salty

Always glad when a rider can walk away from the sport in good health at a time of their own choosing.

Sad news. Enjoyed reading his thoughts about all the meetings around the world. RIP

Further to the original post - and apologies that this focuses more on the venues than the riders, Gustix - but I found this link as well. http://www.national-speedway-museum.co.uk/belfast-tracks.html

We'll simply have to agree to differ.

Seriously? As I say I enjoyed Chunky's tales and I also liked finding out about the current scene in Germany. Don't see why they need separate threads in different parts of the forum other than to satisfy the OP's desire to control. Ironically, a control he is quite happy to flaunt when it suits him!I

Surely there is no need to create another thread?

Interesting stuff. Particularly Chunky's insight and also the posts from Germany about the modern day set up.

A pox on the house of Galliard Homes, RCP, Luke Johnson and their ilk. I suppose we're left with our memories.......

Before my time, friend.

What do you want to know that isn't already contained in the links? Don't know anything about Gibson Park but Dunmore held dog racing until the end of the last century I think. Hard to imagine Speedway taking place there as it is so residential. Windsor Park is the recently refurbished stadium of Linfield and where Northern Ireland play their international football matches. Speedway also took place at Ballyskeagh Stadium to the South of Belfast and that still operates for dog racing though it is now known as Drumbo Park. http://www.greyhoundderby.com/Dunmore%20Greyhound%20Stadium.htm http://www.drumbopark.com/

Had a quick flick through some old programmes. Tom Johnston who used to write in the Cradley programme, mentions a couple of times during 1971 of Colin's intention to return in 1972. Also mentions that Len Silver got into a wrangle as to who Colin would ride for when he returned. Colin originally came to Dudley Wood at the start of 1970 with Bob Andrews heading the opposite direction to Hackney. As Bob had come back to Dudley Wood in 1971, Len felt that he should got first dibs on Colin. However, Colin pledged he would be riding in Green and White when he returned. Sadly to never happen... Also dug out the Classic Speedway interview where he confirms he did have a spin.

As I said, I would need someone to verify. I just have a vague memory at the back of my mind. I'll maybe check through some old programmes to see if there is any reference to it, though given what you say re insurance, it might not have been a publicised event.

Saw Colin's all too brief Cradley career. From what I remember he had a tough start to the season, but had just hit a rich vein of form when he went to Lokeren. Who knows how his career would have panned out in the Midlands, but for the injury. I seem to recall him having a spin after a meeting in 1971, would be nice if someone could confirm whether that actually happened or my memory is playing tricks!

Judging by the link there are quite a view discs in the pipeline. Looking forward to them all.

Not really my place to be the first to advertise these as Tony Mac usually does that it himself, but having seen them mentioned in the latest Backtrack I know at least a couple of old Rebels fans (Cityrebel, Steve Roberts) who'll be licking their lips at these forthcoming releases. As will I. http://www.retro-speedway.com/news.php?extend.88

A sad day to be sure. Spent many a night there watching the Dons and also a lot of nights at the dogs during the 80's. I'm sure a well run facility would be able to provide a profitable venue for Speedway, Greyhounds and motorsports, but the second Luke Johnson and his cronies got involved it was always going to end in housing. Don't think they would have ever got total closure if it wasn't for the Trojan Horse of Football, but thats how Capitalism works.

I was there that night as well, though we didn't know about the gun incident on the terraces. The main issue as far as the crowd were concerned was an on-track fight between Middleton and Mike Gardner, which the latter comprehensively won by whacking the former on the head with his crash helmet.

He was brilliant that night, winning a load of points from the back. We travelled to Brandon for the next step to the World Final, full of optimism. Dashed by a night of machine gremlins.

Having been raised on the "luxurious" environs of Dudley Wood, moving down to London in 1981 and having Plough Lane as a local track was a bit of a culture shock. Never liked watching from behind the glass so generally stood on the first bend. Grew to love my Speedway there, but did enjoy going over to Hackney a couple of times a season.

Halifax I'll give you Sid, but Sheffield? My memory of theirs in the late 60's and early 70's was a dull blue and yellow chequerboard or quarters. Got better later on when they put a Tiger on it.

My favourites are all from the late 60's/early 70's. Liked Belle Vue, Coventry, Exeter, Glasgow (in particular the stripes on the back), Poole, Halifax, Kings Kynn, but my favourites were Cradley (obviously) and West Ham. I thought the red and blue of the latter always stood out under the lights, with the iconic West Ham, London lettering. I notice the football clubs badge now also has added the London moniker.

Great list Sid, but I have to take issue with George Hunter. I always remember him as a heat leader in the British League rather than the NL rider at the end of his career. Another couple of riders who I remember as NL performers rather than BL - both Martin's - Yeates and Goodwin.

Absolutely. To be fair it was 36 years ago. Only reason I remember the run-off was because it was a fantastic race with the lead changing hands a good few times. Can remember lots of very vocal Halifax fans on the first bend as well! Sidney: On reflection you're right about 83. I'd been to watch the Wolves play Spurs at Molineux in the afternoon and it had tipped it down.

On the back of this chat I just hunted out my BLRC programmes. Can remember Carter's first in '81 because I'd just moved to London and came up on the Wimbledon coach. Must have done the same for the second, but can't remember a thing about the day/meeting/trip! If it wasn't for the programme I would question whether I actually went. Gundersen won in '83 and it was a wet night, but never in danger of being off.

I was at Carter's BLRC wins. First one I can't remember many good races except the 2nd place run-off between Mort and Shooey? Maybe I was unlucky but too many races I saw at Hyde Road were strung out