norbold

Me too. Christer was second only to Sverre for heart-stopping excitement.

I suppose my memories of Preben Rosenkilde and Bent Norregard at West Ham are a bit coloured by comparison with the great Sverre Harrfeldt at his imperial best sweeping round the boards, beating all-comers at Custom House. I think for sheer spectacle and excitement he was the best rider I've ever seen. Quite apart from the dash and exhilaration he showed, he could mix it with the best - riders of the calibre of Briggo and Fundin, as his second place in the 1966 World Championship showed. I'm afraid the memory of Rosenkilde and Norregard pale in comparison.

1937: New Cross 117 West Ham 97 1938: Wimbledon 109 New Cross 104 1939: Wimbledon 134 New Cross 82 1948: Wembley 115 New Cross 98 All these New Cross results are in a jolly good book called "Out of the Frying Pan". I can highly recommend it, Gustix. I believe it received a good review in the South London Press when it came out.

Ron Johnson won the London Riders' Championship in 1945 and 1946.

In the final round of Pointless today, one of the questions was name anyone who came in the first three in BBC's Sports Personality of the Year in the 1960s. Barry Briggs was a pointless answer. An easy £4250, but, sadly, the contestants didn't say him.

That looks familiar. I wonder who wrote that...

In 1947, nine meetings were held on a track in ELSTREE. The first meeting, held on 10 August, included Freddie Williams, Bill Kitchen, Cyril Brine and Tiger Hart.

A meeting was held on 9 April 1932 at Oulton Broad (Lowestoft Road), Eleven meetings were held at Doles Meadow, Bradwell. A meeting was held on 13 August 1932 at Crown Meadow, Lowestoft, One meeting at Downham Market on 14 July 1932 and two at Fakenham.

What more information do you want?

What's Barry Briggs doing this year? Or Ove Fundin?

Many happy returns, Len.

It certainly looks like an excellent book. I must get a copy.

I think there is no doubt that Ipswich will top the league. Danny King will at last fulfill all his potential and become England's best. Jake Allen will turn out to be reserve of the year. They will sign up Rohan Tungate, who will go through the season unbeaten at home and very nearly so away and will be an automatic pick for the 2020 Grand Prix series as, remember, he still has a 100% record in Grand Prix. Scott Nicholls will also return and find a new lease of life, back to his mid 2000s best as he matures with age like Greg Hancock. With a top four like that it doesn't matter who else they sign up. So, no doubt, it's Ipswich all the way......

How about Chris Louis making a comeback himself? He can't be much older than Hancock...... Actually, just looked it up. He's less than a year older.

I'm an Ipswich fan and he's popular with me!

I reminded him of that night!

Talking of Split Waterman, I was talking to Ove Fundin about him at the Norwich WSRA lunch a couple of weeks ago. He said he visited him in Spain a little while ago and he was in good health and reasonably active still.

Jack Young was another who didn't particularly care which gate he went off as he couldn't gate anyway! He made most of his points from behind. With regard to the ten point averages for the "Big Five", we also shouldn't forget that they went off a 20 yard handicap for three seasons.

Just the 1920s really. By 1929 (after just one year) people were getting fed up with what was more or less a meaningless succession of races that meant very little or nothing. Spectators were crying out for team speedway so they could get behind their riders and support them. I can't help thinking that would be the same feeling today.

The programme was broadcast on 17 October. Here is the link to Wycombe Sound's Listen Again. Click on Wednesday 17 October. The speedway bit is from about 33:24 to 41:20. http://listenagain.wycombesound.org.uk/index.php/shows/the-emperors-bits/

It's just Boaty McBoat Face all over again!

Whilst that is probably true, there is no point in opening it up to popular vote then. Why not just choose the winner in the same way they choose the team or the overseas player of the year?

Yes, I remember that well.

Yes, that's why I didn't include 67!

There is a strong possibility that Ove Fundin would have won every year from 1956 - 1963, making eight in all. The only interruption to that could have been Briggo in 57 and/or 58.