WembleyLion

Thanks GW - I am visiting Sweden from 1 - 4 June staying in Norrköping and had planned to take in fixtures at Kumla, Linköping and Nyköping. Looks like I'll have to do Hammarby on 3 June instead of Nyköping - even though it's further to travel it appears to be a relatively straight forward trip up the motorway.

... and Russians!!

A unique setting for sure and I always enjoyed my visits there. I remember well the team that included both Matej Zagar and Chris Harris who were both very impressive to watch at the Trelawny track.

Ah 1976 at the Wick - great memories none more so than on Good Friday (16 April) - Hackney 23 v 55 Ipswich. Strangely enough they had also met at Foxhall Heath that afternoon and the Witches had only won by 4 points! The Witches often did very well at Hackney and in part this was testament to the great race track at Waterden Road.

My best memory of Alan Sage was seeing him involved in an unexpected heat 13 5-1 for Ipswich at Hackney in 1973 which got the Witches a draw.

Signed - I was fortunate enough to visit the venue during a trip to NZ some years ago - unfortunately I did not see any Speedway there so I would like to go back one day to put that straight. Good luck!

I remember him riding in the first meeting I saw at Foxhall in 1970 - R.I.P Bernie

I was living in Wembley at the time and as schoolboy I started following the Lions in 1970 when they re-opened but unfortunately they closed by the end of 1971 so in only two seasons out of 40 have I had a home track to follow. Due to family connections I was fortunate enough to see a lot of Ipswich and made regular trips to Foxhall Heath in the mid to late 70's and in 1978 I managed to do all home and away fixtures for the Witches whilst I still lived in Wembley. I still a have soft spot for the Witches these days. I have also managed a complete season of home fixtures at Hackney in 1981. Fifteen years ago I moved to Buckinghamshire where Oxford and Reading became my nearest tracks and although I did not support either team I was fairly regular in attendance at Cowley and Smallmead and really do miss Speedway at both. I reached double figures at Coventry, Swindon and Rye House last season which are my three nearest tracks now and will probably do double figures at those tracks again this year. Whilst I do not profess to support a particular team I do like to see both Coventry and Ipswich doing well and I have reallly enjoyed all those years of simply being a Speedway fan as opposed to following a particular club.

I was fortunate enough to see Erik at close quarters last year when he was heavily involved with the youngsters in an 80cc meeting at Korskro. He clearly is a great inspiration and seemed to be getting a lot of enjoyment in helping the up and coming Danes.

Cardiff and Terenzano I hope.

I find it difficult to take on board what I've just seen - it was truly shocking. RIP Zbigniew

I remember that sad day very well and the terrible crash involving Joe. He was indeed a very fine and entertaining rider.

Thanks Anders - I have been waiting for the Division 1 fixtures so I may finalise my plans for a three day trip in early June. It looks like I'll be able to fit in meetings at Kumla, Linköping and Mariestad.

Thank you very much Ian, Sandie and Mick. It has helped me to make up my mind to hire a car. Unfortunately I can only stay one night otherwise my daughters will miss school! Kind regards Eddie

I am thinking of taking this one in by flying to Trieste and staying in Udine. I would appreciate any thoughts or advice from those who have been there before and in particular whether it is possible/easy to get any form of public transport to Udine after the meeting or would hiring a car be a better option? If this is the case is it easy to park at or near to the stadium? Are there any places to stay within a couple of miles of the track - most places I have found are a bit further away than this? Thanks in advance of any help.

Does anyone know when these will be announced as they were known much earlier last season? Thanks

Got round to reading it today and very much enjoyed it. Well done Uncle Len for donating the profits to the SRBF.

Thanks David - just got to wait for the fixtures to fall in place now. Kind regards Eddie

Hi David Would you mind letting me know where you stayed in Linkoping as I am hoping to do a Vargarna, Filbyterna, Griparna trip if the fixtures fall into place. Many thanks Eddie

There is an Arthur Sheene in the A to Z of riders on the Coventry website which suggests he rode for them in 1929.

I seem to recall a second halfer at Belle Vue by the name of Brian Bentley (I think). I also recall that he rode for the Aces twice but something like seven years between each meeting. Many a second half at Wembley in 1970/71 also saw a number of other riders invited to take part in the second half only. I remember seeing John Louis for the first time on one such occasion and such was his rise to stardom that by 1972 (in his third full season as a Speedway rider) he finished joint 4th in his first World Final also at Wembley.

There is also Carl Ringblom who is listed as one of the Honorary Vice-Presidents of Commissions and Panels at the FIM. So far as C Ringstrom is concerned I have only managed to find another meeting where he was the FIM referee - the 1979 Commonwealth Final at White City where his surname is actually spelt Ringstroem. More dectective work needed!

Christer rings a bell but I'll need to check when I get home this evening.

Hi Tony - yes indeed and did you look at the Korskro (sub menu of Esbjerg) picture showing the old long track that you once visited and the three newer tracks which have subsequently been built. The 80cc meeting I saw was on the middle sized track of the three. Regards Eddie

Frenchy I went to Coventry v Cradley Heath on 23 April 1977 which was abandoned after 8 heats - details as follows:- Coventry 26 Ole Olsen 3 3 = 6 Alf Busk 2* 2* 3 = 7 + 2 Mitch Shirra 3 X = 3 Tommy Nilsson 0 0 = 0 Alan Molyneux 1 3 = 4 Dave Mortiboys 1 0 0 = 1 Frank Smith 3 1 1 = 5 Cradley Heath 22 Bernt Persson 0 1* = 1 + 1 Steve Bastable 1 2 2 = 5 Bruce Cribb 2 X = 2 Arthur Price 2* 2* = 4 + 2 Anders Michanek 3 3 = 6 Dave Perks 2 1* 0 = 3 + 1 Bob Valentine F 1 F = 1