chunky

Yes - and no. Of course, many of speedway's problems (well, BRITISH speedway's problems) are self-inflicted. However, there are many that aren't. I am not going to keep going over the same ones, but I haven't previously covered the media ones. Now, it would be wrong to accuse the BBC alone, and it would be wrong to think it is just a speedway (or sports) issue. Unfortunately, the world is a very different - and very much more self-opinionated - place these days. We are all aware of the problems on public forums with opinions seemingly taking precedence over fact, but it is not limited to the general public. The days of reporting "news" are gone; even the legitimate news services display ridiculous bias. The sad thing is that with modern television, the opportunities are there to cover so many more sports than ever before. With so many channels now, all running 24-hours, there shouldn't be any problem covering everything. Of course, there is, and it appears that it is better - and cheaper - for the tv companies to keep showing the same handful of sports, and to keep repeating the same programmes. When the public complain, we get, "Sorry. Your sport does not fit in with our plans". In other words, the station (or more accurately, a person or persons within the station) don't like that particular sport. Same with newspapers and other publications, although the world of print has suffered at the hands of the internet. And then there is the internet... I check the obituaries on the Telegraph website on a daily basis. They basically cover anyone who was anyone. Actors who appeared in two episodes of Corrie, footballers who played a handful of games for Rotherham Utd in 1964, etc.. Speedway? When Nigel Boocock died, I contacted them, and said that I thought that he deserved inclusion. I submitted a concise but detailed obituary. I received a "thank you", but that was it. They published an obituary for Ivan, but nothing for Ronnie. Is that REALLY not their fault? High-profile and successful figures who were literally household names who merit inclusion more than many others who are published? So, the media cannot be totally absolved from blame... Steve

It's a good thing that Hot Rods are TOTALLY unrelated to stock cars, as Barry Lee won four World Championships... Steve

It's not like it would take THAT, long, is it? We are not exactly blessed with dozens of 'em... I didn't see it, but were Lisa Ashton, Glen Durrant, Steve Holcombe, and Rob Cross mentioned? Like Tai, they SHOULD have been. Steve

Why??? Please don't think I'm picking on you, Sidney, because you are not the only one, but nowhere - NOWHERE - has anybody said that Craven, Collins, and Lee WEREN'T greats! They WERE greats. Of course they were. However, Tai's record in World Championships sets him apart from every other British rider. Neither is Tai a certainty TO BE the greatest British of all time, as it is possible for someone to come along in the future (if there is a future) and improve on his record. As it stands, though, Tai's record is comfortably better than those others mentioned, and it is likely to get better still. We have repeatedly said it is difficult to compare different riders from different eras, and it is difficult to compare formats. What is pretty much certain that the top riders would have been top riders in whatever era that they had competed. Steve

I'd like to know what this "Pennell" guy did that is so worthy of a mention... Steve

So did Graham Drury, when he was a promoter. Steve

I think ALL speedway riders did. A lot of people don't realise how fit motorsports competitors are, and while it is not about how fast they can run or how high they can jump, speedway riders in particular have plenty of upper body strength and stamina. The only problem I recall was with Michanek in the weightlifting; he is round-shouldered, and was physically unable to lock his arms to the desired position! Steve

I wonder how much his lifestyle and dedication (or lack thereof) contributed to not only a lack of real top-level success, but also to such a short career at that level. Chris can certainly be classed as an under-achiever when you consider his talent, and he should definitely have been around for longer than he was. Steve

When it comes to equipment, track conditions, riding styles, professionalism etc, there are no advantages or disadvantages to be had when attempting to compare eras. As has been stated many times, it is the same for everyone at any particular point in time. PC's professionalism can only be compared to the professionalism of his rivals. Even though the riders today are far more professional, Tai's own professionalism can only be compared to that of his rivals. It is all relative. The thing to remember is that speedway - like all sports - is constantly evolving, and the top guys evolve with the sport. That is why they are the top guys. Steve

Can't argue with any of that! Steve

Nothing to do with spin. Fact! Steve

No. The scoring meant that whoever was fourth didn't win... Steve

You speak a lot of sense on the BSF - generally - but I have to disagree with your comments here. I have seen Woffinden make some amazing moves against world-class opposition and leave them standing. Maybe it doesn't look quite same, because of the track conditions, the machinery, and the generic riding styles today, but it has very much the same effect as some of the moves that PC used to make. I deliberately truncated your post, but with regard to Doug Wyer, he was a great rider, and he had a great year in 1976. However, even that year, I do not feel he ever approached the level of riders like Simmons, Louis, or Sanders, let alone the level of PC, Olsen, or Mauger. That means I don't even put him alongside the likes of Janowski, Hancock, or the two Russians. Steve

I'm so sorry; that was somebody else. Many apologies... Steve

Of course, British Champion is a much greater achievement than World Champion... Steve

As we have said, riders like Craven and Collins have some kind of claim, but you don't even think he is in the top 20 British riders, do you? That is what is laughable. Steve

I appreciate the kinds words. I didn't - as suggested by moxey63 - swear because I was losing an argument. I swore (and I was classy enough to use an asterisk) because he decided to judge me as a person, and make ridiculous accusations and assumptions - seemingly based on the fact that I emigrated. Over the years, I have had to deal with many accusations and assumptions (both in the US and UK) regarding the matter, and sometimes, it just gets a little too much. Oh, and I'm not just a troll who attempts to hide behind a username. Having said that, I do know who moxey63 is... Steve

That is what is frustrating me! And he thinks that buying dvd's months AFTER the event is a substitute for watching live sport? Finally, what really set me off was questioning me being a "real" fan, because I "ditched" speedway. Since emigrating, I have still attended speedway (and paid for it) in Britain as well as the US. I have spent money on numerous dvd's, books, memorabilia, so yes, I have still been "chipping in". Steve

There really is something wrong with you! I 'ditched" speedway? I'm f*cking sorry that being with the woman you love isn't considered a valid reason for someone to move, and you think that going to speedway is more important! That's good coming from someone who doesn't go to speedway just because he got "fed up". Steve

I have said before (not that you read it, as I'm sure you only had the internet on in the background...), but I have NO PROBLEM with you getting in for nothing as a result of your work. What I have a problem with is that you now refuse to pay to get in. I also have a problem with you claiming "knowledge" of things you do not watch... You think I "peer over the wall"? I use the service that the organisers provide for me; I do not "piggyback". I cannot pay for a service that is not available to me! If you have a problem with me using the official service provided - which is legal, and certainly not unethical - then complain to BSI. As I said, I would be happy to pay for a streaming service if that was the case, because I (unlike you) think the product is worth paying to see... Steve

I liked those Nielsen leathers too. As a fan of black, I thought Olsen had some great ones, particularly when he was sponsored by SodaStream. Surprised nobody has mentioned Ray Wilson's yellow Bostik leathers... Steve

So, all speedway fans who live abroad and cannot get the services that YOU get, but use services provided by the organisers specifically for them, are freeloaders? I do accept that 29 years of paying to attend speedway meetings around the country is totally negated by me not paying a small fee for some fifteen days of a service that isn't available to me. Of course, I would be happy to pay for a service that enables me to watch the greatest British speedway rider of all time... Steve

Of course, but I'm sure many of us on here have. Yet very few of us would have refused to go to speedway just because we had to pay... Steve

Because he wouldn't be considered a hero (sorry, consider himself a hero) if he kept quiet... Steve

I do watch speedway on the net, but I am not quite sure where this crap about "piggybacking" BT comes from. The broadcasting rights/deals come from BSI, who arrange live streaming for people around the world who can't get television coverage. Got bugger all to do with BT! He probably thinks I should pay the BBC license fee too! 29 years of paying - every week - to go to speedway all over the country, and I'm a freeloader. Okay.... Steve