I remember mine as clear as day. 1975. Exeter v Reading. Bank Holiday Monday. Scorching hot day, travelled to Exeter by bus from the village I lived in with other kids from the village. I was 9 and all the kids used to go to this "speedway" so I asked Mum if I could go. What I saw had me hooked for life. Noise, colour, smell, dirt, speed. I'll never forget that day as long as I live.
It was a BL match & respective number ones Ivan Mauger & Anders Michanek were absent, as they had raced in the World Championship European Final in Bydgoszcz the day before, Mauger won I think with 14 points, I am sure someone will confirm. Anyway, Doug Wyer guested for Exeter, Dave Jessup for Reading. Heat 1 was Humphreys, Jessup, Farrell, Wyer in 71.8 seconds.
Jessup won his 4 remaining races - one as a TS - to complete a 5 ride paid max, Wyer went to score 8 & Exeter won 43-35. The return was at Reading in the evening.