FAST GATER

Could not" AGREE" more I am with you there could not agree more ,

I take your points on board but slowing down by any amount even fractions may be woth it surely lap times have not dropped by that much in the last 20yrs have they but the cost in money and rider injury to gain have and this is unacceptable IMO.

It would appear that a return to upright engines would have an immediate effect in slowing the bikes down( due to the gravity effect on the engine) and make it harder for the riders to enter corners at the speed they are at the moment .There would appear no reason that the laydown engines could not be adapted to go in upright frames thus using up the existing stock of these engines and giving existing users time to move over to a more standardised unit .It would not be unreasonable ( a word not known to s/way it would appear) for there to be a timescale of 3yrs for this to happen as i would image any rider would have a change of engine unit in this time what ever level they compete at.It would also give Jawa time to produce a new engine unit and GM to protect their current business if onlry Briggo & Co were attracted to this element of the sport instead of the infamous" dirt deflector " I live in hope .

There speaks the voice of reason pity that it will fall on "deaf ears " within this sport, change is something this sport chooses to ignore at it's own peril. It is obsessed with a rider moving at the start( or getting a flyer) but shy's away from sorting out measures to reduce injury ,death and costs within the sport no wonder outsiders think it's a Mickey Mouse sport .

I believe one of the main assets of the laydown is that it lowers the centre of gavity making the bike much easier to ride and user freindly ,the overtuned and excessive power of the engines used today is the main problem IMO.

Where there is a will there is a way but what would be achieved by this I believe that whilst they are not cheap frames are not the expensive problem in todays sport.Engines seem to be the the most significant cost not just the purchase but the upkeep and life span of them in contrast to the older upright models previously used .

I seem to remember Sudden Sam being one of the last top line riders using an upright and some said he should have moved over sooner to a laydown ?

Of course the possibility of change would difficult or impossible to do this is" speedway" were talking about after all that appears to adopt all the self distructing changes and non that would help it in regards to saving the sport or it's participants money.Won't waste too much time on this subject but as was said there could be a gradual move to phase out the present machinery over say a max 3yrs ANYTHING is possible if the parties involved are remotely willing to change .

Compton will end up a heat leader again at this rate!!!! thought he was only there to help out bring the youngsters on think Screeny maybe making a comeback next can't be any worse ?

One of the all time "greats" a joy to watch on a speedway bike ,made it look easy best wishes.

IMO what is wrong these days is fast powerful bikes on small tracks ,what makes a great race is four equally match riders on manageable bikes that won't spit them off given half a chance.This IMO gives riders the ability to race each other more rather than riding in fear of a machine that almost has a mind of it's own.

Joe Owen ,John Jackson ,Steve Lawson ,Tom Owen and Pete Jarman Imo there was very little between Jacko and Joe except that Joe would just go to the edge a little bit more than JJ.I think that both of them were exciting to watch and had very different styles ,Joe using his incredible natural strength and JJ having the balance and delicate throttle control on the bike I have rarely witnessed outside the company of Mauger & co.

Sent PM thanks for the info NW

IMO "if" leathers are safer and offer more protection ( I am not saying they do) then prehaps the extra cost would be worth it against the present race suits.Would the leathers last longer( I know that riders have team ones in some cases and may move about more these days) but IMO as with helmets they should offer the best protection possible.i have heard that leathers are heavier and more awkward to ride in but I am sure riders could adapt .Also if the rider wishes to he may be able to wear a oversuit to resemble the present race suits to be covered in sponsorship and personalised to their own tastes.

This is the kind of action that is needed to encourage young and new fans to the sport "WELL " done to Worky , s/way is an exciting and friendly sport as this thread has proved.

It could worse it could have been cancelled due to lack of interest !!!!

IMO yes they can learn their trade ,we can go on forever about costs how to cut them or how to justify them but the bottom line is if they want it bad enough most ( not all i admit) will get there in the end.Riders start off in s/way for anything but the money ,they just want track time and to ride a s/way bike as fast as possible and emulate one or more of their heroes .The money comes later when the demands of life and earning aliving from a former hobby or past time kick in .

I think you will find that rider's pay in s/way is always shrouded in secrecy and not something that is talked about ,but it is a sad fact of life that the best riders will get the best of everything machinery and money.

There is a lot in what you say however older fans going on about the good old days IMO has nothing to do with putting younger or new fans off the sport.That blame IMO can be firmly laid at the feet of those that run this sport of ours.,I won't bang on about my views on this because it is thread about entertaining and crowd pleasing riders.I repeat myself they are there today just a little too well hidden as it were.

I quite agree there are such riders today just abit thin on the ground .

Sorry if you feel we are all living in the past ,your choice of riders are top entertainers in todays sport but IMO s/way of the 70's was just that bit special and had an abundance of " must see "riders in the British league .Maybe the problem is today that many of the top riders do not frequent our leagues for a multitude of reasons not least the GP'S. Gollob is pretty special on his day and I love watching Peter Karlsson sadly both have the clock ticking on their respective careers.

Never went full time with Wolves double up and you are right that Joey had an edge but IMO that is what sadly led to his losing the use of his legs ,a little too brave for his own good.As for Tom IMO he was with out doubt another great rider but a little to physical for my liking an never quite as good as Joey and Jacko.

The Owen Bros against John Jackson at Newcastle or Elle Port in the early to mid 70's ( all in one race even better) happy days !!!!!!!!!!!

Well done this is an excellent customer relations exercise and restores my faith in the sport I love ,I do hope the gentlement and his daughter have a great night and well done again Worky Speedway.

I live in hope my friend