ianmartin

Yes SCB they do. But as I see it there are not the chances now as there were years ago. I am talking about ALL Riders having a chance of winning through qualification and NOT given Wild Cards or SELECTED because you are British or any other nationality where they need LOCAL input to put bums on seats. Everyone in the old days qualified - none were GIFTED places like they do today. Gifted and in some cases the Riders receiving said Gifts are NOT worth the place. I know there were some odd qualifiers years ago but at least they got their through there own qualifiers which actually reinforces my point.

Graham Drury, Colin Goad if my memory serves. Happy days. Good luck Steve - we can always, as you say, Dream.

How about Eddie Argall, Alistair Brady, Maury Robinson and Alan Mackie - I think (hope) that all of these are Scots.

Are there any Promoters out there who may be interested in promoting at Sunderland? We had a Track thirty five years ago - it closed due to 'lack of support'. It was never given a true chance. Allied Presentations opened it in 1971 with Len Silver as Promoter. Over the next four years the club was passed around from pillar to post. We had various owners until the venture finally closed at the end of the 1974 Season. There was NO consistancy of ownership and we were NEVER given a really successful Team. Best finish was mid table. We never complained about OUR Team - we were just glad to have Speedway. We also had a Team in 1964 Closed due to lack of Support. I quote the Sunderland Echo of May 27th 1964. " Before a gate of 8,500" for our penultimate Match. Wolverhampton and Newcastle BOTH needed Riders so Sunderland were the sacrificial lambs. We were asset stripped and closed after nine Meetings. Bad weather was another reason given for closure - we NEVER had a 'Rain Off' in 1964. Yes - Speedway has been really good to Sunderland - perhaps you may be prepared to give us another chance - I think we DESERVE it - don't you? Anyone interested in further information about Sunderland Speedway please visit our Website at: www.sunderlandspeedway.co.uk Thank you for your time.

Sorry Ghostwalker - I cannot agree with you. As I have said many times before when this subject comes up: In the 'old' days anyone from any League could win the World Championship (Jack Young - as a Second Division Rider). He couldn't do that now. Only the selected few, the so called Elite can win it now. HOW FAIR IS THAT?????

Nothing wrong with the format - EVERYTHING wrong with the System. Bring back the 'one off' World Final with Qualifying Rounds for ALL Riders not just the SELECTED few. Sorry to keep banging on about this but I do feel strongly that it would benefit our Sport.

That'll be right - BSI/IMG raping Speedway again. Why has the soul of our Sport been sold to people like this.

Well said Pearcey - I have been going on about this for ages. The JOKER is just what it says it is - a JOKE. The World Cup looks stupid every time one of those scantily clad women come out with the Card - JOKER - you are NOT kidding. OUR SPORT DESERVES BETTER!!!!! I don't like the Double Points Rule in League Matches either - when are the Powers that be going to GET REAL!!!! WE, THE SUPPORTERS ARE THE PAYING CUSTOMERS - THEY IGNORE OUR WISHES AT THEIR PERIL - and - They wonder why people are deserting Speedway. When will they realise the 'FIXED' Results are NO RESULTS AT ALL!!!!! Cricket, Football, Rugby ALL have their TRADITIONS - why do WE have to throw ours out of the window. I know the Sport has to move forward - BUT - as far as I can see - EVERYTHING that is done in Speedway is done for one reason only - MONEY - not for the improvement of the Sport. Granted Promoters have to make a fair profit - but - not at the expense of our History, Tradition and our Sport.

Boring Grand? Prix again. Glad Greg Hancock won though - he deserved it.

Wise words RocketBen1 - the experience for the young lads would be invaluable.

Happy days, happy days.

I have just read with interest the interview between Richard Bott and Frank Auffret. Whilst the piece is very well written and well up to the normal high standard I would expect from BackTrack Magazine, I feel I must take issue with some of the content. First of all I would like to say that Frank Auffret attended one of our Sunderland Speedway Reunions, at the Reunion, he spoke in very uncomplimentary terms about Jack Millen. Some of those present were quite surprised at the bitterness shown by Frank regarding Jack. Jack was dead and unable to defend himself. It was generally thought that he could have toned down his remarks, especially as he was at a Sunderland reunion. Both Frank and Jack were uncompromising Riders, I think that it is fair to say that Frank obviously carries his dislike/hatred of Jack to this day. On reading the interview with Frank I was absolutely staggered when I read and I quote "he pulled out of seven races against me". who is he kidding - Jack NEVER pulled out of a challenge in his life. I have spoken to other Riders of the time, both at, and after the aforementioned Reunion where Frank had implied that Jack was afraid of him - they all said that Frank was talking nonsense. Jack Millen was a very hard Rider, he was not known as 'Millen the Villain' for nothing. For Frank Auffret to actually go into print accusing someone of cowardice goes very much against the grain with me. I doubt very much if he would have said this if Jack had been alive and able to defend himself. Jack Millen and Frank Auffret were probably two of the hardest Riders I ever saw, I actually admired them both, neither gave an inch. I hope that Frank can live with himself after so publicly calling into question the courage of a Rider who died in such tragic circumstances. He has certainly gone down in my estimation. Jack Millen will always be one of my sporting heroes - Frank Auffret, whilst still a hero for his Riding, is now a tarnished one. I look forward to the next issue of BackTrack.

SNAP Nevs.........................................

Down in the Park - as I said in my Post - I had a GREAT time. I did not see any of the trouble mentioned. The reason I Posted was in support of those people who were affected. You should go to a GP - I am against the System - I only went to this one so my criticism of the GP System would be an informed criticism. However I was so impressed with the set up, Cardiff and everything about the weekend - I have already booked for next year. Don't let yourself be put off until you have given it a try - the atmosphere is marvellous - an unforgettable experience.

I'm a Scot - why don't you wave the Saltire or the Lion Rampant at the Sassenachs. Just asking Snyper1010.

I could not agree more Haggis. I was at the GP for my first ever visit. I did not suffer the shocking aggravation that some people appear to have experienced. I had a great time. I was shaking hands with Poles, Supporters from other countries, Supporters from British Clubs. It was a superb weekend. I must say however that the poor people who have suffered having clothes ruined and have sat in fear of intimidation or violence because of drunken Supporters must be questioning whether they should ever go to the GP again. This is so sad as I/we are very proud of the fact that Speedway has the reputation of being a family Sport. In order to protect our reputation I think it is imperative that alcohol is banned from the Stadium DURING the GP. Anyone who is obviously inebriated should NOT be allowed into the Stadium. For heavens sake - you pay good money to watch Speedway - you can get tanked up (if that is your thing) AFTER the GP. This way you don't upset others or distract people from the racing at the GP. Surely people can manage to go for a very few hours without a drink and enjoy the racing and allow others to do the same. SPEEDWAY HAS A REPUTATION - THE ADMINISTRATORS OF THE SPORT MUST PROTECT THAT REPUTATION.

Thank you very much Haggis.

We here at Sunderland ran a Reunion the profits of which all went to the Museum. We raised a lot of money for it - more we were advised - than some Tracks still operating. Remember - Sunderland only had Speedway for nine (home) Meetings in 1964 and a National League Division 2 side from 1971 to 1974. There has been NO Speedway in our City since. We were assured that the Museum would have something, no matter how small, to show that Sunderland Speedway existed on display. There was not when I asked some time ago. Has this matter been rectified? We feel that as we had such financial stake in the Museum - that gives us the right to ask. A Poster on display or a Programme would make us feel so much more part of the Speedway family - and - keep the name and memories of "SUNDERLAND SPEEDWAY" alive.

Can see where you are coming from.

Totally agree Parsloes 1928. I was absolutely gutted for Emil - it was obvious, by this time, that the two Brits were not in the hunt for honours - so I was supporting the Russian. I could NOT believe it when he hit the Tapes - he didn't NEED to do that - he seemed MILES faster than anyone else anyway. He has shown he has the ability to come from the back. I thought at first he might have had a clutch problem. I am actually hoping the Crumpy wins the World Championship - but - if he doesn't - I hope it is Emil Sayfutdinov who does. He has come into World Speedway like a breath of fresh air.

SORRY!! CLANGER Hope that is OK for you. I wont let it happen again.

Ooops - I think I dropped a clanger.

I am a bit annoyed that people come on here saying the Greg Hancock, Phil Crump should move over to make way for the 'younger' Riders. Apart from Emil Sayfutdinov who are these young guns to take over. Crump and Hancock are both at the top or near the top of the Standings - where are these 'young ones' .................................................... I know who SHOULD move aside - and that is OLE OLSEN. His Tracks, as has been stated elsewhere on this Thread are a DISGRACE. THE 'OLD' WARHORSE.

My Team would be as follows: 1) Peter Craven - England 2) Barry Briggs - New Zealand 3) Jim Airey - Australia 4) Tomas Gollob - Poland 5) Ove Fundin - Sweden 6) Igor Plechenov - Russia 7) Dag Lovaas - Norway and No. 8) Ole Olsen - Denmark THE 'OLD WARHORSE' Thank you for pointing me in the right direction squall.

YUP!!