norbold

The League averages for 1935 were: Bluey Wilkinson: 10.57 Dick Case: 10.12 Tom Farndon: 9.74 Max Grosskreutz: 9.69 It's a close call I'd say between the three Australians. I have just been doing a lot of work on 1935 for my Tom Farndon book and I think Bluey would have shaded it, but all three were in great form that year. It could have been an Australian clean sweep. Though interestingly, of course, it was Frank Charles who actually won the Star Championship that year. (12th in the averages with 8.70)

1929: Frank Arthur 1930-32: Vic Huxley 1933-1934: Tom Farndon 1935: (assuming Tom died before he got enough points): Bluey Wilkinson Lawson 51? Are you assuming Jack Young wouldn't have got in to the GP that year?

Very true! No doubt about it. Yes, I'd go along with Ronnie Moore for both years. 1960 was my first year at speedway and Ove Fundin was absolutely dominant that year. It was a big surprise to me when he needed a run-off to win the title. Of all the years Ove did or might have won the World Title, I'd say 1960 was his best. Try a different year for Peter, Rob!

Do you know why they are no longer considered official? I know that Bob Andrews and Ivan Mauger still personally count their win in 1969 as official.

Geoff Mardon made 2nd reserve in 1951. Going back to 1936 again, I think Lionel Van Praag has always received something of a bad press as maybe being an undeserving champion because of the fact that Bluey Wilkinson got a 15 point maximum on the night and also later because of Eric Langton's dubious story about the run-off. However, Van Praag was most definitely one of the leading riders and not an unworthy champion by any means, though, in fact, his best years were probably 1937-9. He was just coming good in 1936 and maybe, under a GP system, he wouldn't have scored enough in the early rounds to win the title. But he would have given the two Milnes and Wilkinson a run for their money in the subsequent three years. I fear that PC will not win a title...but let's not preempt the late 50s and early 60s just yet! P.S. Actually, it's an interesting point to consider when we discuss old style World Championship v. Grand Prix. Would Jack Young and Geoff Mardon have made the finals they did under the new system? It was all part of the old romance of the speedway.

Was he good enough in 1950? I agree. Undoubtedly. Poor Freddie Williams, he's just lost his two World titles! Test scores 1936 (for main contenders): 1st Test: Charles 13; Parker 12;Langton 12; Wilkinson 11; Van Praag 4 2nd Test: Charles 18; Van Praag 12; Parker 8; Wilkinson 7; Langton 0 3rd Test: Charles 16; Langton 13; Van Praag 11; Wilkinson 6; Parker 5 4th Test: Langton 15; Van Praag 15; Charles 13; Wilkinson 9; Parker 7 5th Test: Wilkinson 16; Van Praag 15; Charles 8; Langton 4; Parker 0 And the prize goes to...Frank Charles, England's top scorer in 4 out of the 5 Tests.

Jack Parker actually topped the averages for 1936 and, like Charles, George Newton and Van Praag went in to the final with 12 bonus points, one behind Eric Langton. Sadly he was injured and did not take part in the final. So, barring injuries, he would have to be another strong contender for 1936. Which is interesting seeing as we've given him 1946 and 1949 as well. My reason for going for Wilkinson though is that he was a class performer who rose to the occasion on the big nights, witness the final itself in which he was unbeatable but lost out on the bonus points. In my view if we'd had a GP system in place he would have ridden every round as though it was the final and would have scored more points. 1951 is an interesting one because if we are assuming that the current GP system would have been in place, it is highly unlikely that Jack Young would even have been in it as a Second Division rider!

Yes, I disagree. 1936 - Bluey Wilkinson.

1939, Cordy Milne I would think. His average that year was an incredible 11.29. He was top of the bonus points chart for the World Final and hot favourite to win. I'll go along with the general opinion for 1946-50, though I think Eric Langton would have run Jack Parker close in 1946. I also think Ron Johnson would have been in with a good chance.

Yes, but if he'd have been riding in the GP that year, he would have missed the meeting in which he got injured, so he'd have been ok. I think we should start at 1946. Otherwise we're in danger of doing Vic Duggan yet another injustice!

QUOTE (BOBBATH @ Sep 4 2009, 07:23 PM) 1937 should have been Cordy Milne-more consistent than Jack or Wilbur!!!!!!!!!! Jack was top of the averages in 1937 with an 11+ average. he was by far the best rider that year. I'd go for 1. Jack Milne 2. Bluey Wilkinson 3. Lionel Van Praag. League averages that year: 1. Jack Milne 11.09 2. Lionel Van Praag 10.53 3. Eric Langton 10.18 4. Bluey Wilkinson 10.13 5. Bill Kitchen 9.88 6. Jack Parker 9.81 7. Joe Abbott 9.49 8. Cordy Milne 9.38

According to Langton's version anyway, conveniently aired in public after Van Praag had died and couldn't refute it.

Eric Langton did lose in a run-off with Lionel Van Praag.

Yes, I think you're probably right. Out of interest I just looked up my own 1967 World Final programme. In my younger days I used to predict the winner of each race by making a mark by the side of the rider I thought would win. I see that in heat 2, when Barry met Ove and Banger, I predicted Barry to win. In fact Barry was the only rider I predicted would win all five of his heats. I predicted Ivan would win four, only losing out to Briggo. Ove got my vote in three races and Banger in two.

What happened to your copy of "Out of the Frying Pan", speedyguy? It was 1951.

I agree with you, Grachan, but who do you think would have won in 1967? In a way it was the year in between the Barry Briggs and Ivan Mauger eras. One of them? Banger?

And yet he still increased his lead....

True. But he could well have won all three pre-War finals. Don't get me started! I'd rather let you drive me round London than read any more of Dr Belton's books!

Food for thought here... If the GP had been introduced in 1936 instead of 1995 and the GP had re-started immediately after the War, how many titles would Bluey Wilkinson, Vic Duggan, Jack Young, Ove Fundin and Ivan Mauger have won (for example).

We shouldn't forget Cordy Milne. Hot favourite to win the 1939 Championship which was cancelled four days before it was due to be held owing to the outbreak of war.

Hilary Buchanan, Cec Brown, Sid Chambers, Fred Cooper, Clem Cort, Dudley Cox, Les Dearth, Dank Ewen, Del Forster, Bert Gerrish, Jack Kidwell, John Leete, Fred Osborne, Alf Sawford, Mart Seiffert, Eddie Slade-Jones, Stan Spencer, Jimmy Stevens, Alf Summersby, Rube (Sonny) Wilson plus Jim Kempster and Vic Huxley after Star riders were allowed in. Cort, Foster and Spencer also appeared for Harringay.

Tom Farndon, who sadly died the year before the World Championship started.

Hmmm...That's a good question, frenchy. I think it got caught between two stools...or two books. When I wrote Speedway in the South East, Robert Bamford's Speedway in the Thames Valley was in production and I thought that he had included it in his book, so I left it alone. Had I realised he hadn't included it I would have covered it. I'm not really sure now why I should have thought that, so I suppose I would have to admit it was probably a mistake on my part not to include it in Speedway in the South East.

The price of that copy must have galvanised the publishers in to action as they have just emailed me to say they intend to reprint the book. Time to correct the two mistakes and two omissions in there.....

As far as I know that was his real name.