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BOBBATH

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Everything posted by BOBBATH

  1. BOBBATH

    R.i.p. Tom Farndon

    A scary thought is that there is probably no one who saw Tom ride still alive today!!!
  2. BOBBATH

    Dennis Gavros RIP

    When the 65 season started I foloowed avidly every match report in the Star. I recall Long Eaton starting off the season very well e.g. as you say beating Halifax at Halifax, I think they had another upset away win early on (Edinburgh perhaps?) and at that point looked like contenders-then they had a truly dreadful run of injuries- Wilson, also maybe Cresp and finished at the bottom of the league (I think). As we all say -great days and 1965 was a superb season- I even used to hitch hike to get to away tracks-not sure you can do that safely nowadays -or am I just speaking from my more timid old (Hold on -mature) age!!!
  3. BOBBATH

    Dennis Gavros RIP

    Derrickn mentioned in his post Rim Malkaitis, that's a name I haven't thought of in years. I recall him riding for Long Eaton in 1965 (the greatest year)-hopefully still with us-does anybody know.
  4. BOBBATH

    Oldest Surviving World Finalists

    The only survivor of the 1950 World Final and he wasn't even the youngest rider in the meeting. Can somebody find out what he's drinking so I can order a case for myself!!!!
  5. BOBBATH

    Dennis Gavros RIP

    Thanx Chunky- I always think of Gavy along with Bob Jameson and Bert Kingston- I think they are both still with us- Bob is around 81 now.
  6. BOBBATH

    Dennis Gavros RIP

    I recall Dennis very well and sad to hear this. Great guy. One question after Gavy retired as a rider did he stay in England for a few years before finally returning to Aussia?
  7. I was there in 1965 and remeber it well-including the fact that the meeting was rained off after about 6 heats!!!
  8. BOBBATH

    First Sponsored Team Jacket?

    I liked it better when teams had jackets without advertising e.g. in 1964 Newport with black and amber quarters, Middlesbrough with red and white quarters and as I recall Hackney with red and blue quarters and a gold diagonal stripe. I never liked their bue and white checkered jacket with a hawk on it-too fussy for me!!! Also riders with black leathers other than Broady and Nigel Boocock of course. Life was simpler. Me and my mate would have a pint of beer at the Someron Park bar -Whitbread Trophy as I remember -what happened to that brand for God's sake. On another subject-big thanx to Chunky for keeping up to date the oldest World Finalist List- much appreciated mate
  9. BOBBATH

    Billy Bales RIP

    Sorry to read about this. I recall Billy in the first year of BL (1965) I seem to recall he rode for Sheffield Tigers in that great speedway year. A nice and approachable guy.
  10. BOBBATH

    Oldest Surviving World Finalists

    Thanks again Chunky-great update
  11. BOBBATH

    Oldest Surviving World Finalists

    Rune has also passed away-great rider.
  12. BOBBATH

    Oldest Surviving World Finalists

    With Peo and P.T. Svensson gone , most of the final 16 move up 2 places - it seems Doug Davies and Sverre Harrfeldt are now on the oldest 16 list -while we also have 2 new reserves at 17 and 18. Thanks for the update Jonas.
  13. BOBBATH

    Your Favourite Danes (Pre-1995)

    Les Owen - muscles - came to a sad end!
  14. BOBBATH

    Your Favourite Danes (Pre-1995)

    Yup I forgot about Arne Pander, saw him when he was n Oxford rider in 1965.
  15. BOBBATH

    Your Favourite Danes (Pre-1995)

    Before I left the UK in 1968-the only Dane was Ole Olsen riding for Newcastle-what a champ he became. Later when I came back to Englnd on vacation I saw Erik Gunderson at Cradley. How would forumlanders rank Erik v. Hans Nielsen-.a tough call I know>>
  16. BOBBATH

    Costa Mesa Speedway 50 Years & Still

    I agree andout-the fans at Costa Mesa are really close to the track and the racing is exciting indeed
  17. BOBBATH

    Costa Mesa Speedway 50 Years & Still

    I got to Costa Mesa, but never got to New Cross- how did they compare to each other in length and width?
  18. BOBBATH

    1960's riders with beards!!

    This comes under the heading "bobbath get a life"-actually it follows on from the Norman Hunter thread because he had a beard in 1963. I also came up with : James Bond, Tommy Sweetman, Reg Reeves, George Major, Jimmy Squibb-there must be others but I can't remember.!! BTW re the West Ham memories youtube video , John Chaplin came up with many incisive comments and was extensively interviewed.
  19. BOBBATH

    Full Face Helmets - Who Was The First?

    Full face helmets came after my time -left UK in 68- I certainly well recall the use of "flickers" and seeing riders use them sometimes a few times in a heat.
  20. BOBBATH

    Norman Hunter

    Have just watched "West Ham Memories Parts 1 and 2" on youtube- I think it was originally a video you purchased but now on youtube.Interviews on Part One included Johnnie Hoskins and also Reg Fearman, Len Silver,Brian Crutcher. On Part 2 Tony Clarke was interviewed plus Norman Hunter- the third and often overlooked heat leader of the wonderul Hammers side of 1965. I was very interested in Normans' comments. He was just reaching his peak (in my view) after he left WH to become number 1 at Wolves(was it 68 or 69)-then he had his terrible accident. I reckon he could have made a World Final-does anyone in forumland know what was the closest he came to qualifying for a WF. Also Norm the Storm was one of the guys who went straight from the PL to the NL-when the PL rode "black". I'm trying to think of some others who did that Simmo for sure, perhaps David Crane??. Were there others also- , I can't really recall who else rode for Hackney in 1963 or other tracks who then went NL in 1964. BTW watching this youtube video reminded me of all we've lost-riders you could have a beer with after the meeting,amazing characters and showmen!! I wish we could go back to 1964 and 1965. Folks today don't know what they are missing
  21. BOBBATH

    1960's riders with beards!!

    Well done Chunky- I reckon my memory is failing me!! I'd forgotten those!!
  22. BOBBATH

    Norman Hunter

    I think you are right Split- Norman was the big star in the PL that year- not sure he was in the PLRC Final that year though-anybody know??
  23. BOBBATH

    Norman Hunter

    The one good thing I did was keep all my programs right from the start in 1964. I even had them shipped over to Canada when I left the UK
  24. BOBBATH

    Norman Hunter

    Thanks for your reply BL65-as usual from you I learned something new- also Norbold re Norm's best WF attempt- I'm a bit surprised he never got closer to the big night. Lots of old speedway on youtube now - I have just started watching the history of Ipswich which looks good (about 2 hours long)
  25. BOBBATH

    Stoke v Wolves 1961

    It's a great video- just fyi Reg Fearman had his 90th birthday on April 26th- hopefully will have many more
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