sandman

Am getting ready to sign off, but got to thinking I know of no other sport where so many over the years have been injured, crippled and killed. These new crashwalls are such a blessing and wonder why it hasnt been thought of before. So refreshing, even though it is all a part of racing, and the risks will always be there, to know there are still forward thinkers out there. Good night..... Sandman

Really dont mean to change the subject, but since we are hours away from war, wouldnt it be better to have a test match instead, say Saddams 7 versus Rest of the World? Pray for our troops, Sandman

Well since there are no takers I am withdrawing the question, besides Ron probably wouldnt appreciate it.... Sayonara... Sandman

Thanks Gemini, I seem to catch most of my speedway on television now, and my first impression was how fast it has gotten. These fellows just fly. However, with the advent of the little handlebars everyone tends to have the same style. It is almost as if everyone tried to copy Shawn Moran. The problem is Shawn was 5'3 or 5'4 so he made it work. Before even if Ole Olsen was covered in mud you could tell it was him. I also think with the horsepower available now they would have no problem with lots of dirt. Case in point, World Team Cup at Peterbourgh. Heavy deep track, I guess thanks to rain, and some of the best ever racing I have ever seen. I dont mean to sound crass because I have a deep respect for all riders past and present, those little bars make them... how do I say it... Monkey up on the bikes. Sandman P.S That is why I like Long Track, poetry in motion man!

Sorry I messed up the reply text, am new to all this. Sandman

Totally agree with that. I think back to the 50's on J.A.P. bikes with 35 to 40 horsepower, and trying to race on deep tracks with 22" rear wheels, no wonder they had big handlebars. New safety fences great too, rather hit one of those than a chain link with light stands. sandman: Set "Always allow BBCode:" to Yes in your profile and the quotes will appear as you expect.

Dont mean to take up too much space with my waffling, but was wondering what people view as good and bad changes to the sport in the last few decades. For example, even though they are a necessity, silencers are a downer, as are dirt deflectors. Not touching the tapes, and the general tightening up of all rules. Speedway used to be a pleasure for the working class, have the riders distanced themselves too much from the supporters? I remember Bob Kilby being a part of the whole and even buying everyone a round of drinks in the bar after a good night. Every one of the riders driving Cortinas or similar with bike racks. I know this goes back some but would be interested in everyones opinions. The sport has progressed tremendously, so much faster, so much colour and a bit of glamour, but wonder if there is anyway to improve on it. Thanks, Sandman

Yeah but with a bit of seasoning, and bar the tragedy, a bit of luck, and not being disrepectful to PC, who by the way really got good when the tracks were heavy and rough, I just feel that Tommy was just a bit better in most ways. Where as PC was something special in his time, he still didnt have the raw talent and disipline that Jansson had. Very few did. One reasons the Swedes are so good I believe is because they are a bit calculating, pressure doesnt exist with them. Every other countries has the emotion, flamboyance, and live life to the fullest attitude, which is good sometimes and is fun to watch, but talent all being equal, the Swedes win hands down because they tend to parse pressure. I am probably waffling, and not making sense. PC should have won 2 or 3 Finals. Had Tommy lived he would have done it. Sandman .

Thanks Sir Lunchalot. Say, you werent a mechanic at one time were you? Sandman

Agreed, though as great as PC was, and the raw talent he had, he didnt come close to Tommy in that department. He was certainly a hard act to follow. He was a tenacious competitor, great balance a bit like Christer Lofqvist and Kelly Moran but was pretty tall. Amazing to watch, Very quiet spoken and popular especially with the ladies. Certainly with luck would have been champ.

Actually it was Mike Rooney, a Speedway rider from Northern Calif. Not a bad rider and a really great guy.

OK, Since this is petering out a bit, I will throw something else in the mix, with all due respect the The Guv. Quick, what is Ron Prestons middle name. He rode for Poole and Eastbourne outside of being World Under 21 Champ. Hint, It starts with an N. :?:

OK Zetters, close but since you are obviously Swede, you could be biased. But to throw a bit of flavour into the mix, probably the one man who is evergreen and leaves all behind is..... Ice Racing Twice World Champ, 25 consequetive World Finals and still a threat at 54... Per Olov Serinius. Top that :!:

I believe that riders and mechanics form a bond of sorts, as they travel together and work for a common goal. They arent paid all that well and do it because they love the sport. Now I have known a few mechanics, and over time they get to telling the rider what he is doing wrong, hence the birth of that blood sport the Mechanics Race. Usually by the start of the following season the mechanics would temper their previous comments considerably. Sure, a bent bike is expensive to fix but it is I am quite sure,a very effective tool to restore Team morale. Also, for those of you who havent had the pleasure of viewing this, I can tell you it is bloody great fun to watch. Too bad insurance got so high. I had my telephone cut off yesterday and it still feels like it is there. ;-)

Tommy Jansson? Or if some remember Bettsy would always get max after max at the first half of every season and then fade as the Rounds progressed. Which is why, for a time, Mauger said he was the best rider to never have won a World Final. Of course there was John Louis, and it makes you wonder where his carrer would have ended had he started Speedway before the age of 29. Probably will never be duplicated.

Hey, Would agree with you on that one, Chris, even though the numbers dont match uo with Daves, he sort of had the natural gift and fit a bike really well, no disrespect to Dave. Remember in the early days, his brother, Dave Morton was better but for the injuries. Ivan saw it coming, and was singing the praises of Chris back in 75, as the better of the two. Thanks.. Sandman

Anyone have fond memories of mechanic races? Will stop writing now, just on a bit of a roll folks, apologies. Sandman

:?: World Champions excluded... Terry Betts.Moran Bros.Phil Crump.. Preston.Siggy.. Morton Bros.. Schwartz..Louis..Lofqvist..Persson @ Simmo.. Any others? :?