frenchy

The thread on the oldest World Finalist got me wondering who would be the oldest (eldest ?) Speedway rider who has competed in British Speedway. Assuming he is still with us then I thought Geoff Pymar but does anyone know ? Are there any High Beech (King's Oak) survivors from the first meeting in Feb '28 ? Are there any centennians (100 plus) ?

Is this section not moderated ? From what I've seen some of these posts here would certainly have been blocked had they been made, for example, in the EL or General sections.

From the 1st Sept Green sheets it's got to be Richardson. His average is 8.66, next would be Harris on 8.45. After Harris you've got Kennet 8.03, then Woffinden on 7.15. Hopefully I've not missed anyone (not sure on some of the nationalities).

Don't know but presumably at least 1 of the track reserves will be a Brit - there you go ! (tongue in cheek BTW)

On the issue of the tallest how about Reg Fearman (wasn't he reputed to be over 6 foot ?) or Arch Windmill ?

Anyone know if any of the riders named as possibles for the wildcard for next year actually want to be in it ? Might be worth finding out first before pushing their name. Why not nominate the top Brit from the ELRC (at least there'd be some track time to justify it) ?

Norbold if you've been involved in writing the books on 'speedway in ..' various parts of Britain, could you explain to me please why Aldershot is the only League team (prior to 2000) not to have been included ? They're not in the book on the Thams Valley (not really their area but they do sometimes get lumped into it), they're not in the London book (ditto but even less realistic geographically) and most definitley not in the one on the South-East.

Thanks chaps. Was looking for result/rider score wise but everything gratefully accepted (just can't get along to the British Library, will have to wait until they've put everything on-line).

Can anyone supply me with riders scores (preferably heat details) for the Southern League in 1929 & 1930 ? The Speedway Researcher site has details for the Northern League and I've got a few for non-League teams but nothing from the South. Cheers.

Okay thanks and sorry about the bashers I just didn't know.

Apologies for the daft question (don't really follow this) but why isn't Nicholls in the line-up ? Seems a shame that there's only the one Brit. And £25 quid (30 if you include a programme) seems stupidy high, who decides on these prices (FIM, BSPA, Coventry) ?

If you want to know the rules, in Britain, then check out the link I put in my earlier posting.

Check out http://www.ipo.gov.uk/types/copy.htm For full details on Copyright in Britain. One thing it does mention is that the duration copyright lasts (for film and artistic things) is the life of the creator plus 70 years. So in the example given earlier of a picture taken in 1934, as the 'creator' dies in 1935 the copyright expired in 2005. As a comment to what Norbold wrote ' "The same rules apply to the rider as anyone else publishing a photograph. The rider could certainly be sued for breach of copyright even if the photo is of himself. It's similar to the example I gave of The British Museum above." He is correct. An example would be that for just about all wedding photos in England (at least) the copyright is owned by the photographer taking the pictures and not the happy couple.

Ex-rider who rode mid 90ish to early 2000's. Rode for a number of teams including (but not inclusive) Swindon, Poole, Edinburgh, Long Eaton, Reading. Showed early promise but another one who didn't make it. I recollect that many Reading fans were upset with the number of engine failures he suffered during his time with them (there was speculation about too much testing being done, usually during meetings).

1934 I've got- Harringay - Syd Griffiths, George Wikes, Cyril Anderson, Bob Lovell, Les Gregory, Tommy Price, AN Other New Cross - Mike Erskine, George O'Brien, Jack Dalton, Les Brooke, Les Wheeler, Percy Goode, AN Other West Ham - Wal Morton, Stan Dell Rol Stobbart, Ken Brett, George Saunders Wembley - Ken Kirkham, Jim Millward, Les Bowden, Arnie Cattell, Jerry Williams, Ted Hallybone, Wally Little, AN Other Wimbledon - Bill Rogers, Tom Lindley, Stan Lemon, Ron Howes, Charlie Page, Eric Hustwayte, ? Le Fleur, AN Other All taken from the Speedway Researcher website. Can't help with the others I'm afraid.

Just a thought but why not contact the Speedway Researcher and see if they can put you on to the person who has sent them Shelbourne details ? There's an email address for them on the site.

The 'Potted History of Oxford' gives some details on 1939. Drop me a PM if you want further details from it.

Yes indeed but as this thread is called Longest Racing Career I assumed that you could point it out (others have mentioned riders on this thread competing in non-speedway sports). Incidentially, forgot to suggest Olle Nygren. On another thread on here someone said that he's still teaching speedway in Sweden so with a riding career of circa 1950 through to now then thats a long time (if the mention of still teaching is wrong then I know he was running traning courses at King's Lynn in the late '80s which would be around the 40 year mark). Cheers.

Regarding Jack Parker's career - wasn't he riding prior to '28 (trials maybe) ? How about Tony Childs - wasn't he riding in the late '60s then made a comeback around 2000 (sorry don't remember the exact dates) ?

Barry Briggs 1952 to 1994 (42 years). Not consecutive of course (1994 was a Golden Greats at edinburgh and he also raced that year at Per Jonsson's benefit). He may have ridden earlier than '52 but that's the first time he rode in Britain.

Sorry don't know though a guess would be 40 something. Both Roger and White's attempted comebacks were after serious injuries though.

I seem to recall an article about Eric Boocock (in a Star in the earlyish 90's) where he said he regretted his comeback and also think that Crash Ashby's loss of form was partially due to a broken collarbone mid-season but also due to an unspecified illness he had (don't know what it was though). Have to agree about Kilby's attempted comeback - shame. Other's to have failed on the return trail would be (early 60's all) - Buster Brown, George White, Goog Hoskin & Bob Roger. In Tony Lethbridge's vol 3 on Exeter Hoskin also says he regretted doing it.

Stamford Bridge. I vaguely remember being on a tour of the place in the early 70's (before it's current format existed) and you could still make out the layout of the old track. It must have been brilliant being their for the first floodlit meeting ! Talking of tracks in London, I know it would never happen but watching football from the Emirates stadium with the wide spaces behind each goal and around the pitch makes me wish that you could put a track there - now that would be something (even if the shape wouldn't be ideal) !?

I don't think Moore could have ridden against Nicky but certainly Briggo could have (I don't have the records to confirm or not).

Morton and Pymar wouldn't have been racing when Nicky came on the scene (but could have raced against Tommy & Guy). How about Jimmy Squibb, Pat Flanagan or Ken McKinlay ? Can't think of anyone else riding over the period early 50's to mid 70's.