shippy22

From a team strength point of view, I think this years National League has worked well. There are no super strong teams, and no very weak teams, which there have been in many seasons in the past. Some people have suggested only allowing 1 rider over 25 in each team. Apart from being very unfair on riders who start later, it would also result in a bigger difference between the stronger and weaker teams, and also not reduce the costs. Thers are only a certain number of 6.00 point and higher riders under 25, and the better ones would be able to demand higher points money, knowing they would be even more valuable than they are at the moment. Some teams could struggle to put out a competitive team. For example, Isle Of Wight would have to lose 3 riders from Danny Warwick, Lee Smethills, Dean Felton and Nick Simmons. Where would the replacements come from ?. Bearing in mind that other teams would also need more riders under 25, and the richer teams would probably snap up the best ones. This could result in teams like IOW having a very weak side, losing support, and eventually closing. How would that help the National League??

Brian Clark - Peterborough

LOL, I can see why you named those two now .

I think Ian Cartwright started at Crewe. Kenny Carter rode for Newcastle before moving to Halifax. Tom Owen also rode for Barrow and Stoke, and John Jackson rode for Crewe and Stoke.

Adam Allott has ridden for Buxton, Sheffield, Kings Lynn, Stoke , Somerset and possibly a few more teams. Luke Bowen is in his 8th season at Rye House, out of the modern day riders, I think only Michal Makovsky ( 9 seasons at Berwick) can beat that, at one team.

Coventry (12) 74-1 Harry MacLean Rayleigh (4) 68 - 1 Dingle Brown

Agree re Allen Emmett, he did try to ride again after his injury, but struggled in second half races at Rye House. Steve Clarke was another rider who was extremely promising, but 2 bad crashes, both resulting in serious head injuries, finished his career. Andy Fines also had a run of bad injuries, after a very promising start.

I am sure that Justin Elkins rode in Weymouths first Conference League match away at Newport in 2004.

Justin Elkins should be high up the list. I make it that he has ridden for at least 16 teams Arena Essex, Eastbourne, Eastbourne Starlets (CL), Edinburgh, Exeter, Hull, Isle of Wight, Long Eaton, Poole, Reading, Rye House, Stoke, Stoke Spitfires (CL ), Weymouth, Wimbledon & Workington

In contrast to the longest League Career thread, I wondered who has had the shortest League career ever. Lots of riders have only ever ridden 1 match, but there must have been a rider who perhaps crashed on the first bend ( or even looped at the tapes) of his first ever League race, got injured and then never rode another League match. Any nominations.??

Paul Fry made his league debut in 1984, so this coming season will be his 25th season in speedway. If you count Conference League, then Rob Hollingworth started in 1973 ( I think), and was still riding for Boston in 2006, although he did retire for several years in between. I also imagine Malcolm Simmons must be close to the record.

I have always been a Rayleigh/ Rye House fan, but Brian Leonard was my favourite ever rider. My best memory was when he was riding for Oxford in the NL, he overtook Kelvin Mullarkey at Rye House, on the last bend to win a race. This was at a time when Kelvin Mullarkey was not often beaten at Rye House. I seem to remember that Brian Leonard was involved at Reading as a team manager or co-promoter for a short time, after he had finished riding. Not sure what he did after that, but would be interested to know.

One of the contestants on Bargain Hunt today, said he used to be a part time speedway rider. His first name is Ernie, and probably aged about 75, so most likely to have ridden in the 1950s. Probably based at one of the northern tracks. Has anyone any ideas as to who he could be ?

I havent seen the book yet, but will be buying a copy shortly. I remember Brian Foote wore a very large pair of ladies bloomers over his leathers for 1 match, so that could be what he is wearing in the photo !!

Dave Roberts 1984 3 meets for weymouth, 1986 exeter, 20001 somerset Roger Dickerson 1 app for Ipswich in 1982, 2003 boston, 2004 wimbledon (conf) Steve Mildoon 1980 long eaton, 1983 milton keynes, 2000 buxton (conf) Stuart Williams 1985 1 app for Reading, 1986 Exeter, 2002 carmarthen 2003 newport (conf) Kevin Young 1977 oxford, 1981 Weymouth 81, 1982 Milton Keynes Will James 86/87 poole, 2000 st austell Mark Woods - 1987 2 apps for Ipswich, 2004 oxford (conf) Mark Hepworth 1987 Long Eaton 87, 1991/92 sheffield The above were all the same riders, making comebacks after several seasons out of the sport. Steve Clarke 77/78 Boston, 2002/2003 peterboro/wolves conf This is 2 different riders, Steve Clarke who rode for Boston, also rode for Rye House. Paul Taylor, 1984 1 app for exeter, 1985 1 app for cradley, 1994-98 linlithgow Paul Taylor ( Linlithgow) was not the same rider as the one who roder for Exeter & Cradley Not sure about the others.

Bob Garrad Kelvin Mullarkey Ted Hubbard Brian Foote Jens Rasmussen Martin Goodwin Stuart Robson

Coventry and Poole have both operated every season since 1948, closely followed by Swindon and Oxford in 1949. Does anyone know the dates of Coventry and Pooles opening meetings in 1948, to see which one actually holds the record for continuous speedway? Also, following the sad loss of both Powderhall & Exeter stadiums, which I think were both over 100 years old, does anyone know which of the current speedway stadiums is the oldest?

tape2tapevideo Posted Yesterday, 08:42 AM i think the track was built by johnny guilfoyle for his son laurie guilfoyle to practise on.laurie raced second halfs at rayleigh and i think he may of made a few apperances for the rockets. The track was actually in Little Waltham, which is about 4 miles from Chelmsford. It was only a few hundred yards from my house, and as a 10 year old, spent most Saturdays watching the riders training, Johnny Guilfoyle, actually let us ride our pedal cycles round the track a few times. Rayleigh Rockets held their practice session at the track one year, and I also remember Japanes rider Jimmy Ogisu, arriving late one night, and having a practice on the track.