FAST GATER

Ellesmere Port was round a footie pitch good track some decent racing created by non other that Mr"Magic" Thomas !

I think Ledwith deserves his chance like any other rider after such a long time away from the sport he could have been a total waste of time but he would appear still have it and be prepared to have a go .The league has lost Atkin and Armstrong over the last couple of years so the "Vet" balance IMO is about right , he may do a season another match or god forbid is a broken bone from retirement again .There are so many other issues with this sport that a few older riders in the NL is neither here nor there in the grand scheme of things.

Tom & Joe Owen ,Tom was a little too ruthless for my liking IMO it was to make up for a lack of skill against better riders where as Joe was just superb an artist on a bike what a cruel end to brilliant career.

The 70's started going in 1972 it just seemed that the sport was buzzing had a lot of media attention then as well loads of articles in the Press each day and Ivan had won 4 W/Champs three of those on the "spin" !!!!!!

Makes Greg Hancock youngster ,who I suspect is in reality the oldest active rider in the true sense of the word and still very much at the top of the tree !

IMO it has to start from the bottom up they are the future of the sport able to adapt and are not looking to be making a living at this stage in their careers.

I don't see any instant cure to this problem but do feel that the tail has wagged the dog for many years and the main issue IMO is there must be constructive long term changes that benefit the sport as a whole and not the choosen few .It is quite obvious that we can't go back to a two valve strapped on the back of an old bagger,however there must be somewhere in the middle that is achievable . We are for ever hearing why changes can't be made ranging from cost to safety but I do think that on many occassions it is due to certain personal intrest's clouding the issue . IMO most riders start off racing a s/way bike for the fun ,thrill and not the money ,this come later once they find they have the ability to go places in the sport that's when the dynamics of the situation change.The demands of the sport are known to the riders from day one and they alone must decide whether the risk to life and limb are worth it ( I think that the rewards are dreadful compared to other m/sport)and realise that they will not make a fortune along the way . IMO if a person wants to become wealthy and retire by the time he is 40 yrs old s/way is not the way forward it has always only been IMO a paying short term hobby . IMO the Nl should have standard engines ( 2yr period to change over )I bet some of the machinery could be sold to Champ /league rider to reduce losses with aplan to bring the same idea to the Champ league in say 4yrs.This would IMO do two things cut costs and level the playing field which would make for better racing .The Prem /league would be a harder nut to crack because you have the odd GP rider but if they are the best in the world they should be able to adapt to a standard motor if one was used. I would leave the GP riders for the elite engines and tuners plus all the unnecessary/expensive bolt on's and I wonder how many of them except the likes of Hancock will leave the sport with a big bank balance! One final note it is only my own personal view but the GP's stopping most of w/end speedway in this country has damaged the attendances of the sport as a whole .

A bit harsh I think Vasey did his best IMO under difficult conditions to say the least ,he had great passion for the sport and I hope he finds something else where . Has Tony Atkin finally retired from the sport as a rider he seemed to disappear half way through last season , if so I would like to wish him a happy retirement he has been a credit to the sport .

PHIL riders have juggled jobs and riding in the past as they realised that for many it was at best a paying hobbie ,I also think that they were less bothered about the latest bolt on's .I know the sport has moved on and costs have escalated beyound reason,riders need at least two bikes etc ,there is a need for this machinery to last more than a season which would surely make it more viable .

Ivan always seemed to hit the mark with his race suits he and Ole were always immaculately turned out Simmo was another they just looked dressed for work as it were IMO, Hancock's are always eye catching as well seem to stand out at the GP's .

Many thanks to all for a great service which is much appreciated

Seems odd to swap one of the hottest properties in British speedway for a rider nearing the end of his career seems unlikely to me !

No getting away from it winning ( I am sure he will ) 3 titles will be a great achievement for Tai as it would for any rider regardless of his nationality ,I don't care where a rider is from I am more interested in their riding style myself and the way in which they conduct themselves on the track .As to him being the greatest british rider of all time that is a matter of opinion and depends how you measure it , I am not great Tai fan but do believe he is a extremely talented rider and should be given the respect he deserves within the sport. I wish him well for tomorrow night but will be rooting for Zmarzilk, I love his style and he never knows when he is beaten .

One of the best meetings I have seen for while watched Bomber at Cardiff a number of years ago and it was great to see him get one over Doyle last night ,Chris may never be a world champ but he will always be remember for giving a fair 100% effort everytime he rides .

Robbo great rider and team man but I do think it is the right time to go not quite riding he once was all the best for the future

Gollob vs. Nilsen1999 magician on a bike TG

This is one of the best meetings I have seen in a long time great advert for the sport proving that give the riders the track and they will produce the goods .Fortunately Doyle got up from that nasty looking crashI just wonder how many times he will ,he seems to be on the deck more and more these days ,can't knock him for giving 100% but just feel he may pay a big price for it one day .

I think Wolves will have a better season next year they are still adjusting to life without PK (on and latterly more off the track )no Freddie this season has had an impact but they are relatively young side and will be up there next year I am sure .

Fix Nights is to suit the riders ,tv and the promoters NOT the fans and which premier club is Tai riding for on Monday night if it's so great ,like most riders it's about the money ( which I have no problem with ) which decides where top riders decide to ply their trade !

RIP sad loss to the sport

Spot on that is exactly what i meant !

Most of the starting rules are there to try and even things out and give riders with inferior starting skills a better chance Chris Harris would almost never out gate Hancock ,one is a gater the other is a passer and always will be .I think it is unfair for the likes of Hancock to have the Ref and Harris to compete against ,the last thing we need is robotic starts ,nothing better than seeing a rider cut back and take the lead through his own skill rather than upteen restarts or warnings to riders .

I am bemused at times why there is an obsession with equal starts when there is so much else wrong with the sport , there have always been gaters( Mauger&co) and passers ( Mort&co) some riders just can't gate for toffee.I witnessed Hancock being wrongly penalised on Saturday and he lost at least 2or 3 points, if the tapes are not touched,the rider is within 75 mm or broken them let it go .Nine times out of ten times the best rider will win and these percentages should not be manipulated to give inferior riders a better chance . Cream will always float to the top by trying to stop this all you will get is a ridiculous amount of restarts !

Doyle's own fault IMO if he had done that to the likes of Hancock he may have backed off but a young "buck " is not intimidated in the same way if you live by the sword as they say .Doyle was a worthy Champ last year but I think that most riders are aware of his robust style now and deal with it which IMO has lead to his poor position this season in the GP'S .

You have the "world champ "in your team as well !