norbold

I reminded him of that night!

Talking of Split Waterman, I was talking to Ove Fundin about him at the Norwich WSRA lunch a couple of weeks ago. He said he visited him in Spain a little while ago and he was in good health and reasonably active still.

Jack Young was another who didn't particularly care which gate he went off as he couldn't gate anyway! He made most of his points from behind. With regard to the ten point averages for the "Big Five", we also shouldn't forget that they went off a 20 yard handicap for three seasons.

Just the 1920s really. By 1929 (after just one year) people were getting fed up with what was more or less a meaningless succession of races that meant very little or nothing. Spectators were crying out for team speedway so they could get behind their riders and support them. I can't help thinking that would be the same feeling today.

The programme was broadcast on 17 October. Here is the link to Wycombe Sound's Listen Again. Click on Wednesday 17 October. The speedway bit is from about 33:24 to 41:20. http://listenagain.wycombesound.org.uk/index.php/shows/the-emperors-bits/

It's just Boaty McBoat Face all over again!

Whilst that is probably true, there is no point in opening it up to popular vote then. Why not just choose the winner in the same way they choose the team or the overseas player of the year?

Yes, I remember that well.

Yes, that's why I didn't include 67!

There is a strong possibility that Ove Fundin would have won every year from 1956 - 1963, making eight in all. The only interruption to that could have been Briggo in 57 and/or 58.

As everyone has a chance to qualify on their own merit either through coming in the first eight in the Grand Prix or through the qualifying system, the picks should go to those who for some reason missed out unluckily, most probably through injury, through these methods. For next year that should mean that Dudek, Zagar and Vaculík are obvious choices. As for the fourth one for next year, personally I would go for either Madsen or Lambert.

I blame Pedersen. Even though it wasn't his fault..

Not just in the 80s.....http://www.bikesportnews.com/news/news-detail/david-miller-bbc-to-ensure-rea-sports-personality-success-is-never-repeated

Tomorrow afternoon I am being interviewed by Wycombe Radio about the history of Wembley Speedway. As well as a starightforwrad history of the track and its star riders, they have asked if I can include one or two "amusing anecdotes". Not being so sure about this, I thought I'd ask here if anyone had anything amusing to say about Wembley. I'm sure there must be something I can say about the exploits of Lionel Van Praag, Split Waterman or Bruce Abernethy, three larger than life characters. Can anyone help with them or anything else? Thank you.

I don't think you can base an opinion on who was the best British rider ever on just one heat. I am sure riders like Tom Farndon, Eric Langton, Peter Craven, Peter Collins, Michael Lee, Mark Loram also rode individual heats that showed the same qualities. Perhaps it's more a matter of long term consistency that makes a rider the best. I'm not saying Tai isn't the best ever, just that there are a lot of things to consider rather than one heat and there is no doubt that Tai is up there with the best. But THE best, that's a really difficult conclusion to reach about any rider.