van wolfswinkel

Good luck to James, used to be a joy to watch him up at Worky in 2004/5, great racer, nice guy to chat to, but looked a different rider at Swindon, although vast difference between the leagues. Ditto Simon Stead, almost unbeatable at Worky, ordinary at The Abbey, never realised his potential.

I used to like the upbeat enthusiastic presentation of the Scot Michael Max at Worky, what's he doing now?

Swindon with Rosco in charge always a good bet, had 'em at 6/1 when they beat Poole in 2012 Grand Final.

I have been watching curling for years, it goes on in loads of hairdressing shops all over Swindon, and I have been warned by the police many times. May gain more popularity especially north of the border. Should set up lots of curling rinks in the high crime, inner-city areas of Glasgow and Edinburgh, although there could be a risk they could use the equipment as weapons. You could compare speed-skating to that ice speedway they had at Telford.

The Star is an excellent publication, especially the bumper pre-season review edition. Don't buy it off-season though

At Swindon Charlie Gjedde never fulfilled his potential...nor did Mad Wellie Simon Stead Jurica Pavlic Morten Risager Jonno Travis Mac Tomas Chrzanowski Edward Kennett and James Wright.

Didn't he ride for Poole and Ackney also? Died from a brain tumour at an early age if I remember.

depends which era you watched speedway, I'm more 60s/70s, and would go for Craven, Collins, Ashby, Wilson, the Boocock Bros., Betts, Louis, Jessup, Simmons, Morton, Lee, as I've seen them ride.

Spoke to him a few weeks ago at his Marlboro' motor-cycle workshop business. Modest quiet guy. Briggo once said he was the best rider in the world at one time but didn't believe in himself enough.

Mauger Olsen Collins Michanek Briggs Jansson Louis Jessup Lee Simmons, have to add Crump Autrey Ashby as well being a Robins fan.

crowds started falling off mid-80s and have never recovered

I am sure he was put out to pasture on retirement

Not many thesedays apart from perhaps Ward and Killer, used to be the likes of Craven, Fundin, Briggo, Mauger, Nielsen, Lee, Penhall, Olsen, Collins, Knutsson in the heydays of the 60s/70s/80s

I have written several letters over the years complaining at the lack of passing, poor view and facilities, track state, state of the bogs and burgers, lack of atmosphere ,no proper dress code, cold weather, and admission costs at Blunsdon, none are ever published.

I think the demise of GB as world number 1, and the Yanks and Danes taking over in the 80s was the main factor in fans losing interest.

From what I remember New Cross was tiny...certainly compared to the other London tracks, and Swindon's Abbey where I go fairly regularly now, and have done on and mainly off since 68 .

My fave was Wimbledon, memories from the 60s of Briggo, Mooro, Nygren, Hedge, Luckhurst, Tebby, Cowland, Dugard, Everett, Maidment etc.,. Also liked West Ham, Hackney and White City, and fond memories of the first speedway meeting I attended as a 7-year-old Peckham nipper at The Frying Pan of New Cross v. Hackney 1963. Was right next door to Millwall's old Den S.E.14. Wembley stadium in 63 was my first world final won by Ove Fundin, from Knutsson and Briggo. Craven and Nigel Boocock, Harrfeldt, Nordin and Samorodov also rode.

Tai Woffy the world champion then not much to chose between Ward Iversen Sayfutdinov Hampel Holder.

Was the track not closed because of elf and safety issues, the Singh brothers unsuccessfully staged a Bengal Tigers v. Delhi Bellies meeting that was abandoned because of chickens and goats wandering around the track during racing, cows in the pits,riders wearing turbans not helmets, food poisoning from the curry takeaways, illegal immigrants pitching tents on the centre-green, the bikes were 50cc mopeds, and a tiger was let loose on the terraces attacking fans...utter mayhem and chaos.

Nonsense one of the worst tracks I've ever seen My faves were West Am, Ackney, Wimbledon, New Cross, White City, Wembley, Reading Sad news about IOW...friendly little club there

Boro's crowds are about 14,000 now, but agree better facilities has meant improved crowds generally, although in the 60s Swindon Town used to get 10,000 plus, as opposed to 7-8000 now. Arsenal's attendances have increased. The reason given for lower crowds at Italian football matches are the crumbling stadia. Standing on a grass bank and paying 17 quid to watch speedway is poor value, and wont attract more fans (look at Swindon). I watch football, rugby, ice hockey, and horse racing as well, and they have increasing crowds and better facilities than speedway.

Friendly club..nice little stadium. but little crowd of about 200 when I was there 2 years ago. Little passing on their massive track. Good luck to the Islanders. Wightlink buy the fence for 'em!

Likeable lad used to watch him up at Worky 10 years ago, always had time for a chat. Superb racer. Remember him winning the PLRC at Swindon, and then riding for the Robins.. Good luck Wrighty...

Better weather Bigger crowds...unlikely unless admission is reduced Less injuries Better tracks Close racing No clubs going to the wall because of financial trouble Swindon to pay their riders and finish top A new stadium in Swindon

Bruv, who lives in Adelaide, will be there next Saturday at Gillman. Was there last year to see Batch win, and signed his Swindon programme board along with Leigh Adams. Always a few Robins fans there from UK and Oz. Sends me a programme. Why no Wardo, Schleiny, Watto though, and Kid Morra?