salty

Interesting read as ever - Thank you.

Lived in South-West London through the 80's so only occasional visits over to Waterden Road. Most memorable race I saw there was the final of the National League Pairs in 1985. Stan Bear riding for Poole kept trying to push Louis Carr (Ellesmere Port) ever wider to try and avoid last place but finally overdid it and took Louis off on the final bend, race awarded to Ellesmere Port. race was won by Joe Owen just a few weeks before his career ending crash at Birmingham. Attended both GP's at the re-configured track and even went a couple of times for the London Lions season. Was ever a plusher stand built that had such a short life?

Kubera £100 more Wozniak £50 more.

Have done so - sorry!

Can I add Blodorn £50 more please.

Wozniak £100 more than 8 please. Blodorn £50 more than 4.

Vaculik - £100 more Michelsen - £150 more Ta.

Alan Mogridge? Was a bit of a sacrificial lamb when first in the Dons team but went on to a long career. I was also there for Kelvins debut, you could tell straight away he was a cut above the other number 7’s

Michelsen £100 more Holder £50 more Ta very much.

If I remember correctly the Tolley brothers hailed from Worcestershire. Jim’s grandson Ryan was a good grass tracker who had a short lived dabble at Speedway about 2000.

St Mirren are having a good season in the Scottish Premiership, although Love Street where the Paisley Lions rode, is now a housing development I believe.

Even if a repeat - still more interesting than most of those in General Discussions! I am in the same boat as Bobbath. First race was Cradley v Newport in September 1968. Graham Coombes (R) Chris Julian (B) Jon Erskine (W) RR for Jimmy Gooch, Cyril Francis (Y/B). So only Jon still with us.

Six for me.

Such sad news. He did so much for the sport as both a rider and promoter. RIP

Be interesting to see what the respective home and away averages were for the riders.

All true. I just felt Waterden Road encouraged riders to go ever wider, more than other tracks (in my memory). I guess we should be thankful that the sport is "safer" now than it was back in the day.

No expert, because I was only an occasional visitor to Hackney and wasn't present for any bad crashes, but I always felt that the racing line got so wide it encouraged riders to blast out by the fence. A slight misjudgement at such speed then brought those oft mentioned lamp standards into play.

There was a double page feature on Garry in Backtrack No 99, which was the issue dedicated to the Lokeren disaster. The crash that ended his career took place at Liverpool on December 23rd, 1970. A first bend incident involving Paul O'Neill which is described as an "unfortunate accident" with no blame attached to riders or track. It outlines a 10 year legal battle Garry had with Liverpool raceway, which he eventually lost. Partly because the event in which the crash happened was the NSW Solo Championship so Garry wasn't seen as an employee of the Promoters that night. He also missed out on compensation for the Lokeren tragedy. Regarding his more recent life it says he lived with his wife and two children on the island province of Catanduane, a one-hour flight from the Philippine mainland. His Biographer, Tony Webb describes his life thus - "a simple life in an idyllic environment. He is rich in a life that is simple in its needs. Garry's physical well being is maintained by regular massage and a strict diet based on coconut milk and the produce that the family grow on their property" Further reading...."Wheels of Fate - The Garry Hay Story" by Tony Webb. Speedway Books (defunctspeedway.co.uk) Hope that helps....

I remember Ulf signing for Cradley at the end of the 1973 season. We were a weak side to start with but ended the campaign decimated by injury - missing Persson, Cole and Cribb - the 3 heat leaders, so Ulf was definitely a sight for sore eyes in a team being patched together by guests. He acquired himself well in the circumstances and would have been welcomed back in 1974.

Ditto.

Slot in at No 85. Just in front of Tommy Knudsen, who in my minds eye is still that fresh faced youngster riding into 3rd at Wembley in 1981. So that makes me feel ok.

Excellent rider in his day. Delighted he is able to leave the sport on his own terms.

Bit late to post this this as he actually passed away on January 9th, but sad to hear the death of Lokeren survivor Garry Hay. Good obituary in this weeks Star. Having escaped with minimal injuries at Lokeren it was so sad when the following Australian season he suffered life changing injuries which left him wheelchair bound. Haven't seen it mentioned on this forum - apologies if it has. RIP Garry AUSTRALIAN SOLO SPEEDWAY RIDER GARY HAY, 77, DIES - Speedway Illustrated News

Lillebror Johansson? He rode in the same season as Hammerberg and Ring. Eastbourne had a really strong top 4 of Kennett, Moran, Preston and Woods, but unfortunately none of the Swedish imports or Dave Kennett were able to give sufficient backing.

Sad to hear. I seem to remember him having a lot of problems with his shoulder the season the Bees won the title in 1968, but he continued riding through the pain as far as I recall. RIP.