Things have changed - can someone explain?

[Mr Sauce]

I haven't attended speedway for around 20 years now after emigrating to a warmer climate. Whilst browsing the web I stumbled across your site and it prompted me to become interested again. Can someone help me out with the following questions:
1. What happened to the white helmet colour - why is it green?
2. Why don't you have a 30 yard mark anymore. Does this mean that riders can now cut across before the 30yd mark?
3. Why are the engines now mounted horizontally?
4. Is Martin Rogers still promoting? He was my favourite promoter, particularly for the good work he did at Leicester?
5. Which league is better - the Elite or the Premier?
6. When were foreigners allowed to ride in the old National League and why?
7. Has Paul Thorp scored a point at Monmore yet?

[Mr D]

1. The green helmet colour was 'brought in' by SKY TV to correspond with the green button on the handset.

2. The 30 yrd mark never meant riders have to stay straight till they reached the line. The 30 yrd mark was a line to where a rider could recieve 'outside assistence' ( a push if he stalled) not where riders cut across , they can cut across as soon as the tapes rise as long as they dont impead another rider.

3. ' Progress'

4. Dont think he has any connections with speedway now . Ask Wolfgang. ;D

5. Depends who you support I suppose , obviously with us it's the Elite
6. Cant remember , sorry

7. YOU HAVE GOT TO BE JOKING ;D ;D ;D ;D

[wolfgang]

1. AFAIK it hasn't been used by Sky at all, certainly not to any extent that warranted a complete change from white to green in every meeting, whether covered by Sky or not. It causes unnecessary confusion for those of us who suffer from colourblindness (approximately 9 percent of the male population, and so approximately 9 percent of male spectators, 9 percent of referees, 9 percent of riders etc etc). It's really difficult to distinguish between two riders in similar leathers, when at a glance their helmet colours also look similar (red/green or yellow/green). A speedway race isn't long enough to waste several seconds trying to work out what the helmet colour is. It's more of a problem when the only light comes from the floodlights.

2. They can cut across wherever they like, always have. Some can also roll before the tapes rise (Hamill for one).

3. A lower centre of gravity, so they say. Fashion, more like it.

4. No. He emigrated to the Gold Coast in Australia where I think he is doing journalism again. His son, Martin junior (imaginative choice of name), was a successful junior table tennis exponent. I'd say Rogers gave Leicester the kiss of life that allowed it to stay alive for four seasons more than looked likely at the end of 1979. Although he had his faults, all of today's promoters could learn from Rogers' value-for-money approach and his ability to raise the Lions' profile on the local radio and in the local rag. How many other promoters have had their own weekly local radio spot and a weekly column in the local paper? He claims to have lost money on only one meeting at Leicester - a juniors-only match.

5. Depends what you mean by 'better'. The Elite is home to most of the GP riders, but the points limit means some very ordinary riders (even by Premier League standard) are used to make the numbers up. The Elite isn't better in terms of number of teams - 8 teams isn't exactly the sign of a healthy league.

6. By 'foreigners' I presume you mean non-EU riders. Not sure exactly but employment law probably prevents discrimination on the grounds of nationality. If a rider is permitted to ride here, then I'd guess he has to be treated the same as a rider who qualifies by being from an EU nation.

7. LOLOLOLOLOLOL

[Mr X]

Mmmmm... I think this is a wind up.

Worcester sauce perhaps?

[Jasper]

Wolfgang said:

(approximately 9 percent of the male population, and so approximately 9 percent of male spectators, 9 percent of referees, 9 percent of riders etc etc).

Just out of interest - what percentage of women suffer from colour blindness or is it just a male 'thing'

[Pieman]

Believe it or not, only men can be colourblind.

As most women seem to think men are inferior nowadays, this is a lot more than 9 per cent true.

[Jasper]

Pieman said:

Believe it or not, only men can be colourblind.

As most women seem to think men are inferior nowadays, this is a lot more than 9 per cent true.

Inferior? I would never think that...................we are all equal but some are more equal than others ;D ;D ;D

[wolfgang]

Believe it or not, only men can be colourblind.

Don't believe it. It's about 1 percent of women. It's a genetic thing. There are degrees of colourblindness, so you can be colourblind but not experience any difficulties.

Interestingly, for those who are interested, in America a number of employers are introducing colourblindness tests for jobs that require some colour recognition, and are dismissing colourblind employees who have done their job perfectly well. Although we all joke about it, colourblindness is a kind of disability.

Try this link for a quick test:
www.toledo-bend.com/colorblind/Ishihara.html

[Jasper]

Wolfgang said:

Try this link for a quick test:
www.toledo-bend.com/colorblind/Ishihara.html

Very interesting link thanks and as you said it must be difficult if you have the condition. What other problems does it cause you? Is it only red and green that get mixed up?

You will not be surprised to know that having done the test myself - I am perfect ;D

[wolfgang]

The biggest problem it gives me is people asking me what colour something looks like to me.

[lupus]

Wolfgang said:

The biggest problem it gives me is people asking me what colour something looks like to me.

;D ;D ;D

[Mr X]

So how do you get on with traffic lights then Wolfgang?

[Jasper]

MM2 said:

So how do you get on with traffic lights then Wolfgang?

I should imagine you stick your foot down, close your eyes and just go for it.......................

[wolfgang]

So how do you get on with traffic lights then Wolfgang?

Same as at the speedway. It might be red, it might be green.

[Mr D]

Jasper said:

I should imagine you stick your foot down, close your eyes and just go for it.......................

You've seen him drive as well then ;D ;D ;D ;D