colin

Rather than worry about whether Middlo should be manager or not the most obvious worry is the lack of British talent and for the next few years to come ! As has already been said silk purse sows ear etc. Middlo can only do what he can with the very short resources (riders) that we as a nation have. Only my opinions of course and I do not have any connections with Middlo!! Colin..

Berwicks fence/track of circa 1979 looked interesting!! Colin

Great day out in Cardiff as usual, soaking up the sun & atmosphere, get to the stadium settle down for the entertainment! watch the racing all great stuff mostly. So from 1800hrs until gone 2200hrs you have wall to wall air horns, ear defenders working overtime. Every now & then there was a lull in the air horn serenade, but then you get some half wit on the pa stirring them (the air horn lovers) up again. Think this was not needed. Still a good time was had but would have enjoyed a few more air horn free moments!! Colin

Hear hear, but who and when and I suppose how?? (no not David) Just getting the ear plugs ready for next week Colin

Can't believe that Adams would do that ! If there is one thing almost certain, is an Aussie don't like being beaten, especially by another Aussie. But I don't think Adams will ever be World Champ, sad really cos his league form is impeccable, but he, for whatever reason, can't do it in the GP's. My 123 for Cardiff Jason, Nicki, Greg, with Leigh 4th. Colin

Have to agree with the above. I ordered the tickets late on Monday they arrived first thing today (Thursday) that was good service especially around here!! But it was so obvious what was inside, the SGP silver seal was plainly visible as was the 2006 FIM FIAT logo. Colin

No, but the guy that finished 4th in the final looked familiar Great G.P one of the best tracks for consistent racing imo. Colin

From a personal point of view I seem to remember in the mid seventies that admission charges seemed more affordable to me then,(and by then I had a girlfriend/wife to pay for!) than they do now. I also respect that costs have risen enormously for the riders over the years, several bikes to maintain etc but also the level of sponsorship (once only, it seemed, for the more famous riders) has increased both at club level and personal level. These must have forced prices up a bit. It seems strange that we read that Man Utd can attract over 65,000 crowds, week in week out, Man City somewhat less and Belle Vue far less (but perhaps more than most). I suppose it is just down to success. I know it is difficult to make comparisons, but it would be nice to know where it all went wrong for Speedway and can it ever improve. Again sorry for wandering off topic. Colin

Well said Ron. Thankyou Norbold for your comments they certainly make sense. Colin.. ps Sorry I have wandered off topic.

So what was the attraction do you think, I know speedway was in it's formative years and could be seen as a new sporting occasion. We have established that the costs to the paying public are similar to today's. There was no television to speak off, but there were other attractions, theatre, cinema etc again similar to today, so why did the crowds disappear? During those days, did promoters and riders make a lot of money? It would be nice to see larger crowds. I have attended world finals at Wembley with what could be described as capacity crowds yet how many do you get at the Cardiff GP certainly no where near the size of Wembley. Similar story to most sports I feel. Sorry to quiz you all, but the demise of crowds is a mystery to me, the product (speedway) is still as thrilling to me as it ever was, unlike most motorcycle sports that have changed so much over the years. Colin..

Have to agree it's a great site. Just as an aside, as with most photos of years gone by, you cannot help but notice the size of the crowd, does anyone know how much the admission charges were and what the average wage was at the time? The crowds at most sports always seem large judging by the photos of the day, I know TV etc was not around in a lot of the years, but was it a cheap night out? Colin..

David Shields Adam Shields Colin. Just remembered is Garry Middleton an Aussie? If he is, well there's another

Carl (Spear) Askew Colin

This type of thread never ceases to amaze me So much knowledge out there. I am thoroughly ashamed of my lack of knowledge of speedway. Colin

I agree, it certainly looked a dodgy move to me, I reckon Briggo would have won that night as well. Colin

Think they spend to much time in the air I like most things two wheel, but modern Moto X especially arena stuff bores me stupid, am sorry to say. I gave up watching scrambling when they started to do radical things to the bikes and riders lost there identity under armour etc. By then I had discovered Grasstrack & Speedway, and even though those bikes have changed the basic format hasn't (from the tapes turn left) Unlike Moto X where they have to fly over artificial jumps etc. I never did take up scrambling, did the odd Trial but I did race on the Grass for a few years purely junior level. Now I keep my memories alive with a few bikes that I am restoring, mainly Greeves orientated but I got JAP speedway bike as well. Sad I know, but I like it Colin

Where have all these events/tracks gone? Tweseldown was very sandy and twisty if I remember correctly. Ken Heanes always had well turned out machinery, remember going to the Fox & Hounds circuit by Newbury when the ISDT team were testing out there machinery Cheney Triumphs I think gorgeous bikes but not as good as the JAWA's (tenuous speedwy link) of the day So many brilliant scrambles tracks at that time, Farliegh Castle, Matchams Park ( I can still see Dave Bickers laughing his wotsits off after his frame snapped at Matchams during the Good Friday International one year. So many good tracks graced by so many brilliant riders who quite frankly raced for a pittance in them days, riders of all abilities good and indifferent provided brilliant racing that I was priveledged to witness on a great many occcasions. Colin

I seem to remember Wadey winning the British Campionships maybe early 70's but can't be sure, cos I had found Speedway by then. I remember the Winter TV meetings from Tweesledown racecourse, watching the likes of my boyhood hero Badger Goss. Vic Allan, Eastwood John Banks, Ken Heanes, Keith Hickman etc etc Sorry it is not Speedway related, but very fond memories non the less Colin

His name was Vic Allan, Greeves teamate of Arthurs, along with Bryan (Wild) Wade. In fact Greeves had several 'works' riders for a small concern. Best move on cos I am wandering off course now. But great memories all the same. Colin..

Sorry cannot help you at all, but picture 11 what some handlebars on that bike Great stuff imo Colin

Don't look long enough to me Incidently Arthur won the 'Red Marley' hill climb last year I think. So can still mix it. Colin

I am sure I remember seeing him years ago scrambling (possibly on a Husqvarna) at East Meon I think, caught a stone full on in the mouth, blood, snot etc, trip to hospital then back to the racing in the afternoon, tough or what? Also remember seeing Arthur Browning on the Works Greeves, another all out racer imo. Happy days Colin

Thoroughly agree, hope it can continue! Colin..

Imo I think the top 8 as it finished are the only riders with any chance of sustaining a successful attempt at the GP's due to their sponsorship/backing. I think the rest whoever they might be, cannot muster the funds that the likes of TRick et al have at their disposal, so any of the 'invited' riders are only ever going to 'make the numbers' up. The costs to sustain a successful GP campaign must be enormous. Just my thoughts no harm intended Colin.

Hi Topcat Well according to my book (J.A..P. The end of Era by Jeff Clew) the letter for 1948 should be a C. So as it is written:- Letters after the first oblique (year of manufacture) P=1920,N=1921, E=1922, U=1923, M=1924, A=1925,T=1926,I=1927,C=1928, S=1929,W=1930,H=1931,Y=1932,Z=1933,D=1934,R=1935,V=1936,F=1937,0=1938,G=1939. These letters were later reused in the same sequence to cover years 1940 to 1959 inclusive, taking in to account the war years during which machines for civilian use were no longer manufactured. It is worth noting that the JAP production year ran from 1st Sept of the year previous to that identified by the dating letter , and ended on 31st August of the year indicated. Max power is around 5700 to 6000 rpm it seems with 6300rpm being the the ultimate for the 350cc grass engine!! Hope this helps in some way. If you are interested in JAPS this is a worthwhile book to obtain!! cheers Colin