spiegal

Yes it was ...we put it together too late.....and everyone transfered to teh Torun weekend

I know PHIL HILTON very well........he knows more about speedway than most on this Forum....he is as straight as they come..a goood motivator....won't follow the "Company Line"..top man..doesn't take "prisoners"..!!...but in all seriousness that's a very good appointment...could have been an awful lot worse when I scroll up and see a certain name. Give him a chance....

Having spoken with our contacts in Poland I can confirm that over 30,000 tickets sold on 1st day of sales...all on line sales Good luck to them it is a huge investment.. Thankfully we did our deals before the official sale.

does anyone know if MARMANDE will operate in 2015 as the meeting is not (as yet) on the FIM Calendar ???

Those of you from EXETER may well remember CYRIL BEER a long time Supporters club legend from the County Ground. Cyril was also for many years until his health failed, a loyal and much admired Travel Manager for us. Sadly today (Tuesday) I have had news from Exeter that Cyril passed away in the nursing home where he spent his final years. He will be greatly missed by all of us who knew him. We were lucky to count him as a friend..Sleep peacefully Cyril.

One of the most eloquent and thoughtful prose I have seen on this forum yet alone on this subject.

Am told that Master Gollob is on his way to Rzeszow

I was there in 1996 when i was USA Team manager...total coincidence I can assure you...and I am looking forward to seeing Father Christmas on 24th December night.

Years ago when Kelly was giving everyone so much hassle..Eric Boocock said "The problem with him is that every time he falls off the perch there is some well meaning idiot who picks him up and tells him what a great rider he is"..For his own sake they should just walk away and let him sort it out..a sage comment and proven to be sadly so true.

Met up with BORIS in BYDGOSZCZ square midday saturday...whatever your Political views...this man's a Star. spent good time chatting to us, told us he had been to WIMBLEDON SPEEDWAY. Warm friendly...(a double 1st at Oxford..no mug)......and was on the plane back (Ryanair).....Top Man Boris, it was a pleasure to meet up and have a chat

Eric was one of the most genuine guys I have ever met in the sport..almost too honest to be in Speedway. I never saw him race..but the chubby little man was International class in the 1960's. He and Bonnie did so much as a couple, and virtually ran Halifax. He was devastated when they moved to Bradford and was shabbily treated later by certain individuals. Never heard a bad word ever spoken about them eith personally or in business. Nice man, nice lady, and I certainly hope that they are enjoying life in their welcoming home on the edge of the moors. James

That is such sad,sad news. A true "Great" who on his day was indeed "World class"...my personal thoughts with his family and close friends.

Ah actually so I understand. That is NOT been the problem.

Togliatti is 800 hundred miles away from the Ukraine...same as comparing say Rome & London......My contacts out there..(we are taking a Tour to SEC this year)...assure me that a GP would be a 100% sell out in days....I have not been there but have visited Russia many times..a fascinating place...Moscow is totally divorced in style & content than any other part of this massive Country...Once described by Churchill as a mystery within an enigma.

My great friend John Berry was never a man to eulogise over riders, but there was no shifting him in his admiration of Simmo. JB was a huge admirer of Malc..altho my views of him as Kings Lynn rider did improve when he moved to Poole...I wish the old boy well at this most difficult time...take care Simmo.

Apologise if this book has been listed before. Read it from cover to cover...genuinely couldn't put it down..typical Dave Lanning newsy, busy and well written by one of the Sports legendary Journo's. Trying to spot the great names hidden in the book took some time, but it was a great read.Still not 100% who "Jacko" was based on..possibly "Youngie"...

That is a thoughtful and very accurate assessment of what has happened over the years. I can certainly recall many Promoters who were just a call away from the Bank Manager. In my occassional postings I have always tried to actually come up with ideas which may/may not be a way foward. I have never believed that posting forever moaning about the sport should have any creedance at all, UNLESS they offer something positive. Maybe its time to create a "WAY FORWARD" section. You never know, people do listen, and good ideas are not the perogative of those in seats of power.

Of course everyone has, and should always have the absolute right to express their opinion...that is democracy. Indeed If you are in any profession or sport you must accept the praise and brickbats which go hand in hand with the job.It was always my dream to promote Speedway, but eventually the time ratio against my own business, and the distances involved, meant that it was not possible and so I departed Peterborough. BUT I had a go...and more so with a bankrupt club on a sound financial footing and at the same time having achieved some success. I wasn't that good at promoting..but I tried..and to an extent I achieved something for the club and its fans. On the matters of wages..I stand corrected but I think that USA BASEBALL has a wage cap..possibly also Ice Hockey. BUT again i accept that it is almost impossible to legislate for that in Europe...BUT just think of the numbers of perfectly good young English riders who have been lost to the sport.Look at CRADLEY...MILDENHALL...they are at least trying to look at the sport in a new light. But .If you actually READ the whole interview in BACKTRACK..I did come up with at least 1 idea of looking at the structure in a different way. I totally agree that it is absolute insanity that any sporting venture has expenditure in excess of income...the list of people/tracks doing this is long and the list of perfectly able Promoters who have entered the Sport convinced that they could "Turn around a club" makes disturbing reading....The 2013 losses at my old track, well they must have been horrendous...and yet currently still new people come in convinced they have "The answer". If something major is not attempted shortly then the only result however near/far would be the extinction of the club, and eventually the sport. Always remember that you need opposition to actually stage any event....that is where the 1970/80 promoters had it right. ... Football is an even more diabolical example of money ruining the sport. How many kids can afford to go the Premier league......TV runs the game...but at least with the "Fair Play" scheme they are trying to address the problem.The FA has invested in St George's Park..using the TV money....Sadly Speedway for whatever reason has not utilised TV money to actually INVEST in anything..merely to keep an uneconomic track afloat and also pay Riders more and more money...Speedway is a truly great sport, It has everything,but it has lost its way with the entry paying public.

An interesting remark...actually I personally paid for Bill's air ticket to Ipswich that year. I never claimed that OR other monies owed from either the estate..such as it was..or the family. Similarly John Berry paid for absolutely EVERYTHING involved in that tragic incident. There are many, many other matters both financial and private, you know nothing about...and never will.You are trying to make a "Cheap point which has absolutely no basis in fact. Sadly JB is not around to defend himself. There are about 5 people who were close enough to fully involved..and you my friend were not one of them.

Indeed a most sad day. Alf was wonderful..almost certainly one of a dying breed. As a newcomer to the Retail side of Souvenirs was back 1970 he was the "Icon" we all learned from. Great company..endless tales and he literally knew everyone..No doubt flogging photos,badges and rossettes just outside the Pearly Gates..RIP old fella..

Just had a call from Alf's daughter to advise me that the old boy is in Hospital, and is far,far from well. Family are with him, and she has promised me to keep me in teh picture. So sad..the old boy is a legend, and all our thoughts must be with them at this difficult time. James Easter

Always been teh same ..I can remember 2 of USA riders telling everyone of the huge deals they had...my answer was "Tell me that when you actually get paid"...one of them £10,000 later still was going every Sunday hoping to get paid....

Very many thanks...appreciate your help

I think you will find that it is a 5 year deal.....whatever.....all praise to Terry Russell, as frankly without him no deal was ever in the offing. One thing I always learned in business is that you respect people who graft, and can turn a shilling simply by having the "Nuts" to never accept "No". Well done Terrence, the whole of Speedway owes you.

Has anyone got teh Div 1 fixtures please ????...or any idea when they will be published Thanks