Jim Blanchard

This was posted on the Speedway History Forum yesterday afternoon: """Hello friends, this is Christian Weber aka Kirk. Indeed, I feel a little bit embarressed, but please let me explain. I wrote this history of South African Speedway nearly ten years ago. I didn't know then what I know now about the origins of Speedway. Hands up any of You who knew then that the Hoskins / Maitland story about the invention of speedway was just a myth. I didn't know it, I admit that. All the reference works I read up to that time repeated the Hoskins' creation of speedway myth. Ten years on, I know that no-one has "invented" speedway, that the sport has evolved, and that it does not have a "Godfather". At the time (2003) I believed in what I read about the birth of speedway, and really had no cause to doubt it. Now, not least thanks to what I read on forums like this one, and thanks to the precious work of people like Ross Garrigan, whom I admire very much, I know better. Let me tell You that by now I had already nearly forgotten what I wrote about the origins of the sport in that "75 years of speedway in SA". It was only a prelude to the main part, the South African Speedway history. By the way, the work was never completed, You will notice that it stops with 1979. After that the SSRC newsletter was no longer published, and I did not continue with writing on that story. """

I now have received from the USA - some signed by Scott Autrey - mounted A3 prints available. All information here: http://www.jbsportsi...o.uk/autrey.htm

I have posted 177 Photo's to my Web Site from Yesterdays Amateur Meeting at Scunthorpe 17/03/12. I really enjoyed my 2 hours there as there were some terrific races going on. Thanks to Richard and Anne for their hospitality and everyone putting on a good meeting .. http://www.jbsportsi...horpe/index.htm

Some Photo's from yesterday's practise at Scunthorpe; 11/03/12 http://www.jbsportsi...ising/index.htm

I spent a nice hour or so this afternoon at Scunny today taking some pics of most of the lads practising. I uploaded them to my web site: http://www.jbsportsimages.co.uk/denmark/index.htm

But is it not the mantra of the pro GP series fans (and I am not in the anti camp by any means) that it allows a rider to have some Inconsistent meetings and it not prevent them prevailing and taking the title? We all know that Mark Loram winning the title without a GP win in 2000. I am not a statistician by any means, but I have looked at the figures of some of the top riders and their performance in the WC from 1954 - 1963.(Peter was to lose his life at Edinburgh that year, so we can only go to that point and include him) Craven's average in that period in world finals was 9.6. Fundin's 11.7. Moore (who missed two) was 12.00 and Briggs 11.7. So taking out his missed two meetings Ronnie Moore had the best average for meetings ridden in the final and was twice world champion. Peter Craven had four bad finals, '54 (his first) with 3 points (one more than Fundin for his first appearance though) '59 with 7 points, '61 - 6 points and '63 with 6 points but he crashed twice. In the League his best period was around 1957 with an average of 11.10. In '62 it was 9.71 and '63. 10.75 when riding handicapped. Its always worth remembering that Peter won the WC at the second attempt. Fundin 3rd, Moore 4th. and also Briggo 4th. And to compare great for great - Ivan Mauger 3rd attempt. Those of you that think this is all just a cycnical ploy of a post to promote England's only double world champion you could be right.. My tribute web site to our best ever and most exciting rider. http://www.peter-craven.co.uk

My apologises Richard, but I had not checked the link for somewhile and it appears to be broken. I did hunt around last night and come up with the correct version on You Tube by Al Bowlly - so you can not only hear - it but see it.. To hear it Via my New Cross web site its: http://www.jbsportsi...o.uk/page1.html or direct to the You tube one is: The links are working now. Best regards, and hope that helps... Jim

Hi, I am sure Bjorn Knutson built up quite a successful car dealership more or less from when he retired from racing. He is now retired from that business and spends most of his time in two houses in Sweden and playing a great deal of golf, so I would guess it would seem doubtful if it was him.

Hi, I took the liberty of emailing Ove Fundin for you and asking him if he knew anything of Gote and this is his reply: 'Hi Jim, It is a year since I last met Gote, I guess he is enjoying life as a pensioner With my best Ove' Hope that helps in some way...

Hi Steve, I attended the Silver/Middleton Hackney Training school during the winter of 1971/2. Gary Middleton was certainly a character. I took a friend along, I think it was my second visit and he took some photo’s. Sorry, about my ugly mug but there are some decent views of the track/stadium The guy pushing me off in one shot was the late Don Smith, the European Trials champion. http://www.jbsportsi....uk/hackney.htm

Yes, it is the late Craig Featherby rusky, many thanks. Actually, It's the only one I could recognise from those as I have some colour ones of Craig also. Thanks for the tip of Kevin Teager. When I was sorting these out I did wonder (Craig apart) if any of those lads made into the sport at a higher level. I'll include those colour ones of Craig - might be some fans of his out there.

I have managed to upload these images to my web site. Maybe some would be recognised hopefully, or even folks might even see themselves, which would be cool.. Most are taken at Mildenhall but a few are from Kings Lynn and they were taken in the late 70's and very early 80's. http://www.jbsportsi...tices/index.htm

Recently completed painting: 'The Wizard's of OZ' Featuring Darcy Ward & Chris Holder from the SWC series. A3 & A4 mounted prints available. Here

I recently completed a painting of Coventry's latest signing and SGP regular Emil Sayfutdinov. We can supply good quality 'Giclee' A3 and A4 mounted prints from it. Emil Sayfutdinov (The original painting is now sold but we can still supply A4 or A3 'Giclee quality prints)

Excuse me but - and I apologise if I am wrong are you the person that wanted the proposed New Cross walk about to suit you and was quite miffed when it was not? You people dont upset me.. I feel sorry for you. Like I said who really cares that another book has the same title. Some do obviously.

In what way? You want me to tell you? You are asking me? Your posts on the speedway history forum are generally the most negative posts imaginable. Personally, I dont give a toss if a book comes out with a title that is written that has been used before or not. If its a book that has been well written and has pics I like, I will buy it. Whatever the costs. Why speedyguy deletes posts its is up to him, and who generally comes over as a 'brick short of a load' as you do. This speedway vintage thing is very small and getting smaller as we all get alll older and a younger generation cares lest but whilst we try to keep it alive its not what matters to me more than anything else...Least of all your sad comments to try make yourselves to be more interested than you really are it seems...

So you did not post this: 'well but that's only seven quid more than the books Jeff Scott produces and this one actually contains stuff of interest and value..'

Parsloes: You seem to have your head in a bigger black hole than I do. Why not try and think: I'll have that book and I will pay for it - whatever it costs. I have never let the price of a book (and being of modest means) prevent me from purchasing a book that I wanted badly enough. Its okay to be tight with yourself of course (if you feel that you need to be ) and many are - but to publicise that fact - well.. I'll purchase a copy of it by the sounds of it..

It seems to me - that between you and speedyguy, the pair of you have turned this section into a complete pigs ear….

Back in the 60’/70s world championship road racing (or MotoGP as it is now) the GP’s were run under the auspices of FIM but there was no one body or organisation then that had any promoting rights and each individual organiser ran their own countries GP and negotiated with the riders directly for start money/expenses. Prize money was generally poor and the tracks consisted frequently of street type circuits and therefore they were very dangerous. At least 6 riders on average lost their lives from the lowest calibre riders to the top men every season. GP riders of the day like Mike Hailwood, Jim Redman, Giacomo Agostini and Bill Ivy etc could not make the Gp’s pay as the money was so poor. So they frequently raced in non championship events around the world to make some additional money. That is why it was great for me to go to Brands Hatch, Mallory Park and Cadwell Park to see on a regular basis these top guys in action on their exotic grand prix machinery at local circuits. These riders were also factory/works riders so had to compete in the poor paying GP’s so that they might win world championships but they did have some salary to help them financially, unlike the most of the riders who made up the field or privateers and who simply relied just on the start and prize money to live. No works contract - no salaries. There is a comparison here as I see it in that in road racing during the 60’s and 70’s all the top riders raced most weekends at non championship events to earn some decent money as the GP’s system was poor paying, though world championships and its prestige were at stake and so it is with speedway, its league team events taking part in UK, Sweden & Poland etc creates the money for the riders as the additional financial rewards derived solely from the SGP’s is insufficient at present. But attendance is essential for any rider in SGP for personal glory and to reach the pinnacle of their chosen sport. Over the years from the early 50’s there were the occasional strikes over the poor financial rewards for taking part at the highest level of the sport, of motorcycle racing and the FIM would usually be heavy handed and issue fines and suspensions to miscreants; one Geoff Duke was suspended over striking for better pay for himself and other riders. In the late 70’s riders like Barry Sheene ,who was fast becoming an household name all over the world, and Kenny Roberts with the extra publicity they were creating, started to push the FIM hard over the money that GP organisers were dishing out to them which was as little as they could get away with, and again there were walkouts and strikes etc and in 1980 these riders, amongst others, were on the point of starting a break away series which had the desired effect of bringing the organisers of the GP’s and the FIM around the table and to increase the levels of both start and prize money. At the East German GP at Sachsenring for example attendances were 150,000 common, and the riders were receiving a pittance to race and to risk their lives. Being part of the Eastern Block then riders invariably were paid in goods/beer rather than cash. It slowly got better and better and I think eventually Bernie Ecclestone became involved and started to create a franchise for the broadcasting rights of the MotoGp series. Once formed I think he quickly got out of it and a Spanish company called Dorna took over the organising and broadcasting rights. My theory of a GP rider only is based on that the more the Speedway SGP is expanded globally as Ole Olsen suggests that along with it will also see the franchise for the broad casting rights increase, and it will also as a result advertising revenue increasing. MotoGP and WSB is generally awash with money now by comparison, and is completely now totally different commercially to what motor cycle racing was in the 60’s. As an example: Valentino Rossi is reputed to earn about £15m a year. A high percentage of this is his salary plus bonus’s from Ducati; a major manufacturer, and also from prize money, corporate endorsements and personal sponsorship, and his own merchandising brands etc. I appreciate that with speedway the money is not there from the engine and bike manufacturers, and that is unlikely to change for the foreseeable future. However, a few riders in MotoGP and WSB or BSB are having to contribute financially to the budget of a team for their place. Again, through personal sponsors and endorsements and the subsequent exposure they are still able to compete. I heard a rumour recently that one rider in this years MotoGP series had to contribute 10 Million Euro’s for the ride. He may have paid it himself or his personal sponsors may have helped him out. If you take out the Engine Manufacturers as a source of income from the equation from SGP as a brand and sold globally by the right people, I am sure that and that the extra exposure will garner more corporate sponsors for the events, the local authorities where the location to the SGP track adding to the pot, plus riders personal sponsors would be prepared to up the anti because of all the extra exposure that would follow, and that will assist the transition to the status of a contracted SGP rider only. Now, maybe I’m totally wrong, it’s just my theory though and I think that there is a good chance it might go that way subject to it being managed by the right people and the right decisions made. I realise that there is quite a long term contract already in place, but I was thinking generally longer term. My views have partly been brought about by the rather tenuous arrangement of the top speedway riders taking part in leagues in several countries from day to day, many may suffer from burn out and their form becomes jaded as a result, and therefore self defeating in what is actually earned, and that sort of activity must have a limited time span on a normal human being that has to perform day in and day out in a very competitive (not to mention dangerous) environment, and also mixed loyalties when dates clash etc, and the way that the various countries might start applying different specification requirements on the machines, as with the new silencer problem recently. When I am at a road racing track say Brands Hatch for a round of the BSB or Silverstone for WSB if I I walk around the paddock on a Saturday evening and there is a round of a SGP on somewhere, virtually the whole paddock; teams, riders, mechanics, marshals, are all in the hospitality units are watching it. It has a world appeal to people dialled into motor sport as enthusiasts. Many of these people I doubt would watch a League meeting, as there is hardly anything for them to connect with, the teams would mean nothing to most of them, and neither would most of the riders. What would help lift the profile of SGP even more though would be if another Barry Sheene or Valentino Rossi would start to emerge, and maybe a Japanese rider that was good enough to be involved at some stage, which would simply speed up the process.

I cant answer that as I dont know the answer mate. I think there will always be leagues and teams but speedway as a global sport will gradually rely less on the league team emphasis. If they paid enough now a lot of GP riders would drop riding in teams in the UK one day and Poland or Sweden the next. I follow their tweets and it does never come over as anything like fun for them with all the international commuting they have to endure to make a decent living. Say to one of them: I will give you a million dollars but forget teams anywhere just ride in the GPs - what do think would be their response? It will come for sure but as long as there are leagues here in this country Poole will always be a part of it as one of the famous teams. (I apologise Starman if that reply to your post sounded patronising. It was not meant to be.)

It has not been helping itself of late has it?

I think the 'lady' refers to Ole Olsen as the Golem.. Anyway, I can see a time in the near future that the Gp's will be independent from league racing. They need to pay a lot more to the riders of course but commercially it will be possible with corporate sponsorship, and it will happen in due course. The GP's will just continue to develop whilst the league system will survive as a lower tier at best without the Gp riders.

I just don't get this 'flawed genius' bit. We are all flawed but very few of us get into a 'genius' status.

We are all flawed, its a human trait but some have exceptional skills. Mike Lee was one of those.