,that could be one of the reasons for no track being provided for.

Speedway and stox not included in the new plans,but don't worry,we have heard it all before and nothing happened.Wildly over optimistic attendance and revenue figures being bandied about.Once reality sets in,the scheme will be quietly dropped.

So what we are looking for is a new Provincial league,for those of us who are old enough to remember it.

My mind could be playing tricks on me,but I can't help thinking I went to a meeting somewhere over the Christmas period. It would have been late 60s or 70ts,probably in Yorkshire.Of course,it could be senility setting in.

Rugby union is still on on Sat.

The tour of Britain cycle race has been abandoned ,partly because police assistance could not be guaranteed.

As usual,as clear as mud.If Redcar or Edinburgh get knocked out,they are no longer in the play offs,or are they according to regulation e ,as above.

So is Oxford,and same promotion as Berwick.

Anybody who has been to Odsal recently will realise that it is falling apart.There is no chance the council could issue a safety certificate for anything like the number of people needed to make a G P financially viable.

As well as riding speedway,Eric had a Greengrocers shop in Halifax.He and Bonnie were a real double act,and I won't forget when Eric was promoting at Odsal,the bacon sandwiches Bonnie used to sell at the Monday night practice sessions.

Think it was Plymouth where they set fire to the straw while trying to dry the track.

After having a go at Workington,this Shovlar fellow now seems to be calling Edinburgh out.Hope he gets the same response as he got from Workington.

Think Bruce did some laps on his ice bike round the IOW track last year.

Could you not just sign a rider on a week to week contract,or even day to day.In most occupations that would seem immoral,but this is speedway,and needs must.

Really,you only need an A4 sheet with the scorecard on one side,and fixtures and announcements on the other,given free with your admission,or 50p to cover the printing..Everything else you should be able to find on your clubs website.

You dont even get rewarded for coming first in the super heat,you get rewarded for not coming last.How woke is that.

Brian Brett was my abiding memory of the Diamonds.He used to come up from London,with his bike,on the train,and I had the pleasure of accompanying him on part of one return journey,as far as York.He was happy to share the sandwiches he had been given,and we had a great talk about all things speedway.He would have got back to London about 2-30,where his van was waiting.He would have a few hours kip,then off to work as an industrial window cleaner.He said he would finish mid afternoon,then drive up to Long Eaton,for another meeting.This was a top rider,English international,but riding speedway full time was not an option.How times have changed.

Halifax had a concrete starting grid in the fifties,and I don't remember it being dug up when they reopened in 65,so maybe they laid the granite over it.When the tractor came round on the track grade,they always lifted the grader when they past over the starting grid,so could have been something still there.I also remember a concrete starting grid at the old Stoke stadium at Sun street.I am sure a material could be found that would put an end to all the ridiculous gardening that goes on,and would make all gates equal .

Yes,I would also.Wonder if it could be an option.