Gert Handbag

Hi Dean, May I ask you a hypothetical question? I respect the fact that you have ridden these machines at a professional level. The rest of us only dreamed of that. Do you think Penhall on Weslake, Gundersen on an upright GM or NIelsen on a Godden would get close to a decent rider on modern equipment? I'm not asking if modern riders are better, but how far behind would a World Champion of their era be behind, say, a GP Final today, in your opinion. All for fun and discussion!

RIP Mike.

I've never been on a bike (of that sort) Dean, so I respect the fact that you have. I just wouldn't want to see him have another accident though, with significant life changing injuries. He has been through a lot of punishment.

I watched the interview yesterday. He is a remarkable man. At the end he said they were selling their British property, and to me it seems like this is the end for him, although he did say he would like to ride his bike again. After all of his injuries, I hope he doesn't sit on a bike competitively again, and I wish him and his family health and happiness for the future.

This is probably the wrong topic, but Sophie has made the front page of the daily press today in her campaign for the Assisted Dying Bill, which has its final reading later in the House of Commons. I wish her and her fellow campaigners every success.

At least they have management who are prepared to lose thousands a year in order to give the speedway fans of the West Midlands a product. Those of us who used to follow Cradley, Coventry and Wolves can only dream of having a team riding in our name who are so crap that they lose every week to a teams that have 2 GP stars in their team. Next year in all likelihood the Brummies will be gone as well. No teams left in what used to be the heartbeat of British speedway. You should be careful what you wish for - it could be your team next.

I think that's a bit below the belt, considering she is suffering with stage 4 terminal breast cancer. I'm sure you didn't mean it like that though.

I would add David Shields into this list. A talented Aussie, but was happier being at home on the farm. A great season in 1981 for the Heathens, and looked like he was going to kick on, but sadly never returned or (as far as I'm aware) rode in anger again. He could tell all of his friends and family though that he rode with Bruce Penhall and Erik Gundersen.

This is such fantastic news, fingers crossed. Whilst there are many Cradley legends, if this does happen could we have a match with Wolves for the Nigel Pearson trophy?

I started in 1980, so might have been after McCormick. Certainly early 1980's.

If John Downer is behind this (and I stand to be corrected) he seems to be local to Coventry, based in Solihull - according to public record at Companies House. If it is the same John Downer, here is an article about him https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Risk+taking+is+necessary+for+anyone+hoping+to+be+successful+in...-a076840456

I seem to remember that Eddie jumped at a few speedway tracks. He certainly jumped at Dudley Wood during a speedway meeting I was at. Only a small jump, more of a PR thing.

I agree Steve. I'm grateful to both Lee and the former riders for giving up their time to do it though. If it were a professional "paid for" interview, then expectations would be higher.

Great interview with Kelvin last night. There will be a part 2 at some stage. Chris Morton up tonight, and Gary Havelock on Thursday

I've just seen this on youtube. Tragic.