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VIEWPOINT
PLUCKY SECOND STRINGS DESERVE RECOGNITION
Interesting comment by Steve Harris that a score of 10+2 (3) shows a more impressive match contribution match than 10.
However, the new format wont necessarily highlight what an excellent match a plucky second string has had if he scores five hard-earned third places in 6-4 heat advantages for his team, maybe having to contend with strong team riding tactics from the opposition who have endeavoured to relegate him to last place, while his more illustrious team partner has raced to a series of untroubled wins. His score will be shown as 10(5).
Patrick Beacock
Editors Comment True Patrick. Support riders make an equal contribution to heat leaders in all team events, thats why we are always happy to hear about second strings achievements as well as that of our super-stars.
I'm liking the way the match scores have been put on the website so far this season. I hope this will continue.
I do agree with you, that for local press releases this can be rather complicated or unclear, however I'm sure 90% plus Spokesman-Online readers know what this means and are happy with the more concise results,
I've been meaning to bring this up with you for sometime. Have some people beaten me to it?
Steve Harris
Inter-Club Challenge Swindon 102 Steve Harris 17+2 (5 rides), Rob Hunt 17 (5), Neil Power 15+2 (5), Danny Harper 14+3 (5), Ethan Greenslade 10+1 (5), Andy Hill 10+1 (3), James Bailey 10+2 (3), Jake Neighbour 9 (5) Edinburgh 77 Craig Newsome 17+1 (5), Mikey Hewitson 17+1 (5), Kamil Greszla 12+1 (5), Lee Lawrence 7 (3), Jake Slight 7+1 (5), Neil McPherson 6+1 (5), Mark Lee 6 (5), Marcin Czarkowksi 5 (3)
Editors Comment We hope to present all this seasons results in the new style format. Please can we ask contributors to type their match results in the above format and well publish accordingly.
I have been looking into TLI to see what it offers.
TLI is a 'not for profit' organisation with all revenue raised going back into its sports whereas British Cycling has a paid officer and many back office staff to provide its services.
Having checked out the TLI website, it appears more akin to cycle speedway. It is more likely that TLI will be more passionate about what it does.
Having spoken to British Cycling officials, that passion never shows through. To BC officials its a job firstly and interest second. I'm not saying that they are not interested. In many cases where one is paid, its seen merely a job.
When talking to people in cycle speedway, you can feel the passion. In many clubs across the country, people spend many hours working at the track in all weathers. Also there are a lot of people involved with clubs, working behind the scenes - for what? Certainly not money! It's to make their club work and that priceless!
So what does British Cycling provide for cycle speedway? A website which has gone downhill in the last few years. A bore, could be the best way to put it. Paid officers but do they offer 'value for money'?
What has British Cycling provided for cycle speedway that we could not provide ourselves or that that TLI cannot provide? One thing that BC has is that it is internationally accepted. Also with local councils, BC name is known name.
But how many people or organisations have heard of TLI? Before the EuroVets, went under the TLI banner, I had not heard of it! Could it be that TLI is not picked up by the media?
BC is a business with profit being at the forefront, can cycle speedway afford British Cycling?
Brian Barnett
I read with interest the price comparison between BC and TLI for running junior leagues and the round figure saving of £2,000 available.
I cannot believe that anyone would answer no, after all £2,000 is lot of money. So why, as a sport, are we accepting the unilaterally imposed BC levy? It makes no economic sense at all. As individuals we would never accept it, so neither should we as a group.
Clearly there is a ready-made alternative out there that offers much better value.
Tim Jarvis
Following my response to Brian Barnetts TLI related questions, I can confirm that my investigations have clarified that points which I made are valid in such that clubs and riders would not be blacklisted by British Cycling for participating in events under the TLI banner. As an example Mark Cavendish has competed in TLI events in the past.
Although chastising Brian somewhat (in my frustration at what I perceived as a negative approach), I do appreciate that he probably asked questions that were on the minds of others.
I fully appreciate the benefits of airing ones views in public to reach a wider audience, just as Brian and myself have done via Spokesman. However, its also good to talk and have some direct dialogue which is why I followed up with a personal phone call to Brian, which I think was beneficial to us both.
I guess the motto of this story is keep talking and keep positive.
Dave Murphy
Based on many of the Viewpoint postings from Brian Barnett, it would not be wrong of me to assume that he has little faith or confidence in British Cycling and what it has to offer cycle speedway. Brian, who is known to many as a freelance photographer of the sport, appears to demonstrate a tenacious flair for publicly posing questions which, in my opinion, serve only as fodder for those who want 'negativity' to rule over 'unity'.
I'd prefer to see everybody involved in cycle speedway approach the sports problems in a positive manner, whether involved in BC organised events or otherwise (as in the case of the EuroVets) and therefore, I feel compelled to answer Brian's recent list of questions as follows:
Question: Could Euro-vets racing under the TLI banner pose problems for clubs staging such events?
My response: I would suggest that providing those clubs understand and accept the event liability cover provided via the TLI agreement, involvement in the EuroVets should pose no problems for clubs or riders.
Question: If event insurance provided by TLI is the same as BC, could this result in two claims being made?
My response: Any logical person would appreciate that racing under the TLI banner would not be covered by BC event insurance and so any claims would need to be made via TLI event insurance. I'm sure this is what the EuroVets organisers would want and expect.
Question: Could BC block such events, or BC registered riders, riding in TLI events?
My response: I suggest that there is no reason why BC would want to block such events (or competing riders) as these are non-BC events and, providing clubs and riders understand that BC event insurance and rider registrations are not applicable to such events, there should be no issues from BC perspective.
Please note, that these are my own considered answers (in response to Brian) and if anybody wants to obtain clarification, they should direct specific questions towards representatives of EuroVets, TLI or British Cycling.
Brian's' final statement suggests that "It is certainly worth looking at the TLI as a frame work" - Well Brian, then go away and take a look for yourself and find some answers, rather than posing 'open' questions for others to worry about. Who knows. maybe TLI have a vacancy for an events photographer? Now there's me posing ainteresting question for you to answer.
I hope that Brian won't take this feedback as a personal attack but rather as a frustrated response from a cycle speedway enthusiast who has become sick and tired of the politics and just wants us all to work towards finding the best solution for our sport.
Dave Murphy
THANKS JULIE, GAYNOR AND PAT posted 15 February 2013
I'd like to pass on thanks to Julie Mitchell of Ipswich Eagles, Gaynor Vincent of Kesgrave Panthers and Pat Brennan of Wednesfield Aces.
Thank you all for your help in getting the bike from Ipswich to Wolverhampton. It's greatly appreciated and Todd is chuffed to bits with his new machine.
Glyn Rowley
Having read about the EuroVets going under the TLI banner, could this pose problems for clubs staging such events?
At present all clubs are registered to British Cycling which covers them and all BC registered riders with insurance. What is the legal issue here? If the insurance provided by TLI is the same as BC, this could result in two claims being made which could be illegal.
It would be interesting to see what the TLI insurance covers compared to BC's insurance. Also could BC block such events, or BC registered riders, riding in TLI events?
It is certainly worth looking at the TLI as a frame work.
Brian Barnett
Now that the EuroVets link with TLI has been officially announced, the public debate regarding fees could really take off. If a rider can get a whole seasons racing for £10 under the TLI banner, with no staging fee imposed for organisers, it stands to reason that more competitions will be taking a long hard look at this route.
For example regional leagues, who in effect run their own show anyway, may decide that a flat rate of £10 is a much better, and cheaper, option than collecting the BC rider levy at every meeting.
I fear that BC have opened a can of worms with their imposition of increased fees. Would the sport have even looked at cheaper alternatives before the recent price hikes? Maybe not. But now we have investigated a little it's quite clear that our sport can operate at much reduced costs.
I personally cannot see what the levy will do to improve CS racing, in fact best guess is will hit participation levels. There is clearly an alternative out there. If BC are serious about looking after the interests of CS let's hope they recognise the fact. BC should scrap the unfair rider levy before whole sections of the sport decide to operate outside of their control.
Tim Jarvis
BACK TO COALVILLE AGAIN posted 11 February 2014
Having just read Terry Kirkup's letter of concern and heard that Fred Rothwell is going away from British Cycling with the Eurovets, I checked my calendar and it is still February, not April 1st.
Hopefully Commission chairman Graham Elliot reads Spokesman or I think we are all doomed. The comments of both parties are truly noteworthy and show clearly how the battle is being lost. Come on Cycle Speedway Commission! Get a grip of your masters, the BC. or we will be back in Coalville once again.
Bill Gill VCSRA
PS VCSRA will be at Paradise Wildlife Park at Broxbourne on Sunday at the High Beech Speedway celebrations. Hope to see you there at the scene where it all begun High Beech, Epping Forest.
Once again we see great coverage of our sports current status within the pages of Spokesman as it manages to keep us all informed. And it was heart-warming to read that the overall feel seems to be one of relief after CoalvilleGate, if I may christen it such. That was certainly the overriding mood of the meeting, although had it been held in November there may have been a different, darker outcome.
Tim Jarvis and Ross Mee obviously err on the side of self-betterment for cycle speedway and their wonderfully researched arguments, combined with those of Joe McLaughlin, Graham Sutton and Paul Bodley certainly carried a lot more weight for me than anything Ive heard from Stuart Street, Manchester since our re-birth up here.
However, I have a feeling that the somewhat pressurised optimism currently being portrayed may well, by this time next year, have faded into the depths of history as clubs decide they cannot, after all, afford to run under the revised financial terms of 2014.
If a BC-prompted master plan emerges for the salvation of our sport and doesnt include a fairly dramatic monetary u-turn, I am pretty sure my own club will be at risk and seeking an alternative strategy. We have just undergone an intensive bout of forward planning by our treasurer Jim Smith and myself. If others find themselves in a similar situation regarding funds, as some have already indicated, then I fear once more that 2014 will indeed be a very short stop-gap measure and the whole thing could sadly be up for a much more decisive and far-reaching debate again.
With a platform of only thirty clubs nationwide, I am simply astounded that British Cycling could even consider the current fee changes and have no realisation of the harm this would do. Then again, if we envisage the BC hierarchy as being our equivalent to politicians, then maybe its no surprise. Old news? Yes, but I think the next nine months could prove extremely useful to those very experienced hands outside BC with our future well-being firmly in mind and the will to put things right, if necessary!
Can I close with a potentially really stupid request, hoping that someone else wants the answer but isnt daft enough to ask, and that I havent missed the obvious somewhere?
Can anyone tell me exactly which types of event, regional league, local league, training session or any other you can think of, will attract the rider levies? And just to complicate that a little, we may be somewhat unique up here in that we are a school-based club. If the school wants to use the track when we arent racing, (and yes, the school does want to) does it have to pay the levy when its pupils and its after-school bike club uses the track? And our local Sustrans Officer also wants to run track sessions with local junior schools. Does he have to pay the levies? Please dont tell me to ask BC!
And extending that a bit further, as a Go-Ride club, do all our Go-Ride participants also pay the levy when they ride or are they exempt? If the levy is insurance cover I suppose they must! As one of the major attractions of being directly controlled by BC I hope we arent going to be punished for running these sessions.
I apologise if Im dragging this out but wed like the definitive on all of these points before the season starts.
Terry Kirkup Northumberland Vikings CSC
WONDERFUL PHOTOS posted 6 February 2014
What a wonderful set of photos from the 50s of Leamington Devils versus Binley Bees! I have not noticed them before, what a find. Look at that crowd!
Looks like most were on a good old 48 x 18 gearing too. Slow of the grid and wind it up!
Dave Huntings site is a wonderful nostalgic journey.
Ron Cornell
What is the reason that the British national jerseys are not allowed to have a narrative on them?
Mick Harley
Australia
Editors Comment We really dont know Mick. The jerseys are usually ceremonial and commemorative, so we see no reason why the championship title cannot be incorporated as it has been for decades. Its a bit like having a trophy without the engraving on it!
I read with interest the letter from Danny Harper about the recent agreements made by South West region regarding loan back of riders. If you check back to the 17th December on Viewpoint I raised concerns about this type of decision being made to help some and not others, although at the time I was more concerned about regions interpreting the ruling different to other regions, not the same region between differing clubs!!
I obviously don't know the riders concerned nor the Elite League club(s) involved, but its apparent that its the regional league club Southampton that is 'ailing' and so being given this help. If however as Danny says the riders being loaned back are actually Southampton riders then the only clubs gaining are the Elite League clubs for British Team etc.
As far as implications are concerned - well I will be suggesting to Wednesfield that they look at Craig Marchants move from Leicester and those of Marcus Wadhams and Mark Winwood - why not sign them on a full and loan them back to their 'ailing' clubs Leicester and Birmingham??
John Heard
It's been a while so I thought I would have a pre-season rant.
The South West region (not the committee) need to have a look at themselves and be ashamed, to allow thee loans to Southampton and reject one loan to Swindon. In my opinion is simply unfair and I just wonder if there is some hidden agenda when it comes to Swindon and the region.
I'll state the facts so I'm not misleading anyone. Swindon asked the region or committee if the club could loan Steve Harris to race in the South West from Poole. This was rejected (quite rightly so in my opinion) as we are currently not an ailing club and it would have just been a case of strengthening our first team - so I have no issues with that decision.
However when I found out Southampton were granted three loans in the very same meeting I was a little bit annoyed that ours got rejected. The three riders that Southampton are to be loaned are Southampton riders!!!
If the three riders stayed at Southampton on a first and got an Elite licence to an additional club, Southampton could field the same eight riders and no loans would have been required, so basically the region have bowed down to rider power. These loans should not have been approved and the region should have told the club to tell their riders to stay at Southampton and take out the Elite league licence if they wish to get additional racing.
This decision would have had a massive negative impact on our season/club if it wasn't for Steve Harris to then make a decision to have a first registration to Swindon to enable him to ride for us, so I am delighted to say Steve will be a team-mate of mine for the upcoming season, alongside Neil Power who has also transferred to Swindon on a first registration, Welcome to you both.
It's a shame to see that club and riders are still exploiting a rule that will enable them to have their cake and eat it. The Elite League licence should have encouraged all riders to return to their hometown clubs (like Craig Marchant and Thomas Reed) and, if they wish to get additional racing, by taking out an elite licence. If we all did that I firmly believe our hometown clubs would reap the benefits. Also the BTC will become a much more open competition, hopefully with more entries (if BCF made the closing deadline later on in the season).
These are just my views and not the views of Swindon CSC.
Daniel Harper
I had seen the points you mention in your editors comment following my last posting. Although the forms issued by BC state race and insurance levies , page 45 of the handbook has the £1:50p listed under the heading column of race levy, not insurance and, as youths do not pay levies, hence no fee payable one would surmise.
By the way on the same page the £3 fee is listed as HQ registration fee, not a levy as per the forms. Confused ? Us or BC?
John Burston
SPORT WILL SURVIVE REGARDLESS
Terry Kirkups excellent piece just about sums up of the present situation. Just one thing, Terry, do not be too downbeat. The sport will survive, whatever the outcome of Saturdays meeting.
Before you all hot foot it off to the crucial meeting, read Vic Hainess piece on Viewpoint dated 29th November. Nobody has put CS into perspective better. (Vic was a very successful cycle speedway rider and then turned his talent to road racing).
Ron Cornell
UNDER-16S DONT PAY LEVIES posted 24 January 2014
With the meeting in Leicester taking place tomorrow to discuss the possible future direction of cycle speedway, I have read with interest the various warnings to go carefully and the different viewpoints as regards what has brought this to a head.
The latest autocratic dictat from British Cycling re the new fees and levies and the way it was introduced, undoubtedly was the spark to a fuse that has been ready to ignite for a long time. Had it not been this incident, i suggest that it would have been something similar in the near future.
However, with my experience in running and organising and competing in cyclo-cross in the past, something didnt seem to fit, so I perused the latest BC handbook and it all became clear.
Page 28, sec 3.7.3. no levies shall be paid by competitors in youth (under-16s) events.
Page 50.sec 5.catergorises the various youth groups as we already recognise them in cycle speedway and means, as far as I see, the situation that any youth event such as British youth and junior league and any local or regional youth only events are free from levies, by BCs own rules, something which was not pointed out by BC when we were notified of the new levies.
Of course this still leaves the problem of the £3 club fees and the levies for the seniors but I am sure that all the parents of the youth cat riders will find a bit of comfort in this, but not I suspect British Cycling.
So let the meeting take this on board, and not decide purely on BCs attempts to raise the cycle speedway costs, but on the equally, if not more important, issues such as are we content with the way BC handles our affairs, are we happy with the autocratic stance they take to cycle speedway issues and the way the Commission has no power to alter or influence any major matters we as a sport may raise.
If so then stay with BC. If not, then the route would seem obvious.
John Burston
Editors Note If you are right that would be great news John. However rule 3.8.6 states: An insurance levy shall be paid by each entrant in all events. This levy which shall be set by National Council shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of Bye Law 3.7 with the exception that it shall also be paid for events on the international calendar and by all Youth category competitors. Bye-law 3.7 relates to race levies and 3.8 to event insurance paid by the individual. Confusing or what! Hopefully Commissioners attending tomorrows meeting can clarify this important point.
John Whiting
Having returned to the sport last year and having no formal connection with a club, I am struggling to find details of the referees course on 16th February that I am considering attending on this website or more importantly British Cycling.
Please can someone direct me to the information I require.
John Carry Winchester, Hants.
Editors Note Interesting you should raise this issue John. Coincidentally, earlier this week we asked national referees co-ordinator Mike Hack for some info, not only about the 16th February course but also a brief resume of what happened on the regional courses. Hopefully Mike will be able to provide that information soon. In the meantime we suggest you contact Paul West at British Cycling. His email is
I took the trouble to write an e-mail to Daniel Harper on 9th January explaining the details and process to register on the regional referees course on 19th January.
Plenty of other people managed to attend the courses without having to contact me for information, so I cannot see why he is blaming me for his inability to register and attend the course.
Mike Hack Referees Officer British Cycling Cycle Speedway Commission
Editors Comment Thank you Mike and Daniel for your contributions. Perhaps this issue is now best debated privately offline.
I'm delighted to hear the referees courses took place on Sunday. I'm still waiting to hear from Mike Hack about details of a course that myself and James Bailey can attend. Oh wait, we have missed it!!!
We both expressed an interest in refereeing back in November at the request of Paul West's email and as of yet we have heard nothing from Mike.
I just hope British Cycling or the Commission don't moan about having a shortage of referees anytime soon when people are struggling to even be acknowledged about refereeing.
Daniel Harper
In reply to Nick Stephens - yes it is sad to see the demise of East London, once a formidable club in years gone by.
Over the 2012/2013 seasons I was at East London a lot, producing photos, along with videos, which are on my website, and can be download for free! The question is how much of this material was used to promote or used on the club website? The London Old Masters, a good event, now disappeared, from the East London calendar. Why?
I myself, yes I do have health issues. As I am not driving, East London is easy for me to get to. It's would be a shame for it to close. Having been out of the club scene since Great Wakering, maybe now the time to be back involved with a club. I don't know but I'm now limited as to travelling.
An idea maybe to stage a London Classic before the season start, inviting the top riders of the sport, along with 'say' an under-16. Get this in the media eye, It's worth considering.
Brian Barnett
The fight for survival at East London is the same as is being felt by many clubs, however it is none less sad all the same. From London formerly being a stronghold of cycle speedway, to now, a one club town, is depressing to watch and completely frustrating to understand. There are a myriad of reasons why this has happened, some ably retold in the "Jockstrop" rantings of recent. However it all boils down primarily, to a lack of interest in a sport that has its roots in a time and place when there was very little else to do.
That said, with the retirement this year of Denis Hubble, East London not only find themselves without a consistent points scorer, but more crucially one more man down on an already skeleton squad. The club have tried to engage the local schools and Council with little success, however with Dave Fleming playing a bigger role in the club this year, there is some hope.
What the club needs is support, not only on the riding front, but also in the backroom. There must be some ex riders out there who could spare some time to keep the club running, anything at all would help.
So come on, you Londoners! Please support the last remaining club in the Capital!
Nick Stephens
In any physical contact sport, the referee has to be strong and decisive. Ours is a fast moving, intense sport and tempers can flare. The referee (a volunteer) is there to do his best and deserves respect for trying to do a difficult job as best as he/she can.
Referees are not machines, have no redress to slow-mo etc, so their decision is given on what they see from inside the track. They get it wrong, only human, and this is where conflict arises.
Graham Elliott is right to support the referees but any disciplinary meeting would benefit from having somebody from CS on the panel, who would have a more knowledgeable insight and be able to offer a fair opinion.
Hopefully the conferences will touch on the need for greater communication between riders and officials and reduce the conflict, therefore bettering the sport for everyone.
John Whiting
MISTRUST OF BRITISH CYCLING posted 14 January 2014
Good to read the article by Graham Sutton, obviously written before BC imposed the levies and decided that telling the Cycle Speedway Commission beforehand was unimportant.
This was completely disrespectful to the sport and Commission and probably nullified any positivity from Graham's article. There is on the whole general mistrust of BC within the cycle speedway fraternity. Why is this? The article directly below Graham Sutton's shows the promises made by BC and those not kept, almost all of them.
In our years with BC what have we actually gained? More publicity, more clubs, larger membership, any support from BC at grass roots? On the whole no, new or newish clubs like East Park, Bretford, Northumbria, Glasgow, Coventry have done all the work themselves with little or no BC support . In that time we have lost established clubs like Stoke and Sandwell , whilst Leicester are having to rebuild.
Five chairmen in four years perhaps demonstrates BC lack of interest in cycle speedway. Until there is a massive shift change within BC, cycle speedway will continue to have this hate relationship.
The imposition of the levies plus the horrendous fines once again demonstrates that BC only see us as a cash cow. Not a single contributor has come out and supported BC and their poorly timed statement.
Often touched on before, the whole of cycle speedway was successfully managed in the "garden shed", managed by two ladies who worked part time. This was before the electronic age we now encompass and endure. Given the numbers of riders and clubs involved, anyone with business acumen could run cycle speedway on a budget of £10-15k max, so what are the extra charges for?
Hopefully all Graham's hard work won't be totally wasted. Perhaps the good feedback from the SE meeting with our new chairman is the start of something good for the sport. Lets really hope so, as currently BCs standing with cycle speedway cant be any lower.
John Whiting
Having just read the comments on Spokesman about adding colour to rider's racing attire I would like to add my own views on the subject.
John Whiting makes excellent points but why, oh why, does Dave Mould have to, once again, blame the woes of cycle speedway on people from the Sixties? I rode in the Fifties and Sixties but I totally agree that the sport could do with some colourful characters. I was under the impression that most of today's riders wore lycra suits. Why not let the riders wear their own design in lycra for individual events but wear a club vest for team matches, with their club badge on the front and their team number stuck on the back with Velcro.
Organisers of individual events would be responsible for providing competitors with numbered vests with the organiser's logo on the front of the vest. These vests could be kept by participants as a memento of the event. For the benefit of Dave Mould, back in the late Forties, early Fifties riders wore a variety of attire to race in. Some even wore their Sunday Best suit complete with tie!
Some went to a match straight from work and rode in their working overalls. Others used motor cycle riders gauntlets and boots. Some wore long white silk scarves and others bought their racing gear from the local Army Surplus Store! So you see, we were keen on being individuals even back then.
Gerry Escott
How pleased I was to see Alan Taylor winning the Wilkinson Sword.
I remember well as a raw junior in the mid Seventies that Alan was a very fair competitor, more so with junior riders. He must also take credit for producing a conveyer belt of junior talent over the decades.
If you want to be heard, speak softly, was a famous quote from the great Liverpool manager Bob Paisley. I think that could also apply to Alan, the quite man of cycle sport.
Frank Morris Moscow
There has already been much said about the drastic charges BC have imposed and the effect it's going to have on the sport. It will certainly affect everyone and especially the younger riders, those who we are trying to attract into the sport and retain.
Sadly, and of the utmost concern, is that this increase came about without reference to the Cycle Speedway Commission, the body appointed by British Cycling to act as the interface between the sport and BC.
If they were uninformed this can only be construed as a total lack of respect to the members and the sport in general.
Finally the question must be asked - why this hike? I haven't heard of many injuries sustained either on or off a cycle speedway track. We manage the whole event ourselves with unpaid volunteers, and in terms of outlay pay to St Johns for first aid cover. Any subs are usually for the upkeep of the track and presentation of meetings. Very few clubs attract enough funds to run.
Subs are usually a minimal amount and especially the smaller newer clubs are trying to ensure they sustain membership at a reasonable rate. Don't forget we pay all our own costs, bikes, clothing, transport etc.
The remainder of BC discipline require marshals, potential Police support, road closures, wholesale risk assessments, electronic timing devices etc none of which are applicable to CS.
Are we once again contributing to the BC coffers without any benefit to OUR sport.
John Whiting
The reported introduction of match registration and rider levy fees is, in my opinion, a major threat to the future of cycle speedway in Scotland. The additional £30 or thereabouts per match that clubs and/or riders will have to find means an additional £500 of expense over the course of a year, which on top of £300 travel costs for every away match, begins to put cycle speedway on the same rather expensive footing as road cycling rather than the relatively inexpensive entry level cycling discipline I've always viewed it as.
I for one am extremely proud of cycle speedway's roots and I've been delighted to watch the progress of a number of youngsters, none of whom have unlimited financial resources but all of whom have great energy and commitment, at Redbraes Park over the couple of seasons.
The timing of the announcement also leaves a lot to be desired as up in Edinburgh we agreed our rider subscriptions at our December AGM, therefore it would be fair to say that the club now finds itself in the very difficult position of trying find £500 we most certainly hadn't budgeted for.
Gavin Kennedy Club Secretary Edinburgh Falcons CSC
CLUBS MAY DOUBLE UP TO SAVE MONEY posted 10 January 2014
Having read about the increase in fees imposed by British Cycling, as the fees will now be charged on a days rate, I can see clubs doubling or trebling up their matches at many tracks to save money. Then BC will change this ruling! At this rate the season could be over by the beginning of May!
Regarding the increase in insurance premiums, how many claims have cycle speedway made since joining BC?
It's time for our Commission to address such matters with BC. As I have said before it's time for a mandate for change.
Brian Barnett
I was delighted to hear that Alan Taylor had been awarded the Wilkinson Sword.
When I started riding, nearly 30 years ago, Alan was just retiring from racing but still giving sterling service to the sport in various other roles. I was therefore surprised to find that he had started riding again in his Fifties, over a decade after he retired.
Apparently, he was planning to ride just for a few weeks to help boost a numerically-challenged Tameside team. According to the record books, this brief comeback lasted about seven years!
Patrick Beacock
SWORD DEFINITELY DESERVED posted 9 January 2014
I have just read the article about Alan Taylor and would like to thank him for that recognition and comments about his time with Didsbury. Alan and Gordon, his brother, were true gents and it was a pleasure to have managed them during the short career with Didsbury.
Well done Alan. You definitely deserve it.
Keith Wingrove
JUST REWARD posted 9 January 2014
I agree that it is really good to see one of the hard working but not in your face members of the cycle speedway family being recognised with the Wilkinson Sword.
Alan and i go way back and have mainly had the same aims with coaching and training the younger elements of a team and club, Alan in the east of Manchester and myself in the north.
The quiet man of cycle speedway has always been one of those people who work tirelessly in the background and nobody sees but without whom the racing and indeed the club would not happen.
Congratulations Alan. Just reward for all the work you put into the sport.
John Burston
Regarding Alan Taylors Wilkinson Sword award, it may be a surprise to Alan on winning theaward but is very well deserved.
If it wasnt for the likes of Dave Blinston, Ken Taylor and especially Alan, I would not have got to most of my British under-15 and 18 qualifiers and finals during the early to mid Eighties and I wasn't even a Denton/Tameside rider!!!
Until the best part of last season, Id been out of the sport for 19 years. To see Alan still giving his time and energy to the Stockport club and helping Stockports current juniors getting around the country is great to see.
Well deserved.
Paul Graham
UNSUNG HERO DESERVES AWARD posted 8 January 2014
Congratulations to Alan Taylor of Stockport on winning the Wilkinson Sword Award of Merit.
Nice to see one of the unsung heroes of our sport being deservedly honoured after many years of great service at Tameside/Stockport.
Well done!
Pete Young and Dave Young. CONGRATULATIONS ALAN posted 8 January 2014
Congratulations to a worthy recipient of the Wilkinson Sword. Well done Alan Taylor
John Whiting
Reference the article about cycle speedway coaching courses, I have queried this before. I, like many, have no interest in any other of BC disciplines. I cannot see why we cannot develop a cycle speedway coaching course.
I think I have something to add in terms of coaching, having a decent record as a rider, manager, referee (honest!) and also professionally where part of my remit focused on personal development of both individual and team objectives.
Good luck to Gavin and Terry who will be successful I'm sure, I just haven't the time.
John Whiting
When I read the news that the national champions jersey was up for sale on eBay, it sadden me deeply as to why someone would want to sell such a prized possession?
Then after five minutes thought I came to the conclusion that's it's probably the best chance I'll ever get to owning one - so I put a bid in!
Paddy Wenn Norwich Stars CSC
MORE COLOUR MAKES SENSE posted 18 December 2013
Many years ago whilst serving on the Commission I proposed that racing trousers should all be black. That was poo-pooed as the sport needed brightening up. Indeed I think part of the attraction for BMX is that the riders can wear any colour they want, and in any combination.
Wait, I know BMX is primarily an individual event, so it doesn't count. I think the Commission are perfectly correct in insisting that for team matches, all tops and trousers should be the same. It happens in every other sport so well done for that rule.
However having seen some of the differing racing apparel used by Individuals in Australia, I think BC and the Commission have missed a real opportunity to brighten up the sport.
For individual events, as long as it's evident which club you are racing for, why not have an individualistic approach. It's not very long ago that wheels were all chrome/steel coloured. Now, thanks to the efforts of Archie and others, frames and wheels are all colours, even pink. No one complains about that. It's good for the sport.
So come on Commission! Let's put our thinking caps on and agree uniform colours for team events and some colour in individuals. You know it makes sense.
John Whiting
GOTHS AND HEARSES posted 18 December 2013
Well, it's great to see that all the major cycle speedway venues for 2014 have been declared with no dates? These dates should be set in stone for every calendar year for clubs that wish to host them! Why is it that other clubs can give a 2014 itinerary but others cannot! Does cycle speedway come second to other sports?
Travelling to and from venues? I thought East Newport were a forward thinking club purchasing a mini bus! But as we need riders to be dressed in black surely clubs should be looking out for a good second hand hearse for all the bikes, with an eight seat limousine for the team riders?
Seems we don't like colour at all within the sport. Should we have black saddle, black wheels, black seat, black helmet and gloves, all with the gothic look! Just sums this sport up in one. It's very clear that some are still stuck in the 60's and do not want this sport to progress at all.
I wonder what joker is selling his top on eBay? Clearly he doesn't like colour at all which is why it's for sale!
Who has helped Filton survive or Colchester and Stoke move forward and many more. Manchester is the home of British Cycling but they cannot produce a Elite League team. Birmingham a strong club destroyed due to lack of toilets. Should have dressed down!
Graham Elliott should have a three year post, as the sport seems to spend more time playing with the rules than moving this sport forward. Regional rules should be scrapped, as we should be all singing of the same hymn sheet to drive the sport forward!
Dave Mould
SUPERB PLANNING posted 18 December 2013
With reference to Dave Hunting's Viewpoint submission regarding Graham Elliott's appointment as chairman and querying whether it was already 1st April, I can confirm it is, having had confirmation that the veterans team finals are to be held on Saturday 5th July 2014.
When arranging the dates was not consideration given to the fact that it was the opening day of the Tour de France (it's been held in this country for those that do not seem to realise).
As a member of a cycling club, like many of our club members, I am eagerly awaiting the Tour de France and have already made arrangements, as had fellow club members, to go and watch the race over the opening weekend. So as a consequence, for the second out of three years (the 2011 debacle when the season ended by June has not been forgotten), it is highly unlikely Hull will be entering a team in what is seen as by the veteran's as the most enjoyable day of the year.
So a big thank you for such superb planning.
Rich Pawson Hull CSC
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