steve roberts

I think that Ivan and Kym Mauger may have rode together during some of Ivan's Farewell Meetings?

Strewth! I think I'll stick to riding a speedway bike!

I had a go many years ago and have nothing but admiration for anybody who dares ride a bike with no gears and breaks!

Enjoyed reading your post! I agree with much of what you say.

Charlie & Richard May Derek & Nigel Close

I recall that when dirt deflectors were first introduced it was thought that meetings would be less prone to postponements and/or cancellations due to adverse weather. The case for their introduction was that they would ease visibility and that meetings that would normally be cancelled would take place. That scenario never really did happen in my opinion (just another cost passed onto the riders) and it seems that postponements are even more prevalent nowadays judging by the comments. I'm sure there's a statistician out there who could either confirm or deny the ratio of meetings postponed prior to dirt deflectors being introduced and meetings postponed after their intervention? Personally I wouldn't be very surprised if the figure worked out about even.

Wilf and Graham Plant

Just had a look at your photos...greats great stuff!!

How about 'Kiwi' Cribb (who rode under the name 'Kiwi' during the 50s and 60s in New Zealand) and son Bruce. Les and Ronnie Moore.

Bo (Tommy's brother) and Jimmy Jansson.

Len and Ken Eyre...just read it in the latest 'Speedway Classic' magazine!

Not sure what the present criteria is but tracks had to conform to FIM track measurements (width in particular) of which there were/are just a few in Britain.

Shall have to have a look at that!

Recall the incident and Bernard got the then track presenter, Mike Bennett, to make a 'comment' over the PA regarding Thorp's actions who had 're-joined' the race and managed to re-pass at least one rider if I remember correctly. If I recall Bernard resigned as Team Manager.

How about Stan and Jim Tebby?

I guess that at a stretch Neil Street being father-in-law to Phil Crump and therefore Grandfather to Jason may qualify? I claim special dispensation for that one!

Following on from the thread regarding fathers and sons who rode it did get me thinking of grandfathers who have competed. I can only come up with Charlie (Grandfather), Bob (Father) brothers John & Eric also rode and sons of Bob Martin & Paul Dugard. I remember reading sometime ago that Martin's son dabbled in the sport also...so that would actually make it four generations!

Different slant on the subject but how about brothers riding together? The Boocock brothers would have taken some beating. They did appear at least on one occasion in a Best Pairs Final I seem to recall?

Lionel and Barry Van Pragg. Ole and Jacob Olsen Peter and Robert Craven

I championed this ideology some time ago on this forum but was shouted down!

I'm sure that the last thing 'speedibee' would want is someone to 'fight his corner' for him but, although not always agreeing with him, he is one of very few of the contributors on BSF that makes me laugh out loud at some of his comments!

I was stepping away from speedway at that point so can't make an in depth analysis from that era but my observations were based on when speedway was still enjoying national attention via newspapers and TV back in the early/middle eighties. The commentators then were suggesting that not having a World Champion racing in Britain would prove harmful and it's fair to say that speedway started to loose popularity around that time. Whether it was due to not having the World Champion ridding in Britain (1983 & 1984) is debatable. Personally if I still attended speedway I would enjoy the spectacle of watching the present World Champion competing but that's my personal view...leave others to debate.

Yes I recall the comments made by Promoters/Fans/Journalists etc who thought that Bruce Penhall winning in 1982 (and retiring) and Egon Muller winning in 1983 suggesting how that would prove detrimental to domestic speedway in not having the World Champion riding in what was then regarded the Premier domestic league. These same sources also stated how important it was to have a British World Champion. One could argue that with Penhall's demise the sport has been on a downward spiral since (I don't personally agree with that assumption) but there is no getting away from the fact that domestic speedway in this country now appears to bare very little importance regarding the bigger picture. More's the shame!

I live in York too but' thinking like an Oxonian'

When I went to speedway becoming British Champion was looked upon as an honour amongst the British/Australian/New Zealand contingent. The fact that it was part of the qualifying system back then also attached more significance to the meeting. Peter being the reigning World Champion was 'rewarded' a bye which he accepted knowing how the British Final often proved a difficult obstacle. Many good riders went by the way side at that stage of the proceedings. Unfortunately the British Final no longer has that same importance or significance and, as I've noted elsewhere, does it bare any relevance to the present GP qualifying system? Peter's case was a one off as far as I can recall but I do remember a case being put forward for Kenny Carter (1984?) to be given a 'bye' but it fell on death ears! In my opinion 'seeding' riders will always prove controversial. I recall the Danes getting 'bogged down' on more than one occasion when it elected to 'seed' riders which didn't meet with the approval of certain parties within the Danish contingent! I no longer go to speedway but I do know that I would be disappointed not to get the chance to see a British World Champion at the British Final...whether he was already in the GP series or not.