Chris Tregidgo

I remember George Bason he had a couple of outings for Wembley in the 40s. He impressed himself on my mind by sliding off on the first bend of his first ride and breaking his leg. On recovery he appeared again and repeated his performance. It was just bad luck for him as neither fall looked dodgy.

No mention has been made of Colin Watson and Max Grosskreutz both of whom rode over a three decade period and would have gone longer had they not suffered serious injury.

Aub must have started in Australia in 1937/8 he was brought to Wembley by L V Praag for 1939 season and we know what happened then don't we.

Stetching the memory, leads me to the opinion that tape breaking was an excludable offence in pre-war days and was probably so since the rolling start was replaced by gate starting. A provision in the rules allowed all riders to restart if the referee could not decide who was first to go through. In recent years the rules seem to have been mucked about with quite a lot so what the current state of affairs is, I would not know.

It was 'Jim Airey" on the fornt of his business premises in Fairfield NSW this should be right but i've seen some shocking spelling by signwriters.

I heard a couple of years ago that Dud Smith died some time back at the age of 62, that would have been about 1992-95. It is sad that he should have gone so young he was a really nice bloke. I knew him from cycle speedway when he rode for Acton Acorns in the 40s. He bought speedway bike Buster Brown started his career on and I inturn bought it from Dud. Buster and Dud managed to make the big time I didn't.

Jeff and Wally were also involved with "Lloyd Diamond" in London, a company specializing in tuning and speedway supplies during the forties fifties or thereabout

I remember New Cross as having "Marching along together" for their march tune from visits there. "Entry of the gladiators" was that of Wembley. "Under the double headed eagle" was used at West Ham and Ronnie Green's folk, Wimbledon, had "Blaze away" Didn't the excitement build up when these familiar tunes stuck up and the first race was just about to be run?