moxey63

Toni Franchitti was going to release it on tape wasn't he?

Yes... and Peter Duncan had no experience but went right into that fictional speedway team. So it did happen in the seventies.

Think he means King Cinder!

Sorry about the "childish" statement. You are not a "know-it-all" my friend. Many have already proved that. Why can't we all get on? Sorry again. I'll leave you to get your Backtracks out.

What... so sure that you wanna recheck Backtrack? Thought you already knew it all.

I'll let you off then!

It annoys me that some people stream speedway from the internet for free, when us mugs pay for them doing so with our satellite subs. Without these subs, why would companies provide our speedway. In a round about way, the freeloaders are damaging live speedway for the ones who pay, and then moan when there isn't a live link for some match or other that night! Being honest though, I am not shy when it comes to downloading from those P2P sites. Just being honest.

Fabulous racer who added hundreds to the gate at Belle Vue. What's wrong with him wanting to do the same now with his list? Just find it strange that we are questioning someone for telling their side of a story, saying we don't really know him apart from his riding, but are quite relaxed in believing the other side of the story, from people we don't really know.

What I can't get, is that PC has never been outspoken. He could have sold a book, had he written one, of his past exploits. I'd have opened my purse for that. He could have told of his running with Carter, which I don't think he's ever aired. He was never outspoken on SKY, even when the likes of Tony Millard put questions his way during commentary. So why now, when he has something to say, do some fans feel he's having a go at speedway and Belle Vue? I mean, Philip Rising's excellent piece portrays PC as someone who didn't like revealing too much. But when he does, like the ticket story, some on here a rapid with their keyboard to criticise the great man. I have had experience myself. You criticise the sport, and some on here feel as though you are having a go at their missus or other close family members. PC always wanted to be under the radar, just ride, entertain us, and not cause controversy. So why would he speak out now.. when he has no need to? I feel he's just frustrated... mainly at the way his beloved sport has gone. You either put up with it, keep attending without really realising why, or just have that daylight moment, like PC and I had, when you ask what is it about it that you actually like about modern speedway. To me... you will never stain this great man's image. Wilkie.. yes. Allowed in for nowt. No question. A great team man. He of course is confined to a wheelchair after that 1978 accident while racing for the Aces. Looking at PC... he broke his arm riding for Belle Vue, which I bet even today still troubles him (Cradley, KO Cup Final 1980). He almost lost a leg in a second half race (Belle Vue v King's Lynn, 1977) a week before the world title he was about to defend, rode in pain and finished second. A drain cover at Belle Vue cost him so dearly. He possible could have had two titles to his name. Wilkie, what he gave and what happened to him, will always have respect. But PC gave a hell of a lot for the Aces. And I still recall he had to wear a leg harness for much of his final year, 1986, after that start-of-season incident when Carter took him into the fence on the second turn at Hyde Road. Injuries, riding for the Aces, took a good few years off his career. It was a terrible year, 1986, his worst ever, caused I believe by that Carter incident and what subsequently happened affected his mind and body. All this was riding for Belle Vue. But, as has been told, PC does not have to pay to get in Belle Vue... so there must be something else buried in this story. I doubt, reading his piece last week, he actually has 100 people who actually want to go to speedway. Didn't he say it was an embarrassment? Has this 100 figure been made up to smear him? He doesn't seem to be missing his speedway, so is he merely, afterall, being that good sort of person I always thought he was... and actually trying to do something for ex-team mates. It could be that simple. And how many of the magic 100 people PC wants on the list may bring some form of sponsorship to the club?

If the standard of league racing is higher today, then why is it so hard to persuade fans to attend? Seriously, there was always a time you noted when a good side was in town, not to be missed. But no team now, despite the so-called higher levels, drags them in.. and the "bumper" Play-Offs are need for this. am not stuck in the past, just that you knew who the cracking side were and were afraid to miss their visit. Unless it's the Play-Off, is there a team that pulls fans in on its travels like the good old days? As a fan, used to love the Cradley, Ipswich, Oxfords and Pooles coming to Belle Vue when they took pride in their team strength. It has been so much watered down now...

So... er... I was talking about the top riders.... I did... er.... mention Crump, Rickardsson and Nielsen compared to today's top riders of Tai Woffinden and Glenn (sorry, Jason) Doyle. When I talk about lower down rider, I'll ask for your advice. Thank you... and good day.

Er, ok, if you say so. Thought I meant the standard of world speedway... but I may be wrong. Let me just check.

Would you give a pass to Ove Fundin? He rode just 12 matches for the Aces, Ayres and Collier appeared more times.

Not talking about world finals. Talking about 10 years ago. Even five years ago. Are you saying Tony Rickardsson, Jason Crump or Hans Nielsen used to borrow string so they could tie their bikes to an Austin A40? I mentioned Leigh Adams, who didn't ride in the 70s, but was a regular top liner in the GPs a decade ago. If he was about now, would he be more successful than back then, when it took him ages upon ages to win his first GP? The standard of riders is so poor nowadays. Just my view.

If the competition is fiercer these days, then I bet the likes of Holder, Hancock and Pedersen, each with better days behinds them will have to be invited back as Wild Cards to give the GP some fluffing up. There is no way that a near 50 year-old should still be candidate for the world title. It isn't Ice Racing you know.

Who told you that? I mean, I'd say the overall quality has dipped, but it's about opinions. Hancock won his first title in the mid-90s when at his peak. Took him almost 20 years to win his second. Was that because the opposition was better or that the real top liners had left the stage? Jason Doyle was a mere second string, a second division rider even not that long ago. He isn't a youngster, and yet with a bit of luck could be now a two-time world champion. Because the opposition are a higher level? Lost for words ashtag.

Just think Tai was fortunate and won his titles when there's been a lack of genuine world class riders. You have a near-50 year-old still a threat; an Aussie who could be on his second successive win (but for injury) when Leigh Adams, a real star rider took yonks to win even one round. Jason Doyle or Jason Crump? Where have all the star names gone. No consistency these days.

I think PC individually has been attacked on BSF more than any one member of the BV promotion team, whatever their names are. Someone, for god's sake, even called him a "tosser." Out of order, big time.

I must stop calling him Glenn Doyle....

You been reading my mind?

I can understand PC's comments and feelings. He doesn't like anything about the sport at the moment and, very much like I feel, retains an interest for the good times it's given him and its history. Right in the mid-point of the 30 years he's been retired, speedway went all silly.

Thanks Philip. Appreciate you not wanting to trash PC.... shame some on here haven't been so shy. I have just read the piece again. PC seems to want to stand the corner of his ex-team mates and other Belle Vue legends to be treated with some respect. What is wrong with that? I know there is probably another side to this... but I genuinely think PC has been left disillusioned at what's gone on at Belle Vue. If he doesn't have to, and has never been asked to, pay to enter Belle Vue.. isn't it comforting that he wants to put his weight behind former riders' treatment by the club?

Man U don't need to invite ex-players in for nothing. I bet Bobby Charlton won't have to pay I bet... even Dennis Law. Even in my advancing years, it was always nice as a fan to see an ex-rider in the stadium. Would feel a bit embarrassed if one was standing with me in the queue paying admission.

Bit of a cheap shot. So alright, the sport may have made him rich and enabled him to live the dream, but his talents also helped raise awareness of the sport to what it became during the memorable seventies and eighties. I will always hold PC in high regard and he rarely seems to speak out about what he feels. His thoughts always seem to command a lot of interest. He helped make me love speedway and therefore I will always be interested in his thoughts. I think he feels a bit frustrated at the way things have gone. Don't we all feel like that (or many of us)?