Post by georgem on Aug 14, 2010 22:40:29 GMT 1
I hope no one minds me mentioning them on the Tiger's forum but they are my first memory of speedway as a 14 year old.
Hearing the noise from my home in Renfrew about 1.5 miles away.
Going for the first time and wanting to see crashes.
Standing at the pits wall, watching the riders close up; the noise and the smell - it seemed stronger then. If only you could bottle it!
Wondering why riders 6 and 7 were called reserves, when they took part - I still do!
Filling in my programme after heat 4 and realising I'd not done it heats 2 and 3 - I still do!
Hearing bikes hit the concrete wall as riders crashed - you'd never have a wall like that these days.
Away team riders noticeably slowing down going into bends 1 and 3 after building up speed on the long straights.
Colin Caffrey digging his left boot into the track to slow down.
The cheer when Colin didn't finish last.
Empty stadium - choose your spot to stand.
Full face helmets being a novelty.
Jawa two valve engines.
Neil Street four valve conversions.
Weslake four valves.
Jawa four valves.
Joe Owen in a class of his own. And didn't he look the part!
Newcastle having, what seemed liked, half a team over 9 point average.
Les Collins' long track style setting a new track record.
Graeme Dawson's checked leathers.
Second halves.
Some riders having personal race bibs in second halves - Pogo Collin's sponsored by Smith's Crisps.
Bull horn handle bars.
Back wheels with no spoiler.
Neil Macfarlane stirring up the crowd.
Believing everything Neil Macfarlane said!
Believing some riders put Nitro Glycerine in their fuel.
Charlie McKinna having his first rides post second half as an under 16.
My first visit to Clitonhill, and wondering what the banking was all about.
Watching the riders load their one bike on the back of a car.
The man in the white coat shouting "Speedway Star, Speedway Mail" then selling old copies, with the price cut off, at the end of the night.
The girl I fancied who regularly stood on the fourth bend with her pal.
Chips wrapped in newspaper on the way home.
Newspaper soaked in vinegar - the next best smell after methanol!
Hearing the noise from my home in Renfrew about 1.5 miles away.
Going for the first time and wanting to see crashes.
Standing at the pits wall, watching the riders close up; the noise and the smell - it seemed stronger then. If only you could bottle it!
Wondering why riders 6 and 7 were called reserves, when they took part - I still do!
Filling in my programme after heat 4 and realising I'd not done it heats 2 and 3 - I still do!
Hearing bikes hit the concrete wall as riders crashed - you'd never have a wall like that these days.
Away team riders noticeably slowing down going into bends 1 and 3 after building up speed on the long straights.
Colin Caffrey digging his left boot into the track to slow down.
The cheer when Colin didn't finish last.
Empty stadium - choose your spot to stand.
Full face helmets being a novelty.
Jawa two valve engines.
Neil Street four valve conversions.
Weslake four valves.
Jawa four valves.
Joe Owen in a class of his own. And didn't he look the part!
Newcastle having, what seemed liked, half a team over 9 point average.
Les Collins' long track style setting a new track record.
Graeme Dawson's checked leathers.
Second halves.
Some riders having personal race bibs in second halves - Pogo Collin's sponsored by Smith's Crisps.
Bull horn handle bars.
Back wheels with no spoiler.
Neil Macfarlane stirring up the crowd.
Believing everything Neil Macfarlane said!
Believing some riders put Nitro Glycerine in their fuel.
Charlie McKinna having his first rides post second half as an under 16.
My first visit to Clitonhill, and wondering what the banking was all about.
Watching the riders load their one bike on the back of a car.
The man in the white coat shouting "Speedway Star, Speedway Mail" then selling old copies, with the price cut off, at the end of the night.
The girl I fancied who regularly stood on the fourth bend with her pal.
Chips wrapped in newspaper on the way home.
Newspaper soaked in vinegar - the next best smell after methanol!