norbold

Reported by Jon Stevens in the Dons Den on Facebook: "It is with great sadness that we hear of the news that Gordon William Kennett has sadly passed away at the age of 70. I am shocked and deeply saddened to hear this. "Gordon was our last rider to Don the number 1 race jacket. As he was the last ever rider to take the chequered flag at Wimbledon stadium. World Final Placed 2nd at Empire stadium Wembley in 78’. He was also a true Gent, would always stop to say ‘hello’ and a chat. "The Speedway family has lost a friend, a member of our the speedway family from the heydays of the sport. Our condolences to Barney Kennett Dave, Eddie and the whole of the Kennett family at this very difficult and sad time." Sorry, I see this has already been posted elsewhere, but I thought Years Gone By was the most appropriate place for it.

Correct.

Sorry, wrong on both counts.

Here you go, Lefty.

Long Eaton.

Exactly. The jury let it go…you can hear it now: ."Oh yes, just because it's Zmarzlik. Any other rider…etc.etc…."

Zmarzlik's looking to make up some loss of earnings…

Eighty two years ago today, in the scratch race final at New Cross, Ron Johnson ran into the fence on the back straight and fell. With less than two yards separating him and second man, Tom Farndon, the latter had little time to take avoiding action, though those that were there that night say that Tom deliberately tried his best to turn away from his fallen skipper, choosing instead to plough into his machine. Tom and his bike were thrown into the air and flung a considerable distance before Tom landed on his head. Both riders were rushed to hospital. Sadly, Tom never recovered consciousness and died two days later. A sad and tragic end for the rider who, at the age of just 24, had achieved everything there was to achieve in speedway and who seemed unbelievably to be growing in stature and getting even better. Of course, we will never know what the future might have held in store for him - there are those who are certain that the way he was progressing he could well have won all three pre-War World Championships and come back for more afterwards - but already he had achieved enough to be counted amongst those who always find themselves listed amongst "the greatest ever". Was he as good as Vic Duggan, Jack Young, Ronnie Moore, Barry Briggs, Ove Fundin, Peter Craven, Ivan Mauger, Hans Nielsen, Tony Rickardsson, Greg Hancock? We will never know of course and everyone will have their own opinions but to take his place on that list at the age of just 24 is a major achievement in itself. R.I.P., Tom.

I hate to mention this, andout, but do you know who "old gusto" is?

I wouldn't say that, BB. Tom died in 1935. There are plenty of people still around in their 90s and even 100s, some of whom may have seen Tom Farndon ride. In fact, I would think it highly likely there are still a few people around who saw him.

I wouldn't at the moment, BOBBATH. The reason I asked Midland Red that question is that I don't think Tom ever did ride in Australia, but I may be wrong, which is why I asked if he knows when Tom rode there. Tom Farndon did spend one winter in New Zealand where he broke lots of records, but never, as far as I know, went to Australia.

When did he ride in Australia?

Hence my comment.

Arthur Payne might have done!

He didn't do any laps after he broke the tapes!

Congratulations to Arthur. Well done that man! Though I don't agree he is older than the sport, as I also don't agree that the "First acknowledged speedway meeting was held on December 15, 1923." But that's another story!

Just thought I should revive this to mark the 88th anniversary.

No, I didn't get a Wartime decoration.

Well, people are wrong.

What do they argue about? He rode for Wimbledon for 18 seasons and then turned out twice for Coventry in 1974.

Bluey Wilkinson - ten years at West Ham. Oh sorry, you said British League.

Mine too.

I tried to offload mine a couple of years ago. No-one was interested, other than wanting the odd one or two they might have missing. No-one wanted a large collection.

No need to rename it. Previous winners of the British Championship: Barry Briggs 1961, 1964-1969; Ivan Mauger 1970-1972; Rory Schlein (who's in it this year) 2020. Other podium places have gone to Ronnie Moore, Bob Valentine and Jason Crump.

Why didn't they give 120%?