stratton

Always wondered could Mike Bast have been a force in world speedway? See him at White City in 1977 and i think that year him and Penhall didnt get the practice they were promised.Did think Wimbledon were going to sign him never happened could he of mastered the big tracks and been a star outside of USA? what do people think.

My all time favourite tracks would be Hyde rd, Swindon, The Shay, Sheffield, and Exeter.Wondered what others FEEL also King,s lynn would be right up there a great track.From today i havent been, but want to go to Redcar, and Scunny both look good exciting tracks.Newcastle i havent been since1983 would love to have a weekend there as the track now looks in great shape.Going through yesteryear didnt we have a massive variation in sizes of tracks different challenges for a rider often a rider might only visit a away track once a year.Having this variation must of been hard for riders to choose the right gearing,s (ect)

Was going through all my records, i personally only see Jim ride once how good was he.?Would be nice to know from people who see more of Jim his premature retirement robbed us i believe.His record on the big tracks is superb and by all accounts he took some beating at the Sydney show ground. Any thoughts.!

Going back since i first started going who were the second halfers at Wimbledon in the Mirac years 1968 onwards.Was Tebby, Everett in the side regular? i know Jim was.My memories are of Rob Jones,Shilletto,Brewer,Knowler, Kelvin, Moggo,Cameron,PJohns (ect).

I was looking back and these are three of my favourite ever speedway moments at the great Hyde Rd circuit how good were PC and Mort there? https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LxauiW5fb54 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Gkb3G7C4Qng https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=excw4fGxVbY

What do people think? name six they think could improve?here goes Bates, Thorssell,Fricke,Morris,Andersen, Ellis.

I was sorting through all of my 1976 programmes and it really brought some great memories flooding back.Ashby beating the great Tommy Jansson 2.0 in the helmet at the Abbey Tommy then winning the decider seven days later at Cradley.Finn Thomsen scoring a massive 20 (paid 21 out of 8 rides (on an oversized engine???).And later on in the season Briggo returning with Hull to the Abbey scoring 11 points after a heat 1 exclusion under the time rule.I wondered which of you have similar memories, and particular meetings stick out in your mind 1972 to 1976 were the years i loved the most great days.

"Norbold it pains me to say it but on people's opinions who i respect, and looking at stats i am resigned to the fact that OVE had the edge over Briggo.Really have studied there records closely,so annoying i have not got a terrific amount of 50s stats but it has been enjoyable none the less both two great Legends though.

I will never forget the Oxford round how driven he was to compete, he really wanted to be Champion badly the weird thing is if he had ever reached his goal i think he would of been a good WC.

There were a few Halifax fans who never liked him never took to him certain things happened and were covered up he made some silly race moves.For me like you said he was a very fast rider at his best,and after 82 he took his eye off the ball had business dealings going on and injuries took its toll.He was a very good rider good anough to win a WC but it never happened i really enjoyed watching him though his BLRC wins were terrific.

As usual "Norb i got it wrong again!! with Arthur (age) not to worry eh! When only five years old my mate Gary Belcher can always remember him sliding around his slabs outside his kitchen on a chopper bike.With a Swindon race jacket on with No 1 on it with the name Barry Briggs on it i will never forget that, wish i had that race jacket now Happy Christmas Norbold to you and your family.

Be interesting to know who these people WERE that he alienated? Berry was a strong individual and it is just what the sport needs now.Also not alot is spoken about how GOOD he was at man management, Mike Lee said he was superb helped him alot when he was younger.Ok he was not everyone's cup of tea,but certain people in speedway at the time were scared stiff that Berry would change things for the better for the WHOLE of the sport it never happened a big miss for me.

Spot on 'screamer" mostly all the folk i know that are speedway supporters have gone since they have been young uns.These supporters very rarely just start going in there twenties,for me all those suggestions you made are terrific also some families like Football can't always afford to go to both in a week certainly if they have two kids.To make it a bit cheaper would help,maybe dont even charge for kids,these kids are the ones speedway need to be coming back in the next twenty years plus,a really hard question this how to sell speedway.

Not at his age now Boocock, and would he of wanted to do it in the past more and likely a big NO but he would have been as good as anyone i have known in the last twenty years or so easily.Steachmann no disrespect what has he done talks well looks modern but he would not be tough anough for tough decisions Boocock certainly would of been certainly in his Pom.

Ian Thomas is a fine example as why speedway has never moved on, Thomas was a fine promoter and businessman why would he let go to his piece of the pie.How many other Ian Thomas's have we had in speedway quite a few over the years that is why speedway has never progressed or moved on.Forget John then Eric Boocock would of done for me seen everything what do you think Humph.?

But Humph you tend to forget Berry was TOUGH,had his brush with certain people but moved on.If he was put in the position which alot of us wanted to be paid but to be IMPARTIAL he would of done it.In speedway in within people i know you are the only person i know who has objected to him ok he was prickly at times but boy he knew what he was doing.

Give him the benefit of the doubt "hagon cracked me up listening to your response happy Christmas mate.

Totally right could do with John now, being realistic as Fraser said (we are are doomed) i think the product generally the racing is good but the sport is going nowhere harsh but true.

Totally agree that Mike Patrick picture i have love the picture in red leathers presume most of us have or have seen it what a style.Looking back Tommy could of faced PC,Lee,Olsen Ivan at his peak how us the public missed out he would of won titles i am sure of it.

Great style Jack had what a rider for me, Vic Duggan even ousted him style wise and later on Leigh Adams, ok Leigh did not win a WC what a style he had.I was lucky to see him everyweek a real treat he was like SIMMO they looked like they were racing in a armchair never in trouble in total control.

People within the sport looking after there own interests? nothing has really changed Steve since JB i was not always a fan of John but he grew on me and could of changed the direction of British Speedway.

You were unlucky Norbold bigtime my uncle raved on about Crutcher never took any notice at all researched his record decades later well.Forrest he retired really young didnt he was he 27/ 29.? a real racer gutsy.

Great to hear hope Glasgow do well and hopefully the sport moves on.

John Berry as you have said WK in the past what a miss, ok he would of ruffled a few feathers but he might have done it a massive opportunity missed.

What would you do WK? it is not easy but us two are both old farts and there are not many in line to take our place.I recon a 12 pound entrance fee for example at Swindon as a start try to tempt a few people back and stick to the double point rule( only joking i hate it as well.