norbold

28 May, 1928. Frank Arthur narrowly defeated Vic Huxley in the Golden Helmet final in a time of 89.3, with Cecil Brown third, Billy Lamont having blown a tyre on the second lap. This was followed by an "International Match Race" in which Vic Huxley beat Roger Frogley 2-1, the losing rider falling in each race! Then came the Wimbledon Handicap, in which the final was won by Frank Arthur from Jim Kempster and Eric Spencer in a time of 96.4. There was also the Sidecar Scratch, won by Freddie Blackpool.

I saw Les at New Cross in NL days.

Les (or Legs as he was known!) McGillivray springs to mind.

Seen all but Arthur Payne, Josef Hofmeister and Brian Crutcher.

Syd, Star Riders' finalist in five consecutive years, 1930-34.

Kennett? Dugard?

I am interested in your 1930s rankings, BL. Over the course of many years and many books, I have spent a lot of time researching the 1930s, reading the contemporary speedway press. So, my own top 10 is more based on a general feeling from the first hand reports of meetings plus news stories about riders and meetings rather than strictly based on statistics, though, of course, they play a part. On that basis, I have to say I find your inclusion of Jack Parker at no.1 very surprising. My own impression from everything I have read is that the dominant riders who lasted the whole decade were Bluey Wilkinson and Eric Langton. There is then a split between Vic Huxley and Tom Farndon dominating the early part of the decade and the three Americans plus Lionel Van Praag dominating the second half, with riders like Jack Parker, Max Grosskreutz and Frank Charles just a shade behind the dominant riders in each half. On that basis, my Top 10 would be: 1. Bluey Wilkinson 2. Eric Langton 3. Tom Farndon 4. Vic Huxley 5. Jack Milne 6. Cordy Milne 7. Wilbur Lamoreaux 8. Lionel Van Praag 9. Max Grosskreutz. 10. Jack Parker. If you were to include 1928 & 1929 in the decade, Vic Huxley would be no. 1.

Yes, definitely agree with the top 8. I think the only change I would make is Harrfeldt for Pander.

Even though Hurri-Ken was my team's captain, I really can't agree with that. Towards the end of the period that the "Big Five" were given a 20 yard handicap, it was strongly argued that Nordin had become so good that he too should be put on 20 yards as well. I never heard anyone argue that Ken Mckinlay should have been.

Over the years we have had a number of threads discussing the "Greatest Ever". Looking back over these, it seems to be that, if we take riders within living memory that many have actually seen or have heard about first hand from those that have seen them, the top five are fairly well agreed as (in roughly chronological order) Ove Fundin, Barry Briggs, Ivan Mauger, Hans Nielsen and Tony Rickardsson. Two questions. 1. Would anyone disagree with those five? 2. Who is number six?

Yes, he retired the week I went to my first meeting. I've always felt responsible........

Not everyone chunky, because I absolutely agree with that. It has always seemed to be some sort of heresy to doubt that Tommy Jansson would have been world champion, but for the reasons you say, I have always had severe doubts that he would have been.

As far as Bluey Wilkinson and Vic Duggan go I was really looking at riders of recent memory. Otherwise, surely Tom Farndon would be no.1!

I am also a huge fan of Crump's. We also shouldn't forget that he is the only rider apart from Fundin to gain a top three World Championship place in 10 consecutive seasons. Some achievement! Also, my memory is a bit vague here, but wasn't there one season when he would have added another World title had he not run out of fuel (of all things!) in the vital race?

And with Stan Stevens.

A very valid point of course, Fd. Personally, if I were to go by your criterion, I think I would have to nominate Ronnie Moore or Ken McKinlay as no. 1.

I think it should also be borne in mind that Craven was around at the same time as Fundin and Briggs - and Ronnie Moore come to that, but still managed to win the World Title twice. Hancock, on the other hand, didn't seem to fare so well when up against Rickardsson, Crump and Pedersen, who dominated the early 2000s. I would venture to say that all three of them were better than Hancock.

Now Buzz Burrows - that would be good!

Yes, can't disagree with Bjorn Knutson. Also, I only saw him a few times at the end of his career, but I would add Jack Young.

I had a great day at the WSRA annual Norwich lunch today. Met up with some old friends, including Ove Fundin, Bert Harkins, Trevor Hedge, Tony Hurren (Hawkeye) and Terry Ripo (former Hackney and Mildenhall announcer). Other illustrious names at the lunch included Cyril Crane, Richard Greer, James Easter, Billy Bales, Ray Bales, Rob Hollingworth, Dingle Brown, Gavin Hedge, Dave Gagen, Graham Miles, Ollie Allen, Dave Allen and the great, the one and only, Buzz Burrows. Good food, good company and, best of all, I won first prize in the raffle!

Ken McKinlay represented England in the first two World Team Cups, 1960 and 1961. Both times he scored one more point than Ron How!

Thanks for the correction, BL. Yes, of course, you are right.

It was at Wimbledon when riding for England v. Soviet Union in a Test match.

Dead heat!

You can still quite clearly see the outline of the track and the terracing on the ground. I took some photos of it a few years ago.