Jump to content
British Speedway Forum

jblanch69

Members
  • Content count

    7
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Community Reputation

0 Neutral
  1. jblanch69

    A Letter fron Ove

    Hello dear friends, It's been so long since I last updated this newsletter, you must have thought I had forgotten all about it. It's not so! The reason is that I have had my birthday, not any old birthday, it was my seventieth, and I always promised myself, if I'm still around until that day, I will celebrate. So that what I have done, to start with, I decied to walk from France to my party in Sweden. I spent 3 weeks doing it, carrying a packpack, with all I needed for the trip. Lots of people, including my wife, Ioana, have asked me, why did I do it. Well, I guess, most of all I wanted to show myself that life isn't over just because you are seventy. And let me tell you, I enjoyed every mile and minute, not once did I regret my decision. We had a lovely party, in my hometown Tranas and on the nearby lake Sommen. Not even in my dreams, did I think that so many friends and supporters would remember "my big day", with presents, cards, e-mails o.s.o. The towncounsel of Tranas, presented me with a leather bond album, there were pictures, signatures of all the counsel members and a paragraph from a counsel meeting at wich a decision was taken to erect a statue of me!!! I will take this opportunity to thank everyone of you for making the day a most memorable one. While in Sweden, my intention was to see the Swedish Grand Prix in Stockholm. I had my tickets and was ready to go, but then, the ticketsellers at Stockholm stadium went on strike, and the event was moved from Stockholm to Avesta, a small town far from the city. I was so disappointed, as I think this was not in line with Benfield Sports idea of bringing speedway back to the big cities stadiums, that I did not go.Instead I watched it on tv. It turned out to be a good meeting, so maybe I was wrong. After beeing away for almost two months, a lot of work waited for me when I got home and there just hasn't been any time for newsletters.... I did also see the Cardiff G.P.on the screen. One thing that puzzles me, then watching the G.P. riders, is that, apart from Tony Richardsson, most of the boys are so brilliant in one meeting, and then riding like a junior in the next... There are still quite a few G.P's left, so we must wait and see what happens. I will go to the Scandinavian G.P. in Gothenburg, hope to meet some of you there. Until then, have a wonderful summer, Ove. Thought some of you would appreciate me posting this. JB
  2. Trevor Meeks has put his speedway photographic catalogue on line for potential puchasers and collectors. http://www.speedwayimagebank.co.uk There you go CHK, he mave many pictures of yer maun SH at Custom house for sale perhaps.
  3. jblanch69

    Internationale

    Does anyone remember the first of these events held at Harringay about 1961. It seems with the UK losing the world final at Wembley for the first time ever to Malmo that year. The Internationale was organised to give us here a sudden death event with the top riders in the world taking part. Living in New Cross I travelled across London by tube with a friend (I was 12). The night was the warmest of the year and the first aid people had to go into the crowd due to people fainting. The meeting ended all square with Ove fundin and Ronnie Moore having to have a re-run, and what a race. They must have passed and re-passed a dozen times with Ove just getting the nod. What a night. The atmosphere, the racing, the heat. Great memories. I saw a few other later 'Internationals' at Wimbledon too with Ivan Mauger walking away with few. As good as they were they did not have that 'electric' feel of the first one. Or was it just me? ;-)
  4. jblanch69

    Neckerchiefs

    Yes, In Front.
  5. jblanch69

    Peter Craven

    THE PETER CRAVEN MEMORIAL AND REMEMBRANCE SERVICE will be held on 20th SEPTEMBER, 2003 at 3.00 pm AT LIVERPOOL ANGLICAN CATHEDRAL with full choir. Special invitations to PETER'S FAMILY AND FORMER BELLE VUE and EDINBURGH RIDERS and PERSONNEL Free admission - All welcome REFLECTIONS BY OVE FUNDIN, FREDDIE WILLIAMS, PETER OAKES AND THE VSRA CHAPLAIN, THE REVEREND MICHAEL WHAWELL Lunch is available in The Cathedral Restaurant from 11.30 am to 2.30 pm - good, hot food at modest prices. The Car Park is extremely large and free after 12 noon. All enquiries to the VSRA Secretary, Vic White on 01159 736041 or Reg Fearman on 01491 573709 Visit: http://freeespace.virgin.net/pete.craven/index.htm
  6. A prize for the correct answer. Also, in 1963 the world champion Ove Fundin was defeated during the course of the night 3 times, twice in the match and in the second half final at New Cross by the same ride. Another prize for the person who can get this right. Ove is going to kill me for this.
  7. Many of you are aware that for somewhile I have been arranging (with the encouragement and support of Ove Fundin) a fans night 'evening with Ove, Barry Briggs, Ronnie Moore, Bjorn Knutson, Freddie Williams and Peter Collins. Special guest Igor Plechanov. It will be a 'Do not miss event' as the likelyhood of getting all these guys together again in one place is zilch. When Ove met Igor in Russia to make arrangements to visit the UK, Igor had to travel on a train for 4 days from one side of the country to the other where Ove was staying! A lot of effort is going into this event and it is being done for the hell of it and not as a profit exercise. (When half the ticket price will be the cost per head of the buffet and 12 bedrooms have to be booked and paid for). It will be a great night with a few surprises. Les Collins has kindley loaned his replica winged wheel world championship trophy to us so that we can recreate some historic pictures as the riders are today. It will be Ronnie Moore's 70 birthday the day before and Ove a few months later. They are looking to celebrate the occasion 'big time' If you are planning to visit the BSPA show on the same date this is not far from there and starts well after that show finishes. Tickets, (which are limited to 150) only I am afraid but I would ask you if you are available to support this event. Allesley Hotel Coventry on the A45 just outside Coventry in the village of Allesley from 7pm Sunday the 9th of March. Please email me for more details or visit the web site: Thanks....Jim Blanchard http://freespace.virgin.net/jack.parker/fans_night.htm
×

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. Privacy Policy