BOBBATH

Some folks may already be aware that Ray Day of the PL (e.g. Bradford Panthers 1962) has passed at 87. Similarly Peter Morrish speedway author, statistician and Team Manger at Stoke in the early sixties has also passed recently at age 87

Chunky , I know what you mean, I am type 2 but my son ,aged 42, has Type 1,(developed at age 30) so he has to inject insulin like your wife. It really knocked him back on his heels when he was diagnosed. As you know type 1 is a totally different disease from type 2 .Please give your wife our love and support and tell her she is not alone.. Fortunately there is lots of research going on. My doctor said the general medical view is that they will find a cure for Type 1 before Type 2. All we can do is hang in there and hope for the best. Since this is a speedway website I guess I should get back on topic-so does anyone know of other riders with diabetes ??

Does anyone know how Barney and Dave Kennett are doing these days .I think they were both older than Gordon.

Very sad, I was privileged to be able to attend the 78 World final and saw Gordon finish runner-up. A great rider and great guy. It's a young age to die at -70 is not old these days. I wonder whether his death was due to complications from diabetes. I recall he used to have to inject insulin during his riding career., but it sure didn't hold him back. R.I.P. Gordon

Blimey you are right maybe Daisy Moore did see Tom ride!!!

I think that settles it- no-one alive today saw Tom Farndon ride.

Reg Fearman is still in touch with Arthur, I will have to ask him!!!!

I don't think he could have , Arthur is an Aussie and didn't come to England until his early twenties. However, did Tom Farndon go to Australia to race- in which case Arthur as a little lad might have indeed seen him !!

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

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!!!

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.

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!!!!

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.

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?

I was there in 1965 and remeber it well-including the fact that the meeting was rained off after about 6 heats!!!

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

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.

Thanks again Chunky-great update

Rune has also passed away-great rider.

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.

Les Owen - muscles - came to a sad end!

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

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>>

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

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