salty

Well done, Brummies. After the despair of closure last summer it's great to see.

First memory of John. Saturday 18th July - Cradley v Swindon. A new name appears amongst those in the second half. Event 4 - Cradley Stakes R - John Louis B - Mike Letch W - Cyril Francis YB - Arne Pander John finishes second to the winner Cyril who posted a time of 73 seconds dead. Two races later and John is up against Arne again as well as Mike Gardner and John Bishop (the respective number 7's) and again finishes 2nd. Amazing how time plays tricks because I would have sworn that I saw John ride in Cradley second halves more than once, but my programmes (and I missed few meetings that season) say otherwise. Maybe he rode extra laps after the meeting because he obviously made enough of an impression for me to stay behind and get his autograph on the front cover of the programme. Pretty sure at that time I would have had no idea of John's Ipswich connection and would have considered him another second half hopeful. Poignantly, this meeting took place the Saturday after Lokeren. Not only was there no Colin Pratt in the Heathens line up, but it is likely that John would have been due to ride against Mal Carmichael (who lost his life in Belgium) in the second half. My next vivid memory of John is him exchanging insults and threats with a fired up bunch of Heathens supporters from the back of the victory tractor as it took the Witches down the back straight at Dudley Wood after Ipswich had curtailed another cup dream.

Didn't know you were a baseball man. Great run for the Blue Jays recently - massive series v the Yanks. I'm hoping this could be the year for the Cubs - hope springs eternal.

To be fair Bryn you did ask "know anyone who can top that" at the end of your original posting, so a bit strange that you now are disappointed "other such tales" have been brought forth. My personal dedication was walking from Stratford station to the Wick down the netherworld of Carpenters Road - a less than picturesque amble.

Maybe this article will help.... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centre_points_of_the_United_Kingdom You will note that none of the places put forward as the centre of Great Britain (or England), using all the various methods of measurement available, are anywhere near Ipswich.

Alan Grahame stayed in 1984 along with Gundersen, King and Phil Collins, supplemented by Finn Jensen, Mike Wilding and Steve Collins - until Simon Cross was shoehorned into the team.

Dave Cheshire was the original 7th rider in the Heathens. Injured early season but was the rider that Peter Ravn replaced. Don't forget Wigg also started on an assessed 6.00 average. This enabled him to be reserve for the start of the season, whilst Pedersen rode at number 2.

Ivan's whole season revolved around winning that World Final. If there had been a GP series he would have still (imo) been one step ahead of the rest.

Pretty sure the deal with Sky stipulates 8 teams in the EL, so expect machinations to ensure that number is reached.

Zagar more than a touch unlucky. Got wiped out in the Kildemand/Pedersen crash - his semi was stopped when he was clear 2nd - the final was stopped when he was away in front.

Have a long and happy retirement. Thanks for the entertainment.

The issue wasn't with the noise at the meetings - covered by planning permission - but the noise late at night following meetings - which (afaik) was not covered by planning.

Five Aussies in 2003 (out of 22)...including Jason Lyons https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_Speedway_Grand_Prix

In 2003 you can add Sullivan to those 4 - though that was when there were 22 riders in the series.

The 4 nominations are generally given to 1) riders who have just missed out in GP series (finishing 9th or 10th) 2) riders who have missed out due to injury, 3) riders who have good seasons - with good appearances as wild cards or in the World Cup 4) riders who benefit for commercial reasons because of their nationality. Ward can't fit the first two categories and it would appear he may only have a wildcard slot at Melbourne to push his claims for category 3. So his best hope is category 4. Whilst his Monster sponsorship and his undoubted talent would make you feel that he will get a slot, he might be sweating on the make-up of the other 11 riders who qualify automatically - for example a lack of Poles and/or Swedes or too many Aussies

Thought it was a good meeting considering the weather problems, with a decent crowd. Great to see Lindback riding so well, but sad to see KK struggling so much.

Update re Mildenhall... http://www.racingpost.com/news/greyhounds/supreme-court-verdict-goes-against-mildenhall/1921063/top/

I don't agree he should get a wild card for next years series, bit harsh that he wouldn't be back until 2017, but thats the nature of the qualifying system. Having said that I think it will be a "monster" surprise if he isn't handed a wildcard for next year. I suppose a lot will depend on the nationalities of the 11 who qualify by right.

At least when we got to 20 heats and went back "to the studio" we didn't have to listen to Pearson banging on and on and on and on.... about calling it off after 20. He reminds me of that Pater Kay sketch about the playground supervisors who used to get the kids in the second there was any moisture in the air. Janowski's pass of Pedersen in Heat 17? proved to be the winning moment.

Diagnosed last night by Doctor Kelvin with a broken arm. Update from real medics...http://www.swindonrobins.co/news.php?extend.2475

At least with the Darcy orgasmafest we only had time for 3 or 4 Middlo interviews tonight. Reckon Swindon will be the "Sky" team for the rest of the season now. Top stuff from Charles Wright tonight.

But the unsatisfactory start rule has covered all sorts of 1st and 2nd bend incidents over the years. Generally resulting in an "all 4 back".

Surely would have been called back for an unsatisfactory start and an all 4 back. Which I feel it should have been anyway.

Rotten decision imo, should have been all 4 back. Not a bad meeting - good to see Mr G doing himself justice and delighted Emil won.

Can't remember Jennings on the radio or TV but I loved the books. I envy you that collection Norbold. I'm fairly certain I wanted to go to boarding school at one point just because of the Jennings books, then I seem to recall watching a documentary about Eton and that put me off.