Grachan

Maybe not quite as dramatic but I remember a match around 1987 where King's Lynn were leading at Swindon by 12 points and the Robins come back to win 43-35.

Cliff Anderson and his golden handlebars come to mind.

I got Ivan's autograph once when I was about 14. He was standing at the back of the pits car park talking to Swindon Junior Melvin Soffe, and I was standing there ages with my little autograph book. Eventually he took my book, without breaking away from the conversation he was having, and signed it, then handed it back - still talking away. When I eventually saw his signature it was just an I with a line, right in the middle of my John Davis autograph!

Just to let you know I've added an extra page of photos that were sent to me by Steve and Marty. Click here

Don't have any myself, but try the Video Archive section here: http://www.bellevuezoo.co.uk/

My top 10 of all time for today is as follows: 1. Ivan Mauger – Certainly the greatest rider I ever saw in terms of both stature and ability. When I began going to speedway it was generally accepted that he was the best in the world, in much the same way as Rickardsson is today. His World Final record shows just how dedicated and professional he was. 2. Ove Fundin – Many people say he was the best ever, and it’s possible he was. I never saw him ride during his career, so on that basis I have to put him below Ivan. 3. Tony Rickardsson – It’s hard to judge Rickardsson’s World Championship record against Ivan and Ove because of the Grand Prix system making it more likely that the best rider in the World will win. It’s possible it would have made no difference anyway, but either way a record number of wins looks to be his for the taking. 4. Hans Neilsen/Erik Gundersen – A major case of fence sitting but impossible for me to split them. Hans was by far the better rider, but Erik always seemed to find the edge on the night. 6. Barry Briggs – Would have to be the most famous rider ever, one of the few riders that people with no knowledge of speedway had still heard about. Four World titles and a phenomenal record in the BLRC put him among the greats, though again he was past his best by the time I started going so loses out to Hans & Erik on that basis. 7. Bruce Penhall – who knows what he would have achieved (or Hans & Erik) if he hadn’t retired. He may well have gone on to be the best of all, but we’ll never know. To win the World Title knowing that you have to do it for a TV show takes some doing though, whatever the arguments for and against the referee’s decision, and his 1981 win was just sheer brilliance. 8. Peter Collins – Falcace’s posting says it all really. The best one time winner and could have won many more with more luck. 9. Ole Olsen – winner of the first World Final I went to, and did the same at Wembley again 3 years later. Seeing him charging about in the GPs and making the referee’s decisions for him makes it easy to forget just how good a rider he actually was. 10. Michael Lee – I once saw Michael Lee take on Phil Crump in the Golden Helmet at Swindon. In both races he was just larking about and pulling wheelies down the straights, yet he still won them both easily. You just couldn’t do that to Crumpie at Swindon! I still reckon this was the most amazing single display of riding I have ever seen. Such a shame he threw it away

I went to Prague back in 1989 and stayed in a Hotel called the Hotel Pariz, which was very nice but times mayhave changed since then. You probably wouldn't have to eat lunch on a table with all the Western people while being watched by closed circuit TV any more!

Thanks Steve. A lovely load of Andrew Silver to choose from. I can't wait. Thanks everyone for the info. Shoddy - you're fired.

Can anyone give me an idea of what teams were in the second division (or whatever it was called then) in 1987 and some of the riders from each team if they can think of any?

How transparent I am!! At the moment Arena Essex and Eastbourne look the most attractive options, though I have to pick 3 consecutive meetings so if they're not on the same tape I may have to make a BIG decision.

My boss can't manage to get me to come into work by 9.30 so you've no chance!!! Think I am going to try and work / skive from home later so I will stick some more teams on if I have time in my heavy schedule!!! If you have the time it would be great. Don't put yourself out though. I work from home myself quite a lot so I know how hard it can be!

Is anyone planning to stay at the Ibis Hotel for the GP? First 3 to say yes win a prize!

Is that one room or two rooms?

Blimey! No wonder they won the league.

Mmmm, Arena-Essex look interesting. Andrew Silver eh? And the Chessels, and Steve Bishop. Keep 'em coming!

Thanks. If you can be bothered the teams would be greatly appreciated. If it's not too much trouble. No hurry. Tomorrow is fine. In the morning. Nine-thirty. Sharpish!

Must have been a hell of a hat though Steve!! Right, here's a question for everyone. Apparently I can get 3 meetings from 1987 for £20 from re-run video, so can anyone think of any particular meetings that might be worth getting? Can't be that difficult - it's only 16 years ago!

I've added a few of Steve's old pictures to (hopefully!) help get your bearings a bit better. Click here.

Steve, Any chance of getting a look at some of the old photos? I've been looking through all my old books to try and see how it was but haven't come up with anything. I can't be sure, but I would guess that the bottom photo was probably the pits area. The other pictures were taken going round the track from the entrance in a clockwise direction and they are in that order on the page. The two long pictures have been taken from the apex of each bend, but the shape may look a bit strange due to the way they've been joined together.

Marty, and anyone else who can bear to look, my pictures from last week can be seen here. (Thanks for the re-run site address by the way Gem. I've sent them an e-mail.)

I didn't know that about Kenny's son, but apart from that aren't we going over old ground here? I miss Per Jonsson too. A large part of Reading speedway disappeared when he had his accident and I reckon he would have won a few more World Championships if it hadn't been for his injury. Does anyone know if there are any other riders who have finished their careers top of the British averages? I'd love to see Shawn McConnell or Andrew Silver back at Swindon and I reckon both could still do a good job in the PL too.

Martin Ashby and Bob Kilby at Swindon. Martin was true quality and a brilliant team man while Killer's gating had to be seen to be believed at times. One rider from the same era who rarely gets a mention due to his lack of success at World Championship level is Dag Lovaas, who I remember being absolutely sensational at Oxford in 1975.

Really? It's a mad mad mad mad World.

Ah Tommy Jansson. I used to adore Tommy Jansson as a kid. I recently got hold of a video of the 1974 (or was it 1975) World Team Cup final and the very first shot was of him putting his face mask on. I'd say the current rider he most reminded me of would be Leigh Adams, so my theory is if Leigh ever becomes World Champ then Tommy would have done too. Bit flimsy I know, but it's just my little way of deciding.

Cheers Kevin. Anyone know the website address?