Midland Red

In those days, it was an annual pilgimage to the Internationale, which usually had a better field than the World Final, and carried a first prize of a brand-new speedway bike In 1965, there was so much expectation and anticipation to see Charlie Monk and Ivor Brown in the field against the ex-NL stars (Fundin, Nordin, etc, etc) that the crash and the lengthy delay in dealing with the aftermath was such a big anti-climax, in front of a very large and noisy CH contingent who had made their mark on the occasion long before the racing got underway It would have been very interesting to find out just how Ivor would have competed in this meeting, but we were never to find out I only met him many years later when he was a member of Loughborough Bowls Club in Leicestershire, where he was a very competitive player, although he had somewhat of a unique style of delivery (and no, he didn't wear a great big white t-shirt, just a normal white shirt and club tie!)

Didn't he topscore in the very first BL match in 1965 Bees v Heathens with a 12pt maximum?

According to the BSPA site today, Scott Nicholls is still awaiting announcement of the nominations for 2009 GP I thought they were already on this forum, including Scott???????????????

Despite what some people tell me, I'm not old enough to remember But I do remember my dear old dad telling me about Tom Farndon, and his words are good enough for me My vote, and that of my late dad, have gone to TOM FARNDON http://speedwaymemories.fotopic.net/p35351605.html http://speedwaymemories.fotopic.net/c1189884.html

Stuart Mountford was not a relation of Ron Ron Mountford and Rick France had a garage at Bloxwich A member of the Brandon trackstaff in the 60s used to tell me how he had to go out and repaint the white kickboards around the circuit where Ron had left tyremarks I believe Rick France made an appearance at Wolverhampton's recent celebrations

Had a family friend who died a few years ago called Derek Gage - turns out he was a speedway rider although I've never seen any mention of him - perhaps a 2nd or 3rd halfer somewhere - would be pleased if sks did recall him (not David Gagen either!) Ta Cliff http://speedwaymemories.fotopic.net/

Per Jonsson Benefit Meeting programme cover is at http://speedwaymemories.fotopic.net/p46635310.html Sorry - only just joined the forum! Cliff

I remember a quote from Nigel one night after he had to ride in borrowed (black) leathers "It felt like some other chap was riding me bike"

Hi As I'm new to the forum I've only just found this thread I learnt about Tom from my father who saw him ride - I'm not old enough to ave seen him but there's always been some magic about the name of Tom Farndon and his story I have an autograph book containing his signature marked "Coventry 11.7.30" - see http://speedwaymemories.fotopic.net/p35351605.html and photos of his grave which you can see at http://speedwaymemories.fotopic.net/c1189884.html I met a relation of Tom's some years ago who lived at Cannon Park in Coventry (I can't now remember who it was) and made a lot of notes about Tom from the items which the relation had (perhaps Annie can identify this person for me!) - I must look them out and precis them Cliff