martinmauger

It is indeed a VERY goord read, highly reccomended as is the follow-up 'More Confessions'. Tony ain't paying me either ....

Think he said he'd rather folk bin his book after reading, rather than donate to a charity shop . Seriously though, it's a good book and I still have my (signed) copy....

There used be a range of Raleigh bicycles, not quite BMX but today we would call semi-mountain bikes, one was a Grifter (the one I wanted) and a smaller model called a Striker or Strika; tag line, along the lines of "aimed at the young speedway rider". Thiing is, it really didn't look much like a speedway bike, anymore than the rest....

That's it, it's why we are all here, flippin' brilliant sport . When the conditions are right ........

That's what my mum does, TBH she started doing it accidentally, my dad just puts the phone down sometimes telling such callers to "do one". Me, despite not giving my phone no. to anyone for years, being ex-directory and having a 'block' on my number I still receive quite a few, if it's a number I don't recognise I just don't answer, if it's important (it next to never is) they will text or write to me....

Would have been nice if Ivan had won in 1973 as he was riding a long-stroke, longtrack JAWA engine and was pretty much passing for fun that day, though it has to be said the starts were, interesting. I only got to to see the meeting years afterward but imagine the tension if it shown on live TV (don't think it was) : a winner take all run-off between the current World Champion (Ivan) v local rider in the form of his life (Szczakiel), just as Ivan is about to make his move they clash, and we all know the rest....

I believe so too, not sure why that was exactly so won't comment. I do love my books and I've prob listed only 1/4 of my speedway section, but I read widely on many subjects and likely own many 100's of titles, probably 'training' from my student years....

Got the Wiggy book too, also books on Swindon Speedweay, Sam Ermolenko & Jason Crump, Chris Morton's When the Can Ran Out, not got brother Dave's book or John Louis' book yet.. The Moran Brothers, Kelly Moran - Hell Of A Life (to say the least), both by Brian Burford, Ivan Mauger - The Man Behind the Myth by John Chaplin. 'Slight' Hull bias in my collection but i like all speedway books...

Was that due to flying in general or because you flew in a Comet ?! I saw cut-away sections of a Comet at an air museum and all of the, not sure of the phrase, but the 'corrosion' or 'air bubble casting faults' within the alloy / alluminium components were frightning. Though in it's Nimrod form, the Comet became a well-sorted aeroplane. Shame they were all broken up, now replaced with Boeing 737 'Poseidon' aircraft. Yeah, I enjoyed the Splish Splash Show 1977 World Final too, and 1972, 1973, 1976 & 1979 were also good ones....

As Luck Would Have It by Len Silver, Raw Speed by Tai Woffinden & Peter Oakes, Tommy Jansson, Legend Who Died Young by Magnus Nystrom, Both Sides Of the Fence by Reg Fearman. My list goes on, books all about speedway obviously but also books to really get one's teeth into and really get into & behind the stories told. Though I don't reccomened actually eating any of the titles ....

Back From the Brink by Michael Lee, Tragedy - Kenny Carter by Tony McDonald, Light In the Darkness by Alan Carter, Tears And Glory - The Winged Wheel Story (Reading) by Arnie Gibbons. It coud be said I do like a good read, especially speedway (no, really).....

Sadly we likely won't be watching any live speedway for a while I'd encouage people to subsctibe to Speedway Star, and possibly also the excellent Retro Speedway publications of Classic Speedway and Backtrack. Think the Retro Speedway mags are subscription only anyway, happy to be proved wrong there, but the Star sales will be massively hit by lack of track sales and now at supermarkets. I began 'subbing The Star' by accident so sick was I of the mag 'being late' according to newagents and you know what, I wish I'd subscribed much earlier, it arrives crisp and early on Thursday mornrings and one saves on the cover price of £3.00, paying only £2.30 per issue, the price of some programmes. A 3-monthly 'Star subscription of 13 issues is £30, a yearly sub to Backtrack (6 issues) is £25; both roughly the price of 2 meetings we won't be seeing anyway. We are in self-lockdown and need something to occupy ourselves, are lacking in speedway so I reccomend helping out Phil Rising & Co at the Speedway Star and also Tony McDonald & his team at Retro Speedway, if only for the current difficult times til we can enjoy live speedway once more. Stating the obvious disclaimer: I set up & pay for my own magazine subscriptions and posted the above only to express my own opinion. So, cheques in the post then Phil & Tony ? ....

Think Boris measure were brought in earlier than planned partly as reaction to the idiots behaving like lemmings / locusts who rushed to the seaside and gleefully queued up for fish & chips & ice cream. Still, good to see Hull City Council workers are out and about today cutting the grass, 'essential services' obviously must continune in these difficult times . Stay clean & safe everyone...

From the top of my head: The Will To Win by Ivan Mauger & Martin Rogers, Wembley And Beyond - Barry Briggs, The History of Hull Speedway 1930-1981 & Hull Speedway: Craven Park The First 10 Years both by Roger Hulbert, Wheels & Deals by Ian Thomas, Booey - Around In Circles by Eric Boocock, Confessions Of A Speedway Promoter & More Confessions both by John Berry, Simmo - The Whole Truth by Malcolm Simmons....

Similar here, most weeks myself & 'the girlf' visit an elderly relative in a Hull care home. Well Thursday nite (12th) we were advised the building will be on lockdown for at least 2 weeks from Friday 13th. Not good obviously for anyone but I feel for the residents who won't understand why they haven't had any visitors....

Moving slightly sideways once more, which is what we do in speedway, had me a check up at the local hospital. I sat down & picked up a photography magazine, first page I opened was an article on sports photography, first picture I saw was the no.7 Peterborough rider from 2019 (forget who it was). The verdict, BTW, was: "I'm sorry Mr Martin M, there is no cure for your interest in speedway you will likely watch, read & talk about, and occasionally (try to) ride it, indefintely". Plus I was only waiting for 5 mins so a good result there....

Recall at Hull's Craven Park there were / are disabled parking bays literally behind the main stand and there was / is a lift inside the actual stand, just inside what was the turn 1 entrance, which took folk right up to the bar(s) then the seating area. It will be understood that I've had no reason to visit CP since 2005, though I've had the odd look-see since, not a trace of speedway left....

Oh but he has, he most certainly has. He's no doubt already contemplating his next battle and would likely blow a gasket if I told him about the disabled parking discussions regarding Peterborough, which I hope get sorted asap BTW....

Taking this thread slightly sideways, which is what we do in speedway, my cousin who never, ever backs down from any argument or fight, probably why he looks 10 years older than his actual age, well his dad, my uncle has a Blue Badge parking permit. He complained to a large well-known supermarket about non-Blue Badge holders parking in disabled bays thus preventing his Blue Badge holding dad, who has severe walking problems and mostly uses a wheelchair, from parking in them. The large, well-known supermarket replied "we don't criticise people for using the disabled bays who are not entitled to, as they may not return to the store"....

Well Crumpie's score won't lie, hope he goes well and reckon he's a positive addition to the PL. Ipswich fans, and also Sheffield fans with NickiP, must be well-excited for the new season. Reminds me a bit of the 'buzz' around Hull in 1978 after signing Ivan during the close season....

Les defo rode a JAWA to 2nd in 1982, read somewhere that the 4-valve JAWAs were tricky to set up, 'specially ignition timing and valve clearences, but once sorted they pretty much 'flew'. Les came so close to winning, he'd already beat victor Penhall, but ran a 3rd in one heat, but 2nd was still a great result....

Forget exactly how many matches Egon rode for Hull 1976 but know he averaged 8.75 so none too shabby, he was a more than decent speedway rider but think he was strongly 'encouraged' to ride speedway in order for his permission to ride to ride longtrack be processed quicker & more hassle free, long / sand / grass track being his first love. I have the official VHS video of 1983 Final with Barry Briggs translating Egon's German commentary, recall the start marshall, who got skittled by an Engine Failed rider (Hans Nielsen) - how often did that happen in a World Final, was at school with Egon. As well as 'road developing' his bike, he took just the one machine - how's that for confidence, Egon later admitted to practising all he wanted on the Norden track prior to the final. He also appeared to 'advise' on track watering / grading during the actual meeting. It's true Hull ran R/R for Egon in 1977, Ian Thomas said Hull fans would be required to pay adult entrance (75p ?) + £2.50 each to meet Egon's demands, so maybe today's entrance + £30 ? Also, anyone who saw Egon ride will recall Egon's super-wide, 'cow horn'-style handlbars. He wasn't a cheap rider but when the mood struck he was dynamite, had speedway been his main thing reckon he would have been unstoppable....

Yeah, wasn't overly clear but he would certainly be in the car with us if his Blue Badge was used, pretty sure it does contain his name & photo and he carries it with him at all times for parking use....

It occured to me after posting that the car park at Scunny is landscaped pretty flat, it isn't tarmacced with permanent parking spaces painted but 'parking lanes' are marked with what looks like whitewash, similar to the stuff used on starting gates. There aren't any disabled spaces, as far as I've (not) noticed, but everyone seems to park where they should and I personally haven't experinced being blocked in. They have a 'gateman', sometimes it's a 'gate woman', to take you parking fee and stadium staff / marshalls are available if anyone requires help.....

Wasn't gonna comment again on this thread but, oh well. In my (limited) experience 'life-challenged’ people wish to be left to cope themselves as far as possible and will ask for help if they really need assistance . They very much prefer to be left to 'get on with it' usually only requiring the odd minor, consideration like in this case being allowed to park as near as possible to the event and ideally not be required to cross uneven ground. A further consideration is that for various reasons people need to arrive & leave venues at different times. e.g. in my own case depending on commitments I like to watch every lap of racing & practice, at other times I need to be out of there as the riders are on the slowdown lap after the last heat. So while using ‘golf buggys’ or other such transport from the parking area to the entrance, is one possible solution I don’t think it is workable. TBH I can’t be bothered with trawling through all the responses but I believe someone mentioned they know the Peterborough promotion to talk to, specifically Buster Chapman, I think he has commented that he is aware of supporters’ concerns so chatting with him about disabled parking issues at The East Of England Arena on speedway days hopefully a solution will be found. In my, and my friend’s dad’s case (who has walking difficulties), if / when we a plan to visit a track we will telephone beforehand, and also confirm on the day of the meeting, whether we are able to park as near as possible to the entrance, using my friends dads Blue Badge. While I cannot speak for others at this time, if we cannot be guaranteed close parking, then unfortunately we likely won’t go….