norbold

I've seen 13 of them. Missed out on Arthur Payne, Henry Long and Derek Close.

It's Dick Bradley's 93rd birthday today. Happy Birthday, Dick.

I don't know, BOBBATH, but the late great Keith Farman compiled a complete list of every race Ove Fundin raced in and I think, from memory, that it showed that Ove beat each of the other Big 5 more times than they beat him and that it was Peter Craven who had the best record against him.

On Mike Broadbank, I should have noticed that as I have only just written a two part article for John Skinner's Defunct Speedway Tracks on him this week! It's interesting that you place Ronnie Moore above Briggo in light of the subsequent postings about "desire". I think this was what stopped Ronnie Moore from becoming the greatest of all time and definitely outdoing Briggo and Ove. Ronnie was a team man through and through and more interested in his team, Wimbledon, than in winning individual titles. I think there is probably universal agreement that Moore was the best speedway rider technically. As Alf Hagon once told me, "He was by far the best rider I have ever partnered. He could do anything on a bike. They called him Mirac and he was. He could ride full throttle, half throttle, change directions, tootle round slowly, ride the inside line, ride the outside line. He would even shout instructions at me as we were going round." But he didn't really have that "killer instinct" like Briggo, Ove and Mauger. I don't think Knutson had it either. And it was that that stopped them from winning more world titles.

Just as an aside, that was the only time I ever saw Southampton. For various reasons I missed them every time they had a match against New Cross, but managed to catch up with them in this meeting.

Probably, yes, though he was roughly the same age as Briggo, both born 1934, and Briggo had been runner-up in 1968 and 1969 and was 7th in 1970. So, if he really took to the Polish tracks, he may have been in with a chance.

1970 was the first time the World Final was held in Poland at Wroclaw.

Well, we know he compares very well to them as together they made up the Big Five. And yes, he may well have won more World Championships. Maybe not 68 onwards but certainly up to then I think.

I had the privilege of seeing Bjorn every week when he was captain of West Ham. He was pure class and could beat anyone on his day. It was always said that he didn't do better on the big nights because he was a very nervous character. I don't know how true that was, but there is no doubt that he deserved his World Championship win in 1965. He was right up there with the likes of Ove and Briggo, no doubt about it.

When I started going there was no rider control. Wimbledon won the league year after year and everyone expected them to. But they were a great draw as supporters of other teams went to see if their team could possibly beat this powerhouse. From 1954-1961 they won the league every year, expect for 1957 when Swindon topped the league. In 1962 a new powerhouse team, Southampton, took the title. Their top two were Barry Briggs and Bjorn Knutson, both slightly above an eight point average I believe! Funnily enough, Wimbledon had three riders above eight that year - Ronnie Moore, Ron How and Bob Andrews. But people wanted to see all these top riders. They were a great attraction.

Brian Crutcher was born 23/08/1934, so he is one year and three months younger than Ove. I should add that Briggo was born 30 December 1934, so Brian Crutcher will make it to the list before he does!

I'm sure you're right about Brian Crutcher, Wealdstone, But, unfortunately, he's not on the list of oldest finalists - yet.

Iris, Chunky and CHR, may I recommend another good book...."Out of the Frying Pan - The story of New Cross Speedway"

Easy - Halifax. (You are allowed to take Martin Rogers' "The Illustrated History of Speedway" to the famous chair with you, aren't you?)

No idea, Rob, but I didn't say it was my specialist subject! By the way, the answer is Split Waterman.

Who came 12th in the 1952 World Final? (No looking up!)

You didn't get the New Cross answer!!! In answer to Dave's question, I would go for either British Speedway from 1945 - 1965; The History of New Cross or the life of Tom Farndon. It would be interesting to know what reference books they would go to to compile the questions for the last two.......

Yes.

Think you might have missed the point there, TWK! Anyway, I suspect BL65 got more than I did.... I've only been on two. Phil's been on dozens! If only I could have matched him, I'd probably be the Grand Prix race director by now.

Yes, BOBBATH, I think those three are slightly a class above the rest.

Although he was past his best by the time I saw him at New Cross, Split was still a good heat leader, but there was a period of about three or four weeks when he must have been like the Split of old. He seemed to be in a different class - he beat Ove Fundin three times one night during this time - and it was like I did catch a glimpse of him at his best. Sadly, it didn't last long but it was a privilege to see him back to his best. On that form, I think he would definitely have beaten Olle Nygren, both at their best. The only thing I would say about Olle is that he probably maintained a higher standard for longer than Split. He was still a major force to be reckoned with in the late 60s.

Yes, I believe Split would beat Olle more times than he would lose to him.

Yes, that's the date given on Wikipedia. I wonder where the date we have on our list came from?

I agree. Split was good, but not quite that good. After all, he didn't win the World Championship.

So Ronnie Moore is promoted to the top 16, which probably gives us a clear winner when the meeting is held! (Mind you, the meeting had better be held soon, before Ove joins them next!)