BOBBATH

Does anyone ?? have any update on Terry. I remember him starting out in 1967 at Newport.He rode for quite a few years-did he return to his native NZ on retirement

I don't think there's any speedway in NZ anymore- just a bunch of retired riders- Bob Andrews, Roy Trigg,. Tommy Sweetman, Dave Gifford etc. I think they meet up quite regularly.

I remember Alf , but at Edinburgh in the PL. I know Alf has passed away I think at a relatively young age (i.e. anybody younger than me -77). Didn't he unfortunately lose two legs in later life-not sure if it was to some disease or as a track accident)

Don't give me a hard time if this subject has cropped up beforeI!!. My first WF was 1965- Bjorn Knutson's only win. I was enthralled by the whole thing, the old Wembley Stadium, what seemed to me a huge crowd and a wonderful atmosphere. The first heat was a shocker, Nigel Boocock finishing ahead of Ove Fundin. Second heat Brian Brett beat Ken McKinlay, third heat Bengt Jansson beat Bjorn Knutson, fourth heat Igor Plechanov beat Barry- Briggs. So after one heat the 3 pointers were Boocock, Brett, Jansson and Plechanov. Was there going to be an upset?? Well, forumlanders (undoubtedly some of whom were there) any memories ?? Wot was the first WF for other forumlanders?? I think only 6 of the 16 1965 riders are still with us ( though I may be wrong-not for the first time!!)

Thanks Beirao, I have great memories of Willie from both the early BL days and the PL daysWhile the top heat leaders were George Hunter and Doug Templeton and sometimes Wayne Briggs, Willie was a solid sontributor and all round good guy.

I got to 5; 1965,1975,1978,1981,1982. I think the most exciting racing was 1981. Particularly the overtaking of Olsen and Knudsen by Bruce Penhall. Any other forumlanders get to 1982 in L.A. (besides Chunky and me) ?

What was the order of finishers in heat 6 in 62?

Ditto and I was 35 then!!

I recall these attractions, always appreciated them as part of the overall entertainment, even if some of them weren't that great it was part of the promoters attempts to make it a fun evening out for the family. Anyone recall the end of season fireworks. As regards my experience- me and my mates would go to the Newport County Supporters Club at Somerton Park after the main event and sink a couple of Whitbread's Trophy Beer -then go watch the remaining riders - second halfers (in Newport's case Alan Jones , Peter Harris , Ian Terrar, etc etc). Seing Bob Hughes become a regular team member, Fred Powell(formerly of St. Austell). That made it an all round great evening. I wish I could go bak in time to those great days. riders,, rider of the night final

Sheesh- Tommy Knudsen-great World Final 1981. I woz there. I recall his great racing- finished in top 3 in his first WF!! Last one at Wembley!!

Split I am in an even worse shape than you, I gotta go to young Jim McMillan at #31. I can recall watching Jim's older brother, Bill, and seeing Jim starting out. Class bloke!! Wot about others of our generation e.g. Norbold, BL65 where would you rank!!

Interestingly, Nigel Boocock won his first race and broke the track record (Heat 1), but he ended up with only 7 points and didn't qualify for the WF. When he met brother Eric, Eric won that race and Nigel finished second. I recall it as being a very warm evening and the racing was excellent.

Now sadly Rick France drops off the list and Anrzei Wyglenda makes the top 16.

That's a downer. As you would imagine I certainly remember Rick making the World Final, in fact I was at WEst Ham for the meeting when he qualified-1967 tight?

Mike Parker did do a lot for speedway, but he was nowhere near as honorable a character as Reg Fearman. The latter was not only a man of his word , but always had a real feel for speedway and is a mine of knowledge about Speedway History and even this day keeps in touch with many of the former riders e.g. Bob Andrews , Arthur Payne etc etc. His book "Both Sides of the Fence " is a great read. Reg is now 90 but fortunately is still sharp as a tack

Is a mystery solved? -BL65 are you Keith Corns?? The mention of you and Georgia Smithson seem to give it away, if so your Sunderland book was great a super read

Thanks Norbold, I should have known that- did you enjoy your PL meetings, as much as your NL ones? I recall Hackney of 64-three great Heat Leaders- Pratt, Trigg and Les McGillivray. I thought they looked like they would win the League until overtaken by Newscastle. From your memory did Hackney's gates compare favourably with say Norwich or Wimbledon- obviously WH had huge support their comeback year of 64. I liked the old Hackney uniform -blue and red quarters with a yellow diagonal.. Much simpler (and better in my view) than the fancy-schmancy blue and white checkerboard that replaced it!!!. I liked the old non-fussy uniforms the best.

Would Reg Reeves have finished second in 1961 without TR's e.f.. I guess Trevor Redmond won it in 1960? Merry Xmas all. Thanks for the info Notbold-was the 1961 PLRC Final at Harringay, I think so-which helps explain why youwere ther-was he 1960 Final also held at Harringay also?. One question, I know you weren't into the PL but did you ever consider following Hackney when they started up in the PL. I loved the action in the PL- always eventful.

Would Reg Reeves have finished second in 1961 without TR's e.f.. I guess Trevor Redmond won it in 1960? Merry Xmas all.

I never got to see one unfortunately, they sounded like great meetings though

Thanks guys, BTW did anyone in forumland ever get to see a PLRC Final- I think maybe Norbold was at Harringay in 1960 when Reg Reeves won following Trevor Redmonds' e.f after he was unbeaten from four rides. Anybody else BL65 maybe?.

Re Ivor Brown- the Provincial league which commenced in 1960 was the making of Ivor, firstly at Yarmouth and then as you say with CH. He bacame a Prov League star and outstanding rider booked for many second halves at other tracks. he could always be relied upon to add a few extra on the gate. Strangely enough he never won the PLRC Final- does anyone know why? With the start of the BL in 1965 he looked like he could easily hold his own with the old NL stars until his terrible crash at the 1965 Internationale while racing against Ove.. He did come back but I think it's fair to say he was never quite as good as before, although he was still a useful scorer and I think got to a British WC semi Final in 1965. He was certainly the man we loved to hate at Newport-great showman!!

Fascinating comments on this topic. All very interesting to me

Then that would make him 33 I reckon

When did Arthur Payne retire? Our oldest surviving World Finalist!!