AndyO

Still gutted there was no place for Alex Spooner.. damn those averages!

Interesting article. It was actually sent to me by a long time friend who had previously no interest in speedway however knew that I was a fan. he found it really interesting and is now talking to me about attending a meeting when we can....

I guess you are right... I do think it was definitely due to be at Leicester though...

I think it was last week?

Wow... always up for a reasoned and rational debate however when you get comments like this it's difficult to know where to start!

Just wanted to note the recent passing of Pat. Whilst never a star he was riding for Canterbury when I attended my first ever meeting as a 10 year old in 1968 and even then to me he looked like someone from the past with his WW2 goggles and his long scarf over his face, pretty sure he had white boots at the time also. Always had time for the kids and was usually smiling broadly.. Its riders like Pat that make speedway and he left a lasting impression on me at the time. R.I.P.

Well if referees were quicker with the 2 mins and riders had to be at the gate and ready to start in that time, start marshal's were 'empowered' to be more strict with riders ignoring them when called in to start and riders anticipating that start did not lead to a re-start with re-fuelling, etc.. then curfews would become academic as a meeting would be run in the vast majority of cases well within the two hours... Also hi Bob haven't seen you for years!

I think Neville was Kevin's uncle..

Looks like he scored 8 points in a 'Stars of Tomorrow' at Canterbury on 24th May which was won by Neville Brice with 11pts - incidentally Barry Thomas was also in the meeting and scored 9 and came 7th. I actually remember this meeting as Charlie Coleman scored 11 and came 3rd after a run-off.. Charlie was a good sidecar driver on the grass tracks but pretty sure this was his first appearance on a speedway bike so pretty impressive. He made a few appearances at reserve for the Crusaders after that however there was a lot of competition for the reserve slots with riders like Graham Banks, Alan Kite and Jake Rennison amongst others looking for the team place...

Well if he was 61 in 2010 the date of birth of 1950 would just about add up... if it is him he must have done pretty well business wise after speedway... at least until the tax man caught up with him!

Classic Speedway magazine had him down as starting his riding career with Aldershot in 1950 however he would have been 24/25 in 1948 so I guess it's possible?

Apologies as I suspect that this has been brought up before however I am aware that 'hard surface' starting grids have been used in the past which would seem to get around the interminable 'gardening' before each race - anyone know why they did not catch on?

All part of the game in my view, have to say if I were a ref I would take a certain amount of pleasure in letting the tapes go just as the rollers were pulling back from the tapes!

That would make sense I guess... have to say that the faffing around before each race is probably the single most annoying thing for me. Personally I didn't mind the riders pushing the tapes and trying to get a roller as it adds something but the re-starts because someone moves fractionally or manages to anticipate the start are really frustrating..

Been following this thread with interest and have to say that I am glad that I purchase my copy from our local Sainsbury's on my weekly trip out.. the highlight of my week!

Agreed, plenty of scope to make this a really interesting meeting, however just a practice session unfortunately...

Just wanted to say that despite the scoreline your lads rode their hearts out on Monday against the Kings, Tom Woolley a credit to your team.

Hi, Anyone know if the Kings are having a press & practice day at all?